Kerry as Obama's VP?

[babylonsister]

http://www.jackischechner.com/2008/06/kerry-as-obamas-vp.html

Kerry as Obama's VP?


I interviewed Senator Kerry today as part of the Virtual Energy Forum and asked whether he'd be interested in the VP spot:

Jacki Schechner: It was inevitable we were going to get this question so I'm just going to throw it out there. But somebody says...her name is Lola...she says, "Would you consider running with Obama, and if so, what would you do to decrease the crisis with the Middle East and use diplomacy in reducing the economy and dependence on oil?"

Senator Kerry: Well, Lola, I'll answer the first part of your question by saying that having made the selection for Vice President, it's a good idea not to consider running with the person who's choosing. Let them decide who they want to have run with them. So the answer is no, I'm sitting here like everybody else and watching with amusement while this process goes on.

Jacki: Would you be interested?

Kerry: Only...the answer is probably not, but if the right definition were given to the job, then you'd be foolish not to say that you would think about it or consider it. And you'd be dishonest, likewise.

[Mass]

1. Uhm. How long before this is exploited AGAINST Kerry in his reelection's race.

I like his honesty, unfortunately, you cannot be honest these days.

I have to say that, as much as I think Kerry would deserve it if he wanted it, I would hate to see a race in MA between O'R and Beatty. This would be the best way to give the seat to the GOP.

Just as a question of curiosity , if Kerry was unable to run (for whatever reason), would O'R automatically get the nomination? :scared:

[politicasista]

5. That would be scary

I agree with your thoughts. :scared:

[wisteria]

9. Would Voters actually desert Kerry en mass and run to O'Reilly or Beatty simple because of this?

I have followed both and anyone who listened to either one for more than five minutes would have enough sense not to vote for either one.

[BlueIris]

2. It's good he was up front about it, but I agree with Mass.

Also...I much prefer Kerry in the Senate at this time.

[beachmom]

3. It reminds me of that hilarious answer (funny, in that Colbert pummelled him with it)

to if he would run for president again. It was a month or two after he said he would not run. It was not helpful, but entirely honest. Um, he needs to tighten up his answer to NO with a teeniest tiniest bit of wiggle room.

"No, I am not seeking the VP position, I am running for re-election to the Senate."

That seems pretty definitive, yet there is daylight in there.

I only say that it should have some wiggle room, because you can never 100% predict anything in politics, so it's best to leave as many options on the table as possible.

[karynnj]

4. That's an apt analogy

I like your proposed response.

I like that it is Kerry's need to be completely honest that leads to these contorted answers. Though it gets him in trouble sometimes, there is something refreshing that he cares about not misleading anyone - other than when something has to remain secret. So much better than people who say what ever they think people want to hear.

[ray of light]

6. check out the bottom of this link. Apparently if someone writes something about Kerry and this arti

article, it gives the title of the link to that article. (Making sense?)


http://www.jackischechner.com/2008/06/kerry-as-obamas-vp.html

[Mass]

7. Here we go. and the Republican, despite his name, is a local paper which is

normally favorable to Kerry (and still is here).

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/06/john_kerry_refuses_to_rule_out.html?category=Politics

John Kerry refuses to rule out vice presidential run

[wisteria]

10. Whatever, I think the whole matter being so damaging to Kerry is overblown. Sorry. n/t

[Mass]

11. You made your opinion clear. Sorry if I disagree. This will not prevent him from being

reelected, but it will make life more difficult for nothing.

[wisteria]

8. he is being honest, I see nothing wrong with that. And, being honest does not diminish his support

for the people of Massachusetts. How many people are really highly concerned about Senator Kerry being honest and being honored to be considered? When Senator Clinton ran for reelection people said that she was going to run for President and that apparently did not stop people from voting for her in NY. I am not saying Mass. is exactly like NY, but with O'Reilly as the other choice, I just don't see people deserting Senator Kerry and running to O'Reilly.

[Inuca]

12. Can somebody spell it out for me?

What exactly does "it's a good idea not to consider running with the person who's choosing" mean? I read it several times, and for the life of me I cannot figure it out.

[JI7]

13. i think it refers to Bush's pick of Dick Cheney as VP

and how Cheney was the one in charge of the VP search at that time. and BUsh ended up picking him.

[karynnj]

14. I just think he was saying that it would

not be a good idea picturing yourself running with the nominee. He may mean that it is non-productive. (If it means this, I disagree. I wish that Edwards would have put serious thought into thinking about what running with Kerry would be in 2004. From his comments, he didn't enjoy being "second" and he wasn't even willing to use an innocuous slogan because it was not the one HE wanted.)

The problem is that he can't run for both Senate and VP and would leave MA in a mess (unless MA has something like NJ that allows a vacated slot to be filled.). It also would put him in a position that has few designated responsibilities - so what he said is true - that if Obama defined the role to assign him areas that are his passion, it would be tempting - if the MA problem could be resolved (and I doubt the legislature would change the law again - the last time was to benefit the party, not Kerry. Now, it would be to let Kerry have what some want HRC or someone else to have.)

[beachmom]

15. Another article from The Republican with Wade quote:

http://www.masslive.com/hampfrank/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-15/1213341389141800.xml&coll=1

Asked for elaboration on yesterday, David Wade, the senator's spokesman, said, "Sen. Kerry was asked a question he's been asked many times and answered honestly: He's not interested in being vice president but obviously anyone who is being honest and forthright would consider if asked.

"But the reality is," Wade continued, "the only job John Kerry is running for, contemplating or considering, is the one he already has as senator from Massachusetts."

E. Henry Twiggs, the chairman of the Springfield Democratic City Committee, who has been critical of what he sees as Kerry's inattention to Western Massachusetts, said yesterday that he understands how Kerry, as a national political figure, would have to at least consider the option of being the running mate to U.S. Sen. Barack H, Obama, D-Ill., the Democratic presumptive nominee.

But Twiggs said he has concerns about the junior senator's future plans, especially when considering that Massachusetts' other senator, Edward M. Kennedy, is at home in Hyannisport recovering from brain surgery for a malignant tumor.

"The larger question here, with the senior senator ailing, and the junior senator running around trying to stay in the national spotlight casts some concerns on his constituents locally if he is interested in which job," Twiggs said. "Does he want to be a U.S. senator or does he want to be vice president or what does he want to be?"

Kerry is seeking a fourth term in the Senate. He faces a primary challenge from Gloucester lawyer Edward J. O'Reilly on Sept. 16.

"This is John Kerry's moment in the Senate. He was just ranked the 12th most powerful senator out of 100," said Wade. "He chairs the Small Business Committee that delivers millions in loans for women and minorities in Massachusetts. He's ranked No. 3 on the Foreign Relations Committee and No. 3 on the Commerce Committee. Barbara Boxer just called him the Senate's "go-to guy" on global climate change. And after November he'll be serving with considerable seniority in the Democratic majority with a partner as president whom he endorsed very early."

Asked about a potential role, as either vice president or a member of an Obama cabinet, Obama spokesman Reid Cherlin said, "Sen. Obama appreciates his close friendship with Sen. Kerry, his service to this country and his early support for our campaign. It is obviously far too early to even speculate about the makeup of an Obama administration and Sen. Kerry has made clear that he will remain a senator, but with his long record he'd be on the short list of anyone's Cabinet."

Oh, and the last paragraph in the article is an error. Kerry CANNOT run for both offices at the same time.

Nice to see Obama's campaign has Kerry's back in his own Senate re-election campaign, and emphasizing that Kerry wants to be Senator.

I'm sorry, guys. I'm not in Mass., but I identify with the guy from western Mass. Constituents want to know that their Senator truly wants to represent them. Kerry ran and lost for the presidency. I don't think it is asking too much from him that he make it clear that he wants to represent Mass., and isn't always looking elsewhere for career fulfillment. Of course, this is vintage Kerry -- he's ALWAYS restless, so maybe Mass. folks need to accept the fact that Kerry will never be as firm as they would like. But damn -- it's pretty funny when the Obama presidential campaign has to state the obvious, when Kerry was less than eloquent on the question. LOL. It'll be fine, but this whole thing was a self inflicted wound.

[Inuca]

16. Minor wound, I hope

good clarification from Wade.