Dean's running mate

[jravnsbo]

Dean has some problems in picking a running mate.  he is running against the establishment of the Democrat party.  So how can he pick a senator or Congressman.  Did you see he just attacked Terry McAulliffe in the last few days.

Edwards has said no.  Clark and Dean had a little spat about it already, and very publicly.  

Another governor would be the most logical, considering Dean's rants, but who ever knows with Dean.

[jravnsbo]

But of allt eh Candidates Gephardt si the most establishment candidate of all the candidates.  

His TAX INCREASE proposals do line up with Dean's though.

You're right, Dean has massive problems picking a running mate. I agree that Clark and Edwards are unrealistic choices, but then so is Hillary. I guess it's a question of personal preference, who Dean supporters would like to see as his RM.

In any case, Dean would do well to choose a rival, namely Dick Gephardt. It's a move that would unite the Party and go some way to heal the fractions his campaign has opened up (much the same way Reagan chose his closest rival from the 1980 primaries, George Bush. It was an inspired move because it displayed party unity - something the Democrats desperately need to convey next year).

[jravnsbo]

oh and Gephardt has no foreign policy experience either.

[jravnsbo]

True and good point.  Dean did ask the followers about it when it came to opting out of the Campaign finance laws.

I like ford as an intrguing candidate, but he now supports Kerry.  Plus as it is with hima d Lewis and they are black and not sure how that would play.  It will happen someday, but not sure if it will be 2004, would help Dean with credentials among blacks though.

Clark would add foreign policy, but recent tiff with Dean won't help, plus Clark hasn't said anything about DOMESTIC issues.

I would still think Graham would be the top pick.  He is a governor and getting out of the senate but with the experience to govern the senate ( what would Clark know about that?) Plus Graham is froma battleground state of FL which would make it more competitive but I still think Bush wins it.

Seeing how Dean has had so much success with the Internet, wouldn't it be cool if he had a poll asking voters who should be his running mate?

I doubt many Dean supporters would like Clark - he's tried time and time again to stop Dean (with no success, I might add).  Edwards would be Clark with no "stop Dean" credentials.  But judging by Edwards failure to even beat Kucinich in some polls, I doubt he'd be a possibility.

Dick Morris thinks Hillary might be the VP pick of Dean, but who knows?  The Clinton's have tried their own "Stop Dean" scenarios (enter Clark), so they might be out too.

Harold Ford, Jr. would be a good pick.  Or John Lewis from my state of Georgia.  Lewis wouldn't win GA for Dean, but it could help some - along with other southern states.

[jravnsbo]

See why GOP likes this election cycle, the battleground states will mostly in in gore states.

feingold is up for reelection and edwards has said no.

I would like Russ Feingold better than anyone on this list.  The reason being, he tilts the midwest more to our side.  Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisonsin, Michigan, and Ohio will decide this election.

Out of the choices cited, I would choose John Edwards.  He helps us in the south, at least making more competitive if nothing else, and Edwards (only 50 on election day) could be groomed for a 2012 run at the presidency.  Gephardt would be in his early seventies and Clark in his sixties.

[jravnsbo]

I wouldn't get your hopes up either as Dean will go down in flames no matter his running mate and thus no cabinet positions.

For all those listing listing candidates like Dick Gephardt, and Kuchinich as cabinet members, I wouldn't get your hopes up. They are negatively attacking Dean who will win the nomination. Clark is the best shot. the next colin powell

[jravnsbo]

Yes it will tell us some and I think narrow the map also.  Take away Graham and I think GOP EASILY wins Florida.  Take away Clark and MO and AR become a lot safer.  

I just don't see Gephardt and Dean joining together after there many battles and Gephardt being such an establishment candidate and Dean is running against the establishment in Washington and the Democrat primary.

The selection of a running mate may give everyone a clear idea of Dean's compaign strategy:
Clark, Edwards, or Ford, would indicate he is going for Southern border states (MO, AR, TN, LA, KY, WV, FL)
Feingold or Gephardt, or another midwesterner: OH, MO, and solidify IA, WI, MN)
Richardson a Southwest strategy: (NV, AZ, CO, solidify NM)
I don't think Kerry or Lieberman would make anything more competititve for Dean

[jravnsbo]

Graham is anti-war with experience in dc but leaving and would fit with Dean and seems the likely choice.

but then Ar and LA and MO would be safe and Bush still carries FL.

I think that Dean picking Clark as a running mate would be too predictable for that loveable irratic governor of ours.  I think that Dean is politically smart and thus would pick someone from the South.  Edwards is too young and would ecclipse Dean's image of being the vibrant one.  Someone new would go against Dean's hope of uniting the Democratic party (two outsiders won't work).  I predict that Senator Graham will get the second place on the ticket, despite any of his previous reservations.  He's already backed down and put himself in the perfect place to eventually endorse Dean when the time is right.  With Graham, Dean will have a shot at Florida and some southern moderate states.  The question remains just how much impact will a Veep slot have on a North Eastern governor.  Personally, I'm hopeful, but not stupid.

[jravnsbo]

Me 2, but no matter who dean picks some states will swing from close GOP to leaning GOP.  His liberalisim will hurt him the most of course in these conservative states.  However, you never know about a fav son vote such as Clark with Arkansas, but I guess he has hardly lived there being inthe military all the time.

I think that they are safe regardless.

Graham is anti-war with experience in dc but leaving and would fit with Dean and seems the likely choice.

but then Ar and LA and MO would be safe and Bush still carries FL.

I think that Dean picking Clark as a running mate would be too predictable for that loveable irratic governor of ours.  I think that Dean is politically smart and thus would pick someone from the South.  Edwards is too young and would ecclipse Dean's image of being the vibrant one.  Someone new would go against Dean's hope of uniting the Democratic party (two outsiders won't work).  I predict that Senator Graham will get the second place on the ticket, despite any of his previous reservations.  He's already backed down and put himself in the perfect place to eventually endorse Dean when the time is right.  With Graham, Dean will have a shot at Florida and some southern moderate states.  The question remains just how much impact will a Veep slot have on a North Eastern governor.  Personally, I'm hopeful, but not stupid.

[jravnsbo]

But Edwards doesn't want the job and Graham does, that is obvious.

If Dean is going to pick a southerner he should go with Edwards.  Edwards could appeal to the upper south, something that Graham can't do.  Edwards would also only be 58 in 2012; Graham would be 75.

[jravnsbo]

great!  as Bush would still carry NC and not much is gained, except it keeps Edwards alive for 2008.

But Edwards doesn't want the job and Graham does, that is obvious.

If Dean is going to pick a southerner he should go with Edwards.  Edwards could appeal to the upper south, something that Graham can't do.  Edwards would also only be 58 in 2012; Graham would be 75.

I still think Edwards would tak it if it is offered to him.

[jravnsbo]

TN will not be in play no matter what.  Frsit will be there reminding them that he is majority leader and can do more for TN with a GOP President.

Are you in Australia, Miami?

If Dean is going to pick a southerner he should go with Edwards.  Edwards could appeal to the upper south, something that Graham can't do.  Edwards would also only be 58 in 2012; Graham would be 75.

Why pick Edwards?  He is not even popular in his own state.

Hello from Melbourne international!

Well, he would put the other southern states in play, even if he doesn't do that with NC.  Arkansas and Tennessee would be brought into toss-up range.

[jravnsbo]

Not sure if Feingold can run or not.  worked on the law in SD to get it passed preventing Daschle from doing it

Plus Feingold does not take PAC money and so to try and run both with a lot of absence and no money int he home state would be very risky for the senate seat.

If Feingold is picked can he simulataneously run
for Senate in WI?  Or will he have to give up his seat?   I can see the logic of this choice, but I believe his voting record is so liberal that he won't sway enough centrist voters to help.  
Mondale tried Geraldine Ferraro in ' 84 to capture the female vote, but it back-fired.  Clark is the obvious choice but he isn't lighting the wolrd on fire in the polls yet.  Are there any Democrat mayors that qualify???

[jravnsbo]

It will be Graham or Clark most likely.  Both have strengths  and weaknesses.

I agree Dean cares about Dean, not the future of the party.  He is running vs the party now and blasting Terry McAuliffe and calling DLC Democrats Republicans.

I still maintain that Graham would be the best candidate for Dean.  Dean won't be thinking about how old Graham would be when he himself ran for President, but rather how he would help.

And I don't care what anyone says, Vice President's DO help with Electoral Votes and public image.  

[jravnsbo]

Yeah losing Terry would be the worst part of Dean getting the nomination for us Republicans

I don't like McAullife.  He has done more bad than good if you ask me.

[jravnsbo]

I heard Janet Napalotono, AZ gov mentioned as a possible running mate for Dean today.

Woman, new governor from 2002 and could make a play to AZ in general election.

Drawbacks-inexperienced, really would start to look like Mondale campaign then with a woman on the ticket, which cuts pro and con for Dean; essentially gives GOP, FL, AR, MO, LA and the entire rest of the South.

[jravnsbo]

He might have some sway in FL, but FL is always distant from outside the rest of the South.  Plus the FL border states are GA and SC, which both will go to GOP easily.  He doesn't help rest of the south either, he was anti-war also in his votes.  He helps Dean more if elected being able to run the senate jobs and his resume is great, but remember when Graham attacked Bush in the campaign ( if you can call what graham did Campaigning) his numbers dropped to their lowest levels ever.  Plus his calls for impeachment made him look crazy and part of the radical radical left.

Napalotono is far too inexperienced... and people are saying Ford and Edwards are too young. Besides, you're right, a Dean/Napalotono ticket would definitely carry shades of Mondale/Ferraro.

How do you think Graham would affect the Southern vote?

[jravnsbo]

Maybe it would help cement Black vote for the future but it doesn't gain them a lot as they get most of the black vote now.  

Would be a first though to have a black man on a national ticket, which is interesting.

There's a very interesting piece on Weeklystandard.com entitled "Leftward, Ho?" that speculates that Dean may think he has a chance to win some Southern states by appealing to black voters by putting someone like Kweisi Mfume on the ticket.

It sounds kind of far-fetched to me, but who knows?  Whatever will be will be, right?  We'll just have to wait and see.

"Stop rhyming now, I mean it!
Anybody want a peanut?"

[jravnsbo]

well McAulliffe promised to take back the House, keep the senate , beat Jeb , beatthe recall and win the the KY and MS gov races and so far he has delivered ZERO!

He foolishly kept trying to throw money into FL Gov race when McBride blew that last debate and was sinking fast, instead of trying to hold the senate in some closer races.

Now GOP is likely to make more House and Senate gains and if Bush wins, another sweep will make him look really bad.  But if Dean wins he is toast.  That is why I had to laugh when dean calle don him to "save me from the democrats!" as McAullife is fired if Dean wins so why would he want to help him?

Yeah losing Terry would be the worst part of Dean getting the nomination for us Republicans

I don't like McAullife.  He has done more bad than good if you ask me.

You're not the only Republican that I've heard saying that.

[jravnsbo]

Honestly that would be a good idea; but Dean will e picking it so no chance!

--Hey thought you were going to the Orange bOwl or something?

Bill Clinton should be the next leader of the DNC.

[jravnsbo]

Well was glad to see my IOWA HAWKEYES lay a whooping on the Gators today!  37-17

Honestly that would be a good idea; but Dean will e picking it so no chance!

--Hey thought you were going to the Orange bOwl or something?

Bill Clinton should be the next leader of the DNC.

I'm in the back of the box on the Dell.

[jravnsbo]

Some areas were high and low, not sure about overall.  But it would also probably turn out white voters as well.

Just how it is.


But what about turnout? I thought there was low turnout amoong black voters, but I could be wrong.

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[jravnsbo]

Yes sadly.  That is why many think Jindal (R-LA) lost in LA Gov race.

Some areas were high and low, not sure about overall.  But it would also probably turn out white voters as well.

Just how it is.


But what about turnout? I thought there was low turnout amoong black voters, but I could be wrong.

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You mean racist white voters would be sure to come out and vote against a black candidate?

[jravnsbo]

small note: Modale picked Ferraro.  Which was dumb anyway as she was from NY and added nothing to the ticket except being a woman.

Some areas were high and low, not sure about overall.  But it would also probably turn out white voters as well.

Just how it is.


But what about turnout? I thought there was low turnout amoong black voters, but I could be wrong.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

You mean racist white voters would be sure to come out and vote against a black candidate?

Certain white voters would have a hard time voting for a black or female candidate, nationally at least.  Not so much anymore with a female candidate, but still somewhat.  I personally would have no problem (I love Elizabeth Dole, J.C. Watts, Alan Keyes), but many would.

The fact that Geraldine Ferraro was a woman might have (and probably did) hurt Dukakis at least a little in 1984.  (He still would have lost without Ferraro, b/c his entire campaign was based around tax hikes.)

In fact, and as much as it pains me to say this, some in my own family (who consider themselves Democrats, I might add) would not vote for a black candidate no matter who he or she is.

[jravnsbo]

I'd be int eh later group.  Show them the dem record and ask what they have gotten for their votes.  Lots of welfare, and affirmative action which is now being struck down a lot, but not much else.

I am always for building for the future, some want it all NOW, but you don't win that way.  You win hearts and minds then you EARN votes.

That is why it is encouraging to see new GOP governor sin so many places.  Change the mindset first.

A lot of white Democrats are like that.  Here in Memphis, whenever we run an African-American GOP candidate, we do well with the white GOP vote but the white Democrats that normally vote for us drop off.

In the GOP, the desperation among activists to gain support in the black community usually makes up for and exceeds the racial voters.  At our last county convention - the argument wasn't over whether we should have more black candidates -- the argument was between an older group that thought all we needed to do was run black candidates, and a younger group that felt we needed to develop a relationship with African-Americans and break down the barriers first before worrying about candidates.