Choice of VP will be made cautiously

[andym]

It is very likely that Kerry will use traditional criteria to look for a VP.

1) Guarantee him a state in play.
Rules out Edwards, and likely Clark. No guarantees for either. Edwards because NC is so conservative, and Clark because he has no proven electoral track record in Arkansas. Key word here is guarantee.

Here Graham is iffy too, given current Bush lead in FL.
On Edit: Bush lead is only 5% in FL at the moment (see post # 9), so Graham would be a good choice.

2) Someone strong on defense and perceived as someone who can be President in a time of war to neutralize Bush/Cheney.

Who fills the bill?

I'm not sure. Ideas?

[Dookus]

1. Sam Nunn?

[andym]

2. Nunn does fit the criteria

Nunn does fit the criteria. He is so popular in GA he probably would guarantee the state, and he is strong on defense.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

4. How old is he?

[Dookus]

6. He's 66

[andym]

7. Nunn was born in September 1938

So he is 65 at the moment
http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=N000171

[Dookus]

5. Perhaps

but Georgia went for Bush over Gore 55/43.

I think you underestimate Graham's ability to secure Florida. He's won statewide elections there 5 times. He's very popular. And since Bush won Florida by .00000000001% or some such number, I think he could carry Florida in '04.

[andym]

9. I think Graham is possible as well

I suspect that polling will play a significant part in this decision.
It depends on how much Graham will help Kerry, at the moment Kerry trails Bush by only 5%, so Graham might very well help.

http://www.local6.com/politics/2884702/detail.html

[David__77]

3. Evan Bayh?

He's certainly to my right--but could he actually make IN go Democratic? I don't think so, though it'd be close.

[janx]

8. Honestly, I think the defense/war aspect in a VP would be

redundant.

Kerry uses his Vietnam experience in campaigning all the time; another person doing that would be complete overkill.

[andym]

11. Overkill? I disagree

In advertising, reaching "overkill" takes a long time.

Presidential electoral politics cynically seems to me just a kind of advertising. Therefore, I think Kerry will want to make good use of the basic principles, and just as he would like to make the case that he has at least as much foreign policy/defense experience as a sitting war time President. He'll want his VP to neutralize Chaney in the same way.

Also having someone with national security/foreign affairs experience really is pragmatic given the large international mess Bush has created.

[patricia92243]

10. Hillary -and her husband would campaign for her.

[sadiesworld]

12. She seemed pretty receptive to the idea on CNN just now.

I truly don't know though, so much baggage and venom.

[ampster]

13. I re-iterate from last night......

Retiring Senator John Breaux of LA will be the choice for VP.

Handsome southern and retiring.

[sadiesworld]

14. Way too conservative.

[ampster]

16. I think the VP.....

will have to be a "compromise" candidate. Breaux could possibly signal to southerners (though I am not convinced there needs to be a southern strategy) that their concerns will be addressed.

I worked for Senator Cleland, I would love to see him as a VP candidate, I don't think he could win GA though.

Edwards, Graham, Clark, Bayh Gephardt are all good choices.

[lancdem]

15. She won't be VP for many reasons, including some you cite

She was probably just being polite.