Kerry to pick VP by end of May according to Fineman

Fineman: Kerry plans early veep pick
Campaign sources say look for decision by end of monthBy Howard Fineman
MSNBC contributor
Updated: 2:32 p.m. ET April 29, 2004WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kerry has raised tons of cash since March, but otherwise it’s been a mediocre two months. His “negatives” are up, his horserace position is lagging, and the cosmic hum of doubt is audible in the Democratic galaxy despite the president’s own sagging poll numbers as an anti-terrorism leader. George Bush is trapped in Iraq, but Kerry can’t seem to take advantage. So what’s a Democrat to do? Well, here’s one possible momentum changer I’m told he plans to offer soon: the naming of a running mate.

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Two well-placed sources inside the campaign have told me that the goal is to pick a No. 2 by the end of May, which would be far earlier than the norm. “It could slip,” said one, “but that’s the target.” Another factor that could accelerate the process: Bill Clinton’s autobiography, “My Life,” which is now scheduled to be unveiled in late June. The media buzz surrounding it could last well into July, the pre-convention period normally dominated by veep talk.

The advantages of naming a running mate early are pretty clear. Kerry needs a sidekick ASAP to help him cope with Bush-Cheney attack ads. Kerry himself can't be answering every charge. He needs someone to take over fund-raising duties. He needs to change the subject from the debate over medals and ribbons. And he needs to make a clear statement about his essential values — and choosing a running mate is one way to do so.

The Kerry campaign has confirmed that it is vetting two obvious possibilities: Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina and Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri. But that’s hardly the end of the list.

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4863243/

I live in the South and Edwards does quite well with even conservative Southerners, but beware him. I can only offer a vague criticism, but we have some rather powerful family friends in North Carolina on my mother's side of the family and they maintain that there are some Wooly Mammoth size skeltons in his closet, but being oh so "proper" they won't reveal them. If I can ever get an update from them, I will let the board now. Otherwise, I think with Edwards on the ticket it is a lock.

Why have they not come out already?

Because NC politics are so mannerly? Because Jesse Helms would never have stooped to political cesspool diving?

Gimme a break. Yer' killing me.

I don't necessarily believe them either, but they are very powerful, so I am interested to see what they say. Whatever I find, will be your knowledge as well.

The republican party will fabricate skeletons about whoever Kerry chooses. The accusations will gain terrific traction and the revelations that they are false will be a footnote. If republicans were truthful or honorable, they wouldn't be republicans.

I have a friend who had dinner one weekend with a very rich republican coupld from Vermont during the primaries. They said that Dean was the worst thing to happen to VT and that, if he got nominated, all the "true" stories they've heard in their little social circles will come out and he won't get elected. Two weeks later they went out to dinner with a rich, fundamentalist, conservative family from NC who said the same thing about Edwards: "he's the worst thing ever to happen to the state and they'll move out of the country if he gets elected."

You see, rich, white Republicans convince themselves all kinds of fictions are facts just so that their heads don't explode from the obvious contridictions between reality and their "values."

After he picks Edwards to sew up the South

is probably Shrum's dream... an empty suit to fill.

Edwards does not have the experience in foreign policy and National security. He would be agreat AG and I don't think Clark would run for Pres in 2008, leaving the way for Edwards who will have good exposure if he is in the cabinet. Clark is our strongest candidate when it comes to "strong on defense", he does not have a "voting" record for any of the repukes to attack and he is a proven diplmoat as well he has a proven track record for success in the arena of "war" with no American casualties. He has the most concise reason for making war the last resort, he has seen the bodies fall and he says that when you have to resort to war you have failed as a leader somewhere. I know I am like a broken record, but damn he is smart and articulate, he was the only candidate that my small town repukes liked, that says something. Oh well enough out of me.,

Edwards has the lawyers lobby behind him and that could be important.

Lawyers aren't raising the price of doctors and pharmaceuticals:
Frist's HMO's , AMA protecting bad doctors, and drug companies raping the public pocket are!

EDWARDS EDWARDS EDWARDS. YES!!

Never backed away, stated invading was the right thing to do...

We shouldn't just overlook that, imho.

I say Clark yes, Graham yes, Cleland yes, but Edwards - no no no.

won't be overlooking it.

(eom)

I think they would be a good team

I also think Clark and his wife would be a good team

Personally, I think that Kerry should assign each of the candidates some spot in his administration. They should campaign as a team. Kerry's numbers were better when the debates were going on & that's because there were many voices being heard, not just one.

campaign, stiff, unlikeable. God what asses we have in the press--this is like an RNC memo. When do they start saying that he invented the internet? Turds

where the challenger is outspent by an ungodly amount and comes out running about even - and making headway in some state polls (PA, WI, NH).

I think it illustrates the fact that this election, like all elections featuring an incumbent, will be a referendum on the incumbent. The American people are willing to replace Bush if they decide Kerry is a suitable replacement. Sadly, the American people are not yet convinced that Bush absolutely must be replaced regardless of his replacement. However, there is time for both Kerry and Bush himself to convince the public that Bush must go.

"A lesser-known figure that bears watching, I’m told: Virginia Gov. Mark Warner. 'He just convinced his Republican legislature to raise taxes by a billion dollars,' said one plugged-in Dem. 'Pretty impressive.'"

Yeah, like Democrats get a secret thrill from raising taxes.

Kerry needs all the help he can get to fight the evil rethug lie machine and get a positive message across at the same time. I hope he picks a good one, when I heard the Gephardt "trial balloon" my heart sank.

Get a visual folks. Put a picture in your mind of Kerry and Gephardt raising their hands and looking at the audience.
Get a visual.
Now get a visual of Kerry/Clark
Get a visual of Kerry/ Edwards

This is 2004 and everything we react to is Visual.
Not many have time to read books or newspapers.
It's all about visual.

Kerry/Clark :yourock:

It was rumored weeks ago, so this is just the latest rumor about the rumor!!! And didn't Pelosi mention this timing?? (or "suggest" it?)

Just because they slimed Dean together with the Osama ad doesn't mean they should run together.

Kerry needs somebody to be to the left of. ;-)

while Edwards stays above the fray.

Personally, I like a Clark as VP. I've seen Clark and Dean on the talkshows, and I haven't seen Edwards...so I think it must be Edwards and the decision was likely made long ago.

I still like Clark over Edwards, but not by that much. Edwards speeches during a debate could give America hope over the glum deathmarch that is Cheney's message. In fact, the contrast is even more than that.

This one has been decided for a long time: Edwards.

thanks.

know shit about shit. He can't be trusted and has no cred.

this would draw national media attention away from the incumbent and to the challenger. It is essential for Democrats to have a nonstop stream of positive coverage just before the Boston Convention.

When it comes to picking Gephardt the question is..What if Kerry wins?

President Kerry is certainly better than President Cheney, and Vice President Gephardt probably beats Shrub. But how old will Gephardt be in four years, and how old will he be in eight years? More importantly, would Gephardt be a viable nominee in eight years?

John Edwards is clearly the better of these two choices. But what states can he help Kerry carry? Would North Carolina or Florida support a Kerry-Edwards ticket?

Clearly there is a longer list of candidates to consider before the best decision can be made. I hope is that Kerry will take the time which is necessary to make the best choice, and not pick someone who may hurt the ticket when trying to meet another person's deadline.

lock up every one of the corporate Bushco team in Federal Prison.
Where they all belong---Besides he has charisma.