Kerry and The South

Would Kerry be better served choosing a running-mate like Edwards--young, exuberant, southern, good-looking and potentially popular in The South? Or someone like Clark, who could give Kerry a good chance at winning one southern state, Arkansas (and maybe help in FL with the military bases)? Albeit a better chance than Edwards might have in NC. Or should Kerry go a totally different direction and pick a guy like Richardson? (I think it's a bad move, personally)

Edwards currently is my second choice. He has a lot going for him, plus hes a great guy, and has some good ideas. I hope he is on the ticket or in the next admin.

Clark would help but the anti gun thing is a killer in the south.

Not only because of his record and his status as a southern son--but as much as I like and respect Kerry, I just don't see his "persona" endearing himself with very many southerners.

Kerry will only do well among Red Sox fans.

can hope to deliver. Edwards inadequately developed organization precludes his success as president in 04. His "non confrontational" politics may be friendly but the party needs CA., FL., and TX.

There is only very ancillary evidence to suggest that Edwards can help in these states.

Plus I'd love to see two war heroes against two men who have never served.

There are simply too many strikes against Kerry to give him any chance of winning in the South.

First, he's a northeastern liberal. I'm not using that term as an insult. It's simply the truth. He hails from Massachusetts and has one of the most liberal voting records of any Democrat in the Senate.

Second, he has very close ties to liberal bogeymen Ted Kennedy and Michael Dukakis. Ted Kennedy is probably Kerry's most visible and enthusiastic supporter. And Kerry was Dukakis' lieutenant governor.

Third, in addition to being a political liberal, he's a cultural liberal. He has an Ivy League background. He's very wealthy. He is, in short, a member of the aristocracy. And, unlike Bush, he looks the part and sounds the part.

Fourth, his record of distinguished service in Vietnam is likely to be overshadowed by the fact that he became a leading protestor against the Vietnam War. How long before we start seeing pictures of Kerry and Hanoi Jane?