Would choosing Edwards for VP now be anti-climactic?

So the VP selection is supposed to be generate a buzz, stir excitement, help in areas the nominee might be vulnerable... would choosing Edwards now do those things? I'm a little curious whether choosing him now would be anti-climactic given the months of prior speculation. Same for Clark, but to a lesser extent. Thoughts?

Althought I am a Dean supporter, I believe Wes Clark is the only viable candidate at this point

would bring something different to the campaign but just wondering why you think Clark is only vaible candidate.

Especially in the South. Here in SC I know a lot of Republicans who voted in the primaries and voted for Edwards. They have been saying Kerry flip flopper blah blah blah. If Edwards is chosen as VP then I can say well Edwards is on the ticket and you must have liked him to have voted for him.

It would get media attention simply because he barely registers a blip on most of the electorate's radars, while Edwards is fairly well-known (and liked)...

will be the guy. The pressure from the DNC will get Edwards on the ticket. It won't be Clark. he probably doesn't even want to be it

I think most of the 'interviewing/weighing' of potential VPs is being done more as a courtesy, than anything else.

Smart money says it's Edwards.

Free media According to conventional wisdom, a surprise choice for VP generates more free media coverage. Furthermore, a surprise might send Republicans scrambling to change their strategy.

Debunker: This line of reasoning ignores the very real expectations and preference for John Edwards. Many of the Kerry voters and volunteers I spoke with seemed to be under the impression they were voting for a Kerry/Edwards ticket. According to exit polls, Edwards was the first choice for VP among 40% of primary voters. See www.draftkerryedwards.com for more polls.

This clear preference and expectation for a particular vp is unprecedented. Has there ever been a movement to draft a vp?

An unexpected but uninspired choice, has the potential to hit the ground with a thud, generating a wave of dissapointment rather than a wave of excitement. The media is already speculating that Kerry might not choose Edwards because he doesn't want to be upstaged by his running-mate. As one reporter put it, if Edwards isn't chosen it will be because he is a rock star. There may also be speculation that Kerry still held a grudge against Edwards over the primary campaign.
This kind of coverage nobody needs.

Furthermore, if George Bush has taught us anything it is that expectations matter. Bayh would be subjected to constant comparisons to Edwards.

Finally, if Kerry turns a deaf ear to the clearly expressed preference of the people who gave him the nomination, it may re-enforce the negative streotype of Kerry as aloof and out of touch.

Free media According to conventional wisdom, a surprise choice for VP generates more free media coverage. Furthermore, a surprise might send Republicans scrambling to change their strategy.

Debunker: This line of reasoning ignores the very real expectations and preference for John Edwards. Many of the Kerry voters and volunteers I spoke with seemed to be under the impression they were voting for a Kerry/Edwards ticket. According to exit polls, Edwards was the first choice for VP among 40% of primary voters. See www.draftkerryedwards.com for more polls.

This clear preference and expectation for a particular vp is unprecedented. Has there ever been a movement to draft a vp?

An unexpected but uninspired choice, has the potential to hit the ground with a thud, generating a wave of dissapointment rather than a wave of excitement. The media is already speculating that Kerry might not choose Edwards because he doesn't want to be upstaged by his running-mate. As one reporter put it, if Edwards isn't chosen it will be because he is a rock star. There may also be speculation that Kerry still held a grudge against Edwards over the primary campaign.
This kind of coverage nobody needs.

Furthermore, if George Bush has taught us anything it is that expectations matter. Bayh would be subjected to constant comparisons to Edwards.

Finally, if Kerry turns a deaf ear to the clearly expressed preference of the people who gave him the nomination, it may re-enforce the negative streotype of Kerry as aloof and out of touch.

wants is Edwards down there in ARK, LA, and FL talking about "he knows what it feels like being the son of a mill worker"