So, let's assume (as the more skittish among us have avoided for the last 24 hours) that Kerry is going to be the nominee. The various comments on VP selection over the last several months suggest that we need:
- Somebody from the South
- Somebody who can attack Bush so that Kerry can stay clean
- Somebody who can help shore up our base
- Somebody who won't seem like a better leader than Kerry
The obvious answer: Jim Hightower
Jim Hightower's Pluses:
- The man's got a great Texas twang
- He can attack Bush like nobody else.
- He's tall. Tall = leadership
- He can inspire the base and hold the left flank.
- He can make mad cow disease a liability for Bush. The man knows agribusiness.
- You think Kerry looks dignified and "presidential" now? Next to Hightower, JFK's the ultimate statesman.
- Three words - Cheney/Hightower debate
- He's so much more colorful and out there, the press will enjoy taking him down much more - takes heat off of Kerry.
- Cornel West would probably stump for him.
Jim Hightower's Minuses:
- I know, I know, he's probably said so much stuff on the air and in print that the press will have a field day (see pluses).
- He might be taller than Kerry. Maybe JFK can wear lifts? (unless he already does)
- Texas still isn't likely to turn blue, though it wouldn't be quite so much of a given.
- Probably a little tough to manage / control / predict for press events. Who knows what he might do?
- I do have a tough time seeing him on the top of the ticket, so we might be mising the chance to groom a 2012 candidate.
So... there it is. My bold, unexpected, radical vision for the 2004 Democratic ticket. Go Kerry/Hightower!