Vice Presidential Cattle Call Comment Period, 10/16

I figured someone else would do it by now, but since I don't see it anywhere yet, I'll do it.  I always do it.

Rank the candidates you see as being good VP contenders.  Leave aside factors such as ticket-balancing, since we do not know who will be at the top yet.  And remember that the person in slot number two needs to be someone who would make a good executive in a time of crisis!

Pre-emptive note:  John Ford, Jr. of Tennessee will only be 34 next year.  Please don't list him.

My top three right now, based on really very little:

1.  Bill Richardson, New Mexico's governor.  I know he's said he wouldn't do it if asked, but when you get that call, you don't say no, you know?  He's got executive experience, cabinet-level experience, foreign-policy experience, and he brings in some southwestern votes.
2.  John Edwards, Senator from North Carolina and middlin' presidential candidate.  He needs to do better at explaining his war vote.  Since he's not running for Senate, there would be no chance of his "pulling a Lieberman" nor a chance that Republican governor would pick his replacement (unlike with John Kerry or Bob Graham).
3.  Mary Landrieu, Senator from Louisiana.  Her name comes up pretty consistently when we talk about these things; LA is likely to have a Democratic governor to pick her Senate replacement; and it just may be time for another "year of the woman."

So, have at it.  I will check back this afternoon and I expect to see 350 comments . . .

•  since you asked...

  Of course, by John, I assume you mean my boyfriend, HAROLD Ford Jr.  No?  

  Everyone's going to point out this is a silly exercise since the VP slot is very specific to the individual candidate's shortcomings, but I'll play along.

  Dean needs D.C. clout and legitimacy on foreign policy & military issues.  A southerner or farm state type would help.  I like Bob Graham, Joe Biden, or anyone who's led an important committee like Foreign Relations or Intelligence.

  Edwards needs maturity and governing experience.  A big-state governor or someone with former cabinet-level experience might be nice.  NOT another lawyer.  (does Bill Richardson have a JD?)  What about former Idaho Governor and Interior Secretary Cecil Andrus?  He's got the enviro-street cred which Edwards, with his 68% on the LCV scorecard, might need to keep the Green-leaners voting D.

  Kerry needs warm, cuddly and not french-looking with minority/gen-x appeal (generally for all who don't equate cool with getting a harley).  I liked Harold Ford here until learning he was too young.  Maybe Mary Landrieu or John Edwards fit well here.  I also like Blanche Lambert Lincoln, who as a spunky  mom / senatress / wonderwoman might counter Kerry's out-of-touch rich guy sheen.

  Gephardt needs outsider appeal and a fresh face.  Maybe a Janet Napolitano (AZ gov).  Just someone with some distance from Washington would be nice, but in a pinch John Edwards, his tan, and measley 5 years of experience might cut it.

  by dirtgirl on Thu Oct 16, 2003 at 03:53:30 AM PDT

  •  Re: since you asked...

    Bob Graham has flamed out.  He would have been a great choice until he started sputtering about impeachment on Meet the Press...it's too bad, really.

    by saranwarp on Tue Oct 21, 2003 at 09:27:06 AM PDT

•  Re: Veep Cattle Call 10/16

  Hmm... I stated in an earlier comment to a diary that HoHo doesn't have the temperament to be anyone's VP.  He'd make a great president, though.  :-)

  For VP, I really like Edwards regardles of who the eventual nominee is.  He's smart and more importantly, personable, and could lay Cheney to waste in a debate without breaking a sweat.

  I don't know much about Landrieu (sp?), but is she a bit too centrist?  I suppose this matters only if a perceived liberal is the nominee. Having a woman on the ticket would be great, though.

  Ford Jr. is a Blue Dog opportunist, and it's hard for me to take him seriously as a thoughtful statesman.  For him to presume to run against elosi for Minority Leader in the House was the height of arrogance.

  by Passing Shot on Thu Oct 16, 2003 at 04:08:43 AM PDT

•  Re: Vice Presidential Cattle Call

  Hey, all the regular cattle call really is is a VP cattle call anyway ... only two candidates can win ...

  by Ottoe on Thu Oct 16, 2003 at 04:22:22 AM PDT

•  Re: Vice Presidential Cattle Call

  I'd love to see Edwards on the ticket.  Can you imagine an Edwards-Cheney debate?  No contest.

  I could see the nominee (if Dean does not get the nomination) being tempted to pick Dean for VP in the hopes of harnessing the organization Dean has set up.  I imagine a lot of the names mentioned above would be a better fit for the office, though.

  by slim on Thu Oct 16, 2003 at 05:07:27 AM PDT

  •  Edwards v. Cheney

    Edwards' "work v. wealth" arguments against Cheney's Haliburton connections?  In a debate?  I'd buy the Pay-Per-View on that one....

    by IrishAlum on Thu Oct 16, 2003 at 06:43:56 AM PDT

    •  Re: Edwards v. Cheney

      But Halliburton is American and creates jobs for Americans!  Or something.  I agree...that would be a bloodbath if Edwards can hold his own against Cheney on foreign policy.

      by saranwarp on Tue Oct 21, 2003 at 09:30:34 AM PDT

•  Re: Vice Presidential Cattle Call Comment Period,

  Bill Richardson, New Mexico's governor.  I know he's said he wouldn't do it if asked, but when you get that call, you don't say no, you know?  He's got executive experience, cabinet-level experience, foreign-policy experience, and he brings in some southwestern votes.

  AND, Richardson is the stealth Hispanic, despite his name sounding Anglo. When he talks Spanish, Spanish speakers don't cringe.  Here in New Mexico, where we have a fine ear for such subtleties(sp?), he solidifies the Dem/Hispano base. A serious, savvy player, whose compromises I find I can stomach.

  by claude on Thu Oct 16, 2003 at 05:22:11 AM PDT

•  Re: VP Cattle Call Comment Period, 10/16

  Mary Landrieu.

  Southern.  Female (need to win the female vote big to win this election).  Telegenic.  Not up for re-election in '04, so we hold her seat if she loses.

  Centrist?  Who cares?  The man who picks a VP on ideology is a fool.  Pick somebody who 1) could be a competent president [nix Quayle] and 2) will bring you votes that you might not otherwise get [nix Lieberman].

  Caveat:  Landrieu wouldn't work nearly as well if the nominee is a Senator.  Two-Senator ticket probably a bad idea.  So, she'd be great for Dean, Clark or Gephardt, but not so much for Kerry or Edwards.

  by KevinA on Tue Oct 21, 2003 at 08:16:40 AM PDT

•  Re: Vice Presidential Cattle Call Comment Period,

  i have waffled on this question repeatedly over the past few months, and i think i've finally settled on my VP pick:  john edwards.

  i can't really explain it too coherently, but i'll try.  i used to complain about how he shouldn't be president because of his lack of government experience - and i still believe that to an extent - but i do think he'd make a fantastic VP, and those eight years will really help him when he runs for president down the road.

  also, my gut tells me he'd do a great job.  i know, i know, that's an intangible, but i just feel it.  i think edwards shares many of my values, and i would LOVE to see him face down dick cheney in a debate.  that would be just sweeeeeet.

  so it's edwards all the way with me.  i'm not even considering anyone else.

  by anna on Tue Oct 21, 2003 at 11:26:17 AM PDT