Dick Gephardt is the Billy Crystal of the presidential election cycle. He's had a few hits in the past, but they should stop asking him to host the Oscars. And for that matter, Geppy doesn't belong on this year's ticket.
First off, let me say I don't care for Dick Gephardt...never have. So there is some bias on my part. I don't care for the midwest either, so I'll get that outta my system as well. So naturally the idea of Dick Gephardt showing up as Oliver Hardy to John Kerry's Stan Laurel sends my old gooseflesh acrawlin'. For a couple of reasons - it's an insiders ticket that's twenty years behind the times and it also signifies that Kerry is moving forward without a Southern strategy. Neither prospect give me hope that the Kerry people actually know what they're doing.
Every since Geppy dropped out of the race I've been predicted both here and in real life that he'd made a corrupt bargain with JFK to get himself on the ticket. Edwards continues to demonstrate that he's not running for Vice-President as yet, so that makes me think he has intelligence we don't have. Kerry in the past has made comments that seem to indicate he feels he can win without the South. Well, that might be possible but doing that and not campaigning here are two very different things.
At least one pundit has started to feel the same chill wind blowing. Check out Eric Alterman's blog for today:
And to Kerry, if not Edwards who? Well, I still think it should be Edwards. The media love him and he'll be a terrific attack dog. His trade position also shores you up with the base, which you're gonna need. It will also show "character" to overcome your obvious pique. Bob Graham may get you Florida, but he may not, given what Jeb would be willing to pull to make sure it doesn't happen. He gets you nothing else. At the debate I heard the name "Sam Nunn," which is an absolutely awful idea. It will destroy the base and will send many Dean voters in Nader's outstretched arms. Bob Kerrey? Intriquing but very risky. The obvious compromise choice is Gephardt, who will help with Missouri, and is well-liked in the media and with labor. It's a bit of an insidery ticket, but it would do the job. Still, only Edwards could give this ticket the frisson it desperately needs.
But I just can't in anyway see this as a possible win for the Kerry team. Probably the only guy more unlikeable involved in politics this year than John Kerry is, well, Richard Gephardt. But I'm starting to feel this thing maturing in my bones. The guy's not seeking his House seat again and to me Kerry seems disconnected in terms of a Southern focus. Can Gephardt really carry this thing, or does he put the nightcap on this snoozefest?