I've long been troubled by Max Cleland's decision to step down from the 9/11 Commission to become a member of the Export Import bank. The whole appointment seemed like a convenient (and cushy) way of getting Cleland, the loudest critic of the Bush Administration, to shut up.
The Dems appointed Bob Kerrey to replace Cleland. His name has been floated, perhaps only for homophonic kicks, as a possible running mate: Kerry-Kerrey '04. Although, homophonics aside, Kerrey would be normally be a plausible candidate (and doesn't the position of university president help out on those presidential algorithms?)
But it wasn't even possible, because Kerrey has said he will not engage in partisan activities while he's on the commission. And with the promised extension to July 26, the due date for the commission coincided with the Convention, ruling out a Kerrey VP nomination. Of course, Hastert was told by Andy Card not to extend the deadline, so that argument becomes moot.
More interestingly, though, Kerrey has threatened to quit over White House stonewalling on the 9/11 commission. I still think a lot of other possible nominees, including Cleland are a lot more likely. But can you see Kerrey quitting over Bush testimony, and then heading directly to the bottom half of the ticket?? Now that would be a VP debate I'd like to see.