Two Johns - by Michael Tomasky
A post-primary look at all the reasons why Kerry would do well to pick Edwards as his running mate -- sooner rather than later.
So I'd been thinking this thought over the past few days, and then last night I was chatting with some smart people who'd been thinking the same thing: John Kerry should put John Edwards on his ticket right now.
The reasons are simple. Edwards has clearly earned the spot. His message has struck a nerve with primary voters, and he's shown an ability to appeal to groups that Kerry doesn't have nailed down yet -- southerners, blue-collar workers, and independent voters, among whom he actually beat Kerry in several states on Super Tuesday, according to the exit polls.
More: He's a terrific campaigner. I'm not the first to make this observation, but it bears mention because the prospect of it is so delicious. Can you picture him on a debate stage with Dick Cheney? Mr. Closing Argument could well slice Mr. Undisclosed Location to ribbons. Contrast this possibility with Joe Lieberman's lackluster, let's-all-be-pals approach to Cheney in 2000. An Edwards takedown of Cheney could conceivably swing 2 percentage points, and 2 percentage points, as we know, could be decisive. ...
http://www.prospect.org/webfeatures/2004/03/tomasky-m-03-03.html
IMO, Edwards truly is the best all-around VP for Kerry, and already has the built in name-recognition advantage that running for President brings so he can hit the ground running. He also complements Kerry's weaknesses while not overshadowing him as the #1 man on the ticket.
Bayh? Yawn.
Richardson? Possibly.
Lieberman? Just kidding, just kidding!!
Cleland? A better cheerleader than VP candidate.
Clark? Too thin on domestic issues.
Dean? The mind reels... ;-)