Presuming for the moment that H. Dean wins the nomiation: Who will be picket as running mate? Being cynical, Clark is the best choice. But would he do it? He has been very, very clear, on the record, that he will not. Can he get around that without hurting his credibility? Edwards is another good choice, I think.
I haven't seen Edwards, Clark or Graham attacking Dean in any indecent manner. (Attacks on the issues are to be expected.) All of them have been "accused" of really running for veep. In the case of Edwards, I believe there's something to it. He has even given up his senate seat.
I really think it is hubris to take the 2012 election into consideration. The one all-important issue (for both parties) is to win in 2004. But still: Being the youngest, Edwards would still be presidential stuff in 2012.
Would selecting a woman, an African-American or a Hispanic on the ticket be helpful or not for the ticket? This is a swing-state thing. I really don't know, but being cynical, I think the regional and the national security aspects are the more important, along with a "main stream" overall image. Biden wouldn't help from a regional point of view. And if Dean cannot carry California on his own, he'll loose the overall contest. Just like going for a democrati VP candidate from Texas would be hubris.
And people like Hillary or Gore (both people I like, personally), would easily be a liability in swing states. I don't think Hillary would even consider it. I don't see her breaking her campaign pledge serving 6 years in the Senate, and certainly not "only" to be VP. It would hurt her credibility a lot, and it would hurt the ticket. According to New York Post, Dick Morris thinks otherwise. But, to say the least, he doesn't like her very much. Any more.
What Dean needs is a folksy, likeable, Southern / Midwestern, moderate. Like Edwards.
