As I told people during the primary season, George W. Bush only had one card to play in this election and that was and is National Security. Guess what. That's what he's playing. I also thought that Senator Kerry, while having a great deal of knowledge about National Security, did not have the credentials he needed to fend off Rove. I hope I'm wrong about that.
In any event, I am starting to believe more and more now that John Kerry will pick none other than Wes Clark as his Veep. While I still think Edwards' breathtaking campaign ability still makes him the frontrunner, only a constant barrage of National Security criticisms by Gen. Clark against this administration will take the wind out of their hawkish sails.
John Edwards has not the credentials, gravitas, or knowledge-base to take it to Bush on this issue and I think Kerry already owns the "economy/Healthcare/Jobs" issue. Picking a VP is about making yourself strong where you are weak. While I thought National Security would be Senator Kerry's strength, I now think it is his most glaring weakness. I hope I'm wrong about that too.
Only General Clark can provide the steady attack that we need on this issue. Seeing him on CNN defending Kerry was a big help (but how many people watch CNN Morning anyway). Clark's past as a swing voter is irrelevant now. He is a progressive and the base will accept him as the party's number 2. (I also think the intern story was hyped.)
Tell me if you think I'm wrong and why. Tell me why the VP pick should not be a pick that shores up the obvious national security weaknesses of Senator Kerry. Then tell me who would be better in the country to shore up this weakness for Senator Kerry than General Wesley Clark.
Kerry -President
Clark - VP
Secy of State- Holbrooke
AG- Edwards
Defense- Nunn
Labor- Gep
HUD- Mosely-Braun
HHS- Dean
FED- Rubin
That said, I'd be perfectly happy with and am a big fan of John Edwards for VP.
