Senator Bill Nelson (Florida) for VP????

[JPZenger]

My top preferences for Vice-President would be Bill Richardson or Wesley Clark. Another name that has been mentioned is Senator Bill Nelson of Florida.

Here's some information on him:

from Washington Post's VP-a-matic:

"Nelson, the freshman senator from Florida, has spend nearly 30 years in public office. His appearance on the national scene came in 1986 when then-congressman Nelson flew aboard the space shuttle. In 2000, Nelson picked up Florida's open Senate seat from Republicans, even as presidential candidate Al Gore lost the state. He is a member of the Senate armed services and foreign relations committees and went to Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. He is an Army veteran and devout Christian with a squeaky clean image and has a history of picking up votes in traditionally Republican territories."

From www.vote-smart.org:

Education:
JD, University of Virginia, 1968
BA, Yale University, 1965.

Professional Experience:
Travelled on Space Shuttle, 1986
United States Army Reserves, 1965-1971
United States Army, 1968-1970
Fire Marshal
Lawyer.

Political Experience:
Senator, United States Senate, 2000-present
Treasurer and Insurance Commissioner, 1995-2000
Representative, United States House of Representatives, 1979-1991
Democratic Candidate, Governor, 1990
Representative, Florida State House of Representatives, 1972-1979.

[cmayer]

1. I wouldn't be surprised.

I have seen him showing up on news interviews everywhere. I thought "Maybe they are raising his profile, before picking him," and then I thought, "No, he's trying to raise his own profile." Either way, I think he's a contender.

[NewJeffCT]

2. not a bad choice

He was the guy that went public with the info that the White House gave the Senate intel that indicated that Saddam had weapons that could strike the east coast of the US...

[peekaloo]

3. I'd prefer Bob Graham

but I'd love to see Nelson EXPOSE that WH official who briefed the Senate.

[bluedog]

4. I hope not

Fl here.I don't think he has done very much at all for our state.Graham is the people person..Nelson is a repub in Dem clothing..Actually.hes been on the talk shows now more than he ever has.I didn't think we still had a Sen Nelson any more.

[fujiyama]

5. What are the election laws?

If Kerry were to win the election, would Jeb appoint the senator?

As it is, dems have a fight to keep on to Graham's seat. I don't think it's worth the risk really...though IF Nelson or Graham (I'd prefer Graham myself) could deliver FL for sure I'd take it in a heartbeat. I don't really see Bush winning the election without it.