VP announcement on July 4th / Wes Clark?

[Quixote1818]

I was sent an E-Mail today by a friend who said she had heard several times that Kerry was going to announce his VP pick on July 4th and it was going to be Wesley Clark. I am doubting it will be Edwards because that would be anti climactic as everyone thinks he is going to get it. Has anyone else heard the July 4th Wes Clark thing?

[Cush]

1. nope

haven't heard about it

[Ilsa]

2. I can only hope!

I haven't heard that, but I think WC is a bigger contender for the spot than people realize.

[in_cog_ni_to]

3. Well, we did have these 2 threads going today....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x547674


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x548087

[resultswithstyle]

4. saw Clark tonight

I saw Wes at the premiere of the Hunting of the President. Should have squeezed that question in there in my 20 sec. convo with him.

[cosmokramer]

21. How was the preview?

[Kurt Remarque]

5. it would be a wise choice but so would edwards and gephardt

well, maybe i think clark would add the most but i'll be satisfied with the others

[hlthe2b]

6. Gep? Sorry. He's a good guy, I'm sure and has contributed quite a bit...

to the Dem cause... but no way do I want Gephardt. I just don't see what he brings to the ticket (yeah, I know Missouri is in play and those unions......). But, I think Kerry needs a more forceful (and perhaps charismatic) partner and one who brings to the ticket a complement of skills. From that standpoint alone, I really have to go with Clark #1 and Edwards #2.

I also don't necessarily picture a Gephardt being able to effectively back down (and hopefully demolish) Cheney in debate. Gep has always been a bit too gentlemanly and bipartisan for the kind of street fight I think we are going to be facing. By contrast, Clark has dealt with a variety of absolute assholes both domestically, within the military and pentagon, and internationally while overseeing NATO. He's savvy and a quick learner. He also instills confidence when discussing foreign policy--something that would be very important against the pathological lies that Cheney is so effective in delivering. Edwards, as a trial lawyer would also have a suite of these skills, but I have to admit to some qualms about his ability to stand up to the sheer nastiness that the ROVE machine will be dishing out. This is not a slam to his abilities, intelligence, or temperament, but more to his younger age and more limited breadth of experience-- something the ROVE-CHENEY Cabal may well be able to exploit and manipulate.

[saracat]

7. Gep?

He is so boring and old news he could cost us the election! What could you be thinking? Just curious.Even the unions who owed him bailed on him.And he was a lousey Minority Leader.Many Dems won't forget how he kissed Dubya's rear and gave him everything he wanted.

[robbedvoter]

8. Yup. Was a CNN article, a thread here or something.

[cosmokramer]

9. Here is one of the links to the previous discussion regarding the 4th

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=547674&mesg_id=547674

[TexasSissy]

10. Give it up, Quixote. Clark has said AGAIN that he won't take VP

slot, even if offered. He no doubt has given the one up by teh Kerry camp that he will not be offered it.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Scoopie]

12. No... it's called being

polite and dodging press questions about a process that Kerry wants kept secret.
He's not going out and hiring public relations firms and spinning articles in the media like some, but Clark won't turn it down as he would feel duty-bound.

[BootinUp]

13. He never said "I won't accept it" or anything equivalent

You seem to not realize how the VP game is played.

[funky_bug]

14. Exactly... the VP game

No one actively goes out of their way to "run for VP"... they don't go out of their way to say, "pick me pick me" and "raise public awareness" after losing the nomination for President...

That would be desperate, and...well... childish.

:evilgrin:

[Jai4WKC08]

15. Well, apparrently ONE someone does...

Desperate and childish tho it may be...

Edwards a man on new mission
By ROBERT J. McCARTHY
News Political Reporter
6/15/2004

When Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina stumps through Buffalo on Wednesday, occupying the Oval Office won't be on his mind, as it was during the Democratic presidential primary campaign. This visit is part of an aggressive - and some say unprecedented - effort to land the Democratic vice presidential nomination.

While his presidential bid this year fell short of the nomination, Edwards is still very much in campaign mode. His Buffalo appearance is part of a subtle but highly charged effort to raise public awareness and convince his former rival - Sen. John F. Kerry of Massachusetts - that he is the best choice for a running mate.

"Campaigning overtly for the vice presidency is extremely unique; it's unheard of," said John Zogby, the nationally known pollster based in Utica. "It's usually sort of a disclaimer thing like "I'll do anything I can to help the nominee.' "

<snip>

But even Edwards supporters acknowledge that the senator, who drew rave reviews for his populist "two Americas" message, has launched a second phase of his campaign for national office.

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20040615/1046368.asp

[funky_bug]

17. Shoot... I thought I was being subtle...

...hands up, you got me.

;-)

:oops:

[Jai4WKC08]

19. LOL--I sort of thought that's what you were getting at

Hope you don't mind my providing some detail. ;)

[funky_bug]

22. Na... I was counting on it

I figured either you or cosmo would pick up the bat and swing at the ball ;)

[robbedvoter]

16. You give it up. Clark will never sell campaign secrets to the media.

I am getting tired of your BS.

[cosmokramer]

18. If you don't understand that, perhaps you can understand protocol...

From the associated press Veepstakes article: It is bad form to lobby for the job, leaving hopefuls constantly searching for fresh and creative ways to describe their ambivalence. "There's a new one I am thinking of," Richardson said in April, "I would not accept at gunpoint."

[in_cog_ni_to]

20. Wes Clark puts country FIRST.

If Kerry asks him to be his VP, Wes would answer the call to duty. No doubt about it.