Democrats have plenty to talk about in Kerry running mate debate

[chimpymustgo]

Web Posted: 06/17/2004 05:51 PM CDT

W. Gardner Selby and Guillermo X. Garcia
Express-News Austin Bureau



HOUSTON — Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry of Massachusetts won't visit the Texas Democratic Party's state convention Friday, but a leading contender to be Kerry's pick as a running mate plans to rally delegates.


U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, slated to speak Friday night, appears to be the heavy favorite of Texas Democrats to serve as vice president for the next four years.


A Thursday sampling of 30 delegates and party leaders showed Edwards the preferred candidate, though retired Gen. Wesley Clark, former House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson also won praise.


"I like the guy from the South, John Edwards," said Joe Bernal of San Antonio, a State Board of Education member and former state senator. "We (Democrats) need to split the southern vote, and he can pull votes away" from President George W. Bush.


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:He's charismatic, smart," said Kay Sweat of Giddings, saying she voted for Edwards in the Texas Democratic primary though Kerry had the nomination sewed up by then.


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Also undecided, Matt Jenkins of Houston said: "Edwards is so much more dynamic than Kerry. He could possibly outshine him in terms of speaking style." But "if they really played it right, it could be magic."

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA061604.online.dems.ec1aa47.html

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Should be a fun convention.