Dean reveals that he is advising Kerry on VP nominee!

[janx]

When Andrea Mitchell tried to pin him down on his opinions of possible VP picks (over and over again), he would not answer. He said that he has been asked for advice about it and he would not discuss publicly what he has been discussing with Kerry privately.

This is great! And she really pressed him after that, but he wouldn't answer! He just kept smiling!

[Kolesar]

1. remember, Cheney advised Bush on his choice of a VP nominee

What do you think? ... Kerry/Dean 04

[slinkerwink]

2. I still think it's outside the realm of possibility

[Cuban_Liberal]

3. That's the 'bet it all' ticket!

Either a landslide winner, or a humiliating defeat. I can't honestly say which one it would be, but I LOVE Dr. Dean. :)

[janx]

6. Not likely for a couple of reasons...

Dean has the priorities of getting Kerry elected and of restoring some sense of democracy to the Democratic party--that's all he is doing right now. It's more than a full-time job.

[Cuban_Liberal]

8. I agree it's unlikely.

I'd personally have GREAT enthusiasm for the ticket, but it'd be a dicey choice, at best. :)

[janx]

11. I don't think that it would be dicey at all, but the leaders of the DLC

certainly would.

Dean seemed very happy to be able to do so, though, and I can't help but think this would be a marvelous idea.

[Rose Siding]

13. If Dean thought that's what it would take

to *get* Kerry elected, he'd do it. I know he has other important work to do- that NEEDS to be done, but he'd do it if it were needed.

I don't think Kerry would be umm...comfortable with Dean even though everything about Dean is just what Kerry needs. Maybe Edwards could put a lively face on the ticket but I think Dean would wake things up better.

[janx]

16. I fully agree with you in that Dean would bring in a huge supporter

base to the ticket, but I don't know about his *being* the VP nominee. I haven't even entertained that thought, to tell you the truth.

I disagree with you about Kerry's being uncomfortable with Dean though. Things have a habit of changing after primaries, and this is anything but an exception.

During tonight's interview, Dean was very, very happy to talk about "John" over and over and over again, and it seems that there is affection and respect between the two of them.

This is an awfully good thing; it means that more of the Deaniacs will be "transferable," ultimately, to the Kerry campaign. And they have been. DFA has gone overboard to support Kerry, as well as other grassroots candidates in the trenches.

It looks as if Dean is ecstatic and happy to be able to make a difference.

I just hope and pray it works and that we can get the Chimpster OUT!

[janx]

5. Nah. Not likely. He said that he was advising John.

And that sounds mighty good to me.

[mzmolly]

4. Janx, this pleases me greatly!

:hi:

[janx]

7. Look at it this way:

It is NOT likely that Dean is advising Kerry to choose Gephardt.

That should please a number of people around here. ;-)

[mzmolly]

15. LOL ... So true.

;)

[Andromeda]

37. Whew!

That really does make me feel better. :)

[sallyseven]

9. I did not support Dean

but I like him a lot. Too close in area to be a candidate/ however he should head the Democratic Party or at least be secretary of labor.

[Myrina]

14. Sec'y of LABOR ??

I'm thinkin' HHS.

And I hope the Good Dr advises Kerry to ask Wes Clark to be his VEEP.
Gephardt's an anchor that will sink the ticket, IMO.

[janx]

17. Dean's not talking!

;-)

Andrea tried and tried to get some hints, but he wouldn't budge. He just kept smiling. It was very funny. If Hardball is rebroadcast this evening, try to catch it.

[spooky3]

10. I think it's great that Kerry is seeking advice from a lot of people

who probably have something useful to tell him. He'll increase his chances of making the best decision because he has the most info and insights from a variety of perspectives.

[janx]

12. I agree--and Dean's is a very fresh and new perspective.

It could do nothing but help in terms of making the decision.

[mzmolly]

18. I'm DYING to know who he would suggest..

:crazy:

[janx]

20. He may not be suggesting any one candidate in particular.

But he may be lending his advice and research into the factors that have to be considered before making such a decision. He might even have some DFA or former DFA 1.0 staff helping to do this.

[mzmolly]

21. Well since Dean said he views Nader as *the biggest threat*

I'd imagine he will suggest a candidate who could help in that regard? :shrug:

[janx]

24. It would be one of the factors, yeah, but I'm guessing that

he would advocate finding some new blood (if I may put it so crudely)...someone novel, but reliable and respected.

[mzmolly]

26. Hmmm, interesting thought ...

*scratches head* Dang! I wish I were a fly on the wall. ;)

[janx]

27. We just have to wait. It will be a couple of weeks, and I hope

that Kerry takes Dean's advice.

I disagree with people who say that the VP candidate doesn't matter. I think it does, especially in the media spin cycle.

And I will never forget the formidable pair Clinton and Gore made. It was really remarkable.

[BootinUp]

40. I know he said that

he liked Clark as possible VP on his ticket. I seem to recall interviews where he said that during the campaign. Of course he mentioned others as well.

[janx]

19. Also, consider this: It took other primary candidates, the RNC,

the media, and the DLC leaders--SIMULTANEOUSLY--to knock Dean out just before Iowa.


It is no wonder that his V.P. advice would be valuable to Kerry.

[JI7]

22. he has said this before

said kerry had asked for his advice on vp and he is giving him some but he wont say publicly what. he also said if kerry offered him the vp position he would accept. very unlikely he would be asked to be vp unless kerry decides to give up seriously competing in the south and focus elsewhere. for now it looks like kerry is going to compete in the south so it looks like his vp will most likely be from the south. but you never know what will happen. still good to at least get advice from different people.

[janx]

36. JI, Look Out

The future is headed straight at you, man.

[ibegurpard]

23. Good! Hopefully that will rule out Gephardt!

:puke:

[janx]

25. I think that's a logical assumption--

yep--IF Kerry takes Dean's advice. ;-)

And I like Geppy.

[Mike L]

31. Now, THAT'S funny!

[janx]

32. Well, think about it.

It's not likely that any specific recommendation (re candidate) or even research would favor Gep.

So it's true! And it's also funny.

[Lefty48197]

28. Kerry/Dean?

I wasn't really big on Dean in the early going, but I was quite impressed by his internet organizing and fundraising. Everybody else took notice too.
The anger we liberals feel towards George Bush? Howard Dean was the first to recognize, and tap into it. Now, Kerry has adopted both of Howard's good ideas. Might as well go for the gusto, John.

Kerry/Dean.

Fuck em. No Mercy for the righties. We're taking over, and we won't be taking any prisoners.
While we're at it, Kucinich for Attorney General! John Sweeney for Secretary of Labor.

[surfermaw]

29. Wouldn't the Good Doctor select Edwards?

[janx]

33. We can't bank on that. He's just not talking!

But he looks like the Cheshire Cat these days. He's still making a difference, especially in the way that people are becoming more involved in local politics--in real democracy. "I am from the democratic wing of the Democratic party." --That's what he meant by the Wellstone quote. It was greatly misunderstood, particularly at first.

He wasn't kidding.

God bless him.

[mzmolly]

38. Nice post Janx. We surely have not seen the last of the Good Doctor.

:hi:

[JohnLocke]

30. EXCELLENT

:toast::toast::toast:

[janx]

35. Yep. And I'm an old fart, compared to you! n/t

[janx]

34. All of you: This will be rebroadcast in a little over half an hour.

Please watch it. Regardless of your partisan leanings, I promise you will enjoy it!

[Southsideirish]

39. Howard belongs in the Senate - not in any cabinet post.

He needs to be heard by all Americans - speaking his mind - not as a "yes man" Agency or Dept. head