John Edwards VP Nominee

[Kristina]

The first thing I saw when I turned on my TV this morning was that John Kerry picked John Edwards as his running mate for the 2004 election. I was curious to see what everyone's thoughts are since we seem to be liking the political threads lately. How do you think this will shape the election? Do you agree with Kerry's choice? I'll post later.

[Billfred]

Edwards was the logical pick.

First off, the guy was the only remote threat to Kerry in the primaries. Second off, he kinda balances out the ticket from an ideological standpoint. (Southern Democrats aren't as liberal as Massachusetts Democrats.) Third off, he seems more...(tries to think of the word) skilled on the stump than Kerry.

Fourth off, he's from South Carolina. We'll get back to the White House yet.

(Actually, it's kinda funny. The place where Andrew Jackson was born is now part of North Carolina. So the legislatures settled who got to claim him each year with a basketball game. Hasn't happened here in a while, though.)

[Joshua May]

Best pick he could of made, and the best man for the job. My dad actually met Edwards a couple of years ago and said he'd make a great president someday. He's a very charismatic, optimistic, Southern Gentleman, which brings alot to the Kerry campaign. NC will love to see one of their own up there than one "a 'dem 'der Texans". Absolutely the best choice.

[Jeff Waegelin]

I heard the announcement on the radio this morning, and somehow, I just knew Kristina would post that on here. Big surprise

I am glad to hear this, though. I'd been talking with Kristina about the John^2 ticket since the primaries. I think it's a good choice, personally. Edwards is ideologically compatible with Kerry, but he brings a different style and appearance to the campaign. Plus, as the media has continually pointed out, no Democrat has won an election in over 40 years without a Southerner on the ticket. So, while I am usually loathe to bring up such statistics, perhaps this will help.

[jonathan lall]

Time for an outsider's look.

Even though picking the primaries' runner-up is tradition, I'm sure Kerry was seriously thinking about other running mates (like Hillary Clinton or Dick Gephardt maybe?). A relatively young, slightly more conservative, southern running mate? I'd say things are looking good for the Kerry Campaign, good choice. I'm not particularly impressed by Kerry's past or his ideas, but perhaps my Canadian citzenship and lack of knowledge of Americana has to do with that. Bi-partisanship is icky to me; heck, IMO the Republicans haven't put forth a remotely credible candidate since Bush 41. That in mind, I would have liked to see Edwards win outright in the primaries, as he impressed me in debate, but winning was of course an unlikely prospect, mostly because of his lack of experience/grey hair etc. I don't think very many people are going to see a two-senator ticket as weak, so this campaign has earned a huge boost; Kerry appeals to hard line Democrats who will then be sure to go to the polls, and Edwards is going to steal swing voters decisively. If I were American, I'd actually take Kerry's campaign a bit more seriously now.

[MattK]

I think its a good pick, I hope he just does not over shadow Kerry. I met him a few time (I was actualy in most of his campaign material in NH) and he seems like a nice guy, he actualy sat down and talked to us about what we though of his ideas regarding education... he did not just shove his ideas down our throats.

I think when americans see him next to chenny they will think twice about our current VP.

[JVN]

I think it's a good pick.

I dunno what it is.
There's just something about this John Edwards guy which seems trustworthy to me.

$.02
John Edward Vielkind-Neun

[Aignam]

Originally Posted by JVN

I dunno what it is.
There's just something about this John Edwards guy which seems trustworthy to me.

He's a politician.

[Joshua May]

Originally Posted by Aignam

He's a politician.

Much less of a politician than anyone else running.

[Lisa Perez]

I like the fact that Kerry's family and Edwards's family appeared together this morning. It makes me and I'm sure other Americans confident that Kerry and Edwards are not just 100% concerned about the politics and that Edwards will help bring out a more human side in Kerry if he wins.

[Greg Needel]

i think that it was a decient choice but i would have liked to see Howard Dean instead because of his high energy and opinions on the enviorment.

the interesting thing about this election is that there is nobody from the west...in tradition there is always someone from the west cost and so we will see how that turns out.

Also this election in my mind will be more about NOT being BUSH then BEING Kerry

[Aaron Knight]

Originally Posted by Greg Needel

i think that it was a decient choice but i would have liked to see Howard Dean instead because of his high energy and opinions on the enviorment.

the interesting thing about this election is that there is nobody from the west...in tradition there is always someone from the west cost and so we will see how that turns out.

Also this election in my mind will be more about NOT being BUSH then BEING Kerry

There are many who would argue that Dick Cheney isn't really from the West Coast (since just prior to his announcement as the vice presidential candidate for the 2000 elections, he moved from Texas to Wyoming as his "permanent" residence) - IIRC...

Dean would have been nice, but I fear that if he was chosen the democratic party would have lost the rest of the country, for fear that having both in the northeast and both being considered fairly liberal. Not that I don't like Dean (I wanted him to win the primaries), but I think it would have been the kiss of death to the campaign effort.

[Kristina]

Originally Posted by jonathan lall

Even though picking the primaries' runner-up is tradition, I'm sure Kerry was seriously thinking about other running mates (like Hillary Clinton or Dick Gephardt maybe?).

Not to nitpick, but as a poli sci major, I sometimes like to put what some consider my useless information to good use. McGovern (1972), Ford (1976), Carter (1976), Mondale (1984), Bush (1988), Dukakis (1988), Clinton (1992), Dole (1996), Bush (2000), Gore (2000) were all their respective Parties' nominees who didn't choose the primaries' runner-up for their VP. The only one that comes to mind is of recent history is Reagan picking Bush.

That being said, Kerry's choosing Edwards is a surprise in the sense that nominees who battle it out in the primaries aren't typically paired together down the road. I guess due to personal issues (if you've seen West Wing, we all know what that could lead to: Bartlet & Hoynes), just not the right combination, or fear that the person who you're putting at #2 is a little too ambitious and you KNOW they want to be replace you and be President.

However, I don't think Edwards is a surprise when you look at what he can bring. It's mostly been said so I won't reitterate. All I can say is that I'm very happy. I've had the good fortune of meeting both Senators John Kerry and John Edwards and I can say that they both capitivate the crowd in their own unique way and have differences that complement each other. That's when you know you have a good ticket. As Jeff said, we've been dreaming about a John^2 ticket for a while; I still can't believe that it's happened. Now I can't wait to see the Edwards/Cheney debate. October 5th, mark your calendars! Wow...I feel like such a dork for knowing that offhand.

Btw: take note of the new avatar

[Joe3]

There was one southern Democrat who I think would have made a VERY interesting choice...

Al Gore.

Think about it, the country liked him well enough for him to win the popular vote in 2000, and alll the "liberal" types around here are still talking about how he should be presidtent. I'm not sure if Gore would have accepted, but it sure would have made things interesting.

As for me, Bush Cheney '04 has my vote though.

[Collin Fultz]

The Republican View:

As far as a true conservative's views on the new left-wing party ticket, I'd say you have a shot now. If there was one person who could seriously help Kerry's appearance (physically...face it...he looks like "The Screamer"...kind of scary) it was John Edwards. There are people who vote based on looks, and if the Kerry campaign is smart...they'll get Edwards' face out there ASAP. As said earlier...I also believe he helps to balance the ticket a little. It's gonna be an interesting campaign. I'm still voting Bush/Cheney (though I wish I were saying Bush/Guliani ) but the dem candidates don't scare me quite as much now. Props John...and John.


Now then...LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!