Edwards vs HeartAttack Jones....bring it on.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/07/06/...y.vp/index.html

All I have to say now is "Bring it da f**k on" cause I am so ready for trying to watch "Chain"y and Edwards debate. Chainy debates well and keeps his calm relatively well- Edwards brings more passion- the contrast will be fun to watch. Bush and Kerry will also be a dynamic debate because of the contrasts in styles. The Dems need to exploit Bush and his inability to think on his feet- he is used to being hyperprepped when he does his speeches- when he gets questions he is unsure of, he gets quite flustered- I say Kerry ask for several debates and see how many the Prez agrees to.

I think Edwards is a great choice!! I think they should try and have as many debates as possible.
GO KERRY/EDWARDS!!

I'm also looking forward to the debates. In the Vice Presidential debate, Edwards will be much more effective than Feeb-erman who basically spent the entire time kissing Cheney's ass.

Great choice!

Isn't it pointless now, in this day and age of polls, to have political conventions? We already know who's on the ticket for November, let's save the country a lot of money and trouble and get rid of conventions. I doubt we ever have a time when the outcome of a convention is unsure. lIving in NYC, I do not look forward to the Repiblicans being here, and hope to be out of town the entire time.

"f**k" yeah!

[ July 06, 2004, 07:19 AM: Message edited by: RazorbackTX ]

I'm not a big fan of Edwards for where he stands on the issues, but I definitely think he was the best choice for VeeP. He's charismatic, energetic, and ran a great campaign in the primaries. Hopefully he can help in the Southern border or swing states. I'm also impressed at how Kerry dangled the carrot in front of the press to get a few extra weeks of media coverage and build-up of anticipation -- only to announce the obvious choice.

The choice I was really hoping for, and what a big sigh of relief! If I am Shrub/Cheney I am quite nervous about now. It will be the positive message vision of Kerry/Edwards vs. the negativity of Shrub/Cheney. Edwards excites many Dems. the same way Clinton does. He is bright, intelligent good looking and loaded with charisma. Bring it on indeed!

Smart move for Kerry! I think Edwards is a great running mate for Kerry and it should definitely bolster his chance to become President.

Bush is already releasing an ad with footage of John McCain and him........talking about how McCain was Kerry's "first choice" and Edwards is just the second guy.

A) How would you like to be John McCain right now? Kerry and him are friends and hardly 'rivals' and here Bush is using McCain to 'make fun of' Kerry.

Can the Bush campaign have ONE positive ad?? Geesh. I think that one Bush commercial about how they say Kerry is talking about the Great Depression or whatever is just absolutely stupid. And then they say we should be upbeat. Well, I haven't seen that campaign of Bush/Cheney being upbeat yet.

I'm a Dean person--it's been hard to let go of a guy who I think represented my views so perfectly. But I really like Edwards. I wasn't too thrilled with Kerry, and considered voting for Nader, but I'm very excited about Edwards.

Interesting how the Kerry campaign (not known for being particularly tightlipped--unlike the secretive Bush White House) was able to keep Edwards' name under wraps, especially since he was the obvious frontrunner. The 11th-hour Bob Graham possibility was also intriguing--both as a way of throwing reporters off the scent and for what Graham would have brought to trhe campaign--and supposedly, there were signs at he Kerry announcement that read "Kerry-Edwards" on one side and "Kerry-Graham" on the other.

Did anyone else think it strange that Kerry made announcement without his choice by his side?

~Adam

I am from North Carolina and I am very happy that the choice was John Edwards! I hope there will be a lot of North Carolina votes because of this. Wow!! How exciting too for the up coming debates. I can't wait to see them.

Oh, the slogan ain't so bad either... "A New Team for a New America"

so cool!!

But doesn't Kerry's original choice show that HE wants to be a \"uniter,\" not a \"divider,\" and that he is willing to be \"bipartisan\"?

McCain supposedly also is friends with Edwards, and is not going to publicly criticize him. Recall that McCain's campaign manager in 2000 spoke of how people involved with W spread rumors in South Carolina that he had fathered a black child out of wedlock, even though the child was really a Bangladeshi adoptee! If these types are what you call friends....

Remember that W-Cheney operates in Looking-Glass World.

Optimism = Hate; No WMDs = WMDs; Job Losses = Good Economy; Increased terrorism = Decreased terrorism; F*-bomb = Civility ....

GO KERRY/EDWARDS 2004!!!

[ July 06, 2004, 09:55 AM: Message edited by: fantomas ]

W pointing out that Edwards was his second choice is a brilliant campaign. McCain already said he supports W... and Kerry BEGGED McCain to be his running mate, about 10 times...

So why not? Kerry would do that same thing.

Okay, Mr. FillyPhan, I want to see proof that Kerry BEGGED McCain. Show valid sources - not heresay.

Just saw the front page of the New York Post which is running the story "Kerry's Choice" and they name Gephardt! Can you believe this? It's a rag of a paper so not surprised too much that they can't get the facts straight, but come on....

Allen My Man, do you live under a rock? Do you read the paper?

McCain and Kerry has been WIDELY discussed... they even did a poll about them running together...

So please dont try and tell me that Kerry wasnt down on his Knees begging for some McCain.

Well ... show sources. Which newspapers? When was it published? Who wrote it? Is it a liberal or conservative newspaper? Can it be sourced?

Heresay doesn't work well with me.

[ July 06, 2004, 10:52 AM: Message edited by: Allen ]

Allen, PhillyFan uses the same sources MIB does, pay no attention. Maybe someday soon he'll tell us who he's voting for since we know already its not Kerry or Bush.

I know, but I am calling his bluff.

You people are HIGH, anyone who doesnt think that Lurch begged McCain to join him... well you are an idiot.

"You people are HIGH, anyone who doesnt think that Lurch begged McCain to join him... well you are an idiot." (PF)

You repugs were also saying that Hillary would be on the ticket...

Three words... 'hummina... hummina... hummina..."

Guess repug pundits don't know what they are talking 'bout'! (as usual).

____


Let's see...

I can't waint for the following debate...


'Heart-attack Harry' vs. 'Sharp-as-a-tack John'...


I hope that they keep the Nitroglycerin handy! wink


.

So, instead of sourcing your information for us to see, you use an insult. Not really resourceful, is it?

hey didnt you pinko's devote and entire thread to the Kerry-McCain rumors?

Would you have voted for Kerry/McCain, since you're not voting for Bush?

I admire Edwards for his legal skills and the record he earned as a successful plaintiffs' lawyer. I think he'll definitely bring the excitement that the Demos need to their ticket. I also think that as an articulate Southerner he puts fear into many GOP hearts, however subject to attack they may be. That said though, I'm not sure folks will trust a return to a Democratic administration - ANY one - in these times of war. Reject the idea that we're at war with terror, and you'll never know what hit you come November.

No, because you vote for the Prez, NOT THE VP.

OK, in that case why dont you tell us all something good about your candidate for "Prez" and maybe their VP too.

Since today is W's 58th birthday I say Kerry's timing was absolutely perfect....anything to make Shrub's birthday cake taste a little WORSE is good news as far as I'm concerned.

Will PhillyFan or some of the right-wing conspiracy theorists on this board blame the Democrats for infiltrating the White House kitchen if W gets sick from his birthday dinner tonight?....me thinks it's NOT the quality of the food that will be the cause of the Prez' upset stomach and ruin his "party".

I'll volunteer to serve the pretzels

Hmmm. What did that make Cheney in 2000? He was the head of the search committe for W's Veep running mate. Just how many on the list were there and add one and you've got which choice old Dick was at the time. It's a silly (ne desperate) point made by GOP's today in the nanny nanny poo poo category.

Kerry/Edwards 2004!

Cheney should keep his big fat, no bid, secretive mouth shut about Kerry/Edwards, esp. when there is lots of talk going around in the Repug. circles about he may be a liability for Shrub this year. wink

[ July 06, 2004, 05:43 PM: Message edited by: puckman1 ]

What's good for the goose is good faor the gander: The Bush campaign rushed an advertisement with McCain touting Bush to "remind" voters that McCain was one of those under consideration for VP by Kerry and then the Kerry campaign rushed an ad featuring McCain criticizing Bush (circa 2000) and raising doubts about US actions in Iraq.

More imprtant than the ads themselves is that it signals the Kerry camp won't be passive when the Bush folk hurl slime....and most of the Bush folk eat, drink, and breathe slime.

~Adam

Since Kerry was heading his own VP search, maybe he could have named himself as both the Presidential and VP candidate. Its nothing that Cheney wouldnt have thought of 1st

[quote]Allen:
Okay, Mr. FillyPhan, I want to see proof that Kerry BEGGED McCain. Show valid sources - not heresay.[/quote][/QB][/QUOTE]

Hi, Allen - It's not hearsay at all. Less than two weeks ago the NY Times ran a story on page one about how Kerry had offered McCain the second slot on several occasions. It should be very easy to find on nytimes.com. Edwards was very defintely the second choice here.

Well if you believe what you read in the Onion.... he did! Kerry names 1969 version of himself to be running mate

Munson, Allen, Philly, et al....I was curious about the ACCURACY of the Kerry-McCain rumors so I did a little internet search. One article I came across as the most interesting, was one that suggested Kerry would ask McCain to be his running mate. What made it interesting was that it was published at the beginning of March, before Kerry even had the nomination sewed up. I think the whole thing started out of rumor and speculation and continued to be repeated until people believed it true (a la Bush administration).

The reason I believe that Kerry never really asked McCain is because it doesn't make sense. Kerry said from the beginning that he was not going to make any announcements about his VP choice. He kept the entire selection/interview/decision process completely secret for 4 months. Even a major newspaper had it wrong the day of the announcement. And no one even knew who was on Kerry's shortlist. So how could "everyone" know that Kerry had asked McCain "numerous times" ?? Kerry is not a dumb man, he has run his campaign and his VP chosing very cognitively. And if there is one thing that a Presidential candidate would not do, it would be to get turned down by a VP choice. Kerry would not have asked McCain, or anyone else, without knowing prior that the person would say yes. There is also the fact that Kerry is a party man and knows there is no way, regardless of the novelty of a cross party ticket, that the DNC would support a Republican on the ticket. Thats like saying there aren't any attractive Dems to chose from. Kerry would never have seriously considered any one but another loyal Democrat for the #2 position.

So as far as I'm concerned, I'm going to dismiss the Kerry-McCain rumors as nothing but such-- speculation and wishful thinking by political pundits who circulated the idea until some thought it was true. (I also heard a rumor that about a month ago, McCain referred to Edwards as "Vice President Edwards" on the Senate floor in a joking manner). I'll be willing to change my mind, if someone can provide an audio recording, a direct quote, or a press release from Sen. Kerry.

Regardless.....Kerry + Edwards = BOUNCE !!

Great post Hotlanta, obviously they have nothing to back up their goofey statements.

PhillyFan's comment that Kerry "begged" McCain is simply laughable. Sure, Kerry wanted a pro-life republican who has endorsed Bush as his running mate, makes perfect sense!

Of course Kerry didn't "beg" McCain, but they are friends who talk to each other often, and the topic doubtlessly came up. A Kerry campaign official confirmed that on the Today Show this morning, however she said that Kerry never actaully asked McCain to join the ticket.

It was widely reported in May that Kerry had asked McCain if he would even consider the offer if extended, but that he stopped short of actually making the offer. Shortly after that, McCain finally completely dismissed the possibility, after stepping around the issue for a couple of months. There must have been some inkling of consideration in the back of his mind, no matter how small.

Senator Biden was the one all over TV in May loudly proclaiming that Kerry should ask McCain. He's in the camp of "anything to beat Bush", even if it meant a split ticket. Hey, why wasn't Biden even on the short list? I like him -- he's a great speaker, isn't afraid of confrontation on television, can think quickly on his feet and tackle difficult questions. Is he too confrontational do you think?

[ July 07, 2004, 07:24 AM: Message edited by: maxallen ]

I think if I were a Dem I'd want to forget this or try to portray it in as positive a light as possible, but as I thought it was very easy to find the NY Times page one artice from June 12, 2004 which states very clearly that McCain on numerous occasions was asked by Kerry himself to join the ticket in very delicate language, and repeatedly declined.


June 12, 2004, Saturday

NATIONAL DESK

McCain Is Said To Tell Kerry He Won't Join

By DAVID M. HALBFINGER (NYT) 1091 words
WASHINGTON, June 11 -- John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, has repeatedly and personally asked Senator John McCain, the independent-minded Arizona Republican, to consider being his running mate, but Mr. McCain has refused, people who have spoken to both men said Friday.

Mr. Kerry, the Massachusetts senator, made his first direct overtures to Mr. McCain about three weeks after locking up the Democratic nomination in March and approached him again, in person or by telephone, as many as seven times, as recently as last week, according to one person who has discussed the issue with both.

''It was always artfully phrased, but he asked him on several occasions to serve as his running mate,'' the individual said. ''He'd say, 'I don't want to formally ask because I don't want to be formally rejected, but having said that, would you do it?' or 'I need you to do it,' or 'I want you to do it.' ''

''It was always phrased in such a way as to give both men plausible deniability,'' the individual added.

Neither Mr. McCain nor Mr. Kerry could be reached for comment on the rare cross-party running mate discussions. Stephanie Cutter, Mr. Kerry's communications director, said, ''Senator Kerry and Senator McCain are good friends and have spoken during the course of the campaign, including when Kerry called McCain to thank him for standing up and defending Kerry against baseless political attacks.''

Aides to Mr. McCain did not respond to repeated requests for comment on Friday; his chief of staff, Mark Salter, told the Associated Press, which first reported the discussions, that ''Senator McCain categorically states that he has not been offered the vice presidency by anyone.''

Less than a month ago, Mr. McCain denied having even casual discussions with Mr. Kerry on the subject.

Word of Mr. Kerry's personal entreaties, and Mr. McCain's flat refusal, may bring an end to the persistent, and at times fevered, speculation among Democrats and others about the potential of a bipartisan ticket, with the two friends and Vietnam veterans matching up against President Bush and Vice President Cheney, neither of whom 0f fought n that war.

Mr. McCain's testy relationship with President Bush, whom he ran against in 2000 for the Republican nomination, fueled the speculation, even though Mr. McCain has repeatedly denied being interested in the job.

As recently as last week Mr. McCain made clear his lack of enthusiasm for the vice president's job. On a late-night television show he said, ''I spent several years in a North Vietnamese prison camp, in the dark, fed with scraps. Do you think I want to do that all over again as vice president of the United States?''

But his denials did not stop prominent members of Congress -- including Senator Bill Nelson of Florida, himself considered a potential Kerry running mate -- from suggesting that a Kerry-McCain ticket would be unstoppable in the fall. Mr. McCain showed in 2000 that he could draw Independent voters. A CBS News poll recently found that a Kerry-McCain ticket had a 14-percentage-point edge over Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney among registered voters, 53 percent to 39 percent, compared to most head-to-head polls that show Mr. Kerry alone tied or slightly ahead of Mr. Bush.

Some Democrats have warned in recent days that the talk about McCain threatened to make whomever Mr. Kerry did select look unexciting by comparison. Among the many potential running mates, those mentioned most frequently include Senator John Edwards of North Carolina, Representative Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri and Gov. Tom Vilsack of Iowa. Indeed, the person who has spoken to both Mr. Kerry and McCain said he believed Mr. Kerry's campaign had deliberately leaked the story on Friday afternoon so it would be lost in coverage of Ronald Reagan's funeral and in the thinly read Saturday newspapers.

A friend of both men said Mr. McCain's rejection of the idea came down simply to his disinterest in being vice president, no matter who is in the White House.

''Kerry and McCain have been close for some time, for years, and there is a comfort level between them,'' this friend said. ''But remember, the first responsibility of a vice president is to be ready to be president, the second is to be comfortable with the president, the third is to know your place. One and two work for McCain, but three doesn't. And I think John McCain knows that he could not be vice president to anyone, whether it be John Kerry or a Republican.''

The person who has spoken to both men gave a slightly different reason for Mr. McCain's refusal to consider the job: ''At the end of the day, he's a Republican, he supports President Bush's re-election, and while he and John Kerry agree on some major issues, they disagree on more than they agree,'' the person said. ''But the first two of those are more important than the last.''

Mr. McCain and Mr. Kerry's relationship began as an acid one; the Arizona senator, a Navy bomber pilot who spent more than five years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi, was outraged by the antiwar activities of Mr. Kerry, a Navy Swift boat commander who famously led protesting veterans in throwing their medals away in 1971.

Mr. McCain campaigned against Mr. Kerry in his first race in 1984, but the two men made peace and worked together during the Clinton administration to resolve the fates of American prisoners of war and service members missing in action, and to normalize American relations with Vietnam.

On the campaign trail until now, Mr. Kerry has cited his friendship and collaborative work with Mr. McCain as evidence of his own ability to reach across the partisan aisle to get things done. He even used Mr. McCain's image in one of his recent campaign commercials, showing a picture of the two senators side by side.

Hey, why wasn't Biden even on the short list?

Plagiarism in the 1988 Presidential campaign forever doomed Biden's shot at the Presidency.

And bad hair.

Wow Munson Man, good one!

The Times source was "people who have spoken to both men", so you know it must be true.
Keep up the good work MM.

Munson, in your article, it cites the source of the information as "the individual". To me, an un-named "individual" is the same as saying "its a rumor". It also quotes the McCain camp as saying:
and the Kerry camp says:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,124865,00.html
So I still believe that there might have been talk about McCain being on the ticket, but that it was never actually persued and that Kerry never publicly or privately "begged" McCain.

It was in today's paper that Kerry never asked McCain, but they had discussed it.

Even though I suspect Wall Street might be a little 'jittery' about Edwards (Trial Lawyers Asociation)...

It is a FACT that the Market does best when Democrats are in power!


_____


"But here's Wall Street's strange little irony -- studies show the stock market performs better and tends to be less volatile when Democrats are in power..."

"..."According to their paper, entitled, "The Presidential Puzzle: Political Cycles and the Stock Market" and published in the October issue of the Journal of Finance, stock market returns are on average about 5 percent higher when the White House is run by a Democrat than during Republican rule.

Looking at the 72-year period between 1927 and 1999, the study shows that a broad stock index, similar to the S&P 500, returned approximately 11 percent more a year on average under a Democratic president versus safer, three-month Treasurys. By comparison, the index only returned 2 percent more a year versus the T-bills when Republicans were in office..."


Democrats are better for the Stock Market!

_____


Just another reason to vote Kerry/Edwards this November!


.

Unnamed sources are fine as long as they are independently verified. Clearly they were or the Times wouldn't have run this as front page news. During the Watergate scandal Deep Throat was an unnamed source, and is to this day. I totally understand the revisionist spin on this, but I think most of the electorate is objective enough to see through it - in fact, they may see through it and not even care.

Wow, that was a great PhotoShop job. That would be a cool thing to have. A photo of yourself from two time periods. Sounds like a small business idea to me. What could we call the service?

posted by Munsonman:

Why is this even an issue? Who cares how many people Kerry discussed the VP slot with - he "offered" it only to one man, who he was sure to accept it, John Edwards.

I would hope he discussed the position with Gephardt, Graham, Richardson and every other potential contender, and I hoped he asked every one of them whether they would take the job if he offered it. Finding out someone's interest in the job is kind of important when determining who is best for it.

As for the Bush/Cheney campaign's "second choice" ads - given the results of the 2000 election, I would be very wary of reminding people of "second choices" if I were Georgie Porgie.

I just replied to CNN's question of the day. Will Edwards help Kerry's campaign, currently running about 71% yes.