That is the Washington Whisper. Our plausibility rating? High. If Kerry picks Edwards, the charisma and charm are all down-ticket, a problem Gephardt does not create. Secondly, Gephardt gives a better Senate-House balance than Edwards, which strikes me as having significant feng-shui, although I can't say why, since Reps are likely to control both Houses and Kerry won't be getting any dramatic legislation passed anyway. Finally, if Kerry is really going to scrap his silly "Benedict Arnold" rhetoric, he might want the ultimate symbol of dinosaur protectionism on the ticket to mollify Big Labor.
As a bonus, Gephardt has been a stalwart on Operation Iraqi Freedom. His selection would reassure folks like me who doubt Kerry's commitment to this (or any other) cause. It would also confound the cut-and-run wing of the Democratic Party (hmm, in honor of Ted 'Iraq is Bush's Vietnam' Kennedy, let's rename that the "cut and swim" wing of the party).
MORE: How did I fail to address the only relevant question for predicting the machinations of the Dem party, which is, "What is best for Hillary!?" John Edwards, win or lose, could become a potent rival in 2008 or 2012. Gephardt will never be.
It would, however, make Dean's "PLEEEASSSSE don't vote Nader!" speeches less plausible. They'd gain swing voters and lose the base.
Posted by: HH | June 15, 2004 at 12:39 AM
I keep expecting John Kerry to nominate Clark for his Veep.
Not Wesley. Ramsey...
Posted by: Pouncer | June 15, 2004 at 04:41 PM
Well, when you build your whole career around not taking clear positions, you are bound to lose the benefits of that stance when forced to choose among potential running mates who lacked the foresight to take such precautions.
Gephardt's the most logical choice, esp. given that he hails from a state that could wind up in play and is well-liked in the heartland. His biggest drawback, other than the general quality of having been inside the Beltway since the Bronze Age, is that he was in the Air National Guard in the Vietnam era, which of course is tantamount to treason.
Wonkette, of course, will be ecstatic about the "John Kerry and his Dick" ticket.
Posted by: Crank | June 15, 2004 at 06:39 PM