I wouldn't be surprised if Dean chose Gep as his running mate

[CMT]

You just get little hints that Dean and Joe Trippi like Gep. For instance a couple of weeks ago Dean mentioned how much he likes and respects Gep and knew him better than any other candidate in the race. He also mentioned that he worked for him in 1988.

Then there is this statement by Joe Trippi today when asked by a reporter about Gep's less than expected fundraising in the second quarter:
"I would not underestimate his ability to come back. He's one of the hardest workers I've ever met, and he's had a well of deep support and affection in places like Iowa where it counts."

Trippi was also Gep's deputy campaign manager in the 1988 campaign.

How would you feel about a Dean/Gephardt ticket?

Among the plusses:
1) Gep comes from a crucial border state that democrats only narrowly lost in 2000.

2) Gep is extremely strong with organized labor, a critical element in any Democratic campaign.

3) Besides Missouri, Gep has strength throughout the midwest (his strongest region) especially in states like Iowa and Michigan.

4) Gep is a Washington insider for those who worry about Dean's lack of foreign policy background.

Among the minuses:
1) Gep has been around forever and would not cause a great deal of excitement if he were selected.

2) He voted for the Iraqi resolution and if Iraq and Dean has made Iraq a major issue and if he selects a running mate who disagrees with him the press would have a field day with it.

3) Many Democrats are frustrated with what they preceive as the Democratic party appeasement of Bush. rightly or wrongly Gep, especially in 2002 is singled out as one of the appeasers.

[jos]

1. If Gep

could guarantee Missouri, I could go for it. But there's no guarantee he could do since he's not a statewide official and it can be argued that Dean will have a harder time winning the state than Gore did in '00.

I still think Graham would be the best running mate for Dean.

[polpilot]

8. Graham is the best 'insider' but I'm open for a real surprise from Howard.

Maybe Kerry.

Dean '04

[jos]

10. Vermont and Massachusetts?

Makes no sense to me.

[Cha]

2. I wouldn't like it. Because for me the "minus" #2 is too strong

of a reason.

That rose garden schmooze with bush will forever be in my mind as a traitorous act to the American People! :kick:

[Larkspur]

3. I don't think that Dean needs any of the Prez contenders for VP

At this stage, I doubt he's thinking about VP. He's got to win the nomination first, and he still has work to do, such as reaching out to voters who do not have Internet access.

I don't think that any of the Prez contenders, especially Kerry, Edwards, Gephardt, or Graham, would get along with Dean. Well, Edwards might be a good VP, but still don't know if he would get along with Dean, who'd want someone who would work with him, like Gore did with Clinton.

Let's face it folks, the world is much more dangerous for us thanks to Bush, and Dean is going to need a VP that can be as smart and tough as he is and is willing to work with him, not carry post-campaign grudges.

[DianeK]

4. i would be very unhappy with that choice

i would also be very surprised. gephardt was forced to step down from his leadership position in the senate because it was obvious that he could not lead! no, i think what this may be about is just good old fashioned politics being played very well. dean is very aggressively courting the iowa primary vote. he knows that gephardt is very well liked there and if the buzz coming out of his campaign is that he likes him and respects him, it may just bring over those that are on the fence

maybe not, but that is what it smells like to me

[arcos]

15. Gephardt is a member of the House of Representatives, not the Senate...

and he was not forced to resign, he did it after the November 2002 loss and to run for President.

[Exultant Democracy]

5. It seems like it maybe a good ideal

Gep is a D.C. boy and he knows how to play ball with the big boys. This is the reason so many of us hate him so much, but it is also the reason he could be an asset to Dean. Gep would also be able to make sure the dems in congress would get behind Dean.

[AmyStrange]

6. I'm thinking more of a Dean/ Kucinich...

or a Dean/ Clark ticket...


Dave (AmyStrange.com)

DU (slang/ folklore) Glossary (Dictionary): http://DUG.SeattleActivist.org/
Index of WMD Articles: http://WMD.SeattleActivist.org/

Here are some excellent resources and timelines of quotes and interviews and newspaper article quotes documenting the different things Bush and Co did and said for the last two plus years concerning the war in Iraq and WMDs (and other fun things) from the Howard Dean Website---even if you're not a Dean Fan, these are still excellent resources:

The Bush Administration And WMDs: Then And Now:
http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/PageServer?pagename=bush_wmd_summary

Niger-Uranium Timeline:
http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/PageServer?pagename=niger_timeline

Bush and WMD: Assumptions vs. Reality:
http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/DocServer/TikTok_-_Bush_-_Iraq_-_Side_by_Side.pdf?docID=781

The Bush Administration and WMD: What did they know and when did they know it?:
http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/DocServer/TikTok_-_Administration_-_Iraq_Deception.pdf?docID=762

[FoxNewsIsTheDevil]

9. Kucinich? barf

Kucinich will be nowhere on a national ticket. He is too polarizing.

[AmyStrange]

14. Polarizing?

Kucinich is giving Bush the devil about the war and didn't vote for the resolution and I like that in my candidates.

Dave (AmyStrange.com)

[goobergunch]

7. Gephardt is very boring, even for the House...

I would be very disappointed if that appeaser was chosen for the Vice-Presidential nomination. However, I don't know why Gep would want to be VP.

[mdmc]

11. Who better than Gephardt?

Perhaps Edwards, Graham, or Kerry. I don't think W. Clark, but I understand the allure.

Mississippi AG Michael Moore? What about him for Dean / Moore 2004.

[Andromeda]

12. Ya think?

Gep's an insider, he's solid and he's been around for years. I kind of have the feeling that Dean, if he get's the nomination, will pick somebody from the South. Like maybe Graham or Edwards?

Just my two-bits.

[BeatBush]

13. too bad

Kerry will be the nominee :evilgrin: Kerry will pick Clark as VP and send shrub back to the ranch