Sure, everyone's looking for the next Prez, so we have sights on who's making the play to become the next VEEP, the ultimate #2! At vicepresidents.com it is about people in the shadow-the second string, the runners up... The Latest: The Democrats Debate in LA!
In the most recent Democratic Debate scheduled in LA, there were some things to be expected. We knew they were going to be pandering for ex-Edwards supporters and reiterating his rhetoric on "poverty" and "the cause of my life" type stuff.
With Edwards out of the race after discouraging results in South Carolina and seemingly few delegates beyond, many Democrats are caught between a rock and a hard place. Do they vote with their heads (Clinton is clearly the most qualified), or do they vote with their hearts (Obama is clearly more trustworthy)?
Being a New Yorker, it always disturbs me when candidates drop out before Super Tuesday. Couldn’t he just wait one freakin week?? Perhaps John most fears being ostracized by demanding Democrats who are quick to label the underdog as "the spoiler." (Just ask Ralph Nader or Ross Perot how quickly public opinion has turned on them in the past.)
Another possibility is that Edwards has made a deal with one of the other candidates. On one hand, it seems unlikely, since Edwards hasn’t openly endorsed anyone. But on the other hand, Edwards occasionally went on the offensive in later debates -- but he strayed from personal attacks and seemed to level equally at both Obama and Clinton. The race is still somewhat early and there’s still some room for courtship.
Al Gore 1993-2001 2000
George H.W. Bush 1981-1989 1992
Walter Mondale 1977-1981 1984
Gerald Ford 1973-1974 1976
Hubert Humphrey 1965-1969 1968
Richard Nixon 1953-1961 1960
Theodore Roosevelt 1901 1912
John Breckinridge 1857-1861 1860
John Adams 1789-1797 1800
For many VPs, the #2 spot was great training for the presidency.
George Bush 1981-1989 1989-1993
Gerald Ford 1973-1974 1974-1977
Richard Nixon 1953-1961 1969-1974
Lyndon Johnson 1961-1963 1963-1969
Harry Truman 1945 1945-1953
Calvin Coolidge 1921-1923 1923-1929
Theodore Roosevelt 1901 1901-1909
Chester Arthur 1881 1881-1885
Andrew Johnson 1865 1865-1869
Millard Fillmore 1849-1850 1850-1853
John Tyler 1841 1841-1845
Martin Van Buren 1833-1837 1837-1841
Thomas Jefferson 1797-1801 1801-1809
John Adams 1789-1797 1797-1801
So, who wants Edwards?
We know that everyone wants his supporters, but in a glowing speech, Hillary wished “all the best” for Edwards. She told reporters, “John Edwards ended his campaign today in the same way he started it - by standing with the people who are too often left behind and nearly always left out of our national debate. John ran with compassion and conviction and lifted this campaign with his deep concern for the daily lives of the American people. That is what this election is about - it’s about our people. And John is one of the greatest champions the American people could ask for. I wish John and Elizabeth all the best. They have my great personal respect and gratitude. And I know they will continue to fight passionately for the country and the people they love so deeply.”
Edwards seems to have an affinity with Barack, saying: “The hopes that both Senator Obama and I have for this nation and this country that we love so much, these are not false hopes. They’re real hopes.” He added: “I’m running for the Democratic nomination,” Edwards said in response, adding with a smile, “I think maybe he should be running for my VP.”
On ABC Nightline, when asked if he’s looking for a deal, Barack Obama mysteriously mentioned, "I have spoken to John Edwards." He added, “I don't want to go into the details of the conversation we've had. But look, John's running a terrific campaign. He's still competitive in a number of states coming up on Super Tuesday. I think his attitude, like the rest of us, is he's going after as many delegates as he can get." Obama made a speech and said of John, "John has spent a lifetime to give voice to the voiceless and hope to the struggling." He added, "He has consistently made us focus on who matters." He speaks comfortably about "The Other America" and says that John and Elizabeth will continue to "transform America."
Could we see a McCain-Giuliani Ticket in the near future?
In a quick move, Giuliani immediately endorsed John McCain and said this:
“There is absolutely no understanding on any position in government. I am not seeking any position in government. I am going to be a very enthusiastic and active supporter of John McCain. I have offered, anything he or his campaign believe I can do, I will do for them……I’ve also called a lot of my people, as many as I could in this short period of time, and asked them to support Sen. McCain and so far no one has said that they wouldn’t. Some have said yes, some are thinking about it…….I’m not seeking the vice president nomination. It’s way too premature for anybody to be speculating about vice presidential candidates. I’m not seeking a position in government.”
Rudy is careful not to say he’d never want to be VEEP. He adds, “I’m not thinking about public office right now. I never make ‘never’ statements. I found in life, when you make a never statement, you could still change your mind, but you have it up on YOUTUBE nowadays….so I am going to take a couple of weeks and Judith and I will figure that out. But I do expect to remain active in private life and I will remain active in politics.”
Tom Ridge for McCain's VP?
Tom Ridge has floated as a GOP vice presidential nominee in 1996 and 2000. Now he’s campaigning aggressively for John McCain. He’s been to Pennsylvania, New Hampshire (three times), California, Illinois and Florida.
As a two term governor, Ridge has practical domestic experience. He took a hardline stance against criminals, supporting the “three-strikes law” and faster death sentencing. Economically, he grew the budget 2-3% each fiscal year and was responsible for $2 Billion in tax reductions. He’s also well known for policies supporting education and the environment. Coming from Pennsylvania could also be considered an asset, as PA’s generally a blue state.
He served in Congress from 1983 to 1995 and as governor of Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2001. Additionally, he was named the first secretary in the Department of Homeland Security from 2003 to 2005, which will help McCain keep this image of being a Patriot who will protect our borders unquestionably. Additionally, he served in the Vietnam War, where he earned the Bronze Star Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Bob Asher of the Republican National Committee, said: "Tom Ridge is a great guy who is working very hard and traveling all over the country for John McCain. He should certainly be on the shortlist for VP if McCain wins."
In just five weeks, Tim Pawlenty went to New Hampshire Dec. 29th and 30th, Iowa on Jan. 3rd, Michigan on Jan. 11th and 12 and headed to Florida this past weekend to sing McCain’s praises.
"Governor Pawlenty is helping him to bring in Republican voters, particularly the younger Republican voters that are up for grabs and don't have an axe to grind with John McCain because he did not vote for all of the president's tax cuts,"
comments Larry Jacobs of the HHH Institute of Public Affairs.McCain is financing these political trips in full, which makes one wonder how close to #1 Pawlenty is on McCain's #2 List.
Kucinich Gone But Not Forgotten
Dark Horse candidate Dennis Kucinich has dropped out of the Democratic race and says he won’t endorse any of his fellow Democrats… but he's also not going down without a fight. He promised to
"impeach President Bush and vice president Cheney Monday" before the State of the Union address.
Tom McClintock, arguably the second most important Republican Governor in California history (next to Arnold, of course) gave Ron Paul a nod now that Thompson, his first endorsement choice, has dropped out.
If Ron Paul were looking for a running-mate who knew how to cut spending, reduce taxes and run a fiscally responsible government, McClintock would be a good candidate.
In his death throes, Rudy found his new message: Can't we all just get along?
The likelihood of Giuliani dropping out, save for a miracle in Florida, is high. McCain won two big Florida endorsements this week (Governor Charlie Crist and Senator Mel Martinez), Romney is leading in the early polls. Getting his ass kicked in Iowa and by Ron Paul certainly didn’t help the rejected frontrunner either. (Of course he’ll have to get through Chuck Norris and Mike Huckabee first.)
With Romney and McCain running so neck and neck, one wonders if the GOP nominee will just be selected via a game of Poker (like Warren G Harding’s nomination in 1920!)
“McCain might say to Romney, let’s make a deal, you be my vice-president, at my age I’ll only serve one term and you can take over. It all depends who grabs enough delegates to make the best
deal,” Craig Sautter, an expert on presidential conventions, surmised.
Newt Still Considers VP, Though No One's Asked
"Ronald Reagan once said that he was hoping that Gerald Ford would not ask him in 1976, because a citizen would have a very hard time turning it down as part of their duty. And I always thought that was a wise admonition. And so I can’t quite imagine a nominee foolish enough to offer it, but I would have to consider it seriously if somebody did."
Sometimes you'll catch Newt talking up Giuliani, other times McCain or Romney. A smart VEEP waiting in the wings will keep every option open. However, long term loyalty is also frequently rewarded.
McCain Looks To Martinez in Florida
(Yeah, I thought it was more than a little mean as well.)
He added: “I have a massive ego, but I’ve only won two primaries. Can you ask me on Wednesday?”
01/28 NJ News - Hillary Eyeing Menendez?
A top Clinton campaign fundraiser says Bob Menendez would make an ideal candidate for Vice President
John F.X. Graham, one of Hillary Clinton's National Finance Co-Chairs, recommended the New Jersey Senator if Clinton wins the Democratic nomination. Graham emailed Clinton Campaign Manager Terry McAuliffe with a shortlist of VEEPs for Hillary: Barack Obama, Bill Richardson, John Edwards, Joe Biden and Bob Menendez.
“Menendez would be the most intriguing,” Graham wrote.
The Cuban Menendez would help Hillary snag some of the minority voters, much like a Richardson or an Obama. In the Senate, he’s on the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, Budget and Energy and Natural Resources committees. In February 2006, he co-sponsored legislation with fellow NY Senator Clinton to protect our borders by making it illegal for foreign governments to buy U.S. port operations. He served as vice chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and boasts extensive foreign policy experience.
Graham adds, “The Latino voting block is becoming the most influential in this election, especially with the immigration and other economic issues confronting our prosperity. For a lack of a better term, he is the Latino Barack Obama with the experience."
Interestingly enough, the only people covering this are New Jersey natives.
