One, did you ever consider that Sen. McCain has legit reasons to dislike the man? After what the GOP did to him in SC in 2000, I think I'd be bitter too. Also, and I think I saw this on CNN, someone mentioned that McCain was just the son of a rich guy who did nothing to earn his way to where he was.

Scarred from 'Nam? Maybe, maybe John Kerry, but McCain is a huge hawk (one area where I disagree with the man), so that just makes no sense.

If the democrats want to win easy they will pick the most popular moderate democrat in either Florida or Ohio since those are the 2 biggest states that could go either way. Then just tell the VP to campaign like mad in that state, since he is from there and popular he would be able to rally a lot of votes and win the state. I know there have been some studies about the Florida candidate possibilities but none were popular enough or they were just too liberal.

I don't think Gephardt will help at all. He seems boring like Lieberman was to Gore. But he has a huge voting record also that the republicans could pick away at, giving them more info, so I bet he will not be the choice.

I wouldn't be surprised if the republican ticket in 2008 was McCain/Giuliani.

Edwards -- not clear he can win in the south besides his home state

Gephardt -- gives him the mid west

Governor Richards of New Mexico -- gives him the south west

These are the better choices....

That might seem logical, but both McCain and fellow Republican Chuck Hagel recently made headlines in the Washington Post by openly defending Kerry against Bush campaign charges that Kerry is weak on national defense.

If you want to read more about where Republican centrists stand there is an interesting article in Salon. It's a pay site, but you can also just click on the advertisement to gain access.
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/20...tes/index.html

the Admiral Stockdale return tour?

In all seriousness, kerry is a smarmy prick, but if you like that kind of thing, perhaps he could be well balanced by a less smarmy nonprick...but that is just hypothetical. Actually, I dislike him enough candidate wise that it isnt worth posting a recommendaiton

Glad to see you back..I was getting a little worried there pal...thought you'd OD'd on Boddington's......

__________________
The last time this country mixed politics with religion, people got burned at the stake.

Old Rasputin Imperial Stout...as a beer not as a running mate for Kerry...

Wesley Clark without question.
1. Being a retired general he equals out Kerrys liberalism.
2. From Arkansas which equals southern votes.
3. Captain of his debate team and could more than hold his own against Cheney.
4. His military record, led against Kosovo without a single casualty.
5. He could personally oversee Afghanistan, Iraq, Haiti and any other conflicts that may arise.

If hes not selected for VP then Edwards should be and Wes Clark should be picked up for Sec of Defense and Richard Clarke picked up for National Security Advisor and make an offer for Paul O'Neill to come back as Sec of Treasury and keep Powell as well.

Edwards would be a good choice. Not only did he pull himself up (he came from a lower middle-class family), he's been VERY successful. He knows what it's lilke to work for what he has. Nothing was handed to him.

He's also intelligent, very well-spoken and very well educated.

Having known too many plaintiff personal injury lawyers I just can't find it in me to think they are such great people in general...maybe Clark is an exception to that but I see no reason to think so