::Sunday, March 21, 2004::
KERRY'S VEEP
..Politics is a matter of addition, not subtraction. Senator Kerry should heed this as he assesses the various candidates being considered for his vice presidential running mate. People salivate over a Hispanic candidate such as Gov. Bill Richardson of Florida in order to lock up the Latino vote in Arizona and Florida, swing states carried by Pres. Bush in 2000. Hispanics, however, rarely vote as a bloc and Kerry is already leading the president in the Florida polls. This leaves out Senator Graham who is also popular in the state being its former Senator. The midwest is truly the battleground. Former Cong. Dick Gephardt is the obvious choice to carry the mantle with his pro-jobs and anti-NAFTA stance. The problem with this scenario is the absence of youth and vigor. Imagine two tired and angry politicians ranting because they have been left out in the cold. That leaves Sen. John Edwards as the best candidate to help John Kerry. Edwards has the energy and charisma to go after both the President and the Vice President. He will balance Kerry's hopelessly boring and tired demeanour. Plus he has the populist message that will support Kerry's as they both have similar records.
