by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright July 7, 2004
All Rights Reserved.

oing with the flow, presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) picked his rival and colleague Sen. John Edwards for his running mate, ending wild speculation about Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), and a host of other VP wannabes. While Kerry's choice looked like a safe play, it was, in reality, his only viable option, considering the downside of other candidates. Hillary Clinton was a pre-July 4 diversionary tactic. Former Rep. Dick Gephardt (D-St. Louis) offerered I-V sedation. Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack and Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius were virtual unknowns. Former Sen. Bob Kerry (D-Neb.), Sen. Bob Graham (D-Fla.) and Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W. Va.) added experience but very little else. Virginia Gov. Mark Warner and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson were never really on Kerry's short list. And, battle-tested Gen. Wesley Clark opened up a can of worms.

      Edwards was not Kerry's safe play: it was his only play. Despite Edwards' liberal credentials and lack of experience, his gifted oratory and fiercely competitive streak offered the “fire-in-the-belly” not seen in Kerry. Throughout the primaries, Edwards roused crowds with his “two-Americas” stump speech, attacking the White House for its insensitivity to ordinary people. Unlike Kerry, Edwards speaks to the workingman, which, like the late President Ronald Reagan, stems from his humble beginnings—the son, as Edwards likes to point out, of a small-town mill worker. Beyond his background, Edwards adds youthful idealism and contagious enthusiasm, sadly missing from today's political landscape. “We had a test of campaign skills during the primaries . . . and they put the best possible candidate on the ticket,” said veteran GOP pollster Bill McInturff, recognizing Edwards' political skills.

      Republicans already attacked Edwards' weakness in foreign policy, defense and preparedness to be vice president. “Dick Cheney can be president,” said President Bush, implying that Edwards lacks the experience for primetime. Yet Bush, himself, had less foreign policy experience as governor of Texas before coming to Washington. In a post-Sept 11 world, Republicans argue that only Bush and Cheney have the experience for combating the war on terror. Democrats counter that all the collective wisdom and experience couldn't anticipate the nightmare U.S. forces face in Iraq. In picking Edwards, Kerry weighed carefully his lack of experience against glaring White House mistakes. If experience brought a wrongheaded, avoidable war, then Edwards' assets far outweigh his deficits. While Cheney has a ton of experience, he lacks good health and sound judgment.

      Painting Edwards as a liberal “trial lawyer” plays well to Bush's conservative base but doesn't impeach Edward's credibility. Conventional wisdom holds that voters vote the top of the ticket—that the VP makes little difference, both geographically and politically. Despite all the doubts, Kerry chose an electrifying campaigner, capable to attracting and working large crowds. Of all the downside to Edwards' experience, delivering high-octane stump speeches invites intense media attention and energetic crowds. Similar criticisms were raised about a 43-year-old senator from Massachusetts when he ran for president in 1960. Yet unlike John F. Kennedy, everyone knows Edwards runs as vice president, not president. Does anyone really think Sen. Dan Quale (R-Ind.) was more qualified than Edwards, when he ran for vice president with former President George H.W. Bush?

      Attacking Edwards out of the blocks suggests, at the very least, that the GOP has concerns about how he changes the race. Edwards introduces the mercurial commodity of charisma into the 2004 race. Balancing Kerry's experience and staid demeanor, Edwards' excites the youth vote, a potential wildcard in the November election. All the talk about what Edwards brings to the table centers on winning electoral votes in battleground states in the South and Midwest. No candidate—whatever background—can, by himself, deliver key states. “The South is the strategic key to the election,” said Democratic strategist Tad Devine, diverting attention away from the real issue: A charismatic personality can monopolize the media and bring out the vote in an otherwise lackluster contest. Edwards promises to generate media buzz and light up the campaign trail.

      Picking Edwards proves that Kerry isn't hung up on massaging his ego or monopolizing center stage. Edwards brings excitement to a campaign so far putting most voters asleep. Bringing his folksy style matches up well against Bush, known for his down-to-earth appeal. Just as Cheney lends weight and experience to Bush, Edwards adds warmth and spontaneity to Kerry. Regardless of Edwards' southern roots, his infectious personality can only help deliver Kerry's message in key battleground states, where curing voter apathy is half the battle. Calling Edwards “disingenuous, inexperienced and unaccomplished,” the Republican National Committee already reveals concerns that Edwards commands the kind of mass-appeal that could spell trouble ahead. To those deluding themselves into believing the vice presidential pick makes no difference, they're in for a surprise.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

©1999-2002 Discobolos Consulting Services, Inc.
(310) 204-8300
All Rights Reserved.