Kerry Dodges Questions on Running Mate

Yahoo ^ | 7/5/04 | Liz Sidoti - AP

[NormsRevenge]

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry (news - web sites) carefully dodged questions about his search for a running mate, even as he campaigned with one potential vice presidential candidate, Gov. Tom Vilsack.

Kerry is expected to name a No. 2 for the party ticket before the Democratic National Convention opens in Boston on July 26, and an announcement could come as early as this week.

Although Vilsack rode on Kerry's bus Sunday, the final leg of the senator's weekend tour of Midwestern towns, the two were hardly shoulder to shoulder at campaign stops. And, both avoided talk about the vice presidential search when pressed by reporters.

Asked whether he had reached a decision, Kerry said: "I made a decision — to get a drink and eat some lunch." Vilsack also ignored shouted questions.

Ending his three-day push to court rural voters in the heartland, Kerry continued to stress his "conservative values" as he sought to connect with the GOP-leaning bloc. He stressed his personal position on abortion in an interview published Sunday in The Telegraph Herald in Dubuque.

"I oppose abortion, personally," he told the newspaper. "I don't like abortion. I believe life does begin at conception. But I can't take my Catholic belief, my article of faith, and legislate it on a Protestant or a Jew or an atheist ... who doesn't share it. We have separation of church and state in the United States of America."

Campaign aides say they believe the interview marked the first time Kerry specifically said he believed life begins at conception. However, he's consistently said his views on abortion are the same as the Roman Catholic Church. It believes life begins at conception.

"He's always said he doesn't believe in abortion, but these are his convictions that he can't enforce on others," said Stephanie Cutter, a Kerry spokeswoman. "He's pro-choice and believes that abortion should be safe, legal and rare."

Kerry, Vilsack and the governor's wife, Christie Vilsack, started the day with church in Dubuque, a parade in Cascade, and baseball in Dyersville where the 1989 movie "Field of Dreams" was filmed. A backyard barbecue in Independence followed before the trio headed south to Cedar Rapids for fireworks.

Vilsack is one of several Democrats being talked about as a potential candidate.

North Carolina Sen. John Edwards (news - web sites), Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt (news - web sites) and Florida Sen. Bob Graham also have been mentioned. All have campaigned with Kerry over the past several weeks.

___

On the Net:

Kerry campaign: http://www.johnkerry.com

[NormsRevenge]

Field of Dweebs
no offense intended to "normal" dweebs :)

Presidential hopeful Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites), D-Mass., plays baseball during a campaign stop at the 'Field of Dreams' movie location in Dyersville, Iowa Sunday, July 04, 2004. Kerry is on a three day bus campaign trip through Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

---

What next? Dodgeball? Golf? Croquet? Archery?

[NormsRevenge]

Presidential hopeful Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites), D-Mass., walks out of a cornfield onto the baseball diamond with children during a campaign stop at the 'Field of Dreams' movie location in Dyersville, Iowa Sunday, July 4, 2004. Kerry is on a three day bus campaign trip through Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

[exnavy]

curling

[NormsRevenge]

Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites), D-Mass., is silhouetted as he talks about the 'four months' before the election at a campaign stop on a farm Saturday, July 3, 2004, in Independence, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

[ClearCase_guy]

"I think setting up Concentration Camps and exterminating the Jews is wrong. But I did vote to continue the practice, because I don't think it's right for me, as a legislator, to ever take a stand on what I believe. I just go with what seems expedient."

[NormsRevenge]

I talk to the animals .. but they don't listen to me...

---

neither does most of the country

Presidential hopeful Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites), D-Mass., visits the Dejno Acres dairy farm in Independence, Wis. Saturday, July 3, 2004. Kerry is on a three day bus tour through Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

[mmyers]

I have 4 different views on that question sir!

[TomGuy]

Nothing like hard-hitting journalism, Liz Sidoti:

"...and an announcement could come as early as this week. "

Or he could announce next week. Or he could the following week. Or he could wait until the Convention.

Liz, what journalism school did you attend? Speculation is not news.

[proud American in Canada]

Regarding that silouhette--there's something very feminine about his hands.

[COBOL2Java]

Asked whether he had reached a decision, Kerry said: "I made a decision — to get a drink and eat some lunch."

Good to know his psychotherapy is finally showing results. "Baby steps, Senator, baby steps. Soon you'll be able to make a decision about what to have for dinner!"

[hershey]

Good grief, check out the buck teeth. Kerry the giant beaver. And a three day bus ride among the little people. He loves flyover country, people who actually work for a living with their hands. How could we have been so wrong? On the other hand, maybe he isn't on that bus for the entire three days. Maybe he gets to ride in a stretch limo part of the time, or even in his own helicopter or that huge jet TerAYsa bought him, the one that's bigger than Air Force One. Or almost. Didn't he have the nose painted baby blue and tricky lettering put on that looks as if it says John Kerry, President?

[ride the whirlwind]

Now that's really corny!

[alloysteel]

If John Kerry is going to dither around so much on choosing his VP running mate, think of how seriously he will be immobilized when it comes to making a decision on whether to sign or veto some measure about which he understands nothing.

Say, like taxes, or energy policy, or foreign affairs, or judge selection. No, wait. On that last, judge selection, he has a very sound litmus test. Are they in favor of unlimited abortion on demand? No others need apply.

[Badeye]

To date, only Edwards and Gephardt have been asked to provide tax returns. This governor is a smokescreen. Maybe he wants him in a potential cabinet position, but thats all it is.

I still believe in the end he will choose Gephardt. Rumor has it he and Edwards literally detest each other.

The one redeeming quality of the former trial lawyer, in my opinion.....

[McGruff]

[NormsRevenge]

Do you know if this shot has a caption thread?

Thanks

[TomGuy]

Not really. Most nominees wait until their 'confirmation' at the Convention before announcing their VP preference.

The media are the ones trying to make it into a news issue.

[McGruff]

I think you just started one.

Did I tell you I served in Vietnam?

or

Can you tell me, when does life really begins?

[TomGuy]

Edwards doesn't 'add' that much to the ticket.

Edwards is a 1 term Senator. Word is, he would not have been re-elected from his home state. Edwards just hasn't 'paid his dues' to be considered for the #2 position. Edwards came in a few seconds in the primaries, but only won (IIRC) South Carolina and Oklahoma.

And, Edwards certainly has more personality than Kerry. That would show Kerry up as even more dry and dull and non-charismatic.

[NormsRevenge]

This is a prime example of why we need limited campaigning periods and restricted funding for use on buying airtime and pixel time.

The media is milking this Kerry cheese tour for all its worth.

We need true CFR.