Tuesday, July 6. 2004
The choice is made...
I got the following email one hour ago, just before he announced in Pittsburgh.
I was hoping a VP candidate with some more experience would appear. I'm not so sure Kerry's overtures to McCain were such a good idea - Bush is going to make political hay out of that, and even NPR is saying that McCain was the "first choice".
But noone with Edward's support, and charisma, and just sheer drawing power appeared. Gephardt and Graham kept getting mentioned as the other choices, but I'm glad neither of those got chosen - Gephardt just has too much special interest baggage, and Graham just never appealed to me.
So it's Kerry-Edwards. Since we know that Kerry doesn't actually like Edwards, this seems, paradoxically, to be a choice made for the right reasons. #1 - someone who can help you win the election. #2 - someone who can lead this country if something happens to you.
I was hoping a VP candidate with some more experience would appear. I'm not so sure Kerry's overtures to McCain were such a good idea - Bush is going to make political hay out of that, and even NPR is saying that McCain was the "first choice".
But noone with Edward's support, and charisma, and just sheer drawing power appeared. Gephardt and Graham kept getting mentioned as the other choices, but I'm glad neither of those got chosen - Gephardt just has too much special interest baggage, and Graham just never appealed to me.
So it's Kerry-Edwards. Since we know that Kerry doesn't actually like Edwards, this seems, paradoxically, to be a choice made for the right reasons. #1 - someone who can help you win the election. #2 - someone who can lead this country if something happens to you.
Dear Justin,
In just a few minutes, I will announce that Senator John Edwards will join me as my running-mate
on the Democratic ticket as a candidate for vice president of the United States. Teresa and I
could not be more excited that John and Elizabeth Edwards will be our partners in our journey to
make America stronger at home and respected in the world.
You are the heart and soul of our campaign. You've shattered records and expectations every step
of the way. Every time someone said you couldn't do it, you proved them wrong. Because of your
incredible grassroots energy and commitment, I wanted to make the first official announcement of
my decision to you -- more than one million online supporters at johnkerry.com.
I want you to know why I'm excited about running for president with John Edwards by my side. John
understands and defends the values of America. He has shown courage and conviction as a champion
for middle class Americans and those struggling to reach the middle class. In the Senate, he
worked to reform our intelligence, to combat bioterrorism, and keep our military strong. John
reaches across party lines and speaks to the heart of America -- hope and optimism. Throughout his
own campaign for President, John spoke about the great divide in this country -- the "Two
Americas" -- that exist between those who are doing well today and those that are struggling to
make it from day to day. And I am so proud that we're going to build one America together.
In the next 120 days and in the administration that follows, John Edwards and I will be fighting
for the America we love. We'll be fighting to give the middle class a voice by providing good
paying jobs and affordable health care. We'll be fighting to make America energy independent.
We'll be fighting to build a strong military and lead strong alliances, so young Americans are
never put in harm's way because we insisted on going it alone.
I can't tell you how proud I am to have John Edwards on my team, or how eager I am for the day
this fall when he stands up for our vision and goes toe-to-toe with Dick Cheney.
This is the most important election of our lifetime, and a defining moment in our history. With
you by our side every day of this campaign, John and I will lead the most spirited presidential
campaign America has ever seen and fight to lead our nation in a new and better direction.
Thank you,
John Kerry
In just a few minutes, I will announce that Senator John Edwards will join me as my running-mate
on the Democratic ticket as a candidate for vice president of the United States. Teresa and I
could not be more excited that John and Elizabeth Edwards will be our partners in our journey to
make America stronger at home and respected in the world.
You are the heart and soul of our campaign. You've shattered records and expectations every step
of the way. Every time someone said you couldn't do it, you proved them wrong. Because of your
incredible grassroots energy and commitment, I wanted to make the first official announcement of
my decision to you -- more than one million online supporters at johnkerry.com.
I want you to know why I'm excited about running for president with John Edwards by my side. John
understands and defends the values of America. He has shown courage and conviction as a champion
for middle class Americans and those struggling to reach the middle class. In the Senate, he
worked to reform our intelligence, to combat bioterrorism, and keep our military strong. John
reaches across party lines and speaks to the heart of America -- hope and optimism. Throughout his
own campaign for President, John spoke about the great divide in this country -- the "Two
Americas" -- that exist between those who are doing well today and those that are struggling to
make it from day to day. And I am so proud that we're going to build one America together.
In the next 120 days and in the administration that follows, John Edwards and I will be fighting
for the America we love. We'll be fighting to give the middle class a voice by providing good
paying jobs and affordable health care. We'll be fighting to make America energy independent.
We'll be fighting to build a strong military and lead strong alliances, so young Americans are
never put in harm's way because we insisted on going it alone.
I can't tell you how proud I am to have John Edwards on my team, or how eager I am for the day
this fall when he stands up for our vision and goes toe-to-toe with Dick Cheney.
This is the most important election of our lifetime, and a defining moment in our history. With
you by our side every day of this campaign, John and I will lead the most spirited presidential
campaign America has ever seen and fight to lead our nation in a new and better direction.
Thank you,
John Kerry
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