It’s time to play guess the 2004 Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee
In my heart of hearts, I still harbor hope that John Kerry will be the Presidential nominee in 2004. Whether that’s realistic or not, I don’t know.
But what about the Vice Presidential nominee? The possibilities here are endless. In the spirit of good-time fun, I’m going to throw out a crazy prediction and let everyone out there pick it apart and/or tear it to shreds.
My current prediction for the 2004 Democratic Nominee for Vice President of these here United States is….
Who the hell is Eliot Spitzer, you may ask?
- He is the Attorney General of New York.
- He has a reputation for being tough on business fraud. He recently won a $100 million settlement from Merril Lynch over their fraudulent Research Analysis practices. He is also considering going after Investment Banks who made huge fees from selling tanking stocks.
- He has a strong record of fighting for environmental matters. Especially the Clean Air Act. He has threatened to sue the federal government (middle of article) over relaxations of Clean Air made by the Bush Administration. Prior to the act being gutted, he sued power plants who violated Clean Air standards (in fact, I would bet that Spitzer’s suits were a reason why the administration gutted the act). In a less successful suit, he went after General Electric for PCB pollution of the Hudson River. Finally he has gone after the Ford Motor Company over environmental contamination caused by the mercury switches that are used in their automobiles.
- He won a settlement with Smith and Wesson, getting them to agree to install trigger locks on all the guns they manufacture. This settlement is important because he did not go after new laws, but compelled a manufacturer to act responsibly
- As a result of all of these things, especially his recent action against corporate fraud, he has gained great deal of national exposure. He has become a frequent talk show guest, appearing on Donahue last night. In those talk show appearances, he seems to fit the mold of the “straight-talker” in that he doesn’t repeat a canned message and seems to speak his mind. He was also recently profiled in Time.
- He is not without his critics, and has been accused of grandstanding for political gain. He is not afraid to answer criticism, however.
- He has a twinkle in his eye.
get donkey! Thinks Eliot Spitzer could be an interesting name to watch as 2004 election season approaches.
More importantly, does he have a spring in his step?
Well I certainly find him charming on the basis of his get donkey! bullet points (collect all six!), but can the Dems run a Massachusetts/New York ticket? How did you stumble across this guy and/or make the connection with running for VP?
Comment by Marc | 7/31/2002
You know what? Forget it. I just saw a picture of him. He’s droopy looking.
Comment by Marc | 7/31/2002
Interesting speculation, but not a very plausible ticket. Kerry may well be too liberal for a national audience (and just being from Massachusetts gives that impression). Neither Kerry nor Spritzer stregthens the ticket in any swing states. And every Demo ticket since ‘68 that didn’t lose in a wipeout had a southerner on it. Look for Graham or Edwards as likely VP nominees.
Comment by Alex | 8/1/2002
I guess I wasn’t necessarily saying that I supported a Kerry/Spitzer ticket. I just think Spitzer is an interesting guy and seems really tapped into the whole “cracking down on business fraud” mood in the country. Plus he has a record that contains actual results.
Say something unforseen happens and someone from the South or even someone like Dean wins the nomination. I think that would make Spitzer a more compelling choice for a running mate.
Additionally, a Spitzer/Cheney debate would be quite interesting.
Comment by Rob Humenik | 8/1/2002
I agree with Alex. Much as I like Spitzer, he’s a low-name-recognition guy from a solid Democrat state in the Northeast. Maybe if Edwards wins the nomination he could add something, but otherwise, forget it.
Now, Eliot Spitzer as US Attorney General…ooh, I’m getting all verklempt.
Comment by Charles Kuffner | 8/1/2002
“Kerry Spitzer” sounds like some kind of hair removal product.
And there’s no way. It would be difficult enough to elect president “Anyone other than Al Gore,” there’s no way the ticket is going to be TWO people low (if not off altogether) on the list of well-known Democratic politicians eligible.
And Joe Lieberman was Droopy-looking too. Hell, he fucking LOOKS like Droopy.
Comment by August J. Pollak | 8/1/2002
I don’t know. There was this guy named Bill Clinton a couple of years back who nobody in “middle America” had really ever heard of. And I knew who Al Gore was, but he wasn’t really a household name prior to 1992 (especially in my household). They seemed to do okay.
I also read about this Jimmy Carter guy who no one knew either : ) Hell, on the Republican side in 1980, Ronnie and George weren’t too well known outside their party either.
I’m not sure that being widely known has much to do with your prospects to win. It helps, but is not required.
I also am not totally sold that the candidate has to be from somewhere specific. Gore was from the South AND was even an incumbent and it didn’t win him many electoral votes below the Mason-Dixon (I know there are other reasons for that, but being from the south didn’t seem to help him much).
My personal feeling on this is you have to be someone who the media will like and you have to be able to communicate without sounding wonky or over-prepared (a so-called “straight-talker”). Oh and you have to have the money.
I think where your from is secondary.
Anyway, I was just playing around with tossing Spitzer’s name out there. I think he’s apretty cool guy and there was a lot of interesring stuff out there about him. I think Mr. Kuffner is onto something with the AG thing. Maybe in September I’ll start the get donkey! guess the 2004 cabinet game!
Okay, I’ll stop being an ass now.
Comment by Rob Humenik | 8/1/2002
In 1980, Reagan was a former (somewhat) successful actor and governor of the most populated state in the country. Bush was the former head of the CIA and the son of one of the GOP’s most well-known and respected political icons (Prescott Bush).
Although not known to everyone, their relevance to the Federal government gave them the “oh yeah, okay, that’s who they are” element in their candidacy. Spitzer’s element is “who?”
Granted even recent elections had unprecedented picks, but even Dan Quayle was in the Senate. Yes. I was amazed to find that out myself. But the difference is Clinton might have been known only to Arkansas at first, but Spitzer is known to no one. I’m sorry, but I live in New York and I’ve never heard of the guy. And unless he’s got some movie-script level of charm and camera charisma, the media’s not going to go out of its way to make him a household name.
I’m not trying to discredit his abilities or his eleigibilty, just pointing out that the fourth or fifth-highest ranking official in a STATE government has a low chance of beating out 50 (52 if you count McCain and Jeffords) Senators, around as many Governors, at minimum the Minority Leader and Whip of the House for the top two spots in American politics.
Sorry for improperly flavoring your breakfast cereal again.
Comment by August J. Pollak | 8/2/2002
That’s okay, I’ve taken to eating 7-grain toast.
Actually, the ” live in New York and I’ve never heard of the guy” is really interesting. I thought this guy was well-known in his hime state the way he has been flying around the cable talk-show circuit and popping up in business magazines recently. BTW, I sure bet Merril Lynch knows who he is : )
You make good points. I was only trying to have some fun. I won’t do it again.
Comment by Rob Humenik | 8/2/2002
Right. No fun is allowed.
What?
Comment by August J. Pollak | 8/2/2002
Well well well. And just look who happened to land on the cover of Fortune this month.
get donkey! is indeed powerful as the Emporer has forseen…
Comment by Marc | 9/17/2002
Kerry/Spitzer - now more than ever! The Humanik Scenario is the best scenario for America.
Comment by Steve Novick | 2/13/2004