Hoffa Suggests a Kerry-Gephardt Ticket

[CADsortaGUY]

The labor chief says the Missourian has a 'high profile' and can 'carry a state.' The candidate doesn't respond, but praises his ex-opponent.

By Matea Gold, Times Staff Writer


LAS VEGAS ? Teamsters President James P. Hoffa said Sunday that he has repeatedly urged Sen. John F. Kerry to pick Dick Gephardt as his running mate, calling the Missouri congressman a strong addition to the Democratic presidential ticket.

"He needs somebody that's high profile, somebody that can go out and carry a state, somebody that has a constituency, somebody that can deliver," Hoffa told reporters at the union's annual unity conference at a Las Vegas hotel.

"If Dick Gephardt can go out and deliver Missouri, that's a big up," added Hoffa, head of the 1.4-million-member union.

The Teamsters president said that Kerry, the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, has given him no indication about whom he intends to select, and has responded merely that Gephardt is "a fine man."

Gephardt, a longtime labor ally, attended the Teamsters conference Sunday and was in the audience when Kerry addressed the union, but an aide to the candidate said the two did not meet privately.

But the Massachusetts senator mentioned Gephardt several times in his speech, offering strong words of praise for the congressman.

"Over the 20 years I've had the privilege of serving in the Congress, 20 years where I've worked with different leaders, 20 years where I've seen people kind of dodge the big issues, play the game, duck, bob, weave, do everything except stand up to things that make a difference, this particular leader," Kerry said of Gephardt, "is one of those who I think is one of the most decent, one of the most honest, one of the most committed, passionate advocates for the cause of neighbors, real citizens, people in the streets, people in the schools, people who are working hard to make a living in this country."

Meanwhile, Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona on Sunday ruled out any possibility of accepting an offer to be Kerry's running mate, despite the hope of many Democrats of seeing the two Vietnam veterans on a ticket together.

"I've said categorically ? categorically ? I will not be vice president of the United States," he said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "I will not be a candidate. And I mean that."

He added, "I am a loyal Republican. I am supporting President Bush's reelection."

In his address to the Teamsters, Kerry stressed his commitment to creating new jobs and enforcing worker protections in existing trade agreements. "I intend to put the American worker first," he said.

Hoffa acknowledged that unions were not happy with Kerry's past support for free trade, but he added that he was now confident that the senator understood the need to provide more protection for American workers.

"He's going to be fine on trade," Hoffa told reporters. "I think this has absolutely gotten through to this man."

Go figure.

CkG

 

[Codec]

"He's going to be fine on trade," Hoffa told reporters. "I think this has absolutely gotten through to this man."


Thinly-veiled threat? This ticket would be an instant loser for the Dems -- let's see if Kerry can get one right.

 

[Perknose]

If McCain is the dream Dem VP candidate who's too good to be true, then Gephardt is the tired old pol too mediocre to be credible. I'm still thinking Kerry/Edwards -- bring those yellow dog Democrats back to the fold.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: Codec
"He's going to be fine on trade," Hoffa told reporters. "I think this has absolutely gotten through to this man."


Thinly-veiled threat? This ticket would be an instant loser for the Dems -- let's see if Kerry can get one right.

That was my first reaction after reading that part.

CkG

 

[mastertech01]

"He's going to be fine on trade," Hoffa told reporters. "I think this has absolutely gotten through to this man."

They made him an offer he couldnt refuse?

 

[Painman]

Gephardt is like the Chevrolet Lumina of VP choices... generic... bleh

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Painman
Gephardt is like the Chevrolet Lumina of VP choices... generic... bleh

Agreed. Gephardt was a puppet of Gore during the 2000 campaign.

 

[Bitek]

Never gonna happen. Hard to imagine any worse (credible) choices they could make. Gephardt could barely pull any votes in the primary, how would they expect him to bring votes to the ticket.

McCain kicks ass and would be very interesting VP, but its not gonna happen either.

 

[smashp]

Edwards is the Answer. the vice presidential Debates would be interesting. Cheney would Choke, unless he gets replaced.

 

[josphII]

does any of this really matter with kerry as the presumtive democratic nominee??

 

[conjur]

Kerry's being seen with Dean quite a bit lately...hmmmm

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: conjur
Kerry's being seen with Dean quite a bit lately...hmmmm

Not going to happen. Dean is the anti-gephardt personality wise. He'd outshine kerry all summer. kerry has to pick a somewhat bland person because he is bland himself. He is running for President - not his VP. Dean would outshine him in a second - hell - he did all through the primaries.

CkG

 

[Chadder007]

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

Originally posted by: conjur
Kerry's being seen with Dean quite a bit lately...hmmmm

Not going to happen. Dean is the anti-gephardt personality wise. He'd outshine kerry all summer. kerry has to pick a somewhat bland person because he is bland himself. He is running for President - not his VP. Dean would outshine him in a second - hell - he did all through the primaries.

CkG

Trust me....Dean would be perfect for Kerry. Dean could be the background attack dog while Kerry would take the nice guy position. This is the way Bush and Cheney is now.

 

[Bowmaster]

Gephardt would cost Kerry the election. Edwards would help to win it. Dean - don't know about him, could go either way...