2004 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection

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2004 Democratic vice presidential nomination
  2000 July 6, 2004 (2004-07-06) 2008  
  John Edwards, official Senate photo portrait.jpg
Nominee John Edwards
Home state North Carolina

Previous Vice Presidential nominee

Joe Lieberman

Vice Presidential nominee

John Edwards

This article lists those who were potential candidates for the Democratic nomination for Vice President of the United States in the 2004 election. Massachusetts Senator John Kerry won the 2004 Democratic nomination for President of the United States, and chose North Carolina Senator John Edwards as his running mate on July 6, 2004. [1] The Kerry–Edwards ticket would go on to lose the 2004 election to the BushCheney ticket.

Contents

Selection

One of the major criteria considered to be a factor in selecting a vice-presidential candidate was the ability to deliver a traditionally Republican or a swing state in the November election. Every successful Democratic presidential campaign since 1960 had included a politician from a swing state (usually in the South) who helped deliver one or more states for the Democrats. As of late June, the charismatic Edwards was the first choice of Democratic voters, according to several polls; some pundits attributed this to high name recognition, due to his runner-up status in the primaries.

Reported Shortlist

Pundits and those close to the Kerry campaign indicated that the vice-presidential selection had narrowed to five potential choices.

Announcement

On the morning of July 6, 2004, Kerry announced the selection of John Edwards as his running mate. However, at 10 p.m. on the night before the official announcement, the information was leaked by an airport worker who saw Edwards's name being painted on Kerry's plane, which was to be used to announce his choice of running mate. On July 6, the Kerry campaign sent an e-mail message to his supporters at about 8:15 a.m. EDT informing them of the choice, and made the formal announcement for 9 a.m. EDT in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. [2]

Media speculation on possible vice presidential candidates

[3] [4] [5]

Members of Congress

Governors

Federal executive branch officials

Other individuals

See also

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References

  1. "Kerry names Edwards his running mate". CNN. July 6, 2004. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  2. "NPR : Who Will Be Kerry's VP?". NPR . Archived from the original on 2017-08-11. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
  3. Crowley, Michael (2004-05-28). "Kerry's long shortlist for vice president". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
  4. "Kerry's VP List". www.cbsnews.com. 2 March 2004. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
  5. "John Kerry campaign: Democratic candidates for vice president (washingtonpost.com)". www.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2020-06-13.