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Iran RPCV Donna Shalala mentioned as long shot Democratic Vice-Presidential contender
Iran RPCV Donna Shalala mentioned as long shot Democratic Vice-Presidential contender
Two Floridians are viewed as VP contenders
The importance of Florida and the credentials of Bob Graham and Bill Nelson have focused attention on the senators as possible running mates for John Kerry.
BY FRANK DAVIES
fdavies@herald.com
WASHINGTON - Vice President Bob Graham? Vice President Bill Nelson?
It may sound like a Florida Democratic fantasy, but some strategists and pundits continue to highlight the state's two senators as potential running mates for John Kerry. The importance of Florida keeps the two in the spotlight.
''Because of Florida and what happened in the 2000 election, either one would be a shot of adrenaline for Democrats nationwide,'' said Dan Payne, a Democratic operative in Boston who worked on Kerry's Senate campaigns.
''It would be a message that we're going all out for Florida and we're not going to be snookered again,'' he added. Payne is one of many Democrats urging Kerry to name a running mate soon, to help counter Republican attacks.
Of course, no one but Kerry and a few close advisors know whom he is really considering, or when he will make a decision. Kerry, who was seriously considered by Al Gore in 2000, wants to keep the process private.
One of his confidantes, Jim Johnson, is interviewing and vetting possible running mates.
But the vice president sweepstakes has become a favorite political topic, and when Kerry heaps praise on Graham and Nelson -- as he did last week during a Florida campaign swing -- the stock in Sunshine State contenders rises.
And if you're reading tea leaves, consider this: Graham and Kerry have genuine respect for each other. Graham bought Kerry's townhouse on Capitol Hill. Kerry suggested Graham as a special envoy during the recent Haiti crisis.
YALE GRADS
Kerry and Nelson, both Yale grads (along with President Bush), share the same media guru, Bob Shrum -- one of Kerry's top advisors.
''If Kerry must win Florida, he almost has to pick Nelson or Graham,'' wrote Craig Crawford in his ''Trail Mix'' column for Congressional Quarterly. In a wide-open field, he gave odds of 12-1 against both.
Political analysts say the last time two senators from the same state received such attention was 1964, when Lyndon Johnson chose Hubert Humphrey over fellow Minnesotan Eugene McCarthy.
Graham, who has been on the short list before, is used to the speculation and simply says he will play any role Kerry asks of him.
When the two senators traveled with Kerry, along with Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, the three possible running mates got off the plane in Miami in order of seniority. Nelson said the veep speculation did not cause any uncomfortable moments.
''Bob Graham is my friend and I defer to him so there has been no awkwardness,'' Nelson said.
Payne named Edwards as his favorite, listing Graham and Nelson as his next choices, giving shorthand reasons:
On Graham: ``Loads of credentials, experience, national security work, character -- but ran a very unspectacular campaign for president.''
On Nelson: ``Moderate, at 61 more vigorous than Graham [who is 67], straitlaced, astronaut bearing, reassuring -- you'd get in a cockpit with him.''
CALLED LONG SHOTS
Chuck Todd, editor of the daily Hotline that chronicles politics and said both are unlikely, adding that Nelson may get attention because of the Shrum connection.
The Kerry campaign benefits from all the speculation in its fundraising, Todd said. Some Florida Democrats are more willing to contribute when Nelson and Graham still have a chance at the veep slot.
So far, the Hotline has tallied 62 possible running mates on its ''great mentioned'' list, including two other Floridians -- University of Miami President Donna Shalala and Tampa's Rep. Jim Davis of Tampa.
Herald staff writer Lesley Clark contributed to this report.