John Edwards should carefully pick his Vice President and talk about it early

John Edwards should carefully pick his Vice President and talk about it early

John Edwards, in his campaign for the Presidency has been on a rising scale from the time he announced a few months ago. His methodical rise in the polls is no accident. America is beginning to know him and are growing smarter regarding his person and character. America likes John Edwards. They will also have to like his choice for Vice President.

Vice President Cheney has taught all Americans just how much impact a Vice President can actually affect while in office. The damage he has done will take years to assess and may take longer to repair, especially with our international friends and neighbors.

Who will be most effective to serve as the second to our new President? Only time will tell. John Edwards needs to decide and announce it early.

I am reflecting here on a few possibilities:

(Many of you will have your own list)

Edwards and Former President Bill Clinton: Unbeatable ticket that cannot happen.

Edwards and Senator Joe Biden? Joe Biden, U.S. Senator from Delaware: 1973-Present and candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988. On January 31, 2007, he officially signed the papers with the FEC to run for president. Would he accept the job offer from John Edwards? Could happen. I do not know the kind of relationship they had when Mr. Edwards served in the senate, but I like Joe Biden. He would be a good compass check for a President Edwards and would maintain the kinds of relationships with the senate that an effective President will need. Although at times having put his foot in his mouth, Joe Biden is trusted and is known for keeping his word.

Edwards and Barack Obama: A hands down winning ticket if Obama reads the writing on the wall and realizes he will not become the President this time, but a shoe-in if he runs after having been the V.P. for John Edwards. His election would come from the coat-tails of an outgoing President Edwards in 2016.

Edwards and Marshall Adame: ……… Just kidding.

Edwards and Wesley Clark: I believe that John Edwards should take a long look at this. Wesley Clark , Vietnam war veteran, a retired United States Army four-star general and former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO. His is a warrior with the experience and the sense responsibility to the office he holds. He is a life long servant of the people and defender of liberty.

Edwards and Kerry: I think a bit of a comb-over. Wouldn’t work in my estimation.

The time needed to overcome the awkwardness would hurt John Edwards. Kerry would be a great US Ambassador the UN or Iraq.

Edwards and Former Vice President Al Gore: AL Gore has already had the VP job.

Of course, it would be a hole in one victory for the Democrats, but the political considerations will take the day. Al Gore would never do it.

(If Al Gore jumps in I believe he will ask John Edwards to be his VP).

Edwards and Mark Warner: Former Governor of Virginia. Time Magazine rated him in November 2005 as one of America's top 5 governors. Mark is a good guy and would be a great VP, but I do not think he would accept a second seat. I do not think he could overcome the idea of being second.

Edwards and Evan Bayh: A popular second term U.S. Senator from Indiana. Former two-term Governor of that State. I hope Mr. Edwards is talking to this guy. He has charisma, experience and would be more than able to assume the role of President if necessary. In 2016 Evan Bayh would easily take the Democratic nomination and would likely be elected to the Presidency.

These are just a few of the possibilities, but interesting ones to consider in my view.

The point is that john Edwards needs to think about the advantage of choosing his V.P. early. The strategy may speak to his willingness to make decisions and dialog with the American people regarding his direction.

John Edwards is a dynamic person who’s presence and demeanor can inspire one to begin to believe again about reaching for one’s dreams. Yes, he has done very well for himself, but that is what we all aspire to. He is not living off of old money. He acquired his wealth through following the American dream and catching it. We all aspire to that in one form or another. He has suffered a great deal in his personal life and shares an experience with every parent in the United States who has tragically lost a child.

John Edwards is no more, or less perfect than any of us. He has scars, just like us and is flawed, just like all of us. He has shown himself to be an over-comer, not given to allowing circumstances to control him, but rather controls his circumstances.

John Edwards knows the law and understands the limitations of the Office of President.

He will dialog with our friends and enemies alike around the world and will bring America to the stature and respect once held throughout the world.

He will bring health care to the Americans who, heretofore, could not afford it. He will relieve the poverty in our country and will put our public schools back on the road to higher achievement and progress.

When Mr. Edwards chooses his V.P., he will have to know that person shares his vision for America and the respect for the American people that must exist to achieve that vision.

If he picks the wrong guy, he will hear from me, but I have a feeling that won’t be necessary.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marshall is a retired US Marine Vietnam veteran who became an Aviation Management/Logistics consultant in 1992.

Marshall worked in the Kuwait recovery of 1992-93.

He the Senior Aviation Logistics Manager for Kaman Aerospace in Egypt US Government programs for four years.

Marshall was in Iraq from mid-2003 until late-2006 where:

In 2003 he was the US Coalition Airport Director for Basrah Int'l Airport in Iraq.

In 2004 he was VP for Aviation Development with The Sandi Group Int’l, Iraq.

In 2005 Marshall was a Department of State US Advisor to the Iraqi Ministry of Interior and with the Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT) where he was on the staff of the National Coordination Team (NCT) in Baghdad.

Marshall returned to the USA from hi diplomatic assignment in Iraq in September 2006 and is currently on staff as a Senior Analyst for a DOD project.

Marshall and his wife Becky (3rd grade teacher) have been married for 37 years and have four children, Paul, Veronica, William and Benjamin, and eleven grandchildren.

Their sons William and Benjamin, served in Iraq in the US Army. William was wounded in action on July 2nd 2006.

Marshall and Becky reside in Jacksonville North Carolina. marshall_adame@yahoo.com

Note: Marshall Adame will be a 2008 Democratic candidate for Congress in NC and is a supporter of John Edwards for President