John Kerry Picks Dick Gephardt For VP 2004

[Lincoln Republican]

In 2004, George W Bush defeated John Kerry 286 to 252.

What if John Kerry had chosen Congressman Dick Gephardt of Missouri as his VP candidate?

Would Gephardt have had the political clout to put the Democratic ticket over the top in Missouri, Iowa, or possibly even Ohio?

Missouri, 11 EV, Bush won by 7.20%, 196,000 votes
Iowa, 7 EV, Bush won by 0.67%, 10,000 votes

With these two states, Kerry would have been elected President with 270 EV to 268 EV for Bush.

Ohio, 20 EV, Bush won by 2.11%, 118,000 votes. 

Any thoughts, analysis?
 

[Lincoln Republican]

A running mate choice of Gephardt over Edwards would have really hurt Kerry in the South.

Thank you for that observation. 

The Kerry/Edwards ticket sure made things competitive in the south.  Just look at all those southern states that fell to the Kerry juggernaut due to his "Southern Strategy."

Kerry could have had Jefferson Davis himself on the ticket, it still wouldn't have done him any good in the south. 

Note to Democrats, please re-nominate John Kerry for President in 2008. 

Please!