Who Will Be Kerry's Running Mate

Allow me to do some penance for using the Janet pic yesterday to rock my clock counter, so, fans of snark, forgive me for this rather serious post:

Barring a strong John Edwards win in South Carolina and a strong Clark win in Oklahoma, you can gag the Democratic side of this election season with a fork, because, my little pomegranates, it's just about done, and John Kerry will likely be the nominee. But who will Kerry pick for his running mate? Here are some thoughts:

Max Cleland. The Corsair believes that he is the likely choice for a running mate. Pros: From Georgia, brings the South back into the mix ... former Senator ... triple amputee war hero would make a strong veterans campaign with Kerry -- and Vets are likely Republican voters ... expert on Homeland Security (big plus, as national security is a Republican stronghold) which Bill Clinton in a recent closed door meeting warned that the nominee must be strong on ... strong on health care ... could skin chicken hawk Cheney in a debate
Cons: None

Gary Hart Pros: Vast intellect, PhD, Oxford, Political Philosophy ... wise from his time out in the political wilderness ... Strong in the Southwest ... devastating debator Cons: Old adultery charge may still stick in the Bible Belt ... may be more useful to the Democratic Party in a Senate bid against the very weak Ben Knighthorse Campbell ... Possible Secretary of State, a la his hero, Jefferson

John Edwards. Pros: Young up-and-comer, would play well with Kerry, lookswise ... Could bring the South, providing he can win the South Carolina primary and show strong in Arizona and Oklahoma ... has a base in the Dem party ... ferocious debator honed from years as a trial lawyer taking on corporate powerhouse who, often, pleaded to settle out of court rather than face Young Edwards.
Cons: Young, inexperienced ... former trial lawyer with a mile long money trail to their lobby

Bill Richardson Pros: Governor of ultra-crucial New Mexico ... Latino ... former UN Ambassador and seasoned diplomat would give international cooperation credit points to ticket
Cons: None

Wesley Clark Pros: Longshot, but if he wins big in Oklahoma and the conservative Southwest he could be in the cut ... General would give strong military backing to ticket ... would humiliate chickenhawk Cheney in a debate ... strong with African-Americans
Cons: Too closely tied to Bill Clinton, who wants Hillary '08, which may be an issue.

Dick Gephardt Pros: Outside of Cleland and Edwards, the most likely running mate ... most popular pol in pivotal swing state Missouri ... would be perfect for a Kerry-Gephardt Northern labor-veterans strategy against a Bush South ... comes with the backing of labor, a Democratic must needs ... a truly good guy who dropped out and endorsed Kerry early: he did the right thing
Cons: Wooden on the stump, charismatically challenged

Evan Bayh Pros: Young up and comer, popular moderate Democrat from a Republican state ... would look good stumping with Kerry ... strong political family ... Would play well in Bush states ... hugely ambitious for national office, a quick study
Cons: A long shot ... may not even be able to deliver Indiana, his home state, against Bush

Bob Graham Pros: Most Aggressively Campaigning for this position ... got out early ... most popular elected official in CRUCIAL Florida ... Senate Intelligence Committee Cons: Bad ticker ... charisma challenged.