Dream Ticket

[Farnan]

What is your dream ticket for running for president of the United States?

I'd put down Tom Ridge/Colin Powell as my dream ticket though it will never happen. Both are decorated Vietnam War veterans.

Tom Ridge graduated from Harvard, which he was able to pay for through a scholarship and construction work. His father was a veteran of the Navy and a traveling salesman, he was not born rich, but gained what he did through his own hard work. After his first year at law school he was drafted into the United States Army and fought in Vietnam where he earned a Bronze Star for Valour. He was eventually promoted to the rank of seargeant before his tour was over. After Vietnam he finished his law degree, which he attained at Dickinson Law School (the one I may be attending after I finish my undergraduate degree if I can). He entered private practice for eight years before becoming Assistant District Attorney. In 1982 Tom Ridge successfully ran for the US Congress and was re-elected 6 times. In 1994 he successfully ran for Governor of Pennsylvania, a position he held until 2001, when he resigned and was appointed head of the Office of Homeland Security. In 2003, upon the formation of the Department of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge became the first Secretary of Homeland Security. He is still beloved in Pennsylvania, and is widely regarded as one of the best governors this state has possessed. Currently, Mr. Ridge is on the board of Home Depot and has been nominated Senior Adiviser to the goverment of Albania.

Colin Powell - Need I say more?

[John Wayne]

I'd prefer McCain instead of Ridge but both are better than a repeat of Regan/Bush.

[Farnan]

If I got to choose two Democrats to run against them it would be Leiberman/Clark.


If my dream ticket would come true, Ridge/Powell vs. Leiberman/Clark I will have much less fear about who wins the election...albeit it won't. However Ridge/McCain or Guilliani/Ridge is possible...

[Ó Cathasaigh]

I would honestly say McCain/Guiliani.

I've been saying that I'd love to see this for two years now. Will it happen? I hope so! I have no idea if they'd do it, but I know they'd be unbeatable.

For the Democrats.
I would say Lieberman and Zel Miller.

Lieberman being the presidential candidate of course.

[Last Roman]

two independents (or third party) running against two other independents (or third party)

but of course, that is all a dream...

[Evariste]

I'd say Michael Badnarik and Ron Paul. I know that Paul's pretty staunch on the abortion thing, but he's still one of the most principled congressmen around today. I know this will never happen, but hey, a guy can dream....

[Caelius]

Wesley Clark or John Edwards. With a lot of emphasis on Clark, he was the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO during the Kosovo Conflict, which is essentially a Head of State position without representing a country, and would know how to heal some of the diplomatic rifts that have grown between the US and Europe. Not to mention that as a former General of the Army (graduated 1st in his class) he's more qualified in how to handle the situation in Iraq and others around the world better than just about anyone else on either side of the aisle and probably the military as well.

Here's some stuff from Wiki on him:

Clark is a graduate of West Point, and was awarded a Rhodes scholarship to Oxford University where he earned a Masters Degree in Economics. He holds several honorary Knighthoods, the USA's highest civilian level award of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and a National Audubon Society award for saving an endangered species of desert turtle. He is fluent in four languages: English, Spanish, German, and Russian.

Vietnam service:

In May 1969, Lieutenant Clark was called to duty in the Vietnam War. For the rest of that year, he served in Vietnam as the Assistant Staff Officer (Assistant G-3) of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Infantry Division. In January 1970, he was promoted to Captain and given command of a mechanized infantry unit — A Company, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division.

In February 1970, then age 25, Clark was shot four times by a Viet Cong sniper. He had injuries to his right shoulder, right hand, right hip and right leg. He managed to shout commands to troops, who launched a counterattack and defeated the enemy force. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Silver Star. The citation for his Silver Star said of the event:

"As the friendly force maneuvered through the treacherous region, it was suddenly subjected to an intense small arms fire from a well-concealed insurgent element. Although painfully wounded in the initial volley, Captain Clark immediately directed his men on a counter-assault of the enemy positions. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Captain Clark remained with his unit until the reactionary force arrived and the situation was well in hand. His courageous initiative and exemplary professionalism significantly contributed to the successful outcome of the engagement. Captain Clark's unquestionable valor in close combat against a hostile force is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army."

Flown back for rehabilitation, Clark was told by doctors that his injuries would leave him with a permanent limp due to the large amount of muscle lost to his right calf. The young officer taught himself to walk again and to play the piano. Clark went on to receive perfect scores on his physical fitness tests.

Particular story from the Balkans most people don't know about:

Under the overall leadership of former Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke, Clark headed the U.S. military team during negotiations that led to the Bosnian Peace Accords, in Dayton, Ohio. During the negotiation process, in 1995, Holbrooke and Clark's diplomatic convoy was ambushed on a road by landmines and small arms fire, after Milosevic refused them safe passage. One of their jeeps crashed down a ravine. Amid enemy gunfire, Clark, then a fifty-year-old Lieutenant General, rappelled down the ravine to search for survivors. He stayed with the burning jeep until help arrived, saving the wedding band of one dead soldier which he personally returned to the fallen man's widow.

Overall Electability:

General Wesley Clark is mentioned as a potential 2008 presidental candidate on the Democratic ticket. He has not yet committed to the race, though on Colorado Radio, when asked about 2008, Clark replied "I never said I won't run." When asked directly General Clark most often replies that he will wait until after the 2006 mid-term elections to decide, as he considers the immediate issue of the mid-terms more important. General Clark is near or in the lead of potential Democratic candidates according to some Internet polls. Clark won the most votes for the Democratic nomination for both the presidential and vice presidential spots in polls on Choose Our President in August and September 2006, for example.[8] Clark is actively campaigning for individual Democrats in 2006 as well as campaigning for the Democratic party to retake control of the Congress, which also raises his visibility among rank-and-file Democrats.

Clark has many qualities which are considered appealing for the 2008 Democratic Nomination:

He is from the south and he is a retired General, which is appealing to centrist and traditionally-Republican voters which a Democrat would need to win the White House.
He came in fourth place in the last Democratic Primary, a strong showing despite the number of high-profile candidates.
Furthermore, he won the primary in Oklahoma, and came in second in four other ones. If it weren't for the media fascination put on the "front-runner" at the expense of the others, his candidacy might have lasted longer.
He is a Rhodes Scholar; he's considered to be a speaker and writer of great ability.
He has no legislative record which could be held against him, as was done to John Kerry in 2004.
He has been a Fox News contributor for over a year, giving him visibility with that network's viewership.
He has been heavily involved in shaping the Democratic Party's foreign policy stance, serving as an advisor to several candidates.
He has a devoted following of "Clarkie(s)" and "Clarkites" across the United States supporting his grassroot efforts to President in 2008.

[mike^_^]

I'd say Michael Badnarik and Ron Paul. I know that Paul's pretty staunch on the abortion thing, but he's still one of the most principled congressmen around today. I know this will never happen, but hey, a guy can dream....

ron paul is hanging in there but he is being slandered by the NRA

Any doubt the NRA isn't a shill organization, have now been removed for all to see. The recent B rating given to Dr. Ron Paul (R) TX -14th District, is an outrage. According to the NRA's website as well as his challenger, Rep. Ron Paul's "B" rating indicates past votes for restrictive legislation. This is a blatant lie! When asked for the rating criteria, the NRA said they didn't publish one.

On the other hand, Gun Owners of America, as well as other leading gun rights groups, rate Rep. Paul with an A+. When executive director of GOA, Larry Pratt was informed of what the NRA was doing, he was quick to come to the aide of the Texas congressman.

http://www.infowars.com/articles/us/...l_democrat.htm

this thread has been done before http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...8&page=1&pp=20

[Farnan]

To Caelius: General in the Army, not General of the Army. Our last General of the Army was Omar Bradley... (In the US General of the Army is equivalent to Field Marshal)

[harm]

H Dean/W Clark

only Dean can balance the budget.

Hicks? You want a liberal democrat that votes for the iraq war and a republican in democrat clothes with Zell Miller? Zell Miller is worthless.

[Rush Limbaugh]

H Dean/W Clark

Im moving to Canada.

I would honestly say McCain/Guiliani.

Without a doubt an unbeatable combination. I have my problems with both of them but compared to most these guys shine. At least they go by their beliefs and not party affiliation. Its really hard to find politicians who say what they mean.

I wonder how this ticket would do as an independant.

[Bovril]

I'm not a big fan of the U.S. political system (or the Brtish one for that matter), but if I had to pick a couple of Americans to be the two most powerful men in the country I'd pick:
President: Noam Chomsky
Vice-Pres: Edward Herman

Why? Because they are libertarian socialists like me and would probably renounce their position, undemining the whole institutional basis of U.S. government, and perhaps moving it closer to an equitable, sustainable economical model.

[Visna]

Can non-Americans voice an opinion here as well? Oh sod it, it's not like it has stopped me in the past...
Hillary Clinton for President
Wesley Clark for Vice-President
I think they would make a good team.

[Bwaho]

Hillary Clinton for President

that's like saying you want Martha Stewart for president...

[Rush Limbaugh]

that's like saying you want Martha Stewart for president...

At least Martha has talent and can help around the house.

[Visna]

We'll see. Don't underestimate Hillary's intelligence and ambition, though. Just a suggestion, of course.

[harm]

tell me why you would want Guiliani ? I don't understand this..... you all think he would win, but give no reason why...

[JP226]

I'd like to see giuliani/ schoomaker

[RZZZA]

How gamers like us could support Lieberman and Hillary is beyond me. Dont you guys know....? They'll try to ban our video games!

[Farnan]

Remember this is dream ticket, not who you would want to be president. There is a slight difference, this is about who you'd like to run, if it was just who you'd want to be president you could choose anyone, regardless of the praticality of them winning...