Now that Sen. John Kerry has selected Sen. John Edwards to be
his running mate, the campaign for the White House has shifted into
high gear. Since the announcement, the debate of the day has become
who would be the better vice president, Edwards or current Vice
President Dick Cheney?
But will Cheney even remain in the election? Suspicion has begun
to arise that he may remove himself from the Republican ticket.
Health concerns certainly still linger, as Cheney has suffered four
heart attacks since 1978. Furthermore, he might see himself as a
hindrance on President George W. Bush’s reelection
efforts.
There is little chance that Bush would ever force Cheney out the
door. Few have had the same influence that Cheney has had on Bush.
Bush has relied on Cheney’s loyalty, experiences and wisdom
throughout his first term, a term that has witnessed the most
devastating terrorist attack in American history and unprecedented
international issues. Cheney’s vast knowledge of foreign
policy and defense has proved invaluable.
But if Cheney becomes convinced that the party would be better
served with a new name on the ballot, it would be very conceivable
that the 63-year-old official would back down. If Republicans could
convince former Arizona Sen. John McCain or Secretary of State
Colin Powell to become Cheney’s successor, it would certainly
be an exciting change that would invigorate moderates and even
swing some left-wing votes the incumbent’s way. And in this
tumultuous election, there would be no greater coup for Bush than
to convince Kerry’s first choice for vice president to become
his own running mate.
But all speculation aside, Cheney is still the Republican
candidate for the vice presidency. And if he stays in the race, he
remains a man who is a dignified public servant and who is
immensely skilled.
Cheney has severed prominently under four presidents, including
acting as chief of staff for Gerald Ford and as secretary of
defense for George Bush. He was also elected to six terms as the
Congressman for his home state of Wyoming, using his time in office
to serve not only his constituents, but also the rest of the nation
with distinction and honesty.
His decades of dedication to this country and his impeccable
knowledge of the workings of government make him a man who is
eminently more qualified than his opponent Edwards.
Bush made a very accurate response when asked what the
difference between Cheney and Edwards was. “Dick Cheney can
be president.”
What Edwards admittedly has in charisma he lacks in experience.
His career in politics began just six years ago when he ran for the
Senate in North Carolina. As his own running mate Kerry criticized
a few short months ago, “In the Senate four years, that is
the full extent of public life. No international experience, no
military experience.”
Another of Edwards’ weaknesses may also be his most
devastating. This election will likely boil down to a debate over
foreign policy. And while Edwards’ populist speeches about
“Two Americas” may have captivated his base, he is
largely untested and untrusted on matters of international
relations. This will not sit well with undecided voters concerned
about terrorism and Iraq.
The pairing of Kerry and Edwards has made for one of the most
liberal Democratic tickets in history. Kerry is currently
considered the most liberal member of the Senate. Edwards is close
behind, being the fourth most liberal. According to the Americans
for Democratic Action, a left-wing group that analyzes annual
voting records, Kerry has amassed a lifetime liberal rating of 92
percent. Edwards was calculated at 81 percent. The same data shows
that their teaming is even more liberal than the Walter
Mondale-Geraldine Ferraro ticket of 1984. No matter how
right-leaning voters may feel the Bush-Cheney ticket is, they are
clearly not as partisan as the Kerry-Edwards team is.
This race should not be focused on which man will better serve
as the president of the Senate. Rather, it should center around
which team can best guide the nation during these interesting
times. Edwards’ inexperience makes him a liability in this
realm. He can neither rely on an impressive political career nor is
he particularly moderate.
The bottom line in this race is that the only running this
former personal injury attorney is used to is from his days of
chasing after ambulances.
Pfohl is a recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree in
history.