2004 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection

This article lists those who were potential candidates for the Democratic nomination for Vice President of the United States in the 2004 election. Massachusetts Senator John Kerry won the 2004 Democratic nomination for President of the United States, and chose North Carolina Senator John Edwards as his running mate on July 6, 2004. The Kerry–Edwards ticket would go on to lose the 2004 election to the Bush–Cheney ticket.

Selection

One of the major criteria considered to be a factor in selecting a vice-presidential candidate was the ability to deliver a traditionally Republican or a swing state in the November election. Every successful Democratic presidential campaign since 1960 had included a politician from a swing state (usually in the South) who helped deliver one or more states for the Democrats. As of late June, the charismatic Edwards was the first choice of Democratic voters, according to several polls; some pundits attributed this to high name recognition, due to his runner-up status in the primaries.

Reported Shortlist

Pundits and those close to the Kerry campaign indicated that the vice-presidential selection had narrowed to five potential choices.

Announcement

On the morning of July 6, 2004, Kerry announced the selection of John Edwards as his running mate. However, at 10 p.m. on the night before the official announcement, the information was leaked by an airport worker who saw Edwards's name being painted on Kerry's plane, which was to be used to announce his choice of running mate. On July 6, the Kerry campaign sent an e-mail message to his supporters at about 8:15 a.m. EDT informing them of the choice, and made the formal announcement for 9 a.m. EDT in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Media speculation on possible vice presidential candidates

Members of Congress

Governors

Federal executive branch officials

Other individuals

See also

• John Kerry 2004 presidential campaign
• 2004 Democratic Party presidential primaries
• 2004 Democratic National Convention
• 2004 United States presidential election
• List of United States major party presidential tickets

References

1. 2008 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection
2. 2000 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection
3. 2000 Republican Party vice presidential candidate selection
4. 2008 Republican Party vice presidential candidate selection
5. 2024 Democratic Party presidential candidates
6. 2020 Democratic Party presidential candidates
7. Dixiecrat
8. 2016 Democratic Party presidential candidates
9. John Kerry 2004 presidential campaign
10. 2024 Democratic Party presidential primaries
11. 2004 United States presidential debates
12. 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries
13. 2004 Indonesian presidential election
14. Joe Biden
15. 2008 Democratic Party presidential candidates
16. United States presidential debates
17. 1956 Democratic National Convention
18. 2000 United States presidential debates
19. George Wallace 1968 presidential campaign
20. Commission on Presidential Debates