2004 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection

Template:Short description Template:Infobox electionOn March 2, 2004, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry became the presumptive Democratic nominee for president in the 2004 Presidential Election.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Kerry selected North Carolina Senator John Edwards as his running mate on July 6, 2004.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Kerry–Edwards ticket was ultimately defeated by the Bush–Cheney ticket in the general election, and Edwards returned to the Senate following the campaign but left politics less than two months later.

Selection process

The vice presidential selection process was led by James Johnson, former chief executive officer of Fannie Mae and Chairman of Walter Mondale's 1984 Presidential Campaign. Kerry, who had been considered by Al Gore in 2000 as a potential running mate, sought to ensure that the selection process was discreet. To evade reporters, Kerry interviewed Edwards at former Secretary of State Madeline Albright's home in Washington D.C.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Alyssa Mastromonaco, who would later serve as White House Deputy Chief of Staff under President Barack Obama, organized Kerry's meetings with the candidates.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Reported shortlist

Pundits and those close to the Kerry campaign indicated that candidates narrowed to five potential choices.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}

Announcement

The night before the campaign's announcement of the selection of Edwards, the information was leaked by an airport worker who saw Edwards's name being painted on Kerry's plane. 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 at 9 a.m. EDT in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Media speculation on possible vice presidential candidates

<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Members of Congress

• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}
• 
  style }}

Governors

• Error creating thumbnail:
  style }}
• Error creating thumbnail:
  style }}
• style }}
  style }}
• style }}
  style }}
• style }}
  style }}

Federal executive branch officials

• style }}
  style }}

Other individuals

• Former United States Special Envoy for Middle East PeaceAnthony Zinnifrom Virginia(2001–2003)
  style }}

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