WoodysGirl
06-25-2008, 12:57 PM
June 25, 2008, 12:50AM
VP talk sparks interest in Waco's Rep. Edwards
By RICHARD S. DUNHAM
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — There's a Texas lawmaker being talked up as a 2008 vice-presidential candidate in the nation's capital, and it's not the usual suspect, Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.
The Texan in question is Democratic Rep. Chet Edwards of Waco, a political moderate and a respected Capitol Hill voice on veterans issues.
Edwards' most powerful backer is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who on Tuesday urged Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama to consider Edwards for the No. 2 slot on the presidential ticket.
Members of the Texas congressional delegation and Lone Star State Democrats quickly joined the Edwards boomlet after Pelosi, a liberal from San Francisco, told a Newsweek reporter that the Texan was the best potential candidate from the House of Representatives.
"Chet Edwards is a person that many of us think would be a good person to have in the mix," Pelosi told Newsweek's TamCam video blog. "We want the House in the mix, as well."
Edwards, 56, would bring some political assets to a national ticket. The Waco Democrat is experienced on national security issues, knows how to win votes in Republican territory and is telegenic.
Many Democrats would relish the irony of having George W. Bush's own congressman — who has defeated a string of well-financed GOP challengers — on their national ticket.
Edwards, chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, said he was "humbled that (Pelosi) and others would suggest that the Obama campaign consider me for their VP list."
richard.dunham@chron.com
VP talk sparks interest in Waco's Rep. Edwards
By RICHARD S. DUNHAM
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — There's a Texas lawmaker being talked up as a 2008 vice-presidential candidate in the nation's capital, and it's not the usual suspect, Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.
The Texan in question is Democratic Rep. Chet Edwards of Waco, a political moderate and a respected Capitol Hill voice on veterans issues.
Edwards' most powerful backer is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who on Tuesday urged Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama to consider Edwards for the No. 2 slot on the presidential ticket.
Members of the Texas congressional delegation and Lone Star State Democrats quickly joined the Edwards boomlet after Pelosi, a liberal from San Francisco, told a Newsweek reporter that the Texan was the best potential candidate from the House of Representatives.
"Chet Edwards is a person that many of us think would be a good person to have in the mix," Pelosi told Newsweek's TamCam video blog. "We want the House in the mix, as well."
Edwards, 56, would bring some political assets to a national ticket. The Waco Democrat is experienced on national security issues, knows how to win votes in Republican territory and is telegenic.
Many Democrats would relish the irony of having George W. Bush's own congressman — who has defeated a string of well-financed GOP challengers — on their national ticket.
Edwards, chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, said he was "humbled that (Pelosi) and others would suggest that the Obama campaign consider me for their VP list."
richard.dunham@chron.com