Clinton, Richardson, Edwards top VP choices of state Dems

John Nichols  —  6/15/2008 7:57 am

STEVENS POINT -- None of the Democrats who would be vice president bothered to show up here for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin's convention. But the race was still on the minds of the delegates -- as the question of who will partner with Barack Obama on the party's 2008 ticket remains the hottest topic of discussion among the Democratic faithful.

Not surprisingly, the front-runner in an unscientific straw-poll conducted by Wispolitics was New York Senator Hillary Clinton, the runner-up for the nomination and a lingering favorite among party insiders.

Of the 259 votes cast in the straw poll, 49 went to the former first lady.

Far more intriguing was the fact that an almost equivalent total -- 44 votes -- was recorded for New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, another former contender for the Democratic nod.

Richardson's campaign faded early, long before Wisconsin's February 19 primary, but he retains a healthy level of support among the state's most active Democrats.

Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards, the party's 2004 vice presidential nominee and a candidate for this year's presidential nod, won 34 votes. That's to be expected, as Edwards almost won Wisconsin's 2004 presidential primary and had a well-organized Wisconsin campaign -- backed by Congressman Dave Obey and a number of legislators -- before he dropped out of this year's competition.

Retired General Wesley Clark, a 2004 presidential contender who toyed with running this year and has visited Wisconsin many times -- most recently as a Clinton backer -- received 27 voters.

The best finish for a contender who has never mounted a presidential bid went to Virginia Senator Jim Webb, who has been actively positioning himself as a candidate for the No. 2 place on the ticket. The former Secretary of the Navy under Ronald Reagan, who has remade himself as a populist Democrat, took 32 votes.

Delaware Senator Joe Biden, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and impressed many observers with his debate performances as a long shot presidential candidate before finishing fifth in January's Iowa caucuses, won 12 votes, as did Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius.

No other potential candidate won more than five votes.

None of the vice presidential prospects came close to matching the popular appeal of a homegrown Democrat, however.

In a straw poll anticipating the 2010 race for attorney general, Democratic convention-goers were asked who they would like to see carry the party banner in against Republican incumbent J.B. Van Hollen.

The winner, by a landslide, was former Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager.

Lautenschlager received 100 votes to 63 for Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, who defeated Lautenschlager in a bitter 2006 Democratic primary.

The next highest vote went to Congressman Ron Kind, earned 34 votes. Milwaukee lawyer Marc Marotta, an ally of Governor Jim Doyle, won 14 votes to 13 for Milwaukee legislator Jon Richards.

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm got 6, Doyle appointee Matt Frank had 4 and Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard received 3.

Lautenschlager, who is practicing law, has made few noises about seeking to regain her old job. But she retains a significant appeal among grassroots Democrats.

An early Barack Obama backer, she has popped up on the campaign trail frequently this year and remains a popular speaker at Democratic events.

John Nichols  —  6/15/2008 7:57 am