by Bradley Parsons
Staff Writer
Democratic backers inside Jacksonville’s legal community agree that Sen. John Edwards will make a fine candidate for the White House in 2008. But it remains to be seen whether Edwards will be chasing the top spot.
Democratic supporters Bob Spohrer of Spohrer, Wilner, Maxwell & Matthews and Gary Pajcic of Pajcic & Pajcic both call themselves admirers of Edwards, the keynote speaker at today’s Law Day Luncheon at the Hyatt.
“John Edwards is somebody who lawyers admire; he’s an example of a successful, ethical, caring attorney,” said Pajcic. “Certainly, he’s a viable candidate for the presidency.”
Both Pajcic and Spohrer are prominent Democrats in largely Republican Duval County. Spohrer raised money for John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign and hosted the senator on a recent weekend visit to Jacksonville. Pajcic ran his brother Steve’s campaign for Florida governor in 1986. The Pajcics also supported former Florida Sen. Bob Graham in 2004.
Pajcic’s view of the Democratic nomination in 2008 boils down to WWHD? That’s “What Will Hillary Do?” If, as expected, Sen. Hillary Clinton runs for the presidency, then everyone else, Edwards included, is running for second place, said Pajcic.
“Everything banks on Hillary,” he said. “If she runs she’s going to win the nomination and probably the White House. If Hillary runs, all these guys are lining up for vice president.”
A good No. 2 man will balance the ticket philosophically and geographically, said Pajcic. Ideally, the candidate will deliver his home state in the election. That’s something Edwards failed to do last time when North Carolina voted for Pres. George Bush, noted Pajcic.
Pajcic thinks Virginia Gov. Mark Warner might be able to bring his state’s 13 electoral votes to the Democrats’ side. Pajcic has agreed to meet with Warner, who has also been mentioned as a presidential candidate.
Florida Sen. Bill Nelson presents another intriguing vice presidential possibility. Pajcic said Nelson could get the drumbeat started with a convincing win in his upcoming bid for re-election to the Senate.
“If he can win big then people might want to see if he can bring Florida along with him,” said Pajcic. “We’ve seen a couple of elections where one additional state would have made the difference, so you want somebody who’s going to help you get that additional state. And the bigger the state, the better.”
Spohrer also thinks Edwards would make a good vice presidential candidate. But Spohrer would like to see him paired again with Kerry in the top spot.
“I got behind Kerry in the last cycle before Iowa and before New Hampshire. I thought then that he was the best qualified man for the office, and I still believe that,” said Spohrer.
Spohrer doesn’t concede the top spot to Clinton. Although voters narrowly rejected a Kerry/Edwards ticket in 2004, Spohrer thinks they might reconsider if given the chance.
“My view is John Kerry has already been through the process, he’s been vetted. Kerry/Edwards looks pretty good to me right now,” said Spohrer.
But Spohrer conceded that Edwards likely has loftier ambitions. He’s likely to chase the ticket’s top spot.
Whoever becomes the Democratic candidate, Spohrer said it won’t be enough to point out the Bush administration’s shortcomings. To reclaim the White House, the Democrats have to convince voters that they can rule with integrity and competence, he said.
“Anybody who is seriously seeking the office is going to have to come up with some alternatives to the way things are being done now,” said Spohrer. “They’re going to have to have some solid ideas on how to move the country forward.”