By Tom Weber, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – St. Louis Congressman Dick Gephardt was among those John Kerry considered to be his running mate. But Kerry said this morning he's instead going with Sen. John Edwards.
University of Missouri-St. Louis political scientist Dave Robertson says Gephardt supporters would have rallied around the pick to work harder to win Missouri, but it was still no sure bet.
"Urban St. Louis political leaders have had a rough time getting traction outstate," Robertson said Tuesday morning. "So by no means was it assured that a Gephardt pick would have brought Missouri into the Democratic column."
Robertson says Gephardt's pluses include the fact that he gets along with Kerry as well as any of the potential running mates to; and Gephardt has the experience to be President, if needed.
"The problem with Gephardt is he played to Kerry's strength," Robertson adds.
"Kerry is strong is urban areas to the north. Gephardt does, too. He didn't bring as much to bring outstate votes into the party, to attracting independent voters as Edwards is likely to."
In a statement Tuesday, Gephardt congratulated Edwards: "This is a ticket that can excite, motivate and most importantly defeat George Bush and Dick Cheney in November. I will continue to work hard for their election and look forward to campaigning with them and for them in the months ahead in our efforts to move America forward."