Banker to head up Kerry VP search
Even though he is over 900 delegates short of the presidential nomination, the mainstream press have coronated John Kerry the nominee, now that John Edwards has suspended his campaign: ["Praising Kerry, Edwards Quits Presidential Race"].
The Kerry campaign has set up a VP search committee. Now, Kerry has constantly stated that he is "fighting for us" and "taking on the special interests." So, guess who he picked to head up the search? Yup, a banker and supposed "civic leader" named Jim Johnson:

For Immediate Release

March 3, 2004

JOHN KERRY NAMES HEAD OF VICE PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH PROCESS

Jim Johnson to Lead Effort to Pick Kerry Running Mate

Washington, DC – Today, John Kerry asked Washington businessman and civic leader Jim Johnson to lead the vice presidential search process to select a Democratic running mate for John Kerry in his fight to take back the White House and bring change to America.

"I have the greatest respect for John Kerry as a friend and as a national leader, and know that he will make an outstanding president. Kerry’s swift action in beginning this process to select a running mate indicates what type of president the nation can expect – decisive, focused and ready to lead," said Jim Johnson. "I very much look forward to being part of the team that will bring change to America."

Over the next several weeks, Mr. Johnson will assemble a team to begin the outreach and vetting of potential nominees.

Mr. Johnson is currently Vice Chairman of Perseus, L.L.C., a merchant banking and private equity firm based in Washington, DC and New York City. Previously he served as Chairman and CEO of Fannie Mae. Prior to joining Fannie Mae, Johnson was a managing director in corporate finance at Lehman Brothers. Before joining Lehman, he was the president of Public Strategies, a Washington-based consulting firm he founded to advise corporations on strategic issues.

From 1977 to 1981, he served as executive assistant to Vice President Walter F. Mondale, where he advised the Vice President on domestic and foreign policy and political matters. Earlier, he was employed by the Target Corporation, worked as a staff member in the U.S. Senate, and was on the faculty at Princeton University.

Johnson is Chairman Emeritus of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He is former Chairman and Honorary Trustee of The Brookings Institution.

Mr. Johnson lives in Washington with his wife and their son.