Kerry wins online 'Veepstakes' contest

Sen. John Kerry won CNN allpolitics.com's online "Veepstakes" game

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Vice President Al Gore might prefer Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman, but Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts is the choice of CNN allpolitics.com readers who participated in the site's online "Veepstakes" game.

Readers picked Kerry over Sen. Bob Graham of Florida, 61 percent to 39 percent, as their favorite for the Democratic vice presidential nomination. Kerry had eliminated Lieberman in the quarterfinals of the contest.

But Sen. Joseph Lieberman has won the contest for the real thing

The Democratic Veepstakes game started in mid-July on allpolitics.com with 32 potential vice presidential picks. Kerry beat Rep. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California and Lieberman before defeating Graham in the final.

Last month, allpolitics.com readers picked Rep. J.C. Watts of Oklahoma as their favorite in the Republican Veepstakes game; the Republican vice presidential nominee, former Defense Secretary Dick Cheney, was eliminated in the second round by retired Gen. Colin Powell.