Party Leaders Want Biden to Pick Former Rival

[wyldwolf]

“In discussions with The Times since Mr. Biden’s big primary victories on Tuesday, 60 Democratic National Committee members and congressional and party leaders most frequently proposed three former rivals of Mr. Biden as his running mate — Senator Kamala Harris of California, Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. Next up was Stacey Abrams, a former state House leader whose defeat in 2018 Georgia governor’s race remains disputed by many in the party.”

“Other popular suggestions included Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Representative Val Demings of Florida. The Democrats interviewed also proposed seven other women, including Govs. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/19/us/politics/joe-biden-vice-president.html

[True Blue American]

1. Warren or Klobucher

Last edited Fri Mar 20, 2020, 06:40 AM - Edit history (1)

Harris finished herself with the pre planned 6 year old girl attack.

[Celerity]

2. hard pass on Klobuchar, I am open to all the others, Harris included nt

[Sunsky]

3. Biden is mature enough to move pass primary rivalry

Just like Obama was. Anyway, I believe he should choose a Latina. He isn't doing well will the LatinX community and that would give the ticket a much needed boost. However, from what I've been reading on the board and discussions with my fellow African Americans, it seems as if there may be blowback if he doesn't choose an AA running mate.

[BeyondGeography]

5. Jill is quoted in the article as being down on Harris

That’s significant IMO.

[Sunsky]

9. Can't see behind the paywall

However, that would be sad IMO. In the 2008 GE, McCain ran ads using Biden's criticism of Obama during the 08 primaries. The primaries can be very spirited, both Warren and Klobuchar criticized Biden during the process. Why is Harris' spiel carrying more weight?

[Skya Rhen]

10. I can't blame Jill for her feelings surrounding that debate episode. She's human and, as First Lady,

would need to be comfortable around whomever the ultimate VP is.

<Snip>

"While de facto presidential nominees typically keep their list of potential running mates closely held, Mr. Biden has helped fuel speculation by eagerly rattling off names for months — nearly all of them women. Even his wife, Jill, offered her take in a private fund-raiser earlier this month, praising Ms. Klobuchar and criticizing Ms. Harris’s debate stage attack on her husband last summer."

<Snip>

"Choosing Ms. Harris, 55, would not only provide not a gender balance but also would add a black woman to the ticket after black voters helped revive Mr. Biden’s campaign in February. But as Jill Biden’s recent criticism indicated, the memory of Ms. Harris’s debate stage attack may hinder her chances."

[Proud liberal 80]

7. That's why I think he stated he was going to appoint a Black woman to the SCOTUS

Knowing that he was going for a white woman as VP.

[Sunsky]

8. From the numerous discussions I've had

That would be a mistake. It would be seen as an insult to have an all white ticket and POC placed on the peripheries (though possibly important positions). That move could cost him votes. Remember we are voting for a ticket in November. Rarely does it matter who will be AG, or nominated to a not yet opened position as the SCOTUS.

[pinkstarburst]

25. SCOTUS is not an important position?

RBG at 87 will very likely retire during the next term. Breyer is 81.

I think we're in trouble if every faction within the party decides they're going to stay home if the VP nominee doesn't look like them, come from their area, or align with their beliefs. Progressives. Midwestern moderates. Swing state voters. AA voters. Latino voters.

Where does it end?

It's a very dangerous precedent to set, this idea that I keep reading in various posts here at DU and all over social media about the VP choice that certain groups stayed home in 2016 because they didn't like Hillary's choice, and they can do it again in 2020 if they don't get their way.

What this teaches ALL the factions within the party if Biden were to cave to certain group's demands that the nominee be this or that (a progressive, an AA woman, a moderate from a swing state) is that staying home and refusing to vote for the nominee in November is the only way to exert power within the party and get your voice heard. It's not just one group that has the power to do that. And that's a losing prospect for us all and a win for Trump.

[Sunsky]

38. It's life

If you read my response you would see that I was saying, even though it may be an important position, SCOTUS is not a part of the ticket. Pres. Obama put two lovely women on the SCOTUS and one is a Latina. I wouldn't expect less from Biden. I applaud his commitment to put a black female on the bench. However that position will not be seen as equivalent. Especially, since it is not yet an opened position.
I don't get my cue from DU. I listen to my community. I am not reflecting my personal viewpoint as I have stated. I speak about the knowledge I've gathered through communication. Does it reflect the larger society? May be or may be not. However, people are free the vote and not to vote (however unfortunate that may be). I have heard multiple people expressing that the black community saved the Biden campaign and if he chooses a running mate outside the community, it will be a slap in the face. I don't necessarily agree but I believe he should choose a POC. An all white ticket would send a bad message. I will vote no matter who Biden chooses. Although I would prefer he pick a Hispanic female.
People are motivated by different things, such is life. I will not lecture a person who would feel slighted/used. Sometimes instead of being judgmental of people's motivation, we should try to emphasize. I can understand the essence of the minority community because I am one.

[pinkstarburst]

39. Then I'm sure you

won't judge any progressive who refuses to vote for a Biden ticket if it doesn't include Warren?

You won't judge any moderate Midwesterner who refuses to vote for a Biden ticket that doesn't include Klouchuar?

Any Bernie supporter who refuses to vote at all?

Lots of people can feel used. Like their vote is "expected" and the people on the ticket are a slap in the face. That's not reserved for POC.

[Sunsky]

41. Lack of understanding

To compare the historical and current struggle of POC to be less marginalized to the progressive movement or moderate midwesterners, is quite privileged and telling. We all have different struggles, yes. POC have been overlooked, shunned, used and abused throughout time. All struggles are not equal. Furthermore, POC feel like they have resurrected the Biden campaign. The same isn't true for the other named groups. Will I enthusiastically vote for Joe no matter who is chooses? 100%. Will I go canvass for Joe as I did all candidates since Obama? If I can, 100%. I've seen enough to draw certain conclusions from these posts. Have a good day.

[Dem4Life1102]

35. Agreed

[W_HAMILTON]

21. I had that same thought myself.

[pinkstarburst]

24. That was my thought, too

[PaulRevere08]

11. I'm liking Warren for Commerce Secretary

It's safe that a democrat will be appointed to take her place.

Warren will be up to the task of cleaning up the stinking pile that tRump and party will leave behind.

[True Blue American]

12. Or Labor!

Anything that has to do with Financials. She can clean out years of Republican and Wall Street greed!

[Demsrule86]

17. Warren must stay in the Senate...she has a GOP governor. So no and no.

[PaulRevere08]

37. I live in Mass and the gov here would be a democrat anywhere else outside of the state

That said the gov does not appoint a replacement - it is done by special election between 145 and 160 days since the vacancy. The only power the governor has is to decide a date within that.

[Demsrule86]

15. Warren has a GOP governor.

We can't lose a senate seat in the critical first 100 days. She needs to stay in the Senate for now.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

36. MA has a special election to fill seat fairly quickly.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_United_States_Senate_special_election_in_Massachusetts?wprov=sfla1

[Dem4Life1102]

34. Both come from solid blue states

And neither will energize the African American vote.

[question everything]

42. Shouldn't Warren first endorse Biden before being considered as his running mate?

[bucolic_frolic]

4. It's a Harris - Klobuchar - Whitmer race

Whitmer is a stronger candidate than one would think. Executive experience, Michigan. Only drawback doesn't tick the POC box.

Harris for some reason didn't catch on, and CA is blue already. Klobuchar is a solid choice but consistently someone posts on DU they don't like this or that.

It may be with 10 strong candidates, they are left balancing who has the strongest experience and fewest liabilities. Executive experience is a strong suit. Senators don't necessarily have that. Governors do.

Focus for now on the governor possibilities. One with experience, a POC, and who brings an important ticket-balancing state or geographic region will get a seriously long look.

[Demsrule86]

16. We need to add a state if possible or shore up the Midwest...if there wasn't such a push for a woma

which I do understand...I would Choose Beto and put Texas in play. Someone from Florida would be great too.

[Demsrule86]

18. Tammy Duckworth is awesome too...

[SilasSouleII]

22. That's the ticket!

[ucrdem]

6. Well, he'll have lots of time to decide.

It's looking like we're in for a permanent primary.

p.s. on the bright side, he's going to need it - so many good choices make this a very tough decision!

[Demsrule86]

19. At some point the party needs to step in and declare Joe the Presumptive nominee...and

if this is necessary, Sanders needs to pay a price. This is bullshit.

[ucrdem]

20. I think they are giving him time to roll it up.

He's been at this a long time and probably had plans to keep it going indefinitely. But I'm guessing his deadline is Tuesday and if he doesn't he'll face very unpleasant penalties. I know Schumer is reluctant but the clock is ticking.

[Demsrule86]

23. I hope so...

[DarthDem]

26. That Sounds Very Reasonable

Good post.

[obamanut2012]

13. Any of the three "rivals" or Whitmer

[DarthDem]

27. I agree with this

Gov. Whitmer has been just fabulous. She's also, like Joe Biden, a very real and sincere person.

[BusyBeingBest]

14. Klobuchar.

[JustAnotherGen]

28. Duckworth or Whitmer or Abrams

Abrams doesn't take anyone out of a seat.

I've always thought (I'm 47) our first woman President would be former military.

Tammy has sacrificed and given more than many others for her country - she has grit, tenacity, leadership skills, and is very very brave.

[empedocles]

29. Amy has pull in Minn. [Calilf, Mass are givens for Dems]

[beachbumbob]

30. harris is the only one that makes sense and will make a great first woman president as well

when the times comes

[TruckFump]

31. Of the Female Senator possible running mates for Biden...

...which ones have a governor who would FOR SURE appoint a Dem replacement.

IMO, that is a giant consideration. As a Calif resident, I know that Newsom would fill a seat vacated by Harris with another Dem.

[LisaM]

32. First, who WANTS the job?

I'd argue that Stacey Abrams has become so effective in the voting rights battle in Georgia, she might want to keep doing that. Warren has no reason to do it - she can wield more influence elsewhere.

My money is between Harris and Klobuchar. They are both good debaters and would eviscerate Pence, which would be a beautiful sight

[raging moderate]

33. Tammy Duckworth sounds good, too.

She's an Illinois senator, so a Democratic governor would choose her successor.

[StevieM]

43. Let's also add former Labor Secretary Hilda Solis to the list. (eom)