General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPros and cons of Val Demings on the ticket? What have recent events done to her stock?
At the outset, let me say that Biden will not base his VP pick on this event alone. He won't shift with the wind like that. But recent events in Minneapolis and elsewhere may shape the calculus of this election and what the country wants and needs, and thus the VP selection.
Pros: She's a female, African-American police officer who can speak to both sides of race and law enforcement. She's an excellent speaker, served admirably as an impeachment manager, and comes from the swing state of Florida. Her smarts and political savvy make it clear that her selection would not be tokenism.
Cons: Her time as chief of Orlando police was not without controversy. It received multiple charges of excessive force by police. Many voters may not buy her as a reformer of police procedures. Above all, there's a certain part of me that sees her as untested. I've never seen her debate. And winning a House race (only twice) is no indication of statewide success. Her selection doesn't mean Florida automatically comes along too. Paul Ryan didn't help Romney win Wisconsin. Even Senator John Edwards didn't help us win North Carolina. On the other hand, Joe Biden (who hailed from the very safe, three-electoral vote state of Delaware) helped Obama win a landslide. Geography seems to matter less than overarching narratives the ticket is able to create.
Thoughts? I am very impressed by Rep. Demings. I'd be interested what local Floridians have to say about her reputation.
calguy
(5,325 posts)But the bottom line is she is not at this point qualified to be president. That should be the first consideration for anyone to be on the ticket.
Tribetime
(4,702 posts)But I don't think he will pick her.
questionseverything
(9,659 posts)calguy
(5,325 posts)However we give up a Senate seat if she's on the ticket. And her age is also a factor, given Biden's age. Kamala would bring a fiery attack dog element to the ticket that Biden is a bit lacking. She would tear Mike Pense a new hole in a debate. I'd rather see her as the next AG, but in my mind she has to be in the very top tier of choices. I trust Joe and his advisors will take their time and make the best choice as they see fit.
questionseverything
(9,659 posts)I don't want a prosecutor/cop for vp or pres
calguy
(5,325 posts)He's the one who will run with her.
questionseverything
(9,659 posts)calguy
(5,325 posts)Amy is my first choice but I'm going to have to move on after this week's events.
questionseverything
(9,659 posts)I think probably 90% of the Bernie voters, which we need
she is wicked smart and always has a plan
I personally never want cops /prosecutors for executive offices...they are ok in the senate or cabinet positions but in general I think cops are bad...even the ones not doing the super evil shit are covering it up (as recent events have shown) and the prosecutor is just the top cop....more concerned with their convict record than justice
and don't even start me on how evil police unions are
Music Man
(1,184 posts)I trust Biden to make that determination, but presidential readiness should indeed be the ultimate determiner. I think Demings is brilliant and impressive, but I'm not sure we have evidence that she is ready to be a 78-year-old's heartbeat away from the presidency. She *could* be for all we know, but that's based on some faith right now.
Biden will have to convincingly answer the question, "Why specifically Demings and not Harris/Warren/Abrams, etc.?"
Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)Never has in presidential elections.
Indykatie
(3,697 posts)I don't think her previous law enforcement experience is a huge selling point in this environment.
Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)Demings also flipped a long held GOP seat while Harris won in a deep blue state. And Demings has the advantage of never accusing Biden of being a racist on national television.
Music Man
(1,184 posts)I wouldn't extrapolate much from her victories there. After all, she lost a general election in 2012 prior to the change. And in 2014 she did not make it through the primaries in the mayoral race.
Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)Which is more than any of the other VP candidates have done in a key swing state.
Polly Hennessey
(6,804 posts)I was not impressed. Her answers to Rachael seemed formulaic and passionless. I almost knew what she would say before she said it. I am not a fan of Kamala Harris but she would make a better VP than Val Demings. Something was off at least for me after listening to V. Demings.
calguy
(5,325 posts)She's a brilliant person with a bright future. I thought she was brilliant as a member of the impeachment team. But as a first term member of Congress, she needs a few more years to hone her skills, gain more national exposure, and build her resume.
Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)She was elected in 16, not 18. She flipped a long held GOP seat.
flamingdem
(39,321 posts)Not much emotion when it was needed!
Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)which the Obama campaign was worried about at the time. Not the only reason he was picked but definitely part of the consideration.
brooklynite
(94,727 posts)...there's no data that shows she'd be popular Statewide in Florida, and outside of that, she doesn't seem to have any specific appeal except among the Democratic base.
Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)Nancy Pelosi is a Congresswoman.
Maxine Waters is a Congresswoman.
Barbara Jordan was a Congresswoman.
Bella Abzug was a Congresswoman.
There is no difference being in the House versus being in the Senate. They deal with the same issues and vote on the same bills.
brooklynite
(94,727 posts)Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)Thats not the point. Experience in the Senate is in no way superior than experience in the House.
brooklynite
(94,727 posts)A Senator has to at least run Statewide. A Congresswoman from a D+11 District shows no ability to attract Moderate Independents in the key Battleground States.
FWIW - I'm not putting my money on a Senator either.
Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)brooklynite
(94,727 posts)Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)brooklynite
(94,727 posts)Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)Seems very tone deaf.
krawhitham
(4,647 posts)Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)We shouldnt be spreading it for them.
former9thward
(32,077 posts)We should not be spreading denial of the real world.
Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)krawhitham
(4,647 posts)Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)Plus it is ageism
Lars39
(26,116 posts)a law enforcement background at this pont in time.