Throwing this VP thread out there because I have questions

[bucolic_frolic]

I'm just cruising along, figuring Sen Harris and Susan Rice are the field. I doubt Joe Biden will pick Eliz Warren because even this Trump Republican Wall Street cabal will make mince meat of socialism.

Then, overnight, when I'm asleep and doing my best reasoning, this thought came to the fore:

Do you think Stacy Abrams brings more to the table strategically than she has been given credit for?

To wit, does Stacy Abrams bring Georgia, Florida, 2 Georgia Senate seats, and a fierce pro-democracy force against fascism?

If all that played out it would be quite a haul. But would it play? Her lack of executive experience, lack of other than state office for example. Never mind she's brighter than just about everyone.

I'm seeing the downside as I write this, but just wanted to see what everyone thought of the whole package.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I like Stacy Abrams, and she has a lot going for her, but

what she doesn't have is federal government experience. From everything I've read, it sounds like one of the most important qualifications Biden and his advisors are looking for is the ability to hit the ground running as president. Considering Biden's age and the likelihood that he won't run for a second term, this is likely to be a particularly significant factor. Abrams has a bright future but I don't think she's right for this job yet.

[Trumpocalypse]

7. Bill Clinton didn't have federal government experience either

And any discussion of Biden’s age just gives credibility to a GOP talking point.

[Laelth]

10. Clinton had executive experience as Governor of Arkansas.

That’s usually enough.

-Laelth

-

[Trumpocalypse]

31. But still no federal government experience

And Trump has no experience whatsoever. The truth is experience just doesn’t matter in elections and never has.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. True, but he was a governor, which gave him executive branch experience.

Being a state legislator is a while different thing. And Biden's age is a real thing that can't be ignored, including by Biden and the party itself.

[Trumpocalypse]

32. It still wasn't federal experience

Experience just doesn’t matter in elections.

And any argument regarding Biden’s age gives credibility to a GOP talking point.

[snowybirdie]

15. I totally agree

She was only a state Rep in a govt. run by the opposite party. She lost her Gov race, unfortunately. Our problems are gigantic and an expert is needed to us them. She can start a bit lower, but can ride eventually, I'm sure.

[Sherman A1]

2. No

I just don't see Stacy Abrams as the go to on this. I would prefer Susan Rice at State where she could be focused on foreign matters and Harris would be just fine where she is. I have no particular person in mind for the VP choice, but I know of several I do not see as best for the job.

[theophilus]

3. Abrams. Definitely! She

is the real deal. If she has no scandal in her past then she comes almost entirely without baggage. Except some very good baggage.

Georgia was STOLEN from her. Time to redress some past STEALING from Georgia folks. She can speak wonderfully well and will be able to plug in immediately to governance. She SHOULD be a governor right now. She would deliver Georgia at the very least.

She will be a wonderful president in the future.

Abrams is the best shot.

Kamala does nothing, being from Cali. Rice is brilliant but has too much Memory Detritus from Benghazi, etc.

Stacey is best. Joe, please do the right thing on this. IMO.

[Laelth]

4. Karen Bass FTW.

Biden-Bass has a nice ring to it.



-Laelth

[ecstatic]

5. Those are my thoughts and concerns as well

regarding Warren and Abrams. Therefore, I'm going for Rice at this time. I'm worried about her lack of name recognition, but I think Rice is brilliant and would hit the ground running.

[Laelth]

6. Rice has never been elected to any office.

She’s brilliant. She’s articulate. She’s a Democrat, but she’s not a politician, and we actually need a politician right now. Trump (who has only run for and been elected to one office in his entire life) proves that political skills are actually quite valuable.

-Laelth

[Trumpocalypse]

8. Good point

Plus Rice gives the GOP an excuse to bring up Benghazi again.

[ecstatic]

28. Good points. I guess I've credited Rice's US NSA experience

as on the job training?

Of the names mentioned, the only natural politician is Abrams, although Warren has come an EXTREMELY long way in that area.
Harris is getting there, but her prosecutorial instincts sabotaged her chances during the primaries (in my opinion). She's still learning how to balance those skillsets.

Hmm, not sure what to think anymore. I just want to win, dammit!

[Laelth]

30. Karen Bass FTW.

If you know nothing about her, that’s by design, but she has a 0% rating from the Republican Party of California. She’s a hard-working liberal star, but she works, mainly, behind the scenes. She is definitely running for the VP position.

Check her out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Bass

-Laelth

[ecstatic]

39. I'd fully support that! Looks like she's been

hiding in plain sight. I've seen her, but not seen her, if that makes sense. She's been on The View and other shows that I regularly watch. I'm disappointed in myself for not knowing more about her.

[Laelth]

40. She rocks, and she's a real contender.

She’s so understated that we might actually slip a real liberal into the White House once Joe passes the baton. I am excited about the prospect.

-Laelth

[2naSalit]

36. I think that's a red herring...

Susan Rice has a lot of experience that has not been widely appreciated and skills that she does have are surely transferable and just because she never ran for office means nothing to me given her skills, abilities and manner/tone when she addresses major issues. She does not let emotions show in her delivery and she is of very sound rationale.

I'd prefer Susan Rice to any of the others mentioned. That she does not currently hold office is good, means we won't be losing a valuable person in that office.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Rice

[Laelth]

38. I certainly would not mind it if she got the VP nod.

We are blessed with a deep bench.

-Laelth

[bucolic_frolic]

13. I can't disagree

I believe there are few if any House members who would make good VP candidates. It's a matter of experience, and breadth.

Sen Harris was on Rachel, I think it was Thursday, she was asked about the VP slot. She said she wouldn't speak for the Biden campaign, and that's a good response. But she just didn't look to me like she wanted it very much.

I'm unaware of Rice and any Benghazi collateral. Didn't follow it well. But if you wanted to sink Battleship Trump with brain power, Susan Rice would be my choice too.

Do you get more votes in the Democratic column with Susan Rice, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris? Factors include, obviously, race and liberalism. I doubt all the polling in America could come up with an exact answer.

Joe Biden will choose someone ready at a moment's notice, and who he's comfortable with. He has top shelf choices.

[Trumpocalypse]

17. Not aware of any Benghazi collateral???

Where have been? She went on all the Sunday shows and claimed the attack was because of a video. That turned out not to be true and directly led to Rice not being confirmed as Secretary of State.

[bucolic_frolic]

19. Yeah I slept through those years. very out of politics.

[Baked Potato]

9. It's hard to have a normal VP discussion because many assume

Joe Biden won’t make it a whole term, so the VP has to be 100% ready to be president from day one.

According to many, the VP has to:

Be a woman, preferably of color

Carry all the states Joe can’t

Have experience (this is open to whatever experience is personally deemed necessary)

Has to have never lost a race

Etc........

I’ll reiterate my choice, Stacey Abrams. She was just on Rachel, and as usual, was great.

[Hoyt]

12. Abrams is a good Democrat, and she came so close to winning Ga in governor's race.

Yeah -- there's a "but" -- but I don't think she'd be perceived as ready to be Prez of USA if something happens. And, that is the key to the VP nomination this year.

[Trumpocalypse]

14. Not sure

Biden needs to pick whomever best ensures the ticket will win. I think the VP picks in 2000 and 16 were mistakes and led to both of those tickets not being successful.

I hope the Biden team are considered who helps best flip a swing state. Who helps excite African American voters so millions don’t stay home like in 16. And who will attract more progressive voters.

I don’t know if that is Abrams or not. I assume that they are doing polling as well as focus groups to determine.

[bucolic_frolic]

16. '00 and '16 were choices to move to the political center

both proved mediocre campaigners. Al Gore could have won with Sen. Nelson from Florida.

In this climate of lawlessness, a VP choice with AG or prosecutorial experience would prove helpful. That's where Harris has the game lock, since Amy is out of the running.

[Trumpocalypse]

20. Agreed about Nelson

Not sure about Harris. Her history as a prosecutor may alienate some progressives and African Americans especially her policy of jailing parents of truants which heavily impact the poor and people of color. Plus being from a solid blue state not sure if she helps in any swing states.

[Baked Potato]

18. I think Stacey can help flip Georgia, and that would be huge.

I don’t think she has a weak bone in her body and would bring huge excitement. I’m sure the polling and focus groups are working on this as you said.

[JonLP24]

21. I think that is a weak reason for not Warren

Warren is actually one of his stronger choices if you actually look at polling.

They are still using scare tactics against Biden saying that Bernie Sanders controls Biden.

It is funny the Republicans scare Democrats to the right.

[Demsrule86]

23. I disagree and we have to get the Senate...she has a GOP governor...that rules her out in my

book. Plus Biden and Sen. Warren have clashed repeatedly.

[JonLP24]

26. They clashed on Biden's worst policies

Biden is out of touch at times and he needs someone to set him straight and give him good advice. What I don't want is the Biden before he became VP. I don't know if you were on this board in the 2008 primary but they called him "banker Biden". I'm giving him a chance to be the most progressive President since FDR.

Warren is a strong candidate based on the polling. I also have a feeling Democrats across the US will be poached to serve in the administration. Janet Napolitano left to work with Obama and we have had nothing but Republican governors since.

[Demsrule86]

22. I think it will be Val Demmings or Tammy Duckworth.

[bucolic_frolic]

24. Oh! Oh, man!

Could Tammy Duckworth ever ignite a ferocious case of bone spurs!!

[Demsrule86]

25. Yes she could and I bet she is fired up and ready to go...the benefit of Tammy as VP

as I think she could win an election later...she is great.

[bucolic_frolic]

27. It would also reignite Trump's famous case against John McCain

"I like people who weren't captured."

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/07/18/424169549/trump-lashes-out-at-mccain-i-like-people-who-werent-captured

[Ferrets are Cool]

29. I would love to see T Duckworth as the VP

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

33. I wouldn't object to her, I just don't think she'll be one he chooses.

I don't object to any of them, actually. He'll choose someone he can work with and who he believes could step in as president if necessary.

[Ohio Joe]

34. Myself.. I'm not worrying about it...

Whoever gets picked will have strengths to bring to the campaign. I lean towards Rice myself but I feel confident that the VP pick will not cause me any worries.

[Renew Deal]

35. She is bigger risk and reward

She has no foreign policy experience and rarely if ever speaks on it. But she is solid on domestic policy. I believe she’s a Yale grad which is the source of multiple Republican presidents, but I doubt voters care about that.

[2naSalit]

37. I don't think "carrying states Joe can't get" is a real issue this election cycle...

I think there are certainly things to consider but I don;t think that's one of them given the alternative. Not one voter has any excuse to nor the luxury of being petty about small shit when the whole country is at stake.