General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWillie Brown advises Harris to turn down VP offer.
Last edited Sun Aug 9, 2020, 08:28 PM - Edit history (1)
Well this might complicate things...
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/willie-brown-kamala-harris-should-say-no-to-vice-presidency/ar-BB17J8hG
ETA: changed tells to advises in thread title.
abqtommy
(14,118 posts)whistler162
(11,155 posts)TheProle
(2,094 posts)But, if not, its easy enough to educate yourself of this one.
abqtommy
(14,118 posts)totodeinhere
(13,034 posts)People really need to read and educate themselves.
Ilsa
(61,675 posts)head assembly person for every state? I sure as hell don't, and I doubt I'm alone.
totodeinhere
(13,034 posts)past few decades. He is not just another assembly speaker from a random state. I don't think that anyone who doesn't even know who Willie Brown is should be offering opinions at DU because obviously they they don't have the knowledge necessary to offer an intelligent opinion..
Ilsa
(61,675 posts)every "influential" pol to leave DU? I had no idea that this was the same Willie Brown from 55 years ago. It's a pretty common name.
Would you like to establish testing at the polls while you're at it?
I live on the east coast. I know of most influential politicians, including many who are not D, in this half of the US. I don't know ALL of the retired or dead ones, but I think I'll stay active just the same, thank you.
BTW, way to run off interested young people who are just getting their feet wet.
monmouth4
(9,663 posts)brush
(53,467 posts)tried to insinuate himself into it by hinting that she owed her career to him. She kinda told him to back off. There's some bad blood there.
I wouldn't mind though if Rice is chosen and Harris gets the AG slot.
I also wouldn't mind if Harris gets it and Rice gets SOS.
monmouth4
(9,663 posts)Iggo
(47,486 posts)Making those points months ago or even weeks ago might have been helpful.
But a day or two before the announcement is made, he wants her to turn down the job she's been actively lobbying for?
Why?
We're way past that.
Mosby
(16,158 posts)who is he and why should Harris listen to him?
What's that all about?
Bradshaw3
(7,453 posts)And she had a relationship with him when she started out, which some people think may have helped her career. He definitely knows politics and maybe he thinks their past would come back to haunt her.
Ilsa
(61,675 posts)Oh wait. Because women are held to a different standard. Maybe we should just challenge and bury those old sexist tropes.
JI7
(89,172 posts)sounds like jealousy to me.
TheProle
(2,094 posts)He is a political mentor and ex-boyfriend and, by inserting himself at this late stage of the veepstakes, he risks robbing her of full agency (or at least the public perception of it) as she is potentially poised to make the biggest decision of her life.
JI7
(89,172 posts)If she wanted his advice she would ask him for it.
LisaL
(44,962 posts)She might have been asking him for advice back then, but I don't think she needs it anymore.
North Shore Chicago
(3,253 posts)Phoenix61
(16,949 posts)all the resignations from Trumpsters if she took the lead of the Justice Department?
comradebillyboy
(10,119 posts)He thinks the vice presidency is a dead end job.
TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)qazplm135
(7,447 posts)so it isn't.
TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)permission and/or direction from the White House.
Cabinet members actually have vastly more power than Veeps do. They run entire departments and have executive decision- making powers.
But, Biden says he won't run for a second term, so the office is an excellent springboard.
qazplm135
(7,447 posts)are given loads of responsibility and Biden has already said he will do the same.
You are operating on an outdated paradigm.
TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)Any influence or authority they have is, specific, derived and limited.
OK, everyone in the executive dept has derived authority, but when was the last time you saw a Veep actually running anything?
qazplm135
(7,447 posts)The goal isn't to have "independent authority" the goal is to be President for Harris.
LOT better shot doing that as VP than some cabinet post, and better as a Senator too.
Last time I saw a VEEP running anything? Biden.
TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)she could walk into the nomination in '24. Or even earlier if something happens to Biden.
Other than that, she could "do" more as a cabinet secretary.
But, it's entirely irrelevant if she's not offered the job. Or if she turns it down.
BeyondGeography
(39,276 posts)Thats the only way on earth she could ever get the nomination. Which is why I hope Biden goes elsewhere.
dsc
(52,129 posts)Yes, more VPs than not never get to president. But many have made it. Adams, Jefferson, Van Buren, Taylor, both Johnsons, Ford, Nixon, Bush, Truman, Coolidge, Roosevelt, Arthur among others became President after having been VP.
ZZenith
(4,109 posts)hlthe2b
(101,698 posts)and NOT publicly. Sigh...
salin
(48,954 posts)thus public is the avenue that might get heard. That said, like you, I wish he hadn't (done it publicly.)
tavernier
(12,322 posts)But good is about as far as that title goes. OTOH, I think she would be a fantastic AG!
LAS14
(13,749 posts)Budi
(15,325 posts)"Basically, no one takes the vice president seriously after election day. Just ask Mike Pence."
Harris is lightyears beyond mousey MikePence.
More like, "Just ask Joe Biden"
Biden will allow Kamala to shine right next to him.
He's not about to keep her star from growing in brilliance all the way thru to President Harris ~ 2024.
💙 BIDEN/HARRIS 2020 & beyond
LisaL
(44,962 posts)Now, he didn't go on to become president, but he surely had a lot of influence when he was a VP.
Cha
(295,899 posts)not keeping up with the times.
That's silly to compare Harris as VP to the Fascistrump's vp.
Budi
(15,325 posts)Good thing Willie wasn't on Biden's top 3 list. He surely wouldn't accept such a dead end job like VP. 🙄
#ByeWilleSomebody
Cha
(295,899 posts)Orangepeel
(13,933 posts)DonaldsRump
(7,715 posts)How could ANYONE think this is a normal VP selection? Indeed, BHO gave Joltin' Joe wide latitude, and 2020 is far different than 2008/2012.
Willie, you done good, but take care of that bridge that's name after you connecting SF to the East Bay. It might be a better use of your time than advising your former flame. VPs Gore, Cheney, and Biden have all held very substantial roles. A VP Kamala Harris would be no different.
Kamala Harris would be great for many roles in a Joe Biden administration, such as VP or AG.
LisaL
(44,962 posts)Or maybe not...
elleng
(130,126 posts)and if K. Harris is not V.P., keep her in the Senate.
Budi
(15,325 posts)Truth is, Biden has such a vast arsenal of the very best to choose from.
I can't wait! 💙🙂
sheshe2
(83,319 posts)TELLS!
0. Willie Brown tells Harris to turn down VP offer.
The man has spoken! WTF? Guess he man 'splained to her that it was the wrong job for her.
LisaL
(44,962 posts)She can certainly decide for herself.
sheshe2
(83,319 posts)Thank you for that sweet memory.
herding cats
(19,549 posts)Angle is obvious, and I'm not listening.
Shh, don't speak at me. Speak to me. Then I might hear your voice amid the noise.
North Shore Chicago
(3,253 posts)ucrdem
(15,512 posts)Which is a polite way of saying I don't think he needs to worry, and he probably isn't.
mzmolly
(50,957 posts)who Biden picked when on Sharpton's show earlier.
Budi
(15,325 posts)He doesn't know anymore than we do.
But whatever gets your name trending, Willie! Ride it to fame & twitter 'likes', buddie!
Wooohooo !
He's a bit grating at times.
TheCowsCameHome
(40,161 posts)Read the article.
TheProle
(2,094 posts)Edited the thread title to advises.
not_the_one
(2,227 posts)my gaydar went off every time I heard him speak...
NOT that THAT is a bad thing...
TwistedTinkerbelle
(137 posts)If the Dem Presidential candidate was anyone but Joe Biden, I would give some serious thought to his arguements. But it is Joe Biden and just like Obama, Biden wants a partner not puppet down hall. Biden is not an ego driven moron. Kamala Harris will have her own spot in the sun.
SiliconValley_Dem
(1,656 posts)just beinging his name up is meant to he a hit against Harris
Baclava
(12,047 posts)Last gasp for attention?
crickets
(25,896 posts)If Brown really wanted to give Kamala Harris some advice, he could have called her on the phone and had a private conversation with her. It's really out of left field for him to inject himself into the situation this way. It's rude.
The VP position, particularly as it was defined by Obama and Biden during Obama's two terms, involved much more responsibility than in the past. The post under Biden is not at all likely to be the placeholder it might be for a different president. Not only that, turning down a VP request leaves no guarantee that the AG spot would be offered to her.
Biden picks these roles and does not need Brown's input.
Finally, while I wouldn't begrudge anyone all due career considerations before making a decision like this, Brown's emphasis on power and career over country really leaves me cold. The US is reeling: we're dealing with a pandemic, eminent economic collapse, social unrest, and a petulant wanna-be dictator.
When our government is teetering on the brink, a paternalistic career day lecture hits a sour note.
What Brown fails to take into account is that if offered the job, Kamala Harris might just want to accept because she hears the call to serve her country. That is entirely up to her -- or anyone else offered the job.
All the mansplainers and complainers need to butt out and let a grown woman make up her own mind.
totodeinhere
(13,034 posts)crickets
(25,896 posts)isn't thinking this one through.
If I were the nominee and asked someone to be my running mate and they turned it down.....I'm not asking them to join the team after I win. If you weren't committed enough to be willing to put your name up there when I asked you aren't committed enough to help me govern either.
There's no such thing as the "best person" for a job like AG. There are numerous people who would be fantastic AGs. Harris could absolutely end up as AG, but if she's offered the VP spot and doesn't take it, that's gone.
StarfishSaver
(18,486 posts)I'm betting he didn't ...
pecosbob
(7,502 posts)Only President, House Speaker and Senate Majority Leader are more coveted positions IMO. I believe the position would be more of a sidetrack or a distraction for her than anything else. She currently holds membership on the committees for the Budget, Homeland Security, Intelligence and the Judiciary, all damned important positions.
JI7
(89,172 posts)vp than it's best to remain Senator .
honest.abe
(8,556 posts)I am wondering if this is a way to ease the disappointment of Harrris fans like myself if she is not selected.
I was certain Harris was going to be the one but now not so sure.
PunkinPi
(4,870 posts)he seems to be looking for relevancy.
brooklynite
(93,834 posts)Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)She won't be president if she turns down the VP role for the AG spot. It just isn't likely to happen. Fact is, the next VP is very possibly going to be the next president after Biden.
Mike 03
(16,616 posts)Wish he'd stay the crap out of this.