HRC's VP criteria will be the opposite of Obama's

[book_worm]

In 2008 Then Senator Barack Obama wisely selected veteran Senator Joe Biden as his running mate. Obama had been in the Senate for only three years. He needed somebody who had more experience--particularly in foreign policy. Biden had been in the Senate for 35 years and was the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.

In 2016 Hillary has years of experience and was US Secretary of State for over four years. She doesn't necessarily need somebody as VP who has tons of experience in foreign affairs or in politics. She needs somebody who will enthuse the Democratic base, imho. In the primaries her biggest weakness has been young voters--those under age 40. While I think given the choice between HRC and Trump many of them would vote for HRC anyway, but we want and need a big turnout.

Some have said that her biggest weakness (other than the youth vote) is white men. I contend that the white men who will end up voting for Trump would vote for him anyway--they are the type of white men who are bitter and racist. They are the type of white men who blame minorities for taking away their jobs. They are the type of white men who are not as well educated and will respond to Trump's both coded and uncoded racist appeals. So I don't necessarily think HRC needs a white male on the ticket with her.

I think the candidate who would enthuse a lot of young voters and also excite Latinos everywhere would be Secretary of HUD Julian Castro of Texas. He is young (42), photogenic, a good speaker and enthusiastic campaigner. He also has good experience as Mayor of San Antonio, Texas and Secretary of HUD. I also think it is good to have an up and coming star in the Democratic party on the ticket as we need to build up younger people for the future. This is why I don't think Elizabeth Warren (age 67) or Bernie (age 74) should be on the ticket.

Some will say that we don't need to worry about Latino voters with Trump running--no, we don't, but we want to get as big a turnout as possible and I think that somebody like Castro transcends race (like Barack Obama) and would have wide spread appeals. I think he would be somebody who would enthuse younger voters and also, not a far-fetched assumption, put Texas into play.

[Her Sister]

1. I am open to anything, but do wish she chose someone with bite!

She gets smeared on constantly, I'd love her running mate someone who won't pull punches! And ready to bat for HER! In a way that she is not allowed!

Someone with the personality like Rob Reiner! Not him, but that kind of idea! Someone who doesn't suffer fools! and brilliant like her!

[Surya Gayatri]

5. Agree. I want a real junk-yard attack dog...who will go for the jugular.

"She gets smeared on constantly, I'd love her running mate someone who won't pull punches!"

[Walk away]

8. I don't know. Hillary is running for POTUS not "Lady who needs to be protected by a man"

I think she can handle it and she has plenty of powerful surrogates who can be unleashed as soon as Bernie & Jane get kicked to the curb.

I like Castro because we need to develop young leaders, not mud slingers.

[Her Sister]

9. Yes I see your point!

VP could be a female too!! But I see your point!
I am open because I don't know about these names being thrown out there!
I was abroad for almost 10 years and just came back recently so a lot of these names are just names to me!
Trust you guys and gals!

[question everything]

11. I watched Smerchonich on CNN earlier today

and he had an old time Democratic strategist - don't remember his name. And they both agree that she needs a VP who, traditionally would be the "attack dog." And the guest wanted Sherrod Brown. My concern is that, at 63 he is too close to her age. I have posted here before that she needs someone from the next generation; we all need up and coming Democrats.

But, perhaps..

[BlueCaliDem]

13. If she chooses Sherrod Brown, Kasich will appoint his replacement - and it won't be a Democrat!

No. Sherrod should stay right where he is since we also need a Democratic Senate in order to help our Madame President get her policies through.

Julian Castro is my choice. He will not only enthuse younger voters, he'll energize the Mexican-American vote, because they'll see that he's one step away from being President of the United States (this is HUGE among Latinos, btw) and they will rush to get registered to vote. He's no kitty-cat, btw. He's a LOT like President Obama and he knows how to bite back.

At any rate, Hillary doesn't need an "attack dog". She's one all on her own AND she has the love and loyalty of the most outspoken Democrats in our Party.

[MSMITH33156]

12. Good counter

Hillary is more than capable of defending herself, I just don't want her to have to get in the mud with Trump. Having a VP comfortable in that space might be beneficial.

The other side of that is what you laid out here...that if you pick someone with a young, positive vision for the future it will contrast the 2 campaigns.

[BlueCaliDem]

14. Hillary Clinton is loved among powerful and outspoken Democrats. Take Barney Franks, for instance.

He's no wilting flower and he defended her against Nina Turner, making her back down.

But there are many others like him, and they won't hesitate to play attack dog since she'll be president and in that position can't openly attack her political enemies. Neither should the VP.

Best to leave the attacks to House Dems who are known for their unabashed outspokenness.

[brer cat]

17. I agree, BCD.

She has many surrogates who can and will fill those shoes. Hillary and the VP can be above the s#$% being dumped by Trump.

[Lucinda]

2. If it were my choice, it would be someone with solid experience in one of her key areas

I think her VP will have a lot to do and she'll want someone who can hit the ground running.

[Firebrand Gary]

3. I love Julian, but I have to wonder if Perez might be a wiser choice?

Last edited Sat May 7, 2016, 12:27 PM - Edit history (1)

I agree with essentially everything you laid out book worm, my hesitation only comes with the quantity of experience that Castro has. Five years experience as mayor of a large city and two years as HUD Secretary. That being said, it's absolutely doable considering that someone who's never been elected to anything is sitting at the top of the republican party.

It's an interesting thought, if she chooses Castro I sincerely hope that this entire time he's been doing his homework. Without having the experience of running for a statewide office, he's going to be unaccustomed to the pressure of a much, much larger campaign. Julian would certainly electrify the ticket, but he better be prepared.

[Rose Siding]

10. Love both of them. The only other one I can imagine is Brown

Sherrod Brown. If Sanders gets divisive enough to really do damage and she's worried at all about party reconciliation. Or if Ohio seems difficult to her for any reason?

Otherwise, I can't imagine anyone besides Castro or Perez. Wouldn't matter to me. She's better at this than any of us.

[Cha]

4. I like HUD Sec Julian Castro for Hillary's VP, too, book.. Thoughtful OP.. Gracias..

there's so many things to consider but having years of experience isn't one of them.. Hillary has that covered.

I wouldn't depend on the anti-trump vote. We need People to have a reason to vote for Hillary and her running mate. Someone to energize the youth vote like you stated.. and energize with reality not promises he never could have kept.

Nice pics! Texas!

[CrowCityDem]

6. He would be a good choice...

but I'm not sure about the optics of the name 'Castro' on all the graphics, stickers, signs, etc. It might have a few unfortunate connotations in some areas.

If he hadn't been out of the game so long, I would think Howard Dean would be an interesting choice. He has/had some Vermont/Progressive cred that could have been put to use.

[BlueCaliDem]

16. Don't worry about that. He's Mexican-American, not Cuban. We need to look at the Latino vote, the

fastest growing demographic in our country, and we need to win them for at least a generation. We also need to think about finally winning Texas. Julian Castro brings Texas into play and he'll galvanize the Latino for Democrats.

Republicans need 45% of the Latino vote to win the presidential election, and just like the previous times after Bush, we know they won't get it this time, either. However, we also need to look at States we can add to our column, and Texas would be a huge win. Julian is beloved in Texas among Mexican-Americans, so I believe he would be an excellent choice for Hillary's VP pick.

Howard Dean is a Scorp. So is Hillary. Now I understand that a lot of people don't believe in that stuff, but I've seen enough to know there's something there. Two Scorps on the ticket, both ambitious and set in their ways? Don't think so. Julian Castro is a Virgo, a perfect match to work with a strong Scorp woman like Hillary.

[IamMab]

7. I've had these exact same thoughts when thinking about the VP selection.

We do need to beginning helping establish the "Next Generation" of Democratic leaders, and I believe Castro is a good choice. And his selection would demonstrate to Latinos that their vote is not being taken for granted, but that they have a genuine and influential voice at the Democratic table, regardless of what candidate the GOP is running.

[BootinUp]

15. You make a good case. nt

[wisteria]

18. Eh, I am not enthused by him, but I an not that young anymore.

This is no surprise, his name has been floated around for a while. It just seems contrived. And, for VP I think the pick should be more experienced. After ball, God forbid something happened to Hillary, he would be the new President. A mayor and Secretary of HUD doesn't seem like a lot of experience.

[SharonClark]

19. I agree

[DesertFlower]

20. how about martin o'malley?