First Time I Can Remember Getting More Worried and Less Excited as Dem VP Choice Gets Closer

[farmboy]

I have supported Hillary Clinton from the beginning of the primary season. I will vote for her in November. Yet, I really think she is going to make a big mistake in picking a boring vp nominee who also happens to be white and male (same as I) and gives no energetic boost to the election season. There is a good chance she will look back and regret this choice if that is the case.

I felt such excitement when Clinton named Gore, Kerry named Edwards and Obama named Biden. See, I'm not against white men like me being on the ticket, I'm against BORING white men who don't add a spark when standing beside their presidential counterpart. All three of the vp candidates I named did that, even if they were boring alone or regardless of how they turned out in the end ( what a scum Edwards turned out to be, peace be to Elizabeth) but I do not see that happening with Hillary and Vilsack or Kaine. The boost of excitement and adrenaline Warren or even Sen. Brown would provide would be long lasting and contagious in the best possible way.

I don't know much about the hispanic gentlermen that have been mentioned, so I'm withholding judgement on them, but I have watched the former Iowa governor and the current Virginia Senator for years and have not only not been impressed, but have been very unimpressed many times.

It is that enthusiasm they have together and then that translating to hopeful, cheering crowds as they campaign individually. I know I won't be showing up for a Vilsack or Kaine event, and I always attend when the candidates come near

Hillary must win. That is why what is being reported about her coming choice is so worrisome and, I'm afraid, dangerous to November's outcome. Once it is made, it can't be changed and I so do not want to be asking "what if???"

[CrowCityDem]

1. Perez would energize Hispanics, and make Trump's head explode.

[Schema Thing]

2. Not that this is a possibility... and I'm not one who thinks it would be a good match normally....

but holy shit if Bernie was her VP it would not only be game-over .... but it would be game-fucking-ON for congress. CONGRESS.

Again.. I know it's not going to happen. And from a governing perspective, wouldn't be a good thing if it did...but man....

[SheilaT]

8. No. Even if the primary had not been such a bitter fight,

and speaking as a Bernie supporter, he would not be a good choice to be her running mate. Nor vice versa. If nothing else, each one is too old to realistically be the second one on the ticket.

And if he's not going to be top of the ticket, he needs to remain a Senator. Just as Elizabeth Warren needs to remain in the Senate.

Once her VP choice is known there will be plenty of griping about it, but so long as that person is a good campaigner, loyal to her, and is reasonably competent and a potential good President should the need arise, it will all be just fine.

[radical noodle]

3. Hillary and her team know what they're doing

They will pick the right person for the right reasons. There are many things to consider, and you and I might not be excited by Vilsack or Kaine (or others) but perhaps there is something they can bring to the ticket that we don't know.

[Expecting Rain]

4. In my estimation no VP pick would add as much...

...enthusiasm, unifying effect, energy, and sheer bad-ass joy as choosing Elizabeth Warren.

Not the time to go "boring" IMO.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. I trust HRC.

If they are confident they can hold VA and IA Tom Perez is an interesting choice.

My concern is his political skills...Executive skills and political skills are not the same.

[BlueStater]

6. If I want "excitement", I'll go to the movies.

Kaine is a former governor and the current senator of a swing state. He's also fluent in Spanish. Him being bland is not a disqualifyer to me in the slightest bit.

[Capt. Obvious]

11. Voters will go to the movies instead of voting if not excited

[OnDoutside]

12. I completely agree about Kaine, his "boringness" should be set against Trump's choices. He is

stability, and a safe pair of hands. I also think his Fluency in Spanish would be a massive advantage to the Campaign, in sweeping up the Latino vote.

[okasha]

7. Trump is "exciting."

Sane and dependable may be better for the D ticket.

[auntpurl]

9. Well said. nt

[farmboy]

10. "Sane and dependable" are not the opposite of "exciting." How about a vp candidate that is all three

I think your argument of what quality is better is just a straw man argument to give cover to a non-charismatic vp candidate and neglects the importance of having someone who creates voter enthusiasm and is also competent and reliable in office. Democrats have plenty of options that would meet that criteria.

My concern is much more about VOTER ENTHUSIASM in November (and the drive to get them engaged in the race between now and then) than it is the joy I'll feel upon finding out Hillary's choice. However, I feel those two reactions also are not mutually exclusive either.

[StevieM]

13. I think that Tom Vilsack may surprise you if he is picked. (eom)