Julian Castro Is in VP Training Camp - By Eleanor Clift

[DonViejo]

Can HUD Secretary Julian Castro make it in the big time?

He apologized for the makeup still half-caked on his face. He had come from another interview, he explains to a small group of reporters invited to hear him discuss his vision for HUD, the Department of Housing and Urban Development that he has been leading for about eight months. Tapped for the job last summer by a lame duck president and by definition a short-termer, HUD Secretary Julian Castro wants to make the most of the time he’s got in a Cabinet post that he once said held “no upside politically.”

Castro and his identical twin brother, Joaquín Castro, a member of Congress, are on the fast track—young, smart, energetic, Hispanic, and with a story that resonates not only with Hispanics, but all Americans. No elective office appears out of reach for the 40-year-old brothers, and if the Democratic ticket is headed by an almost-70-year-old Hillary Clinton, HUD Secretary Castro could be, should be, will inevitably be a serious vice presidential possibility.

Reminded of his dismissive comment about HUD as a political proving ground, Castro said, “That may be true.” Then, flashing a big smile, he gives his practiced answer to any question that hints at his ambitions. “There is no grand plan for the future. We’ll see what happens in the years to come. I’m trying to do a great job as HUD secretary. If you do a great job, that opens up opportunities, sometimes opportunities you don’t even see in the future.”

His allure as a potential veep gives Castro a platform for the issues he cares about, and he is serious about governing and giving a voice to people struggling to get into the middle class, or to stay there. His top program goal is meeting President Obama’s call of effectively ending veterans’ homelessness, which means pushing housing authorities across the country to give priority to vets in granting public housing and housing vouchers. HUD is also expanding housing vouchers for victims of domestic abuse, a program that Vice President Biden highlighted when he visited HUD for a fair housing event on Tuesday.

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http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/04/09/julian-castro-is-in-vp-training-camp.html

[handmade34]

1. ...

[appalachiablue]

2. +1. Thanks for the post & to Eleanor Clift.

[Tarheel_Dem]

3. All I can say is................YYYYYYAAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!!!

[calimary]

4. This would be VERY shrewd.

AND we need to bring our younger generation up, groom them, and reinforce them, BIGTIME. That's what they're already doing on the other end of things - with the marco rubio's, the TRAITOR tot, joni the hog-castrator, the hapless individual now known as forget-your-presidential-ambitions-governor-pence, ted no-wrinkles-or-graying-sideburns cruz, paul "Eddie Munster" ryan, scott walker, and most deeply concerning of all, the young lord-in-waiting - george p. bush.

The other side is busy-busy-busy planning longterm. We need to, as well.

I like these Castro Brothers. There's a lot there!

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

5. If I am Hillary, and I win the Dem nomination, I pick Julian.

[progressoid]

6. And with a identical twin, the Hollywood movies will just write themselves.

[Arkana]

20. I want a "Dave" reboot so bad...

[BlueStater]

7. How lovely that our 2016 ticket is being picked for us before the first primary is even held.

[cui bono]

9. +1

[misterhighwasted]

10. Well anyone can throw their hat in the ring. Nothing is stopping them.

More the merrier & more to speak out against the RW fascists dream of owning America.
Hillary shouldn't have to do it alone.
RW needs to be called out for what they are & where better than the listening audience on the campaign trail.
I hope there are a few voices to add to hers.
Enter the race & put the RW fascists back in a box.

Go for it!

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

13. White woman privilege.

[BlueStater]

16. I don't vote for people based on what sexual organs they possess.

I'm also long past the point where I think someone I've barely heard of should be promoted to higher office just because they can give a nice speech.

[Darb]

23. Concern noted.

Thanks for sharing it.

[BlueStater]

29. Wow. You're just so witty and original. n/t

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

24. Good. I agree.

[BainsBane]

26. Ahhhhummm

I'm also long past the point where I think someone I've barely heard of should be promoted to higher office just because they can give a nice speech.

How do you think our current President broke onto the national stage? Helloooo......

[BlueStater]

27. I didn't support him either.

He was at least a senator, though. Castro's resume is laughably thin. Mayor and HUD Secretary? Please. There's no way in hell that makes him remotely qualified to be second in command behind the POTUS.

We should leave reckless VP picks to Republican Presidential candidates, thank you very much.

[BainsBane]

30. Here's some political reality

Last edited Fri Apr 10, 2015, 05:35 PM - Edit history (1)

The GOP will have a Hispanic on the ticket. My guess is Rubio will be the VP choice for whomever emerges on top, if he doesn't himself. Hispanics do not tend toward the GOP because of their position on immigration, but a compelling Hispanic VP selection could change that. The Dems don't have a Hispanic candidate who can make a convincing bid for the nomination. Castro is a likely VP choice, and Dems cannot win without Hispanic votes.

Both Clinton and O'Mally have done their time in the Democratic party, Clinton more than most. The top of the ticket is likely to be someone with considerable experience. Besides, Castro is no Palin.

[BlueStater]

33. Personally,...

...I find the thinking that Hispanics will vote for a candidate just they have brown skin to be pretty shallow. Hispanics aren't going to flock to the Republican party just because they have a token on their ticket anymore than women flocked to John McCain because he selected a woman to be on his.

Saying he's "no Palin" is hardly a compliment. I'm not impressed with his qualifications. He probably has less experience than any Democratic VP candidate in over 30 years, if not more. And people consistently mention him as a running mate to a nearly 70 year old woman with some recent health problems. I'll pass.

[BainsBane]

35. They won't flock

but some would vote GOP, and that some could be enough to turn the election when margins are very tight as it is.

[CherokeeDem]

31. I would not equate...

an intelligent, rational, dedicated and compassionate person to the debacle that was/is Sarah Palin. While younger, less experienced candidate my seem on the surface to be questionable choice, don't underestimate the Castro brothers.

Choosing a Hispanic VP would certainly counteract the inroads of 'Hispanic' Jeb Bush into that community.

[BlueStater]

32. A toenail is smarter than Sarah Palin.

That's an extremely low bar for VP nominees to rise above. I'm comparing him to Palin only in the sense that I think they're both unqualified to be Vice President.

[CherokeeDem]

34. In my opinion your analogy doesn't work...

Castro is infinitely more qualified to be the President over any of the Republican presidential nominees much less the Repub VP picks.

Whether Castro is the correct choice is a matter of debate but certainly not by comparing him to any Republicans. Personally, I think he is more than qualified for the position.

[joshcryer]

19. That's politics.

Have you not seen "The Roosevelts?" Obama was handpicked by the party, too (all the major players backed Obama as superdelegates).

I think the last legitimately not picked by the party candidate was Bill Clinton. Just a guy with a crappy upbringing pulling his weight and somehow pulling it off.

[BainsBane]

25. That's what you call an article?

Picking the ticket? What's your solution? A moratorium on all political speculation? That would erase half the threads on DU over the past couple of years. Or are you pissed off that he's being groomed?

[BlueStater]

28. I don't think I've ever heard speculation about a VP nominee...

...before we even pick a fucking PRESIDENTIAL nominee.

[libdem4life]

8. Going big time national ... Yeah, Eleanor Clift ... This family, from a Mexican immigrant

(grandma) to Rosie the Leftist Community La Raza Organizer, to her young sons who have been prepped for years, at Harvard and Stanford, top of their class, squeaky clean...it is Time.

Yes, politically imperfect Hillary may be the link that actually drags the US from the Right, back to the Left. I'll forgive her for most everything...just get the Castro brothers into the national collective.

[DonCoquixote]

11. If Hillary does not pick either of the Castro Twins

She will in effect be ceding the Hispanics to the GOP, who will happily trot out Jeb, Ted and Mario, and probably throw in New Mexico's Susannah Martinez to boot. Granted, this Latino is puking blood sick of the idea that any of the aforementioned people would even get near the Oval Office, but I know the GOP would play their cards. Double this if she picks someone like Rahm.

[appalachiablue]

22. +10 It is political suicide if the Dems. are too cowardly to add Castro in 2016. The GOP will

absolutely seal the Hispanic vote with Martinez or others, leaving the already bad off Dem. Party in the dust for 20 years (and in tears). *Who is Mario?
'The Castros aren't ready' lament is untrue & look at VP Dan Quayle. Not to mention McCain selecting Palin.

[DonCoquixote]

38. "the castros are no ready lament" translated

Those who say that are really saying "we thougth Obama was too young and not ready, and we want someone who looks like us, older, greyer, more Boomerish."

I have news for Hillary, if she wants to win, she needs to be the party of the xers and the milennials too. The xers helped put her hubby in office, that same hubby that insulted Obama's age. The party has neglected many of the younger voices, while the GOP has been putting forth all these x and milennial faces. Granted, mnost of us know those kids are either getting paid by Daddy (like McCain's brat or Mika), or vladimir P, but most fvoters will not care.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

12. That's my boss!!!

[craigmatic]

14. I hate to say this but Castro isn't ready yet. He hasn't shown himself to be a vote getter. He just

looks nice and is Hispanic. He may help with Latinos but what state does he bring that someone like Hillary couldn't win herself?

[joshcryer]

18. Texas.

[craigmatic]

36. When did he ever win statewide in Texas?

[appalachiablue]

21. Dan Quayle

[DonCoquixote]

39. He wins in texas

yet is not a vote getter, let me guess, you are looking for someone more "mature?" Let's be blunt, the GOP has been courting Hispanics, and failing, becuase frankly we Latoinos know they are full of shit, but sooner or later, many will wonder "how come the Democrats do not even TRY to nominate a Latino? Is Bill Clinton just smoking a cigar knowing he is the only game in town?

[craigmatic]

41. he hasn't won statewide in Texas yet

[Gothmog]

15. I hope that one of the Castro brothers is on the ticket

[joshcryer]

17. Plain as day.

[Reter]

37. Two firsts will never happen together

Hillary will pick a white man as her VP, and he'll probably be Christian too.

[DonCoquixote]

40. if she does

she is a fool, trying to say "please please pleease old whiote men, I am a reagan democrat", and then truman's maxim about people picking the real republican kicks in.

[libdem4life]

42. Hillary and Julian...almost rhymes. His brilliant mother has groomed her boys just for

this. She's amazing. Compare the article with Barbara Bush, or any of the other "mothers".

http://library.uta.edu/tejanovoices/interview.php?cmasno=123