My Sleeper Pick For Joe Biden's Running Mate

[DemocratSinceBirth]

[TexasTowelie]

1. K&R! nt

[left-of-center2012]

2. who and why?

[brush]

4. You don't know who she is?

[left-of-center2012]

6. No, so I just googled her

"United States Representative from Florida's 10th congressional district"

VP material?

[brush]

8. She's also a former police chief, was a standout during the impeachment...

hearings which is one reason why Speaker Pelosi just named her as one of seven impeachment managers (out of 435 House members).

Her law enforcement background alone makes her a strong VP possibility.

[brooklynite]

14. We're not basing our Presidential campaign around Impeachment...

...and we would be foolish to do so. The average voter that we're trying to win over isn't fixated on Impeachment; they want us to focus on pocketbook issues.

[brush]

20. You're actually contending a woman who is an ex-police chief and an elected...

representative has no appeal to voters?

[brooklynite]

21. As a VP? Not particularly.

Nothing personal. There are plenty of House members who aren't the optimal choice for Vice President.

Add to which, she's in a D+11 Safe district. Has she had a hard race against a Republican opponent?

[brush]

39. See post #35.

[left-of-center2012]

24. "ex-police chief"

I don't see that as a qualifier for being a V.P.

[brush]

35. We're going to need more than our base to beat trump. Expand...

Last edited Thu Jan 16, 2020, 10:45 AM - Edit history (1)

your vision. Law enforcement credentials appeal to right-leaning independents, never-trumpers, buyers-remorse voters, and of course she appeals to black voters without whom no Democrat can win.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

57. It is a good rebuttal to the false charge Dems are soft on crime.

[brush]

59. Yes, seems a no-brainer to me.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

61. She would be a net asset.

Represents a vital demographic, great life story, brings law enforcement experience.

[StarfishSaver]

22. You think the former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana should be President of the United States ...

but question whether a popular Congresswoman from Florida who was police chief of a major city nearly three times the size of South Bend should be considered as VP ...

Interesting.

What was it Amy Klobuchar said again? And who was it who told us about judging potential v. experience and benefit of the doubt v. deficit of the doubt?

[brooklynite]

34. Pete Buttigieg has spent nine months talking about national policies and issues...

..and how his military and Government experience is relevant. Val Demmings has not.

Speaking of Florida, Wayne Messam ran for President last year and his City was also bigger than South Bend, so I assume you feel he's qualified?

[StarfishSaver]

60. "spending nine months talking about national policies and issues

"and how his military and Government experience" is talking, not experience.

And one need not be on the presidential campaign trail for nine months talking about why their experience is relevant in order for their experience to be relevant.

[brooklynite]

65. The point is: he's given voters a chance to decide if he has experience or not.

And you don't seem to think that "experience" is essential (you haven't mentioned any), just that "a big City Police Chief" will be appealing to battleground State voters).

[StarfishSaver]

67. Of course experience is essential

But my view of valuable experience is not nearly as cramped as yours seems to be.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

58. Do you think 70,000,000 people visit South Bend a year?

Orlando welcomed a record 72 million visitors last year, making it the first U.S. destination to welcome more than 70 million annual visitors, according to Visit Orlando, the destination's convention and visitors bureau.

Val Demmings was responsible for keeping them all safe.

[StarfishSaver]

62. Did you mean to address this to me?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

63. I was amplifying on the sentiment she had a lot of responsibility.

Tourism is Orlando's bread and butter. If they don't feel safe there they'll stop coming. Val Demings is plenty qualified.

[StarfishSaver]

68. Got it

[DemocratSinceBirth]

69. Is she the best possible candidate? I don't know.

I do know she would be a net asset. She represents a vital demographic, has a great life story, and has law enforcement experience.

[StarfishSaver]

70. I don't know, either

I just have a problem with the experience of certain people being dismissed out of hand when we know similar experience in certain other people would be seen as valuable and relevant.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

72. She's a long shot but she excites me because I'm from Central Florida.

[samnsara]

54. but it gave her a chance to perform in the hearings and now she will have name recognition..

[left-of-center2012]

23. "Her law enforcement background alone makes her a strong VP possibility"

I'd prefer someone with foreign relations experience.

[StarfishSaver]

31. So, only someone who's been a Senator, in Congress or in the cabinet is qualified to be VP?

Oh, wait a minute. She IS in Congress, so that apparently doesn't count ...

[left-of-center2012]

32. Those are your words, not mine

Bye !

[madville]

64. I would view her law enforcement background as a liability

Her department had a lot of problems during her tenure, almost 50 lawsuits were settled for millions for excessive force and false arrest, primarily against minorities. The one I remember was when an officer slammed an elderly man on his head and broke his neck, she defended the action saying it complied with department policy.

[brush]

66. Please Those suits are not unusual for any large city police dept.

You have to know that. Also see posts #35 and 57 as for a Democrat having law enforcement credentials.

[Pacifist Patriot]

10. Pragmatically/politically speaking...

I've heard her name linked to Biden in this way a few times, probably because I live in her backyard. She brings minority female from the south to a balanced ticket.

She is an amazing woman. I would describe her as "fierce" in the most complimentary way anyone could use that adjective. I'd be happy if people used that word to describe me! She is intelligent, compassionate (worked as a social worker at the beginning of her career), and gets shit done. Knows bullshit when she sees it, is principled, and sincere. I'd trust her with my kids' lives.

After all that, I'm not sure I'd put her forward as a VP when there are a lot of other potential nominees who have more executive experience. But I wouldn't lose sleep if she was his running mate. Not at all.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

13. She ran a police department in one of the most visited cities in the world.

[Pacifist Patriot]

15. Yes I know. I've lived in Central Florida for over 25 years.

I'm extremely familiar with both Val and her husband. They are wonderful people in every respect. Any community would be very fortunate to have them in leadership and service positions.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

16. I lived in Cen FL for forty two years.

Val is great.

[brooklynite]

47. Am I to understand that any big City Police Chief would be a compelling VP candidate?

...because nobody's described any other significant qualifications she has.

[samnsara]

53. she was the chief of police of orlando! Shes got some moxee for sure and shes tough..

..i can see her standing up to putin

[Ohiogal]

3. I've heard speculation

he could choose Stacy Abrams.

[woodsprite]

5. Or Demings as AG if Biden picks Harris for VP.

I've been very impressed with Demings!

[Jose Garcia]

12. She did not graduate from law school

[DemocratSinceBirth]

17. You don't have to be but I get your point.

[brush]

36. She has a bachelors and masters degree.

[Jose Garcia]

44. But not a law degree

[brush]

45. So what.

[snowybirdie]

7. Cart before horse

Let's get a good presidential candate first. Just because some chatting head on tv mentioned her name, doesn't mean we get on her bandwagon. Lots of good choices.

[Bayard]

9. She's a first time Rep for gawdsakes!

No.

[Pacifist Patriot]

11. She's in her second term...

but I certainly get your point. As I mentioned above, there are plenty of qualified VP candidates who should probably be considered first. We certainly don't lack for quality executive material as a party.

[left-of-center2012]

25. But ...

Her supporters seem to think her being an ex police chief qualifies her to be V.P. ??????



???????????????????????????????????????????????

[brush]

37. And a small town mayor can be president though???????????????

[left-of-center2012]

38. "a small town mayor can be president"

If you say so.

[brush]

42. What did your post with all the ????????? mean?

We may be misunderstanding each other.

[brooklynite]

46. South Bend is not a "small town".

[brush]

48. Ok...small city.

[brooklynite]

49. And voters have been able to take that into account during the campaign...

...so far, I'm comfortable with his performance.

[brush]

50. I have nothing against him. His position only came up in relation...

to Val Demings VP viability.

[Otto Lidenbrock]

18. I like Tim Kaine but wasn't his lack of name recognition a problem in 2016?

Don't think we can put someone again to be the Vice Presidential candidate most of America has never heard of

[Jeebo]

29. No, not Kaine...

...please, not Kaine. I believe that bland unexciting vanilla choice for Hillary's running mate is one of the reasons she lost.

-- Ron

[highplainsdem]

19. She's impressive, but IMO not really well enough known.

[underthematrix]

26. Rep Demings is an institutionalist I doubt she would be comfortable

with this sort of chatter. It's funny though. She reminds me the most of Michelle Obama, smart, gracious, classy and compassionate. David Jolly was on MSNBC this morning and mentioned her as an excellent VP pick for Joe Biden.

[Jeebo]

27. Stacy Abrams...

...gets my vote for not only Biden's but any Democratic presidential nominee's running mate.

-- Ron

[Mike Nelson]

28. I've been very impressed with...

... her on the committee. Don't know exactly where she is on some issues, but she's a Democrat and I give her both...

[Indykatie]

30. I Don't Have a Sleeper VP Pick But I'm Betting on Amy K Being Chosen

[Blue_true]

33. Demming would be an excellent choice, as would the Mayor of Chicago.

The Chicago Mayor has handled three hot issues with sound decisions that took them out of the news. She seems to be no drama Obama in a dress.

[mcar]

40. Love Val Demings

I'm team Harris but this would be an interesting choice.

[totodeinhere]

41. Whoever our nominee is, we need a VP nominee who will help win swing

states where the election will be won or lost. I think it's too early to tell who that might be though. However, a woman or person of color would be ideal.

[boomer_wv]

43. Not...

the first time I've seen this name tossed around this week.

[Pisces]

51. I love her!

[samnsara]

52. shes been mine too!

[Cracklin Charlie]

55. Love her!

Although she scares me a little.

I always want to tell the truth, when I see her question someone.

[madville]

56. She'll have to explain the lawsuits Orlando paid out for brutality

During her tenure as Chief. I remember her defending the officer that body slammed an elderly man and broke his back or his neck.

[ElementaryPenguin]

71. I like Demmings a lot, but I think it will be Cory Booker.