Biden ends the drama by promising female VP

[RandySF]

The assumption that there is no practical way the Democratic Party can put forward a presidential ticket with two white men has become so widely accepted in journalistic and political circles that a major development at last night’s debate was greeted in some quarters with something of a shrug.

But Joseph Biden’s firm public commitment that he would select a woman as his running mate in the event he stays atop the Democratic race and is the party’s 2020 nominee is historically unprecedented: No major candidate has ever made such a pledge based on demographic characteristics, nor has one narrowed the field of potential vice presidential nominees this early in the year, several months before the decision is usually made.

Bernie Sanders, the only other candidate still competing in an election cycle in which debate stages once had to accommodate as many as 20 candidates over two nights, matched Biden’s hard pledge with a soft one, saying that “in all likelihood” he would also name a women as long as she shares his progressive views and that “my very strong tendency to move in that direction.”

It is the former vice president, however, who is increasingly in command of the nomination fight, and so it was his forthright declaration of his intentions—with little of the usual stoke-the-drama coyness that usually surrounds such picks—that echoed in such a revealing way.



https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/16/biden-debate-female-veep-131610

[herding cats]

1. Which just made his (already much lager than Bernie's) share of the women's vote explode!

He's comforting to American voters, and a women adds to the enthusiasm level.

He's got this wrapped up like Christmas gift.

[Jarqui]

2. He's probably got the best, most qualified bunch of women in

US history to chose from.

[padah513]

3. +1000

[Wounded Bear]

4. K & R...for truth...nt

[rawhideal]

5. Its

AMY

[OnDoutside]

7. There's a spectrum of possibilities.

I've been saying since last June that it would be a woman, though my favourite would be Stacey Abrams.

There are 3 or 4 key factors

1 Woman....just confirmed by Joe

2 POC .... A woman of colour would be a logical pick considering how women of colour saved Joe's campaign.

3 Enthusiasm for the pick

4 Progressive

At one end you have Amy, then Kamala, Stacey and Elizabeth.

Amy would be the least controversial, though least progressive but her Senatorial replacement would be a Democrat (Please, Al Franken !!!)

Kamala would hit at least 3 of the 4 above, and her replacement would be a Democrat.

Stacey would hit all 4 but is a bit of an unknown, but has been through the Georgia Republican dirt machine unscathed. And there would be no replacement issues.

Elizabeth, 3 out of 4, but there is a Republican governor in Massachusetts.

[secondwind]

6. Wouldn't it be craaaazy if he chose Hillary Clinton!!!

[yellowwoodII]

8. This Does Not Please Me

I don't know why any politician would pledge to exclude half the population on the basis of gender.

Both Bernie and Joe are old enough that they may very well fall victim to illness before the term is over. We need the very best person to succeed them. (Before I get flamed, I want to say that the very best person could certainly be a woman.) But gender should not be a criterion.

It just seems like pandering to me.

[NurseJackie]

9. He did no such thing. He's not "excluding" anyone. He's not pandering. Instead...

He did no such thing. He's not "excluding" anyone. He's not pandering.

Instead, the most likely way to describe this is: HE HAS ALREADY MADE UP HIS MIND WHO HE WANTS and it just so happens that the choice is female. He's already chosen "the best". And the woman he has chosen has probably already agreed.

I don't know why any politician would pledge to exclude half the population on the basis of gender.

So, technically speaking... he's not excluding "half the population"... he's excluding ALL OF THE POPULATION (except for one.)

It just seems like pandering to me.

No reason for anyone be so cynical or bitter. Here's what's important to remember instead: Biden is a very smart man, and he decided to use the opportunity to build interest and suspense... a bit of mystery... who will it be? Getting people excited and paying attention.