Biden's Running Mate Speculation and Wishlist

[Redwyrm]

You need to learn to read because I didn't make a both sides argument. Biden could easily pass as a moderate conservative and didn't just vote for the Iraq war, he made arguments for it prior to 2001. Explaining how two politicians are close to the center and supported the Iraq War isn't saying both parties are the same.

1. There are no more "moderate republican politicians"
2. The center is which Biden resides is light years more "liberal" than where the current Republican party is hanging out.
3. Are there more liberal politicians out there than Biden, hell yes. But to say Biden is like a moderate Republican is sad.
4. And I can read quite well. You said the difference between Biden and a Republican is minimal. And don't hide behind that moderate tag. All of those moderates are either too scared to say anything about the current state of the Republican party, or they don't exist. And if Biden happened to find the lone remaining moderate Republican I would want someone with more backbone than the fence-sitting jellyfish that Trump has turned them into.

[Santti]

You do realize Joe Biden championed the Iraq War too, right?

If people are going to snub their nose at moderate republican politicians then you need to look at the person who's the nominee of the Democratic party. There isn't a whole lot of difference there, I'm sorry to say.

Most people were in favor of the war. At the beginning, at least. Might not exactly justify it, but it should be kept in mind before we judge too harshly. High point being at around 80% being in favor of the war, iirc.

[Ghostpanther]

My guess is Kamala Harris. She is more than qualified and experienced for such a role. Would make a hard to beat team, despite both her and Biden having numerous questionable past history accomplishments.

[cubby]

The democrats will lose 1 senate seat till at least 2022. Kemp get to pick her replacement. Can't pick a senator from a state with a GOP governor. Which actually eliminates Warren also. Duckworth will work though.

Not with Abrams. She isn't a Senator - it wouldn't affect Georgia's Senator status at all, except possibly in a positive way, bringing out the vote even more in Georgia.

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My guess is Kamala Harris. She is more than qualified and experienced for such a role. Would make a hard to beat team, despite both her and Biden having numerous questionable past history accomplishments.

Does any experienced politician not have those though?

[Rasulis]

Not with Abrams. She isn't a Senator - it wouldn't affect Georgia's Senator status at all, except possibly in a positive way, bringing out the vote even more in Georgia.

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Does any experienced politician not have those though?

Oops. You are correct.

[downnola]

1. There are no more "moderate republican politicians"

Justin Amash and Mitt Romney are a couple that immediately came to mind. They're rare but they exist. There are also plenty of former moderate politicians like Rice out there.

2. The center is which Biden resides is light years more "liberal" than where the current Republican party is hanging out.

Ok, what does this have to do with anything? Nothing I've said would suggest that I believe this to not be the case.

3. Are there more liberal politicians out there than Biden, hell yes. But to say Biden is like a moderate Republican is sad.

4. And I can read quite well. You said the difference between Biden and a Republican is minimal. And don't hide behind that moderate tag. All of those moderates are either too scared to say anything about the current state of the Republican party, or they don't exist. And if Biden happened to find the lone remaining moderate Republican I would want someone with more backbone than the fence-sitting jellyfish that Trump has turned them into.

The dissonance you're feeling is probably pretty strong right now, but it's not my problem if you can't differentiate between Mitt Romney and Justin Amash and your standard Trump acolyte like Devin Nunes or Lindsey Graham. Moderate republicans are something that exist (admittedly quite rare) and have existed as recently as 2008. That the Republican party has shifted farther to the right and cast out the non-believers has no relevance to the point I'm making about Biden and Rice's place on the political compass. I think it would be more of a middle finger to the Republicans of today and Trump if Biden chose Rice than simply a concession, but I can see how others would see it differently.

Truth be told, I don't think the VP usually matters that much in terms of winning votes, but considering how American voters favor nominating people who belong in nursing homes we should hope he chooses someone who can do the job and not drag the Democratic party farther to the right behind the Republicans. In that case I'd sooner see Warren get the job.

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Most people were in favor of the war. At the beginning, at least. Might not exactly justify it, but it should be kept in mind before we judge too harshly. High point being at around 80% being in favor of the war, iirc.

I was simply pointing out that if you want to demonize Rice for her role in the Iraq war then you should also consider Biden's role in that war as well. I get that most people supported the war and many of them wouldn't have if they how badly it was to be managed afterwards, so I'm not the person you need to explain this to.

[draynay]

Take another look at Condoleezza.

How about no? It turns my stomach enough to be stuck with Biden, that would be some kind of fucking nightmare.

[Elegiac]

Take another look at Condoleezza.

/bugsbunnyno.jpg

We're talking about someone who could potentially be President if Biden has to retire early. Please check y'alls heads for brain worms.

[Redwyrm]

snip

I have no problem with Rice by herself. But Biden doesn't need more "Right", he needs a strong "Left" to solidify the Democratic base. Especially where it concerns the VP spot. Because like it or not, Biden is old and picking someone who the Democratic party can support as a potential President should anything happen to Biden is important. And I don't see that happening with Rice. Rice would split a good chunk of enthusiasm off from the base at a time when we can't risk taking those chances against Trump.

If Biden wants to nominate a centrist Republican to his cabinet, all for it.

And sorry if my replies are coming across as antagonistic. But I just don't want to leave anything to chance this November. Trump cannot get a second term. And Rice would be a huge gamble.

[downnola]

I have no problem with Rice by herself. But Biden doesn't need more "Right", he needs a strong "Left" to solidify the Democratic base. Especially where it concerns the VP spot. Because like it or not, Biden is old and picking someone who the Democratic party can support as a potential President should anything happen to Biden is important. And I don't see that happening with Rice. Rice would split a good chunk of enthusiasm off from the base at a time when we can't risk taking those chances against Trump.

If Biden wants to nominate a centrist Republican to his cabinet, all for it.

And sorry if my replies are coming across as antagonistic. But I just don't want to leave anything to chance this November. Trump cannot get a second term. And Rice would be a huge gamble.

Fair enough. I doubt anyone is actually telling him to nominate her, so I think we'll be fine.

[omerome]

I wouldn't be completely upset at Biden if he picks Warren as his running mate, but I would be a bit disappointed - for two reasons: she's way too talented to be VP and losing her seat in the Senate would be pretty bad. I would much prefer if Warren was voted to become the Senate Majority Leader if Comrade Mitch loses control and then she can start voting on the many bills that have collected dust in the Senate that passed in the House. Sorry Schumer, but you're a wimp. We need someone who isn't afraid to step on some necks and Warren wouldn't take crap from anyone.

Kamala honestly would be the best overall choice because she has the name recognition and experience even if she's had a somewhat problematic past. And Kamala would completely destroy Pence in any type of debate which would be great to see.

Duckworth is another good choice because she's someone who brings in a lot of military experience and let's face it, she's a tough cookie. And by the way, still has one of the best nicknames for the resident, "Cadet Bone Spurs”.

Abrams honestly would be a boring pick even if she's not a bad one. Sure she would energize some voters, but I don't see her has potential presidential material right now, and especially since Biden is so old, that should be a concern.

[God Save The King]

I think Warren is not even up for consideration. She'd have to give up her Senate seat and weaken the Democrats in the Senate. I think they are angling to win the Senate, and it's not completely far-fetched to suggest they can (although they will have better odds in the 2022 midterms I think). Selecting Warren will allow the governor of Massachusetts to appoint a Republican to the seat until in 2024.

The other 3 options are all solid in my opinion. None of the seats are concerns and the governors are Democrats who will appoint likewise. I think it would be smart to capitalize on the BLM movement and select a woman of color, especially since even moderates and many republicans support the movement. Biden has a pretty bad track record with people of color and selecting a VP of color would certainly do something to help alleviate some of the concerns. It won't erase them, only actions in office could do that, but it'd be a step in the right direction. No matter how you split it, Democrats need people of color to come out and vote. Low turnout killed Clinton's seemingly easy victory and could do the same with Biden.

[apeiron1234]

Can't wait for the first appointed female president than the first elected one.

[Felya]

Can't wait for the first appointed female president than the first elected one.

What does this mean? Sorry, in this day and age, I fully expect “impeach Biden” rhetoric to start months before the election...

[Sunseeker]

What does this mean? Sorry, in this day and age, I fully expect “impeach Biden” rhetoric to start months before the election...

I'm sure he's referring to Biden dropping dead for some reason.

But also, seriously I think the right's heads would collectively explode if Biden did drop dead and the system worked as intended and we got a black woman president. I mean, they already can't stand blacks, women, or the system working as intended. So it's like political bingo.

[Boricha]

Not sure. I'd pick a socdem, but at the same time they'd all probably be better off in their current Congress positions.

[Themius]

Tokenism, it can look like you're choosing the best woman instead of the best candidate. That's why I didn't like the announcement, I feel it detracts from the value of the eventual choice since she will appear to have been drawn from an incomplete pool.

there are plenty of women in politics who are worthy... saying that you'er going to choose a woman isn't tokenism when you literally have women working there who are very well qualified.

[draynay]

there are plenty of women in politics who are worthy... saying that you'er going to choose a woman isn't tokenism when you literally have women working there who are very well qualified.

Its a disservice to that qualified candidate to let it appear that her best qualification is being a woman by making such a statement so early in the process that only women would be considered.

[Themius]

Its a disservice to that qualified candidate to let it appear that her best qualification is being a woman by making such a statement so early in the process that only women would be considered.

Which is more a testament to people not thinking due to how it "appears" facts of the matter be damned.

[draynay]

Which is more a testament to people not thinking due to how it "appears" facts of the matter be damned.

Based on track record I don't expect people to do much thinking.