Biden commits to woman VP, but doesn't commit to woman of color

[Laura PourMeADrink]

https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2020/04/20/joe-biden-says-he-would-pick-michelle-obama-to-be-his-vice-president/

I’d Take Her In A Heartbeat’: Joe Biden Says He Would Pick Michelle Obama To Be His Vice President

Biden told KDKA he would not commit to a woman of color on his ticket.

Note: surely the following is mIsquoted? Just sounds pretty convoluted imho.

"I’ll commit to that be a woman because it is very important that my administration look like the public, look like the nation. And there will be, committed that there will be a woman of color on the Supreme Court, that doesn’t mean there won’t be a vice president, as well,” Biden said.

“I think it’s really important now that we establish once and for all, we should have had a woman president already, in Hilary (Clinton), in my view,” Biden added. “There are a number of qualified women out there.”

[JustAnotherGen]

1. Good!

I don't think he should have made that commitment at all - re: a woman in the first place.

But - I would still love Tammy Duckworth to be on the short list. She IS a woman of color, but a veteran who sacrificed her legs for her country, and a strong member of the Democratic Party in the Senate.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

15. Totally agree! There was zero reason to do it at the time he did it.

Actually never really any reason at anytime to announce. Automatically eliminating 1/2 population at such a harrowing time ?? Odd judgement call. That said, think you select a person first, and then whatever sex, color, religion, sexual orientation is whatever the best person happens to be.

[JmAln]

43. I wish he could pick Andrew Cuomo, if he'd take the job!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

53. Maybe he could get a sex change. (Sorry, couldn't resist that one.)

[LakeArenal]

3. Beyond primary candidates, I'm fine with any woman

Katie Porter, Gov Whitmer, Stacy Abrams,
Susan Rice,

However, I too wish he was free to chose the best candidate regardless of gender.

[qazplm135]

7. there's no such thing as "the best candidate"

There is not some objective rank ordered list.

There are dozens of great candidates, many of them are women, and since a woman has never been VP or Pres then fuck yes he should commit to breaking that barrier.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

16. Huh? There is no "best" VP choice? Of course there is!

It's the one who best meets needed criteria..examples

1. Can they carry a state? Can they hurt in a state?
2. Can they energize youth
3. Is their experience deep?
4. Can they quickly match wits with Don and Mike Show (like Bloomberg could)?
5. Are they a good communicator? Witty, bright, good sense of humor.
6. Is their background rocky? skeletons?

Sure there's more..

[qazplm135]

19. no there isn't

there are dozens of people who can match all six.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

22. Oh, I have not seen 1) established criteria from top strategists nor

2) seen ratings of each candidate applied to that criteria.

Would love it if you shared your criteria and the "dozens" of people who meet that.

[qazplm135]

28. right

so if I don't know all the people who fit that criteria, well, they must not exist in a nation of 330 Million people.

That's brilliant.

There is no "team of top strategists" who have objectively determined "the best candidate" who meets "the criteria Laura PourMeADrink has established as THE only relevant criteria."

They aren't going to be working on it anytime soon either.

This will be a SUBJECTIVE decision based on whatever criteria Team Biden's group come up with and ultimately whomever Biden is comfortable with. That person could be Harris, or Klobuchar, or Warren, or another dozen women politicians from Cortez-Mastro to someone we haven't even thought of yet. There are plenty of options to choose from that can lead to a winning ticket. There is no "one best candidate." It's a ridiculous concept. Biden himself may have who he thinks is the best candidate FOR HIM. And ultimately that's who gets picked. And guess what, some group of people somewhere will DISAGREE that that person was in fact "the one best candidate" whether it's Warren, Harris, Abrams or whomever else he picks.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

29. Alrighty then. You have no criteria of your own, Biden team will

have no strategists establishing criteria, and it will be whomever he and his team "feels comfortable" with.


Thanks for that input.

[qazplm135]

30. Lol

I have criteria which are just as unlikely to produce"the best candidate" as yours or anyone else.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

35. Well in our own little dream world here :), do you have a

Personal opinion on what the most important quality should be? Or maybe top three?

I think what you said about someone he gels with is important. But I wonder if that's in a normal world not in a " pandemic world with a lunatic in charge world"? But that might be just my get-him-out mentality...

[qazplm135]

40. I have plenty of opinions on a lot of things

my point is that is just that, a personal opinion...worth about as much as most others (excluding Trumpers) except for the VERY narrow field in which I could reasonably be called an expert...military criminal law.

Other than that, I have no expertise. I have a moderate level of intelligence and common sense.

Too many people are unwilling to say...I don't really know much about much, and my opinion on most things really isn't all that important.

I hope he picks a woman. I think a woman of color would be a good idea. I don't think many will get upset if he picks Harris. It's safe, she's competent, she is progressive, but center left enough to bridge the gap, and she would fight hard for him and would destroy Pence. Does that make her the "best" pick?

I have no idea. Probably not. I would be fine with any woman. I think if he picks someone like Klobuchar, there's going to be about the same reaction as Clinton picking Kaine, which was a whole lot of...meh. Folks who are centrists will be excited, everyone else will grumble. He should probably pick someone at least a little to the left of him...which still leaves a ton of room.

I'd prefer he picked someone from a blue state if he goes Senator because of the thin chance of winning back the Senate.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

44. Thanks! Like pulling teeth but you did it!!! Just teasing you :)

Just a hunch ..he won't pick Amy . Only because I remember people commenting that she had very little base support. ( And at the point in time, why didn't she drop out).

I think he's copacetic with Harris. Some baggage they will have to smooth over, but decent choice.

Just my personal peeve, but I don't really favor anyone who couldn't outwit well enough on Kavenaugh appointment.

What about Warren? She definitely could support with lightening speed fact recall!

[question everything]

10. Porter, like Val Demings is a freshwoman in Congress

Impressive to their constituents but not known nationally.

Similarly, Stacy Adams is know only to GA and to political junkies.

He needs a running mate who has made a national name for herself.

Yes, Klobuchar.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

17. Totally agree. Not a time for a novice. Amy does check boxes but don't think

She could energize youth. ( If you think that's important)

[LakeArenal]

25. Porter and Abrams are well known

I like Amy. She’s not the biggest name in the closet.

Porter has shown her abilities and I have confidence in both her and Abrams.

Your opinion is your opinion as is mine.

[calguy]

31. Porter and Abrams are well in places like DU

The rest of the ciuntry? Not hardly.

[LakeArenal]

33. We'll. I think they are known outside DU

As much as Demmings, Rice or even Whitmer.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

32. It would be interesting to see real polls on name recognition. Tried

to find and all I saw was that of all people, Biden was at 60% and Bernie 36%. Surprised me how low. That said, maybe Biden doesn't even need someone with name recognition? Maybe he does? I don't know. Imho, he needs someone to get youth and base excited like as job #1. Like look at his weaknesses and counter-balance?

What do you think the most important thing is, if you had to pick just the top one?

[LakeArenal]

34. I think a VP needs to be smart, young, and inspiring.

I found that more in some male possibilities. Naming anyDem uninspiring May get me in trouble.

I need more excitement than policy at this point. I supported Joe from before day one. His policies are very clear. Someone that creates positive fire works would be great.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

36. Agree! Maybe that's # 1...in the gloomy world, with

a lying nutcase in charge, a young, optimistic, energetic, happy person would add a LOT of value.

Perfect yin for Joe's yang - age, experience, wisdom, dignity. Everything Trump isn't.

[Kahuna]

4. Good for him. As a WOC, I want the best mate who'd be ready on day one. nt

[maxsolomon]

5. So?

"Democratic nominee won't allow himself to be put in straightjacket".

[Laura PourMeADrink]

18. He put himself in one already, imho

[maxsolomon]

20. Agreed.

I'll select a woman.
I'll select a woman of color.
I'll select a woman of color with a disability.
I'll select a woman of color with a disability who is gender non-conforming.

He needs to pick a VEEP that will help him beat Trump, period. I don't care if it's Jon Tester.

In fact, I thought Jon Tester would have been a good choice!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

24. Yes, Tester checks boxes. Personally I'd vote for Beto just because I saw

First hand how he absolutely electrified youth in Austin. Awaiting rally, young/old/in-between abuzz together, I swear, was like a rock concert.

[LakeArenal]

26. !!!!

[grumpyduck]

6. Dear Mr. Biden,

after the clusterfuck we've lived through for the past three and a half years, please pick whoever you feel is the most qualified, not whoever you think will give you the most press coverage. Remember, your VP will have a very difficult job to do. It's not an honorary job: it's the real thing.

[question everything]

11. Second that

[ripcord]

14. The best person for the job

Biden is going to need all the help he can get to put us back on track, that is more important ticking all the right boxes.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

37. Most qualified? Hillary :)

[Dem4Life1102]

41. How about the person who

will best help him win the election because if he doesn’t win everything else won’t matter.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

45. Hope he truly realizes the truth in that!! This is not

A pre-trump world anyone. Bloomberg figured that out. He hired an expert on narcissism, and a comedian to come up with great zingers.

[Dem4Life1102]

48. Didn't really do him much good in the end.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

59. You're right. But do think bad timing played into it too..

Plus his disasterous debate performance. But miss the witty comebacks to Dingbat.

[awesomerwb1]

8. I'm good with a woman VP (awesome)

and a woman of color on Supreme Court.

[cwydro]

9. No reason why he should.

Good for him.

[FloridaBlues]

12. VP Biden will pick the right woman who shares his policies and vision

[MineralMan]

13. Why would he commit to choosing a woman of color?

He is going to choose someone who will enhance the ticket and help him win states. He's not going to choose a freshman in Congress, nor a person who lost an election in a state he's unlikely to win.

He's going to choose someone with enough experience at the federal government level to step in if he cannot complete his first term in office, for whatever reason.

I expect it will be Kamala Harris or Amy Klobuchar. Elizabeth Warren is another possibility, but she is about the same ages as Biden, and that's a drawback, since she probably would not be a candidate in 2024.

He will make his choice based on factors that appear to be the most important ones for the 2020 election.

[qazplm135]

21. Mike Pence

didn't win a state. Joe Biden didn't. Dick Cheney didn't. Al Gore didn't. Dan Quayle didn't. George Bush didn't. You basically have to go back to LBJ to arguably make the claim of a VP selection that won a state for the President.

President's do exactly what Obama and Biden have said...pick a VP that matches up with them.

Now, there can be a candidate weakness that a VP can help with, but that usually deals with experience (see e.g. Cheney-Bush, Biden-Obama). I can see a new paradigm where this time it's age (e.g. Harris-Biden) given concerns Biden needs someone ready to win a campaign 4 years from now vice 8, and maybe needs someone younger to motivate younger voters.

But ultimately, he's going to pick someone that meshes with him into a team.

[Caliman73]

23. He should not be committing to anything right now.

EXCEPT to pick the best possible candidate that would help make his presidency successful. If it is a woman (which I actually think we should elect WAY more of)then great. A woman of color? Awesome! A White man? Sure if they can energize voters and are qualified and competent. A man of color? Yes, why not? Democrats have a ton of really good, smart leaders who would do well.

This is horse race stuff. Biden should be focusing on the message of how we need a real leader for the Federal Government. Someone who can actually make decisions that help people, not pit states against each other and give mixed messages.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

27. Well, he had an opportunity to open it up to all possibilities, last week?

Someone posted the question, " given the extraordinarily unusual circumstances we have encountered, are you still limiting yourself for VP choice?" And he didn't bite.

I think the public is naturally drawn to a certain type of person given what the world is like at the time. Now, they are drawn to detailed, learned, honest managers - get the job done types. Hence Newsome's favorability over 80%, Cuomo high 60's.

[Wounded Bear]

38. I don't see any reason to hurry...

There are a lot of great women that would make damn fine VPs, of several races/ethnicities.

I wouldn't care much if he followed tradition and waited until the convention or just before.

[Hortensis]

39. Okay. A large majority, including most minorities, want experience prioritized.

Me too. We've yet to elect our first female VP and are in the happy position of having a number of good choices who are also female. That was not always the case, of course.

Speaker Pelosi has risen to the highest position a woman has held in all of American political history.

[Dem4Life1102]

42. Experience doesn't matter

in Presidential elections. Never has.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

47. If not, what does matter? Likeability?

[Dem4Life1102]

49. What matters is a person

who can help the ticket win. Someone who can help flip a swing state, energize African American votes, attract more progressive voters.

If experience mattered Trump wouldn't be President, Obama would have lost to McCain, Gore would have beaten W, etc.

[Hortensis]

50. That's no longer the case on the left. You're talking right wing,

where authoritarian hierarchical power structure still rules and they don't like a powerful VP, present Pence anomaly only because Trump's so disordered; and of course, where politics is completely corrupt.

Anyway, isn't it just plain wrong to not care about competence? To have good government, we have to elect good people. VP Biden is no more interested in having an incompetent VP than Obama was.

[Dem4Life1102]

51. Competence and experience are two different things

A competence argument benefits challengers. Experience arguments benefit incumbents.

But neither will matter unless the Democratic ticket wins.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

52. That's probably true. I think of Obama as competent. He wasn't

vastly experienced in Federal government. But, he was an intellectual president. Unlike trump, he actually read the entire daily briefing. Yet experience and competence are not mutually exclusive, e.g. HRC.

I think there's another factor that comes into play when the incumbent is flawed. It may even be subconscious. People will be attracted to someone who possesses the opposite characteristics. Why a Biden, on his game, has always been the antithesis of trump.

But in this election, it's life or death for so many citizens, the VP choice becomes more important than ever.

[Dem4Life1102]

56. The whole election is more important than ever

So Biden needs to pick the VP who best positions the ticket to win.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

57. +1,000,000

[Laura PourMeADrink]

46. I agree. It's part because inexperienced trump has

been a disaster and part because of his age and thoughts about the need for experienced succession.

[JI7]

54. There are Many Women who are qualified and Ready to be President RIGHT NOW

why do people assume picking a woman means he is not looking at most experienced, most qualified etc ?

We already know there are many who fit these things and he will pick among those .

[ecstatic]

55. I don't think any commitments should have been made in the first place.

Flexibility is important. I think Booker would have been a great pick. Just my opinion.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

58. Yup. Wonder why he did that. The nomination was already his.

Unless he has always had someone in mind? But even then, why announce. That person could completely implode before convention.