Who are your top 3 choices for VP and why?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

What do they bring to table over and above the others?

1. Tammy Duckworth.

Given our horrible times, our nation can look up to a decorated war hero right now! Can see her creating genuine admiration and excitement.


2. Elizabeth Warren.

A brilliant and highly energetic person who can organize the massive efforts to dig us out of this mess. Plus, she has an inate ability to explain things to public on simple terms.

3. Susan Rice

Another brilliant person. Who better in COVID times than the person who briefed trump team during transition on pandemic? (BTW, she briefed Michael Flynn who was only there a couple weeks)

[634-5789]

1. Tammy, Tammy, Tammy

Single mom, woman of color, military background, double amputee, takes no shit, from my home State, Duckworth for VP and Duckworth 2024!!

[jcgoldie]

2. Can I call you?

I think I got your number...

[Laura PourMeADrink]

3. Yes yes yes. She makes SO much sense - hard to imagine he

Or his team wouldn't see that.

[CTyankee]

9. (sigh) there is a citizenship issue...

https://www.quora.com/Is-Tammy-Duckworth-disqualified-from-running-for-president-because-she-was-born-in-Thailand

You just know that is where these shitheads will go with this...

[jcgoldie]

10. Was not a problem for John McCain

[CTyankee]

37. Oh, that's "different."

[Mike 03]

4. #1 Susan Rice

Her knowledge of foreign and domestic politics is both wide and deep.

She meets the criteria Biden set of wanting to pick a candidate who is qualified and experienced enough to be president "on day one"

Having observed her now for some time, she has an ability to speak on a tremendously wide range of issues extemporaneously at a moment's notice, making her someone we can trust to perform well in any debate or interview.

She's drop-dead brilliant and a great speaker. Because of her immense experience, she already knows what she thinks about the issues, which means she doesn't have to "rehearse" or learn talking points. She's sincere in her knowledge already, and prepared to share it eloquently.

Her knowledge of foreign and international relations is what I think we need to patch up our reputation around the world, to crack down on our opponents and to make amends with our alienated allies.

Her strong ethics and moral compass. Her sense of righteous indignation rings true.

#2 Kamala Harris

In polling I've seen she is the overwhelming favorite, which is always good for buttressing enthusiasm in November.

#3 Whoever Joe picks. I don't have a strong #3 in mind.

Whoever he picks, I'll get behind!

[jcgoldie]

5. It pains me incredibly not to put Elizabeth on my list...

... because I adore her and still think she would be the best president of anyone on the planet. I just don't like the feel of an all white septagenarian ticket....

So my list in no order are Harris, Demings, and Duckworth...

I think all have their strengths. Harris is the most liberal ideologically and a great speaker and debater. Demings has geographical value in Florida and brings to bear a unique perspective on the race and law enforcement crisis in the country. My senator Duckworth could hammer home the issues of bounties and Trump kowtowing to Russia and perhaps swing significant military votes blue...

[Laura PourMeADrink]

15. Yea. I am in banking and know a lot of good people

that are scared of Warren only because of their conservative financial perspective. All banks and all corporations bad? She'd make the best VP though. It's the getting her in part that is difficult.

I need to look up some clips of Harris. I know everyone raves about her speaking and debating prowess - I personally haven't seen anything exceptional. In more casual interview settings she gives off the impression to me of being too casual. Hence SNL picked up on that too.

[jcgoldie]

17. All you need to know about Harris as a speaker

Watch the Kavanaugh hearings...somehow I don't think that liar would classify Harris as "too casual", she nearly made him cry.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

27. Here's the thing I still can't get over...how we immediately

agreed to their offer to do a one week FBI investigation. Not recognizing it would be a scam was unforgivable to me. So not too keen on Kavenaugh hearing participants sorry.

[jcgoldie]

41. Lol what nonsense

good grief. What exactly do you think the alternative was? You think Kamala Harris had some say in how business was conducted in McConnell's senate?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

46. Wish there was a "rude and demeaning" button.

[jcgoldie]

47. "So not too keen on Kavenaugh hearing participants sorry."

That was the statement you made implying that how the Kavanaugh hearings were conducted was somehow a viable criticism of Harris' record and the other involved including Booker and others I assume. I am asking what course of action you think they should have taken?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

51. Much nicer, thanks. More about what wasn't done by

Feinstein and committee, by association. Personal opinion

I recall that day vividly. Repukes threw out the offer of a one week additional FBI investigation. She jumped and they were downright gleeful. Graham went from bear to lamb on a dime.

Phil Mudd, ex FBI deputy head, immediately said it was too short. Then later that day, came around to praise the can-do spirit. They will work day and night to make it happen. He suspected agents would drive her around all day in the neighborhood until she found a house she remembered.

My point is that you never just give something away. Without getting something in return. Total naivity to assume they were on up and up. Should have at the bare minimum asked for more time or guaranteed input on scope.

[jcgoldie]

52. That isnt the scenario I recall at all

Democratic senators brought enormous pressure to bear through the media in order to pressure McConnell into any sort of investigation whatsoever. I don't recall any of them jumping or being gleeful, they simply had zero control over the process.

As to my original point, if you want to see what Harris can do in a potential debate scenario watch her dismantle Kavanaugh. The one time she started to take the gloves off in the democratic debates she was roundly criticized (and still is) for being too aggressive, so I don't think "too casual" describes her at all.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

53. That exactly how it went down. Etched in my memory forever.

I will watch her again. Thanks.

[BannonsLiver]

72. +1

The hot takes are ALWAYS BAD. Bless you for trying but it’s hopeless.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

75. Yes! Hopeless to silence opinion thank god.

[BannonsLiver]

76. Bahahaha

I’m enjoying that you think someone who disagrees with your factually challenged hot takes is trying to silence you.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

80. Factually challenged? Watch the tape

[BannonsLiver]

81. Weren't you the one who said President Obama was an average President?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

82. No. But I have a question for you...are you ever nice to people?

[BannonsLiver]

84. All the time

Especially when those people aren’t obtuse, don’t attack other Democrats and have hot takes that aren’t kooky.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

85. Glad to have you as our thought police!!!

[BannonsLiver]

86. It's a tough job sometimes.

Again, love the unintentional comedy of folks thinking the many people who have disagreed with their bad hot takes on this and other issues are trying to silence them.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

87. You really need to read more closely. Objection was to

being told a thought was "nonsense" not a differing opinion. There is nothing more demeaning. And watch the tape before you casually label something a hot take.

[BannonsLiver]

89. It was nonsense and I did

[Laura PourMeADrink]

90. No, you didn't

[BannonsLiver]

91. Lol Ok.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

92. Nice try though

[BannonsLiver]

93. Easy as pie.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

94. You actually are a rather likable curmudgeon

[BannonsLiver]

95. Thank you.

[Mike 03]

19. I share your concerns re: Harris and the debates. nt

[LymphocyteLover]

34. yeah-- agree. Plus ideally want someone under 70 for 2024

[SiliconValley_Dem]

6. Gretchen Whitmer

Val Demmings and Kamala Harrisaign
Gretchen Witmer can help seal victory for Biden with white suburban men and women not only in Michigan but other states; has run a state's executive branch through theee tough COVID times

Kamala Harris--great name recognition, a proesecutorial mind who will go after Trump, Pence and Barr very hard in the campaign--centrist on issues and won't scare away cross over votere like Elizabeth Warren would.

Tammy Duckworth--A minority woman who rose in the military ranks and who was wounded in action; would also go after Trump and tram very hard in campaign and demonstrates great strength as someone who fought her injuries and then became US Senator, mom, and all around badass.

[CTyankee]

7. My three: Tammy Duckworth, Susan Rice, Karen Bass of GA.

Their only possible drawbacks (AFAIK):

Duckworth: citizenship questions

Rice: Benghazi

Bass: Fidel Castro

OK, stop eye-rolling, I know, I know, their silly, stupid even.

But here is a more in-depth look: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/31/us/politics/joseph-biden-vice-president.html

None of these concerns are serious but the repukes know how to make ugly mountains over less than molehills. Still...

Benghazi has the most recent relevance, if at all.

Does Castro have any relevance, even to ordinary repubs at ALL?

The citizenship issue could hang us up, but I don't think would be persuasive. However, it could be dragged out a long time.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

22. "Dragged out a long time". Here's where I'd hope we'd

take one out of Trump's playbook. Short, definitive rebuttal, a total brush off and immediate diversion to TD's sterling military service.

We've got to move away from
over-explaining everything. If HRC had done that with email deal things may have gone completely differently.

[lapfog_1]

8. That's a tough one

a. Don't Care

b. Don't Care

c. Don't Care

Every person mentioned by the media as being on the short list would be fine... Come to think of it, there is a long list of women NOT on the short list that would be fine.

For help in the campaign... some of the women might add more to the ticket than others ( I love Kamala but California is in the bag no matter what so... ).

I trust Joe to make the right choice, just like Obama did 12 years ago.

[CTyankee]

11. We don't care, but that isn't what is important here.

We have to be prepared for the GOP's attack, depending on who Joe chooses. So which one, among our superstars, will be the most successful to protect in an election campaign against the most disgusting, low down, hideous attack machine ever known.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

26. I care. I care tremendously. We have to get rid of

a monster. Not a time in history for him to have the luxury of just picking "someone he gets along with"

-gotta get rid of a psychopath

-gotta stop the COVID suffering and death

-gotta sure up financial devastation

[dalton99a]

12. Warren, Harris, Whitmer

But I really don't care who Biden chooses

[Trumpocalypse]

13. My choice doesn't matter

I will vote for Biden whoever his VP is.

What matters is what VP will help best in swing states, who will bring people who stayed home in 16 out to vote in November.

[rurallib]

14. 1) Duckworth 2) Harris 3) Lujan-Grisham

[blm]

16. Really depends on what Joe personally wants to focus on.

If Biden wants to personally focus on repairing the incredible damage to the economy for 99% of the American people and our national healthcare and social justice issues then my favorite would be Susan Rice to take the lead in repairing our global policies. Her knowledge, skills in that arena would be formidable. They would hit the ground running and be doing so competently.

If Biden sees himself doing the heavy lifting that would be needed to lead and repair our global policies then my favorite would be Elizabeth Warren, who he could trust to repair and reform economic policies that would best serve ALL Americans, and especially in areas of healthcare, job security, environmental and social justice. She already put forth comprehensive and doable plans and has proven able to take an idea and plan and bring it into existence. They would hit the ground running and be doing so competently.

Third would be Kamala Harris who I see as someone who has the intellect and talent to become competent in all the areas of governance that would be of benefit to the WH.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

24. Very true. Huge dilemma - do you pick someone to

Help you the most to win? Or do you pick someone who will help you the most during presidency? You can't even have the latter before the former.

[MineralMan]

18. I have only one choice for Biden's VP selection.

My choice is whoever he decides to choose. My input is not needed for him to make an excellent choice.

[Trumpocalypse]

62. Well said

[C_U_L8R]

20. Rice, Warren, Harris.

Last edited Sat Aug 1, 2020, 01:24 PM - Edit history (1)

They are each exceptional in ever regard.
Thinkers. Doers. Fighters. Leaders.
As well as team players and coalition builders.
Tenacious and inspiring.
And ready to be President any day if required.
We're so fortunate, we should have three vice presidents !


(or VP, AG and SoS, in any order)

[shanti]

55. Those are mine too

[GeorgeGist]

21. Susan Rice, Kamala Harris, Tammy Duckworth

Experienced , smart and tough x 3

[brush]

23. I like your choices.

[gollygee]

25. I like these choices too

I love Elizabeth Warren but I'd like someone younger as VP.

[SheltieLover]

28. Tough choices

Warren - smartest politician around! Ready, willing & able to pull in far left / Bernie voters & fix predatory capitalism.

Katie Porter - younger version of Warren. I love her!

Whitmer - superb leader!

All 3 are electable in 2024! All 3 have relevant experience & are strong leaders who uave the "it" factor, imho.

But I will vote blue, no matter who!

[Cicada]

29. The executive has power mainly in foreign affairs, and Rice is an expert in that

In domestic affairs the Executive must share power, so it has relatively limited impact. But in foreign affairs the Presidentbruns the show. So we should look mainly at foreign affairs in picking the president and Vice President. That is Susan Rice’s wheelhouse. Susan is the best choice.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

38. Yet some say you look to a person who fulfills traits you

Don't have? Playing devil's advocate, Biden is super strong on foreign affairs. Where is he lacking? Is he open enough like Obama was to pick someone who creates a bigger, more complete team?

I think you have to read the current environment. Maslow's lower end needs. Right now people are worried about getting sick and dying and will they become financially devastated and not be able to feed their families. How that translates to VP pick, have no clue.

[Cicada]

50. Yes. To be honest I just really like Susan Rice, don't know exactly why

I think she is the bee’s knees.

[RainCaster]

30. I don't care. She will get my vote no matter who Joe picks

[Awsi Dooger]

31. Susan Rice several laps in front

I fail to see how this is a close contest. As posted early in the thread, Rice is fantastic in extemporaneous discussion of any topic. It is incredibly lazy to attach her to foreign policy expertise only.

Her only minor weakness is to say "uh" and "um" too frequently during long responses. That would work its way out once she's making more frequent campaign speeches and becoming more confident and accustomed to the demand.

I don't like adjustments, particularly ones that distract from the big picture. All the knocks on Rice are weak adjustments, like fear of Benghazi or her son. We can't be dense enough to allow the meaningless adjustments to play a greater role than raw ability. Rice is miles ahead in that regard. It's like a football team that brainstorms to bypass the superior player in the draft due to some stupid rationale like he doesn't fit our system. Then you spend a decade watching him dominate elsewhere.

If I had to name two others I guess they would be Demings and Bass

[LymphocyteLover]

32. Kamala is my top choice followed by Duckworth then Rice

I would like someone younger (i.e. not Warren) as VP for the 2024 race.

Rice is good but really doesn't have much election experience and GOP would freak out over her.

[smirkymonkey]

54. My picks exactly, in order.

Warren, too old, too white, too east coast. Also, I'm sorry, but I still find her personality annoying.

Kamala is by far my favorite. Joe is a little on the boring side, although I love him, and Kamala has the rock star appeal that is needed on the ticket. I know that sounds shallow, but in a national election, it matters. She's liberal, attractive, well spoken, charismatic and does not take crap from anybody. She is also young and healthy.

[LymphocyteLover]

58. right on!

[Vinca]

33. Val Demings, Stacey Abrams, Tammy Duckworth.

Not only are they all very smart and accomplished, they're also all very feisty and won't put up with BS. In addition, they all come from geographic areas we need. I like all the others, too, so I'm going to be happy with just about anyone. For some reason though I picture Susan Rice on the Supreme Court instead.

[Kingofalldems]

35. Tammy Duckworth.

Though I predicted Sen. Warren months ago.

[Demsrule86]

36. Tammy, Tammy, Tammy

But I would rather see Demmings or Harris than Warren or Rice

[mshasta]

39. Still think Stacey Abrams

Can bring so much to the new administration.
She had inspired me and inspired many African Americans

[Laura PourMeADrink]

43. Only thing I have heard is that she lacks federal

government experience. Basing that on NYT analysis. They went through each choice and their pros and cons and deduced Duckworth was best choice.

[Trumpocalypse]

63. Experience doesn't matter

Never has in Presidential elections.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

65. Must be why non experienced people are always picked!

[Trumpocalypse]

66. People don't vote

the same way they would hire a contractor or plumber. Think about it. Trump had no government experience. Neither Bush or Clinton had any Federal experience. Obama had far less experience than McCain. Experience doesn’t matter matter in elections.

[Hortensis]

74. Left and right voters behave very differently.

Any assumptions that start with ignoring that should be reexamined.

I'll give you that ignorance is extremely common on both sides, but, just for one instance, only many on the right insist on filling the void with satisfying lies. On the left the biggest faults are complacency and indifference. (Note that he pernicious RW mind-fucking machine has no LW counterpart.)

And on the left, except for some fringe zealots, there's little craving for a Strong Leader to follow and support without question, while authoritarianism dominate RW politics.

Of course experience matters more on the left. But nothing matters overwhelmingly regarding a VP choice. Almost all the passion for one choice or another among Biden's picks is to be found among little political nodes like this one.

[Trumpocalypse]

77. Very true

It’s been said that Democrats fall in love while Republicans fall in line. Either way experience just doesn’t matter and never has.

[Hortensis]

78. Democrats have never been asked to "fall in love" with

a Little Danny Quayle or nominated a Little W Bush. Democratic candidates are always far better qualified.

Again, there's a reason for that.

[Trumpocalypse]

79. Not always

McCain was more experienced than Obama. Bush I was more experienced than Clinton. Nixon was more experienced than JFK. Experience doesn’t matter in Presidential elections and never has.

[mshasta]

40. Why Susan Rice why Elizabeth.?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

42. Because they'd make great VPs? Presidents? Or are u kidding?

[mshasta]

45. My Dear Senator Elizabeth should stay in the Senate

I love that woman so much she is a fighter, we need her to keep corporations, Banks in check

[Polybius]

44. Here's mine

1) Hillary Clinton: Why not? She's more qualified than anyone. She had the election stolen in 2016, no one deserves this more than her.

2) Elizabeth Warren: Would unite progressives. Biden already has moderates locked, so this ticket would be a huge winner.

3) Corey Booker: Not a woman, but so what? Biden is entitled to change his mind. He's a POC and a fantastic speaker. Love him.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

48. If there was a vote, I'd pick Hillary too. She absolutely

Deserves it.


2nd choice Beto but he was unlucky enough to be born a male.

[tinrobot]

49. Toss up between Rice / Harris, then Whitmer

I've warmed up to Susan Rice, I think she's got more skills, but Harris still has the charisma thing going for her.

I think Gretchen Whitmer has been an awesome governor, she's been seriously overlooked.

[StevieM]

56. OK, here is my list:

1. Susan Rice.

I have long thought she is awesome. I hope he picks her.

2. Steven Chu.

He was Obama's energy secretary and he has brilliant ideas. I know Biden is picking a woman, and Chu probably was never interested in any event. But he is the kind of person we need to help solve the climate crisis.

3. Hilda Solis.

She isn't on the short list, and apparently was never even considered. But I like her a lot.

[aikoaiko]

57. Kamala Harris reminds me of Barack Obama.

She's at the top of my list.

[womanofthehills]

88. Kamala is on the top of my list too

She has personality big time , is super smart, aggressive and can really make Republicans sweat when she questions them.

[maximusveritas]

59. Demings, Harris, Rice

We need a VP who has the resume and presence to convince voters she can be president if called upon.

That disqualifies Abrams, Bottoms, and some of the other local politicians with no experience on a national scale.
We need someone who is not going to allow them to say she's a liberal Trojan horse either as someone like Warren would be.
Duckworth is someone I've admired, but never felt she was a particularly compelling speaker. Also I hate to say it, but if we're being real here, there's a reason FDR hid his paralysis from the public while up for election.

Demings has somewhat limited political experience but has very valuable real world experience as a police chief which she can say will be used to help lead criminal justice reform efforts and beat back Republican attacks that we will be soft on crime.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

60. Like her but did she convince anyone in impeachment?

[maximusveritas]

71. You don't think so? Didn't hear anyone say anything bad about her

She was one of 7 managers so it's not like she was responsible for any of the mistakes that may have been made.
I thought she across very well and did a good job of explaining why it was the responsibility of the Democrats to hold lawbreakers accountable just as she did as police chief even if the jury is rigged by crooked partisans.

[Trumpocalypse]

61. Leslie Knope, Oprah and a utility infielder to be named later

My picks are irrelevant. Your picks are irrelevant. Everyone on DU will vote for Biden no matter who is the VP.

What matters is someone who will help in a swing state or help energize voters who stayed home in 16.

[Stuart G]

64. YES...i do like this one: "a utility infielder to be named later" Who, What Team, Where do I go,

in order to see this..."utility infielder" ....Please keep me posted on this one...

[Hortensis]

67. Bump with Warren, Harris, Whitmer.

I'm a sucker for governor experience. I like and admire Duckworth personally, but she's farther right than Biden and not exactly a policy iconoclaust. I put her on and replaced her with Whitmer.

Barney Frank feels Warren would be ready for the presidency from day 1, which is quite an endorsement, and she absolutely is an iconoclast who'd complement Biden wonderfully.

Harris suits me ideologically, but she disappointed me in the primaries as distinctly not ready for what she wanted to take on; but of course serving as Biden's VP would help fix that and hopefully greatness would grow.

And I'd also support HRC in a heartbeat! Hope she is offered a position in the Biden administration where she can make some of the big things happen that she planned. I want her extremely busy, as Warren will be wherever she serves, remembering that presidents and their VPs do not legislate, they implement what congress decides.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

68. Yeah, Warren, hands down, ready to be President. Still

Think it's a true dilemma between who would help our team win the most and who would be the best in office. Wish there was someone who was clearly both.
Unfortunately, Warren scares business people a lot.

Just saw Duckworth and Bass on Fox. Bass really shone as extremely quick on her feet. Love her confidence.

My guess is that Biden has known who is partner will be for a long time. Why, because there was zero reason to pronounce that he was selecting a woman.

[Hortensis]

70. They keep saying everyone Biden's considering satisfies him

for the campaign, but of course politics are so fluid. Wall Street hostility might not have much effect on swing voters at one point, but perhaps more at another? We want swing voters to vote a straight Dem ticket, not split it.

Bass is great on TV, as you say quick and energetic, a nice complement to Biden in that respect.
She's liberal and seemingly competent enough for my preference. That the farther left is currently enthusiastically for her suggests they don't realize how good she reportedly is at working with conservatives and hammering out compromises. Fine.

I think you're right in that Biden's knew who his first choice this time was long ago, big shrug as to whether that'll be his final choice.

Hope you had a happy visit.

[TuxedoKat]

69. Your top three

are mine as well, but in this order: Rice, Warren, and Duckworth.

Rice and Warren because they could hit the ground running, especially Rice, working so closely with Obama and Biden during the Obama/Biden administration. I mentioned Rice as a VP possibility somewhere here earlier this year (March?) when no one else, well maybe a few, were talking about her.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

73. Hate when that happens. DU should have "I told you

so" awards.

Good point about "hit the ground running"

And like someone else mentioned, people stand out (in all aspects of life) when they know the facts and have assimilated them and formed opinions that they can readily express. So different than those who are expressing points by rote.

I wish Rice would mention that she spent the day during transition schooling Trump side in pandemics. And it was Michael Flynn!!!

Starting to think it may indeed be Rice! Why would she not run for Senate? Why would Biden say it's gonna be a woman before he had to, unless he was priming everyone of the idea he already had in his head.

[TuxedoKat]

83. I wondered the same thing

When they speculated she might run for Senate but then she didn't. Made me wonder if someone told her not to run if she wanted to be considered for VP. Guess we might find out this week!