How do we best unify the party so we win the GE?

[RobertEarl]

The bitter rancor must end, and the Party comes together to beat republicans.

What's your best idea to make sure we win?

Mine is to make Bernie the VP.

[onehandle]

1. The party will be united at the convention.

Bernie cannot be VP. He has said way too much about the nominee and failed to endorse her.

He can speak and endorse her at the convention.

Thats it.

[liberalnarb]

30. Both sides have been just as divisive.

Remember that.

[tonyt53]

2. Sorry, but that isn't happening. It has to be someone that is younger, not older for starters.

Besides, Bernie hasn't really shown himself to be a team player. Democrats want a Democrat also.

[AgingAmerican]

16. What has to be someone younger?

[liberalnarb]

33. They meant the VP nominee, which I find offensive.

We need some one experienced (Bernie). And someone Progressive (Bernie) to be the VP nominee.

[tonyt53]

37. Hell, I'm well into my 60's and understand that need. You guys are trying to read something into it

When Hillary leaves, there has to be someone to take her place. Bernie is even older than she is. That is a fact that nobody can do anything about. And who is the "we" anyway. Americans ALL need someone to carry on that will represent ALL Americans.

[mr clean]

50. Only six years older...

[Duckhunter935]

51. I hate ageism

[Chan790]

65. It's hardly ageism...

to suggest that the VP nominee has to be someone genuinely progressive (as in an actual progressive, not a Clintonite calling themselves a progressive) and young enough to be Clinton's successor in 2020 or 2024. I adore Sanders but the realistic statistical likelihood is that by 2024, he will be the late Sen. Bernie Sanders.

It's kind of hard to run for President when you're dead.

[zappaman]

3. No. n/t

[still_one]

4. The Supreme Court should be a unifying issue

There is one vacancy that the republicans won't allow to go through, and rumors are spreading of Clarence Thomas stepping down next year. I suspect Justice Ginsberg may also be considering retirement.

Just this one case posted here should be a uniter:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7935610

[tonyt53]

8. Kennedy won't be far behind Thomas either, and Ginsberg is very likely to retire.

[still_one]

12. The next President and Senate will be critical. This is turely a once in a lifetime event

[eastwestdem]

35. This cannot be emphasized enough! nt

[radical noodle]

5. I understand your reasoning

because I thought Hillary should be picked as VP in 2008. I was disappointed when she wasn't, but after some time I began to understand the reasoning behind Joe Biden. I think Bernie will likely have a role to play that will be meaningful to him but I don't think VP would even be something he'd like or that would be best for the ticket.

[ZombieHorde]

6. I would like to see Sanders as VP,

but I would be surprised if he was picked. Warren might be a good choice. She has name recognition and many on the left really like her.

[RobertEarl]

56. It would be great for everyone

I can't think of anyone who doesn't like Bernie and what he's been talking about. Picking him as VP would bring all of us together and create no downside. He's been tested and he has a lot of active followers.

[Chan790]

66. As a Sanders supporter, I am unconditionally opposed to a Sanders VP nod.

It would an utter waste of a get for progressives...the VP nominee needs to be someone young enough to be Clinton's successor in 8 years.

If we have enough pull to be able to get Sanders the VP nod...we need to use that pull to get the VP nod for a younger Sanders-wing Democrat. Maybe Keith Ellison?

[OKNancy]

7. It would make many people happy but Clinton has to be pragmatic

as she always has been. Sanders just doesn't give her that much help.
She will need someone much younger. If she wants a firebrand, then she will pick Warren, not Sanders.
And you have to realize that she just doesn't have a good rapport with Sanders.
More and more I'm thinking it will be Chris Murphy

[auntpurl]

17. CT doesn't really help though.

I was very impressed with him and the filibuster. But I really think we want a POC and someone from a swing or western state.

[OKNancy]

20. I thought that too at first

but things are looking so good in the swing states that I'm not sure she needs it.
Also I think that is one reason Julian Castro does not seem to be high on her list anymore. Trump has alienated the Hispanic vote so much, she doesn't need that help. Sherrod Brown is too old, too white, and from a state with a Repub. governor.
Booker.... ??? don't know.

[auntpurl]

23. I really like Booker, tho I know others have their reservations

I think he's got a very assertive approach, and as much as I love Hillary, we could use someone with that fire on the ticket - because of course she cannot be fiery or she'll be viewed as "too emotional".

Also apparently Booker was brought in on special election, so would be replaced on special election too - Christie would not pick his replacement. At least that's how I understand it.

Castro was always a bit of a lightweight - I like him a lot and would not object if she chose him - but it does undercut her criticism of Trump having no political experience. But I am so hyped with the idea of turning Texas blue. I am torn.

I trust Hillary to make the right choice, in the end. But it's fun to speculate! And to your original post, I would certainly not object to Murphy!

Edited to add: while I agree she doesn't need a Latino in terms of being against Trump, they are the fastest-growing demographic in the US and it is about time they have representation at the highest level!

[Chan790]

67. Booker.

Too tied to Wall St., too conservative, too much of an "FU!" to progressives and from a state with a Republican governor.

If this VP nod is, by-necesssity, a pragmatic pick needed to unify the party...Booker's never in consideration.

[yodermon]

9. A strong endorsement of Hillary by Bernie would go a long way.

There will always be "BoB"s (i.e. this cycle's PUMA's) but I think as election day approaches they will come around.

[RobertEarl]

59. I'm all about party unity

Discounting Bernie and his followers out of hand and calling them names goes against unity.

The very active Bernie followers would be amazed if Hillary recognized him and his followers buy asking him to be VP.

It's a win/win.

[msongs]

10. hillary et all could focus more on repubs in general than trump...he might not be around soon so

focusing on the party/policies should be done more and less on the personality...IMO

[auntpurl]

18. Agree with this - she should explicity draw the parallels that

Trump wasn't "born" in a vacuum - that his hateful rhetoric is the logical end point of the dogwhistling the Repub party has been doing for decades now, just more overt.

[AgingAmerican]

22. I agree there

She needs to NOT react to his nonsense

[Proud Public Servant]

11. Five easy steps

1) Stand for Democratic principles; pandering for traditional GOP votes will just hurt us.

2) Nominate a VP who has solid Dem credentials and is ready on Day 1 to be POTUS. We can't lambast Trumps for his qualifications with our own lightweight on the ticket.

3) 50-state strategy (very happy to see today's announcement).

4) Make HRC's campaign as much about down-ballot races as about her own.

5) Run a positive and optimistic campaign, even while excoriating Trump. America votes for the happier candidate, every time.

[auntpurl]

15. Who's your VP choice?

Edited to add: I completely agree re: running an uplifting campaign.

[Proud Public Servant]

21. In an ideal world, Sherrod Brown

But we can't afford to lose the Senate seat. Ditto Warren. I think Becerra and Kaine are the most logical choices of those frequently mentioned, with a strong preference for Becerrra.

[auntpurl]

24. I like Becerra too. He does have the unfortunate "Who?" quality, but

I think his name is getting some traction now he's being regularly discussed as a VP possibility.

Tim Kaine has a pretty great record, running a mostly Republican-led state as governor and still pushing through Democratic-type legislation. He's not particularly exciting, but he's a solid choice.

[bravenak]

45. I like Sherrod Brown too.

[840high]

60. Like.

[MFM008]

13. I will trust HRCs choice

no matter who.

[cwydro]

14. No way on earth will she choose him for VP.

And for a basketful of reasons.

I doubt he'd accept anyway.

But I think his run has been good for the party and good for Hillary.

[LiberalFighter]

19. Work on down-ballots too.

If you don't want to work on the Presidential campaign do the next best thing. It frees up volunteers that want to work them.

[lovemydog]

25. Offline: choose three or more friends

to kindly discuss the importance of voting in every election, including local, state and congressional elections. Be positive and optimistic. Help people get to the polls.

Online: treat others the way you'd like to be treated.

[bettyellen]

40. I love you lovemydog! You always say what my best self would say. Thanks!

[lovemydog]

47. I love you too b e!

You have great common sense. Something we need more of around here.

I swear some folks post 'the sky is falling!' crap ten times a day. Bleccccchhhh.

[auntpurl]

27. I don't hate Bernie.

And I am a very big Hillary supporter!

[bettyellen]

42. We don't hate Bernie. He does suck for not congratulating her but whatever....

He's got that antisocial vibe anyway. I think she should tap him to work on further reform of the financial industry - under Warren. And he should be stumping for senate approval of our SCOTUS nominations- in this and in the coming years. He needs to actually hold some Republicans feet tot the fire too.

[Vattel]

28. She won't choose Bernie, but I hope she does choose someone to her left on issues

of war and peace, the war on drugs, capital punishment, immigration reform, TPP, fracking, etc. A progressive on the ticket would improve the ticket and would give young people more motivation to vote.

[Gothmog]

29. I would like to see Elizabeth Warren as VP

She is an effective surrogate and would unify the party

[matt819]

31. Bernie is not going to be her vp pick

Not when her campaign is quoted as saying Bernie is just an afterthought to them.

Hillary doesn't have to unify the party. Her supporters are her supporters. That's easy. Non supporters, like me, will have to decide whether to vote for her to keep trump out of the White House. Nothing she can say or do will help me make that decision. She is who she is. She's not going to change to bring on Bernie supporters. So don't expect any grand gestures.

Me? I will vote for the Democrat. The alternative is too dangerous. These are decisions each of us has to make. We may not like how things turned out. Maybe there was corruption. Maybe the process needs to change on the future. But this is what we have now. You may not like her - I don't - but she's tough, smart, etc. The rest we all have to come to terms with.

[Downwinder]

32. That will be a test of leadership.

[LexVegas]

36. Nope. Unacceptable. nt

[baldguy]

38. Start by recognizing that the nominee of the party is the nominee of the party.

The VP shouldn't have an active campaign for President going on.

[Downwinder]

63. .

Kennedy/LBJ

[Starry Messenger]

39. Not going to happen.

[Number23]

41. I have no interest, even in passing, as having Sanders as the VP choice

The rancor does need to end but it is beyond easy to see that most Democrats have lined up behind Hillary and have for many, many months.

[RobertEarl]

58. Lets hope Hillary does!

She surely recognizes the unifying aspect that picking Bernie would bring to our party. And it would balance the ticket nicely.

[gollygee]

43. She needs a younger VP

And he is valuable in the Senate.

Maybe give him more of a voice in Democratic Party platform issues.

[HereSince1628]

44. Bitter rancor only happens when people care, apathy from the turned ofd is just as dangerous

Personally, I think giving this issue a rest would be useful.

November is a long way away, there isn't anything urgent about it.

Just leave people to their thoughts and most will sort out things for themselves.

[bravenak]

46. Nope

[Adrahil]

49. I think Bernie would be an awful VP....

It's just not in his character to subordinate himself to someone he doesn't completely believe in, which he would have to be willing to do.

I think we need to seriously consider Bernie's platform proposals. That doesn't mean we adopt them all, but give them a good hearing.

Lastly, consider some process reforms he has proposed. I'd support eliminating super-delegates if we eliminated caucuses in return. I understand some states don't do party registration, so that may make closed primaries in all states impossible, but at the least, the caucuses have to go.

[RobertEarl]

52. He'd be a great VP

He's a US Senator and an independent so he's used to getting smacked down and having to do a work-around.

The party does need to seriously consider Bernie's positions and adopt most of those positions. I can't think of one that would be bad for the party. And it seems no one else can either.

As for super delegates... if Bernie had gotten one more pledged delegate than Hillary I think we'd be hearing a different story from those in favor.

Alas, the turnout this primary was far below the last one, meaning that democracy is not being well served.

[Adrahil]

57. We'll have to disagree...

Bernie has many fine qualities. Being a team player is not one of them, IMO. He remained an Independent all those years for a reason: he did not want to be bound by the party.

I have no doubt some would change their tune with regards to the Super-D's. The Super-D's were there to protect the party, and some, no doubt, think that Bernie is the kind of guy to protect from. I disagree. I think if it were essentially tied, the Super'D's MIGHT have favored Clinton, but if he had a clear majority, I couldn't see them overturning that. Meh, get rid of 'em and stop worrying about it says I.

[RobertEarl]

61. He's a fantastic team player

He joined with the Dems in all the congressional votes and worked across the aisle when needed.

He ran as an Indie in his state because it got him elected. He would never run as a republican.

America likes indies. That's why the majority of voters are indies. Hillary taking on an indie would show she is a team player.

[Adrahil]

62. Ok. Like I said, we disagree. I'm not even sure he would accept it if it were offered. NT

[YOHABLO]

53. I think Secretary Clinton will choose someone other than BS or EW. I just have a gut feeling.

[RobertEarl]

54. As we see, if she does pick Benire

Even those previously opposed to Bernie would readily accept him. That would be very unifying and be an affirmation of his stature and recognition of the 12 million voters who chose him.

[longship]

55. Ummm! No!

I voted and support Bernie, but Bernie as Hillary's VEEP is an even worse idea than Elizabeth Warren as Hillary's VEEP, which itself is very close to being impossible.

Neither would do it. And people should know that a priori.

[Tarc]

64. We're fine and united already, we don't need to reach 100%

There will be a handful of holdouts, but overall, most who voted in the Democratic primaries will do so again in the fall.

[DemonGoddess]

68. Nope.

The fact that he's got years of showing how much of a team player he is not, is the biggest reason for me.

Other than that, I will trust my candidate to pick a VP that she can work with, and that will work for this ticket.