Sen. Jeff Merkley for Vice President?

[Coyotl]

Merkley for Vice President?

Robert Borosage, of the Campaign for America's Future, makes the case for Senator Jeff Merkley for Vice President:

Merkley offers real value. He’s the sole senator who endorsed Bernie Sanders in the primaries, an act of remarkable courage. Putting him on the ticket would pay tribute to the millions of voters who backed the Sanders surge. His presence would excite the young and independent voters that were at the heart of the Sanders vote. It would reassure skeptical labor activists. He would add credibility on trade, on investment, on Wall Street reform, on money and politics and on climate, all areas where doubts linger about Clinton’s commitment. He more than anyone other than Sanders himself can make the case about why the movement that Sanders helped to build needs to mobilize to rout Donald Trump in the fall. ...

He’s a progressive reformer with the courage of his convictions. He has already demonstrated his maturity in helping build a bridge between the Sanders and Clinton campaigns, even while pushing hard to have the Democratic platform express the commitment to progressive populist principles from campaign finance reform to a new trade policy.

Oregon has a Democratic governor and a requirement to hold a special election as soon as practicable. Merkley’s appointment would not risk a Senate seat.

OPB's Jeff Mapes picks up the story, noting that Merkley "has deflected questions about joining the presidential ticket by saying he sees other more likely candidates, such as Warren."

What do you think? Would it be a good idea for Hillary Clinton to put Merkley on the ticket? Do you think she will?

[cosmicone]

1. No way in hell

He doesn't add anything ... OR is already blue

[Coyotl]

4. What does Oregon being blue have to do wityh picking a good V-P candidate?

Of course Oregon is blue, they elected Merkley!

[cosmicone]

7. VP candidates are chosen to "balance" the ticket

and to deliver a swing state or a constituency.

Anyone who is in Jeff Merkley's electorate will already vote for Hillary -- he adds nothing.

[MissB]

8. A VP from a swing state makes sense.

And I'm from Oregon. But no, as a VP pick he wouldn't bring more Oregon voters to the table.

[Coyotl]

12. Picking a V-P to get more voters in 1 state is a losing proposition. IT IS A SIGN OF WEAKNESS.

Picking the very best possible V-P is a sign of strength.

[sufrommich]

2. He adds nothing to the ticket and most voters

would respond: "who?"

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Name recognition would be a problem.

[Coyotl]

10. And pop culture fame is NOT a qualification. Take Trump, for instance.

Jeff is a well-known, highly respected, progressive U.S. Senator. He is also an ordinary guy, not an elitist 1%'er.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

17. I'm not criticizing him; he's a good guy.

Just pointing out that, like it or not, name recognition is a BFD in electoral politics. Merkley might be well-known among people who pay close attention to such things, but I very much doubt that many ordinary voters who don't follow these things know who he is.

[Peigan68]

5. Not happening

He endorsed Bernie. That makes him dead in the Clinton's eyes.

[Coyotl]

9. FYI, Hillary and Jeff are friends.

[calimary]

6. NO!!!

NO!!!!!

An absolute non-starter.

[MohRokTah]

11. Not only no, BUT FUCK NO!!!! eom

[leftofcool]

13. Nope!

[DemocraticWing]

14. He also helped write the Equality Act.

Shocking to see such disrespect on here for somebody who, as much as any straight lawmaker, has pushed for LGBTQ rights.

[LoverOfLiberty]

16. I don't think its disrespect

Even though it comes off that way.

[Bluenorthwest]

23. I think it's disrespect and motivated by his strong advocacy for equality.

That's why it comes off like disrespect. It is disrespect. Walks like a duck? It's a duck.

[LoverOfLiberty]

24. Well, I've been a Clinton supporter from day one

and I live in Oregon and had no problem with Merkley endorsing Sanders. I also happen to be gay.

I think you just have a lot of very opinionated people who think that, for whatever reason, Merkley is the wrong person for the job. As a matter of fact, no matter who you offer up, you are going to get a lot of negative reaction to it.

[MissB]

28. I don't think it's disrespect.

I don't think he'd be a good pick. I'm am Oregonian and was thrilled when he took Smith's seat. He's done a great job, and I appreciate his work.

That doesn't mean he'd be a good VP pick. I'm a supporter of LBGTQ rights but that isn't the lens that I view his potential candidacy through.

So, no, not disrespect.

[eastwestdem]

15. Can't see it. nt

[HereSince1628]

18. The path to influence for progressives probably doesn't go through the Naval Observatory

Progressives can gain influence in the senate with fewer wins than the house as it's a smaller body. It also regularly runs up against rules about supermajorities which makes small cohesive blocs of sentators more significant.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

19. no, you need to trust your VP.

[BobbyDrake]

20. It doesn't take "courage" to notice that your constituents like a guy and then endorse him. It's CYA

Cover Your Ass.

Merkeley endorsed Sanders to keep his job in a deep-blue state. Courage? This column insults the meaning of the word.

[LWolf]

21. Hell NO.

I like my Senator right where he is, in the Senate. I don't want him leashed.

[Bluenorthwest]

22. Jeff would be a great choice if he'd take it, he's one of the few straight Democrats who is an

actual and consistent and proactive ally of LGBT and he's been a most excellent Senator.

[fun n serious]

25. He is my senator and has championed NOTHING

NOTHING at all.

[fun n serious]

26. I'm hoping for a primary opponent

He's a follower not a pioneer.