A Lot Of Us Biden Fans Have Long Wanted Harris As His VP For Some Very Good Reasons

[Sloumeau]

Over these past months of the 2020 Democratic Presidential Campaign, a number of Biden fans, including me, have indicated repeatedly that we think Senator Kamala Harris would make a great VP for Joe Biden. We haven't suggested this because we don't think that Senator Harris was good enough to be President or deserving enough to be President. In fact, the exact opposite is true. Many of us Biden fans would have strongly considered Senator Harris as our first pick if Joe Biden was not in the race. Please let me explain all of the reasons why so many Biden fans have wanted, and still want, to see Kamala Harris as Joe Biden's VP:

1. We think that she is the total package: smart, well educated, and incredibly hard-working. We think she's a winner and we want a winner on our team.

2. She's a person of color and a woman, and we really want to help elevate both people of color and women.

3. We think that Kamala Harris on the ticket will help bring unity to the Democratic Party. We figure if Joe Biden shows that he very much wants Senator Harris on the ticket, even after she was a bit tough on him in that first debate, it will show everyone that Joe doesn't hold grudges and that he wants to include all Democrats in his strategy.

4. There's another reason that many of us Biden fans would like to see Senator Kamala Harris as Joe Biden's VP pick. We noticed the terrible racism and sexism that happened in the 2016 campaign, and we think that the intersectionality of Senator Kamala Harris being both a woman and person of color might under normal circumstances make her run for President if she were the nominee tougher than it might be for either a white woman or a man of color. However, we also know that about a third of Vice Presidents go on to become President, and a lot of that has to do with their increased stature and national recognition from being Vice President. Many of us believe that a Kamala Harris Vice Presidency may simply be the quickest way to get an African American woman to become President.

5. We think that a Joe Biden/Kamala Harris ticket would crush Donald Trump. Biden has shown repeatedly in polls that he's the one most likely to beat Donald Trump. He'll give us the Democratic votes, the Independent votes, and the Rust Belt votes we need. In addition, Kamala Harris should help us to get votes from men, women, and people of all colors nationwide. Together, their ticket is diverse and probably gives the Democrats the best chance of kicking the Orange Menace out of the White House--and we Biden fans want that very, very much.

So, to summarize, we Biden fans have not been saying that we want Senator Kamala Harris to be Joe Biden's VP because we think so little of her. We want her to be Joe Biden's VP because we think so much of her and because we think very much that she can greatly help us to win. Because we like Joe Biden so much, we see him as our Michael Jordan. We feel that we also need our Scottie Pippen, someone who is a great star in their own right, in order for the Democrats to maximize their potential for winning in November 2020.

For many of us Joe Biden fans, we hope very much that Joe Biden wins the nomination, that he asks Senator Kamala Harris to be his VP, and that she accepts. We don't want Joe to offer her a consolation prize. We want Joe to offer her a ticket to the White House and to greatly improve her chances of getting there on her own someday. We aren't just trying to look out for White America or male America. We are trying to look out for all of America. Happy Holidays everyone, and may whoever wins the nomination beat Trump like a drum!

[Funtatlaguy]

1. She would be a great VP pick for him.

[padah513]

2. Agreed

Wouldn't make a bad AG either. In fact, I think I'd prefer her in that role. A lot of people got away with a lot of crap during this administration. I'd like to see a few of them receive some much-deserved justice. Maybe even do a full re-vetting of Kavanaugh. Christine Ford deserves no less.

[True Blue American]

3. AG, yes!

VP, Mayor Pete, or Warren.

[Funtatlaguy]

4. Biden would need a woman and not a staunchly progressive one.

Harris or Klobuchar or Abrams.

[delisen]

5. Why do you think Biden would "re-vet" Kavanaugh?

That would seem to be in conflict with his "get along with the other side" plan and would be extremely divisive.

[DownriverDem]

20. She'd be great

and a uniter too. We have never had a woman VP. Our country needs to wake up.

[Tarheel_Dem]

6. Wouldn't Abrams be a better choice? CA is never in play for Republicans. Considering how...

close Stacey came, and how she motivated the AA community, especially women of color, I think she'd make a much better #2. However, Kamala Harris would totally rock as AG.

[Sloumeau]

7. I believe that Stacy Abrams would make an awesome VP.

However, when looking at a VP, I take all kinds of things into consideration. When Choosing a VP, we should always be looking at a potential future President. U.S. Presidents have mainly come from three sources: U.S. Senators, Governors, and Generals. Kamala Harris, as a U.S. Senator, fits the mold and might make the transition more smoothly. Yet, there is no overlooking Stacy Abrams appealing personality and incredible energy, so, I'd also be pretty happy with Abrams as VP.

[DownriverDem]

21. Good point

Usually a VP pick is to help the ticket state wise too. I'm sure this will be looked at carefully too.

[hlthe2b]

8. While I understand those who've suggested/wished that Biden would chose Harris as VP, should he

ultimately prevail and get the nomination and I've thought that too, the need to bring in electoral college votes in states that are battlegrounds, might preclude California's Kamala Harris. Don't get me wrong--I really love her and think she'd be a great choice, but... big picture pragmatism may ultimately prevail. There is nothing that will be accomplished for any of us nor any group of us, without defeating Trump.

But, Klobuchar could be a good choice that clicks off all the necessary boxes and I'd imagine both her positions and temperament would mesh well with Biden.

Not to get ahead of ourselves of course. There is one heck of a long way to go until the nomination.

[IronLionZion]

9. VP is for more than winning the election

we saw how well Biden worked with Obama as VP. Those two were a great team, and he wasn't chosen to win Delaware. A president needs a VP he/she can work with on all sorts of stuff.

I'm with you on choosing a minority or woman as VP, but doubt a powerful US Senator from our largest and most liberal state would want to give up that position.

[Pacifist Patriot]

15. If Biden does choose someone currently in office (of any kind)...

we're best off if he chooses someone in a very safe Democratic district or state. I'd be delighted with Stacy Abrams, but I don't think Kamala Harris would turn down a place on the ticket because she's a powerful U S Senator from our largest and most liberal state. A heart beat away from the highest office in the land isn't exactly a step down the ladder.

Whomever he chooses, I hope it is someone he can partner with like he did with Obama, and who doesn't put a vulnerable office into play.

[CTyankee]

24. I think you are right in your analysis. Stacy is a coming star but Kamala is already a star and she

would be great on a ticket with Biden.

The only concern I have is with Biden's health. I don't think advanced age has been kind to him.

So let it be...

[efhmc]

10. VP would be a good combo but I think she would be more valuabe as AG.

[Pacifist Patriot]

17. I thought that as well, until someone reminded me of Sally Yates.

I think Ms. Yates would do a great job cleaning up the corruption if she has any interest in the position. Honestly, I'd be delighted with either as AG.

[peggysue2]

30. My dream ticket has always been Biden/Harris

Yet I understand the electoral college strategy in which Amy Klobuchar becomes very attractive. That being said, Stacy Abrams would be a knockout choice. The suggestion that surprised (and delighted) me was Sally Yates. Her standup against the Trump Administration based on principle and law was a beautiful thing to witness.

If Biden takes the nomination, he'll have a rich field to choose from, so the VP selection doesn't worry me much beyond the gender choice. I think the choice of a woman is the way to go and sets up that individual for her own presidential run. It's long overdue and would go a long way in healing the disaster and disappointment of 2016.

[Pacifist Patriot]

31. Agreed.

[ashredux]

11. Total agreement....

I’ve been thinking the same since she entered the race. Biden’s comments yesterday were right in line with such a move

[True Blue American]

13. AG

Would be Harris expertises.

[TidalWave46]

12. Good post and I enjoyed reading it.

There is a problem with one thing you emphasize. Now it the time to talk about this. Every mention of it before today was really nothing more than a slap to Harris and her supporters. Doesn’t matter if you qualified it by saying she is qualified.

There are a lot of people I would put before Harris if Biden wins. I say that as someone who could easily vote for Harris for President.

Enjoyed reading.

[bucolic_frolic]

14. Kamala Harris doesn't add California to the Democratic Electoral College total

California is already there.

[honest.abe]

18. Who then?

Warren? Nope, we already have Massachusetts.
Sanders? Nope, we already have Vermont.
Klobuchar? Nope, we likely have MN already.
Pete? Nope, we arent going to get Indiana.
Booker? Nope, we already have NJ.
Beto? Maybe, but doubt we win TX.
Abrams? Maybe, but doubt we win GA.

My point is that geography doesn't really matter anymore. Few VPs in recent history have been picked to bring a certain state in the election. Its more about how they match up and complement the nominee. IMO, Harris is a near perfect VP for Biden. She has charisma, energy, intellect, charm and is tough as nails. She will be Biden's attack dog when they try to go after him with baseless lies and accusations. She also will help with the Latino and AA vote and with women and she is young.. in relative terms.

Biden/Harris is a winner... imo.

[bucolic_frolic]

25. "Few VPs in recent history have been picked to bring a certain state in the election."

except for Kerry-Edwards, Trump-Pence (brought the midwest), Clinton-Gore (brought the south), Clinton-Kaine (Virginia)

A Californian on the ticket will alienate many GOP moderates or independent conservatives in purple states. It's a terrible choice in my view.

[honest.abe]

29. Huh??

Edwards? NC was very Red at the time.
Pence? Indiana is a solid Red state.
Kaine? Virginia is a Blue state now.
Gore? Tennesse.. a Red state.

None of those guys were picked specifically to win their state. They were picked for broader reasons.. which is my point with Kamala.

[left-of-center2012]

16. nope

not going to happen

[Gothmog]

19. I like a Biden/Harris Ticket

[Hortensis]

22. Biden/Harris? Biden/Warren?

The OP laid out some good points, and I've liked the sound of Biden/Harris from the beginning, when Harris of course didn't want that to cross any minds.

On this subject, it's worth knowing also that those stories of the hostile Biden-Warren "feud" are... malarkey.

In 2015, when Biden was considering running, he already had one running mate and future vice-cum-assistant president in mind: Elizabeth Warren. He and Warren even met to discuss it, and the word from his people was that she was noncommital but door open. As we know, Hillary also wanted Warren as VP, but two (white) women, etc.

Although We the People have already elected our first woman president, an election blocked by the electoral college's failure to perform its function, we've still to elect our first female VP.

[world wide wally]

23. I agree with the OP 100%

She is also great at turning a phrase. I'm sure she could handle Pence or Nikki Haley

[samnsara]

26. i always thought it would be my dream ticket but she lost me the first debate when she...

....yelled at Joe. To me it came across as bullying. I would love to see her as AG however..

[beachbumbob]

27. obvious choice as she would ADD to his ability to win in states that hillary lost

and no other VP selection would do.

[MineralMan]

28. Yes. I've been suggesting that all along.

I think she'd be an excellent choice.

[The Valley Below]

32. Nope.

I see three essential elements of a good VP pick for Joe Biden:

1) The choice should help the ticket (and Democrats running for Congress and statewide races) win. Especially in critical and winnable swing States like WI, MI, MN, PA, FL, and AZ (non-exclusive list).

2) The VP should be a person with a demonstrated ability to help move legislation through Congress, especially if there is a (god forbid) GOP majority in the Senate.

3) The person should be a true partner to the president. Someone he can trust without reservation.

I've said it before, but I think Joe Biden has a model for an ideal set of characteristics he has for a VP that's based on what he brought to the Obama/Biden team.

In my estimation, Kamala Harris doesn't meet any of these criteria.

[Gothmog]

33. Joe appears to be open to considering Harris

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[honest.abe]

34. Good on Joe!

Kamala for VP!