When choosing a VP, it's not just about who you would "like" it to be. It's the WHOLE picture.

[RBInMaine]

Warren is a VERY smart attack dog. She excites the progressive base, but who else does she bring into the tent? And the plain hard fact is this is America and gender balance is needed at this juncture in our history. But well beyond that, she just brings no regional balance. She brings no additional demographics into our fold. MA and NY are both northeastern blue states. And Warren arguably is not ready to be commander in chief. She is great in the Senate, and I think we need her there now.

Julian Castro is an attractive guy in some ways. He brings some regional balance, but will even he be able to help push solid red TX into the blue column? Doubtful. He would excite Hispanics and young people and get more of them to vote. Is he ready to be President if necessary? Sad to ask this, but would they make an issue of the "Castro" name? Sorry, but gotta ask. Remember, this is Kentucky Fried America and the GOP we are talking about here.

My top choices are Sherrod Brown (who is my TOP choice) and Tim Kaine. Brown is from a swing state and relates very well to working class whites while exciting the progressive base. He helps carry the KEY swing state of OH. (But, like Warren, he'd be replaced in the Senate by a RePuke governor.)

Tim Kaine has been a governor and a Senator, is brilliant, speaks Spanish, has a great relationship with the Hispanic community, and helps bring purple VA into our column. Sure, he isn't as "exciting" as Warren, but he actually brings more to the table in many ways. And he'd be replaced in the Senate by a Dem governor.

I also wish they would consider Brian Schweitzer, the former Montana governor. I really like that guy. He brings a great deal of charisma and balance to the table, and helps with many constituencies we should be targeting, again working class whites, rural folks, etc. He is from Western Montana which Obama nearly won in 2008. Montana going blue is conceivable.

[JoePhilly]

1. And all should be awesome surrogates no matter what!!

Think about that!

Trump has who exactly??

Hillary is going to have a bunch of awesome Democrats who cross the spectrum in swing states eating Trumps lunch.

And Trump has no one. Oh wait ... he has Chris Christie!!!!!

[RBInMaine]

3. Great point! i.e. Warren will be working night and day to defeat Trump.

[JoePhilly]

5. YUP ...

... and Trump will continue to help by attacking Warren and the rest personally.

[MH1]

2. I agree with your analysis.

Personally, without taking region into account, I would love to see Corey Booker on the ticket. But there is zero chance of that due to the regional consideration. Actually I think my top choice would be Sherrod Brown. But isn't the price there, that Kasich would pick his replacement in the Senate?

[oswaldactedalone]

4. Gotta be Kaine

Not sure why there are so many negative reactions to Kaine on DU, but he's the smart choice.

[RBInMaine]

7. He is my close-second choice. He would be a very good pick because he brings so much to the table.

Many people want the "excitement" factor of a Warren or Castro. I understand that. But they need to understand that it is the BIG picture that is important and ALL the factors, not just the "excitement" factor.

[Lord Magus]

9. He has a history of social conservatism.

While he's moved left in recent years, he used to not only be anti-gay marriage but in favor of prohibiting all LGBT couples from adopting. The former used to be a common position even among Democrats, but the latter was right-wing even for the time.

[Motley13]

6. I agree

Sherrod Brown would be my 1st choice.
I love Warren, but she is so useful in the senate & Prez Hillary is going to need all the help she can get.
Not sure how much help Schweitzer would be, she needs Ohio

[RBInMaine]

8. Yup, and Tim Kaine as a close-second choice. I really like Warren, but she's best in the Senate now.