Why Biden should choose an African American for VP

[bluewater]

That's the widespread conventional wisdom, but some people have been suggesting a Biden - Klobuchar ticket to win back those mid-west blue Wall states.

Choosing Klobuchar would probably be a bad idea according to Sahil Kapur at NBC News:

Link to tweet

As a core Democratic constituency, African American voters deserve the respect of having a racially balanced ticket. Especially this year when black support was the main reason Biden is now the presumptive nominee.

And I say this as a progressive and active former Warren supporter. Senator Warren would make a great VP, but not this year.

[OrlandoDem2]

1. Correct. Trump is also going to try to peel away a few black voters and that'll make a difference

Trump is excellent at cutting the margins.

If he loses the black vote by 85%-15% instead of 90%-15% he could win. We can’t let that happen.

[left-of-center2012]

2. Biden should choose the best qualified person

Regardless of race, gender, etc.

[Turin_C3PO]

4. There's plenty

of African-American women who would meet that criteria.

[Dem4Life1102]

16. BS he needs to pick who will best help him win

That is the only consideration.

[ElementaryPenguin]

43. ABSOLUTELY!

[Cha]

57. hey.. it can be both!

[Dem4Life1102]

72. Maybe but

winning is the priority.

[Codeine]

52. Race and gender are an inherent part of qualification

for a position like this.

[Ohiogal]

3. Makes perfect sense.

[Music Man]

5. I agree that Klobuchar doesn't get Biden anything.

Biden can do well in the midwest without Klobuchar--it would be a lost opportunity. The only reason he would pick her is if he truly feels she's the best person for the vice presidency.

If he's looking for a female person of color, then Kamala Harris is it. I truly don't think Stacey Abrams is in consideration. She hasn't won anything of significance yet. Catherine Cortez Masto might be a dark horse, but I think she has so little name recognition, I just can't see it.

My money is still on Warren. She would help balance him ideologically, seasoned campaigner, experienced in government, bring in Sanders folks, and have no problem going toe-to-toe with Pence.

[pattyloutwo]

28. Other important considerations

I agree with you, MM: “My money is still on Warren. She would help balance him ideologically, seasoned campaigner, experienced in government, bring in Sanders folks, and have no problem going toe-to-toe with Pence.”

[onetexan]

32. Either Kamala or Warren would be fine with me, but having Warren on the ticket would mean 2

70+ folks on the ticket. I would lean more towards Kamala.

Catherine CM is brilliant, but as you've said little name recognition. Stacey Adams needs national experience first. We've witnessed the incompetence of an administration composed of people with little to no governing experience, esp'ly at the national level. I'm very glad there are so many highly qualified female candidates. Assuming Joe wins the WH we will have a good crop for Joe to fill appointment positions with to give them national exposure & foreign policy experience.

[Bucky]

33. But with Warren on the ticket, we can lock down Massachusetts

... and most of Rhode Island

[Music Man]

36. I don't think regional/state considerations have as much force anymore.

It's more about who personally balances or enhances the ticket in a way that advances the national narrative.

A great example is 2008. We were in no danger of losing Delaware and its three electoral votes, but Biden brought so many other qualities to the ticket.

[onetexan]

38. agree

[onetexan]

37. LOL MA should just annex Rhode Island. It's the size of a thumb :)

I think Warren should best stay in the Senate to keep that seat and help Dems regain control of the Senate. If she leaves the GOP governor will appoint a GOP candidate for sure.

[JustAnotherGen]

6. Duckworth

And Val Demmings.

Val in particular in Florida.

I would also be open to the Governor of Michigan.

[onetexan]

39. Val Demings doesn't have the name recognition, & Gretchen Whitmer is best staying as governor of MI

She was just elected less than 2 years ago. We need to keep her there to keep the state blue-leaning.

[JustAnotherGen]

76. So what about Duckworth?

What's wrong with her?

[onetexan]

77. There's nothing wrong with Tammy. I love her and admire her so much, but she's better in the Senate

since we need her Senate seat.

[JustAnotherGen]

78. Hmm - I'm for her

Her standing against Pence? And I believe Biden could set her free - they are very much in alignment.

[Dream Girl]

7. Really bad idea. Black people view Amy as a slap in the face.

On the other had, a black woman would excite turn out. Klochar would be a dumb move.

[Celerity]

14. +1000

She has problematic racial/legal issues in her background and polled even worse than Pete (sigh) with my fellow PoC. Plus she has temperment issues IMHO, not just with her staff, but ones that were exposed in the debates. Biden really is doubling down hard on a Kaine-style ramrod job if he goes with Klobuchar. I really, really want to see him choose a woman of colour for VP, there are multiple great ones to choose from. I personally have been saying for a year plus now that Stacey Abrams would make a superb running mate for any of the male candidates. Harris would be great too. I really like Susan Rice, but picking her ensures a Benghazi free-for-all redux via the scum Rethugs, although they will stoop to subterranean levels of rot no matter who Biden chooses, so maybe he just says fuck it and rolls the dice.

[onetexan]

40. Kamala would be good for VEEP. Amy K for a cabinet position. Both extremely talented women.

[hangaleft]

44. "...a black woman would excite turnout."

That hits the nail right on the head.

Blacks are loyal Democratic voters. Over 90% of Black voters will vote for the Democratic ticket.

But, here’s the rub — They will come out to vote in significantly higher numbers if Joe’s running mate is Black. Even better if she’s a Black woman — such a VP choice would also bolster the vote of women. In particular, moderate Republican women.

I think it’s gonna be Kamala Harris. But, Val Demmings would be an excellent choice, too.

Choosing Klobuchar would be a huge boneheaded mistake. A Biden/Harris ticket would be a solid ticket. As close to a sure thing as you’ll find. And Harris is more than qualified to serve a president should circumstances require it.

Biden/Harris. I guarantee you that that’s gonna be the ticket. Of course, I could be wrong :/

[radius777]

54. Agree. And Biden's appeal to PoC has been that

he's associated with a younger person of color (Obama).

He needs to keep that association (by picking a younger WoC) - otherwise will see his PoC support drop off like Hillary did by picking Kaine (she should've picked Booker or Castro).

[Sloumeau]

8. I completely agree.

I believe that ideally, Biden will pick an African American woman for VP. I believe that Black Americans not participating in the 2016 Presidential election hurt Hillary badly. If Biden chooses someone like Kamala Harris, Stacey Abrams, or Val Demmings, I believe that Joe Biden will kick Trump's butt.

If Senator Elizabeth Warren wants to move from Senator to the Biden Administration, she should be considered for Secretary of State, Secretary of Treasury, Secretary of Labor, or some other high-level position. Beating Trump is just too important.

[judeling]

9. Biden should pick who he is most comfortable with

But the pundit class has never figured out how to read data.
Comparing results of a Democratic Primary to the General Election is to a large extent just plain stupid. Does anyone actually think Bernie is a better candidate for North Dakota then Biden because he won a caucus?

2016 Primaries clearly should a depressed level of Democratic enthusiasm. That our core Democratic base showed a depressed turnout is of no surprise at all and says nothing about 2020 with the (until virus) more elevated levels.

That doesn't even count how the Reality of Trump is so much worse then the Idea of Trump was.

[Dem4Life1102]

22. I'm a white male from NYC and

I want an African American woman from the South.

[Codeine]

53. Meh. I'm a middle-age white dude

and I’ve been all-in for Kamala Harris for a long time now.

[rickyhall]

11. What's wrong with Sen. Kamala Harris?

[Dem4Life1102]

17. She comes from a solid blue state

and doesn’t put a single swing state in play. Her history as a prosecutor won’t help attract progressives.

[rickyhall]

20. Your point?

[Dem4Life1102]

21. I was answering your question

There are other African American women who would be a better choice than Harris. She doesn’t do much to enhance the ticket.

[rickyhall]

24. Opinion...

[Dem4Life1102]

25. Can you dispute what I posted?

What swing states does Harris put in play?

[Bucky]

34. Harris would be a great choice

Don't let one poster troll you if they don't have an argument to share

[Dem4Life1102]

42. What swing state does she help flip?

Simple question I’m still waiting on answer for.

[hangaleft]

45. To answer your question...

There are large Black constituencies in WI, MI, OH, IL and PA who will turn out to vote in greater numbers if a Black running mate is on the ticket, and those high numbers of Black voters will vote for the Biden/Harris ticket. That is how adding Harris to the ticket bolsters our chances in the Midwest (and NC and GA). Harris also has the experience to step up to the presidency if necessary. Abrams doesn’t have the name recognition that Harris has. And a P.S. — I’m a heavily left leaning 70 yo White male Warren Democrat and I have no problems with Harris’ prosecutorial resumé, she would not be a deterrent to me and I doubt she would be a deterrent to many other progressives. If anybody’s gonna be a deterrent to progressives it’s gonna be the top of the ticket! What I’m saying is, if progressives can be persuaded to support Biden, the addition of Harris isn’t going to dissuade them.

Edited to add Illinois

[Bucky]

48. Florida, North Carolina, possibly Georgia

[Dem4Life1102]

68. Some good points

but aren’t there other African American women who would do the same without Harris’ baggage and come from the south?

Just one last thing experience doesn’t matter. Never has.

[hangaleft]

73. To answer your question, yes

Both Abrams and Demmings would make excellent additions to the ticket. I’m not saying experience is everything, but all things being equal, as a prospective employer I’ll always prefer the experienced candidate over the inexperienced.

I’m not wed to Harris. She does have her drawbacks. She also has her attributes. She remains my preference, but any of the three would be fine by me.

The only prospective candidate I do feel strongly about is Klobuchar. I think it would be a massive misstep to add her to the ticket.

Edit: Leaving out Warren was not an oversight. She’s too liberal for Biden. She’s another “old” candidate. She’s White, and I think a person of color is highly desirable, if not a necessity. And her Senate seat would be given to a Republican if she left her Senate seat. I love Liz. She was my choice for president from Day 1. But I don’t think she’d be a good choice for VP.

[Dem4Life1102]

74. More good points

especially about Warren and Klobuchar. Warren would help with progressives but that’s all. Klobuchar would be Tim Kaine 2.0.

[Dream Girl]

46. Multiple swings states with large African populations

Black turnout work be huge. I’m thinking he and his strategists knows this

[Dem4Life1102]

69. Very true

but Harris isn’t the only African American women available.

[Dream Girl]

75. Agree.

[Bucky]

47. Hey, remember how John Edwards flipped North Carolina?

How Paul Ryan help to flip Wisconsin in 2012?
How Jack Kemp flipped New York in 1996?
How Lloyd bentsen flipped Texas in 1988?

Other than arguably Al Gore in 92 and 96, you would have to go back to 1960 to find a VP candidate who may have made a difference in winning his state. So with all due respect, you're applying a 19th century concept to a 21st century problem.

VP nominees do not flip home states. There's simply no historical evidence to argue that. It's a myth only believed by people who don't understand politics.

So, what states would Kamala Harris flip? Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania. She will activate the African American vote that simply did not turn out for Clinton-Kaine 4 years ago. That's 80 electoral college votes. That's your answer

[Dem4Life1102]

70. Good point about the African American vote

but aren’t there other African American women who actually come from say Georgia or Florida who might better help flip those states and don’t have Harris’ baggage as a prosecutor?

[Bucky]

79. Val Demmings is getting a lot of buzz on DU

Google her, you'll be impressed.

I don't think she's as sharp in her delivery as Harris.

But then I mostly support candidates based on who might play them in SNL skits

[Dem4Life1102]

80. She could help put Florida in play

As well as states like Virginia and North Carolina. She is a possibility.

[radius777]

49. Kamala helps in Sunbelt states similar to CA,

like AZ, TX, GA, NC.

Kirsten Sinema (Sen-AZ, who ran and won a very close race) did rallies with Kamala.

Kamala is attractive w/starpower and that translates well in a general election w/all types of constituencies, especially the Obama coalition.

Her prosecutor record helps w/moderate women who helped us win the blue wave.

[Dem4Life1102]

71. Star power like Sarah Palin?

Her Star power didn’t help in the primaries. Is there any polling data to support that she would help flip any of those states?

[OnDoutside]

30. I'll play.

Her judgement in going after Biden, over bussing, can't have endeared her to the Biden campaign.

Her judgement in jumping on the Bernie M4A bandwagon, saying she would get rid of private healthcare, and then having to walk that back.

Her campaigning for herself was distinctly underwhelming, which was the real reason her campaign petered out, not that there was an anti woman bias. I'd be concerned what she could bring to the Biden campaign, having witnessed that.

Being from California adds nothing to the ticket strategically, apart from Newsome being the one to nominate a replacement.

We know Joe will pick a woman running mate. I have said for months that I believe it will be an African American woman, probably appealing to the more progressive end of the party. My money is on Stacey Abrams if he goes that way, though Val Demmings really enhanced her reputation during the impeachment trial. I don't think Klobuchar brings an energy to the ticket, but that's just my opinion.

[Bucky]

35. Actually her attacking Biden on busing is the strongest plus in her column

It shows he's not afraid of diverse opinions and he's accepting of those who have criticized him. That's about the most unTrump-like thing someone can do.

[radius777]

51. It also shows she's comfortable as attack dog

which is an important trait for a VP.

[Walleye]

12. Kamala Harris. To me he looks most comfortable with her.

He would probably like the sort of relationship that he had with Obama. Also, even though California is a deep blue state, she got millions of people to vote for her.

[NCProgressive]

13. Bernie sycophant Sahil Kapur doesn't get to decide this

People above his pay grade and IQ level will make the decision.

[still_one]

26. +++

[Mosby]

15. Val Demings checks every box. Nt

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287678032

[Dem4Life1102]

18. She does

[Dem4Life1102]

19. Klobuchar would be Tim Kaine 2.0

[OnDoutside]

31. Well said.

[pamdb]

23. Biden and sanders

Biden and Harris, Biden and Harris, Biden and Harris...

[Funtatlaguy]

27. Ideally he'd pick a 45 year old Latina. He struggles with youth & Hispanics.

[customerserviceguy]

41. Agreed

Especially since the Trump humpers are going to push the "Obama was the deporter-in-chief, and Biden stood idly by," meme.

Having the Hispanic community energized would be most helpful this year.

[oasis]

29. Biden guaranteed he'd nominate an AA woman to the Supreme Court.

He said his cabinet would look like America. While I believe there's no imperative that he choose Amy K., he shouldn't feel he has an obligation to pick a woman of color, although I'd be most pleased if he did.

[NCProgressive]

50. Interesting

People who predicted and cheered on Biden's demise and said negative things about him are the first in line to give him advice.

SMH

[hangaleft]

56. I'm not thrilled it's Biden

It’s clear to me that Biden is considered the “safe” candidate most likely to beat Trump, and that progressivism took a back seat to Democratic voters’ apparent #1 priority — unseating Trump.

If that’s the case, I’m simply expressing my opinion as to how to go all in in that endeavor. Personally, I’d rather see Elizabeth Warren as Biden’s running mate. But Warren wouldn’t advance the apparent #1 objective. She’s White, she’s extremely progressive and she’s relatively old.

Just because I support (present tense) Warren for president doesn’t disqualify me from having an opinion regarding the best choice Biden can make to maximize his chances of beating Trump.

I remain disappointed that Democratic voters didn’t seize a once in a generation opportunity to move the country forward with a progressive, electable woman candidate for president. I still feel we made a mistake in going with an old school candidate who either doesn’t see or refuses to accept that Republicans are not our opponents, they are the enemy and we are literally at war for the soul of our country. And that “working across the aisle” isn’t gonna fly.

But, that’s who Democratic voters in their infinite wisdom chose, and I will vote for him. And I’m merely adding my 2¢ that, given Democratic voters’ apparent priority, I believe Kamala Harris on the ticket stands the best chance of beating Trump.

[Cha]

58. Biden is The BEST Candidate..

he has the most Experience to Start getting rid of the Muck on Day ONE.


The VOTERS WANT BIDEN and it's "CLEAR" to me that We Need UNITY and not anyone Bringing GLOOM.

We're Going to WIN with BIDEN. I trust the Democratic Voters like James Clyburn, Amy Klobuchar, and Pete Buttigieg, who are Patriots, to know who would be the best President for our Country at this Point in History!

[hangaleft]

59. We are each entitled to our own *opinions*

I respect your opinion. I hope you respect mine.

[Cha]

60. Yeah yeah.. but that tired ol Talking POINT/Meme of the "safe candidate"

is Way Past its Due Date.

[hangaleft]

61. I hear ya. I'm equally tired of listening to cheerleaders who offer no substance

We’ve each got our burdens to bear.

[Cha]

62. Biden is Loaded with "Substance".. and we're

moving Forward to Beat Trump.

Warren Dropped OUT.

[hangaleft]

64. Your response strikes me as awfully "meme-ish", lacking substance

Have a nice day!

[Cha]

65. Why are you insulting me with a personal attack? We were talking

about Biden and you're taking it to a personal level.

[hangaleft]

66. I apologize if I insulted you

Let’s conclude our brief intercourse and focus on what we have in common — a desire to see Trump defeated.

Take care.

[Cha]

67. Okay.. I accept.. Thank you!

[Lulu KC]

55. I don't think he needs Klobuchar

I don't know who he does need, but he'll do fine in the Midwest, won't he?
Where does he need help? What doesn't he have?

[Sapient Donkey]

63. I feel like Klobuchar has a lot of overlap with Biden in views and supporters

I would much rather see someone else. While I don't think race or gender should be the primary consideration factor (but should be consider for the pros and cons), I would rather seem someone who complements him. I think Warren would be great as VP. Not 'cause of her gender, but because I think she's smart and would bring a good balance to the table. Not to mention maybe bring over some of the more progressive folks who say they refuse to vote for Biden. I could also see Cory Booker doing well as VP. He came off as smart and well put together (contrast with Biden at times). I also didn't see a whole lot of attacks sent toward him while he was running. I don't know if that's because he's just well liked and doesn't have much to go after him on, or if he was just ignored 'cause no one saw him as a threat. I think Harris might have a similar problem as Amy Klobuchar based on their past jobs in the legal system. Both of them have some past issues that may mostly be nonsense, but nonetheless are exploitable. They both have "she's a cop" label thrown at them.

These are my mostly half-baked and probably uneducated observations. I could be totally be off on my assessments. Feel free to correct me if i said anything blatantly incorrect or illogical.