What do you think of a Biden-O'Rourke ticket in 2020?

[Cousin Dupree]

[UniteFightBack]

1. BIDEN/BETO is a winnnaaaahhhh. nt

[onetexan]

37. second that!!

[pnwmom]

66. Not when people learn about how Biden was behind the push to eliminate

bankruptcy protections for millennials who have overwhelming amounts of student debt. You can discharge any amount of credit card debt in bankruptcy, but if you have a mountain of student debt, forget it. It's not dischargeable in bankruptcy and you'll never get out from under it.

And we have Joe Biden, representing the Delaware financial industry, to thank for that. He was the KEY Democrat who pushed that through,

Between that and his failure to call corroborating witnesses for Anita Hill in the Clarence Thomas hearings, because of his "promise" to the Republicans, he would NOT be the right standard bearer for the party.

[EffieBlack]

72. And let's not forget his anti-integration stance in the '70s

Lots of baggage that was ignoref because he was Obama's running mate will have to be dealt with if he steps out on his own

[pnwmom]

74. Thank you, EffieBlack. Yes, that will come out, too.

He is not nearly the progressive people think he is. He's just been bathing in Obama's reflected glory, but his Presidency will NOT return us to the Obama years.

[cannabis_flower]

91. And that he was ...

one of the architects of mandatory minimum drugs sentences back in the mid 80's.

[EffieBlack]

93. And the Crime Bill he sponsored and voted for that Hillary was raked over the coals for

even though she didn't vote for it ...

[USALiberal]

2. Biden too old. Younger blood needed. nt

[agingdem]

28. o'rourke but as VP

biden is too old..it's not an agism thing (I'm 70) but it's time to pass the baton...I like Sherrod Brown (a youngish 66 from crucial Ohio)...Joe Kennedy..Kamala Harris..Andrew Gillum..

[skylucy]

70. I like a Sherrod Brown/ Kamala Harris ticket. I think that is a winner!

[monmouth4]

68. I don't want to see Biden on any ticket..n/t

[monmouth4]

73. Adam Schiff and whomever, we have a plethora of great possibilities..n/t

[agingdem]

86. I like Adam Schiff too

bc he's knowledgeable articulate gracious and calm...I miss calm

[brush]

85. Yes, and sorry, two white males won't play in Peoria or 2020 for Dems now.

At least a POC and/or a woman must be on the ticket.

[mainstreetonce]

3. Winner!

Go Joe

[obamanut2012]

4. I think there are too many penises

And Biden is too old.

[LongtimeAZDem]

7. Ageist AND sexist; awesome /nt

[qazplm135]

31. So if a 95 year old person wanted to run for President

and someone said...no too old, would that be ageist too?

Or is there a limit at which you do not want the hardest job in the world being done by someone who we KNOW is going to have a high likelihood of mental and physical decline? That's not "ism" that's hard health science.

And yes, the time of two white men being our nominees is over. You can throw in racist too I guess.

[LongtimeAZDem]

36. The point is that we examine how they are at the time, and judge accordingly, not just dismiss

out of hand. Do I think Biden is running out of time? Sure. Do I summarily reject him based only on his age? No.

As I've repeatedly said, I think he works as a one-term mentor; he has the standing on the world stage to repair what the current occupant has done, and the experience to pass on to his successor.

"And yes, the time of two white men being our nominees is over. You can throw in racist too I guess."

OK.

[qazplm135]

41. he's not going to be a one-term mentor

are you kidding me? If he runs and wins, he's running for a second term unless he's literally on life support.

The fact that you yourself have to qualify it means you also have concerns about his age.

And if you don't agree nominating two white men is a thing that has long passed its prime then I'm going to guess that you are an older, white male.

I can dismiss all sorts of things with the information I have. I like Biden. Made a great VP. But he's an old white male with a history filled with poor decisions like the Anita Hill hearings and his love of corporations. I'm no Sanders fan either by the way, I'm fine with a left of center candidate.

The only reason why Biden is in play is folks are too fucking scared of Trump and they think Biden is the only one who can take him on, on his ground. Yes, he could, but Trump lucked into one election...any competent Dem can beat him.

[milestogo]

43. We absolutely need a woman and I don't care how old she is, unless she has dementia.

[manor321]

5. My first choices will be young, young and YOUNG!

[PatSeg]

42. Just as there may be such a thing as "too old",

there is also "too young" and I think we need to think beyond age when choosing a candidate. Lets look at the total person, his/her skills, experience, and character. At least we have an amazing array of wonderful people to choose from, something the republicans never have had.

[Freddie]

82. Dems win with a younger candidate

Think Bill Clinton, PBO, JFK.
My pick: Amy Klobuchar. Running mate: Sen. Bob Casey.

[brush]

87. Good point. We win when we run younger candidates. History shows it.

[Turbineguy]

6. Biden on the foreign policy front

and O'Rourke on the domestic.

It will take extra effort to unfuck MAGA.

[JonLP24]

8. I'm not into Biden at all

Pass

It isn't because he is old either. I don't care about age among other things.

[dalton99a]

15. +1. Love Joe, but he should enjoy his retirement

[marylandblue]

9. I would forget Biden and just take O'Rourke

We need the top of the top ticket to be young, dynamic and probably not a Washington insider. Six of the last seven Presidents ran as outsiders. Youth is no barrier, but too much time in Washington is.

[LongtimeAZDem]

16. A Washington insider is precisely what we need right now; there's a lot of damage to undo,

and we need someone who understands the system to clean up after the bull in the china shop we have now.

[marylandblue]

24. We might need an insider, but can an insider win?

The President can always hire competent, experienced people, but he has to win first. And outsiders actually have an advantage. Which is why Obama ran i 2008 despite criticism that he should wait.

[LongtimeAZDem]

27. Obviously, I believe so.

Obama was Obama; we don't have someone of his caliber handy, IMO.

[marylandblue]

30. I think we have several comparable candidates

O'Rourke could be it.

[Cousin Dupree]

29. Biden, an insider who knows the ropes and can work on repairing foreign relations and MAGA

clean-up. Charismatic, smart O’Rourke to do the same and carry on after Biden. O’Rourke is a Democratic star. Maybe my age is showing in supporting Biden, but I think this could work.

[LongtimeAZDem]

33. Exactly; we need gravitas, which our younger options lack. That's not their fault,

but we need to take it into account, and work with it.

Biden knows exactly how a Vice President can be involved, and how one can be integrated into policy-making. And if he plans for only one term, then he doesn't wast any time or political capital on re-election.

[PatSeg]

47. I was thinking the same thing

Biden would know how to include his vice president in governing, much the way Obama included him. I value Biden's experience and character, but I am still concerned about his age and health. It could be an amazing ticket though. Kamala Harris as a VP sounds attractive too.

[Cousin Dupree]

50. I agree.

[PatSeg]

63. No matter what we end up with,

it will be 1000 times better than anything the republicans have. We really have genuinely great people.

[EffieBlack]

48. Funny how, for many people, being a "Washington insider" is an attribute for a man

but, like being of a certain age, is disqualifying for women.

[phylny]

10. Too male, too white.

[Garrett78]

49. Yep. Harris-O'Rourke for me.

[people]

54. Harris - O"Rourke

YES - Harris-O'Rourke! Biden- O'Rourke is too old, too white, and too male.

[LongtimeAZDem]

11. If the plan is one term for Biden, and Beto is actively involved in his administration, then

I think it's the best combination we have.

Biden brings a return to sanity and respectability, both here and abroad, while O'Rourke brings the youthful excitement.

[jcgoldie]

22. Why would you put up a candidate and plan for them to step down after one term?

I've read this a few places and it doesn't make sense and no-one is going to run on a platform of "vote for me and I'll quit soon..."

[Bradshaw3]

32. One term is not "I'll quit soon."

Maybe running for one term would be a way to bring the country together since he would not be as worried about political consequences.

[jcgoldie]

34. This is not a real thing

Its some fantasy. As a party you take any political advantage you can find in order to advance your values and policies... not put up someone under the premise he will head off into the sunset after one term of "bringing the country together." If Joe's your guy then he's your guy and I could see some compelling arguments for him... but hedging it with "let someone younger take over after 4 years" is just nonsense. Has any presidential campaign ever been ran under that pretense?

[brush]

88. This is so spot on. Let's not even consider any one-term fantasy.

[Bradshaw3]

99. You don't know that it's not real, or become real

And thinking you do is nonsense. Barring somehting unusual happening - like drumpf keeling over from a heart attack - this country is getting ready to go through one of the most traumatic times in its history. Having an elder stateman like Biden serve as a healing transitional figure is certainly something that could be viewed as a way to get through this time. It has nothing to do with "hedging." It has to do with the realities of our current situatuon and his age and experience. No one said anything about "heading off into the sunset." Just because you can't evnvision it doesn't it isn't possible.

[LongtimeAZDem]

39. Because he is older; I'm not denying that. But one term avoids all the pitfalls of running

for reelection, and there's a lot of work that need to be done to fix the mess we have now.

[jcgoldie]

40. I just think you pick the best candidate

If you have to hedge your bet by talking about what running mate would balance out his shortcomings and we haven't even started primary season, then that tells me your choice is flawed. The time for talking about running mates is after you pick the candidate, not before.

[marylandblue]

51. Also, who has a running mate in the primary anyway?

Picking a running mate up front signals your weakness and also eliminates the option of choosing one of your rivals.

[brush]

89. Exactly. The running mate is picked after securing the nomination.

[LongtimeAZDem]

53. It's not "hedging bets"; I'm talking about a deliberate plan for rebuilding the government

This won't be a normal transition; the President has torn apart the normal operational structure of the Executive Branch. We need to rebuild the Cabinet, the Diplomatic Corps, and much more.

And that's assuming that we have an orderly transition of power, which is by no means guaranteed. Even if President Trump doesn't make it to 2020, the actions of the Republicans in Michigan and Wisconsin show that all bets are off.

We need more than a charismatic candidate; we need a real plan, and the tools and experience to implement it.

[dalton99a]

12. Why Biden will not be president: Student loan debt.

Why Beto will not be his running mate: Student loan debt.

[Chellee]

13. I love Joe, but no.

We need younger people. He's perfectly welcome to a cabinet post.

[Guppy]

14. It is time for us old folk to move over

Beto has a much more compelling argument. Biden's would be the anti Trump. I'm more blue collar than Trump. Beto's is a new generation and we are the future. That is way more compelling to young people.

[aikoaiko]

17. I think the party is committed to the Steve Phillips strategy

which had no room for white men who aren't already voting for Democrats.

As a result a double white male ticket is a no go.

[marylandblue]

26. Why are we going by race and gender rather than best candidate?

Are women and minorities not going to vote for a good white male?

[aikoaiko]

55. Maybe not enough to get the ones who are more apathetic, busy, or feeling disenfranchised

I have mixed feelings about the strategy, but that's where I see the party going.

It didn't quite work out for HRC or Stacey Abrams in GA, but they came close. And if it hadn't been for the massive disinformation campaigns and voter suppression the strategy might have worked. But disinformation and voter suppression are givens in the current climate.

[marylandblue]

58. I think voters respond to energy, organization and outreach

O'Rourke and Abrams did as well as they did in tough environments because they campaigned hard and reached out to all voters. HRC had a lot of complex challenges and bad luck, but I think a more dynamic or unconventional candidate could have worked. She spent too much time "not being Trump."

I think the key to defeating Trump is to present a dynamic candidate with a compelling message. If you ignore his nonsense, he will hang himself.

[tblue37]

18. NOT Biden. I love him, but no. nt

[jcgoldie]

19. Love uncle Joe but...

We need to pass the baton. Beto, Harris, Klobuchar... are on my short list.

[ecstatic]

20. For me, Biden is too old, but I like how he handles trump

Right now, Beto is an excellent choice for top of the ticket. And before anyone reminds us all that Beto lost his Senate election in Texas, ask yourself this: Would Obama have won a statewide election in Texas?

My only concern is whether he can takedown bully trump.

I also would welcome a run by Corey Booker and Kamala Harris. I believe they could take trump down in an instant. And yes, I know that racism still prevails and that trump would deploy his white nationalist army in such a race, but I think the Obama coalition could win.

The only thing elected democrats should concern themselves with is making sure we can all vote. I do not want to hear more horror stories in 2020 about purges, closed precincts, etc.

[Cousin Dupree]

35. I LOVE Kamala Harris. I would vote for her in an instant. But what is the combination that will

get out the most votes? This will be one of the most important questions the Dems ever answer.

[EffieBlack]

52. Apparently, for some folks, an all white all male ticket will be universally popular

But a ticket with a female or person of color won't draw enough votes.

Because, women and minorities are supposed to vote for whomever the Democrats put up, but white people won"t and shouldn't be asked or expected to vote for anyone who doesn't look like them - and not only is that attitude ok, it needs to be catered to and perpetuated.

[Garrett78]

56. See my post here:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=11520313

[brush]

90. Harris/Kennedy or Harris/Beto would work.

All bases would be covered—POC, women, male, progressive, white male, young—we win.

Dems historically win when we run younger candidates like O, Clinton, JFK, Carter.

[TheCowsCameHome]

21. You got it half right.

[Marrah_Goodman]

23. I think we need to look at someone younger, to be honest

[WhiskeyGrinder]

25. I think it's a crap idea.

[DFW]

38. Like so many other tickets.........

It would be fine in office, but it would not survive the primaries.

[MoonRiver]

44. O'Rourke, not Biden

Joe is a 2 time primary loser. Why do we think anything will be different this time? Oh, and there is the age thing.

[mattclearing]

45. Nah, I'm good. nt

[EffieBlack]

46. Not much

[cilla4progress]

57. Too white

and old at the top.

AOC and John Tester!

I agree with Avenatti: go for a ticket that will win...inspiration, not resume.

[TexasBushwhacker]

65. AOC is too young

The President has to be 35.

Tester is pretty centrist for someone who is an AOC fan.

[George II]

107. Is that serious?

[FloridaBlues]

59. We need someone to clean up the mess trump leaving us

I think Biden can do just that. Not only foreign policy but our economy as well.
I guess we will see. Like Beto just not at the top of ticket.

[elocs]

60. I think it's too early and I think Biden is too old & represents the past.

We need to pass the torch to a new generation. You don't realistically get unlimited chances to run for president and Biden has already had at least his fair share of opportunities. He should have run in 2016 but he missed his chance.

[StevieM]

61. I am planning to support Tom Steyer. (eom)

[hueymahl]

62. Not a fan

Biden's time has past.

[carleigh86]

64. Boring

During Obama's presidency I would catch myself going "wait, who is the vp again? oh yeah Biden, that guy" And Beto, is he catchy? Sure. Did he win his seat in Texas? Nope. I think Beto works as VP and not much more.

[Qutzupalotl]

67. That's a winning ticket

that I would enthusiastically support. We need to be reminded of the promise of America and how it’s supposed to work.

[EffieBlack]

69. We need to be reminded of "the promise of America" by two white guys

Okaaay...

[Qutzupalotl]

71. It doesn't matter the color of their skin.

It matters what they say and do. How they govern. The content of their character.

[EffieBlack]

75. Sounds good

Too bad that only seems to be the general consensus when we're talking about white men.

That certainly wouldn't be the case if we were talking about, say ... a Harris-Gillum or Booker-Abrams or Harris-Booker ticket or Warren-Harris or Holder-Warren ticket.

Put one of those tickets out there and I'm sure we'd be treated to all manner of "we can't afford to play identity politics" or "now is not the time to take such risks" warnings ...

[Qutzupalotl]

84. Not by me you wouldn't.

I’d get behind any of those, although I’m a little down on Harris due to the Franken cluster.

I liked Beto’s idealism about America. Booker feels it too; I think he should talk about it more. It’s what we need now.

Holder is particularly strong at debate and may well wind up the nominee.. Likewise Abrams is an exceptionally good speaker and legislator.

We’re going to hear grumbling no matter which color or gender we go with. Someone will always be unhappy.

[CTyankee]

98. I think Harris and Sherrod Brown would make an excellent combination.

Brown brings Ohio. Harris CA. I can't see a Harris O'Rourke ticket right now. He hasn't even taken office as we speak. But we can watch and see what happens between now and 2020...

[Qutzupalotl]

100. O'Rourke is currently a US Representative

at least until January. Six years as a rep is not a lot, but it’s not nothing either; likewise with his time as mayor. A lot depends on what he does next.

I agree Brown could deliver Ohio, which will be critical. I see either Brown or Biden having similar favorability in the midwest. I will concede that Biden may be seen as too old to some — although his mother lived well into her 90s and remained sharp. He may also be too handsy or huggy for the MeToo era, although I think he means well. Brown on the other hand will be formidable.

I take a dim view on Harris, as I mentioned above. We will need some effective questioners to stay in the Senate, to hold the criminal regime accountable. I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to Harris, but I am doubtful she could win at the top of the ticket, and we absolutely cannot afford to lose in 2020. This is just an opinion and a gut feeling as to the breadth of her appeal; I have been wrong once or twice before.

[CTyankee]

104. I knew I shouldn't have opined on this, which is a day I am sick in bed.

Of course, O'Rourke is in the House

I think I'd have to see more of Harris in action to make a final decision. And she might decide on her own not to run. We will find out shortly.

I think it is imperative that we have a woman running. If not Harris, then Klobuchar. She is smart and likable.

I think we run a risk with Warren. MA is so blue and northeast, new england. I could se her and Sherrod tho.

[Iggo]

79. Unless that's the only color we get.

Over the long term, it really does matter.

[brush]

92. Oh it matters all right, and so does gender. Our party in not all white males.

Harris/Beto or Klobuchar/Kennedy or some combination of the four, also throw Booker or Castro in there.

[CTyankee]

105. I like Kennedy but this might be just affection I feel for his family.

But he would be an attractive candidate.

[Iggo]

76. I think Trump's blowing up shit right the fuck now.

[flyingfysh]

77. We have no shortage of talent

All of the Democratic possibilities would do immensely better than Trump. I would vote for any of them.

[AlexSFCA]

78. Biden, Clinton, etc. can still work as advisors to president

they don’t need to run for president. Beto is very appealing and Sharros would be a smart strategic choice. Sanders should stay away, after his vote against russia sanctions, he has no future in dem party.

[janterry]

80. No to Biden, Yes to Beto

n/t

[Squinch]

81. How about Anita Hill/ Christine Blasey Ford.

But, no.

[denbot]

83. Not as god as Kamela/Beto

She has the chops to be President.

[RichardRay]

94. One term only.

I’d like to see the old man who knows were the bodies are buried and how to play the game (Joe) win the Oval Office with a commitment to serve a single term as the Grim Reaper. Act with absolutely no concern for second term, just kick ass. The VP could be one of any number of (much younger) people, very possibly a woman, preferably of color, who would step into the first slot with a much better understanding of how the office works.

[PAMod]

95. Or maybe O'Malley/O'Rourke

Double O.

Former Gov & former Congressman

East & SW

Quietly competent (some will say boring) & exciting “newcomer”

Definitely O’Rourke for VP; give him some experience...

[JonLP24]

96. Definitely don't like O'Malley's past with stop and frisk as mayor

He had the poorest showing in the Democratic primary saying, "all lives matter".

[JudyM]

97. Nope. We need a hardass president to lead us through this, not someone who is always looking

for chummy consensus. I respect Biden, but we don’t need him right now.

[PJMcK]

101. Nothing

That's not how the primaries work.

[PubliusEnigma]

102. Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!!

[Canoe52]

103. From someone who speaks from experience, (I'm old and I used to be young)

Joe's too old and Beto needs some more experience under his belt.

and I've been Joe supporter every time he's run for Prez.

[Gothmog]

106. I would support this ticket

I like both Joe and Beto

[BlueStater]

108. Any ticket that has a nearly 80-year-old man on it is not for me. n/t

[ZeroSomeBrains]

109. No to Biden

Countless numbers of students have been hurt by his bankruptcy bill that keeps students from discharging student debt. That and he's more than a little clingy when it comes to hugging women and isn't the candidate for the Me-Too era.