General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsStacy Abrams. Bright. Always prepared. Clear on the issues.
https://www.youtube.com/watchThis is the WOC who should be the VP candidate.
Phoenix61
(16,994 posts)AlexSFCA
(6,137 posts)more than most governors due to her high profile run for governor that was extensively covered in the media.
BComplex
(8,019 posts)addressed the country. She's well-known, but she's not divisive.
AlexSFCA
(6,137 posts)I think better than Kamala would.
MaryMagdaline
(6,851 posts)Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)If it did, Trump wouldn't be President.
MaryMagdaline
(6,851 posts)Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)And experience has never mattered in elections.
bermudat
(1,329 posts)She needs to rectify the wrong that was done to her and the people of Georgia when the repugnantcan Kemp cheated and stole the election.
crickets
(25,952 posts)A lot more people would stay healthy and alive if she were. Georgia really needs a governor like Stacy Abrams. If she's willing, I would dearly love to see her come back to run again, win, and lead our state well. GA deserves better than Kemp. We deserve Stacy Abrams.
ornotna
(10,795 posts)She's only been a state rep. I do like her though, one for the future.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)-Laelth
PunkinPi
(4,874 posts)BComplex
(8,019 posts)Abrams is really smart. If we can't have Elizabeth Warren, we should have Stacy Abrams.
PunkinPi
(4,874 posts)however she hasn't had enough experience on a federal level. It's too bad she didn't run for senate in GA this go around, we could really use the seat.
BComplex
(8,019 posts)Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)when he was elected President.
Neither did Trump.
Experience doesn't matter in elections.
PunkinPi
(4,874 posts)Our party shouldn't aspire to what the Trump/GOP does.
Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)And if experience ever mattered in a presidential election McCain would have beaten Obama, Bush would have lost to Gore, Ford would have won vs Carter, Nixon would have beaten Kennedy, Lincoln would have been defeated by Douglas.
essme
(1,207 posts)Like it or not being a governor in just about any state is a pretty big deal. It is considered a qualifier for President (rightly or wrongly). Even Wyoming which was #50 in 1990 would be a boost.
Here is a really cool list of past experiences before becoming president (being a Governor is #1):
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/which-offices-are-good-stepping-stones-to-the-presidency/
Here is a neat list showing all past experiences (seems like a law degree, state governors, military, and senators really have a leg up with some crossover):
26 presidents were previously lawyers.
22 presidents had previous military experience; 9 were generals in the US Army.[a]
18 presidents previously served as U.S. representatives; 6 of 18 held this office prior to the four 'previous positions' shown in this table. Only one James A. Garfield was a Representative immediately before election as president. Only John Quincy Adams served as a U.S. representative after being president. Additionally, after being president, John Tyler served in the Provisional Confederate Congress and was later elected to the Confederate House of Representatives, but he died before taking his seat.[2]
17 presidents previously served as governors; 16 were state governors; 9 were governors immediately before election as president. One, William Howard Taft, served as a territorial governor. One, Andrew Jackson, served as a military governor (Florida).
16 presidents previously served as U.S. senators; only 3 immediately before election as president. Only one president, Andrew Johnson, served as a U.S. senator after his presidency.
14 presidents previously served as vice president. All except Richard Nixon were vice presidents immediately before becoming president; 9 of the 14 succeeded to the presidency because of the death or resignation of the elected president; 5 of those 9 were not re-elected.
8 presidents were out of office (for at least one year) immediately before election as president.
8 presidents previously served as Cabinet secretaries; 6 as secretary of state; 5 of the 8 served immediately before election as president.
7 presidents had previous experience in foreign service.
5 presidents had never been elected to public office before becoming president: Zachary Taylor, Ulysses S. Grant, Herbert Hoover, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Donald Trump. Most of these had, however, been appointed to several prominent offices. Hoover's contributions toward the Treaty of Versailles preceded his appointment as United States secretary of commerce. Taylor, Grant and Eisenhower led U.S. forces to victory in the MexicanAmerican War, American Civil War and World War II, respectively each occupying the highest-ranking command post of their time. Trump is the group's sole exception, having never held any public office nor any military position.
4 presidents taught at a university: James A. Garfield, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, and Barack Obama.
2 presidents served as party leaders of the House of Representatives, James A. Garfield and Gerald Ford.
1 president served as an ordained minister, serving as a pastor in the Disciples of Christ (Christian) Church. James A. Garfield. [3] [4]
1 president served as speaker of the House of Representatives, James K. Polk.
1 president served as president pro tempore of the United States Senate, John Tyler.
1 president served as party leader of the United States Senate, Lyndon B. Johnson.
1 president served as president of the United States for two non-consecutive terms, Grover Cleveland.
It matters. Abrams was robbed (99%) or close to it. She should be Georgia's Governor now but she isn't.
coti
(4,612 posts)She's the best of ALL the candidates.
PunkinPi
(4,874 posts)Laelth
(32,017 posts)And she is RUNNING for the VP spot (pretty obviously).
-Laelth
SoonerPride
(12,286 posts)She will be a formidable asset and future candidate.
We need to get her elected to office locally first.
BComplex
(8,019 posts)but was cheated out of it.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,610 posts)If she hadn't been cheated out of it and had been able to serve as governor she'd have a much more solid credential.
Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)Never has.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,610 posts)But I don't think she has enough experience. I think she should take another shot at the governor's office, which she was cheated out of least time, then run in a federal election.
SidDithers
(44,228 posts)not well known. Not enough experience.
Sid
Cornus
(871 posts)She would be the perfect VP candidate.
womanofthehills
(8,661 posts)Stacy got 10% of the votes and Kamala won with 28%. I like Stacy, but Kamala has been awesome in the Senate arguing all the current issues.
California_Republic
(1,826 posts)She is impressive
BComplex
(8,019 posts)Last edited Fri Jun 19, 2020, 12:06 PM - Edit history (1)
But then, Stacy is from Georgia, and Kamala is from California. Different styles.
I'm just hoping that we can get southerners out of their homes on election day to vote for someone they're excited about.
On edit: Stacey was born in Wisconsin, moved to Mississippi as a child, but she's been in Georgia since high school.
Renew Deal
(81,847 posts)BComplex
(8,019 posts)She's very well informed. Actually...about everything!
Renew Deal
(81,847 posts)That's easy to disprove if you have a conversation with her.
BComplex
(8,019 posts)It's just as easily dis proven about Kamala.
PTWB
(4,131 posts)Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)Will Harris' history as a prosecutor, including imprisoning parents of truant children which impacted heavily on people of color and the poor, excite progressive and African American voters?
coti
(4,612 posts)TheCowsCameHome
(40,167 posts)but not ready for prime time.
SweetieD
(1,660 posts)And I cringe at someone calling her "bright". So condescending. Of course she is bright anyone in her position would be. Why would you expect different. I've never heard a white man in a similar position called bright. Its something you say about children or students.
BComplex
(8,019 posts)Because they are. So is Stacey Abrams.
SweetieD
(1,660 posts)BComplex
(8,019 posts)"bright lawyer"... etc. So are black men, for that matter. People who are bright don't have a sex or a color.
RelativelyJones
(898 posts)womanofthehills
(8,661 posts)For VP.
Coleman
(853 posts)Asshat, <1 term Senator, Governor, Governor, VP (house, CIA and UN), Governor, Governor, VP (house), VP (house), VP & Senate majority leader, 1 1/2 term Senator
Biden's weakness is that he has too much of a history.
But it looks like experience of the federal level isn't needed and might actually be a detriment.
Bradshaw3
(7,488 posts)In the past I would have agreed with the not enough experience meme, but not now. If she had been governor these past few months none of that would even be talked about, and there is a good case that she was cheated out of it.
I think it's obvious she would make a great VP and eventually POTUS. She is able to connect with people of all classes and races. Every time I hear her I am more and more impressed.
BComplex
(8,019 posts)Every time I watch her, I like her more.
grantcart
(53,061 posts)Her open campaigning for it is so brazen and politically inept that I have to conclude that she is trying to leverage support for her sister who is a very strong candidate for a Supreme Court pick.
BComplex
(8,019 posts)what do you think of Kamala Harris?
grantcart
(53,061 posts)Really? Are you not aware that is a widely held consensus opinion, even among people who supported her at the beginning of her high profile self promotion?
How her approach has been generally received:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackbrewster/2020/04/26/stacey-abrams-is-waging-a-public-campaign-for-vp---will-it-pay-off/#d2bddab43df1
Stacey Abrams is not shying away from her desire to be Joe Bidens running mate, a clear contrast to the other candidates on Bidens short list for the vice president sweepstakes who have been coy when asked about the possibility.
. . .
Unlike these other candidates, though, Abrams has been straightforward about her desire to become Bidens vice president pick, and has made her case publicly in several interviews over the past few weeks.
There are dozens of other examples but I will pick just one more from CNN
The former top Democrat in the Georgia House has been everywhere this month, giving interviews and speeches, appearing at digital forums and writing op-eds. She has described herself in interviews as an "excellent" pick for Biden,
Early supporters of Abrams have been highly critical of her approach and withdrew their support, for example
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/05/03/opinion/kamala-harris-is-bidens-best-choice-vice-president/
A year ago I likely would have made the case for the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, but her lack of experience and ostentatious efforts to get the VP nod should give her boosters pause. Its long been true that female politicians have been unfairly denigrated for appearing overly ambitious, but one needs to be a bit more subtle than Abrams. Not only did she sit out a very winnable Georgia Senate race in part because it would derail her chance to be Bidens running mate, but the revelation this week that she has been calling Democratic power brokers and asking them to lobby for her is a flagrant rookie mistake. Its one thing to be ambitious its something else to look ambitious. So clearly running for VP shows a real lack of political deftness and it glaringly contrasts with Harriss recent work as a loyal surrogate on behalf of Biden.
Lack of subtlety, calling power brokers, etc. is the definition of "brazen".
I think we can agree on two things
1) She has been the most ambitious person promoting their own candidacy for VP in modern history of the Democratic Party
2) She is highly intelligent
So I postulate that this highly intelligent person may have another agenda because her high profile campaign to get on the national ticket having not yet won statewide has another agenda, building up leverage to influence the choice for the next Supreme Court Justice.
VP Biden has said that he is going to pick a woman POC to fill the next vacancy.
There are only about 20 judges that have the requisite experience to be considered and are women and African American.
They are a pretty comparable group sharing the same qualifications and age, etc.
Since I see that Ms. Abrams is highly intelligent I am guessing that her high profile VP approach (which is the least effective way to gain credibility) may rather be an effort to create enough popular support so that she can say "OK if I am not on the ticket I want my sister on the short list for the SC."
Her sister:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_Abrams_Gardner#:~:text=Leslie%20Abrams%20Gardner%20(n%C3%A9e%20Leslie,was%20an%20Assistant%20U.S.%20Attorney.
Gardner is the daughter of the Reverend Carolyn and the Reverend Robert Abrams, originally of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She was one of six children. Her sister, Stacey Abrams, is the former House Minority Leader in the Georgia General Assembly, and the Democratic candidate for governor in the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial election.[1][2]
Gardner received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1997 from Brown University. She received a Juris Doctor in 2002 from Yale Law School. She began her career serving as a law clerk for Judge Marvin J. Garbis of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. She served as an associate at the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom LLP, from 2003 to 2006 and again from 2007 to 2010. She served as an associate at the law firm of Kilpatrick Stockton LLP, from 2006 to 2007. From 2010 to 2014, she served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Georgia.[3][4]
. . .
On March 11, 2014, President Barack Obama nominated Gardner to serve as a U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia, to the seat being vacated by Judge W. Louis Sands, who took senior status on April 12, 2014.[5] She received a hearing before the full panel of the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 13, 2014.[6] On June 19, 2014, her nomination was reported out of committee by voice vote.[7] On November 12, 2014, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid filed for cloture on her nomination. On Monday, November 17, 2014 cloture was invoked by a vote of 6828.[8] On Tuesday, November 18, 2014 the Senate confirmed her by a vote of 1000.[9] She received her judicial commission on November 20, 2014.[4]
When asked about being Vice President Senator Harris always turns it around to promote Biden and she demonstrates that she is an effective surrogate for him.
For that reason she is by far and away the leading candidate for VP:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/06/18/democrats-favor-kamala-harris-for-vp-by-wide-margin-poll-finds/#5e9c26156da9
E A new poll found that a plurality of Democrats would like to see former Vice President Joe Biden pick Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) as his running mate, while a majority named a woman of color as their preferred VP amid nationwide protests against racism and police brutality.
In the betting markets Harris has almost as much support as all of the others combined (45%)
Abrams has fallen to 6th place.
https://smarkets.com/event/2094165/politics/us/us-presidential-election-2020/democrat-nominee-vp
So my take is that others are seeing Abrams approach as failing and I think she is doing exactly what she wants, to be in a position to promote her sister to rise above a crowded field of possible Supreme Court nominees and get on the short list.
I wouldn't bet a dime that Abrams will be the VP but I would be that Judge Leslie Abram Gardner makes it to the Supreme Court.
PunkinPi
(4,874 posts)grantcart
(53,061 posts)BannonsLiver
(16,313 posts)Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)Trump certainly wasnt
Awsi Dooger
(14,565 posts)I think Abrams would be way over her head.
Besides, that 2018 Georgia exit poll was devastating. A full 41% of the electorate said Abrams was too liberal for the state.
That is a surreal number, topped only by Andrew Gillum's 44% in Florida the same year. I am very glad that Gillum has subsequently imploded. He never should have been the nominee in the first place.
Once you get labeled as too liberal it is extremely difficult to shake. Given Biden's age we need somebody who can win terms on her own. Abrams is not the best choice for that given the 41% who reject her from the outset. No margin for error.
We will hear the socialism tag all over the place if Abrams is on the ticket.
Always be aware of the situational realities instead of merely thinking something sounds nice.
coti
(4,612 posts)She's the right choice.