We might just have Biden's running mate right here.

[CTyankee]

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/28/opinion/coronavirus-trump-us.html

I found this NYT OpEd piece by Susan Rice to be the best case for her spot on the ticket with Joe Biden that I have read recently. At first glance, I thought "He's already asked her. She's preparing us, the public, for the announcement." She has made one of the most cogent statements of governing philosophy I have seen laid out to date in a major news/commentary source.

So I thought "This is her major and thorough policy statement. I think she's it!"

Read the piece. Tell me I'm off base here...

[samnsara]

1. ive thought about her as well....

[hlthe2b]

2. One of the many advantages beyond the well demonstrated--we'd not lose a Dem in Senate

nor a Dem governor nor other influential outside voice engaged in countering voter suppression, or the like.

[Mike 03]

4. Exactly.

Plus, she's absolutely brilliant.

[Mike 03]

3. Yes, she's my favorite too.

I love Kamala Harris, but Susan Rice is my #1. When she's speaking, I find it impossible to do anything but listen. She's got a remarkable mind.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. She'd certainly be an excellent choice.

And choosing her wouldn't take a Democrat out of the Senate.

[guillaumeb]

6. Recommended.

An excellent piece, and this bit of analysis, from this piece, and often echoed here, is on target:

Unfortunately, we are today condemned to be led by a president who has no conception of the national interest apart from his personal interest. Donald Trump is obsessed with his image and poll numbers and the Dow Jones average, but sadly none of the ambitious questions that inspired his predecessors — chiefly, how can we exit this crucible of death and hardship as a more decent America?

[CTyankee]

26. Those are the words of a person with vision and sanity. Just in time.

[KPN]

7. She's smart as a whip, speaks really well, and just plain solid, but I don't see it frankly.

I don't think you are necessarily off-base though CTYankee. In fact, I like her a lot and would love to have her as my Vice President. I just don't think she's the best candidate as far as the strongest ticket for inspiring votes. I would love to think I'm wrong about that.

[FloridaBlues]

9. I bet he will vet her.

[KPN]

12. That would not surprise me. As I said, I really have no objections to her and would be thrilled

to see her in that role.

[get the red out]

10. She is an amazing person, but I agree

She was so vilified be the R that it most likely had a negative effect on Independents as well.

[CTyankee]

17. well, there is another benefit: she reminds us of Barack Obama.

Saner foreign policy, using intellect and analytic skills. And bringing the conscience and presence of an African American of great distinction.

[MFGsunny]

21. This! And most especially in her calm yet brilliant intellectual analyses. n/t

[CTyankee]

24. And I think "calm" is a great concept right now. Folks are frazzled by Trump's irrationality. We

don't know what crazy thing he'll do or say next. Rice brings to mind a saner time, with sane people in charge.

[TreasonousBastard]

8. She's as much of a heavyweight as anyone out there, but guaranteed to bring out...

the cries of "Benghazi" again. She was in the middle of some of the toughest situations and debates, like Libya, Syria, and Pakistan, so no doubt there's plenty of things for them to pick through and distort.

Be worth the risk to see her put down the biggest of the Congressional and other rightwing assholes.

[mopinko]

11. if we cant overcome benghazia, imma check out now.

ferealz.

[KPN]

13. No kidding. But in today's idocracy, you may well be checking out. Four died in Benghazi,

almost 59,000 to date from Covid -- but idiots don't get it.

[mopinko]

15. numbers have a way of seeping through.

like the old saying- figures dont lie.
but liars do figure.
these liars are very bad at the maths.

[MyOwnPeace]

14. VERY good point, indeed!

Let it echo in their empty heads forever, for all I care.
We, however, make it very clear that it was all bullshit (see exhibit A, B, C, D, etc., etc!) and we will move on - doing what it takes to get this train back on the tracks!

[CTyankee]

18. The American people don't have that much of a memory. Benghazi is a thing to us but we are super

sensitive to that term. To most voting Americans who are in control of their senses, "Benghazi" is just a faint memory, if a memory at all of younger voters.

[TreasonousBastard]

23. She has been in the middle of that and a whole bunch of controversial things...

We're talking about a no-holds-barred election and they will do what they can to force people to "remember" things their way.

Nobody knew much about Benghazi the first time it came up-- until it became a "hate Hillary" meme.

[CTyankee]

29. Oh, I know it! But unless we find someone perfect under a rock some place, we'll always have to

deal with "something."

[CTyankee]

22. Imagine her next to Pence...OMG, just the thought of it...

people will see what a sad, little man he is and how powerful she is.

[TreasonousBastard]

25. She would eat him alive on the debate stage.

[sellitman]

16. She needs to be considered for sure

I still like Kamala, Tammy and Stacey better.

[CTyankee]

20. The first two absolutely. Stacey is brilliant but hasn't had enough experience yet.

She's a keeper for sure, but after a few more years of holding a higher public office, and thus, a profile.

[patricia92243]

19. Great choice. Shows Biden's good judgement and decision making.

[BComplex]

27. NO!!!! We need Elizabeth Warren. Elizabeth Warren is perfect for this VP slot.

I like Susan Rice, and have a lot of respect for her. But she is carrying too much baggage. She would be a stellar Secy of State, but not the #2 on the most important ticket of our lifetime.

[CTyankee]

28. That's interesting but an untested theory, IMHO.

Let me just say that Rice carries much less "baggage" than Warren. Nobody really remembers Benghazi, where Warren's remarks about health care, which were wildly misrepresented in the press, are much fresher in people's minds. They think Warren=socialist. It's unfair but it is there.

I love Warren and supported her for President. But she is not an African American and Biden needs and wants racial balance to his ticket IMO.

[stillcool]

30. NO!!!! We need Elizabeth Warren in the Senate...

Doesn't matter what human Biden chooses, they will be pilloried by the right, and the left, and the media. In the meantime a Republican majority in the Senate guarantees our current path to destruction. I wouldn't rely on red states to vote for Democratic Senators, and Warren is an exceptional voice to have in the Senate.

[elleng]

31. Cogent may or may not do the job,

how many voters pay attention to such? (aside from us.) (Lots of room in the cabinet.)

I want an intelligent and highly articulate V.P. candidate, one who GRABS attention when she speaks. (with a strong affinity with the POTUS candidate, Joe Biden.)

[CTyankee]

32. I don't think she rings all the bells but I do think she rings a lot of them.

We'll never get the perfect one, we're just too picky (being Democrats).

[elleng]

33. Right, she rings a log of them. MY 'perfect,' this time, is a WINNER,

sadly the only important factor.

[CTyankee]

34. What do you see as being a "winner"? Esp. when they're second on the ticket, not first?

Do you have a favorite of your own?

[elleng]

35. I don't yet have a favorite, but I like S. Abrams intelligence, vigor and articulateness.

2d on the ticket can provide a big boost, kick, hence my term 'winner.'

[CTyankee]

36. She's a rising star, no doubt, but she hasn't had the experience of higher than state office.

That might count against her esp. given Biden's age. I know I'd like to see a woman who has been "in the arena" at the federal level or at least a governor. "That woman" in Michigan is a good example and I would choose her but I want racial balance (I love that trump calls her "that woman in Michigan." I think she could use it to great effect!

[appalachiablue]

37. Susan Rice is outstanding and very impressive to hear speaking.

I wonder about her lack of legislative experience though, and still think Warren and Abrams are highly valuable. Nice to have such excellent choices.

[CTyankee]

38. Is that a necessary qualification?

I know that we've had great former governors (Clinton and Carter) but I'm thinking that being savvy about world politics is a better qualification in these times.

[appalachiablue]

39. Not required, but it's been brought up here about other

possible candidates for Pres. and VP., as well as mention of lame VPs like Dan Quale and more.

It's an interesting question and this article notes a number of VPs that have held previous positions as ambassadors, cabinet members, etc.--from John Adams to Bush I, Dick Cheney, etc.

- List of US Vice Presidents By *Other Offices Held:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_vice_presidents_of_the_United_States_by_other_offices_held

[Nitram]

40. What? Surely you jest!