VP chatter turns to Tom Perez, a pick that could help Clinton with progressives

[flamingdem]

First generation Dominican Republic and went to Brown, very Liberal. Could be a good pick.

https://s.yimg.com/lo/api/res/1.2/ewS_Z2vz5CFYzSVBGsDjxg--/YXBwaWQ9eW15O3c9NjQwO3E9NzU7c209MTtpbD1wbGFuZQ--/

U.S. Secretary of Labor Tom Perez likes to bring up the exact number of days left to take action in Barack Obama’s presidency. Perez even keeps a countdown calendar on his desk identifying Jan. 20, 2017 — the next president’s first day in office — as the day his “weekend” begins.

But Perez might have to wait for his weekend, as there’s growing buzz he could be an ideal vice presidential pick for Hillary Clinton if she wins the Democratic presidential primary.

Clinton is still in the midst of a tough fight against Sen. Bernie Sanders. While her campaign remains focused on that race, her huge victory in South Carolina’s Democratic primary on Saturday vaulted Clinton back into frontrunner status and polls indicate she’s set to widen that lead on Super Tuesday this week. So now Democrats are beginning to speculate about who she might tap as a running mate. Perez, according to some in the party, could singularly help Clinton appeal to progressives energized by Sanders’ campaign and help unify the party once he bows out.

[Tortmaster]

1. I am a Julian Castro lean.

But I read the article, and Secretary Perez seems to have a lot of great qualities. Can he debate? Can he speak in a powerful way to large crowds? I can say that I'm not enthused about Kaine or Warner, but would take a look at Senator Booker. I did a diary about Secretary Julian Castro's prospects at daily kos.

The diary includes an embedded video of Castro debating Ted Cruz back in 2012. He's really good at it. Castro managed to use the phrase "Ronald Reagan" to great effect during the portion of the debate about immigration, and he presciently noted that in a couple of years people would start liking ObamaCare. And he did it all with a disarming smile while looking comfortable in his skin. He easily handled one of the Republicans best debaters in a one-on-one setting.

Castro's one drawback is his youth. Perez is about 10 years older. Whoever is chosen, it is good to hear that they have had to "audition" pretty thoroughly for the role. Thanks for the story!

[flamingdem]

2. Castro said that he hasn't been asked

but they all say that - both are great and more progressive, now we just need turnout..