Biden weighing an early announcement of running mate

[RandySF]

Former Vice President Joe Biden, who is expected to soon launch a bid for the presidency, is reportedly considering selecting a running mate early in his campaign.

Citing Democrats familiar with Biden's plans, CNN reported the possibility on Monday. An aide told the network that naming a running mate early would help Biden keep the focus on the Democratic goal of defeating President Trump in the general election.

Biden has discussed the possibility in conversations with advisers as well as with top Democrats and elected officials, according to CNN.

CNN noted that Biden stirred speculation last week by meeting with former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams (D). But the two did not formally discuss the vice presidency during that meeting, two people familiar with the meeting told CNN.


https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/434644-biden-weighing-an-early-announcement-of-running-mate-report

[JI7]

1. that would probably turn off some. especially Iowa and nh who want to be the ones

to pick the candidates.

but if Biden does end up being nominee im all for stacey Abrams as running mate.

[RandySF]

2. I don't get it.

How does naming a future running mate prevent primary voters from choosing their candidate?

[JI7]

3. it makes them feel candidates are taking it for granted they will win

[RandySF]

4. No, it's saying "If nominated, so-and-so will be my running mate."

A number of states actually require gubernatorial candidates to choose running mates before the primary.

[Blue_true]

21. Picking early gives republicans tons of time for oppo research.

Plus it excludes rivals for the nomination out of the gate. Plus, as someone pointed out, Ted Cruz tried that and it fizzed on him.

[BannonsLiver]

14. If they like the top of the ticket but don't like the back end.

[Laffy Kat]

26. I sort of get it.

If Biden chose almost any of the women already running, I would be so excited. I would also be excited over Abrams.

[elleng]

5. Iowa and nh want to pick vice presidential candidates?

Sounds like an interesting feature, to selecting early. I like Stacey a lot, but wonder about the geographical look of such a ticket; Dover is 735 miles north of Atlanta.

[Blue_true]

17. That is sort of what I think.

I don't think the idea is such a good one. Assuming that he wins the nomination, what if one of the candidates he beat is clearly favored by voters as a VP pick, then what?

[Control-Z]

37. When was the last time a presidential nominee

chose the running mate clearly favored by voters? When have the voters ever even known who the majority preferred?

Frankly, I can't remember a nominee ever choosing someone I thought would be best or even someone who had been discussed here on DU as the preferred running mate.

[Blue_true]

46. You're right. But in a poll driven world things change and will change.

I am sure that popularity plays a big part in VP selection now and has for a while, along with geographical and political philosophy balancing.

[Awsi Dooger]

6. Too much thinking going on

Gimmicks don't align with confident and calm.

This idea should have been shut down internally before any leak to the press.

[Blue_true]

18. I agree. nt

[CrossingTheRubicon]

7. I sincerely hope Joe Biden picks Cory Booker.

Booker is presidential material and his message would reinforce Biden's nicely.

I don't think an early announcement of picking a running mate is a good idea. Embedded in the 2020 race is the possibility of all the other contenders--other than Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt)--is that they might end up on the ticket.

Let's see how things shake out.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

28. Zero chance of that happening... a female running mate is the obvious choice.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[CrossingTheRubicon]

31. I don't think a VP will be picked based on gender alone. That would be sexist.

Biden/Booker would be an optimistic ticket that would thoroughly repudiate toxic populism.

That's what's needed in this country more than anything.

[whathehell]

35. Warren is hardly a "gender alone" candidate..

She's a super sharp progressive with good, well articulated positions.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

36. She is without doubt a "super sharp progressive with good, well articulated positions"

there is zero doubt about that in my mind. None.

I'm not sure that she'd enhance the electability of a ticket. I don't think she would. I'm not sure of the "chemistry" or that their messages would be synergistic.

And I'm someone who strongly hoped HRC would pick Warren as her VP. Gender didn't matter to me then and it doesn't now.

I think Biden/Booker would be unbeatable and a partnership made in heaven.

[AlexSFCA]

38. Clinton should have selected BS as running mate

to gurantee victory. I hope Biden is more strategic. Select the 2nd most popular candidate. I think Biden/Harris will be instant winner.

[Thekaspervote]

40. Bs made it clear he did not want to be anyone's vp

[whathehell]

43. If you think that,

why would you doubt her "enhancing the electability of a ticket"?

On the other hand, if you like the idea of a Biden/Booker ticket, I'd guess you to be more moderate, than progressive, which is okay, but not where I'm at.

[CTyankee]

47. Can we stop with the "gender alone" argument?

It is a crying shame we haven't yet had a female president or vice president (and no, Sarah Palin doesn't count, because she never did).

We have PLENTY of qualified, excellent women to choose from. I frankly don't see how Biden coudn't ask a woman to run with him.

[watoos]

8. Just a guess,

it was a counter to the Anita Hill situation.

[BannonsLiver]

16. That's an issue for forums like DU

In the real world people seem to care more about how policies would impact them in the here and now. Only someone sitting on loads of privilege would make a 30 year old story the deciding factor in their vote.

[Blue_true]

19. ...

I'll wait

[BannonsLiver]

22. Well...

If you’re waiting for someone to make a coherent argument as to why how he ran a committee hearing 30 years ago somehow trumps his policies on jobs and healthcare among the concerns of voters in the present you’ll be waiting a good long while, I think.

I’ve yet to see one on DU. Not even close.

[Blue_true]

24. You make a good point.

I just thought someone would come forward. I actually share your opinion. The thing that gets me is that for one person in particular major change can happen in a couple of years, but other candidates don't change for decades and should pay for 30 old views that they may no longer hold. Also, since that vote we have had two democratic Presidents with democratic Houses for a period and in one case, a democratic Congress that could have tweaked policy on bankruptcy law.

[BannonsLiver]

25. I do think how women are treated in the workplace is relevant today.

But I’ve never understood how holding Joe Biden more accountable for Clarence Thomas’ behavior than Thomas himself solves anything.
If you notice those who bring this up rarely ever mention the perverted weirdo predator Thomas, the anger is always directed solely at Biden, which is as irrational as it is absurd.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

29. Those hearings will be replayed again and again if one of the other candidates uses it against Joe.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[BannonsLiver]

39. They can replay them until they're blue in the face.

Until the cows come home and pigs fly. Who cares. It’ll never eclipse things like jobs and healthcare on the list of voter concerns. That’s because most people live in the present.

[Thekaspervote]

41. +1000

[WeekiWater]

9. It might be the only way some can move past the one and done aspect.

Non-starter for me.

[Lazy Daisy]

10. Don't like it

Naming a running mate now counts out any of the candidates currently running that may not make it through the primary. We have a few candidates that would be a great VP to succeed Joe

[Blue_true]

20. That is how I feel also. nt

[still_one]

11. It sounds interesting. Why not? A lot of things aren't particularly conventional anymore

Last edited Tue Mar 19, 2019, 09:56 AM - Edit history (1)

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

30. Wish Bernie would do it... though not practical for now.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[still_one]

45. Anyone who did it I think would change the dynamics, but at the same time it

I do not think anyone will do it because it takes some of the surprise element out of the process

[still_one]

12. I know this may sound strange, but Joe how about announcing that you are running

[bullwinkle428]

13. That worked out really well for Ted Cruz.

[BannonsLiver]

15. I think this is a terrible idea.

[Uncle Joe]

23. I believe if Joe were in the movies

he would be an excellent character actor but not the leading man.


Thanks for the thread Randy.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

33. Looks like a leading man to me.

[Uncle Joe]

34. Yes he does, doesn't he?

[oasis]

27. Name Hillary and we can start planning the inauguration.

[Catamount]

32. I would vote for those two!

Perfect for the moment!
K&R

[sprinkleeninow]

42. I'm kinda not getting this. 🤔 eom

[Midwestern Democrat]

44. This is a really terrible idea.

1) It eliminates anyone currently running for president from consideration
2) It seems presumptuous
3) Why box yourself in? We're all going to have a lot better idea of the November election in June 2020 than in March 2019 - which means the nominee will also be able to make a more informed decision about running mate at that time
4) I don't really see any upside - he's more likely to lose primary voters who don't like the running mate than gain primary voters who like the running mate.