Biden weighing an early announcement of running mate

[left-of-center2012]

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

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

1. What an excellent idea!!...

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

[Laura PourMeADrink]

3. Both good people...both from NE...doesn't that both you? Or explain

Why it shouldn’t, please

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

7. Not at all... a VP with NATIONAL appeal is better than one that can win 1 state or region.

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

[customerserviceguy]

10. This hasn't worked well

for the Republicons who tried it. In 1976, when Reagan tried to keep Gerald Ford from getting the nomination, he announced Richard Schweiker, a moderate, as his VP pick should he wrest the nomination away from Ford. It was believed that the more liberal Schweiker could garner support from Rockefeller Republicons. Didn't work.

And three years ago, we saw Ted Cruz, heading into the California primary, trying the gambit of picking perennial failure Carly Fiorina as his VP should he figure out how to beat Trump.

The tactic smells of desperation, I doubt that Joe Biden will actually do it unless his numbers start to tank.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

2. Great. Go as a team.

[WeekiWater]

4. Pure foolishness.

Probably the only way to get past the one and done aspect.

[LongtimeAZDem]

5. Bad idea

[brooklynite]

6. ...which means it won't be anyone running for President.

He wouldn't announce someone who wouldn't agree, and anyone who agreed would be asked why they were still running.

[SFnomad]

8. It's somewhat presumptuous this early in the season to chose a VP. Does it really have any upsides?

If he does, it also means that he's not considering any of the fine candidates we currently have running, which is a shame. Is there really a powerhouse VP selection that isn't currently running?

[customerserviceguy]

11. Picking an also-ran as a VP

is the exception, not the rule. Reagan did that with Bush the elder, and probably regretted it, while Kerry did that with Edwards, and even more probably regretted it.

Successful nominees pick people who did not challenge or insult them during the primary process, much more often than not. And as I pointed out, it's only worked once in modern American political history.

[SFnomad]

13. You forget that Obama chose Biden ... who dropped out after the Iowa Caucuses n/t

[customerserviceguy]

14. You're right, I did forget that

mostly because Biden never had much of a chance back in 2008, and his dropping out early, before any debates is probably what allowed him to be picked.

Perhaps that will happen if someone currently running dropped out, but then, they'd have to have something to bring to the ticket that the nominee needs. Barack Obama needed gravitas, so he picked someone with a lot of legislative experience.

I suppose if a male wins the Democratic nomination, that person would need to pick a woman for VP who might have been a candidate for the big job. But only one who drops out early, and I don't see that happening with Elizabeth Warren or Kamala Harris. Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders are not likely to pick Kirsten Gillibrand or Tulsi Gabbard. Maybe Amy Klobuchar if she can't get in the top three of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, or Nevada and drops out before California.

We have a lot of rock-em, sock-em to get through in the debates, and I doubt that they will be as civil and as friendly as they were in the 2008 primary election.

[SFnomad]

16. Before any debates? What are you talking about, there were 17 debates before the Iowa Caucuses

Both candidates had been running for 10 months by the time Biden withdrew and had been to numerous debates together.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Democratic_Party_presidential_debates_and_forums

[customerserviceguy]

17. Again, my memory is not accurate, and I thank you for correcting me

But the worst thing that Biden said about Obama before dropping out is all that "clean and articulate" stuff that was a badly fumbled attempt at a compliment.

Barack Obama was a statesman, and was able to get past that. I really think the debates are going to be rather brutal in comparison this time around, at least in comparison to 2008. Things will be said that it would take a saint to forgive.

Still, I stick by my original point that picking a rival that you defeated on the way to the nomination is much more the exception than the rule.

[forgotmylogin]

12. I could see it if there is a power-duo that makes sense.

If Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris teamed up, I think they'd be unstoppable.

Which kind of makes sense why nobody wants to announce VP yet - it most likely will be someone who is also in the mix for President.

It might be cool during the debates if a few potential candidates reciprocally picked each other as running mates instead of attacking each other.

Perhaps that'd be a great debate question: "If you were not to gain the nomination, which candidate on this stage would you most like to run with as their VP?"

[CrossingTheRubicon]

9. Bad idea.

[BooScout]

15. I just love political stunts...

...they always seem to backfire and smack various politicians upside the head.

This sounds to me like Biden can't get the votes in the primaries on his own.

[Nanjeanne]

18. Win on your own Joe. Get in or out and take your chance like everyone else.