An early VP selection for candidates

[evertonfc]

Could we see a candidate pick a VP running mate before the primary is over? The arguments at this point with people I know is this. Biden won't excite the base to turnout and Warren and Sanders are not electable in the GE. Both probably have some validity. Do you think a solid VP pick would help Biden with the base or maybe Warren appear more electable in the GE? An example would be Biden picking Abrams or Warren maybe choosing Castro ( just examples folks). If we don't motivate and get huge GOTV with African Americans or Latinos- we don't stand a chance. So, would an early pick be beneficial to these candidates to shore up thier GE weaknesses and focus on the Trump billion dollar campaign machine * FYI.. Abrams said yesterday, in front of 700 Iowa voters, that she would happily run on a ticket if asked.

[oldsoftie]

1. I've always thought that would be a great idea. But i dont think anyone ever does it!

I guess because most VPs end up being one of the other candidates?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Actually they don't usually choose from the other candidates.

Obama and Kerry did, but IIRC, Hillary, McCain, Gore, Mondale, Bush I and II, Bill C, didn’t.

[oldsoftie]

8. Then i wonder why they dont. I think people may move to you if they liked your pick

Maybe they kinda like you, but then they LOVE your VP pick

[blm]

2. Indies support Sanders and Warren as much as Biden. ALL lead Trump

The ‘not electable’ spin is political jockeying, not reality.

Read more: https://www.theeagle.com/opinion/columnists/independents-are-pulling-away-from-trump/article_a80ec185-7a47-51e1-b8e4-3a7d89e094a3.html
(Bryan-College Station Eagle)

[left-of-center2012]

3. "a candidate pick a VP running mate before the primary is over"

I think thar was done a couple times over the decades.

[samnsara]

5. i dont care if its a god damned loaf of bread we nominate..we dont need excitement ...

Last edited Thu Nov 7, 2019, 11:31 AM - Edit history (1)

..we need commitment. I'm too old to be swayed by an exciting candidate..

[Politicub]

11. We need both excitement and commitment. You sell Biden short by presupposing that he won't be

able to get the base excited about voting out the president. How do you know this is the case? I'm saying this because you have chosen Biden as your preferred nominee.

If he isn't able to do that, I think it will dampen turnout of people who don't usually vote. We need every vote we can get so we win up and down the ticket.

[loyalsister]

9. I would be disappointed in her if she accepted

They have some significant policy disagreements and I would hate to see her sacrifice her values and fall in line with someone who has made some seriously destructive compromises.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

13. I wouldn't be disappointed, but I would be surprised.

If she actually were offered the spot it wouldn't be such a bad idea to accept, since she would have an excellent opportunity to exert some influence. And, of course, whoever gets the VP position is in the best position to get the nomination and run the next time (Biden probably wouldn't run for a second term on account of his age). I don't think many people would or should turn down that offer.

[Politicub]

10. I think they would rather tease who their VP nominee might be.

Choosing a VP closes them off to courting the many groups who make up the democratic coalition. The candidates can have meetings with a variety of people and the media will dutifully report that so and so may be in the running for VP. This is exactly what happened when Biden met with Stacey Abrams. Simply being showy about meetings can propel a candidate into the news cycle for the day. Why would they cut themselves off from an easy way to make positive news?

This election cycle is so different, though, that we may see a VP pick before someone prevails in the primaries.

[MiniMe]

12. Remember, it isn't only the candidate's choice

The candidate "nominates" a running mate, but the VP is decided at the convention. It would be pretty unusual for the convention to not honor the candidate's choice, but it it possible.