Post by fortnightlily on Oct 14, 2015 10:00:12 GMT -5
I know some are saying O'Malley based on his performance in the debate (and I don't disagree), but do we need someone on the ticket who will help get electoral votes in swing states, and is he that guy?
I'd be happy with o'malley based on what I saw last night. I do think Hillary needs to go with someone that is fresh and somewhat youthful. It will be a good counter-balance.
Post by 2curlydogs on Oct 14, 2015 10:23:40 GMT -5
O'Malley as VEEP is the same as Fiorina as VEEP. He brings nothing to the table. No electoral votes, no swing states, nothing.
That said, I'd like to see someone like a Russ Feingold. Not him specifically (because we need him back in the Senate and getting rid of that mouthbreather Ron Johnson), but someone of that stripe - knows how to get shit done, has passed significant legislation (McCain-Feingold), sticks to his ideals (refusing to vote for the Patriot Act), free of scandal.
I tend to think the VP should be someone with Senate experience, or at least House experience, since their job is essentially to be the president of the Senate and the conduit between the White House and Congress.
But I'm hard pressed to think of any really exciting rock stars, that aren't from the northeast (it's not going to be a two-northeast ticket, nor a two woman ticket) I love me some Al Franken, but an SNL alum isn't going on the ticket either.
The democrats have almost been too disciplined and too lock step. They need more rock stars and need to work on their bench.
But Julian Castro would be a good choice. He lacks experience as a legislator, but he brings a lot to the table (and not just his ethnicity). A lot of the issues that I want to see handled - gun control, criminal justice reform, housing affordability - are things he has dealt with as mayor and HUD secretary. And the fact of the matter is, our country is rapidly turning more urban, and it's high time we stop pretending that America is only about the "heartland." Income inequality is going to swallow our urban areas whole, and we need a major national conversation about how to improve infrastructure and make housing affordable in urban areas before every city in this country turns into San Francisco.
The Republican Party has totally and completely abandoned urban voters. I'm not saying the Democrats should write off our rural communities and states, but too often, the Democrats have gotten swept up in the GOP's heartland bullshit, and that has come at the expense of some serious focus on urban development. Someone like Castro on the ticket might finally force politicians in this country on both sides of the aisle to understand that urban issues need to be at the forefront of national policy.
But Julian Castro would be a good choice. He lacks experience as a legislator, but he brings a lot to the table (and not just his ethnicity). A lot of the issues that I want to see handled - gun control, criminal justice reform, housing affordability - are things he has dealt with as mayor and HUD secretary. And the fact of the matter is, our country is rapidly turning more urban, and it's high time we stop pretending that America is only about the "heartland." Income inequality is going to swallow our urban areas whole, and we need a major national conversation about how to improve infrastructure and make housing affordable in urban areas before every city in this country turns into San Francisco.
The Republican Party has totally and completely abandoned urban voters. I'm not saying the Democrats should write off our rural communities and states, but too often, the Democrats have gotten swept up in the GOP's heartland bullshit, and that has come at the expense of some serious focus on urban development. Someone like Castro on the ticket might finally force politicians in this country on both sides of the aisle to understand that urban issues need to be at the forefront of national policy.
The NR review article I posted earlier talks about his "figurehead" role as a Mayor. He only did PR stuff & was paid like $4K, while the person who was in charge of the functions of government (city manager??) make like $400k bc it was a real job with real responsibilities. Not sure how much truth their is to this, but I'm not willing to give him much credit/experience for being a mayor if this is the case.
I agree with your statements about needing an Urban leader. I wouldn't consider the demographics of SA super urban - much more sprawl & not like other "big cities" in the way of demographics, crime, long history of other issues. Would O'Malley be a good fit for an urban leader type of theme?
But Julian Castro would be a good choice. He lacks experience as a legislator, but he brings a lot to the table (and not just his ethnicity). A lot of the issues that I want to see handled - gun control, criminal justice reform, housing affordability - are things he has dealt with as mayor and HUD secretary. And the fact of the matter is, our country is rapidly turning more urban, and it's high time we stop pretending that America is only about the "heartland." Income inequality is going to swallow our urban areas whole, and we need a major national conversation about how to improve infrastructure and make housing affordable in urban areas before every city in this country turns into San Francisco.
The Republican Party has totally and completely abandoned urban voters. I'm not saying the Democrats should write off our rural communities and states, but too often, the Democrats have gotten swept up in the GOP's heartland bullshit, and that has come at the expense of some serious focus on urban development. Someone like Castro on the ticket might finally force politicians in this country on both sides of the aisle to understand that urban issues need to be at the forefront of national policy.
The NR review article I posted earlier talks about his "figurehead" role as a Mayor. He only did PR stuff & was paid like $4K, while the person who was in charge of the functions of government (city manager??) make like $400k bc it was a real job with real responsibilities. Not sure how much truth their is to this, but I'm not willing to give him much credit/experience for being a mayor if this is the case.
I agree with your statements about needing an Urban leader. I wouldn't consider the demographics of SA super urban - much more sprawl & not like other "big cities" in the way of demographics, crime, long history of other issues. Would O'Malley be a good fit for an urban leader type of theme?
This sounds like many mayors in non "strong mayor" cities. That doesn't mean non "strong mayors" don't get shit done or have accomplishments.
The NR review article I posted earlier talks about his "figurehead" role as a Mayor. He only did PR stuff & was paid like $4K, while the person who was in charge of the functions of government (city manager??) make like $400k bc it was a real job with real responsibilities. Not sure how much truth their is to this, but I'm not willing to give him much credit/experience for being a mayor if this is the case.
I agree with your statements about needing an Urban leader. I wouldn't consider the demographics of SA super urban - much more sprawl & not like other "big cities" in the way of demographics, crime, long history of other issues. Would O'Malley be a good fit for an urban leader type of theme?
This sounds like many mayors in non "strong mayor" cities. That doesn't mean non "strong mayors" don't get shit done or have accomplishments.
Yea, I don't know much aobut this or how power is shared between mayors/managers/council in various cities, but I'm thinking it would be an easy way to attack him or cut down on his credentials. I don't know much about him specifically or his time in SA, just pointing out that the accomplishments can vary quite a bit... Hopefully, he will have a good rebuttal and record that he can stand on.
I would love Sherrod Brown but I like him better in the Senate now anyway.
Happy with Castro.
I could listen to Sherrod Brown talk all day. That crazy gravelly voice; I love it.
I would love to see Booker as VP, but I'm not sure he's got the right experience. O'Malley doesn't have much to go on either. He was a Dem elected mayor in a 90% Dem city. And he didn't do much there. And I think that even though Freddie Gray and other issues were long after his time, Republicans could use that against him. The murder rate spiked toward the end of his tenure as mayor. Sheila Dixon, whom he endorsed to succeed him as mayor, was found guilty of fraud during her mayoral term (she solicited donations of gift cards for needy families, and then used them herself). And, as others have said, he doesn't bring a whole lot to the table: Maryland is going blue no matter what, he has little name recognition outside of Maryland/the East Coast, and he's a white male.
I can see Castro locking this one down, and I'd be pretty pleased with that. Especially if Jeb! or a Latino candidate gets the R nom.
This sounds like many mayors in non "strong mayor" cities. That doesn't mean non "strong mayors" don't get shit done or have accomplishments.
Yea, I don't know much aobut this or how power is shared between mayors/managers/council in various cities, but I'm thinking it would be an easy way to attack him or cut down on his credentials. I don't know much about him specifically or his time in SA, just pointing out that the accomplishments can vary quite a bit... Hopefully, he will have a good rebuttal and record that he can stand on.
The National Review has a giant boner for Fiorina's whole "What are Hillary's Accomplishments??" schtick, so frankly, I'm not surprised they are taking this angle with Castro too.
I would love Sherrod Brown but I like him better in the Senate now anyway.
Happy with Castro.
I could listen to Sherrod Brown talk all day. That crazy gravelly voice; I love it.
I would love to see Booker as VP, but I'm not sure he's got the right experience. O'Malley doesn't have much to go on either. He was a Dem elected mayor in a 90% Dem city. And he didn't do much there. And I think that even though Freddie Gray and other issues were long after his time, Republicans could use that against him. The murder rate spiked toward the end of his tenure as mayor. Sheila Dixon, whom he endorsed to succeed him as mayor, was found guilty of fraud during her mayoral term (she solicited donations of gift cards for needy families, and then used them herself). And, as others have said, he doesn't bring a whole lot to the table: Maryland is going blue no matter what, he has little name recognition outside of Maryland/the East Coast, and he's a white male.
I can see Castro locking this one down, and I'd be pretty pleased with that. Especially if Jeb! or a Latino candidate gets the R nom.
And yet she may very well be mayor again next year.