VP Candidate Speculation

[minzy]

Jul 24, 2024 9:51:46 GMT -5 neverfstop said:

I've been a Kelly fan since day 1.

Me too! I actually looked back at when someone posted about him running for Congress more than five years ago. Here’s what I said on here then (and I think the twin stuff still holds 😉):

I’m all for more scientists and engineers in Congress, let alone an astronaut. And maybe it’s just my sister and me, but I tend to think identical twins are so used to looking out for each other that they’re also good at looking out for others. Saying teamwork is the solution is such a twin thing to say. 😛 Go, Mark!

[stuffandthings]

Jul 24, 2024 6:41:28 GMT -5 orval said:

Jul 24, 2024 4:07:18 GMT -5 @villainv said:

Since Cooper is SO popular (even among Rs — he won governor as a D in the same year that the state as a whole went for Trump), I’m hopeful that having him on the Presidential ticket might draw enough voters to the polls to keep Robinson from winning.

I don't think Cooper is that popular. I am in very blue Charlotte.  Can't think of anyone that actually likes him -- of course  in Charlotte we always think we get the shaft from Raleigh.   I call him milque toast as he has no personality.  I actually don't know that much about him because he is pretty non-existent in our part of the state.  I also don't think we need two people on the ticket that have both been state attorneys general and essentially worked in government their entire lives.  I would like to see some different experience.
But I do think he is high on the list.  Kamala has been in NC a bunch of times this year already.

I'm really interested in the bolded part. Why would you not want people who have worked in government their whole lives to be in charge of the government? Seems like people who have done a thing for a long time would probably be really good at that thing, yes?

[mrsslocombe]

Jul 24, 2024 10:31:43 GMT -5 stuffandthings said:

Jul 24, 2024 6:41:28 GMT -5 orval said:

I don't think Cooper is that popular. I am in very blue Charlotte.  Can't think of anyone that actually likes him -- of course  in Charlotte we always think we get the shaft from Raleigh.   I call him milque toast as he has no personality.  I actually don't know that much about him because he is pretty non-existent in our part of the state.  I also don't think we need two people on the ticket that have both been state attorneys general and essentially worked in government their entire lives.  I would like to see some different experience.
But I do think he is high on the list.  Kamala has been in NC a bunch of times this year already.

I'm really interested in the bolded part. Why would you not want people who have worked in government their whole lives to be in charge of the government? Seems like people who have done a thing for a long time would probably be really good at that thing, yes?

I'll answer this! I'm not opposed to people who have a lifelong career in government, but I do want to see a balance of experiences. I love that Cori Bush and Lauren Underwood were nurses before joining the House. I know Hickenlooper was a geologist. I think it's really important that we have Senators, Reps, etc who have worked "regular" jobs that give them insight into how that majority of people live. I also think it gives people different ways of approaching problems, different perspectives, etc.


I do want the President/VP to have some government experience and know how the system actually works, and how to use it effectively, but I also don't want them so far removed from what it's like to struggle with housing, health insurance, etc.

[windyseas]

Jul 24, 2024 10:58:07 GMT -5 mrsslocombe said:

Jul 24, 2024 10:31:43 GMT -5 stuffandthings said:

I'm really interested in the bolded part. Why would you not want people who have worked in government their whole lives to be in charge of the government? Seems like people who have done a thing for a long time would probably be really good at that thing, yes?

I'll answer this! I'm not opposed to people who have a lifelong career in government, but I do want to see a balance of experiences. I love that Cori Bush and Lauren Underwood were nurses before joining the House. I know Hickenlooper was a geologist. I think it's really important that we have Senators, Reps, etc who have worked "regular" jobs that give them insight into how that majority of people live. I also think it gives people different ways of approaching problems, different perspectives, etc.


I do want the President/VP to have some government experience and know how the system actually works, and how to use it effectively, but I also don't want them so far removed from what it's like to struggle with housing, health insurance, etc.

I get what you're saying here, but let's not pretend that the vast majority of those in Congress or in the White House struggled with these issues at all, let alone recently.  With the astronomical cost of campaigning now, reaching that level of government office is out of reach for most Americans. 

[sent]

Jul 24, 2024 11:02:20 GMT -5 windyseas said:

Jul 24, 2024 10:58:07 GMT -5 mrsslocombe said:

I'll answer this! I'm not opposed to people who have a lifelong career in government, but I do want to see a balance of experiences. I love that Cori Bush and Lauren Underwood were nurses before joining the House. I know Hickenlooper was a geologist. I think it's really important that we have Senators, Reps, etc who have worked "regular" jobs that give them insight into how that majority of people live. I also think it gives people different ways of approaching problems, different perspectives, etc.


I do want the President/VP to have some government experience and know how the system actually works, and how to use it effectively, but I also don't want them so far removed from what it's like to struggle with housing, health insurance, etc.

I get what you're saying here, but let's not pretend that the vast majority of those in Congress or in the White House struggled with these issues at all, let alone recently.  With the astronomical cost of campaigning now, reaching that level of government office is out of reach for most Americans. 

Maybe they haven't struggled with it personally, but they have encountered it in their line of work. I deal with insurance and see regular people struggle with it everyday in my office as a doctor and as a small business owner even if I personally don't struggle.

[ellipses84]

I think it will be Shapiro. PA is critical with so many electoral votes. I think PA was already going to vote for Biden, but IDK without him on the ticket. Hopefully voters believe the reality that Democrats are pro-union and Republicans are anti-union. I see him as quite similar to Harris in his appeal to young voters, in comparison to other candidates.

I think Beshear is a great option against Vance and to represent that part of the country. He’s very no bullshit in a likable way. Less name recognition though.

Kelly has an amazing backstory which makes him very likable. I think a VP from the eastern half of the U.S. would be better though. Arizonans tend to hate California politics which isn’t great for Harris’ background, but I think they are more socially liberal than a lot of other swing states and lean more Libertarian / anti-government control which is not represented by the R party anymore. I think Biden would have won it and they’ll be more excited for Harris. I was happy to hear the voter registrations have increased a lot, especially for young people in AZ since Harris became the candidate!

Side note: The 2020 census changed the electoral votes in some states +/- a little bit, in a way that doesn’t favor blue states, but the new map would not have impacted the 2020 election results.

[ellipses84]

I didn’t mention Buttigieg. I don’t want to tempt fate with timing. I want him to be president in the next 20 years and think he can 💯 win in the future. I don’t know if tying him to a Harris presidency now is the right move.

[jinkies]

Jul 24, 2024 13:07:44 GMT -5 ellipses84 said:

I think it will be Shapiro. PA is critical with so many electoral votes. I think PA was already going to vote for Biden, but IDK without him on the ticket. Hopefully voters believe the reality that Democrats are pro-union and Republicans are anti-union. I see him as quite similar to Harris in his appeal to young voters, in comparison to other candidates.

I think Beshear is a great option against Vance and to represent that part of the country. He’s very no bullshit in a likable way. Less name recognition though.

Kelly has an amazing backstory which makes him very likable. I think a VP from the eastern half of the U.S. would be better though. Arizonans tend to hate California politics which isn’t great for Harris’ background, but I think they are more socially liberal than a lot of other swing states and lean more Libertarian / anti-government control which is not represented by the R party anymore. I think Biden would have won it and they’ll be more excited for Harris. I was happy to hear the voter registrations have increased a lot, especially for young people in AZ since Harris became the candidate!

Side note: The 2020 census changed the electoral votes in some states +/- a little bit, in a way that doesn’t favor blue states, but the new map would not have impacted the 2020 election results.

An interesting fact about Josh Shapiro-- in 2016, Republicans swept all the top elections in PA. Trump for President, Toomey for Senate, and all but 5 (very blue) house districts. Somehow, Shapiro won as attorney general. So I can see why he looks appealing from a "we must win PA" perspective. 

But I still really like Kelly, for all the reasons that have been stated in this thread. Experience with gun violence, from a border state, astronaut/scientist, name recognition. 

I'm not at all a political strategist, but I honestly think that PA most likely would have gone to Trump in a Trump/Biden matchup, mostly because people hate both of them and turnout would be low except for the Trump cult. I think people are much more energized by having literally ANYONE else to vote for, and will turn out for Harris. 

[bimbi284]

Apparently there are 12 potential VPs, according to CBS.
www.cbsnews.com/news/kamala-harris-vp-vetting/?linkId=520683527

x.com/cbsnews/status/1816211222208938266?s=46&t=Mw6Sl2Bd0x7PRI-X6Y3Hig

Shapiro
Copper
Beshear
Waltz
Pritzker
Whitmer
Buttigieg
Kelly
Raimondo

As well as some who don’t currently hold office.

[curbsideprophet]

Well, Kelly voted with Vance on a ban on mask mandates. So I am no longer interested in him being the choice. I do not understand why any Democrat would vote for this.

www.newsweek.com/democrats-vote-ban-mask-mandate-jd-vance-1838224

The amendment to the Senate minibus appropriations bill passed Wednesday by a 59-38 margin and prevents federal mask mandates on passenger airlines, commuter rail, rapid transit buses, and any other transportation program funded through the 2024 fiscal year.

[wise_rita]

Jul 24, 2024 17:18:56 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

Well, Kelly voted with Vance on a ban on mask mandates. So I am no longer interested in him being the choice. I do not understand why any Democrat would vote for this.

Don't let perfection get in the way of good.

I know you didn't say, "I won't vote for a Harris/Kelly ticket", but I feel this is worth saying.

[turkturkleton]

Shapiro's stance on the genocide and his crackdown on peaceful pro-Palestine protests makes him a hard no for me. And if Harris is looking to court the Gen Z vote, she needs to come out strong on the issue and distance herself from the Biden administration's policy as much as possible.

[pixy0stix]

I put this in the other thread as well, but the DNC has given a soft deadline of the middle of next week to announce her pick - www.politico.com/news/2024/07/24/dnc-harris-rivals-declare-00170983

[picksthemusic]

Be careful with Newsweek as a source - they have completely jumped the shark. Not saying the record of his voting isn't correct, but wanted to put it out there that Newsweek is no longer trustworthy in my opinion. They constantly put out click-baity articles full of shite.

[mcsangel2]

Jul 24, 2024 17:37:55 GMT -5 turkturkleton said:

Shapiro's stance on the genocide and his crackdown on peaceful pro-Palestine protests makes him a hard no for me. And if Harris is looking to court the Gen Z vote, she needs to come out strong on the issue and distance herself from the Biden administration's policy as much as possible.

I agree, at another time I think Shapiro would be a great pick, put I think it would be a really bad look right now.

[basilosaurus]

Jul 24, 2024 17:59:15 GMT -5 picksthemusic said:

Be careful with Newsweek as a source - they have completely jumped the shark. Not saying the record of his voting isn't correct, but wanted to put it out there that Newsweek is no longer trustworthy in my opinion. They constantly put out click-baity articles full of shite.

I had no idea. Are they like NYT in being taken over by the right wing faction? I'd thought they were a decent source.

[TR]

This was interesting to listen to this morning about how much (or little) a VP pick matters: www.keranews.org/2024-07-25/vice-presidential-picks-how-much-do-they-matter

Short version is that these guys’ data suggests it’s less about home state or demographics of the VP pick and more about their experience and readiness to assume the POTUS position. I’m sure there other people out there with different data because…statistics.

[pixy0stix]

Jul 25, 2024 7:36:16 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

Jul 24, 2024 17:59:15 GMT -5 picksthemusic said:

Be careful with Newsweek as a source - they have completely jumped the shark. Not saying the record of his voting isn't correct, but wanted to put it out there that Newsweek is no longer trustworthy in my opinion. They constantly put out click-baity articles full of shite.

I had no idea. Are they like NYT in being taken over by the right wing faction? I'd thought they were a decent source.

They struggled to transition from print to online and turned to sensationalism. I don't think it's right or left leaning, but more regular trash reporting.

[magma]

Jul 25, 2024 7:42:30 GMT -5 TR said:

This was interesting to listen to this morning about how much (or little) a VP pick matters: www.keranews.org/2024-07-25/vice-presidential-picks-how-much-do-they-matter

Short version is that these guys’ data suggests it’s less about home state or demographics of the VP pick and more about their experience and readiness to assume the POTUS position. I’m sure there other people out there with different data because…statistics.

You know who is really good at keeping a level head in a crisis, dealing with sudden adversity, handling any life or death situation that unexpectedly comes their way?

An astronaut!!

Half kidding aside, we are lucky to have such great options.

[ellipses84]

Jul 23, 2024 10:24:29 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

As a Minnesotan, I would be sad to see Gov. Walz go, but he'd be a great choice.

I wasn’t familiar with him, but his MSNBC interview was 🔥talking about how stupid Rs are for going after cat ladies and if he [trump] were a tv show he’d be cancelled by now, so let’s do it.

[SusanBAnthony]

Jul 25, 2024 22:32:42 GMT -5 ellipses84 said:

Jul 23, 2024 10:24:29 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

As a Minnesotan, I would be sad to see Gov. Walz go, but he'd be a great choice.

I wasn’t familiar with him, but his MSNBC interview was 🔥talking about how stupid Rs are for going after cat ladies and if he [trump] were a tv show he’d be cancelled by now, so let’s do it.

I'm totally cool with it because Peggy Flanagan would be awesome too as governor.

But ultimately Kelly would be my first pick if I got to pick.

[4speedy]

Jul 25, 2024 22:32:42 GMT -5 ellipses84 said:

Jul 23, 2024 10:24:29 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

As a Minnesotan, I would be sad to see Gov. Walz go, but he'd be a great choice.

I wasn’t familiar with him, but his MSNBC interview was 🔥talking about how stupid Rs are for going after cat ladies and if he [trump] were a tv show he’d be cancelled by now, so let’s do it.

I’m not sure this is the best analogy.  All the R’s have to say is “Well, he WAS a tv show and he ran for 15 seasons so maybe it’s Walz who isn’t so bright.”

[ESF]

I now learned who Walz is and I'm over Kelly. Walz or bust.

The entire democratic party should be talking like that. Like Pete Buttigieg, but with less fucks to give.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Jul 28, 2024 11:00:05 GMT -5 ESF said:

I now learned who Walz is and I'm over Kelly. Walz or bust.

The entire democratic party should be talking like that. Like Pete Buttigieg, but with less fucks to give.

Even if he doesn't get the VP nom, I love that he's getting national recognition.

[sequins]

Jul 28, 2024 11:09:54 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

Jul 28, 2024 11:00:05 GMT -5 ESF said:

I now learned who Walz is and I'm over Kelly. Walz or bust.

The entire democratic party should be talking like that. Like Pete Buttigieg, but with less fucks to give.

Even if he doesn't get the VP nom, I love that he's getting national recognition.

Yeah, didn't know too much about him before and the more I learn about him, the more I like him!

[spindle92]

Jul 28, 2024 11:00:05 GMT -5 ESF said:

I now learned who Walz is and I'm over Kelly. Walz or bust.

The entire democratic party should be talking like that. Like Pete Buttigieg, but with less fucks to give.

Walz is an amazing Governor and the Rs of MN truly hate him - so that tells you exactly how awesome he really is.

[dontlook]

I’m glad people are loving Walz. When I mentioned him not having national appeal I meant I wasn’t sure if I’m biased about him or if that nation will love him too. It sounds like he’s making a name for himself!

[estrellita]

Jul 28, 2024 15:06:29 GMT -5 spindle92 said:

Jul 28, 2024 11:00:05 GMT -5 ESF said:

I now learned who Walz is and I'm over Kelly. Walz or bust.

The entire democratic party should be talking like that. Like Pete Buttigieg, but with less fucks to give.

Walz is an amazing Governor and the Rs of MN truly hate him - so that tells you exactly how awesome he really is.

Their hate for him is insane. He's a former teacher, military, genuinely nice guy. I laugh at the "Walz failed" signs I still sometimes see. I would absolutely miss him if he ended up as VP but he would be great and our Lt Gov is pretty awesome too!

[curbsideprophet]

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper removes himself from Harris VP consideration

www.cnn.com/2024/07/29/politics/harris-vice-president-roy-cooper/index.html

[spindle92]

I love how Walz calling Republicans Weird is now a trending term.