Biden VP news megathread (pg 286 - been selected, announcement could be today)

[redjohn]

I sure hope Joe picks someone who is somewhat appealing to progressive voters. Don't make the same mistake as HRC.

[redjohn]

There are a lot of soundbites of Warren criticizing Biden. I'd be very surprised if he picked her.

[redjohn]

In terms of them actually SERVING as VP, I think Klobuchar would be the best pick. Pretty respected among more progressive and more "moderate" Senators, and she knows the Senate well. Warren wouldn't be terrible either, though.

[redjohn]

The race for VP has to seriously be between Warren and Harris. Abrams doesn't have the experience to be Vice President, and she doesn't really have the credentials yet. Harris and Warren both clearly do, and they would both obviously be exciting picks for different reasons and would be naturals at campaigning. They just spent many months campaigning, after all.

[redjohn]

Alot of AA are rooting for Stacy Abrams,  she will shake the status quo

...what? How will she do that? What would Stacey possibly do better or different from any of the other picks? Harris and Warren both know their way around Washington. How would someone who has never held statewide office possibly be able to 'shake the status quo'?

[redjohn]

Only Harris and Warren have dealt with grueling Presidential campaigning and are prepared for the scrutiny and criticism that comes with such a visible spot. Voters are also fairly familiar with both.

Harris strikes me as a very Kaine-esque pick. She's not very risky, will make the same base that elected Biden in the primaries happy, but also may not have much sway or impact on voters outside of that base. She's not a bad choice, obviously. She's very intelligent, telegenic, and comes off as very VP-like. She'd also be a historic pick, and electing the first Black woman VP would fire up a lot of voters, but mostly people who are already in Biden's camp.

Warren would be a somewhat risky pick because of her past statements criticizing Biden, and their ideological differences. But it would be a major outreach effort to the left that may be necessary. She's also amazing in debates and would have no trouble ripping Pence apart on the stage. There's also the potential that her being to the left of Biden could cause some voters to question how moderate Biden really is.

It's not an easy choice between these two candidates. I think Warren would be an electrifying pick that would unite 95% of the American left and boost Biden quite a bit. But there's also very legitimate reasons for picking Harris.

[redjohn]

The rollout does matter a bit. An in-person announcement with both of them, emphasizing the candidate's experience would be very helpful.

Also, I'll be very surprised if it's anyone but Harris.

[redjohn]

I don't support Rice for VP, but the notion that somehow Benghazi would be a devastating attack is ridiculous. All it would do is open up more opportunities for Democrats to point out that 150,000 is greater than 4. Trump really doesn't want to remind voters of a time when the worst scandal Washington had to worry about was Benghazi.

In general people have positive memories of the Obama administration.

Yeah, the don't pick Rice because of Benghazi line is bizarre to me, same with the unmasking stuff. Who will care other than partisan Republican voters?

My guess is that it's avoiding an obvious attack that, while probably not effective, would be extremely annoying.

However, they are going to get this with literally anyone they pick.

[redjohn]

Guys... waiting to announce is much better than announcing early. People's interest will fade fast after the VP is announced, and the closer to the online convention the better. People will tune in to see the VP speak, Democrats can better introduce the running mate to the public on their own terms.

There's no rush! Biden is doing well in polling and the current narrative of "Trump is doing a horrible job as President and Biden is a good alternative" is great for the time being.

[redjohn]

Well it feels imminent, even if it could happen anytime this week. My final guess is Harris, just because she's the obvious pick. Whitmer wouldn't be that surprising, but Rice would be a pretty shocking pick. My top pick is still Warren but there's basically no chance she gets picked.

[redjohn]

I'm guessing if we found out tonight it would be a leak and I doubt it will leak until immediately before.

[redjohn]

Final prediction is Kamala. I'll be SHOCKED if it's anyone else.

[redjohn]

This has been an exciting rollout. Kudos to Biden's team for resisting the pressure to announce early.

[redjohn]

I'm on the edge of my seat!

[redjohn]

Here comes the black swan pick, Ms. Tulsi Gabbard!



Seriously though, imagine the reactions.

[redjohn]

Oh god let it just leak

[redjohn]

Guessing we're going to get some more picks ruled out before anyone is confirmed.

[redjohn]

Y'all, it's going to be Kamala.

[redjohn]

Biden-Harris! Here we go