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

[Devils30]

Whitmer is a better choice. The 5 biggest states are MI PA WI AZ FL. The first three are midwestern, a place of obvious appeal and the latter two have a ton of midwestern transplants. Biden can knock down all pins with one ball if done right.

[Devils30]

People are looking for leadership above anything, Whitmer after this crisis is the perfect choice.

[Devils30]

It's a promotion and representation at the national level, not abandonment. MI would get an African-American Governor too after in Gilchrist.

[Devils30]

She can still be the VP nominee and stay in Michigan to manage the crisis.

[Devils30]

Whitmer is a proven leader who could seamlessly step into the presidency if needed

“Whitmer brings her skills as a governor and public official who has unfailingly seen from the get-go what her state needs in this, its most critical hour, and with laser-like precision has gone after it. With her leadership skills, she has also shown herself prepared to do so for the nation as well.” — David A. Andelman, CNN


This is the winning message for 2020 Biden should double down on. It is isn't an identity type of election year.

[Devils30]

It is nothing but name recognition whatsoever

[Devils30]

She didn't say she wouldn't accept it, she just said she won't campaign for it. It's nothing but the typical denial.

[Devils30]

It means nothing about Warren being VP. He invited Whitmer first onto his podcast, has done fundraising with Amy and Kamala. Pretty sure it’s one of those 4 but he’s keeping it close to the vest.

[Devils30]

Harris has an ideology out of line with most moderates, far left on social issues but centrist on economics with a heavy dose of identity politics.

[Devils30]

I think there is little evidence Harris makes a difference, you saw how bad her campaign was. Biden should just pick whoever he thinks will help him win and then govern. If his heart is Whitmer, go there.

[Devils30]

Warren, Abrams are overpriced and Whitmer is underpriced

[Devils30]

Biden goes back fairly far with Whitmer...endorsed her back in 2018.

[Devils30]

She is obviously at the top of the list. As a Presidential nominee I thought she would be terrible but as VP I don't see her as a big problem. That said, I think Biden will be leaking a lot of articles like these in the next 2 months. He's had sources say he has great chemistry with Klobuchar, Whitmer as well...he'll keep people guessing to the end.

[Devils30]

You'll see articles like this for Klobuchar, Warren, Whitmer. It's part of the process.

[Devils30]

Jonathan Martin
@jmartNYT
1h
The @KamalaHarris folks put out word to @AsteadWesley+ @ccadelago that she's overhauled team in an effort to send Biden a "look, no more drama here" msg.  But it also highlights her tendency to churn thru staff, which is why she had so few loyalists on campaign in first place.

Interesting...so the Politico article was from Harris' sources more than Biden. Biden is doing a good job keeping us all guessing, it will probably be Harris, Klobuchar or Whitmer but he seems to be in regular contact with all 3 and more.

[Devils30]

A lot of this is nothing more than trial balloons that camapigns do. For Harris you can expect the questions of her staff to come up because they did not help her one bit when she ran. Having her campaign based in Baltimore instead of Oakland was nothing more than malpractice. Makes sense she would have people leak friendly things about correcting the problem.

For Klobuchar, expect articles about former staffers saying she wasn't too bad to her along with promises from current staffers about treating people more nicely as of late. It will mention how Biden is weighing the pros and cons of someone who former staffers on the record say can be abusive with a politician who is very skilled and wins by large margins in a swingy state.

For Whitmer, expect praise of her leadership during COVID 19 along with questions if 1.5 years as Governor is enough experience. You'll probably hear about Biden having great chemistry with her as well as concern she has zero foreign policy credentials or D.C. background. You'll hear hope that she will connect better than any running mate along with concern she won't enthuse the base.

Warren it will be about her political skills (the DNA test was beyond extremely dumb). She is the smartest person in the room but will she connect with anyone beyond those with graduate degrees?

The point is that Politico Kamala Harris article was part of the normal vetting process, not a sign that Biden is choosing her or not.

[Devils30]

Polls show 80% of Dems don't care about the race or identity of the VP nominee. Just pick the best candidate!

[Devils30]

I don't think she has Obama level skills with turnout though.

[Devils30]

I just want him to pick A black woman who didn’t repeatedly defend wrongful convictions, laugh at the R word, and face zero consequences for either. Is that too much to ask?

He can't pick someone unqualified, that would destroy his brand more than anything.

[Devils30]

I think Klobuchar or Whitmer is fine for this year. Average people really want competence more than checking a box. It's mainly those with graduate degrees who are obsessed with identity.

[Devils30]

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/13/politics/joe-biden-running-mate/index.html

But it's an open question whether a governor would even be able to seriously entertain an offer, given the crushing demands of leading their states through a pandemic and economic collapse. None have been tested on the national stage or put through the rigors of a presidential race and Democrats close to the process believe the status of the coronavirus in each state will be a factor in whether leaders like Whitmer, Raimondo or Lujan Grisham could be picked.

Even Whitmer, who has drawn the most attention because of Michigan's intense battle with coronavirus, is ultimately seen by many people close to Biden as a longshot. "Yes, she's incredibly talented, but could she take the job now?" one Biden adviser not involved in the search said.


If Biden goes in the Harris direction that is fine. However, he should not decline to pick Whitmer because she has a job as Governor if he views her as a superstar and perfect running mate. You're making a decision for potentially 12-16 years of impact, 90 days of logistical challenges should not be the reason why she isn't selected. Not like we're going to have rallies anyway.

[Devils30]

At about the 2:30 mark here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpKS2hJTgUQ

Whitmer’s asked about whether she’d consider being Biden’s running mate, but she dodges, saying she’s focused on her current job.  On the question of whether she’s talked about it with Biden himself: “That’s not a conversation that we’ve had in any depth at this juncture.”

Of course she'll deny it. It's interesting how the CNN source wasn't even part of the decision team. My gut feeling is she's one of the three finalists along with Harris and Klobuchar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E8S6I-m_hg

Sounds pretty Presidential to me...I think she'd be a worthwhile risk for Biden.

[Devils30]

Truth is this isn't a race, none of us know what Biden is thinking.

[Devils30]

The coronavirus for Biden with Whitmer is a fair calculated risk.
As for Harris, I think stuff in her past needs to be vetted. Getting 6 figure appointments from Willie Brown while dating him is not exactly the most flattering thing. It really doesn't help her cause.

[Devils30]

I think Whitmer being asked and accepting the VP slot could backfire in MI. It would look like she only used the Gov. Mansion as a quick stepping stone for higher office rather than actualy doing something for the state. The damn roads haven't been fixed as we speak and amidst a pandemic, it may not bode well among the electorate to run for VP after having served less than a half term. She would have to answer questions why there time to campaign for VP while this crisis is going on. Being a sitting senator is a different story here, b/c executives are in charge of managing day by day operations during a crisis. The legislative branch isn't.

Crisis management skills was actually the top skill last weeks poll suggested Democratic voters want in a VP. Her approval is 60-65%, that is not "Hillary." I don't think most voters would hold her running for VP against her as long as she is doing her job at home. Don't expect rallies this fall anywhere. Believe it or not, people might enjoy seeing a Governor doing her job instead of a Senator occupied with Capitol Hill jargon.