What on Earth would Julian Castro bring to the ticket?

[falling apart like the ashes of American flags]

He's one of the most boring empty suits ever. And let's take a look at the potential benefits:

1-He's a Hispanic.
Um, OK. Donald Trump is currently polling at 11% amongst Hispanics. I don't think a boost is needed.

2-Um...?

Seriously.

[For Trump, everything. For immigrants, the law]

He's Latino and young. That's about it.

[The Free North]

Maybe he can learn spanish on the campaign trail?

[Frodo]

Nothing.

[Dwarven Dragon]

She might lose Texas by 15 points instead of the 16 points Obama lost it by.

[Migrant Crime]

Even more important than what he brings to the ticket, in what way is he even qualified to be Vice President?  He was mayor of San Antonio, which is a weak mayor position and considered a part-time job.  Then he went on to HUD... ok?  Sarah Palin was more qualified than he would be (and she wasn't qualified either).

[falling apart like the ashes of American flags]

Yeah, his claim to fame is an essentially ceremonial position and a very bland and bureaucratic one that most people don't even know exists.

[libertpaulian]

Nothing.

In fact, it might even make the ticket look bad to some swing voters, who may be comfortable with a woman President, but still might hold to some slightly traditional gender views.  Castro doesn't exactly convey an "alpha" personality, and in fact, looks kind of "beta."  Said swing voters might think "Oh, yeah, look at that guy.  He's Hillary's little b*tch."

Remember, it was theorized that Kennedy won because he was young, handsome, and prepared, while Nixon was sweating during that one debate.  Optics can mean something.

[RaphaelDLG]

Absolutely nothing politically or professionally.

If hrc dies and he does a good job, it's totally off of natural talent, not significant experience.

[Virginiá]

Yeah, his claim to fame is an essentially ceremonial position and a very bland and bureaucratic one that most people don't even know exists.

Exactly. If they want a Hispanic person, there are other, better choices. Castro being 2nd in line to the presidency sounds dangerous. He has no noteworthy qualifications for anything close to that job.

However, in regards to your previous comment about what a Hispanic would bring that Trump wouldn't - Probably nothing, but a lot of Hispanics might like the idea of one of their own being #2 and Democrats being the first to do that would help cement a positive image of the Democratic party in those people's minds. Especially when there is such a clear contrast between the parties in terms of tolerance/acceptance of their communities.

[falling apart like the ashes of American flags]

I'm actually wondering why he got so much buzz in the first place (which is a big part in how he ended up in HUD.) It's not like he's the only Hispanic big city mayor. He wasn't even the first Hispanic mayor of San Antonio.

[Coolface Sock #42069]

SJW cred

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Tokenism.

[Frodo]

I'm actually wondering why he got so much buzz in the first place (which is a big part in how he ended up in HUD.) It's not like he's the only Hispanic big city mayor. He wasn't even the first Hispanic mayor of San Antonio.

The greatest disservice President Obama ever did was to give this guy a prime-time speaking slot at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, like he is some sort of a rising star.  

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

he can be in two places at once.

[libertpaulian]

I'm actually wondering why he got so much buzz in the first place (which is a big part in how he ended up in HUD.) It's not like he's the only Hispanic big city mayor. He wasn't even the first Hispanic mayor of San Antonio.

The greatest disservice President Obama ever did was to give this guy a prime-time speaking slot at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, like he is some sort of a rising star.  

They should have given that to Elizabeth Warren.

[Taco Truck 🚚]

Sarah Palin was more qualified than he would be...

Alaska population... 736,732

San Antonio population... 1,409,000

And you get bonus points for actually finishing your term vs leaving in disgrace.

It's time to call BS on all this small state nonsense.

And let's not forget the family pedigree and Standford and Harvard degrees.  You can say you don't like the guy but saying Palin is more qualified is just flat out ridiculous.

[NeverAgain]

I'm actually wondering why he got so much buzz in the first place (which is a big part in how he ended up in HUD.) It's not like he's the only Hispanic big city mayor. He wasn't even the first Hispanic mayor of San Antonio.

The greatest disservice President Obama ever did was to give this guy a prime-time speaking slot at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, like he is some sort of a rising star.  

They should have given that to Elizabeth Warren.

[Migrant Crime]

Sarah Palin was more qualified than he would be...

Alaska population... 736,732

San Antonio population... 1,409,000

And you get bonus points for actually finishing your term vs leaving in disgrace.

It's time to call BS on all this small state nonsense.

And let's not forget the family pedigree and Standford and Harvard degrees.  You can say you don't like the guy but saying Palin is more qualified is just flat out ridiculous.

The Mayor of San Antonio doesn't do anything.  It's one of the least influential mayors in the United States. Read up, dummy!

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Sarah Palin was more qualified than he would be...

Alaska population... 736,732

San Antonio population... 1,409,000

And you get bonus points for actually finishing your term vs leaving in disgrace.

It's time to call BS on all this small state nonsense.

And let's not forget the family pedigree and Standford and Harvard degrees.  You can say you don't like the guy but saying Palin is more qualified is just flat out ridiculous.

Being Mayor of San Antonio is being a glorified city councilor. It's the same as being a member of the Alaska State House.

And his family background is overrated. The fact that his mom is an ex-brown beret just makes me hate him more.

[IceSpear]

This forum's vehement and insatiable hatred for Castro is comical.

I mean, don't get me wrong, I agree with most of the criticisms. But most VPs bring little to the ticket and/or are solely to pander. What makes Castro so bad in comparison?

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

This forum's vehement and insatiable hatred for Castro is comical.

I mean, don't get me wrong, I agree with most of the criticisms. But most VPs bring little to the ticket and/or are solely to pander. What makes Castro so bad in comparison?

If Shrillary Killtons is going to pick a Latino for the sake of a Latino, pick a qualified one.

[Dwarven Dragon]

This forum's vehement and insatiable hatred for Castro is comical.

I mean, don't get me wrong, I agree with most of the criticisms. But most VPs bring little to the ticket and/or are solely to pander. What makes Castro so bad in comparison?

Castro isn't qualified to be President in the event of Hillary leaving office due to health reasons (which ISN'T an impossibility, she has frequent coughing fits on the trail and is nearly 70), he is the most obvious pander to Latinos the world did see, and he might be a palin-esque drag. Plus, if I was in the Hillary war room, I wouldn't be suggesting a "do no harm, but don't expect any help" choice. I'd want her to pick someone like Kaine, Hickenlooper, or Booker - someone who doesn't have a ton of obvious baggage, is qualified, and helps in a key state/demographic group.  I think it's extremely dangerous to underestimate TRUMP (who is the likely nominee) and that Hillary should take every shred of help she can get.

[IceSpear]

This forum's vehement and insatiable hatred for Castro is comical.

I mean, don't get me wrong, I agree with most of the criticisms. But most VPs bring little to the ticket and/or are solely to pander. What makes Castro so bad in comparison?

If Shrillary Killtons is going to pick a Latino for the sake of a Latino, pick a qualified one.

Because your party has done so well at picking VPs. A moron who can't spell at a first grade level, an unlikable Satan incarnate that brought nothing to the ticket besides already safe R Wyoming, Sarah f**ing Palin, an unqualified Representative who brought nothing to the ticket besides his granny killing budget and couldn't even carry his hometown or district much less the overall state...

And even on the Democratic side...what exactly did Gore, Lieberman, Edwards, and Biden bring to the ticket? Clinton didn't need Gore's help to win the South. LOLieberman. I see what Kerry was trying to do with Edwards, but as usual it was an epic flop, plus the skeletons in his closet. Biden was originally meant to bring gravitas and experience, but even that was pointless when he was effectively neutered at the VP debate by his handlers who insisted he treat Palin with kid gloves to avoid looking sexist.

But I digress. Castro wouldn't be a great pick, but he would fit right in the groups of recent VP choices.

[Adam Griffin]

Every VP is selecting with some sort of pandering in mind. Whether it be pandering to those who want a ticket balanced based on experience (Biden), pandering to a specific state in order to win it in the election (Ryan, Edwards), pandering to a particular group of people based on a balance of age (Ryan, Edwards) or pandering to some other immutable characteristic in the hopes of securing their votes (Ferraro, Palin).

Castro is ill-equipped to pander in any of these areas.

As has already been pointed out, he was a ceremonial Mayor and has held a pretty inconsequential cabinet position for two years, so there goes any chance of successfully pandering to the "experience" crowd. His brother would be a better pick based on this alone.

He is from Texas, so obviously there goes any chance of successfully pandering to his home state.

He is young, but Millennials are the most sensitive (and therefore repelled) generation when it comes to blatant, base-level pandering, so there goes any chance of successfully pandering via the youth angle.

He is Latino, but anyone who understands how various groups are catered/pandered to in this country knows that "Hispandering" is arguably even less effective than pandering to Millennials; Latinos are downright hostile to it. He can't even speak Spanish (not that it's necessary, but if you're going to pick a Latino out of sheer pandering intent, then he/she should speak Spanish)...so there goes any chance of successfully pandering via the diverse angle.

So what's left? His skin color? His last name?

Better hope Cruz and Rubio don't end up on the ticket (for what it's worth, they'd have about as much effect on Latino voting behavior as Castro)!