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Joe BidenCongratulations to our presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden!
 

MineralMan

(146,317 posts)
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 10:23 AM Mar 2020

Joe Biden Will Choose a VP Nominee Based on His Own Criteria.

Our input is not required, nor is it useful, to be quite frank.

I'm hearing people now suggesting Governor Whitmer of Michigan. She is needed in Michigan right now.

In 2016, I remember people calling for Oprah Winfrey and even a popular, but completely inexperienced attorney, who is now in big trouble. Someone who makes the news in a good way at the moment is not the person who should be chosen as a VP nominee. That simply isn't how it works.

I admire Governor Whitmer very much. But, we need Democratic Governors to stay in office more than we need one who is making news to become the VP candidate.

Biden has several potential candidates he's looking at. Any of them would be an excellent choice for him. It's rare that a VP nominee makes much of a positive difference in a presidential election. Typically they are chosen to bring in votes from a particular place or region. Always, they should be chosen because they are capable of moving into the presidency on short notice. That is, by far, the most important qualification.

I suggest we leave Joe Biden to make his own choice, based on his own instincts and advice from his seasoned advisers. Recent news about someone does not make that person a suitable VP nominee.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
32 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Joe Biden Will Choose a VP Nominee Based on His Own Criteria. (Original Post) MineralMan Mar 2020 OP
Somehow I doubt that Biden is really paying much attention to our suggestions anyway. groundloop Mar 2020 #1
That Is Most Certainly True. MineralMan Mar 2020 #2
Good advice. There are several highly qualified people he can choose from. Arkansas Granny Mar 2020 #3
Well said and I agree wholeheartedly. justhanginon Mar 2020 #4
I do agree Biden doesn't need any assistance from outside sources in picking a VP.. honest.abe Mar 2020 #5
I did not advise Biden not to pick her, or anyone. MineralMan Mar 2020 #7
Ok then it should be fine for others to make pro or con comments regarding VP choices. honest.abe Mar 2020 #12
It's not for me to tell people what to write on DU. MineralMan Mar 2020 #15
Exactly. honest.abe Mar 2020 #17
It does sorta seem like you are suggesting what DUers shouldn't do. Anyway, if Biden isn't FailureToCommunicate Mar 2020 #26
Does it? I didn't say that in my original post. MineralMan Mar 2020 #27
+100. At one time VPs were strictly political choices Hortensis Mar 2020 #6
I'm sure there's still some of that going on. MineralMan Mar 2020 #9
On the Republican side, yes. Liebermans are what we've left behind. Hortensis Mar 2020 #11
Thanks for the grandfatherly advice disndat Mar 2020 #8
Well, I'm nobody's grandfather, but I am of that age. MineralMan Mar 2020 #10
Here's my useless opinion. hay rick Mar 2020 #13
Why do you consider your opinion to be worthless? MineralMan Mar 2020 #18
Sarcasm. In fact, I have the greatest opinions! hay rick Mar 2020 #28
Tremendous opinions, no doubt... MineralMan Mar 2020 #29
LOL, this is a discussion board, lighten up! Nt USALiberal Mar 2020 #14
I see. I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for letting me know. MineralMan Mar 2020 #16
I didn't know the discussion board was reserved exclusively for matters of a lighter nature. slumcamper Mar 2020 #20
Yep left-of-center2012 Mar 2020 #19
It's fine, I suppose, for people to write such things, MineralMan Mar 2020 #21
I suspect there is a general restlessness or urgency, even desperation, among many. slumcamper Mar 2020 #24
"Same with Oprah Winfrey" left-of-center2012 Mar 2020 #31
This message was self-deleted by its author pinkstarburst Mar 2020 #22
Experience doesn't matter in electoral politics. Dem4Life1102 Mar 2020 #23
Governor Witmer JGug1 Mar 2020 #25
As well he should. I am glad he has committed to picking a woman.. Peacetrain Mar 2020 #30
And att I was the height of that theme treestar Mar 2020 #32
 

groundloop

(11,519 posts)
1. Somehow I doubt that Biden is really paying much attention to our suggestions anyway.
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 10:27 AM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MineralMan

(146,317 posts)
2. That Is Most Certainly True.
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 10:27 AM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Arkansas Granny

(31,517 posts)
3. Good advice. There are several highly qualified people he can choose from.
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 10:27 AM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

justhanginon

(3,290 posts)
4. Well said and I agree wholeheartedly.
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 10:28 AM
Mar 2020

VP Biden's choice and having been a VP he knows what is expected of the nominee and has the judgement to pick someone who could potentially take over if necessary.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

honest.abe

(8,678 posts)
5. I do agree Biden doesn't need any assistance from outside sources in picking a VP..
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 10:36 AM
Mar 2020

including your advice not to pick Gov Whitmer.

I would bet money that Gov Whitmer is high on Biden's list of VP nominees and would not be surprised one bit if she is picked, notwithstanding the concern of losing her in Michigan.

Michigan is critical to winning in Nov. Whitmer would almost guarantee a win there plus help with other nearby battleground states.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MineralMan

(146,317 posts)
7. I did not advise Biden not to pick her, or anyone.
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 10:40 AM
Mar 2020

I am not competent to advise him about anything, actually.

I'm not addressing Joe Biden in my post at all. He doesn't read DU, in any case.

I believe he has named some of his possible choices. I'm sure he's thinking about that choice carefully. I'm happy to leave him to make the decision, based on whatever criteria he is using.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

honest.abe

(8,678 posts)
12. Ok then it should be fine for others to make pro or con comments regarding VP choices.
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 10:56 AM
Mar 2020

As long as they dont mention "Biden".

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MineralMan

(146,317 posts)
15. It's not for me to tell people what to write on DU.
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 11:02 AM
Mar 2020

I write what I want. Everyone else should do that, as well.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

FailureToCommunicate

(14,014 posts)
26. It does sorta seem like you are suggesting what DUers shouldn't do. Anyway, if Biden isn't
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 11:49 AM
Mar 2020

reading DU then, as you say it may not matter. I for one have learned a great deal recently from the suggestions of other DUers as to their prefered VP candidate.

Speculation is human nature, and in my case at least, educational.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MineralMan

(146,317 posts)
27. Does it? I didn't say that in my original post.
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 11:58 AM
Mar 2020

I merely expressed my opinion. I told nobody what they should or shouldn't do. I can't do that, since I have zero authority to do so.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
6. +100. At one time VPs were strictly political choices
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 10:36 AM
Mar 2020

made by men in back rooms, often resulting in VPs who were strongly opposed to the ideals and goals the president was elected for.

At one time, VPs might be so disliked, or dismissed, that they couldn't even get in the White House. Most viewed it as a form of retirement on-call to sub for the prez at dinners, funerals and ribbon-cuttings.

It is still that way in the authoritarian, hierarchical white man's party, the current aberration due to a mentally disordered president aside.

Our Democratic Party has advanced. We don't send our spare out to golf his term away. Biden wants an assistant president, someone he can work closely with and trust implicitly. A partnership like that means the choice must be made by the future president and vice president.

And the bad old days of choosing a potential next president based on shallow criteria that'd be more appropriate to marketing a line of sunglasses are over.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MineralMan

(146,317 posts)
9. I'm sure there's still some of that going on.
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 10:44 AM
Mar 2020

There have been some real doozies picked by those men in back rooms for losing candidates. Sarah Palin, for example. Joe Lieberman was another poor choice, I believe.

I hope politics has learned from those and other examples.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
11. On the Republican side, yes. Liebermans are what we've left behind.
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 10:48 AM
Mar 2020

Speaking of, he STILL hasn't dropped dead. So much for what goes 'round. Now I want the bastard alive to see millions of people choosing to have health insurance through the public option.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

disndat

(1,887 posts)
8. Thanks for the grandfatherly advice
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 10:42 AM
Mar 2020

But a woman would fit Biden's requirements for VP, someone who could take over on Day-1 could only be
HRC, Gov. Whitmer, or Michelle Obama(!!!), a very short list.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MineralMan

(146,317 posts)
10. Well, I'm nobody's grandfather, but I am of that age.
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 10:46 AM
Mar 2020

Actually, I'm of the age to be a great-grandfather. So is Joe Biden. He has already said he plans to nominate a woman for the job. Good plan, it seems to me.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

hay rick

(7,621 posts)
13. Here's my useless opinion.
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 10:56 AM
Mar 2020

I think VP speculation is harmless and it gives people a chance to give a shout out to the people they really admire. I like to praise the good guys and gals and recognize high-minded, principled public service. Practically all of these people have the drive, focus, and smarts that could earn them substantially more money in the private sector. My short list: Elizabeth Warren and Katie Porter.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MineralMan

(146,317 posts)
18. Why do you consider your opinion to be worthless?
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 11:04 AM
Mar 2020

We all have opinions. DU is a good place for expressing them, I think.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

hay rick

(7,621 posts)
28. Sarcasm. In fact, I have the greatest opinions!
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 12:06 PM
Mar 2020

Wondering when Joe is going to figure that out.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MineralMan

(146,317 posts)
29. Tremendous opinions, no doubt...
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 12:08 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

USALiberal

(10,877 posts)
14. LOL, this is a discussion board, lighten up! Nt
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 10:58 AM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MineralMan

(146,317 posts)
16. I see. I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for letting me know.
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 11:03 AM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

slumcamper

(1,606 posts)
20. I didn't know the discussion board was reserved exclusively for matters of a lighter nature.
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 11:18 AM
Mar 2020

Can someone please direct me to the "heavier" stuff?

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

left-of-center2012

(34,195 posts)
19. Yep
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 11:09 AM
Mar 2020

I'm tired of reading
"It must be this person (or that one)."

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MineralMan

(146,317 posts)
21. It's fine, I suppose, for people to write such things,
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 11:21 AM
Mar 2020

but I'm not sure I see the utility of it. Typically, the suggested VP is someone who recently made the news in a good way. Tomorrow, it will be someone else.

Michael Avenatti comes to mind. Back when he was in the news with regard to the Stormy Daniels business, a number of people even suggested that he be the presidential candidate. Same with Oprah Winfrey. Oprah didn't want the job, really, and Avenatti ended up being charged with criminal behavior.

We pay too much attention to people in the news, and not enough to the real criteria candidates should meet, I think.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

slumcamper

(1,606 posts)
24. I suspect there is a general restlessness or urgency, even desperation, among many.
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 11:36 AM
Mar 2020

And rightfully so. The country is literally at stake. Unfortunately, that anxiety tends to feed impulsivity, and we grasp with hope at every shiny but fleeting object that might offer us comfort and sustain that hope, albeit momentarily.

I'm simply projecting--and confessing--as I often find myself doing the same. My "wish list" has included Michelle Obama, Stacy Abrams, Andrew Gillum, and Al Franken!

In addition to being able to step in, the VP pick must also embody personal qualities that augment our victory in November.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

left-of-center2012

(34,195 posts)
31. "Same with Oprah Winfrey"
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 12:12 PM
Mar 2020

Back at that time I posted that I liked Oprah but wasn't sure she had what we needed in a president.

Many people attacked me,
saying obviously I hate 'women and people of color'.



If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden

Response to MineralMan (Original post)

 

Dem4Life1102

(3,974 posts)
23. Experience doesn't matter in electoral politics.
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 11:28 AM
Mar 2020

As most elections have shown experience doesn't matter and any experience argument only benefits Trump.

However, you are right by saying:

Typically they are chosen to bring in votes from a particular place or region.

And would add a particular demographic or constituency.
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

JGug1

(320 posts)
25. Governor Witmer
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 11:38 AM
Mar 2020

Maybe it is being shut in. Maybe it is the slow recovery from hip replacement surgery done on March 11. (slow, as in I am walking quite well but have some persistent pain that responds fine to Tylenol, so it isn't very bad at ll) In any case, this post, Mineral Man, annoys me. It annoys me for several reasons. One is that, while there are several women who could easily serve well, Senator Warren is an absolute NO GO. I have said this so many times here that I'm sick of saying it. The Mass governor is a Republican. He will appoint an interim Senator. We lose one precious seat until an election occurs and then it is no certainty that a Democrat will be elected. You DO remember Mr. Brown.
The other Senators are possible but WHY? California will reliably vote to elect Biden. So too, will Minnesota. Just who does that leave? Michigan will not necessarily vote to elect Biden. How DUMB would it be to not nominate Governor Whitmer? She presently has some star power and would get some votes from Michigan. Providing there are no skeletons in her closet, she is absolutely the correct choice. As to not giving opinions on who Biden should choose, given opinions is exactly what this site is for.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Peacetrain

(22,877 posts)
30. As well he should. I am glad he has committed to picking a woman..
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 12:12 PM
Mar 2020

But beyond that, he needs to find the person he can trust the most, who has the experience and expertise to be President..

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

treestar

(82,383 posts)
32. And att I was the height of that theme
Tue Mar 31, 2020, 12:13 PM
Mar 2020

Whoever we like in the news today should be president. It’s frivolous.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
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