This article arose from disbelief at South Carolina Congressman James E. Clyburn's awkward response to one of President Trump's ridiculous and mendacious tweets. The Democratic Party is engaged in "de'jà vu," committed to getting Trump elected again.
Vice-president selection.
What are the qualifications for this vice-president?
1. Should be able to replace the president.
Contrary to the accepted notion that the vice-president candidate plays no role in voter decisions, in this election the vice-president candidate has amplified importance. Voters for a shaky 77-year old Biden want assurance that he will receive direct assistance from his vice-president and want insurance that a suitable replacement will be available. Being a likely one-term president, Biden owes it to the public to choose a suitable heir for the 2024 election, in which the incumbent vice-president will have a commanding lead.
2. Should have national governing experience, direct links to congress and knowledge of legislative actions.
Polarization has become the norm. A vice-president that assists the president in communicating with congress is essential.
3. Should be well known to the electorate.
Outsiders have been welcome to run for most political offices. Since Trump, the ultimate unknown outsider, became elected, voters are aware of the perils in electing an unknown who could obtain the highest office.
4. Should attract independents and disaffected voters without harming the ticket.
The more independent part of the Democratic Party deserted Hillary Clinton and indirectly contributed to Trump's election. Biden needs those votes and the votes of the more radicalized new generation of voters.
5. Should be a woman.
Women and many men are expecting a female vice-president. Not selecting a woman will lose votes. Color of skin does not dictate choice.
From this listing, three politicos meet most qualifications -- Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth, and Minnesota Senator Amy Kloubachar. All of them have well-accepted years of political and legislative experience, Senator Duckworth much less than her fellow senators. Each is magnitudes more suitable than anyone else mentioned as a VP candidate. Democrat centrists and moderate Republicans do not approve of Warren; the more leftist wing of the Democratic Party abhors Kloubachar and moderate Republicans are lukewarm toward her; Duckworth has her critics, but none is vehemently opposed to the military veteran, not as much as critics are opposed to the other candidates.
Senator Duckworth wins the contest among those who would least harm the ticket and misses name recognition and most capable in performing presidential duties. The primary battle resolves the choice. Independents and the expanded left wing of the Democratic Party highly favor Elizabeth. Primary vote had Bernie Sanders, an ardent Warren supporter, gaining 1073 electors before the primary had been decided; Warren had 67, and Kloubachar had only seven. Duckworth did not enter the primaries, and did not get tested by the voting public. The people have spoken -- Elizabeth Warren for Democratic Vice-President. She adds balance and strength, which is the continually increasing independent and progressive left to a weak and centrist Biden.
Dems are mistakenly focusing on
a Black woman.
Selecting an African-American woman for the position serves no purpose. The
Dems already have the African-American vote and need no more support from that
electorate. Perceived as a contrived and politically correct exercise, the
selection will alienate those who reject a political Party that tries to
make itself look good for political purposes. Selection of an insufficiently
experienced African-American woman will alienate those on the margin. Of the
mentioned women for vice-president, all highly competent, no one seems
sufficiently experienced, at the present time, for highest office.
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