2020: Duckworth for Vice President

Politics & Elections
21

Been thinking more about #2 candidates. I still think, at least on paper, Duckworth is top-tier running mate material.

That being said, I think a solid 1-2 punch from the Dems in 2020 is more important than ever in defeating Trump, and there should be come consideration from muckety-mucks who would be a good #2, someone who could deliver a solid uppercut along with the jab from the top of the ticket.

I think the ticket needs to be balanced and hit every single one of these marks between the two people on the ticket (meaning, between both candidates, everything on this list should be checked off): Executive experience, military experience, white, male, progressive, moderate, political outsider, experienced insider, Midwestern, blue collar appeal, comes from a state that went to Trump. Things like “female,” “minority” and “congressional experience” aren’t necessary to win, IMO (meaning you could still win with two white dudes who have no experience in Congress). So with all that to consider, I’ve come up with a few more names that I’d be very happy with in the number two slot:

Sen. Tammy Duckworth: woman, Midwestern, person of color, vet, disabled, war hero, has worked at executive level federal, state, Congress and Senate. Cons: No executive experience, comes from Blue state.

Rep. Brenda Lawrence: woman, Midwestern, person of color, comes from blue collar state that went for Trump, career federal employee (USPS), has worked her way up politically (school board, city council, mayor, Congress), served as mayor of largest (and most diverse) city in Oakland County, Mich, (which is extremely white and Republican), ran for Oakland County executive against a pillar of Detroit-area and GOP politics and came close to winning, ran for lieutenant governor of Michigan, serves on progressive caucus in Congress, serves on Committee for Oversight and Government Reform. Cons: Little name recognition, no military exp, involved in minor controversy with her chief-of-staff being accused of sexual harassment (and accusations from former aides that she knew).

Rep. Donald Norcross: Union leader, comes out of IBEW as business manager and area labor council president in New Jersey, could be a good candidate to bring blue collar white maleness, progressive, member of Blue Collar Caucus in Congress. Cons: Little name recognition, no military exp.

Sen. Gary Peters: Midwestern, veteran, comes from blue collar state that went for Trump, very low key and wonkish, solid work horse, clean as a whistle, moderate politics, was only Democratic freshman Senator in a year dominated by Republican wave (2014). Cons: Kind of boring, doesn’t really like the hand-shaking and butt-kissing that comes with politics (heard this directly from an aide of his last year).

Ret. Adm. William McRaven: Navy SEAL, retired admiral, military guy who comes from Texas, white male, probably a moderate Democrat but nothing official, political outsider. Cons: Had a bumpy time as head of university in Texas, has had some minor health issues.

Rep. Joseph Kennedy III: Progressive, has gained reputation as very smart and great speaker, great name recognition, youth. Cons: East coast liberal, white male, no executive or military experience, possibly negative baggage on the family name, probably more interested in being a Senator. Would need a very specific top of ticket for him to work (Midwestern/rustbelt, military veteran with executive experience; not sure if that even exists now)

Richard Trumka: Union leader at a time when unions’ reputations are on a upswing across nearly all demographics (including self-identified Republicans), from Pennsylvania, comes out of the Coal Miners, fiery speaker, middle and working class advocate, Washington/political outsider, brings strong blue collar white male credibility. Cons: No military experience, will be 71 on inauguration day 2021.

Rep. Seth Moulton: Somewhat moderate, veteran, ambitious and bucks party leaders. Cons: Little name recognition, east coast liberal, white male, no executive experience.

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp: White woman from Midwestern state, has won statewide election in solidly red state, from state easily won by Trump, very moderate. Cons: From very low-population state that will never go blue in presidential race, no executive or military experience.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar: White woman from Midwestern state, comes from a potential swing state surrounded by other Midwestern states that went for Trump, somewhat moderate. Cons: No executive or military experience.

Sec. Agriculture Tom Vilsack: White male from Midwestern state, doesn’t have blue collar reputation, but does have rural/agricultural cred, only Obama department head to serve full eight years so could scratch a nostalgia itch at a time when people are in full-on regret mode, executive experience, won statewide office in red-leaning state that Trump won, moderate, decent name recognition. Cons: Not very exciting, no military experience, will be 70 on inauguration day 2021.

Mayor Eric Garcetti: Latino and Jewish, executive experience as mayor of Los Angeles, ambitious, relatively progressive, has made it a mission to oppose Trump’s policies at a local level, young, good looking, speaks Spanish, Navy reservist, Washington outsider. Cons: Comes from a city with a liberal reputation in a solidly blue state, would probably need to be part of ticket that had white Midwestern/rustbelt/red state credibility at the top (or as the #2 if he were at the top).

Most of these names couldn’t win at the top of the ticket, IMO. Three of them I believe could: Garcetti, Trumka and McRaven. And there could be things out there that I don’t know about these candidates (videos, scandals, etc), and would love to hear thoughts on them.

22

I don’t see very much about her that distinguishes her from the pack, apart from her war injuries. OK, she’s an Asian female - no doubt that is a big plus with Democrats, but Republicans and centrists don’t automatically award her points for that. And as mentioned, Illinois is a pretty safe Democratic state anyway.

At least she’s a new face.

Regards,
Shodan

23

Military veteran, and very smart. Those things can distinguish her from the pack.

24

Heh another birther conspiracy theory waiting to happen.

25

Pence came from a safe Republican state, but he arguably brought Midwestern conservative “credibility” to the ticket. That can make the difference for a lot of centrist voters in middle America when you’ve got a east or west coaster at the top of the ticket. A Midwestern moderate like Duckworth could make the difference too. Combine that with her Iraq War injuries, and the fact that she’s spent her entire post-military career advocating for vets, and I imagine that would appeal to a lot of people who hold the military in high regard. The fact she’s an Asian female isn’t her strong point, fyi, it just brings a bit of diversity to the ticket at a point when minorities are surging and women are fired up politically.

26

Tammy Duckworth being a double-amputee in service of her country is a huge deal, especially in countering the notion that Democrats are soft on defense or anti-military (though it’s not clear those will be big issues in 2020).

One factor I don’t know if people have mentioned is who the presidential nominee will be. I think if it’s a woman (e.g. Warren or Harris) then it’s unlikely that she would pick another woman as running mate. Even if it’s an African-American (Booker) the same might hold, though to a lesser extent. The two most recent D nominees were from these groups and their running mates were both white men - I don’t think this was a coincidence.

Conversely, though, if a white man wins the nomination he will be looking for balance too, and I assume the running mate will not be a white man, which would up her chances (though in that case she would be up against Harris and Booker et al).

27

Military veteran, especially a war hero, certainly. I tend to heresy - I doubt that many politicians (on either side) are dumb.

That’s a good point.

Regards,
Shodan

28

Behold! A sincere, non-snarky Shodan post! Remember this moment, folks – we won’t see another one until 2020.

I say this as a fan, by the way. Your snark is unmatchable.

29

And, hey, don’t forget who drew it out of him!

30

Other than 5, 6, and 7, none of those other things matter to me. I would like to see some foreign policy experience. I don’t know her and would be willing to take a look at her track record, positions on issues, approaches to solving problems, and overall electability, like any other candidate. I know, I know: I am probably an outlier in that most of the voting public makes selections based on bumper-sticker politics. Remember, some of those things you list may make her a shoe-in for some demographics, but some of those things may also be a huge liability in other circles - the person who is selected needs to have broad appeal in order to win (we want to win, not just make a point). The Dem ticket needs to be able to win some Rs, and not just be popular with traditional Democratic constituencies.

31

She’s American. Also, she’s got my vote if she wants it.

32

And now she’s pregnant.

33

The Dems need someone who has a message and who can campaign really well. Is that her? Resumes are secondary or even tertiary in importance.

Engaging personality.
Good campaigner.
No skeletons.
Can stay on message.

34

The Senate’s new icon for working moms.

35

But that’s the thing: The Dems do need to appeal to more that just you (or me).

I posted this earlier:

And I don’t think I can stress how important those characteristics are going to be for a well-balanced inoculated ticket.

For all his faults, Trump is amazing at attacking, not just an opponent’s strength, but their weakness. Most adults wouldn’t dare outwardly and brashly attack another adult’s weakness (Little Marco, Low energy Jen, crooked Hillary, etc), but like a middle school bully, he does, and it somehow works for him. Combine that with the fact that the GOP is very skilled at attack politics, and the Dems just can’t afford to have any self-inflicted weakness on their ticket.

There need to be a white dude, to cut back on the sexist racist trolls.

There needs to be an executive, to cut back on the argument that no one on the ticket has ever run anything.

There needs to be someone with military experience, tocut back on the argument that they don’t know anything about military (cuz you know damn well Cadet Bond Spurs will use his time as commander-in-chief as “military experience.”).

There needs to be a Washington outsider to appeal to those sick of same-old-same-old swampiness, but there needs to be a steadfast and experienced insider to help right the ship.

There needs to be a progressive and a moderate to balance the needs of the party and picking up disaffected moderates and republicans.

There needs to be a midwesterner to give it “heartland values.”

There needs to be someone from a blue collar state (MI, NJ, IL, OH, IN, PA) to speak to all those blue collar guys who have felt ignored by the Dems,

There needs to be someone from a state Trump won (especially one of the rust belt surprise states) to push tentative voters to go Dem.

All this shit might not matter to a lot of people, but it will to a lot more, and the Dems can’t hand the pubs ammo. That’s why I also hate the idea of Booker, Biden, Gillibrand, Warren, or Sanders getting the nod. They’ve been screaming “Look at me! I’m running for president” long enough to give Trump and the GOP 200 binders of attacks each.

Duckworth hits five of those targets. Put a progressive white dude with executive experience from a state Trump won (coughTrumkacough) and you’ve got yourself a winner, I do believe.

(Forgive any typos, this was typed on a phone)