# Assuming Biden gets the Democratic nomination, who would be the VP nominee? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 28, 2019, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173 "2019-04-28T14:29:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Aescwynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Aescwynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aescwynn)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2019, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173/21 "2019-04-28T22:16:53Z")
This is a great run-down on issues: > **[Here's where the Democratic candidates stand on the biggest 2020 issues](https://www.politico.com/interactives/2019/04/25/2020-democratic-presidential-candidates-take-stands-issues/)** > > Biden faces a game of catch-up when it comes to the issues defining the race ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2019, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173/22 "2019-04-28T22:25:23Z")
Buttigieg would make a much better VP choice than he would President, but I think I’d still rather see some more experience on him before propelling him to such lofty heights. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him as President someday, but he’s got a lot of time ahead of him. Before then, he really ought to go for a Senate seat or the governorship (which, yes, would be an uphill climb, but that’s how you prove yourself, and it’s not impossible), or at the very least a House seat. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2019, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173/23 "2019-04-28T22:55:10Z")
Biden appeals to the Obama-Trump voters and even the Romney-Clinton ones well enough. He polls better than others with Black voters too. I’d first go with someone able to step in and who is also a peace offering to the younger and more progressive side of the party trying to keep their enthusiasm up. Not Warren or Sanders. Need a bit younger. That said damn I like Duckworth. I’d bet on Harris though. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2019, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173/24 "2019-04-28T23:24:30Z")
What’s an Obama-Trump voter? ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2019, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173/25 "2019-04-28T23:28:02Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > What’s an Obama-Trump voter? > **[Obama–Trump voters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obama-Trump_voters)** > > In the United States, Obama–Trump voters, sometimes referred to as Trump Democrats or Obama Republicans, are people who voted for Democratic Party nominee Barack Obama in the 2008 and/or 2012 presidential elections, but later voted for Republican Party nominee Donald Trump in 2016, 2020, and/or 2024. Data shows that in 2016, these voters comprised roughly 13% of Trump voters. In 2012, this segment of voters made up 9% of total Obama voters. Seven percent of 2012 Obama voters did not vote at al ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2019, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173/26 "2019-04-28T23:29:24Z")
Oh shit, can’t you just tell me? ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2019, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173/27 "2019-04-28T23:31:41Z")
The answer is in the name. A voter who voted for both Obama and Trump. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2019, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173/28 "2019-04-28T23:32:06Z")
Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173/29 "2019-04-29T02:04:05Z")
Stacy Abrams would be ticket-balancing Niirvana; a young, progressive minority woman from the South. Or if you want to go with a bit more experience, consider Tammy Baldwin. Duckworth is another possibility, but probably too moderate to go with Biden; she’d be an ideal running mate for Bernie. Of course, it probably doesn’t really matter much, as very few people will actually vote for or against the VICE Presidential candidate. Just don’t pick the Democratic equivalent of Sarah Palin, and all will be well. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173/30 "2019-04-29T03:24:32Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > The answer is in the name. A voter who voted for both Obama and Trump. I see. I see. And is this character from a Kafka or maybe a Prachett novel? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173/31 "2019-04-29T03:28:49Z")
> [@Locrian](#): > > I see. I see. And is this character from a Kafka or maybe a Prachett novel? 😃 This is exactly why I posted a Wikipedia link rather than just giving the definition. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173/32 "2019-04-29T11:26:48Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > Stacy Abrams would be ticket-balancing Niirvana; a young, progressive minority woman from the South. Or if you want to go with a bit more experience, consider Tammy Baldwin. Duckworth is another possibility, but probably too moderate to go with Biden; she’d be an ideal running mate for Bernie. > > Of course, it probably doesn’t really matter much, as very few people will actually vote for or against the VICE Presidential candidate. Just don’t pick the Democratic equivalent of Sarah Palin, and all will be well. As a longtime fan of McCain, one reason I love Biden is because they have similar thought processes, with Biden being somewhat less impulsive, but still a lot more impulsive than your average politician. So a Sarah Palin-type candidate, one that brings more excitement than competence and causes voters to worry about if the old guy kicks it, is a very real possibility. And you suggested Stacy Abrams, which proves the point. Like Palin a good candidate on paper, but with no national profile, even less experience than Palin, and one who is already being a little thick in interviews. Plus, why would you bother with Abrams when you can just pick Kamala Harris? There are two routes Biden can go: his heart, in which case he goes for the excitement factor: Harris, Duckworth, maybe even Charlie Crist(former Republican on a quasi-unity ticket that really isn’t since Crist is a fairly liberal Dem these days?) The other route is what Democrats always do, with the exception of John Kerry picking Edwards: go with the safe choice that does the ticket no harm and gives voters confidence that everything will be fine if the President dies. Given that Biden will be 77, he has to go this route. Tim Kaine, Mark Warner, Jay Inslee, Amy Klobuchar. Probably the best combination of exciting and competent is Cory Booker or Deval Patrick. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173/33 "2019-04-29T16:05:16Z")
Given that both Trump and Obama won their elections, it should come as no great surprise that there are some folks who voted for both. And while it might be a small group, it’s an important one, because such people could be convinced to switch back for the right Democratic candidate, and thus be instrumental in defeating Trump. It might be difficult to understand the mindset of such a voter, but we have to understand them anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173/34 "2019-04-29T16:55:48Z")
Adaher, if you think that Abrams’ performance in interviews is comparable to Palin’s, well…our milage is varying. I’m assuming that Harris would consider the VP slot a step down at this point in her career. But if she would take the job, sure, she’s a good option. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173/35 "2019-04-29T17:07:22Z")
A lot of people will pick due to the vice president. A lot of Trump’s support in the Evangelical sector was due to Pence, who could fill in the gaps religious gaps. The safe choices **adaher** gives are all centrists, I believe. That gives the progressives no one to support. And we know better this time than to think they’ll all just hold their nose and vote for the closest to their goals. Bringing on a progressive VP is more useful for any centrist candidate. Similarly, any establishment candidate should bring in an “outsider” type. It also would be good for Biden to bring in a woman, due to that being a weak area for him. Part of what lost last time was choosing the “safe bet,” with Tim Kaine, who no one cared about. Pulling in a fiery progressive would have very much helped Clinton among the Democratic base and undermined a lot of attacks from the progressive side. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173/36 "2019-04-29T19:06:36Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Given that both Trump and Obama won their elections, it should come as no great surprise that there are some folks who voted for both. And while it might be a small group, it’s an important one, because such people could be convinced to switch back for the right Democratic candidate, and thus be instrumental in defeating Trump. It might be difficult to understand the mindset of such a voter, but we have to understand them anyway. I can’t see that. I’m pretty sure that none of the pickup truck drivers here you voted for Trump didn’t vote for Obama. Nor can I see the local soccer moms who voted for Obama voting for the misogynist Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173/37 "2019-04-29T19:18:03Z")
> [@Aescwynn](#): > > Buttigieg is amazing: Rhodes Scholar (so is Booker), veteran (like Duckworth), speaks about 8 languages (like nobody else that I know of), regular churchgoer (Episcopalian), non-pussy-grabber. He is riveting to listen to. I saw him doing a message in sign language the other day. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173/38 "2019-04-29T19:21:38Z")
Seems like people are forgetting Biden’s age. That was a big concern with the McCain/Palin ticket. The possibility of President Palin scared a lot of voters. A politically inexperienced VP is not desirable imho. Buttigieg and Beto wouldn’t work as VP candidates on the ticket. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173/39 "2019-04-29T19:27:04Z")
Palin’s drawbacks included lots more than political experience. If the political experience concern is regarding Pete, he’s not a good comparison to Palin. As has been mentioned, he’s multilingual. Palin could barely form a coherent sentence in one language. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173/40 "2019-04-29T22:35:35Z")
So, **carnivorousplant** , just how do you think the White House changed parties? It wasn’t all turnout. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-biden-gets-the-democratic-nomination-who-would-be-the-vp-nominee/833173.md?page=3)