# Biden needs a new VP **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 23, 2024, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559 "2024-01-23T21:23:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![split\_p\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19b73/32.png) [@split\_p\_j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/split_p_j)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559/1 "2024-01-23T21:23:05Z")
I’m starting a new thread because this is a serious problem, and I was banned from the thread in P&E. The VP pick is very important in this election. Why are we not talking about this weak performance on the View from VP Harris? [Steve Schmidt](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-MDEkwHNS4) I know he is a former Republican operative, but he is now an anti MAGA never Trumper. I think he his making good points from the other side that should be considered. I think Biden should ditch her, she is not going to help him like she did for '20, the demographic she attracted then is nearly gone. I think Newsome would be a solid pick for VP. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559/2 "2024-01-23T21:35:59Z")
Before getting into the subject matter of this thread, is there a precedent for a VP to be ditched and swapped for another after one term while the President seeks a second term? ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559/3 "2024-01-23T21:39:33Z")
Sadly, the Founding Fathers didn’t consider a VP’s performance on _The View_ worthy of inclusion in The Constitution’s requirements for election. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559/4 "2024-01-23T21:48:01Z")
FDR had three different vice presidents. So there’s one data point. ---
**Author:** ![split\_p\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19b73/32.png) [@split\_p\_j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/split_p_j)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559/5 "2024-01-23T21:51:15Z")
We are kind of beyond precedent here. I think that is part of the problem with Biden right now. He is too traditional, but the old ways are done. The Republican nominee is going to be a twice impeached former president facing 91 felony counts. I think we can throw the normal book out the window. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559/6 "2024-01-23T21:53:48Z")
Why would that matter? But yes: Franklin Roosevelt served three and a fraction terms with a total of three VPs. Grover Cleveland switched, but his terms were non-consecutive. Jefferson switched, though they chose VPs quite differently in those days. Madison, Jackson, and Grant all switched, though, so even if you discount Roosevelt, there’s ample precedent, just not terribly recently. But it’s a small sample size. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559/7 "2024-01-23T21:56:04Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Madison, Jackson, and Grant all switched, though, so even if you discount Roosevelt, there’s ample precedent, just not terribly recently. But it’s a small sample size. Lincoln switched too. I have no problem with Harris and doubt a switch would improve Biden’s chances. Like 2020, Biden will win because he’s good at his job and he’s not Trump. If those things don’t get him re-elected, a different VP choice won’t either. ---
**Author:** ![split\_p\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19b73/32.png) [@split\_p\_j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/split_p_j)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559/8 "2024-01-23T22:00:44Z")
So politicians don’t care about how they present on public forums? She came across as weak, as Schmidt pointed out in the video. There is a good chance she could be president if the Biden ticket wins. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559/9 "2024-01-23T22:03:00Z")
Aside from the quality of her performance as VP, I am not sure how the Democrats could spin replacing Harris at this point, without alienating the several contingent voting groups that supported the ticket back in 2020. Seems like it would be a bigger risk (election-wise) than to continue on. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559/10 "2024-01-23T22:05:02Z")
> [@split\_p\_j](#): > > She came across as weak Dude? Everyone that’s actually following along knows your problem with Harris has nothing to do with the contents of your OP. And for those not following along here’s the [link](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-split-p-j/941620). ---
**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:** [January 23, 2024, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559/11 "2024-01-23T22:07:07Z")
> [@split\_p\_j](#): > > Why are we not talking about this weak performance on the View from VP Harris? If we aren’t talking about it, that’s evidence that it’s not weak. A VP that nobody talks to is a VP that’s doing their job. Nobody ever talks about the VP unless they screw up. ---
**Author:** ![split\_p\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19b73/32.png) [@split\_p\_j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/split_p_j)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559/12 "2024-01-23T22:08:41Z")
I actually agree with this to a point, but it’s going to come down to thousands of votes in the swing states. A different VP could mean everything. Harris is a weak VP without much support now, and if he is only keeping her for tradition then I think that is a mistake. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559/13 "2024-01-23T22:10:05Z")
I think Harris has done well above average as a Veep. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559/14 "2024-01-23T22:10:47Z")
> [@split\_p\_j](#): > > but it’s going to come down to thousands of votes in the swing state It could. > [@split\_p\_j](#): > > A different VP could mean everything. Not sure about that. > [@split\_p\_j](#): > > Harris is a weak VP without much support now Not sure about that. > [@split\_p\_j](#): > > and if he is only keeping her for tradition then I think that is a mistake. Agreed. But I don’t think that’s why he’s keeping her on the ticket. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559/15 "2024-01-23T22:12:16Z")
Moderating: > [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > Dude? Everyone that’s actually following along knows your problem with Harris has nothing to do with the contents of your OP. This comment verges on a personal attack. Irrespective of what other interactions you’ve had with this poster in other threads, it’s not a basis to make assumptions as to their motivation for comments made in this thread. Let’s stick to attacking the positions, not the poster, and feel free to solicit citations. ---
**Author:** ![split\_p\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19b73/32.png) [@split\_p\_j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/split_p_j)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559/16 "2024-01-23T22:16:04Z")
Normally yes, but the president is 80 years old. There is a good chance Biden won’t make it full term, this has to be addressed. His age is a problem, as is Trumps. Trump has the cult though, that are going to vote for him no matter what. I think Biden has to make a real move showing he can change it up. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559/17 "2024-01-23T22:18:00Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I think Harris has done well above average as a Veep. I agree. And replacing her would be far more damaging to Biden’s campaign. It would be an admission that she was a bad VP. Which she isn’t. There is no reason to replace her. She’s doing a fine job as VP. And _The View_ is trivial television pablum - I’m not sure a “weak” performance on it is necessarily a bad thing. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559/18 "2024-01-23T22:18:18Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > If we aren’t talking about it, that’s evidence that it’s not weak. A VP that nobody talks to is a VP that’s doing their job. Nobody ever talks about the VP unless they screw up. This. Replacing Harris would be a foolish move. ---
**Author:** ![split\_p\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19b73/32.png) [@split\_p\_j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/split_p_j)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559/19 "2024-01-23T22:21:23Z")
I think she would be fine in normal times. But we are not in normal times and I just think she is the worng person for the time we live in. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559/20 "2024-01-23T22:23:00Z")
Moved to P&E, as this is obviously a straight-up political thread. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559.md?page=2)