# Biden's choice for vice presidential candidate **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 10, 2020, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505 "2020-04-10T15:04:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/221 "2020-06-14T19:08:55Z")
That’s a remarkable fact though I wonder if it’s a coincidence. Senator VP candidates seem much less common on the Republican side; I don’t think there has been one since Dan Quayle. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/222 "2020-06-14T22:00:23Z")
Pence and Cheney had prior experience in the House and Pence was also Indiana Governor. Nixon had been a Senator before VP and also served in the house. Bush Sr. served in the house for 2 terms. Biden might break the streak because he may want an outsider rather than someone from DC. A governor or big city mayor. I don’t think Warren is the pick, if she was 60 rather than 70 she would have a much better chance. ---
**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:** [June 14, 2020, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/223 "2020-06-14T23:37:20Z")
I’m tellin’ ya, it’ll be someone we’d never expect. Who knows? At this point, I’d say it’s Casey Anthony. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/224 "2020-06-15T00:33:24Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > from twitter: > > Just a curious historical fact on Democratic VP choices: Since 1940, leaving aside renominations of a president and vice president, every Democratic convention has picked a U.S. senator for the VP slot. I can’t believe people still think he’s picking Abrams . Pick also might be governor or US house member. For a long time there were no female governors and now there are plenty to choose from including ex governors. If you all think a swing state Senator would be beneficial, he doesn’t have very many options. Depends on what you consider a swing state. Sinema—though she just got there—or Baldwin seem to fit the bill. Shaheen or Hassan too. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/225 "2020-06-15T00:59:19Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > from twitter: > > Just a curious historical fact on Democratic VP choices: Since 1940, leaving aside renominations of a president and vice president, every Democratic convention has picked a U.S. senator for the VP slot. I can’t believe people still think he’s picking Abrams . Pick also might be governor or US house member. For a long time there were no female governors and now there are plenty to choose from including ex governors. Geraldine Ferraro wasn’t a senator. (Nor was Sargent Shriver, although I guess the rather peculiar “every Democratic convention has picked…” wording might have been meant specifically to exclude him. As [this classic xkcd](https://xkcd.com/1122/) points out, if you define your electoral firsts narrowly enough _everything_ is unprecedented.) ---
**Author:** ![BigDfromLA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@BigDfromLA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigDfromLA)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/226 "2020-06-15T08:17:52Z")
Biden would probably be crucified for this, but what if he changed his mind and selects a male running mate? Gavin Newsom and Cuomo have proven themselves to be highly qualified to be president in the last three months and far surpass the women being considered in regards to those qualifications. Remember, Biden’s age gives his VP a much greater chance to become president in the next 4 to 8 years. Newsom or Cuomo would be better for the country for that position. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/227 "2020-06-15T11:18:09Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Pence and Cheney had prior experience in the House and Pence was also Indiana Governor. Nixon had been a Senator before VP and also served in the house. Bush Sr. served in the house for 2 terms. > > Biden might break the streak because he may want an outsider rather than someone from DC. A governor or big city mayor. I don’t think Warren is the pick, if she was 60 rather than 70 she would have a much better chance. Of the six candidates on his short list, I think Warren would be the worst choice. My preferred order is Lance Bottom or Lujan Grisham (Washington outsiders, executive experience) \> Val Demings \> Harris or Rice \> Warren. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/228 "2020-06-15T11:36:51Z")
Ferraro did break the streak of senators. Guess they forgot about her. Easy to do when you win 1 state ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/229 "2020-06-15T17:21:31Z")
> [@BigDfromLA](#): > > Biden would probably be crucified for this, but what if he changed his mind and selects a male running mate? Gavin Newsom and Cuomo have proven themselves to be highly qualified to be president in the last three months and far surpass the women being considered in regards to those qualifications. Remember, Biden’s age gives his VP a much greater chance to become president in the next 4 to 8 years. Newsom or Cuomo would be better for the country for that position. ExapnofromNY would tell you that Cuomo would be a disaster. He’s great in a crisis because he’s a bully, and bullies get thing done. Otherwise he has numerous flaws as a negotiator or diplomat, and is ethically flawed. True, he would be miles better than any conceivable Republican, but AFAIK, there are no Republicans competing for the position. ---
**Author:** ![BigDfromLA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@BigDfromLA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigDfromLA)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/230 "2020-06-16T04:46:01Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > ExapnofromNY would tell you that Cuomo would be a disaster. He’s great in a crisis because he’s a bully, and bullies get thing done. Otherwise he has numerous flaws as a negotiator or diplomat, and is ethically flawed. True, he would be miles better than any conceivable Republican, but AFAIK, there are no Republicans competing for the position. I would prefer Newsom to Cuomo and either would be better suited to serve as president/be one heartbeat away than anyone currently under consideration. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/231 "2020-06-16T10:46:42Z")
Rice would probably prefer being Sec of State. Given recent news he may want to avoid picking a former prosecutor such as Harris. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/232 "2020-06-16T12:30:33Z")
> [@BigDfromLA](#): > > Biden would probably be crucified for this, but what if he changed his mind and selects a male running mate? Gavin Newsom and Cuomo have proven themselves to be highly qualified to be president in the last three months and far surpass the women being considered in regards to those qualifications. Remember, Biden’s age gives his VP a much greater chance to become president in the next 4 to 8 years. Newsom or Cuomo would be better for the country for that position. Cuomo has been shit the last month. The think about managing a horrible COVID breakout in your state is you allowed a horrible COVID breakout in your state! ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/233 "2020-06-16T12:50:37Z")
Yeah Cuomo would be a horrible choice but Newsom could have been interesting as would Booker who fits the moment very well. I think either would have been better than the choices Biden has. I don’t think he can really go back on his pledge but he shouldn’t have made it in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/234 "2020-06-16T13:54:41Z")
> [@Fretful\_Porpentine](#): > > …As [this classic xkcd](https://xkcd.com/1122/) points out, if you define your electoral firsts narrowly enough _everything_ is unprecedented.) Funny, although I noticed the 1984 panel in particular - and Reagan wasn’t left-handed. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/235 "2020-06-16T16:25:18Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Cuomo has been shit the last month. The think about managing a horrible COVID breakout in your state is you allowed a horrible COVID breakout in your state! This is basically nuts. The COVID cases have been traced to incoming Europeans. Cuomo didn’t have the power to shut down air travel into three of the busiest airports in the country. New York City, with its population density concentrated in apartment buildings and highest public transit use in the nation, provided the perfect breeding ground. Maybe Cuomo could have taken steps a couple of weeks earlier, which is true of absolutely everybody in the country. Other than that you’re the first person I’ve read faulting him for his conduct in handling the pandemic. Most others, like BigDfromLA, are screaming for him to be President. Or is there something specific about the last month, i.e. from May 16? In my real world, cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have all plummeted, and the state has been carefully reopening. What exactly is shit about that? ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2020, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/236 "2020-06-18T13:36:59Z")
rankings from a political expert [http://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/our-revamped-vp-rankings/](http://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/our-revamped-vp-rankings/) ---
**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:** [June 18, 2020, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/237 "2020-06-18T13:46:54Z")
That looks pretty null, to me. He lists both “wouldn’t pull ticket too far to the left” and “appeals to progressive wing of the party” as “advantages”. I mean, if we’re going to get into that, then there’s no way at all to guess who it’s going to be. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2020, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/238 "2020-06-22T20:27:19Z")
I cannot for the life of me imagine Biden being simpatico with Harris. I think Harris will be much more comfortable as head of DOJ, going after Trump & Co with a vengeance. Susan Rice seems much better suited as VP choice for Biden. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2020, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/239 "2020-06-22T20:51:27Z")
Rice has never been in a campaign so that’s a bit unusual for someone to be VP. and yes I know Trump never ran for anything before Prez. And see what that got us. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2020, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/240 "2020-06-22T21:01:37Z")
Who gives a damn about what a VP has to say at a debate as long as he/she doesn’t arse it up. On campaign stops, a canned speech and an introduction of the presidential candidate is the only responsibility a VP candidate has. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505.md?page=13)