# 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:** 23
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/441 "2020-07-30T16:50:44Z")
> [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](#): > > I do, and I was a child at the time! I also remember David Brinkley ruefully remarking, “We’re going to be seeing a lot of that,” when the cameras found someone waving an _actual pineapple_ at a rally after the Dole announcement. Fortunately, we didn’t see a lot of it. ---
**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:** [July 30, 2020, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/442 "2020-07-30T20:25:00Z")
Here’s CNN on Biden’s possible Top Ten picks for VP: [The Top 10 women Joe Biden might pick as vice president | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/30/politics/joe-biden-kamala-harris-vice-president/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/443 "2020-07-31T16:29:16Z")
I vaguely remember something about that, being around 11/12 at the time, but it didn’t get any legs. Not anywhere near the “Stumblebum” meme, at any rate. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/444 "2020-07-31T18:16:39Z")
I read up on Karen Bass and Lujan Grisham today; they each bring different strengths but I think either of them would be a good choice. I don’t think any of the folks who campaigned for POTUS would be a good choice. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/445 "2020-07-31T18:22:24Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I don’t think any of the folks who campaigned for POTUS would be a good choice. Why not? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/446 "2020-07-31T18:28:24Z")
Because I didn’t think any of them were good choices for POTUS. They have problematic histories, have positions I don’t care for, and in general are not, IMO, going to make people want to vote for either them or Biden in large numbers. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/447 "2020-07-31T18:39:03Z")
Fair enough. But, at this point is there any candidate who would add significant votes to the ticket? Is there someone who could lure votes from undecided or 3rd party or even moderate R’s? So, trying to find a vote getter might not be the best approach. If Biden is sincere in his statements that he’s interested in a strong VP, all of the ex candidates have strengths that they could bring. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/448 "2020-07-31T18:40:46Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > But, at this point is there any candidate who would add significant votes to the ticket? Is there someone who could lure votes from undecided or 3rd party or even moderate R’s? So, trying to find a vote getter might not be the best approach. Well, yes; I think there is. I mentioned two of them: Karen Bass and Lujan Grisham. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/449 "2020-07-31T18:42:19Z")
Interesting. Why do you think these two would bring votes to the ticket? ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/450 "2020-07-31T18:49:34Z")
Yeah, I can’t see either bringing votes to the ticket. Both are also 60+ which wouldn’t blunt the age issue. I don’t think a moderate R votes for Biden because Bass is on the ticket nor Grisham. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/451 "2020-07-31T18:55:14Z")
Don’t get me wrong, **Snowboarder\_Bo** , I think both Bass and Grisham would make an excellent VP. I particularly like Bass’s community based approach to governance. But you seem to be implying that they’re a better choice because they would bring votes, and I’m not sure they would (more than any other candidate) My larger point is that we should take, “vote getter” off the list of qualifications. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/452 "2020-07-31T19:10:43Z")
I think that they have less baggage than many other picks, and that will translate to fewer votes turning away, which is about the same as getting more votes. I think both have significant standing with minority voters and certainly Gov. Grisham has credentials that she can convince large numbers of people to vote for her (otherwise she wouldn’t be Governor, natch). I think Rep. Bass’s reputation as a bridge-builder and the goodwill she has built up on both sides of the aisle would help her fend off most attacks and garner support from undecideds. And I think that each of them would do a great job with little posturing and thought of future personal political gain, especially Rep. Bass. I don’t feel that way about Kamela Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren, etc. and since I don’t particularly want any of them to be POTUS, I’m not interested in helping them get there, even in a long-game way. I agree that “vote-getting” is the least (in terms of numbers; no one is excited about the veep) that any of them are likely to bring, but “vote-leaving” is something I’d prefer to see minimized whenever possible. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/453 "2020-07-31T19:31:16Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > …no one is excited about the veep… Thx for your answers. But, I am excited about the veep. I’m a very far left voter who would never under normal circumstances vote for Biden, but we know these are not normal circumstances. I may be counting my chickens, but I don’t see the pick as changing the vote total in any appreciable way. But, I am excited, nonetheless. As I see it as draft day. And the VP is team Biden’s first round pick. It sets the tone for the rest of his choices to come. And that’s the exciting part to me. To watch the team being built one piece at a time. What does the VP say about the team’s priorities and how they will attack those. . . ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/454 "2020-07-31T20:10:26Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > > [@QuickSilver](#): > > > > “Tammy Duckworth” is a Veep or 30 Rock character, not a serious VP contender. > > I take it by the quotes you mean her name. “Barack Hussein Obama” didn’t have a conventional-sounding name either. Well, if she’s chosen, that _might solve a mystery /_ _Or rewrite history! …_ Duckworth! _(woo-hoo)_ Every day we’re out there saying Duckworth! _(woo-hoo)_ Not Sammy or Jannie or Fanny, just Tammy Duckworth! ---
**Author:** ![Boudicca90](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boudicca90/32/16818_2.png) [@Boudicca90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boudicca90)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/455 "2020-07-31T20:17:01Z")
My personal favorites are Warren and Bass, but I have a feeling he is going to go with Rice unfortunately. It seems like he is gravitating more toward the more authoritarian/hawkish picks. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/456 "2020-07-31T20:29:36Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I think that they have less baggage than many other picks, and that will translate to fewer votes turning away, which is about the same as getting more votes. They have less baggage because they haven’t been in the public eye as much. Things will be found about them. Just wait. > [@](#): > > certainly Gov. Grisham has credentials that she can convince large numbers of people to vote for her (otherwise she wouldn’t be Governor, natch). This would apply to any Senator - especially of states larger than New Mexico, which includes California, Massachusetts, and Minnesota, mind. > [@](#): > > And I think that each of them would do a great job with little posturing and thought of future personal political gain One of the issues brought up with Biden is his age and therefore people want a VP that can step in or run for office. Someone with thought of future ‘political gain’ is a feature here, not a bug. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/457 "2020-07-31T20:32:07Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > One of the issues brought up with Biden is his age and therefore people want a VP that can step in or run for office. Biden may be 77, but on Jan. 20, 2021 he’ll be 46. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/458 "2020-07-31T20:53:03Z")
True enough about people trying to find baggage, but Rep. Bass has actually been a public figure for over 30 years, about half of her life. And Gov. Grisham has been in the public eye for 15. If there were serious, compromising dirt on either of them, it prolly would have come out by now IMO. I think being unknown is better _because_ people don’t already have a bunch of pre-conceptions about them. I’m not at all happy about the fact that boomers won’t get out of the fucking way already, but both Bass and Grisham are under 70, so there’s that. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/459 "2020-07-31T21:30:57Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Rep. Bass has actually been a public figure for over 30 years, about half of her life. And Gov. Grisham has been in the public eye for 15. None of them have much if any national profile. How many people actually knew about Bass or Grisham before being mentioned as possible VPs? I had to google who Bass was a month ago because I never heard of her before. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505/460 "2020-07-31T21:33:08Z")
I repeat: > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I think being unknown is better _because_ people don’t already have a bunch of pre-conceptions about them. At the moment their national profile is “must not have fucked anything up because I’ve never heard of them before”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505.md?page=22) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bidens-choice-for-vice-presidential-candidate/851505.md?page=24)