# Who will be Clinton's running mate? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 3, 2016, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750 "2016-05-03T02:32:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750/1 "2016-05-03T02:32:47Z")
Apologies if there’s already a thread for this – I didn’t see one. It’s looking pretty likely that Clinton is going to be the Democratic nominee. Who will be her running mate? I have no idea. It will probably be some sober, wonky guy I’ve never heard of from a purple state. But my dark horse pick is Al Franken. Smart, capable dude. Will be likeable and funny as he mercilessly skewers Trump. Will understand how to call out Trump’s buffoonery without looking like a whiner. Yeah, it won’t be him. But wouldn’t it be cool? ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750/2 "2016-05-03T03:07:17Z")
I think it comes down to whether or not the Dems believe they will lose significant votes if they do not put a Progressive on the ticket re: Sanders’ support for the nomination. The Pubs did this with Palin fearing the TeaBaggers would vote for … well I don’t know exactly; why would they NOT vote Republican? ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750/3 "2016-05-03T03:26:25Z")
I’d put my money on Tim Kaine. ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750/4 "2016-05-03T03:27:25Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I think it comes down to whether or not the Dems believe they will lose significant votes if they do not put a Progressive on the ticket re: Sanders’ support for the nomination. The Pubs did this with Palin fearing the TeaBaggers would vote for … well I don’t know exactly; why would they NOT vote Republican? The fear with the Teabaggers is that they would stay home, not that they would vote for someone else. Many elections are more about turnout than convincing the fencesitters. As far as Hillary’s running mate, I could see Jim Webb, as a means to bolster Virginia and give some military cred. He might be too conservative though, and he’s a lackluster campaigner. Maybe Brian Schweitzer to calm gun rights single issue voters and make the flyover states competitive, but I doubt he would take the position and I actually doubt he would make flyover country competitive. Julian Castro is a interesting choice for bolstering the hispanic vote, setting up a potential 2024 run, and adding some progressivism to the ticket (make Texas competitive? In my dreams I suppose but I can dream). Problem is he doesn’t have much of a resume (mayor then low-profile cabinet secretary). O’Malley was a possibility until Baltimore imploded after the death of Freddie Gray. My guess is it’ll be Webb but that’s not a strong opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750/5 "2016-05-03T03:30:33Z")
Traditionally, someone from the Senate. Elizabeth Warren perhaps? ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750/6 "2016-05-03T03:35:47Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Traditionally, someone from the Senate. Elizabeth Warren perhaps? No reason to pick someone from a blue state. Warren doesn’t bring voters to the table that Clinton wouldn’t otherwise get. Clinton is going to pick someone that will help her win. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750/7 "2016-05-03T03:43:20Z")
I like the Al Franken idea. Yes he would skewer Trump and it sure would be fun to watch. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750/8 "2016-05-03T04:05:09Z")
I was kinda wondering if she’d offer it to Sanders to keep his from running as as independent and splitting the party, thereby costing her the election. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750/9 "2016-05-03T04:38:35Z")
I said it before and I’ll say it again: [Tom Perez.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Perez) ---
**Author:** ![DerekMichaels00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@DerekMichaels00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerekMichaels00)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750/10 "2016-05-03T04:56:25Z")
I wish Joe Manchin, but its looking less likely. She needs a young face on the ticket, but one that doesn’t send _all_ white males running to the GOP, and that can move the Democrats back to the center. ---
**Author:** ![jsquire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@jsquire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsquire)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750/11 "2016-05-03T09:28:32Z")
From a long-term strategic perspective, removing one of your own from the Senate isn’t a good idea, even if from a “safe” state like Massachusetts. And if one of the cardinal rules of running-mates is like that of bridesmaids – don’t upstage the star of the show – then picking a top-notch comedian is also not a good idea. I think it will be an insider’s pick, the kind that only real political wonks would predict. Even if it is a “progressive”, it will be the kind who Clinton thinks will stay on (her) message. Leicester City winning the EPL in '16 is still a longer shot than Dan Quayle getting the VP pick in '88, but they’re somewhat comparable. Weird choices can and do happen. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750/12 "2016-05-03T10:24:29Z")
[Sherrod Brown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherrod_Brown) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750/13 "2016-05-03T11:05:36Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > I was kinda wondering if she’d offer it to Sanders to keep his from running as as independent and splitting the party, thereby costing her the election. The most important qualification for the Veep is to be a team player who does not try to upstage the Prez. Bernie doesn’t pass that requirement. ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750/14 "2016-05-03T12:11:25Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > [Sherrod Brown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherrod_Brown) Good pick. Not going to upstage Hillary, strong supporter, could help in a couple of swing states (Ohio, and next-door Pennsylvania). Downside is that you take a Dem out of the Senate, so you’re banking on coattails to replace him. I dunno how deep the Democratic bench is in Ohio to know if that have a ready and willing replacement. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750/15 "2016-05-03T12:43:14Z")
> [@yellowjacketcoder](#): > > Downside is that you take a Dem out of the Senate, so you’re banking on coattails to replace him. I dunno how deep the Democratic bench is in Ohio to know if that have a ready and willing replacement. Unfortunately it’s not deep at all, and John Kasich would get to appoint someone to the seat for the two years until the election. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750/16 "2016-05-03T12:44:48Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > The most important qualification for the Veep is to be a team player who does not try to upstage the Prez. > > Bernie doesn’t pass that requirement. The second most important qualification is that he will live out the term so you won’t need the GOP House to approve a replacement. Especially when they’ll start trying to impeach Clinton the day after she is sworn in. There is no way you are going to see someone older than Hillary on the ticket. Oh, and he (or she) needs to make a good president. ---
**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:** [May 3, 2016, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750/17 "2016-05-03T12:49:52Z")
I’m guessing she’ll go for a current/former governor rather than current Senator or Representative to avoid weakening the Democrats’ position in Congress. And she won’t pick any of her primary opponents; apart from Bernie none of them had any noteworthy public appeal and so wouldn’t bring anything to the table, and Sanders would be too distracting as a running mate. Someone from a purple state with a lot of EV seems like the obvious choice, but with the above exclusions I’m not sure what the list of remaining likely candidates would look like. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750/18 "2016-05-03T12:56:01Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > I’d put my money on Tim Kaine. No way. He’s a petulant little prick who did little but whine about how much time he was allotted in the debates that he pretended to participate in. He’s way too far to the right of the Democratic mainstream. Perez would make an excellent choice, he has a bit more gravitas then my other favorite, Julian Castro. The best of all worlds would be Joe Biden. He wouldn’t even have to move. ---
**Author:** ![montag01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@montag01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/montag01)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750/19 "2016-05-03T13:19:03Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > No way. He’s a petulant little prick who did little but whine about how much time he was allotted in the debates that he pretended to participate in. He’s way too far to the right of the Democratic mainstream. This was Jim Webb, right? Not Tim Kaine. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750/20 "2016-05-03T13:24:23Z")
> [@montag01](#): > > This was Jim Webb, right? Not Tim Kaine. Oh shit, my bad. I still don’t like Kaine though. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-clintons-running-mate/753750.md?page=2)