My VP preference rankings...

[Drunken Irishman]

Because I'm sure you're all dying to know!

1. Val Demings

I think she's the perfect option for Biden. She's tough, from a battle ground state and her police backgrounds does two things: it gives the Biden ticket an instant boost in the law & order debate, which I think will help in the suburbs and, most importantly, it gives her credibility when speaking out on police brutality.

2. Kamala Harris

I think Harris would be a great choice. She's got a strong, and passionate base of support and would be a tough, and fierce, fighter in the general. I don't think she was ready in 2020 to run a presidential campaign, but after four years as Veep, she'd be very well positioned for the job of president.

3. Karen Bass

This is a tough one because I don't know much about Bass but from what I've seen and read, she's got the qualities you'd want in a Veep. But there are some downsides that make me question ranking her this high. For starters, like Harris, she's from California, which is not a swing state. But unlike Harris, she lacks any level of a national profile. I also worry that she's not had as much vetting, which could lead to concerns down the road. Still, those are small concerns, IMO, and not anywhere near a deal breaker.

4. Tammy Duckworth

Duckworth is a hero. She's tough. She's Midwestern. I think she'd be a solid choice. But I'll also say that I'm not sure she brings in any new voters. You could think possible fence-sitting vetetans but I'm gonna be blunt here, especially after all the years I spent with my veteran father, who was in the 101st Airborne during Vietnam, if a veteran is still not opposed to Trump at this juncture, or worse, supports him, it doesn't matter how badly injured Duckworth was fighting for this country, they could be just as awful toward their fellow vets as Tucker was to Duckworth a couple weeks ago. I mentioned my dad only because of the shit he had to put up with when talking John Kerry to Bush supporting vets during the 2004 election. So many of them were just as cruel and awful in their attacks on Kerry as non-vets, and praised the shit out of the draft dodger. So, does she bring in any new voters, specifically in her area of the country? That I'm not so sure.

5. Elizabeth Warren

To be honest, part of me thinks this is the pick. But I think it would be the riskiest pick. Why, though? Because I don't know how well Warren is going to play to the more moderate voters we likely need to win in places like Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania - where moderates make up roughly 40% of the voting electorate. Warren and Biden also have a more combative history than Biden & Harris, so what role would that play? I also feel Warren's supporters are going to back the ticket no matter what and I question whether picking a white woman could negatively impact the ticket.

6. Susan Rice

I loved the idea of a Biden-Rice ticket over a year ago. Look it up! I was saying that was the ticket back in like June of 2019, but I've changed my tune. I think Biden works well with her, no doubt, but her lack of elected experience concerns me. I also don't want to relive Benghazi over and over the next three months. Don't get me wrong, I'll be okay with her but I think everyone else above is a stronger candidate.

I also like Tammy Baldwin but if Biden picks her, they'll have to have a special election for her senate seat and I would hate to lose that seat, especially if it turns out to be the difference between a majority and minority position in the senate. And frankly, I'm not optimistic with how conservative Wisconsin has become the last eight years that anyone other than Baldwin could win - at least not optimistic enough to risk it.

[DonaldsRump]

1. Very insightful. Thank you for posting.

I would give the nod to Kamala Harris, because she is NOT from the police but is law and order (San Fran DA, California Attorney General), plus she has the national experience. They will slime her with

I really didn't know Susan Rice. She has AMAZING credentials. However, she has not held an elected office, AFAIK. We've had enough of that, and I want someone who knows how to deal with politics, Congress etc.

I would love Elizabeth Harris to get it, but I don't think she will.

[Cha]

5. "Elizabeth Harris"?

[DonaldsRump]

11. Elizabeth Warren n/t

[Cha]

12. You're Welcome.

[JonLP24]

2. Biden doesn't need to run to the right of Trump on "law & order"

The suburbs are more diverse and progressive than they used to be.

As far as Warren look at the poll numbers before you knock her.

[Drunken Irishman]

6. I'm not buying high MOE crosstab polls as an argument.

Those crosstabs are so noisy that they might as well be tossed. They don't prove anything, unfortunately.

[WheelWalker]

3. Here's my list: 1. Rice, 2. Rice, 3. Rice, 4. Rice, 5. Rice, 6. Rice

Stature, Intellect, Experience, Compatibility, Knowledge, Readiness.

[RelativelyJones]

8. Mine too. We can't forget about repairing things with the rest of the world.

[StevieM]

10. I think Biden is moving in the direction of picking her.

She will be a good VP and someday she may be a great president.

[lark]

4. The day Val Demings wrote that wonderful OP for the WaPo, she became my choice.

She proved in the Impeachment Hearings to be smart and tough and she writes very well, from the heart and down to earth. Plus she's from central FL and her and her husband were LEO's. If there's no dirt on her or him from then, I think she would be the stellar pick of them all, given current circumstances. I love Liz and wish she'd be more viable, but 2 old white people don't seem to fit this election cycle.

[LizBeth]

7. I hang with mostly 20 somethings. I like Warren because firstly, I think her strength is really in

play here and is so needed for this nation, and will fill the void with Biden and what I perceive as his weak area. She is smart, one of the smartest. Gets things done, does the work and persists. I think she will compliment Biden well and he will do what he is so very strong in, uniting the nation, and she will address those of us that really need progressives to step up.

I think she will bring an incredible energy into our youth. Our young voters, especially the educated ones, and college campus. She was a college professor after all and knows how to talk to the 20'somethings and they like their professors that look them in the eye and listen to them, encouraging their brilliance.

She is respectful to the other Dems, very encouraging and uplifting.

I like what she did with her primary run in being told she did not hear women of color voice and she said, teach me. And put in the time and effort and listened, processed and learned. So many of our candidates listen, learn and grow. Biden is one. She gained a lot of appreciation I think and is in good standing with the black community and they have said as such. But, what I really liked about the primary was once Harris and Booker got out, Warren was right there still talking about Black Lives Matter consistently, easily, righteously and often. And she was mostly the only talking about the systematic racism at the time. I liked that.

Looking at it from a perspective of hire for a specific job, I think it is hers. And I think Harris will not shine there. So many of her strengths are Biden strengths. Character and personality. I do not think Harris will shine and thinks she should be afforded the same opportunity to have a position in power that will allow her success. I think that is Sec of State. Warren doesn't have to run for President if she accomplishes what she needs to for progressives these four years. And with Democratic power, that is when we will be able to do it and she already has the friggin' plans.

Harris doing a visual and power job in Sec of State will have her in a position if she wants to run in 24. VP is not the only way to make the run.

Otherwise, I like every other woman on the list and would be thrilled to see her in VP position.

[Books_Tea_Alone]

9. I think Harris would be great- Rice also had the background to be ready on day one BUT...

In researching her background how worried should we be about her son if she is the pick? I can see the Rethuglicans jumping all over that in a heartbeat. It shouldn't be disqualifying as it in no way changes her accomplishments and appeal....but I'm afraid this year it is.

[Dan]

13. My thoughts is

Joe has the Black vote, but he needs the White suburban female vote.

So either Elizabeth, Tammy or the Governor of Michigan.