When did we stop being the big tent party?

[William769]

There's seems to be a lot of concern if V.P. Harris were to pick Pete Buttigieg as her running mate. I really thought that kind of thinking was behind us. Apparently not.

[Aviation Pro]

1. The goal is to keep Motherfucker away from the White House

Secretary Buttigieg does not bring Indiana into the blue column at this time. In 2032, he will.

Stay focused.

[William769]

2. Indiana was not the question nor the reason given to keep him off the ticket.

[Aviation Pro]

15. He's not being 'kept off the ticket'

He is being vetted as part of the campaign. He would make a fine VP, but we can't afford a single misstep with the fickleness of the electorate, who in most cases vote on their emotions.

[William769]

16. Your concern is noted.

Have a nice day.

[WarGamer]

98. what misstep is that?

[oldsoftie]

55. he's never been on ANY list I've seen for VP.

[William769]

57. He doesn't need to be on the list.

It's the peoples antiquated fears wanting to keep him off the list is what my OP is about.

[NoRethugFriends]

102. knowing that some people won't vote for someone gay

Is not antiquated. It's not homophobia to not put him on the ticket. It's wanting to beat Trump. That said I don't know if he'd be a negative or not. Impossible to predict.

[ms liberty]

134. The Venn diagram of people who hate gays and people who won't vote for Dems is a circle.

I think we should just do it.

[WarGamer]

139. People who wouldn't vote for a gay man are already Trump voters.

[BootinUp]

63. There is a report he is being vetted

https://politicalwire.com/2024/07/24/harris-is-vetting-pete-buttigieg/

[MLAA]

104. I understood he was being vetted.

[madaboutharry]

6. He doesn't live in Indiana anymore.

He and Chasten now live in Michigan, where Chasten is from.

[Aviation Pro]

13. He is unelected in Michigan, he is best known and arrived on the national scene as mayor of Indianapolis

Gretchen Whitmer would be a better VP candidate to win Michigan over, but then you'll run into the misogynist crowd that will clutch their pearls and look for a fainting couch over two women on the ticket.

We need to think strategically to ensure that Motherfucker doesn't come within sniffing distance of the White House.

Secretary Buttigieg will be a fine President in 2033.

[soandso]

18. Mayor of South Bend

[multigraincracker]

27. Next Governor of Michigan.

Gretch is term limited out next term.

[FloridaBlues]

93. Maybe that's one of the reasons they moved to Michigan?

He would be a terrific Governor if that’s his plan.

[TommyT139]

105. Lots of reasons to leave Indiana....

If he had stayed in Indiana, his own kids would not have been allowed to learn about LGBTQ people in schools. (HB 1608, passed in May 2023.)

Michigan, on the other hand, has strong protections, and values all families.

[oldsoftie]

54. And THAT needs to be the sole focus on this race. Everything else take a back seat.

trump MUST be defeated.

[Celerity]

94. Pete lives in Michigan now.

[Emile]

117. I didn't know that. I thought maybe he moved to Niles

just up the road from South Bend. So I googled it and was surprised he moved all the way up north to Traverse City. I believe Traverse City is where Michael Moore lives.

[CANADIANBEAVER69]

3. I guess some just can't deal yet, and its sad really

I posted this on another persons thread with the same question

I don't know why it matters who we love. What Pete brings to the table is what matters. He is more than qualified for the position. He is inspiring and knows his shit. Never backs down from a question and brings the receipts. He would be a great VP

[William769]

7. Thank you.

[nbsmom]

35. You're right.What Mayor Pete brings to the table IS what matters.

Unfortunately, his experience doesn't include winning a statewide race. And that's why Team Harris will probably pick Shapiro or Kelly.

I will be proud to vote for him (or any future Dem candidates because we have a remarkable bench), but we must win THIS election.

[calguy]

42. It doesn't matter to us here on DU who you love

But it absolutely does matter to many of the voters we want to attract to our side. Yeah, it's not fair. I get it. But it's the reality of the world we live in. The country is simply not ready for black female president and a gay vice president on one ticket. That's the reality.

[dickthegrouch]

58. Your imputed reality

Which sucks!

[Politicub]

64. And they don't even see it

It’s not okay. And we shouldn’t act like it is.

Sometimes I wish people wouldn’t say anything at all. Especially when it’s people that have been on DU for a long time.

[calguy]

76. Sorry to inform you

But my opinion is just as important as yours.

[Politicub]

83. Like I said to someone else, maybe one day you'll get it. n/t

[calguy]

120. I already have

decades ago.

[calguy]

75. Whatever...dick the grouch

Good luck with that attitude.

[CANADIANBEAVER69]

61. I do understand the reality

and you are correct, winning this election is more important than anything else. The Democratic Party has so many talented people to choose from and the world hopes that whoever is with MVP Harris, that they win in November.

[EastBayGuy]

62. Ditto, thank you.

[DonCoquixote]

85. what states can he bring

Michigan-whitmer
Pennsylvania=shapiro

[SleeplessinSoCal]

4. it would feel like force feeding.

I hate that the term "woke" has been turned into a negative. Until we can reverse that thinking with education, putting two men in supporting roles as 1st and 2nd gentleman is probably a bridge too far.

[William769]

10. Was it a bridge too far with Gays in the military? Was it a bridge too far with marriage equality?

As FDR once said "there is nothing to fear, but fear itself."

[SleeplessinSoCal]

23. it's a bridge too far having a black woman of color stop the ticket with a gay running mate.

If you want to gamble that it isn't, is it worth the risk? Rejecting them would fire up Fascism on the right. They already fear Muslims, Mexicans, African Americans and women. I think Pete could be POTUS. But if he were to lose as 2nd on the ticket, it might be game over.

[William769]

26. Whats wrong with adding to their fear?

It does not matter who she picks as VP, they are still going to fear the ticket.

What this has done is show the fear & ignorance in our own party.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

41. It's the risk factor that scares me sitting in the big tent.

Fascism is rampant right now. We have to represent the Democratic party to regain our reputation as the peoples' party. We don't have a think tank for that, apparently. It seems to be up to all of us individually.

[DonCoquixote]

88. what has he done that Whitmer or Shapiro cannot do

fair question

[Celerity]

112. he is the best communicator our Party has, he is almost otherworldly in his ability to respond to any situation

[edisdead]

126. Then he should be a spokesperson.

As a CO he would be a heartbeat away from the presidency and he does not have any experience to draw from. He is a cabinet pick until he gets some other experience.

[Traurigkeit]

19. WOKE is positive. Has never been negative

[SleeplessinSoCal]

25. it's negative to a huge portion of the public through gaslighting.

The Obama presidency should have put an end to such prejudice. Instead it put Fascism front and center in the GQP

[Politicub]

65. I keep hearing it always seems impossible until it's done since Kamala became our nominee.

I have lived through this. Lots of seemingly impossible strides have been made in LGBTQ rights over the past 20 to 30 years.

I just read your post again. Ugh. I hope you can try to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes and then imagine what your words would sound like to them.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

72. What if we had an open convention?

This is a very unique nominating process. Her choice will weigh everything. I suspect my concerns are being voiced in the room where it happens.

[Politicub]

73. It keeps getting worse.

Please stop. You’re not an oracle or a hidden microphone.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

101. sorry.

I thought this was democratic underground.

[kcr]

135. Yes, this is Democratic Underground

where we support Democrats and fight the GOP. Advocating for things that will 100% guarantee they win will be resisted. sorry.

[oldsoftie]

116. An open convention for the nominee? No.

it HAS to be Harris. She's the only one legally allowed to use their campaign funds.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

124. Exactly

Debating is always good. Especially at a crucial time like this. Expressing concerns ought to be allowed without being attacked for them.

[oldsoftie]

133. Yes! but you've been here long enough to know how it works though

Many times "discussion" is alerted on & hidden even if its legitimate issues & concerns.
MONTHS ago I said this was a very real possibility because the changes were obvious if you were being honest.
And I got slammed.

[Skittles]

5. I hear you

it's like we are expected to not select the cream of the crop because it may upset (insert here: racists, misogynists, homophobes, etc.)....

[edisdead]

127. Pete is the cream of the crop?

Seriously? Are people that out if it?

The dem party has a very talented and deep bench. Pete is nowhere near as qualified as others to potentially be the president.

This is absolutely crazy and what is sad is people in this thread labeling others as bigots simply for having a different opinion about who should be the VP pick.

That is completely bonkers.

[spanone]

8. Nothing's been decided yet, has it?

[William769]

14. No. I wish I could add my two cents here.

[Think. Again.]

9. I've read that Pete is being vetted along with others.

[Gore1FL]

11. Democrats run scared. It's what we do.

See also:
"Reaganomics or economic disaster"
"Invading Iraq = Patriotism"
"Biden is too old"
as quick examples.

As long as we keep letting the GOP run the narrative, there will be opposition to Mayor Pete.

He's my first choice, btw.

[Big Blue Marble]

39. If you are not running scared right, now, you are not paying attention.

Everything has to fall into place in the right way in 5-6 swing states to win. It did not fall into place in 2016.
It did in 2020. Less than 150,000 voters out of 150 million will be deciding this race whether we of the base
like it or not. Stay scared and work your but off.

[Gore1FL]

67. I am not scared of the GOP's false narratives. nt

[Big Blue Marble]

90. That is because you are not the one falling for them.

Less that 200,000 of the least informed and most easily duped people will shape the
rest your life, mine, and our country on November 5th. These are the ones who have been
falling for the GOP's false narratives. Now we will begin to shift those voters with
great candidates and visionary narratives.

[Gore1FL]

95. Why can't we do that with a homosexual vice president? nt

[Big Blue Marble]

107. Maybe we can. I will trust Harris to decide.

If she thinks it is time for our first gay VP.

[edisdead]

128. I am sorry but why must we do it with a homosexual vp?

why is that even a criteria?

We need to right the nation and if Pete can help do that, Great! but why is his sexual orientation something that makes him more of a reason to make him the VP?

Has he been a governor who needs to work with a state house of reps and senate to get things accomplished? Did he have to work with a state AG, court system, help to work with police forces? Set policy and vision for dept of education? Agricultural depts? Has je had to work ofn a budget for a state?

I mean I know he was mayor if South Bend….. And he served in the military and was transportation secretary. And he IS wicked smart. But honestly we have OTHER great candidates to consider as well. Who have experience in areas that are more directly related to the job of a president should they need to step in.

[Gore1FL]

132. I prefer Mayor Pete. He happens to be homosexual. It's not a crieria, but rather a deal-breaker for some.

We certainly do have a lot of great candidates. He happens to be one of them and shouldn't be excluded becasue he's gay.

[TheKentuckian]

111. A woman alone is a significant lift in this country.

A black woman is a very big lift.

Adding a gay man is risking getting out in front of the skis right now.

This is not a primary so it isn't about Republicans running anything or anyone running scared, it is a little discretion when a loss cannot be absorbed.

What electorate are you seeing?

[brer cat]

12. Sad and frustrating!

[SocialDemocrat61]

17. We didn't

But unfortunately we don’t live in a big tent country. The goal is to win an election, not to make a point.

[madaboutharry]

20. I wrote in Behind the Aegis's thread in LBGTQ that we aren't yet the people we like to think we are.

Apparently, there are limits to what a gay person is allowed to achieve in government service. It's ok for a gay person to be the Secretary of Transportation, but not yet the Vice President. What other group of people would that now apply to? Black people broke that barrier. So have Jews (Gore/Lieberman lost, sort of). But were still hung up about gays.

I want to think that people are apprehensive about Pete being on the ticket because they are scared. I am of the opinion that anyone who would say that that would be the reason they would not vote for a Harris/Buttigieg ticket wouldn't have voted for Kamala Harris no matter whom she choose.

[Big Blue Marble]

21. Please let's not stir stuff up.

Let us trust that VP Harris will choose whom she thinks is best for the campaign, best to work with her, and
most importantly, best to be potentially be our president. Every single person being considered is excellent.
Every one of these people is excellent; every one has weaknesses. Let's just wait for Kamala and her advisors
to make her first and extremely important decision.

[William769]

24. Exactly what am I stirring up?

[Big Blue Marble]

30. Questioning our candidate's ability to make her own choices.

As to what I read, Buttigieg is very much in the mix. Hopefully, she and her team are fully evaluating
each candidate with the criteria I mentioned. I do not expect that we will have an answer for several weeks.

Let's just savor this amazing miracle that just happened and is breathing new life and energy into our
party. Let's calm down and be patient as she makes what I believe will be a good decision for our
party and our country.

[William769]

38. I am not Questioning our candidate's ability to make her own choices

I am Questioning what is being said about pete being Gay & would hurt the ticket. I know V.P. Harris will make the choice she wants.

But hearing shit about Pete being Gay & not a good fit for the ticket because of that reason is fucked up & so 2008. We are better than that or so I thought.

[Big Blue Marble]

43. Do you think that a gay VP would not be a wedge issue in the swing states

with the squishy undecided voters? The Russian bots and Republican operatives will infuse a
whisper campaign into the mix. I do not know if it would work or not and neither do you.

I am very excited that being gay has less and less impact on voters. Many gay candidates
are being elected around the country at so many levels. It will happen in the future; I know it will.

If Harris decides to pick Pete, then she will have the confidence that that time is now. Let's wait
and see.

[William769]

46. I am so over wedge issues.

What is not a wedge issue in the Democratic platform for Gompers?

It's fear in our own people that are afraid to take a fucking stand.

Have a nice day.

[Politicub]

68. My existence is a wedge issue to some

And I don’t really like the lectures about sitting down.

[Big Blue Marble]

87. Ok. whatever.

This is about winning the most critical election in world history. If wedge issues do not matter
to you, that matters not to me. What matters to our country is that we convince the most
people to vote for Democrats up and down the ticket. Whoever does helps us succeed
in that goal is the right person.

Enjoy Biden's speech and have a nice night.

[sheshe2]

47. Being gay or female isn't a weakness.

The other men don’t seem to have any that is being discussed.I do agree, Madam VP is going to make the best choice.

[Big Blue Marble]

92. I agree; neither is a weakness,; neither is color, but only recently in our history

have we begun to reduce and eliminate the bias that has kept much our citizenry
from holding public office. We have come a long way in the last fifty years; and
we still have a way to go. But we are getting there, election by election.

I so look forward Madame President-elect then Madame President in less than six months!

[Figarosmom]

22. Lm torn

The Vice Pres. Is such a waste of talent position but yet it is seen as a reward for good work too. I always hope that the position would be remade with actual responsibilities. Kamala was given more jobs to do than usual but watching Pete in action I can't help but think he'd be so wasted in the VP position. Yet he deserves it. The best one can say about the position is that it's a set up for the top job in the future.

[pwb]

28. Everybody is welcome into the tent.

Running the tent are our elders and donors. They think about Independents as much as democrats. Pete seems like a nice guy. He is good for us now and he will be good for us in the future. IMO.

[Bev54]

29. I agree, there are leaders all over the world that are women, or are gay and some are gay women.

It is time the US catch up to the rest of the world. Pete is awesome and is certainly presidential material as are others.

[Big Blue Marble]

37. This is less a teaching moment, than a winning one.

We want our ticket to expand outside of our base and draw in moderates and even Republicans.
I trust Kamala and her advisors to make the best decision to keep us on the winning track for a
big win in November.

[onenote]

31. We just nominated a black woman and you think we're not a big tent party?

A lot of things go into the decision of who would make the best running mate. The fact that Pete is gay shouldn't be disqualifying. But it doesn't make him the best candidate either.

[William769]

70. I never said he is the best candidate.

I have a problem of people using the excuse that he is Gay. So should everybody in our damn party.

[elocs]

32. When we became the party of reality at a time when we really, really, really

need to win an imperatively important election.
Did I say really?

If one is honest and lives in today's America, there is a clear risk in running an openly gay male as the running mate of a woman of color. Let's win one milestone at a time and not be greedy or unrealistic about our chances of winning.

[hlthe2b]

33. I believe that Harris has asked for him to submit info required for vetting...

I certainly have been talking him up --former mayor of a Midwestern (Indiana) city, former military, former Congressman, incredible spokesman for DEMS, including on RW media, successful as hell as Transportation Secretary and because of that can really speak to the successes of Biden-Harris.

I think we have such a strong "bench" that it is natural that DUers will have favorites. But really, it is hard to think we can't take advantage of that 'embarrassment of riches' without taking an unbiased look at how each of the candidates could benefit the ticket--and perhaps add to the Harris-VP team.

[William769]

71. Thank you for your post.

[Kaleva]

34. Overall, we are

But filling certain positions involves taking the political ramifications into account

I'm fine with whoever Kamala decides on.

[pat_k]

36. Sorry, fear of a "first" to far .....

... makes buttigieg unlikely.

We are a big tent as far as working to secure basic rights and economic fairness across our melting pot, but the Democratic Leadership has always been cautious about breaking new ground. Nothing new there

[getagrip_already]

40. Whoever is picked - some will be upset - but the person chosen will be the best choice for the role

As determined by the candidate snd her team.

And we have to trust and respect that process.

Just remember that DU is not the screening commettee. We are not the focus group. We are not the advisors or staffers (well, most of us arent anyway).

We are just phone tappers with opinions. LOTS of opinions. Dont let those get you upset.

I will support whoever is chosen, even though i have preferences and opinions.

Good luck to pete and all under consideration.

[yardwork]

45. I'm gay and I don't particularly like Pete.

He's too McKinsey for me. I think his choice would dampen enthusiasm among young progressives.

However, of course if he's chosen I'll fully support the ticket.

[William769]

48. And thats fine.

The problem I have is people useing him as being Gay for the reason. Been there and done that.

[yardwork]

49. Agreed.

[EastBayGuy]

66.

[FHRRK]

91. What is it you don't like about the McKinsey work?

Interested in your perspective.

[Solly Mack]

50. K&R

I think Pete Buttigieg would make a great president. After Harris gets 8 years, of course. Would love to see him as VP in the meantime.

MLK, Jr. speaks about "incrementalism" and the people who promote it in a more fuck-ton polite way than I ever would.

[William769]

52. Thank you!

[Mister Ed]

51. There's also a lot of enthusiasm for Buttigieg. n/t

[oldsoftie]

53. Pete doesnt bring a State with him. THATS what's needed here.

He's on his on track for the future.
Either Shapiro or Kelly needs to be the pick to boost the chances of winning PA or AZ

[Politicub]

69. Baby, we are in uncharted territory in so many ways right now.

Every candidate’s coalition is different.

[oldsoftie]

77. But electoral College votes are all the matters. nt

[Politicub]

82. Maybe one day you'll get it. n/t

[oldsoftie]

114. We have ONE way to elect presidents. That is all I need to "get"

I also live in the real world; which isnt the nicest place to be some times.
I believe Harris will pick the person she thinks gives her the best chance to WIN. Thats going to be a governor..

[tritsofme]

80. Arguably, no VP candidate has "brought" their state since LBJ in 1960.

John Edwards and Paul Ryan come to mind.

The vast majority of the electorate votes for the top of the ticket, and the VP only matters at the margins. Only when it is so bad, like Palin, does it become a factor.

Harris should choose whoever she feels will help her govern best.

[Politicub]

56. Kamala and Pete is the ticket of my dreams

It’s always heartbreaking to see people on DU automatically dismiss the idea because he’s gay.

This is the very definition of implicit bias, and it’s always ugly when it rears its head.

I want to believe we’re better than this, but it seems we have a long way to go.

[William769]

59. You are correct & thank you.

[claudette]

60. I'm not sure it's

a tent thing. There are those with more experience than him who would be more qualified and more popular. I haven't seen anyone say he shouldn't be considered because he is gay.

[markpkessinger]

74. I am a gay man, and would love to see Buttigieg as the VP pick. BUT . . .

. . . I am also a realist when it comes to the need to defeat Donald Trump, and I recognize that homophobia continues to be a thing among the electorate. I worry that having a gay man on the same ticket with a mixed race woman might be a tad too much diversity for some voters -- particularly some independent/unaffiliated voters, from whom we must draw heavily if we are to win.

It isn't a matter of retreating from being a "big tent" party, but a matter of cold, hard political calculus.

[Voltaire2]

78. We submit to their fear mongering.

Over and over and over.

[LizBeth]

79. I think now is the perfect time and he is an awesome cadidate.

[Lars39]

81. Pete's my favorite!

VP spot would get him ready to be Prez. 🙂

[Mz Pip]

84. We can't always get what we want

That kind of thinking may be behind those of us on DU but it’s not true for a good chunk of the country. We have to be pragmatic.

[pinkstarburst]

89. Harris/Buttigieg for the win!

I think this is a winning ticket! And I will argue anyone who thinks otherwise into the ground. Joe Biden didn't take the coward's way out when he put a black woman as VP on his ticket in 2020. She was the best damn one for the job and he put her on the ticket. If Pete is the best one for VP, he should be chosen, and the idea that there are all these homophobic posts on DU of all places saying a gay man can't be VP is disgusting to me.

Young people are going crazy on Tiktok. They love Kamala Harris and they LOVE Pete Buttigieg. They are way pro LGBTQIA+ rights and we need to move with that momentum and energy not get all caught up in trying to capture the bigot vote which SPOILER ALERT, we are not going to get anyway because SPOILER ALERT any bigot who isn't going to vote for a gay man as VP ain't voting for a ticket with a black woman at the top of it for president either.

So we aren't losing any voters. And let's not be naive enough to think that there are actually voters out there who have a problem with a black woman at the top of the ticket (that's those bigot voters again!) but that they'd be all fine and dandy with the that black woman as president so long as Andy Beshear, Josh Shapiro or Mark Kelly was on the ballot as VP. We're not getting those voters so it's better that we work on energizing OUR voters and getting them to the polls.

[berniesandersmittens]

96. Rec nt

[lame54]

97. I'm for Pete...

But I wasn't a couple of days ago

This is a MUST WIN election
So, I get the purity test
And it's not just his being gay but he never dealt with his situation with the South Bend black community when he was mayor
He had zero black support when he ran for prez

But I think, after hearing him speak a few times, people will forget those things and see how talented and sincere he is

[Torchlight]

99. I don't really see his orientation as being a line in sand among Democrats.

I think Democrats (on this message board in particular) for the most part are simply looking at numbers, looking at projections, and looking at analyses, factoring in anything and everything that could affect those final numbers one way or the other.

A lot of posters are immediately disqualifying a lot of otherwise valid potential picks for a brazillian different reasons, yet I haven't yet seen one predicated on a personal distaste of various races, genders, or orientations yet. If I've missed it, I'd be happy to give it a look-see.

[alarimer]

100. These picks are always strategic in some way.

The person chosen usually has to deliver something, usually their state’s electoral votes. Buttigieg can’t do that. It has very little to do with the person.

So, you choose Shapiro, you get PA, but might lose Michigan. But neither of those are actually a sure thing.

You also wouldn’t choose someone from Maryland, or another blue state, because that’s in the bag.

[vercetti2021]

103. Seems clear to me

Omg the gay man would lose it for us. Always always this place pivots to the gays and trans people if an election is lost. See 2004 for reference

[JustAnotherGen]

106. Fair point

[iemanja]

108. He would be a great choice!

[Self Esteem]

109. I don't understand the question.

If you're implying previously that a Democratic nominee wouldn't care to add a minority to the ticket, I think you're actually wrong. You ask when did the Democratic Party stop being a big tent party and my question: why didn't John Kerry choose a gay running mate in 2004? Why didn't Gore choose a woman running mate in 2000 (despite a couple making the list)? Why didn't Clinton choose a Black running mate in 1992?

Probably for the same reasons some might question whether America is ready for a gay vice president. I think they are. But we're already making history with a Black, Asian woman running at the top of the ticket. Is it wrong that we have to potentially factor in how certain voters might react to this ticket? Absolutely. Is it still a reality? Unfortunately.

But to be honest, my concerns with Pete aren't necessarily his sexuality and more his visibility. Okay, that's a lie. I think for a candidate to overcome their minority status, whether it's Obama as a Black man or Kamala as a woman of color, I think they have to have that 'it' factor. They have to transcend the one thing that would separate them from every other president/vice president.

Could Pete do that? I'm not sure.

[scipan]

110. What? It's just pragmatic.

He's a star. But Josh Shapiro seems better for the election and that's what counts.

[Ohio Joe]

113. So... I've had a lot going on and not seen who is objecting to Buttigieg

But fuck anyone who does.

[relayerbob]

115. No one is

OP is trying to stir shit, IMO. Kamala has a tough choice to make from a VERY deep bench. Lots of options and lots of reasons to pick one person over another.

To me, I'd prefer Pete as Sec of State, a much more substantial and important role, more suited to his eloquence and intelligence, than side-kick.

[Ohio Joe]

119. William is no shit stirrer

But I think his point is proven.

[BannonsLiver]

138. +1000

Probably not going to get what they want so everything is terrible.

[ecstatic]

118. I hear you. My top choice is Wes Moore, but I've been told that

only a straight white male will do.

I suppose there is a good reason for trying one unprecedented thing at a time in order to pinpoint what works and what doesn't.

[Abolishinist]

121. To begin with, your premise is risible.

A 'big tent party', at least by one definition, is "a term used in reference to a political party having members covering a broad spectrum of beliefs."

Our big tent party, for example, welcomes followers of Rashida Tlaib. If she were in consideration for the next VP, would someone saying "she might not go over well with some of the voters we need to carry the key swing states" also be a focus of your ire?

[Hekate]

122. The perfect is the enemy of the good. Keep your eyes on the prize.

[Takket]

123. the tent is big but there is only 1 VP chair.

and Team Kamala's job is make sure whoever they put in that chair gives them the best job of winning.

[edisdead]

125. The tent is fine. I think you have a oroblem with other having opinions

[Bettie]

129. I've been reading this thread on and off today

and thought my opinion means little, I'll say it isn't any of our choice.

There are a lot of factors involved in this and I'm certainly not going to demand that VP Harris pick this one or that one.

In the end, there's no nefarious reason that one will be picked over another, it's a complicated and serious decision.

We'll hear more from Pete and from the other contenders as well.

We are in an election that will decide if we ever have another election.

Every one of the people we've been told is being vetted brings something to the table, so we just have to trust that if the favorite of any one of us doesn't get picked, it's not personal and there is a good reason.

I don't have a favorite in this pick. I think any of them could do the job and do it well.

[jmbar2]

130. I love Pete

He's got Obama-type qualities - so darned witty and likeable that he would win over a lot of folks not yet comfortable with gays. When he does finally get the visibility he deserves, a lot of walls will fall quickly.

He'd make a great VP, or SoS.

[Nimble_Idea]

131. who is "we" and "us"

[FlyingPiggy]

136. Bc we don't have the luxury to put up anyone that doesn't bring us a win.

I love Pete and hope one day he will be our president or VP. But, I agree with others. Not this time. It’s not what we will vote for, it’s the other voters that we need to bring into the fold.

[BannonsLiver]

137. Yeah Dems are a small tent party.

Is that the utterly absurd argument being made?

Just because it probably won’t be your preferred candidate doesn’t mean everything is terrible.