Clinton Is Actively Vetting Elizabeth Warren As Potential Running Mate

[DonViejo]

Source: Talking Points Memo

Hillary Clinton’s campaign is actively vetting Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) as a potential running mate, according to a Thursday Wall Street Journal report.

The popular, progressive Massachusetts senator, known for her strong stance on Wall Street regulation and skill at landing punches against Donald Trump, has long been floated as a smart choice vice presidential pick for the more centrist Democrat.

Warren endorsed Clinton last week after she secured the number of votes needed to clinch the Democratic nomination, and both have expressed eagerness at working together if the former secretary of state becomes president. The two met last Friday at Clinton’s home in Washington, DC, fueling rumors of a two-woman ticket.

The vetting has for now been limited to scrutinizing publicly available information, according to the Journal, and candidates have not yet been asked to submit tax returns or other personal information.

-snip-

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/hillary-clinton-actively-vetting-elizabeth-warren-potential-vp-pick

[onehandle]

1. I don't think it's likely, but I would be 100% behind it. nt

[Drahthaardogs]

8. I would love to see here there!

Maybe 16 years of a Democrat as our President.

[TDale313]

2. I really like Elizabeth Warren, but I'll be shocked if she's VP

And frankly I am not sure I want her taken out of the Senate and given a position where she has far less voice.

[MidwestTech]

14. THIS!

the one thing Obama did that I really didn't approve of early on was how much of the senate he raided.
we went from BARELY having a 60 vote majority to NOT because he kept tapping senators for his cabinet.

Honestly with warren on the ticket I'd be so much more excited about voting, but Senator Warren is so much better for us all in the senate as opposed to a largely ceremonial role as VP and president of the senate.

[TDale313]

45. I've (admittedly cynically) wondered for some time

If Washington Dems ever actually wanted that filibuster proof majority. Your excuses for not doing the things the people want but the lobbiests don't goes poof.

[sofa king]

44. The timing of this suggests she won't be.

This is the general election black hole, where the nominees are presumptive and so is everything else. One of the largest bumps in voter interest comes with the official announcement of the nominee's chosen running mate, timed to hit the papers just before the convention hits its peak.

Therefore candidates and their staves have a large interest in keeping the press distracted from the actual nominee, by "dangling" other people before the press like so much raw meat above a lion pit.

So it looks like Elizabeth Warren is being offered as a "dangle." If she is the actual chosen running mate of Mrs. Clinton, the timing of this news report is either highly unconventional or very damaging.

This year insiders are knowingly whispering the name of Julian Castro, and look at the difference between that linked story and this one. Castro's people are desperately trying to shush speculation about a VP run, instead of encouraging it. That's exactly what you would expect to see from the actual presumptive running mate.

In the meantime, Donald Trump's campaign is FUBAR, but sooner or later they'll probably start playing the dangle game, too, because the press will push them into it. Generally, and especially with idiot draft dodging Republicans, they are paired with brass in proportion to how woefully unprepared they are and how fast they ran from combat. Nixon and Reagan needed decorated veterans; Shrub needed a Secretary of Defense; Trump is going to need a four-star something with a rack of purple hearts.

[jzodda]

3. Its a great idea

It will serve as springboard for her own run in 8 years.

[question everything]

17. She will be 75 in eight years (67 next week)

I really would like to see younger people climbing up. Yes, I know, young people went for 74 year old Sanders this year but I would hope to see them entering not politics, not only rallying.

(Not, ageism, I am an old baby boomer, in the same boat)

[Omaha Steve]

4. Warren got the most support in the poll I ran last week

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027896790

[jalan48]

5. A conservative Democrat from the South or Midwest seems more likely.

[davidthegnome]

10. I suspect that would result in failure.

The thing is, Clinton is something of a moderate/centrist democrat. She is going to have a difficult time with those of us more to the left. Not me in particular - as I've already made up my mind to vote for her, but I know a lot of people who are hoping for a strong third party challenger - and some who are already telling me they're going to just stay home. A Clinton/Warren ticket would definitely bring some of them back to the fold.

If she were to pick Warren - or even Sanders, as unlikely as that probably is... then I think she can win in the general by a landslide. If, however, she goes and pulls an Al Gore and chooses someone like Joe Lieberman... it will serve to further frustrate more liberal democrats who already feel they aren't going to have much of a voice. Any ticket that includes Warren or Sanders will serve to light more fires for the progressive movement and perhaps even re-energize it after the defeat of Sanders.

Clinton + a conservative democrat, I suspect, will amount to either a failed campaign, or a severely weakened democratic position and platform. Either way, it will not be good for those of us who are hoping for - and have been waiting for something better.

I really hope she doesn't do that. History could very well repeat itself.

[colorado_ufo]

16. Agree.

Warren can "shore up" Clinton on one of her weakest points: Wall Street. Warren would also help bring Bernie supporters to her ticket.

It would be a heartbreak to lose Warren in the Senate, but it would position her for a landslide presidential run in the future, as she could then claim White House experience. We could have 16 years in control of the Executive.

Warren would also be a secure substitute for the current campaign in the unlikely event that Clinton is prosecuted for the e-mail issue.

[davidthegnome]

19. Damn good points.

I really, really hope that Clinton does not pull an Al Gore here. Please, pick someone who can help us win the general. An unpopular conservative democrat is not going to do that. There are two choices for VP right now that would make a lot of sense and likely help lead us to victory. I can't think of anyone else at the moment who would have as much impact and influence. Use that. I'm going to have to vote for Clinton no matter who she picks as VP - as the very idea of Trump winning is... beyond disturbing. However, I don't think Clinton wants to alienate the left. She is a strong candidate - but she's going to need Sanders people and Warren people to get out and vote for her.

It may be that Trump's campaign will continue to fall all over itself in it's headlong rush to failure and disgrace... but we still need people to get out and vote. We are still going to need those down-ticket dem voters, liberals, progressives - and so on.

[apnu]

26. Hillary already plays strong with moderate and conservatives in the South and Midwest already

She needs more left support, she's got the middle of the road, both left and right, sowed up.

[Doctor Jack]

29. If the list from the Washington Post is to be believed, the pick will likely be a liberal

The only moderate on that list is Tim Kain and I can't see her picking him. The rest are fairly liberal democrats, mostly from Ohio and California.

[Saviolo]

6. Love Warren, but this is a bad idea

She is doing amazing work in the Senate, and I think she's far more valuable to Democrats, liberals, and progressives right where she is, standing up to the big banks.

She has far more power and a louder voice doing what she's doing right now, and I sincerely hope she stays in the Senate to continue doing that.

[Hoppy]

7. +1

[Fumesucker]

9. "The Vice Presidency isn't worth a bucket of warm spit" -John Nance Garner

[LanternWaste]

41. I think it has more to do with the administration in question than the actual position.

I think it has more to do with the particular administration's definition of the role than the actual position.

John Adams regularly presided over the Senate and partook in debates, and beats Calhoun by one vote for the most tie breaks and I think we can all agree that Cheney had a major role in both domestic and foreign policy.

Hobart was regularly consulted by McKinley for assistance and advice. In 1898, it was Hobart who ultimately convinced McKinley to urge Congress to declare war on Spain. He also cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate which decided to take the Philippines as an American territory once the war ended. As Vice President, Hobart’s active role proved to be popular with fellow politicians.

As Vice President, Nixon was given the task of actually running cabinet meetings in the absence of Eisenhower.

[potone]

13. I agree.

I would think that Hillary would prefer her to remain in the Senate, and that Warren would prefer that, too, unless she can be assured of having a lot more influence than a VP usually has.

[Gene Debs]

24. Really? I suspect Clinton would offer her the VP slot expressly to get Warren OUT of the Senate,

for the main reason that Warren in the Senate would be too much of a thorn in Clinton's side with regard to Wall Street, the student loan industry, the banking industry, etc. It's not exactly a secret that Elizabeth Warren is serious about cracking down on Wall Street, whereas Clinton's relationship to Wall Street is, to put it tactfully, much, MUCH cozier. If the Clinton team really is eyeing Warren, I suspect it's more about moving Warren to a spot where she'll be much less of a giant speed bump on the money highway that runs from Wall Street to the WHite House.

[KPN]

30. It's hard not to suspect some sort of mischievous rationale when it comes to HRC.

But I really, really, really would like to think otherwise. Not sure I can get there though -- she'd probably have to do something dramatic, like disclose the transcripts to get me there.

[Pastiche423]

37. +1

[KPN]

28. 100% Agree!

[olddad56]

48. I totally agree. If she was VP, her future woild be tied to Hillary's approval rating...

and she has a much better agenda than Hillary.

Just say No, Elizabeth.

[Bayard]

11. Not gonna happen

Hillary is not going to pick someone that is more popular than she is.

[christx30]

12. She could ride into the White House

on her running mate's coat tails!!

Agreeing with you.

[question everything]

15. With so many white men opposing Hillary

which, in my mind, has to have an element of misogyny, I don't know that such a ticket can succeed. On the other hand, since they are misogynists, it won't make a difference.

Still, I don't think that Warren is interested in any second chair. Certainly if we win the Senate she will be a formidable presence. Alternatively, a cabinet post can utilize her skills, too.

[colorado_ufo]

18. On the contrary.

I know from personal interaction with many friends who support her that finally having a woman candidate is maybe her strongest appeal, strong enough to cause them to turn a blind eye to her weaknesses and voting record. Were Hillary a man, Bernie would be the candidate at this point.

[geek tragedy]

21. "Were Hillary a man, Bernie would be the candidate at this point. "

reminds me of this:

Trump: Clinton is Playing the Woman Card

[colorado_ufo]

31. Clinton is not playing the woman card

but many of her supporters are.

[geek tragedy]

34. Okay, maybe this is more what the "she's only winning because she's a woman" line reminds me of:

Geraldine Ferraro: Obama is lucky to be black

[packman]

20. Damn, that would be something, wouldn't it?

A female President and Vice-President. What a statement. Makes me proud of my party.

[Gene Debs]

25. It's every bit as foolish to make gender the criterion for selecting someone as it is to make it

the criterion for opposing them. If the Republicans put up a Carly Fiorina/Sarah Palin ticket, nobody's be going, "Well, I don't like 'em, but I'm really proud of the party for putting two women on the ticket!"

[packman]

35. Yah, but I still like the idea

Besides, your argument falls apart when you wrote the word "Republicans".

[Gene Debs]

39. If it makes you feel better to think that that makes the argument fall apart, then go ahead.

[LanternWaste]

42. You appear to be confusing 'the criterion' with pride in their ascension to the role.

You appear to be confusing 'the criterion' with pride in their ascension to the role. They are two wholly separate constructs, neither predicated or dependent uopn the other.

[Gene Debs]

22. As much as I admire Warren, this is a disastrously bad idea on multiple levels.

[KPN]

32. +1

[roamer65]

23. I'd rather see her as Senate Majority leader. N/t

[dmosh42]

27. Definitely would be a waste of talent!

[Gothmog]

33. Warren would be a great running mate

[KPN]

36. Picking Warren wouldn't ensure support from Berners.

It isn't about VP. Committing to a $15 minimum wage, getting money out of politics, free public education for all through primary college degree, universal publicly funded health care for all, reduced Defense funding, restoring Glass-Steagall/breaking up big banks and other monopolies, etc., might ensure their vote however.

Think that's going to happen?

Warren should stay in the Senate where she will actually have some clout during a Hillary presidency. Bill and Hillary would easily keep her corralled at the WH.

[nolabear]

38. I have to admit I'd love it.

It's time that isn't thought of as extreme. And man, she kicks ass.

[fbc]

40. Get Bernie supporters and keep her from causing trouble in the Senate

Sounds like a win-win for establishment democrats.

[LiberalLovinLug]

46. yup, basically defangs her

Not to mention, not meaning to be macabre, but it would be a great personal safety measure for Hillary. No one in the "vast right wing conspiracy" would dare to do anything with Elizabeth Warren waiting in the wings.

[eastwestdem]

43. Not sure if it is politically smart, but it would make me happy! nt

[Odin2005]

47. NOOOOO, we need her in the Senate!!!

She doesn't deserve to be left to rot in the VP spot.