Biden's Best Veep Pick Is Obvious.
She, more than anyone, can get under Trumps skin. by Frank Bruni
'Whatever his wobbles, Joe Biden has, from the start of his presidential campaign, got one thing exactly right: The 2020 election is a battle for the soul of America. Thats not just a pretty slogan. Its the stomach-knotting truth and its the frame he should use for choosing his running mate.
Its why he should pick Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois.
Shes a paragon of the values that Donald Trump, for all his practice as a performer, cant even pantomime. Shes best described by words that are musty relics in his venal and vainglorious circle: sacrifice, honor, humility. More than any of the many extraordinary women on Bidens list of potential vice-presidential nominees, shes the anti-Trump, the antidote to the ugliness he revels in and the cynicism he stokes.
Americans can feel good no, wonderful about voting for a ticket with Duckworth on it. And were beyond hungry for that. Were starving.
That ache transcends all of the other variables that attend Bidens deliberations as he appraises Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Val Demings and others: race, age, experience, exact position on the spectrum from progressive to moderate.
Duckworth, a former Army lieutenant colonel who lost both of her legs during combat duty in Iraq, is a choice that makes exquisite emotional and moral sense. Largely, but not entirely, because of that, she makes strategic sense, too.'>>>
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/27/opinion/sunday/tammy-duckworth-biden-2020.html?
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)If Biden asked her to be the attack person, so to speak, what would Trump say?
Skittles
(153,150 posts)so YES Trump would attack her
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)She could contrast her service with his avoidance.
She could contrast her sacrifice with his greed.
Skittles
(153,150 posts)obviously Tammy can hold her own
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)There are so many good potential picks.
And the GOP has Pence.
Skittles
(153,150 posts)we have some fantastic candidates
JoeOtterbein
(7,700 posts)...perfect pick.
iamateacher
(1,089 posts)Thanks
calguy
(5,306 posts)Duckworth lacks the most important qualification for the job. Ready to be president on day one. For all of her many wonderful attrubutes, I just can't see her as qualified for the job. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's my gut feeling.
I'm pretty sure it's going to be Kamala.
madaboutharry
(40,209 posts)Military service, leadership positions in the Department of Veterans Affairs, two terms in the United States House of Representatives, and now a United States Senator - that makes her not qualified? Really?
Thekaspervote
(32,757 posts)LuvNewcastle
(16,844 posts)I don't think most of the others are safe picks. Duckworth is a midwesterner, too, and I think that is a big plus. I think he wants somebody from the Midwest, which is why he had Klobuchar vetted, but her record as a prosecutor changed all of that.
TomSlick
(11,097 posts)He has earned the opportunity to pick the VP candidate with whom he is most comfortable.
Rollo
(2,559 posts)Female
Senator
Black
Former prosecutor/state attorney general
Not afraid to attack
Trump has called her "nasty" - high praise considering the source
jaysunb
(11,856 posts)Freethinker65
(10,010 posts)Unlike Trump, they would be part of an administration whose leaders are chosen by their expertise and knowledge and not their blind loyalty to protect one individual over the Country and its Constitution.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)elleng
(130,865 posts)and POTUS has to feel comfortable with all the members.
Gothmog
(145,130 posts)alittlelark
(18,890 posts)The difference is in microns.
apcalc
(4,463 posts)All she needs to say ..... Cadet Bonespurs
Hes done.
Rebl2
(13,494 posts)debating Pence, not trump. I think pence is as big of an idiot as trump.
babylonsister
(171,057 posts)I love Tammy! So many great picks!
elleng
(130,865 posts)I don't know how one becomes a contender; some know who Biden campaign's been vetting.
YES, SO many great picks!
mucifer
(23,533 posts)Probably lost Mark Kirk the IL senate election:
elleng
(130,865 posts)And great history!
CTyankee
(63,903 posts)It would be like her debating a wet mop...
dem4decades
(11,282 posts)elleng
(130,865 posts)dem4decades
(11,282 posts)littlemissmartypants
(22,632 posts)yellowdogintexas
(22,250 posts)I have admired her from the get go;
She is amazing and hits ALL the high points.
Demsrule86
(68,554 posts)I just looked up her heritage. Family settled in Hawaii after living mostly in Asia while her father worked for UN. Paternal line has family fighting in revolutionary war.
Is this too similar to President Obama? I like her very much and I like Harris.
CTyankee
(63,903 posts)it makes me want to cry...