Clinton is vetting three for vice president — but is still studying a longer list

[BootinUp]

By Anne Gearan and David Weigel June 21 at 6:46 PM

The Hillary Clinton campaign has begun checking into the positions, backgrounds and financial dealings of at least three potential vice presidential candidates, Democrats familiar with the process said Tuesday: Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Sen. Timothy M. Kaine of Virginia.

Clinton has also begun to winnow a list of more than a dozen potential choices, another senior Democrat said.

She is “beginning the process of narrowing a list of qualified candidates,” that Democrat said, but is still expected to consider numerous candidates.

Clinton herself has said only that her top priority is choosing someone who could become president in a heartbeat, but close allies have said she is also focused on picking a partner with whom she is personally comfortable and someone able to rally congressional Democrats and energize the party.

Continued
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/clinton-is-vetting-three-for-vice-president--and-is-still-studying-a-longer-list/2016/06/21/548fedc0-37cb-11e6-9ccd-d6005beac8b3_story.html

[EffieBlack]

1. Those who know don't talk. Those who talk don't know

I take all of this with a grain of salt ...

[Hortensis]

8. Maybe. "Become president in a heartbeat"

hardly suggests Julian Castro would be one of a genuine top three. Impressive guy, but unimpressive resume so far for elevation to such responsibility. The only valid comparison to Little Danny Quayle would be age, but Quayle was 42 when he became VEEP and Castro is 41. The pubs would be hitting the comparison hard.

[chillfactor]

2. Castro is my choice...

young, energetic, charismatic, and could help pull in the Hispanic voters.

We need Warren in the Senate.....Democrats could take back the Senate in November.

[Garrett78]

3. The biggest drawback to Castro is his lack of experience.

As Dylan Matthews wrote:

Even with the Cabinet position, Castro simply is not qualified to be one heartbeat away from the presidency. Mayor of San Antonio is just not a very powerful position. The city runs on a council-manager system, where the appointed city manager actually wields executive power while the mayor serves as a glorified council member and has a kind of bully pulpit.

And the city itself is limited in its powers relative to Bexar County. When Castro was mayor, it was a part-time job paying $3,000 a year plus $20 a council session. It’s fine to have a part-time job, but it doesn’t really prepare you for the presidency.

Nor has Castro really proven himself at HUD. For one thing, despite the name, HUD doesn't really control federal housing policy, which mostly happens through the tax code. Under him, HUD has issued a couple of worthy new policies, including new fair housing rules and a ban on smoking in public housing, but it’s not clear how much Castro was behind them or whether another secretary would have done exactly the same. He has at the same time taken considerable flak from progressive groups for selling bad mortgages HUD acquired to Wall Street.

Overall, picking Castro would look like Clinton selecting a Dan Quayle–like lightweight, who lacks the requisite policy knowledge and experience to assume the presidency should something happen to her.

[exboyfil]

5. A lot might depend on who Trump selects

if he does get that far. Castro vs. Bachmann would not be an issue. Castro vs. Gingrich could be a real problem.

If it is Gingrich I would counter with someone like Xavier Becerra.

[cali]

6. If she's serious about her number 1 consideration being ready to

step into the Presidency immediately, she won't choose Castro. And she probably doesn't need any help beyond trump in pulling in Latino voters.

Hillary is pretty famously risk averse. I think she'll go with someone like Kaine

[musicblind]

7. I hope not.

Out of the three, Kaine is my least favorite option.

[JRLeft]

10. Picking Castro would satisfy Wall Street as the HUD Secretary he did their bidding.

Hopefully she picks someone who Wall Street and industry will hate.

[MADem]

4. I think those vetting cards are going to stay close to the vest for the time being...! nt

[Vinca]

9. I love Warren, but that will never happen. Wall St. won't allow it.

Castro has potential, but doesn't have enough experience. Kaine is probably the most likely and also the most yawn inducing. I wonder who's on the longer list.

[JRLeft]

11. Castro should be a no go.

[TwilightZone]

13. Wall Street isn't making the decision.

As much as many want to believe otherwise.

[Vinca]

14. Guess we'll see, won't we?

Now taking bets on the number of Goldman alumni in a Hillary Clinton administration.

[Vattel]

12. But Castro said he was off the list. Or at least I read a report of that.

[HarmonyRockets]

15. I think she should consider Chris Murphy.