Should Bernie allow members of the general public to submit resumes to apply to be his VP pick?

[Bjorn Against]

Generally Vice Presidential candidates have been selected among a small pool of elite politicians, but I think it might be time to change that.

I believe that there are a fairly large number of Americans who are well versed on the issues, show strong leadership skills, and would be more than capable of performing the duties of the Vice Presidency.

I personally think it would be awesome to see someone like a high school history teacher or a social worker get selected as the Vice Presidential nominee. A candidate like this would have far more understanding of the struggles that the common citizen faces because they have actually lived the life of the common citizen.

While a move like this might be risky, I think most Americans would find it very refreshing. Many people are turned off by politicians in the political establishment and I really think they would love to see a complete outsider picked.

A bold move like this would really solidify Bernie's status as a candidate of the people and I believe it could also get us an amazing VP pick. There are so many people in this country who have done amazing things and I have no doubt that a lot of genuinely great people would apply for the position.

I have never heard anyone propose this before so I was wondering what other people think of the idea. Do you think it would be a good idea for the Bernie campaign to put out a call asking for people to submit their resumes to apply for the position of Vice President of the United States?

I will be curious to see what people think.

[Pharaoh]

1. no

But yes to Liz Warren!

[Bjorn Against]

4. I actually don't want Warren as his pick and here is why...

Elizabeth Warren has more power in the Senate than she would as VP. While I think she would be a great VP she is more useful in her Senate seat.

[swilton]

6. I agree with you.

Sanders is going to need allies. But that doesn't mean he can pick people off the street. There are plenty of progressives in public office that he can choose from.

I'm thinking NYC Mayor De Blasio.

[still_one]

2. I think Bernie should choose his own VP from people he knows, not from a public submission of

resumes, which may be falsified. It would take a lot time trying to screen through those resumes to try and determine if someone could work with Bernie, and push his policies in the most constructive way.

Which is why I think Bernie should choose from people he knows and trusts.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. A vice president has to be able to take over as president if necessary.

Anyone who gets that position would have to have a very solid working knowledge of government, and preferably a good amount of experience at some fairly high level. In addition, they would have to be someone with whom the voters would feel comfortable in that respect. So, my answer is no, I don't think it would be a good idea to solicit applications from the general public - just apart from the fact that he'd probably get literally millions of them.

So, in order not to be deluged with applications from all manner of crackpots and wannabes, he'd have to demand qualifications that would be essentially the same as those of whomever would be likely to be chosen through the traditional process - that is, a well-known senator, governor, or cabinet official; somebody the public is likely to know and trust; who knows how to be part of a major campaign and who has the ability to raise money. It's no job for amateurs - just ask John McCain.

[99th_Monkey]

5. No. But that's because I think Jon Stewart needs to be Bernie's VP nt

[Bjorn Against]

7. I have actually thought about him as VP

I actually think he would make a great candidate in many ways. I worry a bit about the baggage he might carry, but I would no doubt be really excited if he got picked. I kind of doubt he wants the job however.

[99th_Monkey]

9. I was just jesting with my GF about this today

Along the lines that if the ReThugs fielded a freaking ACTOR to lurch things to the Right for past 30 years, then
maybe it's time for the Dems to put a COMEDIAN in the WH, to take things in the other direction for the next 30 years.

And I was at least 1/2 serious, maybe more.

[Phlem]

8. Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner!

[jwirr]

10. I posted this in another thread - in the past there have been rules for selecting a VP. From

another part of the country. Young if the candidate is older. Qualified. Popular/likeable. Can bring in some votes and finally a good campaigner.

[merrily]

11. It has to be someone very transparent. Not that politicians are very transparent, but

they've been scrutinized more for a longer period of time.

Two words: Palin, Eagleton.

[Enthusiast]

12. Bernie should pick someone popular and ideologically compatible from a swing state.

It would be helpful if they are otherwise appealing too.

I'm an expert, so..................

[TBF]

13. He's got to pick a young politician

with some decent experience or he's toast. Seriously - he's 73 years old and although he's healthier than I am in my 40s he has to know that age is going to be a concern for some folks.

I like Julian Castro, and he's likely Hillary's first pick. 40, extremely personable/charismatic, very popular former mayor of San Antonio (top 10 city) and now heading HUD

Other potentials -

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed
Newark Mayor Cory Booker
New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich