For Your Consideration: Anthony Foxx for the VP Short List

[StarfishSaver]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Foxx

Bridging the Gap: Secretary Foxx’s Legacy of Choice

By and large, Foxx’s priorities as Secretary of Transportation were predicated on his experiences with local government. As a city council member and then mayor of Charlotte for four years, Foxx was recognized for his attention to the long-term impacts of municipal policymaking. He focused on developing a regional transportation plan that spurred economic growth in Charlotte and addressed transit equity issues.

It was this focus on home rule and equity that set him apart when President Obama was evaluating candidates to succeed former Secretary Ray LaHood in 2013. Foxx’s philosophy is based on choice in transportation – which extends not just to a person’s preferences, but also into their opportunity to choose.

A key theme throughout Anthony
Foxx’s tenure as USDOT Secretary has been expanding options and opportunities in American transportation networks. Foxx strove to engage community leaders, industry, and private citizens across all disciplines to develop right-size and right-fit solutions for pressing transportation issues...

Foxx highlighted the severe repercussions of transit inequity for people of color and impoverished communities, namely access to better jobs, schools, and housing. “Sometimes transportation assets can even improve a neighborhood and bring those things closer to home,” he said, referring to the Ladders of Opportunity project – the keystone of his effort to give Americans the power of choice in transportation.

It sought to bridge the gaps created by 20th Century transportation projects that divided Americans along economic and racial lines while also repairing and replacing aging infrastructure. In 11 communities like Philadelphia and Spokane, USDOT worked with communities and government officials to generate solutions to disjointed transportation networks and alleviate urban partitions created by highways.

https://usa.streetsblog.org/2016/03/30/anthony-foxx-wants-to-repair-the-damage-done-by-urban-highways/

Fun Foxx Fact: He was the Designated Survivor for the 2015 State of the Union.

[lapfog_1]

1. you do realize that the SOTU Designated Survivor

means that he was the least important and least recognizable member of the cabinet, right?

[StarfishSaver]

10. Actually, it doesn't

Although I've seen it reported as such, it's really just lazy reporting by people who don't understand how this works. In reality, the choice of Designated Survivor has nothing to do with the importance or reputation of the cabinet member but reflects the position of the cabinet department in the line of succession. The heads of the higher ranked departments - e.g., State, Justice, Treasury - tend not to be selected, not because they are thought of more highly, but because the roles of their department within the federal executive and security structure.

But your dismissal of an outstanding young public servant is noted.

[lapfog_1]

12. from the wikipedia

Selection
The process for selection of the designated survivor has been described by those involved to be entirely random. However, the character of the event for which a designated survivor is being selected may cause some officials to be avoided in the selection process

your guy might be great... but he has no national name recognition and brings no large voting block with him to the ticket.

My favorite VP doens't pass the test either... Kamala is known, but California is not in play for the general.

[StarfishSaver]

15. The fact that you don't know anything about "my guy" doesn't mean

he shouldn't be among those considered for the VP slot.

The same goes for the "large voting bloc" test since most VP nominees aren't expected to bring a huge independent constituency of their own with them into the campaign. But I'll bet you that, if Anthony Foxx were on the ticket, a whole heap of people would be immediately excited and energized, even if you don't know who he is.

[rownesheck]

2. We don't want another

"Who?!", which is exactly what a lot of us were thinking in 2016. I'm sure he's a great guy, just like Kaine, but can we get someone who's fairly well known?

[boomer_wv]

3. I've been

Saying this guys name for a while.

Hes not a "who" in places like NC where he could help swing the state to us.

[brooklynite]

7. I had a private lunch with him before the 2012 Convention; he knows his BBQ.....

[PatSeg]

5. Yes, I believe Tim Kaine is a great guy as well

but that was the most uninspired choice for VP that I've seen since Bush the elder picked Dan Quayle. I wasn't surprised, but I really was hopeful that Hillary would do something unexpected like maybe pick a woman or at least a person of color. It was terribly disappointing.

[brooklynite]

4. For your consideration: waiting until we have a nominee with an opinion on who should be VP

[Sloumeau]

6. If Warren or Klobuchar are nominated, he looks like a great choice.

Otherwise, if the nominee is a man, odds are high that the VP will be a woman. A woman of color, I hope, but still, a woman.

[maxsolomon]

8. We don't get to pick a VP.

The Candidate does.

The VP is typically someone who understands how DC works and enhances a candidates viability in their home state.

[madville]

13. Klobuchar makes the most sense

We don't need any help in CA or MA, Klobuchar helps deliver the swing states like WI, PA, MI, etc.

[StevieM]

11. I like Anthony Foxx a lot.

I think he would be a good choice for VP.

And I think he could be a good president someday.

[StarfishSaver]

16. Thank you

I'm surprised how many people are quick to marginalize him here.

Interesting.

[corbettkroehler]

14. Amb. Susan Rice Would Be Even Better

Foxx made quite few mistakes (737MAX, anyone?) when he succeeded Ray LaHood. Susan Rice has even better bona fides.

[StarfishSaver]

17. Feel free to suggest her for the short list, too

But since I don't believe that perfection is a prerequisite to being considered for any position, including VP, I'll continue to advocate for Foxx to be included on the short list of potential VP candidates.