Markos Moulitsas: Yeah, I changed my mind. Elizabeth Warren for VP! [View all]

[Rose Siding]

.....I’ve changed my mind. I now want Clinton to pick Warren for the VP slot.

Forget geography or demographics. I’ve long argued that the VP pick should be based, in most part, on base engagement. The ideal model for a VP (during campaign season) is someone like Dick Cheney, someone who will rally the base and lob the kinds of attacks against the opposing nominee that our own nominee can’t.

Warren certainly qualifies on both counts, with unparalleled credibility among the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party. And, it’s been fun watching her get under Donald Trump’s skin on Twitter. (He called her “Pocahontas” over the weekend...) She’s certainly well-suited for the attack-dog role. Trump already reacts poorly to criticism, but criticism from women sends him into another realm of tizzy. We don’t need to guess as to whether she’ll be effective at it. She’s already proven that.

Interestingly, at least some Clinton people seem to be thinking along similar lines:

Multiple sources close to the former secretary of state say that her aides took note of the senator’s ability to rile the real estate tycoon. And they recognize the value of such dart throwing from, say, someone filling out a presidential ticket.

One close Clinton confidant said that she and her aides were “thrilled to see Warren get under his skin.” Another senior Clinton adviser, who is advocating internally for Warren as a vice presidential pick, said the senator has “very influential people in the campaign pushing for her.”

A longtime Clinton veteran said the campaign definitely noticed Warren’s attacks. “You want a running mate who can take the fight to the other side with relish,” the veteran said. “Geography does not matter, but attitude and talent and energy and bringing excitement to the campaign, Senator Warren does all that.”

.....
Ultimately, this isn’t an easy call one way or the other. It’s perfectly reasonable to advocate for SENATOR Elizabeth Warren, rather than VICE PRESIDENT Elizabeth Warren.

For my part, I’m now on team “vice president”, but not without acknowledging the real risks.

p.s. I still think Hilda Solis would be an acceptable option.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/5/16/1526996/-Yeah-I-changed-my-mind-Elizabeth-Warren-for-VP

I'm not entirely convinced, but he makes a great argument because f.u.n.