Over 300 DNC delegates, members urge Biden to pick Bass for VP

[brooklynite]

Source: Politico

More than 300 delegates to the Democratic National Convention and members of the Democratic National Committee have signed on to a statement pushing Joe Biden to choose Rep. Karen Bass as a “unity” vice presidential pick, POLITICO has learned.

The lobbying effort, which comes days before the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is expected to unveil his running mate, makes the case that the congresswoman would help bring the party together.

The endorsement comes as Bass has come under fire for past remarks praising Scientology and calling former Cuban dictator Fidel Castro “comandante en jefe,” or commander in chief. Some of her supporters have argued that she is being redbaited and targeted because she has won endorsements from the progressive left.

“We, delegates to the DNC for Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, and others, believe Congresswoman Karen Bass is the best choice among vice presidential candidates under consideration to help unify our party and move our nation forward,” the announcement reads. “We urge Vice President Biden to choose her to join the ticket.”

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/07/over-300-dnc-delegates-members-urge-biden-to-pick-bass-for-vp-392553

[Thekaspervote]

1. Politico, Bernie, purity..what could go wrong?

[brooklynite]

4. Sorry, what does Politico have to do with this story?

Is it factually false?

Is it not related to politics?

[Thekaspervote]

11. As a very long time member of DU, I thank you for your reporting

Politico has a long history of both siderism, supporting bernie long past the sell date in 16 as well as the 2020 primary among other things. I’m not the only one here that feels that way about politico

No the story is factual you are correct

[brooklynite]

13. What is the "other side"?

A group of Democrats advocated publicly for a VP choice. That's political news, which is what POLITICO reports cost.

[Thekaspervote]

15. Look, I don't want to argue with you. Politico was and is know to side with Bernie consistently

Which is okay during the primary. Not now...

[brooklynite]

20. I'm not arguing; I'm trying to understand your point.

Is reporting on support for Karen Bass "pro Bernie"? If so, how?

Is running a story on Kamala Harris "anti Bernie"?

[Thekaspervote]

25. Again, I read almost everything you post, and I thank you.

You are correct in your assessment.

What I see many times more than not from politico is biased reporting. That is my point, nothing more nothing less

[Beakybird]

2. Who's she? Pick Rice, Harris, Duckworth!

[scarletwoman]

3. That seems nuts to me. Why pick someone with such obviously exploitable baggage?

The Trumpists would love to be able to use "Socialist!" to attack the Biden ticket. Why hand it to them on a platter?

[MontanaMama]

5. THIS.

with a wealth of riches on our side...there’s no reason to choose Bass.

[SheltieLover]

6. +1

Whitmer, Warren, Porter!

[The Magistrate]

7. The Baggage Attracts Such People, Ma'am

Were Rep. Bass the nominee, they could feel their views had gone mainstream. They haven't, of course, but it would bring them some bit of joy, for a few months at least.

I suspect the national ticket will manage quite well without a former Venceremos Brigade member, and will have a unified Party solidly behind it.

[Thekaspervote]

16. +1000

[Thekaspervote]

12. Agree

[pandr32]

43. Agreed

I can just see it now--all the ads claiming she's a friend of Scientology and a communist who loves Castro. It would scare too many people and kill our chances in Florida. That's just to start. Of course they will also make shit up no matter who the VP is.

[awesomerwb1]

8. Sure

Let's just do what a tiny but extremely vocal (like they think they're the majority part of the party) want.

Ignore the 80-85% of the party who actually voted for the other candidate who won in a landslide.

It's ridiculous how these people are trying to hold the party hostage. Do as we say or we'll create chaos.


F O

[bucolic_frolic]

9. It's part of the sifting process

In the final weeks and days before a VP candidate is selected, you can expect stories to float about the also rans. This is to give a nod to their supporters with the acknowledgement they have been seriously considered. It's not an empty acknowledgement, they have. But if they were the real VP choice they wouldn't be mentioned here at this time in articles like these.

[PatrickforO]

10. Harris seems like the better choice, but then, that's just me.

You all know I'm pretty aggressive, and that's one of the main reasons why I like Harris. She'd be great on the campaign trail. Because, yeah, we need to heal, but first there's a big battle to fight on Nov. 3 that is by no means certain.

But there's a few holes in this story. There's 3,979 delegates, so 'more than 300' would be around 7.5%. Significant, but...

And...why do we need a 'unity' VP pick? What does that even mean? Unity.

Looking around, and not just on here, I'm seeing huge amounts of unity in terms of voting Biden over Trump.

This politico article just sort of rubs me wrong, you know? Like they were searching around for something to write that generates a little controversy.

And, silly me, I don't believe Bass is 'the best choice' among potential candidates. I'm sure she'd be fine, but why wouldn't Harris be the best choice? Or Duckworth? Or that other lady from FL? Or even Stacey Abrams? I like Stacey Abrams a lot, and look what she's done in GA - it's considered a 'toss up' state now, in spite of crooked Kemp.

[groundloop]

21. I totally agree.... the VP's job in a campaign has historically been "attack dog"

Kamala Harris will certainly be able to hold her own in that role. She won't take shit from anyone, and I respect her for that.

And I believe Harris will be a great candidate for the White House in either 4 or 8 years.

[PatrickforO]

35. I agree. Because once she's the VP, she will be in the room, at the table, and will learn

many, many things that cannot be learned except through experience.

After four years of that, she'll be seasoned and well fit to be president.

[ace3csusm]

38. I second that

We need to look long term and i also believe she could become president ...

[yaesu]

31. That is my wish. nt

[ehrnst]

39. +1000.

[NurseJackie]

14. Yet another mess from Politico's very own H.A. Otterbein...

Yet another mess from Politico's very own H.A. Otterbein that's trying to promote a "Democrats in Disarray" or "Democrats are Divided" narrative.

Fact of the matter is this: there are 4,765 total Democratic delegates. The 300 malcontent delegates in question amount a mere 6% who feel that they deserve some sort of consolation prize because their candidate didn't have enough votes to win our party's nomination. (Key phrase: "didn't have enough votes".)

to help unify our party and move our nation forward

And there we have it. The "Democrats are Divided" angle.

Fact of the matter is this: The primary is over. The MAJORITY of the voters chose Biden because they want a middle-of-the-road center-left candidate. I think it's very reasonable to assume that the same MAJORITY of voters will be pleased with a middle-of-the-road center-left VICE PRESIDENT choice.

Biden doesn't owe that disappointed and angry 6% anything (especially not at the expense of alienating a much larger 30% of the independent voters and never-Trump republicans.)

Ms Otterbein needs to stop trying to spin the narrative that the losing side is owed something. The primary is over, the platform negotiating is over. This is Biden's show now. HE gets to choose the VP that he believes he can work best with, someone who's qualified; someone who can take over and run for the office on her own merits; someone who LIFTS the ticket (not someone who has baggage or comes with great risk.)

Biden is smarter than that.

[scarletwoman]

45. I really appreciate your observations about this Politico "Dems in disarray" columnist. Her shtick

is so bloody obvious - and very tiresome.

[left-of-center2012]

17. No !

Her pro-Cuban comments and visits will hurt Biden.

[Rebl2]

23. I agree!

Should be Harris or Rice. I do prefer Harris though.

[OregonBlue]

26. I like both of them but I prefer Duckworth. She can really dish it.

[Rebl2]

49. Yes

I like her as well.

[left-of-center2012]

18. Currently there are 4,051 pledged delegates.

300 want Bass.

Big yawn.

[NurseJackie]

32. I know, right?

Upstream I did the math to calculate their numbers among all delegates: it was about 6%. I believe that they represent the malcontents who are still struggling to cope with their disappointment. I hope they get over it soon and learn to move on. (These are probably the same contingent of sour-bodies who thought it was appropriate to BOOOO! at civil-rights icon John Lewis when he was speaking at the last convention. What a disgusting and disrespectful display that was.)

[PatrickforO]

36. I had my calculation wrong because I did not count the super delegates.

So I got 7.5%. Still....these points being made about this just being another 'Dems in disarray' piece are valid.

[TheFarseer]

19. Why Karen Bass?

I’d never even heard of her til a couple weeks ago?

[Rebl2]

24. Agree

[Mz Pip]

22. No.

No no no no no no no.

Biden has a good shot at winning Florida. Won’t happen with Bass.

[BComplex]

27. Agree! Bass won't help with North Carolina, either. But Elizabeth Warren sure would!!!

Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden, together, would be unbeatable!!

[TheFarseer]

30. That's who I want

Hope I’m pleasantly surprised.

[Renew Deal]

28. She doesn't have a future in national electoral politics.

[beachbumbob]

29. millions of us democrats say no way

[FloridaBlues]

33. Why can't everyone let the man pick a VP without all the extra noise

[brooklynite]

46. Politics

Do you imagine this kind of background noise didn't occur with every other selection process?

[NBachers]

34. This would be one of those "deflating balloon" VP announcements.

[pnwmom]

40. A unity pick? Someone who has lauded Scientology? No way! n/t

[ucrdem]

41. She's got my vote

300 delegates can’t be wrong 👍

Unless they are of course... 😙

[MineralMan]

42. Another small minority of delegates trying to throw their weight around?

I don't think this group has nearly enough heft to get Biden to choose a VP based on their wishes.

[Vinca]

44. At this point I think she'd be a lead weight what with the Scientology/Castro business.

When you have to start out by explaining the past, it's not a good sign.

[bringthePaine]

47. pure fuckery - might as well get Kanye...Bass, Scientology & Castro fer fuck's sake...

[ucrdem]

48. She makes an effort to reach out and connect

That’s how I see the scientology and Cuba business. She supports the new green deal and cosponsored the house M4A bill so she has progressive credentials. I think she’d be a good pick who would help the ticket. Others on the shortlist could barely bring themselves to endorse Biden, or plain old didn’t when it would have mattered. Do they even want the job?

[liskddksil]

50. Are they nuts? Communism, Casto and Scientology. That's 3 strikes

Thanks but no thanks.

[Sapient Donkey]

52. The right is already pushing the idea that moderate Biden is just a bait-and-switch

that the real intention is to sideline Biden early on so the "radical leftists" can take over. Obviously that's nonsense, but this stuff will just make it easier for them to push that idea. I also never heard of her until the last couple weeks. Which may be a good thing, considering amongst a certain segment of potential democratic voters, anyone who ran for president who isn't Bernie is an evil snake. Not sure Harris or Warren will make them happy.

[littlemissmartypants]

51. Keisha Lance Bottoms. ❤ nt