The Biggest Problem Hillary Has for Her VP Pick: None Hold a Candle to Her

[Haveadream]

The reason Hillary's choice for VP is so difficult is because she is unique, incredibly qualified and a star. Very few politicians ever measure up to that category, even if they have been Presidents. Bill is one as is Obama. So is Hillary as well. The VP pick doesn't necessarily need to be of that star caliber but nearly every VP possibility just seems tepid in comparison.

The reason Elizabeth Warren was so energizing is precisely because she also has that unique star quality. She was a perfect accompaniment and was able to hold her own on the stage while shining the spotlight on Hillary. Unfortunately, her northeast demographic may not make strategic sense and she is also older and
* cough* a woman. Which brings us to some of the other choices. It isn't going to be easy to find someone who brings the right things to the ticket, is qualified and special enough to share the stage and possibly fill her shoes in the future. She truly has a challenge here.

[underpants]

1. Kaine is easily the best pick

In my humble opinion.

[w4rma]

3. Kaine is easily one of the worst picks.

In my humble opinion. I know a lot of Virginians who could be convinced to vote for Clinton, with another VP pick, other than Kaine.

[Haveadream]

12. Interesting

I'm not crazy about Kaine for any number of reasons, charisma or lack thereof being just one of them. We could absolutely use the swing states in the south and if Kaine helps or hinders, that is critical to know. Thanks for the info re: Virginia voters.

[brush]

2. Not entirely accurate

Rep. Xavier Becerra hasn't gotten much notice but is quite dynamic and can hold his own with the best of them.

Being Latino American too is a plus in this particular campaign, considering Trump's outrageous anti-Latino and anti-immigrant stances.

[seabeyond]

5. Hey Brush, I could not remember the name, but ya. Rep. Xavier Becerra may have it, I just have not

enough of him. But of all the ones called out, he is the one that I can see possibly have it. That is interesting seeing it in this way. Now that it is said out loud, I think it is totally true and obvious.

[Haveadream]

13. Thanks, seabeyond

Yes, obvious and true. I hope she chooses someone dynamic and uber qualified. Not an easy combination.

[StevieM]

7. I like Becerra a lot and I wish that Hillary would pick him. Unfortunately, she seems to be moving

in a different direction, at least according to recent rumors.

He may be Speaker of the House some day.

[seabeyond]

4. I think both Warren and OMalley can fill the role as the article discussed Warren.

But, I think you are right. I hadn't considered this but this si exactly right. I think the California dude may have it in him. I would just have to see more of him to know.

Very perceptive. And I agree.

[Octafish]

6. That must be why Elizabeth Warren gets to speak on the first day of the convention.

Right.

[karynnj]

8. Does the VP EVER at this point really come close to the nominee

The very fact of becoming the nominee is that you are suddenly seen as a "president". This is not true of the VP, who is in a secondary role and his/her main job is to enhance, protect and promote the entire ticket. Even media favorites designated as very charismatic ever come remotely close to outshining the nominee. (In fact, one wonders if the media is - to some degree - putting its thumb on the scale - in the 2004 GE, Edwards absolutely paled vs either Kerry or his primary season self.)

Early in the 1992 race, the odds on favorite was Mario Cuomo, who after Hamlet like mixed signals opted not to run. Many people spoke of him as being far above the "dwarfs" also competing. Bill Clinton did not immediately easily win the nomination -- he clenched it in June. Yet, as he moved into his convention, the halo of being the nominee gave him a presence he didn't have before. Even if you could have swapped Gore's and Clinton's personalities, Gore as VP would not have outshone Clinton.

Clinton has credentials for foreign policy and domestic policy and she is seen as having gravitas. There is no policy area weakness that could be fixed by a VP. (think Biden's 30 or so years on the SFRC vs Obama's significant, but short FP credientials) A VP choice is unlikely to counter any (unfair or not) integrity/honesty issues. I suspect that HRC is in the position that a VP is unlikely to make a difference either way. Thus insuring that the VP has no baggage is likely what is important to prevent the VP from being even slightly a negative.

I think HRC is in a good place to select the person she wants at her side who she believes in a good choice to be President if - heaven forbid - that is needed.

[Haveadream]

15. You are right, of course

Once candidates get to the general, they acquire a high wattage persona just for having won the primary. That said, there are some candidates that have star power before they even get to that point, Hillary being one of them. She has been voted most admired woman in the world nearly 20 times and that is one of the reasons her electability has seemed "inevitable". A VP pick can bolster credentials and round out the geography of the ticket. Right now, it appears we can use extra strength to combat the GOP in southern swing states and on jobs and the economy in the rust belt. I'm sure the campaign has excellent polling numbers for all of the above and more. It would be fantastic to see those stats!

[BobbyDrake]

9. Excellent points, all of them. nt

[Haveadream]

16. Thanks, BobbyDrake

[NurseJackie]

10. O'Malley or Booker would please me.

[Independent_Voice]

11. I don't see how that's a problem

She's the one at the top of the ticket.

If she chooses a running mate with a ton of charisma or high energy, she'll be accused of torpedoing herself by choosing someone who "overshadows her."

So what's she supposed to do? -- not pick ANYONE?

[Haveadream]

14. She needs someone with charisma, gravitas and something unique

At this point, it is doubtful anyone could overshadow her. She can hold her own on the stage or in a debate with anyone, Bill included. Adding to that, her run is historic. I hope she chooses someone with all those qualities but different enough from her that they shine in their own right.

[Independent_Voice]

18. Well, I feel that Xavier Becerra fits that bill really well

Becerra, and Congressman Tim Ryan, were the ones who I viewed as the most strategic out of the leaked short-list from early-June.

Unfortunately, Tim Ryan has completely fallen by the wayside...and Xavier Becerra also has been shunted to the backburner.

Out of Kaine, Perez, and Vilsack -- Perez is the most outgoing, by far.

Kaine is (by his own admission) "boring"...but he's also a "safe" choice.

Vilsack is risky, due to his age and his Monsanto ties.

But I still contend that Secretary Clinton could probably select a mule for her ticket, and it still isn't going to make much difference in terms of either gaining/losing her additional voters.

[RichGirl]

17. I would like to see a CLINTON-SANDERS ticket

[Lordquinton]

19. I mean, Sanders would be an amazing choice to cover her flaws

Bring in many voters she can't.