2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumThe VP pick is not there to make people have happy dances and go "Oh GOODY GOODY!!"
Please, enough of the childish foolishness about needing someone as VP who is going to make you all giddy, blushy, flushy, tingly, and happy dancy.
My goodness, this isn't Disneyland we are talking about. It's the Vice Presidency of the United States. We need someone ready to be President if needed, not a movie star.
Kaine and Vilsack are both excellent choices because they are very well qualified and ready to be President. Enough of the teenage mentality about this.
nancydrew12345
(3 posts)sorry. I disagree. Dance oh goody goody? huh?
Most people feel these people are not excellent choices . They are establishment centrists who just follow along. They do not lead. . These are Dan Quail, or Gerald Ford choices. Our world is too precarious for that
PatSeg
(47,770 posts)Response to PatSeg (Reply #10)
Name removed Message auto-removed
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)among Democrats and, more so, among the general electorate, as well.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)Perhaps an old "friend."
RBInMaine
(13,570 posts)dsc
(52,173 posts)Quayle wasn't a centrist, he was a right winger. He also had no experience at all aside from one Senate term. As for Ford, he was a good man to step on when Nixon resigned (way better than Agnew would have been). Ford stepped in at a tough time and did a decent job. To compare either Vilsak or Kaine to Quayle is just plain ignorant. Both of them have decades of political experience and both have governed states and done so well. Honestly, they aren't the most exciting choices but they would govern well and wouldn't cost us a Senate seat even temporarily which could matter a ton.
Motley13
(3,867 posts)http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/d/dan_quayle.html
good speller too, remember him correcting the kid for his spelling of potato, he added an e
RonniePudding
(889 posts)But they're not very interesting, and it feels a little like taking our foot off the gas at precisely the wrong time by picking either one of those guys, qualified as they may be. The GOP is reeling. This convention is a complete disaster. I don't think anyone is saying Kaine or Vilsack are bad people.
okasha
(11,573 posts)Lil Missy
(17,865 posts)kwolf68
(7,365 posts)but how about someone who isn't tied to a company that is helping destroy out planet?
These super ag business entities are are menace to our world.
PatSeg
(47,770 posts)Being a big advocate for Monsanto does not make him an ideal choice and will certainly turn off a lot of progressives.
farmboy
(252 posts)There are very thoughtful, honest, sincere, and political arguments that are being and have been made for Hillary's need to choose a vp of inspiration and passion, as well as one who is capable and prepared. I have read nothing that sounds like the summary you choose to offer as a summary of their (our) point of view. Since you are the one putting forth these words and phrases that do indeed sound pretty naïve and uneducated, I have to suppose this is where you life, not those who you are intending to belittle.
Kaine and Vilsack would be adequate choices. There are much, much better selections that would give Hillary a better chance at becoming the president. And, yes, I do believe this choice will make a difference this year in this election. The Democratic party as a whole is becoming more progressive, and these two choices reflect, in my opinion, political thinking from the 1990s, backwards instead of forwards.
larkrake
(1,674 posts)not even republicans want GMOs, free trade , to deregulate banks or have an ounce of enthusiasm for these two men. How is this going to raise Hillary's appeal?
mr_liberal
(1,017 posts)And he should be given the job of ethics or something like that to assure the american people that theres going to be somebody there to ensure that Hillary doesnt do something like the the email mess again.
vegetarian x
(150 posts)mr_liberal
(1,017 posts)larkrake
(1,674 posts)840high
(17,196 posts)You want a VP to be a babysitter to the President of the United States? That is pretty insulting to the nominee.
mr_liberal
(1,017 posts)PatSeg
(47,770 posts)more than I trust Vilsack and the email issue was a right-wing manufactured one.
mr_liberal
(1,017 posts)PatSeg
(47,770 posts)than Vilsack.
villager
(26,001 posts)Actually.
avaistheone1
(14,626 posts)Amen. And thanks for a dose of common sense in this discussion.
840high
(17,196 posts)JaneyVee
(19,877 posts)Orsino
(37,428 posts)...of losing Warren in the Senate, but goddamn she would be an inspiring choice...and next president.
Her Sister
(6,444 posts)geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)Vilsack has no talent. Nice guy but not a national level talent.
bullwinkle428
(20,631 posts)Person 2713
(3,263 posts)Qutzupalotl
(14,344 posts)hamsterjill
(15,224 posts)Kaine is anti-choice. Trust me, that could very well affect feminists of my generation who are undecided.
I'm voting for Hillary, but I don't want a VP who presides over the Senate who is anti-choice when Supreme Court nominee hearings will be held.
PatSeg
(47,770 posts)Well, that is really a bummer.
He's personally anti-abortion, but he's vehemently politically pro-choice. He's said on numerous occasions that he doesn't feel he has the right to force his beliefs on other people.
That is good to hear. That is not an unreasonable position.
drray23
(7,638 posts)Kaine has a 100 rating from planned parendhood. He is absolutely pro choice. Just like Joe Biden he is a catholic and has said before that he has different personal views when it comes to himself but that he firmly believes it is separate from what he supports for the voters. he has consistently supported pro choice as he believes its none of his business to interfere with that.
NYC Liberal
(20,138 posts)liberal N proud
(60,352 posts)Squinch
(51,090 posts)see Warren, but a white bread choice as a backstop to Hillary might make Hillary more palatable to some of the people out there who are freaked out enough, consciously or unconsciously, by the idea of voting for a woman.
If she picks one of these guys, I will completely understand the choice and see the intelligence of it.
yurbud
(39,405 posts)If that doesn't bother you, I wonder why you are on a democratic discussion board.
Squinch
(51,090 posts)yurbud
(39,405 posts)Squinch
(51,090 posts)Hell Hath No Fury
(16,327 posts)weaknesses or carry a needed State/demographic -- that has pretty much always been the case.
Whether you like it or not, HRC has sky-high unfavorables -- that is just reality -- so she is going to need every bit of help she can get from her VP pick -- it can be a game-changer, IF she's smart and secure in herself.
Vilsack and Kaine are not game-changers. Period.
NYC Liberal
(20,138 posts)Hell Hath No Fury
(16,327 posts)was ALL about Florida and NY. It worked.
lunamagica
(9,967 posts)NewJeffCT
(56,829 posts)I would love for Becerra to be the pick. That would make Trump's head explode.
larkrake
(1,674 posts)BainsBane
(53,137 posts)That's exactly right. The single most important factor is that the person be ready to govern.
avaistheone1
(14,626 posts)For crying out loud.
BainsBane
(53,137 posts)by whether people online consider them exciting. There is, in fact, nothing that matters less. The cable news/ entertainment age has led to a continual dumbing down of political expectations, which is why we have Donald Trump as the GOP nominee. So you'll have to excuse me if I'm not terrible concerned that random strangers online become angry at the suggestion that competence and experience actually matters, or if they think a politician's job is to tell them what they want to hear while accomplishing nothing.
Response to RBInMaine (Original post)
Chan790 This message was self-deleted by its author.
Arkana
(24,347 posts)I don't think Kaine would be particularly exciting, but he'd be far from harmful to the ticket, and that's the first rule--"Do no harm" when picking a VP.
Response to Arkana (Reply #37)
Chan790 This message was self-deleted by its author.
Arkana
(24,347 posts)OriginalGeek
(12,132 posts)Not "mostly", not "pretty much", just sums it right up. I've posted before that I can't accept Kaine. I prefer it to be EW but it doesn't have to be her. It just can't be Kaine.
Lil Missy
(17,865 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)even though we're all on the same team.
Lil Missy
(17,865 posts)And since we are all on the same team, Hillary can pick her VP as she sees fit.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)And I'm certain the people on her team making those important decisions arent dumb enough to think that, say, insulting, belittling and condescending to fellow Democrats makes for good strategy.
But, then, that's why they're professional smart people, and not just random garden variety malcontents.
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)I think you're right. Predicating a vote on commercial branding is pandering to the lowest common denominator... who are all voting for Trump anyway. "Excitement" is becoming a red-flag for concern-trolling to me.
DonCoquixote
(13,616 posts)Many of the people raising those flags are the people who WILL be voting for Hillary, and who have said that time and time again. We just do not to see this campaign self destruct, the way we saw Joe Lieberman pull down Al Gore back in 2000. Also when you use a word like troll, you know you risk branding many of the people who again, will vote for Hillary, as outsiders and troublemakers.
This party belongs to people that do agree with you, and still, those who do NOT agree with you, and no, those who do not agree are not trolls, especially as they will be the ones whose "concern" gets them out to the polls. If you want to brand people as trolls, how about the mythical "independent voter/Reagan Democrat" that we have fed, wooed, courted, allowed to insult us for almost 30 years while they smile, and laugh in our face, knowing "you know I hate you Liberals anyway, but thanks for the food, especially since I got no intention of sharing it with anyone I don't like, like you."
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)I tend to see flash and style as a distraction from the boring realities of policy. I tend to see those who defend flash and style as a necessary part of the platform as less-than-rational and rather easily distracted by mere commercial branding.
I'm confident you'll continue defending flash and style, regardless of your "concern."
DonCoquixote
(13,616 posts)is actually deregulating banks flash or style, or something that is a boring reality of policy?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tim-kaine-clinton-vp_us_578fc8e3e4b0bdddc4d2c86c
"In a letter to Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, Comptroller of the Currency Thomas Curry and FDIC Chair Martin Gruenberg, Kaine argues that it is unfair for these large banks to be required to calculate and report their liquidity ― a critical measure of risk ― on a daily basis. Kaine wants to change that reporting to once a month. Kaine, along with Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Robert Casey (D-Pa.), argues that bigger banks dont necessarily carry bigger risks, and thus shouldnt face more aggressive oversight. "
That paragraph was a not of flash and style, especially as it ignored the substance that these banks DID need oversight.
But then again, the oh so "rational" people are those people who called called out on their "substance" will be found to have none. Go ahead, keep pushing the democratic self-destruct mechanism that has been reliable long before Joe Lieberman, well before the disastrous Mid-Terms. If this approach is so rational, then the old saying about insanity begin defined as doing something over and over again that does nto work must not apply.
BTW, nice veiled personal attack on me by the way. I am confident that people will defend it because it feeds the rah rah rah politics, or "please stop attacking the rich people I worship because I know I will be on of them someday" types. My main concern is that I am tired of losing elections because this Third Way Fifth Column helps the GOP win elections they should have lost.
treestar
(82,383 posts)They know she is not "likable" and other right wing nonsense.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)I don't trust anyone who is excited, ever, about anything.
Excitement usually leads to sinfulness, anyway. Or at least indigestion.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)It's tiresome, isn't it?
Expecting Rain
(811 posts)And most importantly having a selection that will help HRC win in November.
For many, myself included, Kaine and Vilsack are not the sort of VP selections we'd like to see.
I'm hoping for Warren.
jcgoldie
(11,662 posts)You mad at her bro?
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)That means you're comparing Hillary Clinton to John McCain, you know.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)It means that Hillary should avoid making the same paranoid "we-need-a-game-changer-hail-mary" mistake that McCain did. She's much smarter than that. I trust her instincts.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)and a rational choice in her own standing.
To compare her in any way, shape, or form to Sarah Palin is sort of insulting, isn't it?
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Well, for starts, broadly calling it the "same type of thinking" implies that there are no other factors on the ground behind people wanting Warren on the ticket. Elizabeth Warren is a highly competent, smart Senator who has done important work and has demonstrated an ability to quickly and decisively respond to GOP attacks in this cycle (a traditional role for VP candidates)
Sarah Palin's main qualification in 2008 was putting the Alaskan governor's plane for sale up on ebay, or some shit.
You can't draw that analogy without seriously diminishing the qualifications of Senator Warren in the process. It's not possible.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)You're making baseless assumptions, seeing only what you want to see, taking offense for no reason, being unnecessarily aggressive, and neglecting to consider other possibilities.
chascarrillo
(3,897 posts)NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)... around here from people swooning over the various VP contenders? They're just giddy with excitement, and I just look at the post and wonder to myself "what do they see that I don't see?"
chascarrillo
(3,897 posts)NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Well, if there's anything else about my comments that offend or concern you, just let me know and I'll be happy to clarify.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)but they're over, now, and folks don't know what to do with themselves.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Sadly predictable, especially for those of us who have been on this ride for a while.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Come on. It's condescending and deliberate pot-stirring, pure and simple, and we all know exactly what and who it is about and directed at.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)... will find any way to imagine that every benign comment is an insult.
Was it deliberate? It was very well crafted. By not mentioning any VP contender, it was perfect to offend anyone! Brilliant, eh? How cool is that?
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)It was "well crafted" if one has the mindset of a twelve year old in the jr. High lunchroom.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)I imagine that the OP views their post as being successful.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Now why would anyone want to do that?
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)I'm sensing a pattern here.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Mr. Anastos said it far better than I ever could.
Carry on!
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)And I'm tired of people making DU suck.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Whoever it is that Hillary chooses to be her VP ... it will be the right choice. Whoever she picks may not be MY favorite, but *because* it's Hillary's choice, it is (by definition) the right choice for her. She's our nominee, it's her campaign, she's calling the shots.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)You admitted that the purpose of this OP was to "get a reaction", which is lame. The people targeted by the OP aren't any less good Democrats than anyone else here. A lot of people who supported Hillary throughout the primaries have Warren as their first choice for the #2 slot (and let's not continue the thin charade that that isn't who and what, exactly, this thread is about)
You are correct in that it is her choice and once she makes that choice we should rally behind the ticket as such. And I too have confidence in her ability to make the choice.
However, one of the qualities oft touted by her supporters during the primary was the fact that she "listens". So, okay, the decision hasn't been made yet, and people are registering their views on the matter, and maybe she is listening now.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)I concluded. I posited. I theorized. I observed. I commented. Pick one of those ... But using the word "admitted" gives the impression that I collaborated or that I have insights that do not actually exist.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)However, we're talking subjective interpretation. My subjective interpretation is that the OP is counterproductive, and more about someone's childish attempt to needle people here, than any actual constructive political conversation.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)... indignantly demand that Hillary make the "right" VP choice and that any other choice will prove that she's not worthy of their vote (blah-blah-blah, yadda-yadda, corporatist, bankster, you've heard it all before).
I hope to see you lecturing the writers of those needling OP's as well. You know, just to be fair, and for unity's sake and all that.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)point me at it and I will be glad to say exactly the same thing.
Also, once Hillary makes her decision- should be pretty soon- any complaints along the lines of "the choice is unacceptable and I won't vote for her" become a TOS violation. So, really, once again all the rest of us really need to do is wait.
DonCoquixote
(13,616 posts)language like "teenage" does not help one's cause.
And I do notice that when you speak of Tom and Tim's qualifications, you are silent about the others, not even a half-hearted "well of course Becerra or Perez would be a good pick too." As if they are not qualified.
But here is where the problem comes in, yes, it is easy to talk as if one is being logical, but those "giddy, blushy, flushy, tingly, and happy dancy" emotions are often the very things that get people out to poll, especially in those purple states that are controlled by GOP political machines, ones that have had plenty of experience making voting very difficult for democrats, and in the case of Florida, experience in outright stealing votes. Many people had to already compromise by putting away Sanders, but picking some to the right is just one more bit of sand kicked in by a faction, note I say a faction, of Clinton voters that has no shortage of "giddy, dancy, etc" emotions when they talk of Hillary's ascent. As to others, consider that part of the reason Hillary won is that she promised minority voters that she would continue the momentum generated by Obama, to actually empower minorities and put them in positions of power. Yes, call it the race card if you want, but picking another white conservative male will say, very loud and clear, that she is not interested in continuing the progress Obama made, which will be a blatant betrayal of those that gave her the win.
That is not teenage mentality, that is remembering what Hillary used to get to her position, and the fact that she needs to keep delivering it if we are going to win this election. No, we do NOT need a repeat of Joe Lieberman in 2000 that did lots of damage. Most teenagers were not around then, but I, not a teenager, remember how a lousy choice opened so many wounds that flies like Nader and Limbaugh were able to lay their eggs in. as we watched the election get eaten by maggots.
Eric J in MN
(35,619 posts)The VP should be someone we're sure is on the side of ordinary people, like Elizabeth Warren.
lillypaddle
(9,581 posts)happy dancy over Liz Warren being the pick; however, you are 100% correct. There are many things Hillary must consider, and first and foremost, who could step in to lead this country should it become necessary. I trust her to make the right decision for all of us.
DonCoquixote
(13,616 posts)IF Hillary does pick Warren, or a Latino, I do expect to hear certain to be talking about how Hillary made an excellent choice, as opposed to grousing that she should have picked that conservative white guy. If not, we can invent a term term for a type of trolling.
nolabear
(42,005 posts)Your shaming tactics have been proven to be the least effective way of convincing anyone to agree with you, even if they do give you some kind of satisfaction that you're superior.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Jesus fucking Christ playing Pokemon Go on an iphone.
Expecting Rain
(811 posts)..is to ask them to view the campaign rally footage of Warren/Clinton in Ohio, and then to compare it after watching the Kaine/Clinton rally in Virginia.
The contrast was quite stark in my estimation. Not only was Warren as "electric" as Kaine was dull, but HRC fed on the energy of both.
In Ohio HRC was near the top of her game. In Virginia, in a hall where the air was sucked out of the room, she was at the bottom of her game.
I want to WIN this election, and win it BIG.
She gets to decide her own nominee. But I'd defy a fair-minded supporter to watch the two rallies to say Kaine/Clinton came anywhere close to the spark of Warren/Clinton.
Eric J in MN
(35,619 posts)NT
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)And why only a White Male can be the "serious", "adult" choice here.
AgadorSparticus
(7,963 posts)Lil Missy
(17,865 posts)NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)krawhitham
(4,651 posts)NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)larkrake
(1,674 posts)NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)yurbud
(39,405 posts)villager
(26,001 posts)yurbud
(39,405 posts)larkrake
(1,674 posts)Logical
(22,457 posts)yurbud
(39,405 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)dubyadiprecession
(5,739 posts)Then how could the republicans go after the son of their great president?
AgadorSparticus
(7,963 posts)To take over as Prez. It also goes without say that she is not going to choose someone with wildly different values and beliefs.
avaistheone1
(14,626 posts)Democrats do not have agreement that Henry Kissinger was a good choice for advisor or counsel to Secretary Clinton.
So why would we think someone would be vetted through a better microscope for VP?
AgadorSparticus
(7,963 posts)It just may not be the one YOU want. But rest assured, there will be plenty that will agree. No one is expecting to win over everyone with every decision you make.
larkrake
(1,674 posts)AgadorSparticus
(7,963 posts)Most dems have pivoted to the GE....to the tune of 85%. And when Bernie starts to stump for her, the numbers will be even higher. But the reality is, we can't go wrong with any of the candidates currently being vetted.
larkrake
(1,674 posts)AgadorSparticus
(7,963 posts)Last edited Thu Jul 21, 2016, 10:08 AM - Edit history (1)
No matter who she picks. No matter what she says. Never. And you know what? Those folks don't matter because they are such a small minority. Hillary is doing exactly what she should be doing.
She is going to do just fine in the general. In fact, she is already doing just fine.
Vattel
(9,289 posts)I don't feel quite belittled enough for preferring a more progressive candidate.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)tee hee! tee hee!
zipplewrath
(16,646 posts)Seems like a major rules violation to be mocking and belittling other DU'ers.
highprincipleswork
(3,111 posts)NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)larkrake
(1,674 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)And I suppose from a certain perspective, it should be.
LaydeeBug
(10,291 posts)Just sayin'
Ken Burch
(50,254 posts)Are you SUREyou want to go there?
Kaine and Vilsack may be qualified...but so is anyone else under consideration.
Lil Missy
(17,865 posts)Orsino
(37,428 posts)...for what it told us about McCain, even if we figured the unthinkable would never happen.
Kaine wouldn't be the end of the world, but that's a low bar to set in the Trump Era. Wouldn't it be nice if a running mate were selected who we might want to see become president? Because that could happen, in eight years if not sooner.
No, this isn't a Sanders commercial. Kaine will do if we're absolutely sure we don't like progressive change...but personally, I do.
B Calm
(28,762 posts)ismnotwasm
(42,028 posts)I still get "tingly" when I think of a Clinton/Warren ticket. I also feel it's very unlikely, and I will be content with whatever choice she makes.