The Joe Biden Veepstakes: 6 Vice Presidential Hopefuls
In the coming weeks, presumptive Democratic nominee for president Joe Biden will announce his pick for Vice President. As with most presidential candidates, his short list of names consists of well-known names and a few unknowns. Biden’s list is made up entirely of women. During the Democratic Primary Debates in March, the former Vice President vowed to pick a woman as his running mate, and now he is looking to make good on his promise.
A variety of names have been talked about and speculated on their viability. In no particular order, below is an overview of seven picks and what they bring to the ticket.
Senator Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota — From wooing over swing voters to getting liberal legislation passed in Congress, senator Klobuchar has a proven track record of winning. Ideologically , Klobuchar is in the same ballpark as Biden. Klobuchar placed third in the New Hampshire primaries, and while third place does not seem like much, it shows she has electability. Having spent over a decade in the Senate, Klobuchar knows the lay of the land and the transition to vice president would be almost seamless. The downside for a Biden/Klobuchar ticket would be the lack of diversity and enthusiasm from the progressive wing of the Democratic party. While Klobuchar is not the optimal pick, she is a strong pick who has the grit needed to withstand the national spotlight and grueling campaign schedule. She’s a no nonsense candidate who is pragmatic and knows how to reach across the aisle to get things done.
Senator Kamala Harris from California — Senator Harris is a young African American and Asian American woman 22 years younger than Biden. For a party which is 40% nonwhite and composed mainly of women, Harris represents the future of the Democratic party. What Harris lacks in experience in the Senate, she makes up for in political acumen. Harris is a firebrand. This is both a positive and negative for Biden. During the Democratic primary debates, Harris confronted Biden on his work with segregationists in the Senate. While Harris is the future of the Democratic party and she would be an asset to Biden’s ticket by bringing a renewed vigor to the ticket, there is the possibility of her being questioned about their acrimonious relationship on the debate stage.
Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts — Senator Warren brings a lot to the table, specifically progressive Democrat voters, name ID, and her governance experience along with her clear vision on key policies such as climate change, wealth inequality, student loan debt, and more. While Warren checks a lot of boxes for Biden as his veep there are a few strikes against her. The most glaring knock against a Biden/Warren ticket would be the barrage of questions on why he and his vice president disagree on a good number of policies. The other problem is Trump would push harder on calling Biden a socialist, and with Warren on the ticket those accusations may land, causing moderate Democrats and Independents to think twice about voting for Biden come November.
Senator Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin — Senator Baldwin is a progressive who served in the House for 14 years before heading to the Senate in 2013. Wisconsin is a key swing state and in 2016 delivered Trump his 270th electoral vote. Adding Baldwin to the ticket would help Biden win not only in the Badger State but also in other key swing states such as Florida, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. If Biden’s campaign strategy is based solely on electoral math, Baldwin is an excellent choice. While Baldwin has never run for president, this is not a deal breaker.
Representative Val Demings from Florida — Congresswoman Demings served as one of the seven managers of Trump’s impeachment in the House. Demings is a former police chief from Orlando, Florida. Her law enforcement background would help Biden with issues of race and criminal justice. Growing up, Demings was the first in her family to attend college, and her family’s blue-collar roots would appeal to working-class Democrats. One of the biggest strikes against Demings is her lack of name ID, and she has been in Congress less than four years. However, the biggest feather in Demings’s cap is the fact she is from Florida, a key 2020 swing state. Current polls show Biden leading by six points in the Sunshine State, and it is not lost on the Trump campaign that his 2020 victory is only viable if he wins Florida.
Senator Tammy Duckworth from Illinois — Senator Duckworth is an American Asian combat veteran and new mom with a lot of congressional experience. After serving in the House for four years, Duckworth was elected to the Senate in 2017. Having served in the Iraq War where she lost her legs, Duckworth could provide a soldier’s firsthand perspective on the Middle East. This would underscore Biden’s emphasis of service and help amplify his foreign policy vision. Aside from her veteran status, Duckworth is a working mom, which makes her relatable to voters, especially women.
While each of the aforementioned candidates are extremely qualified to be Vice President; it will come down to which candidate brings the most to the table, has the least amount of baggage, and limits exposing the campaign to more risk than necessary. America already knows Biden is gaffe prone. What he needs is a polished vice president who can take the heat and bring a renewed energy to the campaign. The path to the White House for Biden is simple: maintain the lead, run the clock out, and minimize the chance to vote against Biden in November.