Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumAn argument for Klobuchar as Biden's running mate.
First off, Amys strong qualifications are a given, as is her very broad Midwestern appeal. But I am also coming around to thinking that people respond unconsciously to what they see, and that a candidates body language is very important. As such, I wonder to what I extent the unstable gestures and mannerisms of some of the candidates may have affected voters perception of them. Sanders and Warren both come to mind.
Klobuchars calm demeanor, her ability to project solidness and warmth as well as seriousness, would reinforce Bidens steadiness. This, in my opinion, could help make for an unstoppable combination in these tumultuous times.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
bluescribbler
(2,242 posts)In the end, I voted proudly for Elizabeth.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LonePirate
(13,846 posts)If Biden is the nominee, he needs a VP that is a liberal or progressive, not another moderate.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
squirecam
(2,706 posts)He has said repeatedly that he wants someone who agrees with him on the issues.
Given that requirement, Amy is best suited for the job.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LonePirate
(13,846 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
squirecam
(2,706 posts)Everyone here has repeatedly promised to do so. I expect them to keep their promise.
Amy helps with those *not* in our base. Which we need in a general election.
Biden will sign any legislation passed by Congress. Thats where your focus should be.
The presidential focus must be on appealing to the most voters in the general, which means moderate suburban women. Thats Amy.
Run the 2018 playbook and we win.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
treestar
(82,383 posts)Or are you admitting that Obama is a liberal?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
IluvPitties
(3,181 posts)The better.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
pnwmom
(109,466 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)Skin color should not be a consideration.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Turin_C3PO
(15,505 posts)Sorry but thats bullshit. There are plenty of qualified women of color that Biden can choose from. No need for a white savior.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)For example, Harris would be qualified to be President on Day one. I think she doesnt add to the ticket though. CA is ours, and we need the midwest. But shes qualified.
Abrams, however, is not ready to be President on day one. I dont think you pick someone who isnt ready because of skin color.
And as we have had ZERO actual women be VP or president, having a white WOMAN would be historic. When every administration has a white female as president or vp, then you can gripe about POC being excluded.
Until then pick the best person. Thats Amy.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
pnwmom
(109,466 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)She isnt going to appeal to moderate suburban women in the Midwest. Thats who we need to win.
She would be best suited to be AG and prosecuting the Trump crime family.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
pnwmom
(109,466 posts)and they would be very happy with Harris.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
StevieM
(10,535 posts)But it is important to remember that this includes all minority groups, including Latinos and Asian-Americans.
Tammy Duckworth, who is Asian-American, will no doubt receive serious consideration.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
pnwmom
(109,466 posts)represented in it.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)Nt
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
pnwmom
(109,466 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)Im worried about the general electorate.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Mme. Defarge
(8,498 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
pnwmom
(109,466 posts)he needs an African American on the ticket.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)They will turn out.
We need the moderates to turn out just like 2018.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
pnwmom
(109,466 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)You pick the best person for the job. Not based on skin color.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
pnwmom
(109,466 posts)Last edited Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:46 PM - Edit history (1)
on the ticket with him.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)The primaries dont bear that out one bit. Biden won women after Amy and Pete quit. Otherwise he would have had his AA base on Super Tuesday, but be behind sanders.
Biden needs a running mate that appeals to moderates. Not our base.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
pnwmom
(109,466 posts)I know strongly preferred Warren or Harris.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)Why must you choose based upon skin color?
I certainly want the best person. Im not insisting on skin color.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
pnwmom
(109,466 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)But you said it had to be a woman of color. Im sure there are other qualified white women.
Which is why I asked. Why is the best woman not enough?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
pnwmom
(109,466 posts)even if they don't come from Minnesota.
Bill Clinton and Al Gore got elected even though Gore didn't add anything geographically.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Kahuna7
(2,531 posts)that the woman be a WOC.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)When white women control the administration for a decade or two, then people can gripe.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Kahuna7
(2,531 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Kingofalldems
(39,189 posts)And Sen. Harris as AG. I have a feeling she would love to look into Trump and Barr's activities.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Awsi Dooger
(14,565 posts)I saw that so many times while hosting debate watching parties. The OP is correct that body language and demeanor are a huge part of this.
As soon as I saw Klobuchar's style during the Kavanuagh hearing I recognized it immediately as exactly the type of thing that swing voters respond positively to, in such contrast to a style like Kamala Harris'. I posted those themes on this site repeatedly. It's just too bad Amy started from such low name recognition and hype compared to Kamala.
I have no idea how Stacey Abrams' name repeatedly comes up in articles like that. I'm sorry but I trust my instincts and I view her as a lightweight. There was nothing in that 2018 governors race that gave me any confidence toward how she would perform on a national stage. We don't need a cheerleader toward the base. We need someone who blends perfectly with the nominee and the nation matter of factly accepts as presidential material. That is not going to happen with Stacey Abrams. There is already a post in this thread insisting Abrams is not ready to be president. That is clarity toward how it would play out. Anyone who denies how Abrams would fare is the same type in denial toward how extreme liberals would fare in national races.
Biden/Abrams would stand out as an awkward patch. In contrast there was a fantastic post here the other day regarding the "total alignment" of Klobuchar with Biden. I wish I had remembered to bookmark it. Maybe the author will repost.
Besides, Abrams had a slightly underwater 48-49 favorable rating in that Georgia race. Imagine how that is going to hold up once the GOP unleashes on her. There seems to be some bizarre impression that Abrams was universally liked. Beto in a more conservative state and mini-presidential type race emerged with a 52-42 positive favorable number.
Kamala Harris is perfect for attorney general. But we've got to get there first. She is unquestionably ready to be president. But I worry how her aggressive finger pointing style would play out during a campaign and also a debate. Mike Pence is going to sit there politely and have plenty of calm simple arguments that swing voters respond favorably to. That would be anything but a rout. Don't allow ideological bias to overwhelm situational realities.
Let's worry about people who actually vote and not twinkle around in some fantasyland about magical turnout. Articulate likable moderates help our cause among people who actually vote. Hillary was not rejected as too centrist. For whatever unfair reason she was not considered likable after that 24 year onslaught.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)HRC should have picked Brown instead of Kaine. Brown would have not let the midwest go.
But you are right. We need to appeal to the moderate women just like 2018. Amy does that.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)So Klobuchar doesn't enhance the ticket.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)We can do this dance all day.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)They need to come out in overwhelming numbers especially considering Republican vote suppression tactics. They need in the same numbers that they did for Obama.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
spooky3
(35,991 posts)perceived as not yet ready to be President (due to his age, I think people will be paying more attention to P qualifications than usual), he may not win over the people he needs for the general.
All we know right now is that he has the support of most primary voters, and to the extent that polls mean anything at this stage, those polled prefer him to Trump.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)If it did, Trump wouldn't be President.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
spooky3
(35,991 posts)Beings see his lack of experience, brain cells, humility, etc. as clear mistakes they dont want to repeat.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
And we dont put in our own unqualified option just because Trump won.
We are paying for that lack of qualifications right now.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
spooky3
(35,991 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)but why take a chance when so much is at stake.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
spooky3
(35,991 posts)and a history of success ARE important.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)or Trump wouldnt be President.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
spooky3
(35,991 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Sugarcoated
(8,080 posts)I'm drawing a blank
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)Nt
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Sugarcoated
(8,080 posts)Hard to believe since I couldn't remember his name, but he was THE GUY I most hoped Hillary would pick...was thinking blue collar votes
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Mme. Defarge
(8,498 posts)2) Hillary did win the popular vote in 2016.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)You're missing many important ones.
Klobuchar does nothing to enhance the ticket. She comes from a solid blue state with only 10 electoral votes so she doesn't help on a geographic basis. Better to have someone who can put state like Virginia, North Carolina or Florida in play. All of which have more electoral votes than Minnesota.
Klobuchar also does nothing to attract more Progressive votes who supported Sanders or Warren. That would be the same mistake the Clinton made by picking Tim Kaine.
Klobuchar doesn't energize African American votes like Obama did. While they did vote overwhelmingly for Clinton, they just didn't come out in the same numbers they did for Obama and the same thing will happen this time if it is an all white ticket.
And since you don't want to "twinkle around in some fantasyland", there are no swing states in the Midwest. Most are solid red states and will stay that way. The real swing states are Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina or Florida, all of which have a large number of African-American votes. Now it doesn't have to be Stacey Abrams but there many others such as Reps. Marcia Fudge of Ohio, Val Demings of Florida and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. All of whom are much better choices then Klobuchar.
Also since you dislike fantasyland, even if Klobuchar were to become VP there is no way Al Franken will be appointed to her seat in the Senate.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)Rachel "The Doc" Bitecofer
@RachelBitecofer
Just a reminder of why moderation/centrism tends to win elections. Its not the product of grand conspiracies- it the product of numbers. Namely, having them. And if there is one place friendly to ideologues, its party primaries-if ideology can't win there, it can't win anywhere
https://mobile.twitter.com/RachelBitecofer/status/1237799998424846336/photo/1
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)A running mate needs to help broaden the ticket's appeal to more voters.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)Thats what Amy does. Broadens the appeal.
Any democrat not already voting for Joe isnt a democrat.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)She doesn't do anything to attract more progressive voters. She doesn't energize African American voters. And she doesn't help put important swing states like North Carolina, Virginia or Florida in play.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)The moderate women from 2018 want a moderate woman they can support. Not AOC who would cause them to run away.
Biden has ALREADY said he wants someone who agrees with him on the issues. So work with that framework. Because he isnt choosing Warren or AOC or Bernie.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)Warren comes from a state with a GOP Governor.
Moderate women are good with Joe already or they would have voted for Klobuchar and she would still be in the race. Most women want a woman on the ticket but It doesnt have to be Klobuchar. There several other and better options.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
spooky3
(35,991 posts)what happened in 2018.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)Now all we need is Florida and North Carolina too.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Sugarcoated
(8,080 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)And just for the record, if Klobuchar becomes VP there is still no way Al Franken is going to be appointed to her seat in the Senate.
Any way the VP pick is based on many factors, the chief of which are Ideology, Geography and Demographic. She is an ideological clone of Biden and does nothing to attract more progressive voters. She comes from a solid blue state and doesn't help flip swing states like Virginia, Florida and North Carolina. While she is a woman and will help there, she won't excite African American turnout. So she really works on no level.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)He wants someone who agrees with him on the issues. Thats Amy.
Minnesota was within 1.5% in 2016. Thats a swing state.
As you admit, she helps with women. Her job isnt AA turnout. Joe has them. Her job is the general electorate turnout. Not appealing to the base.
So she in fact works on every level.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)It hasn't voted for a Republican for Governor since 1972. It has 2 Democratic Senators and a Democratic Governor and the latest poll there has Biden beating Trump by 12 points. Minnesota is a solid blue state.
Even if it were, it only has 10 electoral votes. Better to have someone who puts Florida in play which has 29 electoral votes.
Biden is doing fine with women and a woman on the ticket will hopefully attract more. But a white woman is not going to energize African American votes. A woman of color will.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)Why arent you satisfied with the best person for the job? Why must you base your pick on the color of a persons skin?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
spooky3
(35,991 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)I will rule out inexperienced or unqualified women based upon that.
I want the best person for the job. Im not the one insisting on skin color.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
spooky3
(35,991 posts)Seems to be doing so, as have other DUers (more explicitly).
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)Nt
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
spooky3
(35,991 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)Who will best help the Democratic Party win the election not some bizarre hope to get Franken back in the Senate.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)Peggy is probably getting her seat.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LaurenOlimina
(1,165 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
USALiberal
(10,877 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)You just have to vote for her if Joe decides she should be VP.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
USALiberal
(10,877 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)She will prosecute the Trump crime family better than anyone else would.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
DonCoquixote
(13,668 posts)but amy gets the crown? Look, as much as we have to help moderate whites (and let's be hon est, that is the demographic amy appeals to) do rember that 54 percent of white women voted for TRUMP. We needs to stop pretending that the trump voters will relly really like us if our slogan is " we are just like them, save for a little less salt."
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
squirecam
(2,706 posts)Because she is more liberal and more likely to be tougher on Trumpists then Amy would. As to the crown, Amy helps Biden get elected better than Harris does.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
DonCoquixote
(13,668 posts)sorry, you can cook the food, but we sit at the table? Do keep in mind, while moderates crow victory dances of the blue wave, a lot of that was because black people walked through hell to vote, and indeed, the only reason biden is in this position is because, despite the Hillary voters that told us we better get a "moderate" aka white woman in 2008, we chose obama, who WON!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
StevieM
(10,535 posts)I didn't like her before this campaign, and I now like her even less.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
denem
(11,045 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)The unfortunately some have a hidden agenda. They think if Klobuchar becomes VP, Al Franken will be appointed to her Senate Seat.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden