this post was submitted on 26 Jul 2024
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[–] demizerone 54 points 4 months ago (2 children)

I hope she picks a good VP and not wet blanket like democratic establishment would want.

[–] [email protected] 44 points 4 months ago (1 children)

It appears she's looking at people who could swing a purple state, so that probably won't excite anyone hoping for a progressive ticket.

[–] [email protected] 53 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Almost as if you need to win before you can do anything at all.

Like it or not, the reality of the electoral college.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 months ago (8 children)

You can win in multiple different ways, not simply picking a purple state moderate. The whole reason there's a story about "more youth voters like Harris" is because more youth voters could help her win. And the youths notably live in every swing state.

[–] AbidanYre 15 points 4 months ago (4 children)

The youth are not historically known for showing up to vote.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 4 months ago (1 children)

That's what the media says, but kids these days are showing up more than their parents were at their age.

[–] AbidanYre 5 points 4 months ago

I just hope it's enough.

[–] kofe 5 points 4 months ago

There's an increasing trend, though. The last couple elections have been pivotal. Sucks we didn't turn out in 2016, but we're learning. Young women telling young men you ain't getting laid while abortion is illegal. LGBT+ saying you won't take our healthcare. New parents saying we need universal childcare, college students saying debt forgiveness is essential.

I don't know if it'll be enough, but I know I'll never miss an election again, at least

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (5 children)

"The youth are notorious for low turnout. That's why Kamala Harris (and possibly her VP) increasing their turnout isn't important."

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[–] Ensign_Crab 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

And yet they're excited right now because the party was responsive to their concerns.

[–] AbidanYre 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Let's hope they stay excited.

[–] Ensign_Crab 2 points 4 months ago

Let's hope the party remains responsive, then.

[–] Xanis 2 points 4 months ago

Smoke and mirrors. Right now we need the clearest path to victory, not a path. The Right has their strengths and one of them is throwing wrenches into things. Can't throw a stick into my spokes if my bike doesn't have any.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago

It's so frustrating people don't get this. Progressive politics is stringing together election victories. The US system is designed to require longer term horizons to enact significant change. And we saw precisely why when we survived Trump's term.

[–] SeriousMite 13 points 4 months ago (3 children)

Tim waltz seems like a good pick. Seems to have a bit of the Bernie, no-bullshit, authenticity that plays well with independents.

[–] lennybird 28 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (6 children)

My preference is as follows:

  1. Mark Kelly - Pros: Astronaut/Navy Combat Pilot; will pull veterans and people voting for novelty. He generally has moderate policies and won a national race in a battleground state. His Senate seat is safe because Gov. Hobbs (D) can appoint another Dem to fill it.

  2. Pete Buttigieg - Also a veteran, oxford/rhodes scholar; one of the best debaters in D.C. Coming from a Cabinet position so does not risk any loss.

  3. Whitmer - Contrary to some, I like the idea of doubling-down on women in this post-Roe, MeToo era. She brings a lot to the table, but she's no longer in the running as she (a) both publicly and privately declined, and (b) she like Shapiro would be better off carrying their respective battleground states without either state feeling like they've been abandoned.

  4. Jon Stewart - He won't do it, but hear me out: Viral excitement; strong debater; cross-over appeal to veterans & first-responders thanks to his decades of helping them. The Zelenskyy of our nation. Counter lies and half-truths with satire and mockery.

I DON'T think Harris should pick Cooper, Beshear, Walz, or especially Newsom.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Mark Kelly was one of the people giving standing ovations and clapping away at Bibi's speech to Congress. That really made my stomach churn.

[–] lennybird 9 points 4 months ago

... Ah yeah, that is kind of a bummer.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago

It's fucking so obvious that it boggles my mind that people are still gunning for him and buttigieg and shapiro. They are all power-hungry neoliberal freaks, I don't understand how this is really in contention at this point. Basically the only thing she can do on the campaign trail is talk, and appoint a rather meaningless VP slot to show her allegiance to some kind of politics that actually gets people out and voting. If she chooses some moderate scumbag because they're in a swing state, that's like the fastest way for her to piss away all the good will she's built up so far. It's crazy, I don't understand it.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 4 months ago (2 children)

I like your list. I think Mark Kelly is the obvious best choice and I hope she lands on him. Novelty factor is strong, it would be foolish to underestimate the astronaut card. He balances the ticket well and might also help win Arizona.

Jon Stewart would be absolutely hilarious, though. If nothing else than for a potential VP debate with alleged couch fornicator Vance.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 months ago

John Stewart would be history's ultimate press secretary.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 4 months ago (4 children)

Mark Kelly looks good on paper, but his pro genocide and lukewarm stance towards unions is a wet blanket. Do people find him genuine?

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[–] Semi_Hemi_Demigod 8 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Thank you for not including Shapiro and not risking a swing state getting a Republican governor

[–] Furbag 12 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (2 children)

That guy has such an unfortunate name. I hear Shapiro and I immediately think of the right-wing pseudo-intellectual professional troll Ben Shapiro and wonder why the fuck would anybody want him on a ticket. I'm learning to not have such a visceral reaction to the name, but association is a bitch to overcome.

Mark Kelly is a great choice. Kamala needs someone who can win over the vets. Apparently Captain Bone Spurs still holds some sway with them.

[–] Semi_Hemi_Demigod 4 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Especially when he's like the exact opposite of Benny boy. Maybe it would work in the opposite direction, though: People think it's actually Ben Shapiro and vote for Harris because they think there's some conspiracy to take over the presidency.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

Honestly, I'd change my name.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Veterans are now a critical voting block for the Democrats? Not "young people" or "Hispanic voters"? Veterans?

[–] Furbag 0 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I wouldn't call them critical, no, but every vote matters. Especially in a demographic like former armed services. They represent a collective of voters across all 50 states and their voting trends are pretty unified in solidarity for candidates that recognize them and cater to their issues and interests. Sure, some are party hardliners and will vote D or R no matter what, that's true of any homogeneous group of people.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2014/11/11/veterans-are-voting-republican-and-thats-not-likely-to-change/

https://news.gallup.com/poll/118684/military-veterans-ages-tend-republican.aspx

Every vote matters, but every voting bloc isn't equally valuable to pursue. Whenever I've been on a military base with a TV running, there's a 90%+ chance it's playing Fox News. Trump called John McCain a loser for being captured and they voted for him anyway. If a veteran VP was going to turn the tides, there are already dynamics that would have a much greater impact.

[–] lennybird 2 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Yeah I like all the battleground state governors, but I think for that reason, and for letting them continue to successfully run these states helps carry them. You also don't want state residents to feel abandoned or used with them leaving for VP. They're instrumental right where they are.

[–] pahlimur 2 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Mark Kelly is my favorite option too. If nothing else he is cool as hell and has that "great to have a beer with" quality. He's also very white. None of these things should matter but he's a great balancing choice for her presidency.

[–] RecursiveParadox 0 points 4 months ago

This is a good list.

[–] chuckleslord 9 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Walz is a great governor. I don't want to lose him as one, but I do think he'd be a great pick

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

We get Peggy Flanagan as a replacement. She rocks. Bonus points for getting a native American female governor as well

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I think Tim Waltz would be a great pick. Full authenticity. A no nonsense and non flashy Midwestern white democrat from a rural district who lead a surprisingly progressive agenda. Count me in

[–] bitchkat 3 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Timmy has been a great governor for our state.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago
[–] Glytch 1 points 4 months ago

That's actually why I don't want her to pick him. He's been a great governor and I want him to stay here.