Nearly everyone eagerly awaits Joe Biden’s announcement of his VP candidate, expected to come this week. Media of all stripes have made a parlor game of guessing. Countless column inches have been devoted to sizing up the potential field and laying odds. Even DK has joined in: Kos caused a minor disruption in the oxygen level of the universe by ranking Karen Bass over Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren when he weighed in last week.
Biden vowed early on that he would choose a woman. Everyone writing seems to have concluded that he will. Last week he said his team was in the process of vetting 8 candidates. He didn’t share the list. Some have stepped up and invited the nod, like Stacey Abrams. Others have stated they will serve if asked. Others have been coy, quiet.
It has not been a humdrum process. Last month Amy Klobuchar made headlines when she removed herself from the running. She suggested that the nod should go to a woman of color, thereby self-disqualifying, using the ultimate political strategy about how to deftly remove herself from a competition she had no chance of winning.
In normal times a Midwestern Senator who competed for the top job and graciously stepped aside at the exact right moment for Biden would be a treasured finalist. But Klobuchar was the former top prosecutor from Minneapolis; the Floyd controversy and fallout would overshadow her qualifications and dispel any Midwest magic, and she knew it. The racial divides would become the focus of the race, playing right into Trump hands. She withdrew before it could be done for her.
Tea is sipped and the leaves are read. Joe smiled biggest when he was with Kamala. In 2016 he told Elizabeth to take a good look around the VP residence. He and Obama adored Susan Rice, who has been on cable TV publicizing her new book regularly. Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, fighting COVID-19 along with her husband, has made the rounds nearly every night too.
California Congresswoman Karen Bass, once a long shot, has moved up in recent rankings. Tammy Duckworth, a veteran and Illinois Senator is favored for her service, sacrifice and Midwest connections.
Depending who is arguing, Florida Representative Val Demings is favored and disfavored because of her law enforcement background and impeachment involvement. Governors Gretchen Whitmer and Michelle Lujan Grisham are mentioned as finalists.
So who will it be?
Frankly, I don’t know and as much as I care about Joe, I don't care about it. I wish he’d keep it to himself as long as he can. I’m not looking forward to this chapter.
The conventional wisdom is that a VP candidate can impact a presidential race, energizing segments of the electorate who might otherwise vote GOP or stay home. Money raising connections and benefits are key too. These are the reasons to go to press with the name as early as possible.
But these are not conventional times. Sometimes silence can be golden and mystery loves company. This is a time when Biden can use all the eyes and attention he can garner, to offset Trump daily mini-rallies with the press disguised as COVID-19 briefings. Delay a bit, Joe: keep them wondering.
My take is that, on balance, there is little good that can come from an early announcement. Let the focus be on Trump’s failure to meet country’s needs during the COVID-19 crisis. Emphasize his assault on democracy and the rule of law with federal treachery in the streets of Portland and Seattle. Stay concentrated on reports of Putin payment of bounties for American soldiers killed on the battlefields. ( Is Putin paying for COVID-19 dead too?)
Letting the name of the VP candidate slip any earlier than necessary is akin to throwing raw meat into the lion cage. Trump and his minions will immediately pounce and smear the candidate, her family and friends. Whomever it is will become the focus of his angst. Expect nasty nicknames, defamation, innuendo and jeers, all delivered in social media tirades.
Consider his history: during a two day rant in May, Trump used Twitter to accuse a former Congressman of murdering an employee, called Pelosi an addict and labelled Biden a traitor. He referred to the former Secretary of State as a skank and Stacy Abrams as a whale. (A suggestion that Trump was projecting all of this led to a prolific Dem’s suspension from Twitter. Someone is sensitive.)
Will he rage tweet the candidate and her family into the race? (Will Twitter stand ready to suspend anyone who suggests that Trump is projecting on her and her family that of which he and his family are guilty?)
If a candidate had the choice of bearing this garbage dump for about 76 days rather than 90, wouldn’t the shorter stint be a better choice?
Besides that, the closer Joe’s announcement comes to the GOP convention, the more chance he has of taking the wind out of their already confused Charlotte (we think) sails.
And, to be honest, I dread Dems reaction to the announcement. The VP choice, like everything else, has become polarizing and ugly. This should be a happy occasion. The first woman Dem VP candidate in decades and there are (Romney-inspired) “binders of women” qualified and available. Regardless, we may find a way to shoot ourselves in the foot. Some prominent ones among us will bitch and moan: at least one public meltdown and social media temper tantrum will make cable news and light up the GOP.
There will be charges of racism and selling out. The cuts will go deep and they will be unkind. It has become the way of the world, and it has infiltrated the party. It comes at a time when the last thing we need is division among us and to lose our equilibrium and focus.
Fact is, we have no clue about the vetting process. The candidate of our own special dreams may have skeletons, a kid with an addiction problem, a partner with business issues or family illness that requires attention and focus not commensurate with carrying out a VP role.
She may have thin skin or lack ability or will to sustain herself when confronted by the expected Trump garbage dump. She may lack the quick wittedness necessary to turn GOP attacks in her favor.
Think about what Trump did to members of his own party in 2016; Little Marco, Crazy Cruz, Jumpin Jeb and Slim Christie. Some of them managed the onslaught better than others. Some are still mumbling and walking in circles at the mere mention of his name.
Biden and his son Hunter have volleyed with Trump for years. It takes strategy, humor, perseverance, a certain personality type and fearlessness. It takes a particular personal style. Fact is, some people bruise easier than others.
We are in no position to weigh any of this.
All that said, my plea, and I do have one, is for something different this time.
Can we take a vow to bite back our anguish, hide our grief and keep our disgruntlement to ourselves after Biden makes the announcement? Can we take the pressure off and let him delay until the end of the convention, as close to August 24 as possible.
I suppose what I’m asking is this: can we agree to just trust Joe?
Pinky swear, I do.