USA TODAY International Edition
Who should Biden pick as VP?
USA TODAY Opinion contributors zero in on eight women who fit the moment
Paul Brandus, West Wing Reports:
“Even if presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden hadn’t said he’d pick a woman, I’d advise him to pick Illinois Sen. Tammy Duck
worth, 52. She checks the usual policy boxes such as stricter gun laws and protection of abortion rights. But this election goes beyond mere policy. It is about putting men and women in the White House who possess fundamental American values like honesty and decency. And in contrast to our draftdodging president, and our couldn’tbe- bothered- to- serve vice president, Duckworth not only volunteered but sacrificed both her legs and partial mobility in her right arm in Iraq for our country. She is the embodiment of ‘ duty, honor, country,’ and Americans need to be reminded what these things truly mean.”
Ross K. Baker, Rutgers political science professor:
“The person best prepared to step into the job of president if the occasion arose would be former National Security Council leader Susan Rice, 55. She is very smart and knows her way around the White House. Her principal shortcoming is her somewhat steely demeanor. But with Biden at the head of ticket, there would be more than enough high affect. Her credentials are impeccable and would put to rest the argument that Biden is merely pandering to minority voters. Value added: She would eat Vice President Mike Pence alive in a debate.”
Barbara McQuade, law professor, University of Michigan:
“Florida Rep. Val Demings, 63, seized her moment on the national stage as a House impeachment manager this year. While some would shy away from a former law enforcement official, Biden would be wise to choose this former Orlando police chief. Far from following a traditional path to politics or police work, Demings is one of seven children of a maid and a janitor, and worked as a social worker. That background informed her work in policing, where she focused on improving relations with the community, just what America needs at this moment in history. She comes from the electorally important state of Florida, runs marathons and rides a Harley, a combination of attributes that make her appealing to almost every demographic.”
Michael Medved, syndicated talk radio host:
“Biden should seize a unique opportunity to heal the present painful breach between law enforcement and the Black community. Rep. Val Demi
ngs spent 27 years with the Orlando Police Department. She rose to the rank of chief then won election to Congress in 2016, earning appreciation from both the cops she led and the community she served. Her husband of 32 years, Jerry Demings, also worked as a cop, police chief and county sheriff, and is serving as the mayor of Orange County, Florida — the most crucial electoral battleground in the most crucial of all swing states. When President Donald Trump attacks Biden as anti- police ( and he will), Val and Jerry Demings will be perfectly positioned to respond. The congresswoman not only can help Biden win but also will help him govern, with her demonstrated bridge- building skills and tough but warm- hearted charisma.”
Sophia A. Nelson, CNN commentator:
“Biden’s best choice is Rep. Val
Demings. She is from Florida, a state that Biden must win if he wants to break Trump’s 2016 electoral path to victory. A mother of three sons, married to a mayor, she is a former police chief and most recently was a House impeachment manager against Trump. Her grit, grace, smarts and deep Southern roots are exactly what Biden needs to help him win in November.”
Tom Krattenmaker, author:
“Given the lawlessness of the current administration, the idea of a sharp, hardworking prosecutor on the Democratic ticket has undeniable appeal. Who better than Sen. Kamala
Harris, 55, a former district attorney who has shown a prosecutorial tenacity at Senate hearings, to join Biden in making the case to voters that Trump has failed as president and must be ousted? The marshaling of evidence and argument are the prosecutor’s way. So is competitive instinct. Harris has demonstrated plenty, never more so than in her well- executed jab at Biden himself at the June 2019 candidates’ debate. Don’t hold that against her, Joe. Pick her as your running mate. Whether it’s the courtroom, the Senate hearing room or the race for the White House, she’s in to win.”
Raul Reyes, New York attorney:
“Biden should go with the most strategic choice: Sen. Kamala Harris of California. Her own run for the nomination has already earned her a national profile. This matters in an election that may feature a virtual convention and few rallies. Harris hails from a state with significant Latinx, Black and Asian American populations, so she knows how to appeal to diverse groups of voters. Harris would bring a sense of excitement and enthusiasm to the Biden campaign. Her questioning of William Barr and Brett Kavanaugh in Senate hearings has demonstrated her compelling presence and sharp intellect. At a time when the country is grappling with systemic racism, Harris — who co- authored a Democratic bill on police reform — is uniquely qualified to serve as vice president.”
Brett M. Decker, author:
“Biden should pick Michigan Gov.
Gretchen Whitmer, 48, because she can help flip a Trump state that Democrats need. Trump won it by only 0.2 of a percentage point, his smallest margin in the country. Two years later, however, Whitmer won statewide by almost 10 points. Her approval rating was nearly 60% last spring, while 50% of Michiganders disapproved of Trump’s handling of COVID- 19. The “Big Gretch’s” lockdown policies during the pandemic sparked conservative protests at the statehouse, but they have been popular with independents, who last month gave the governor 65% support for her handling of the coronavirus. Polls wrongly showed Hillary Clinton winning Michigan in 2016 and very well could be skewed again this cycle. That is why Biden should not take anything for granted and tap Whitmer.”
Ruben Navarrette Jr., syndicated columnist:
“Biden’s best choice for running mate is obvious. She has a national organization, instant name recognition, a strong fundraising network, top- drawer credentials and a track record of igniting the liberal base of the Democratic Party. She is not known for reaching across the aisle, but Biden has spent decades staking out the middle of the road. The Democratic ticket doesn’t need another conciliator; it needs a brawler who stands up for her principles on issues ranging from income inequality to civil rights to a defense of labor unions. Of course the woman for the job is Sen. Eliza
beth Warren of Massachusetts.”
Melinda Henneberger, Kansas City Star editorial writer:
“Who would be the best governing partner and the best president, not someday but now, should anything happen to Biden? America, meet Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a nononsense combat veteran who helped save the Americans with Disabilities Act. Duckworth, who lost both legs and partial use of one arm when the Black Hawk helicopter she was piloting was shot down by Iraqi insurgents, has been through a lot and yet retained both a sense of joy and of purpose. The first woman to bring a baby, her newborn daughter, on the floor of the Senate with her to cast a vote, she was also the first to call the president ‘ Cadet Bone Spurs,’ in response to what she saw as his bullying. Duckworth is what her fellow Midwesterners would admiringly call ‘ a normal person’ — easy to be around, hard to dislike. Biden and Duckworth would be a good team, and I don’t see him ever having to apologize for choosing her as his running mate.”
Ellis Cose, author:
“Of the candidates Biden has under consideration, Sen. Kamala Harris makes the most sense by far. Given Biden’s age, he needs to choose someone who is significantly younger than he is but who also comes with serious credibility. Her impressive résumé makes Harris an ideal apprentice for president. While her background in law enforcement will work against her in some circles, she will be running against a team that favors pardoning friends and replacing police officers with federal storm troopers — which somewhat nullifies that disadvantage. During the primaries, Harris took the fight to Biden; she is equally capable of taking it to Trump and Pence.”
Sally Kohn, author:
“Biden has an opportunity to show who he intends to be as president. That means, in no uncertain terms, picking a progressive woman of color as his running mate, not just for symbolic reasons but to show that he’s really listening and learning and is different from Democrats of the past. It means valuing Black voters and Black leaders not just for the photo ops but for their ideas and vision — and showing it by sharing power with a Black woman. My pick would be California Rep. Karen Bass, 66, an amazing community organizer and powerful progressive visionary with experience at every level of government.”
Jason Sattler, writer:
“Our greatest crisis, the one that makes all our other escalating inequalities so daunting, is the assault on democracy and voting that squealed into overdrive in 2010 with a mélange of restrictions on ballot access that all have the aim of preserving minority power for the GOP. No mainstream politician understands better than
Stacey Abrams, 46, the need to focus on voting rights, organizing and voter activation to correct what ails our system and keep the spirit of the streets alive, as Republicans turn to blame them for all of Trump’s failings. She will show Biden’s commitment to fighting for every vote, in every possible swing state.”
Windsor Mann, writer:
“Biden should pick someone who can govern immediately, someone with experience in the executive branch and knowledge of government and world affairs. He should pick Susan Rice.
She graduated from Stanford University, was a Rhodes scholar and got a Ph. D. in international relations at Oxford University before serving as ambassador to the United Nations and as national security adviser under President Barack Obama. She can spell ‘ potato’ and knows not only where Russia is but also what it is: an enemy of the United States.” Kurt Bardella, Lincoln Project:
“Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s story embodies the very best of the American spirit and is a powerful contrast to ‘ Candidate Bone Spurs,’ Donald Trump. Her mother is Thai Chinese, which would make Duckworth the highestserving member of the Asian American Pacific Islander community in our nation’s history. The AAPI community is the fastest growing racial or ethnic group in the U. S. electorate. Moreover, Duckworth also happens to be a ‘ Daughter of the American Revolution,’ and her father served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Duckworth joined the Army Reserve and flew combat missions in Iraq, where she was shot down by Iraqi insurgents and lost both of her legs. Trump pretends to be tough; Duckworth actually is.”