Georgia’s Abrams should be taken out of the veepstakes

*eorgia 'emocrat 6tacey Abrams became a national progressive icon in after narrowly losing her gubernatorial bid in that historically conservative state. Her open campaign to become former vice president Joe %iden¶s running mate, however, shows that faith in her is sorely misplaced.

Abrams has not been shy about seeking the Mob. 8nlike other rumored contenders, she comes right out and says she¶d make an e[cellent running mate. 1or is she shy about saying what she thinks she¶d bring to the ticket campaigning skills among minority communities, a history of public service and “years in independent study of foreign policy.´ 6urely, %iden must be honored that someone so distinguished and talented would find his campaign so attractive.

%ut look closer Abrams has never held any federal office, nor has she ever been a mayor or governor. 6he was the 'emocratic state House minority leader, but that simply means she rallied the opposition party to oppose 5epublican initiatives. 6he simply has never had the e[perience at any substantial level of proposing serious initiatives that have a chance of becoming law or implementing policies.

1or is her close defeat necessarily a tribute to her campaigning skills. The campaign was the closest to a party-based election that the 8nited 6tates has had in decades. ,n state after state, voters angry with 3resident 'onald Trump voted for 'emocrats up and down the ballot, regardless of their personal backgrounds or positions. ,n her own state of *eorgia, the same suburban voters who backed her also backed 'emocrats for the House and state legislature in nearly identical proportions. )ormer Te[as 5ep. %eto 2¶5ourke can attest that a close defeat in in a once-deep-red state does not necessarily mean you¶re ready for prime time.

%iden¶s own criteria for the vice presidency clearly rule out someone with Abrams¶s personality and e[perience. He has repeatedly said that the person he chooses must be able to step into the presidency on 'ay 2ne, a clear recognition that his advanced age means voters know the vice president could easily have to become president if %iden¶s health deteriorates. 2nly the most blinkered ideologue can say Abrams meets that measure. %iden has also said he needs to personally and philosophically “simpatico´ with his 1o. . Abrams¶s pugnacious persona is miles apart from %iden¶s.

This raises serious Tuestions about her own self-awareness. That she is openly campaigning for the Mob, while denying the obvious in interviews, also raises Tuestions about her Mudgment. How can someone seriously think this will work or raise her stature?

At , a 6en. Abrams could easily have dreamed of moving Tuickly into a serious White House bid. %ut she¶s running around the country tilting at windmills and obliviously embarrassing herself.

Abrams could have become a serious 'emocratic player. ,nstead, the ideologue is milking her comet-like appearance on the national stage for all its worth until she slowly fades from view.