I can see a bit of your point about “too moderate” worries, but in reality this is the time for people to vote for the future.
Might as well go for broke on the bet, because if it goes wrong we’re all fucked anyways.
Either we choose to have a fucking dictatorship, or we choose a progressive leadership the next 4 years (if the scRotuM and legislative bodies aren’t included)
Personally I’m excited that someone “so old” actually seems to care about anyone younger than they are. We need that kind of person in leadership.
I get what you’re saying, but it’s just so vital that we win this one. I’d rather have a ticket that was less optimal from my personal point of view if it makes us more likely to win. Having a wonderfully progressive ticket that loses the election would be a very, very bad thing.
In two respects, however, Harris’ choice could have negative consequences. First: During her years in the Senate and her failed quest for the Democratic nomination in 2020, she adopted a number of progressive positions—endorsing the Green New Deal, opposing fracking, supporting Medicare for All (including for undocumented immigrants), and comparing ICE to the KKK—that she is now repudiating. Choosing a running mate seen as strongly progressive could make it more difficult to separate herself credibly from her past record.
Second: In the context of the Electoral College, Harris’ choice could backfire. While Walz’s Minnesota is safely Democratic, Shapiro presides over the most important swing state in the 2024 election. Although many pundits see Walz as especially appealing to rural and working-class voters, the evidence suggests otherwise. Compared to Biden’s 2020 performance in Minnesota, Walz received the same share of the vote overall (52%), and he did no better than Biden among rural and small-town voters, working-class voters, and Republican identifiers while running four points behind Biden among Independents.
By contrast, Shapiro far exceeded Biden’s 2020 baseline statewide, racking up 57% of the vote compared to Biden’s 50%. And he outpaced Biden in virtually every electoral group, exceeding the president’s share by seven points among rural and small-town voters, seven points among non-college voters, nine points among Republicans and voters leaning Republican, and five points among Independents.
I can see a bit of your point about “too moderate” worries, but in reality this is the time for people to vote for the future.
Might as well go for broke on the bet, because if it goes wrong we’re all fucked anyways.
Either we choose to have a fucking dictatorship, or we choose a progressive leadership the next 4 years (if the scRotuM and legislative bodies aren’t included)
Personally I’m excited that someone “so old” actually seems to care about anyone younger than they are. We need that kind of person in leadership.
He’s only like a year older than Harris. Yeah, it would be cool to see more people under 40, but he’s not some ancient like Biden.
I get what you’re saying, but it’s just so vital that we win this one. I’d rather have a ticket that was less optimal from my personal point of view if it makes us more likely to win. Having a wonderfully progressive ticket that loses the election would be a very, very bad thing.
Agree. While I had no problems with any of the potential VP picks, I hope she made the correct choice.
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-walz-and-not-shapiro-for-vice-president/
Exactly my worry. Thanks for the somewhat concerning citation. I’m going to hope for the best.