I agree. Of course, this brings up the question of who Harris’s running mate would be. My choice is Gretchen Whitmer. Of course this pick goes against all conventional wisdom of ticket-balancing, but it makes sense to me.
I think there is NO voter who is unwilling to vote for a woman for President who would be appeased by the presence of a male running-mate on the ticket. Secondly, it was the repeal of Roe v. Wade that has provided whatever juice the Democrats have had this season. Third, I would relish the prospect of a Whitmer-Vance debate. Finally, her presence on the ticket would improve its chances of carrying Michigan.
"Any minimally capable Democrat can beat him, since anti-Trump is the prime electoral motivation"
*Can* Harris beat Trump? Yes.
*Will* Harris beat Trump? That is far less likely. The public perception of Kamala is nearly as bad as it was of Hillary, and she may well suffer the same fate.
As you say, a true progressive will sadly not be nominated. But Whitmer would have a strong chance of beating Trump. And as I've said before, Warnock as her running mate would counter much of the resentment generated by denying Harris the nomination. The only legitimate way for this to happen is in an open convention. Fwiw, our two greatest presidents - FDR and Lincoln - were nominated at conventions, not primaries.
I realize that a Whitmer-Warnock ticket is a longshot to actually happen, but it is the best ticket for victory over Trump
Disagree pretty strongly that “the public perception of Kamala is nearly as bad as it was for Hillary”. Harris, at this point is mostly unknown. Hillary had been hated on for years. And then “her emails”. You think Fox will spin up some shit about Kamala? Sure. But they would about Whitmer too.
Now is not the time for progressives to go into the usual defensive crouch. It’s psychologically debilitating. This is another reason I like the Harris-Whitmer idea.
Above all we need to stop playing fucking defense.
I agree the time has come that we (including myself) stop wringing our hands about Kamala's flaws, close ranks, and gear up for the battle ahead. Toward that end, there does seem to be a palpable renewed energy on the Democratic side since Biden's Sunday announcements which is certainly welcome..
I suspect that Josh Shapiro would make the best running mate now, but I don't know whom Harris will choose
I agree. Of course, this brings up the question of who Harris’s running mate would be. My choice is Gretchen Whitmer. Of course this pick goes against all conventional wisdom of ticket-balancing, but it makes sense to me.
I think there is NO voter who is unwilling to vote for a woman for President who would be appeased by the presence of a male running-mate on the ticket. Secondly, it was the repeal of Roe v. Wade that has provided whatever juice the Democrats have had this season. Third, I would relish the prospect of a Whitmer-Vance debate. Finally, her presence on the ticket would improve its chances of carrying Michigan.
Bob Kuttner agrees with you
https://prospect.org/politics/2024-07-23-vice-squad-kamala-harris-running-mate/
"Any minimally capable Democrat can beat him, since anti-Trump is the prime electoral motivation"
*Can* Harris beat Trump? Yes.
*Will* Harris beat Trump? That is far less likely. The public perception of Kamala is nearly as bad as it was of Hillary, and she may well suffer the same fate.
As you say, a true progressive will sadly not be nominated. But Whitmer would have a strong chance of beating Trump. And as I've said before, Warnock as her running mate would counter much of the resentment generated by denying Harris the nomination. The only legitimate way for this to happen is in an open convention. Fwiw, our two greatest presidents - FDR and Lincoln - were nominated at conventions, not primaries.
I realize that a Whitmer-Warnock ticket is a longshot to actually happen, but it is the best ticket for victory over Trump
I like the idea of a Whitmer-Warnock ticket.
Disagree pretty strongly that “the public perception of Kamala is nearly as bad as it was for Hillary”. Harris, at this point is mostly unknown. Hillary had been hated on for years. And then “her emails”. You think Fox will spin up some shit about Kamala? Sure. But they would about Whitmer too.
Now is not the time for progressives to go into the usual defensive crouch. It’s psychologically debilitating. This is another reason I like the Harris-Whitmer idea.
Above all we need to stop playing fucking defense.
I agree the time has come that we (including myself) stop wringing our hands about Kamala's flaws, close ranks, and gear up for the battle ahead. Toward that end, there does seem to be a palpable renewed energy on the Democratic side since Biden's Sunday announcements which is certainly welcome..
I suspect that Josh Shapiro would make the best running mate now, but I don't know whom Harris will choose
timely!