He once wrote a book asking this very question.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Why_Not_Me%3F_(novel)
The reality is that no VP candidate can check every box. Ideally you want a candidate who:
1. Is Latino or non white
2. Someone who pleases the progressives
3. Someone who can be an attack dog
4. Someone who is ready to be President on day one if need be
5. Someone not from a Republican state which would lead the Dems to lose a Senate seat for Hillary.
It's seems to me that Frank nails 3 through 5 and is at least ok on 2. He might not be their first choice-as he's a friend of Hillary-but he's not the worst choice either and comes from the progressive state of Minnesota.
The only thing he has nothing for is 1. But the Latino candidates either are not that well known or don't speak Spanish or may not have enough experience.
Franken certainly checks many of the boxes-including 5. The only one he offers nothing is in terms of diversity. I think if you look at more other candidates, he checks more than anyone else does.
Warren checks 2 and 3 I'm not sure about 4. I still see her as more an advocate than being Presidential. We need an advocate for Hillary. But could Warren really be happy representing the Administration above and beyond her own opinion on things?
Timothy Kaine is white but speaks Spanish-where as Julian Castro is Hispanic but doesn't speak Spanish that well. He also is said not to have enough experience and believe it or not some accuse him of not being progressive enough.
It's not clear yet how good he or Kaine would be as attack dogs.
Franken seems to me to check the most boxes. He'd certainly be a strong attack dog.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Why_Not_Me%3F_(novel)
The reality is that no VP candidate can check every box. Ideally you want a candidate who:
1. Is Latino or non white
2. Someone who pleases the progressives
3. Someone who can be an attack dog
4. Someone who is ready to be President on day one if need be
5. Someone not from a Republican state which would lead the Dems to lose a Senate seat for Hillary.
It's seems to me that Frank nails 3 through 5 and is at least ok on 2. He might not be their first choice-as he's a friend of Hillary-but he's not the worst choice either and comes from the progressive state of Minnesota.
The only thing he has nothing for is 1. But the Latino candidates either are not that well known or don't speak Spanish or may not have enough experience.
Franken certainly checks many of the boxes-including 5. The only one he offers nothing is in terms of diversity. I think if you look at more other candidates, he checks more than anyone else does.
Warren checks 2 and 3 I'm not sure about 4. I still see her as more an advocate than being Presidential. We need an advocate for Hillary. But could Warren really be happy representing the Administration above and beyond her own opinion on things?
Timothy Kaine is white but speaks Spanish-where as Julian Castro is Hispanic but doesn't speak Spanish that well. He also is said not to have enough experience and believe it or not some accuse him of not being progressive enough.
It's not clear yet how good he or Kaine would be as attack dogs.
Franken seems to me to check the most boxes. He'd certainly be a strong attack dog.
Plus if Franken ever gets to be prez via that route, he could give Obama a run for his money at the annual correspondents' dinner.
ReplyDeleteYes. Seems like Franken's calling
ReplyDelete