Who will Hillary Clinton pick for a running mate?
As Hillary Clinton rounds third base and slowly heads for home — although she is technically still running against a candidate who says he intends to vote for her — the question about her VP pick has become a serious one and complicated. On the one hand, she could pick someone further left than her own reputation as a centrist, and possibly win over some of those pesky Bernie voters. On the other, she could go for a moderate in an attempt to capture the huge amount of Republican disillusioned by the presumed nominee. Here’s a breakdown of who’s on the Clinton’s shortlist.
Elizabeth Warren
Netting the Massachusetts senator’s endorsement was a big win for Clinton, as Warren has been the patron saint of the Democratic Socialists in a way that even Bernie Sanders never quite was, and nobody has filleted Trump more skillfully or savagely than Warren.
However, over half of voters who lean Democrat said they’d prefer Clinton go with someone else in a CNN poll. Those are pretty serious numbers, and in an election with a lot of moderate votes up for grabs, Clinton may head for safer waters.
Tim Kaine
Waters don’t get much safer than the Virginia senator, who’s largely considered to be Clinton’s likeliest choice. He’s competent, scandal-free, even-tempered and extremely popular. He speaks fluent Spanish, used to be a missionary, and has served as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, mayor of Richmond, governor of Virginia and, currently, a senator. His one drawback is that he doesn’t exactly have the pep and zing Millennial voters like in an elected leader (“I am boring,” he once admitted to Chuck Todd on Meet the Press). With enthusiasm already in short supply amongst Clinton voters, she may choose someone with more charisma.
Julian Castro
The former mayor of San Antonio is a rising star in the DNC and has charisma in spades. He’s young, he’s a gifted speaker, and he’d secure the Latino vote. But he’s also newer to the national stage and less proven. That could be seen as a plus to Clinton, who’s been accused of being in politics for too long, but it also increases the likelihood of a national flap — something Clinton can’t afford.
Sherrod Brown
The Ohio senator is an unlikely choice for Clinton for the simple reason that Governor John Kasich could appoint a conservative senator to replace Brown if he abandons the post for veep. But his selection would help deliver a prized swing state, and his gruff, no-nonsense political style makes for a nice contrast to Clinton’s more cautious rhetoric.
Cory Booker
Another dynamic, charismatic, but inexperienced option for Clinton. His personal story is terrific, (former Stanford football player-turned Rhodes Scholar-turned Newark mayor-turned senator) but his myriad ties to Wall Street may scare off Democrats already leery of Clinton’s perceived coziness to big money.
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