Clinton should pick Booker

[Frozen Sky Ever Why]

Everyone says she should pick a Latino, but I'm not too worried about them. Hillary is more popular than Obama with Latinos and the immigration issue is getting bigger with the GOP base. The nominee is almost certainly going to have to pander to them during the primaries, and probably say something incredibly stupid in doing so.

I think people are underestimating the degree to which the Clintons are still controversial in the black community, in more than one poll I've seen Biden does much better in the AA vote than Hillary against potential nominees. Not that they are going GOP, they are just undecided. At the very least, turnout could go down a decent amount with them, and that could be deadly in a close race. A Booker VP slot would be a sign of good faith towards the AA community, and would ensure there's no significant damage there.

Bottom line: I don't Latinos are going to necessarily be more likely to vote for someone simply because there are running with a Latino. However, Hillary picking a black VP could mend any existing rift or suspicion of racism between them and the Clintons.

[Brittain33]

I hate to bring this up, but it's awkward that Booker is neither openly gay nor married.

[Frozen Sky Ever Why]

I hate to bring this up, but it's awkward that Booker is neither openly gay nor married.

So he can either come out, get a girlfriend, or get a beard. Easy fix, no?

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

He'd send the base into revolt. Clinton needs to shore up her left flank more than her center appeal. If she wants a black running mate, she'd be smarter to pick Deval Patrick.

[Frozen Sky Ever Why]

He'd send the base into revolt. Clinton needs to shore up her left flank more than her center appeal. If she wants a black running mate, she'd be smarter to pick Deval Patrick.

An unpopular Governor from Massachusetts? No.

[The Mikado]

Not to mention picking a Democratic Senator who would be replaced by Chris Christie with a Republican reduces the already small chances of a Democratic Senate to nearly nothing.

[rpryor03]

Not to mention picking a Democratic Senator who would be replaced by Chris Christie with a Republican reduces the already small chances of a Democratic Senate to nearly nothing.

This, and the fact that Christie would most likely run for the Senate in the Special Election.

[Libertarian Socialist Dem]

Thought at first that this read "Clinton should pick Boehner" lol

[Libertarian Socialist Dem]

I agree that it would be a disastarous pick for the reasons listed above.

[dmmidmi]

Everyone says she should pick a Latino, but I'm not too worried about them. Hillary is more popular than Obama with Latinos and the immigration issue is getting bigger with the GOP base. The nominee is almost certainly going to have to pander to them during the primaries, and probably say something incredibly stupid in doing so.

I think people are underestimating the degree to which the Clintons are still controversial in the black community, in more than one poll I've seen Biden does much better in the AA vote than Hillary against potential nominees. Not that they are going GOP, they are just undecided. At the very least, turnout could go down a decent amount with them, and that could be deadly in a close race. A Booker VP slot would be a sign of good faith towards the AA community, and would ensure there's no significant damage there.

Bottom line: I don't Latinos are going to necessarily be more likely to vote for someone simply because there are running with a Latino. However, Hillary picking a black VP could mend any existing rift or suspicion of racism between them and the Clintons.

If this is true (it's not), picking Booker is exactly the type of move I would expect from Republicans, not Democrats.

There is every other reason in the world to not pick Booker. This is a horrible idea.

[The Mikado]

Also, a guy whose political experience adds up to mayor->half a term in the Senate is vulnerable to Palining. People will be asking "would I be comfortable with this person as president should Clinton die" given her age, much like with McCain.

[Frozen Sky Ever Why]

Everyone says she should pick a Latino, but I'm not too worried about them. Hillary is more popular than Obama with Latinos and the immigration issue is getting bigger with the GOP base. The nominee is almost certainly going to have to pander to them during the primaries, and probably say something incredibly stupid in doing so.

I think people are underestimating the degree to which the Clintons are still controversial in the black community, in more than one poll I've seen Biden does much better in the AA vote than Hillary against potential nominees. Not that they are going GOP, they are just undecided. At the very least, turnout could go down a decent amount with them, and that could be deadly in a close race. A Booker VP slot would be a sign of good faith towards the AA community, and would ensure there's no significant damage there.

Bottom line: I don't Latinos are going to necessarily be more likely to vote for someone simply because there are running with a Latino. However, Hillary picking a black VP could mend any existing rift or suspicion of racism between them and the Clintons.

If this is true (it's not), picking Booker is exactly the type of move I would expect from Republicans, not Democrats.

There is every other reason in the world to not pick Booker. This is a horrible idea.

So the PPP internals are wrong?

[dmmidmi]

Everyone says she should pick a Latino, but I'm not too worried about them. Hillary is more popular than Obama with Latinos and the immigration issue is getting bigger with the GOP base. The nominee is almost certainly going to have to pander to them during the primaries, and probably say something incredibly stupid in doing so.

I think people are underestimating the degree to which the Clintons are still controversial in the black community, in more than one poll I've seen Biden does much better in the AA vote than Hillary against potential nominees. Not that they are going GOP, they are just undecided. At the very least, turnout could go down a decent amount with them, and that could be deadly in a close race. A Booker VP slot would be a sign of good faith towards the AA community, and would ensure there's no significant damage there.

Bottom line: I don't Latinos are going to necessarily be more likely to vote for someone simply because there are running with a Latino. However, Hillary picking a black VP could mend any existing rift or suspicion of racism between them and the Clintons.

If this is true (it's not), picking Booker is exactly the type of move I would expect from Republicans, not Democrats.

There is every other reason in the world to not pick Booker. This is a horrible idea.

So the PPP internals are wrong?

You're going to reference PPP internals without indicating which ones you're talking about? Even so, you're going to base your entire argument on one data point?

[IceSpear]

Not to mention picking a Democratic Senator who would be replaced by Chris Christie with a Republican reduces the already small chances of a Democratic Senate to nearly nothing.

It's not like 4 seats is the Democratic ceiling, but yes, that would definitely hurt our chances and wouldn't be worth it.

[Mister Mets]

I haven't seen much indication that the Clintons are unpopular with the African-American community. Hillary served in the administration of the first black President. Bill campaigned hard for him.

And it would backfire if there was the perception that Hillary picked a running mate because of race rather than merit.

Booker makes sense for other reasons, given his youth, media savvy and mix of experience. But there is some bad blood between them.

He'd send the base into revolt. Clinton needs to shore up her left flank more than her center appeal. If she wants a black running mate, she'd be smarter to pick Deval Patrick.

A good chunk of the base likes Booker. He's relatively young and media-savvy.

But it certainly won't fit a Warren-approved populist anti-Wall Street narrative.

If Hillary wants an African-American running mate, Anthony Foxx may be a better choice. He's less known, which means there's less baggage. He has a wife and kids. And he's from a more useful state.

Not to mention picking a Democratic Senator who would be replaced by Chris Christie with a Republican reduces the already small chances of a Democratic Senate to nearly nothing.

Maybe. Keep in mind Booker only gets replaced if Democrats win.

So this only applies for an election in which Democrats are strong enough to win the White House, but not able to win 14 out of 34 Senate races.

[rpryor03]

I haven't seen much indication that the Clintons are unpopular with the African-American community. Hillary served in the administration of the first black President. Bill campaigned hard for him.

One of them WAS the First Black President.

[justfollowingtheelections]

I have been thinking if this for awhile because high AA turnout was crucial for Obama in winning key states such as fl oh or va.  Booker looks like a good candidate on paper but he's more business friendly than most democrats would like hrc's running mate to be given that she's also considered a centrist.  I don't think him being unmarried would be much of an issue especially if Lindsay graham runs.
Patrick would probably be a better candidate but he's a little old and from ma.  Foxx would be a desperate pick imo.  She could go with a black woman of course like Donna Edwards.

[Landslide Lyndon]

He'd send the base into revolt. Clinton needs to shore up her left flank more than her center appeal. If she wants a black running mate, she'd be smarter to pick Deval Patrick.

An unpopular Governor from Massachusetts? No.

Huh? Patrick ended his term with pretty good approval ratings.

Not to mention picking a Democratic Senator who would be replaced by Chris Christie with a Republican reduces the already small chances of a Democratic Senate to nearly nothing.

This, and the fact that Christie would most likely run for the Senate in the Special Election.

If only...
Christie is damaged goods by now, not to mention that his abrasive personality would make Ted Cruz look like a model of civility and moderation.

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

Also, a guy whose political experience adds up to mayor->half a term in the Senate is vulnerable to Palining. People will be asking "would I be comfortable with this person as president should Clinton die" given her age, much like with McCain.

I continue to be puzzled why "Mayor of a large city" isn't considered more of a credible stepping stone. Now, Wasila, Alaska - that's not all that great experience. But New York, like Giuliani could lay claim to? Newark, where Booker inherited a disaster zone and spent years turning it around? I'd much rather look at that executive experience than at time in a legislative body.

[Incipimus iterum]

She needs someone who can appeal to the left Flank

[Mister Mets]

Also, a guy whose political experience adds up to mayor->half a term in the Senate is vulnerable to Palining. People will be asking "would I be comfortable with this person as president should Clinton die" given her age, much like with McCain.

I continue to be puzzled why "Mayor of a large city" isn't considered more of a credible stepping stone. Now, Wasila, Alaska - that's not all that great experience. But New York, like Giuliani could lay claim to? Newark, where Booker inherited a disaster zone and spent years turning it around? I'd much rather look at that executive experience than at time in a legislative body.

There may be the perception that being of Newark isn't as impressive. It's the 67th most populated city in the US. California has thirteen cities with greater populations: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Riverside and Stockton.

That said, Booker is unlikely to be Palin-ed.

He has won two statewide campaigns, due to the structure of the special election. He has a mix of legislative and executive experience. Senators are more likely to be apprised of national affairs, so they're less likely to make serious gaffes. The media's known who he is for a while, so there's less of a chance of "Who the hell is this person?" resentment.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Sherrod Brown, Hickenlooper or Tim Kaine should be the finalist

Even with Castro and Booker, having to minority candidates on the tickets are gonna be hard to run with and given the election is so important, having a candidate other than someone from FL, should be the rule.

[justfollowingtheelections]

Sherrod Brown, Hickenlooper or Tim Kaine should be the finalist

Even with Castro and Booker, having to minority candidates on the tickets are gonna be hard to run with and given the election is so important, having a candidate other than someone from FL, should be the rule.

What two minorities?  Clinton is caucasian.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

It can be argued that being a woman is a setback.

[justfollowingtheelections]

It can be argued that being a woman is a setback.

Maybe in 2008.  The country has changed quite a bit since and people are getting used to the idea of a ticket without at least one white male.  Anyone who has a problem with such a ticket wouldn't vote for the Democratic candidate anyway.