As Xavier Becerra Stirs Crowds, Hispanic Democrats See a Running Mate

[henster]

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http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/10/us/politics/as-xavier-becerra-stirs-crowds-hispanic-democrats-see-a-running-mate.html?ref=politics&_r=0

24+ years in Congress, highest ranking Hispanic in Congress, solid progressive voting record I am wondering why he is such a long shot.

[Figueira]

Finally, people are talking about him! He would be a great choice IMO.

[swf541]

Would be a great choice

[Lief 🗽]

He's a much better choice than Perez and especially Castro. But there's a decent chance he could be the House Minority Leader or Speaker at some point...

[Joe Republic]

He's a hell of a lot better looking than the Castro brothers' pinched little faces, that's for sure.  Which is all that matters, of course.

[henster]

He's a hell of a lot better looking than the Castro brothers' pinched little faces, that's for sure.  Which is all that matters, of course.

And Perez doesn't even look Hispanic and oddly Becerra looks younger than him even though he's 4 years older.

[henster]

He's a much better choice than Perez and especially Castro. But there's a decent chance he could be the House Minority Leader or Speaker at some point...

The only way that's happening prior to 2026 is if Trump wins and then there's a massive backlash in 2018 or 2022.  If Clinton wins in a blowout and flips the House, Pelosi will get the speakership back anyway.  So from his perspective, there is nothing to lose.  In the worst case scenario a loss to Trump anoints him as the young opposition leader going forward.

And if Pelosi retires then Hoyer is next in line, he's pretty old but he'd want the job for a few years since he's been waiting so long. After Hoyer  Becerra would likely be running against Joe Crowley for Minority/Speaker and that all could be 10 years down the road.

[Crumpets]

Becerra would be a great pick. What would the Sanders fans think of him, though?

[henster]

Becerra would be a great pick. What would the Sanders fans think of him, though?

Yes he did support Clinton in the primaries but he voted against TPP, the bailouts, Iraq, Glass-Steagall repeal etc. very solid progressive voting record.

[An American Tail: Fubart Goes West]

Finally, people are talking about him! He would be a great choice IMO.

[Blair]

It should be him or Kaine

[JMT]

Becerra would be a great choice!! I hadn't really thought of him as an option before, but I think he would be great. Progressive, experience in government, speaks fluent Spanish etc. I hope the Clinton campaign seriously considers him.

[Boston Bread]

Becerra would be a great pick. What would the Sanders fans think of him, though?

Yes he did support Clinton in the primaries but he voted against TPP, the bailouts, Iraq, Glass-Steagall repeal etc. very solid progressive voting record.

I'm on board! Merkley or Warren would also be great, Kaine is decent.

[Ebsy]

He's been my pick for a while. I met him last year in Iowa, and he was an excellent speaker that actually had something substantive to say.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Yeah if there for some reason MUST be a Hispanic running mate he'd be a good pick. Way better than Castro.

[Simfan34]

He's a much better choice than Perez and especially Castro. But there's a decent chance he could be the House Minority Leader or Speaker at some point...

The only way that's happening prior to 2026 is if Trump wins and then there's a massive backlash in 2018 or 2022.  If Clinton wins in a blowout and flips the House, Pelosi will get the speakership back anyway.  So from his perspective, there is nothing to lose.  In the worst case scenario a loss to Trump anoints him as the young opposition leader going forward.

Or the Democrats could just make a concerted effort at winning state houses and/or increasing nonpartisan redistricting and then getting their base to turn out during midterms. It's only four years until 2020. Indeed, I'm inclined to believe that if they really tried, the Democrats would have a serious shot at taking back the House. Their poor performance downballot for the past six years cannot be explained by unpopularity alone...

[Virginiá]

He's a much better choice than Perez and especially Castro. But there's a decent chance he could be the House Minority Leader or Speaker at some point...

The only way that's happening prior to 2026 is if Trump wins and then there's a massive backlash in 2018 or 2022.  If Clinton wins in a blowout and flips the House, Pelosi will get the speakership back anyway.  So from his perspective, there is nothing to lose.  In the worst case scenario a loss to Trump anoints him as the young opposition leader going forward.

Or the Democrats could just make a concerted effort at winning state houses and/or increasing nonpartisan redistricting and then getting their base to turn out during midterms. It's only four years until 2020. Indeed, I'm inclined to believe that if they really tried, the Democrats would have a serious shot at taking back the House. Their poor performance downballot for the past six years cannot be explained by unpopularity alone...

Being outspent is another issue.

Democrat spending (state seats):
https://www.opensecrets.org/527s/527cmtedetail.php?ein=521870839

GOP spending (state seats):
https://www.opensecrets.org/527s/527cmtedetail.php?ein=050532524

Not to include all the 3rd party spending. Democrats were getting outspent 2x, and at times, even 3x. They need to invest a lot more.

However, also at play here is the fact that the midterm electorate has shifted towards older, conservative Republican-leaning voters. Midterms were not always filled with older Republicans, but that is how it is now due to generational shifts. Democrats could mitigate damage but as it stands right now, they go into midterms at a pretty heavy disadvantage on multiple fronts. Even worse if they are the ones currently holding the White House.

[Orser67]

He's been my dark horse candidate for a while. I think that he'd be a superior pick compared to both Salazar and Perez, both politically and as a potential president. He's also superior to Castro, although Castro's youth could potentially increase Clinton's appeal among young voters.

[Famous Mortimer]

He's been my dark horse candidate for a while. I think that he'd be a superior pick compared to both Salazar and Perez, both politically and as a potential president. He's also superior to Castro, although Castro's youth could potentially increase Clinton's appeal among young voters.

The youth vote will not be swayed by a 41 year old candidate.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

He's been my dark horse candidate for a while. I think that he'd be a superior pick compared to both Salazar and Perez, both politically and as a potential president. He's also superior to Castro, although Castro's youth could potentially increase Clinton's appeal among young voters.

The youth vote will not be swayed by a 41 year old candidate.

Yeah, they aren't looking for this sort of idiotic identity politics.