As Joe Biden prepares to enter the 2020 presidential contest, word among political circles is that he’s already preparing to launch a Biden-Abrams ticket. Here’s why that’s a not-so-good idea.
Politics
Stacey Abrams, the African-American woman who came very close last November to becoming the first female and first Black governor of Georgia, is said to be under heavy consideration or perhaps already chosen as the other half of a potential Biden-Abrams Democratic ticket. Oh, say it ain’t so, Joe!
Picking a running mate at the commencement of a political contest and before a single vote has been cast is risky at best, and political suicide at worst.
A Biden-Abrams ticket may be attractive to some Democrats in a primary election and might help him secure the nomination, however, the selection of a VP running mate is most effective in a general election. To make the choice this early in the process would not only lock Biden into his selection but would limit his options after the convention and in a potential general race.
For example, what if Donald Trump drops Mike Pence as his running mate for reelection in 2020 and chooses someone who is a tough match-up for Stacey Abrams? What if Donald Trump resigns, is impeached, or doesn’t run in 2020 and the Republicans nominate a political ticket Biden is not yet expecting?
Making the choice in the summer of 2020 and only a few months prior to the November election is the most politically savvy move, since it would give Joe Biden time to make the smartest and most effective choice. To name a pick some 20 months before the 2020 election is not only unnecessary but unwise. After all, remember how things played out when Ted Cruz named Carly Fiorina as his running mate during the 2016 GOP primary process?
Biden-Abrams at this point is also a potentially bad move because out of nearly 20 announced Democratic candidates, no one yet knows who the top contenders will be.
For example, if Biden becomes the leading Democratic candidate and Beto O’Rourke becomes the 2nd contender, a Biden-Beto ticket would make much more sense (and possibly create much more success in the long run) than a Biden-Abrams ticket.
Additionally, even if Joe Biden is already completely sold on Stacey Abrams, it is not imperative for him to name her or anyone as a running mate prior to the convention. He would always retain the luxury of announcing Abrams at the 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee without losing a thing.
Further, the question still remains if Stacey Abrams could be counted on to deliver her state of Georgia in a 2020 general election — which is traditionally expected of a vice-presidential running mate. Perhaps she could, but it’s a risk.
Finally, if Donald Trump survives politically and is on the 2020 ballot, Democrats simply must not (once again) underestimate the power of his base or those Democrats who snaked over to the Trump-movement in 2016. With that said, is it possible that 2 white men as the Democratic nominees would prove to be a better formula in post-Trump 2020 than a woman or an African-American on the ticket?
Barack Obama made the smart and calculated choice of Joe Biden in 2004 by being patient — and by selecting from the Democratic pool of presidential candidates. If Joe Biden comes out of the gate with a Biden-Abrams ticket, will his seemingly impatient choice prove to be a shrewd move on his part or the end of his campaign before it has even begun?
Picking a running mate at the commencement of a political contest and before a single vote has been cast is risky at best, and political suicide at worst. […]
Biden-Abrams at this point is also a potentially bad move because out of nearly 20 announced Democratic candidates, no one yet knows who the top contenders will be. […]-
Further, the question still remains if Stacey Abrams could be counted on to deliver her state of Georgia in a 2020 general election — which is traditionally expected of a vice-presidential running mate. Perhaps she could, but it’s a risk. […]
@DJ -All very good points and I absolutely Agree with you!