"Academic heavyweights" for Kamala Harris and Susan Rice?!!?? (June 28, 2020)

Dennis Frank1

28 June 2020 at 7:06 am

Two academic heavyweights give Biden public advice:  " Robert Alexander is a professor of political science and founding director of the Institute for Civics and Public Policy at Ohio Northern University. He is also the author of "Representation and the Electoral College."  David B. Cohen is a professor of political science and assistant director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at The University of Akron." https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/26/opinions/three-women-who-should-be-at-the-top-of-bidens-vp-list-alexander-cohen/index.html

Biden already made history by committing to choose a female running mate. Fortunately for him, there are a number of talented and experienced women who are legitimate contenders for the spot. We believe California Sen. Kamala Harris, Florida Rep. Val Demings and former National Security Adviser Susan Rice should be at the top of Biden's list.

An emerging consensus is that Biden should select a woman of color. University of Virginia Professor Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball ranks all five of Biden's top vice presidential choices as women of color, with Harris, Demings, and Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth leading the way. USA Today's Jill Lawrence argues that Biden should choose either Harris or Demings.

We concur with 538's Perry Bacon's assessment that choosing a Black woman is an important acknowledgment of both descriptive (how much a candidate looks like the electorate) and symbolic representation (how a candidate exemplifies an idea that resonates with the electorate). Such a choice would likely shore up positive perceptions of Biden among the Democratic base — a base riled by racial unrest and protests across the country. Failing to do so may dampen turnout among marginal voters that could prove costly in a close contest.

Given the likelihood of Biden dying in office if elected president, the choice is critical.  The one chosen must be able to retain public support via mana and competence.  Healing the racial divide will take at least that, but the prospects of rebuilding goodwill on the basis of a renewal of ethos compel the right choice.  

Reply

• Ad1.1

  28 June 2020 at 8:19 am

  They're giving him advice like those three haven't been on the top of the list for months. 

  How timesomely irrelevant of them.

  Reply
• Morrissey1.2

  28 June 2020 at 10:40 am

  "We believe California Sen. Kamala Harris, Florida Rep. Val Demings and former National Security Adviser Susan Rice should be at the top of Biden's list."

  ????!!??? People who write something like that are not "academic heavyweights"; they're nothing but Democratic Party jobsworths.

  Harris thinks it's funny to lock up black parents if their kids don't go to school.

  https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/31/kamala-harris-laughed-jailing-parents-truancy

  During Israel's 2014 massacre of civilians in Gaza, Rice spoke out—in favour of the Israelis.

  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/29/susan-rice-gaza-hamas-israel-defends-john-kerry

  And Demings is—surprise, surprise—just like the other two, a Russiagate truther….

  https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr1404
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