2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Here is what I think Hillary's VP final list will be and SHOULD be: [View all]Hortensis
(58,785 posts)Last edited Fri Jun 17, 2016, 12:07 PM - Edit history (1)
why gender balance is critical to the Democrats in this election. Do we feel men are underrepresented in politics so that some balancing is needed?
I agree racial and/or ethic reaching out would always be important to Democrats, and that absolutely includes this election; however, our party already has broadly diverse support. Our biggest problem right now that I can see is what numbers the various Hispanic groups come out to vote in, so it's likely a Hispanic candidate would pay a good return.
BUT, how about ideological spread, or "balance"? We need all those who were excited by Bernie to get out and vote. We also need centrist and moderate conservatives to vote Democrat. Which of those men you listed would appeal to both groups as strongly as Elizabeth Warren, a strong economically conservative/socially liberal progressive with an inspiring and well known record of successful fighting for reform?
I believe that what America really needs right now is a reawakening of centrist and conservative progressivism, the belief their parents had in using government to advance society and tackle problems too large to fix any other way. Democrats are a majority and we still don't have the numbers to do it alone. It requires majorities in government. It requires broadening our ideological appeal.