Let's play veepstakes!

[stessier]

Excellent. Let's do this thing...in 3 months. Ugh.

[Ralph-Wiggum]

Now we get to watch the conservative outrage and slander machine spin up in real time. What fun!

+/- 8 hours before Trump tweets about Harris being "low IQ".

Oh - and how could I forget Trump's other go to: "nasty woman"?

[Lagom Lite]

Meh. Harris is not going to bring in any progressive votes, but maybe they feel they can win without them.

[YellowKing]

Biden's entire candidacy is built on the safe pick, so probably a wise choice. I think she also dodges a few of the GOP attack points they would levy against her. Her biggest weakness is her prosecution record in California, but that criticism is levied by Democrats who felt she wasn't progressive enough. It's going to be difficult for Republicans to spin that argument.

Ultimately I think the GOP will have to fall back on the tired "extreme liberal" and "radical left" tags, but I doubt that's accomplishing much more than preaching to a base that would never vote Biden anyway.

[Kraken]

Most pundits considered Harris the frontrunner, so no surprise there. Although I'm not her biggest fan, I think she's a solid choice who's capable of doing the top job if pressed into it. Will she make a good party leader in '24? We'll have four years (hopefully!) to find out.

[Unagi]

Meh. Harris is not going to bring in any progressive votes, but maybe they feel they can win without them.

Do you think progressive voters think the country looks better with another four years of Trump?

[Holman]

I've always liked Harris. I think she'll be a solid Vice President and a great President.

[malchior]

Biden's entire candidacy is built on the safe pick, so probably a wise choice. I think she also dodges a few of the GOP attack points they would levy against her. Her biggest weakness is her prosecution record in California, but that criticism is levied by Democrats who felt she wasn't progressive enough. It's going to be difficult for Republicans to spin that argument.

That has never stopped the masters of projection. They might even surprise us and get a few punches in. They tend to succeed at that.

Ultimately I think the GOP will have to fall back on the tired "extreme liberal" and "radical left" tags, but I doubt that's accomplishing much more than preaching to a base that would never vote Biden anyway.

It is their only playbook left other than blatantly suppressing the vote which they'll also do.

[Holman]

Ah. What does he have planned to try to win back today's media attention?

[malchior]

Biden's entire candidacy is built on the safe pick, so probably a wise choice. I think she also dodges a few of the GOP attack points they would levy against her. Her biggest weakness is her prosecution record in California, but that criticism is levied by Democrats who felt she wasn't progressive enough. It's going to be difficult for Republicans to spin that argument.

That has never stopped the masters of projection. They might even surprise us and get a few punches in. They tend to succeed at that.

Ultimately I think the GOP will have to fall back on the tired "extreme liberal" and "radical left" tags, but I doubt that's accomplishing much more than preaching to a base that would never vote Biden anyway.

It is their only playbook left other than blatantly suppressing the vote which they'll also do.

Most pundits considered Harris the frontrunner, so no surprise there. Although I'm not her biggest fan, I think she's a solid choice who's capable of doing the top job if pressed into it. Will she make a good party leader in '24? We'll have four years (hopefully!) to find out.

This was the important thing about this choice. She has a chance of succeeding at that role. That was the weakness I perceived in Susan Rice. She is sort of infamous for not building bridges. I think ultimately that is what might have sunk her.

[Smoove_B]

NBC News: According to California state records, President Trump -- while a private citizen -- twice donated to Kamala Harris while she was a candidate for state AG.

A total of $6,000 in 2011 and 2013 combined.

[Lagom Lite]

Meh. Harris is not going to bring in any progressive votes, but maybe they feel they can win without them.

Do you think progressive voters think the country looks better with another four years of Trump?

You have to understand that from a socialist perspective, there isn't much difference between a centrist Democrat and a Republican. What's important to progressives is hard policy, not identity games. You can't ignore the left on policy and still count on their vote and while for example Biden's tax plan is very good you're still asking them to vote for the lesser of two evils while giving away all their future leverage (why cater to a voter segment if they're going to support you regardless?).

What might persuade progressives to hold their nose and vote for Biden anyway this election is that the choice is between a conservative, corrupt but rational candidate vs a criminal fascist corrupt and insane candidate. Fascism has a way of drawing resistance from the left.

[Holman]

Ultimately I think the GOP will have to fall back on the tired "extreme liberal" and "radical left" tags, but I doubt that's accomplishing much more than preaching to a base that would never vote Biden anyway.

Yep.

Interestingly, Trump's immediate attack ad this afternoon seems to abandon calling Biden a radical Leftist, shifting that attack to Harris.

It presents Harris as a radical-left Trojan horse who'll exploit poor old Joe Biden in order to usher in the rule of AOC, or something.

(You tell they reeeeeally wanted to run against Sanders or Warren.)

[Holman]

Meh. Harris is not going to bring in any progressive votes, but maybe they feel they can win without them.

Do you think progressive voters think the country looks better with another four years of Trump?

You have to understand that from a socialist perspective, there isn't much difference between a centrist Democrat and a Republican. What's important to progressives is hard policy, not identity games. You can't ignore the left on policy and still count on their vote and while for example Biden's tax plan is very good you're still asking them to vote for the lesser of two evils while giving away all their future leverage (why cater to a voter segment if they're going to support you regardless?).

What might persuade progressives to hold their nose and vote for Biden anyway this election is that the choice is between a conservative, corrupt but rational candidate vs a criminal fascist corrupt and insane candidate. Fascism has a way of drawing resistance from the left.

You really don't sound like you're talking about American elections.

"The Left" here is getting their first taste of policy relevance in literally decades, and Biden (through his embrace of Sanders in the creation of the party platform) has extended a hand of friendship.

They're not going to throw that away through sheer Puritanism. They're not all Susan Sarandon.

[Lagom Lite]

Meh. Harris is not going to bring in any progressive votes, but maybe they feel they can win without them.

Do you think progressive voters think the country looks better with another four years of Trump?

You have to understand that from a socialist perspective, there isn't much difference between a centrist Democrat and a Republican. What's important to progressives is hard policy, not identity games. You can't ignore the left on policy and still count on their vote and while for example Biden's tax plan is very good you're still asking them to vote for the lesser of two evils while giving away all their future leverage (why cater to a voter segment if they're going to support you regardless?).

What might persuade progressives to hold their nose and vote for Biden anyway this election is that the choice is between a conservative, corrupt but rational candidate vs a criminal fascist corrupt and insane candidate. Fascism has a way of drawing resistance from the left.

You really don't sound like you're talking about American elections.

"The Left" here is getting their first taste of policy relevance in literally decades, and Biden (through his embrace of Sanders in the creation of the party platform) has extended a hand of friendship.

They're not going to throw that away through sheer Puritanism. They're not all Susan Sarandon.

I hope you're right!

[malchior]

Ah. What does he have planned to try to win back today's media attention?

Today ended up being a horse tranquilizer day. He's super lethargic today. I was half-expecting him to drop Pence and announce Tom Cotton on the ticket. Just kidding.

[Alefroth]

Meh. Harris is not going to bring in any progressive votes, but maybe they feel they can win without them.

She was the most progressive of the bunch. Pretty sure the progressives aren't undecided at this point.

[Holman]

Meh. Harris is not going to bring in any progressive votes, but maybe they feel they can win without them.

She was the most progressive of the bunch. Pretty sure the progressives aren't undecided at this point.

[Alefroth]

Of the potential candidates, Harris was my first choice.

Now we get to watch the conservative outrage and slander machine spin up in real time. What fun!

The one that I wasn't expecting is that she slept her way to the top.

[Alefroth]

Meh. Harris is not going to bring in any progressive votes, but maybe they feel they can win without them.

She was the most progressive of the bunch. Pretty sure the progressives aren't undecided at this point.

I don't think Bernie was part of the bunch.

[LawBeefaroni]

Well, I guess anyone who complained about safe, boring Kaine will finally get to see some action.


And any normally lazy racists/mysoginists are grudgingly clearing their calendars to vote for Trump.

[Holman]

I don't think Bernie was part of the bunch.

Sorry. I took the "bunch" to mean the entire primary field. But in that case, of course, Warren is still more progressive than Harris.

But I agree that Harris is more progressive than she gets credit for being. I'm happy with her.

[Daehawk]

Good choice. Ill be early voting for Biden / Harris.

[Smoove_B]

I would have supported her as the President so I'm quite pleased to see her named as VP. I think her demeanor as a public servant is exemplary and she carries herself with a certain inexplicable gravitas that I think the next administration will need.

Can't wait to hear from all the people that were going to vote for Biden but can't because he's named Kamala Harris. so they're just going to vote Trump instead now.

[Alefroth]

I don't think Bernie was part of the bunch.

Sorry. I took the "bunch" to mean the entire primary field. But in that case, of course, Warren is still more progressive than Harris.

But I agree that Harris is more progressive than she gets credit for being. I'm happy with her.

This says differently, barely. At any rate, I don't think many progressives were waiting on the VP pick to make their decision.

[Holman]

Can't wait to hear from all the people that were going to vote for Biden but can't because he's named Kamala Harris. so they're just going to vote Trump instead now.

"I'd vote for a woman, just not THIS woman" is the time-honored stance of unacknowledged misogyny.

[gbasden]

I'm not thrilled. Harris was at the bottom of my personal VP choices. Not that it matters - there is virtually nothing that will prevent me from voting for Biden.

[Defiant]

[Skinypupy]

Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to debate Sen. Kamala Harris on Oct. 7. at the University of Utah.

I cannot wait to see this.

Hopefully Mother will be allowed to chaperone so the debates can actually happen.

[Daehawk]

Poor Pence. Hope he brings aloe for those burns.

[Jaymann]

Captain Whitebread vs. The Prosecutor.

[Fireball]

Meh. Harris is not going to bring in any progressive votes, but maybe they feel they can win without them.

Do you think progressive voters think the country looks better with another four years of Trump?

You have to understand that from a socialist perspective, there isn't much difference between a centrist Democrat and a Republican.

This is such an immensely inaccurate statement. The ideological gap between the two parties, even between "centrist" Democrats and Republicans, has never been larger in the entire history of the United States.

What's important to progressives is hard policy, not identity games.

Social policy is hard policy, and all politics is "identity games."

What might persuade progressives to hold their nose and vote for Biden anyway this election is that the choice is between a conservative, corrupt but rational candidate vs a criminal fascist corrupt and insane candidate. Fascism has a way of drawing resistance from the left.

Joe Biden is not corrupt, and he's running on the most progressive platform of any Democratic candidate in decades, if not ever.

[gbasden]

Meh. Harris is not going to bring in any progressive votes, but maybe they feel they can win without them.

Do you think progressive voters think the country looks better with another four years of Trump?

You have to understand that from a socialist perspective, there isn't much difference between a centrist Democrat and a Republican.

This is such an immensely inaccurate statement. The ideological gap between the two parties, even between "centrist" Democrats and Republicans, has never been larger in the entire history of the United States.

What's important to progressives is hard policy, not identity games.

Social policy is hard policy, and all politics is "identity games."

What might persuade progressives to hold their nose and vote for Biden anyway this election is that the choice is between a conservative, corrupt but rational candidate vs a criminal fascist corrupt and insane candidate. Fascism has a way of drawing resistance from the left.

Amen to all of that, Fireball. I wanted Warren nominated, and I dislike Kamela, but Biden is an inherently good person and as far away from corrupt as you can get. He still has one of the lowest net worths of anyone in government, if I remember correctly.

Joe Biden is not corrupt, and he's running on the most progressive platform of any Democratic candidate in decades, if not ever.

[pr0ner]

Meh. Harris is not going to bring in any progressive votes, but maybe they feel they can win without them.

Do you think progressive voters think the country looks better with another four years of Trump?

You have to understand that from a socialist perspective, there isn't much difference between a centrist Democrat and a Republican. What's important to progressives is hard policy, not identity games. You can't ignore the left on policy and still count on their vote and while for example Biden's tax plan is very good you're still asking them to vote for the lesser of two evils while giving away all their future leverage (why cater to a voter segment if they're going to support you regardless?).

What might persuade progressives to hold their nose and vote for Biden anyway this election is that the choice is between a conservative, corrupt but rational candidate vs a criminal fascist corrupt and insane candidate. Fascism has a way of drawing resistance from the left.

You really think Joe Biden is corrupt?!?

[Jaymann]

There's no basement in his Pizza Hut.

[Holman]

Wasn't Biden considered remarkable for NOT enriching himself during 35 years as a senator? I think we even discussed it here at one point.

A quick search shows that this is the case: Biden's net worth during his time as a senator and even as vice president was reasonable for someone making his salary (and with a wife who was also an accomplished professional), although he and Jill have made lots of money on book deals and speaking fees since leaving office.

There no sign anywhere that he took financial advantage of knowing the right people, let alone something like insider trading or kickbacks. Trump pushing the "corrupt Joe Biden" line is the baldest form of projection.

[Scraper]

Just for shits and giggles I turned on Fox and Friends for about 10 minutes this morning (That's all I could take). Just to see what their take on Harris would be. My god it's like they're on another planet. In one sentence there were talking about how Harris only hurts him with the black vote because she was the AG in California and wasn't progressive enough. In the next sentence they were talking about how it's a sure sign that a Biden presidency means the streets will be less safe because she applauded LA reducing their police budget. The mental gymnastics were at a perfect 10.

Also they came up with exactly zero legitimate reasons why she was a bad choice. Most of it came down to the fact that she wouldn't bring in any Bernie Bros. They did have one black guy on there saying that he's on some message board for black people and they universally hate her. So, you know, case closed!

[Jaymann]

Biden should make a show of holding up his tax returns and challenging marmalade man to do the same.

[YellowKing]

In the next sentence they were talking about how it's a sure sign that a Biden presidency means the streets will be less safe because she applauded LA reducing their police budget.

There's an eye-roll worthy ad running on YouTube these days where a woman is frantically calling 911 only to have no one pick up the phone due to Biden "defunding the police."

The only good thing about it is that I used it as a teaching moment to explain to my son how political ads work, because the ad actually scared him.

[Skinypupy]

They did have one black guy on there saying that he's on some message board for black people and they universally hate her. So, you know, case closed!

www.blackconservativesfortrump.com