Say it’s a no, Senator Warren. Say no to the number two spot on Hillary Clinton’s presidential ticket. Say no to those pundits and powerful voices salivating at the prospect of a Clinton/Warren team facing off against Donald Trump and whoever he picks. I know this is heady stuff, but for the health of your party and for your political career, you’ve got to say no.
It’s no doubt harder to shut out the voices now that reports confirm you’re on the shortlist. You are getting the most attention among the few others whose names have been leaked, including Virginia’s former Governor Timothy Caine, and Texas native Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro. At events and dinner parties I’ve attended recently the idea of you as the Democratic V.P candidate is all the buzz. These enthusiasts are an interesting mix of former Bernie Sanders supporters, women who want to see an all-woman ticket, and those who have been reveling in your Twitter takedowns of Republican presumptive nominee Donald Trump. Warren’s the whole package they say--smart, savvy, fearless, and tough. They insist that you on the ticket is the best chance to solidify the support of the liberal wing of the Democratic party--crucial if there is to be a White House win.
But all I can see is a flashing stop sign. From where I sit, it’s a politically bad move fraught with many challenges. To begin with, the vice presidential nominee should balance the ticket; two left leaning women from the East Coast would make it harder to appeal to swing states and the voter rich Midwest. I understand the historic appeal of an all-woman ticket. But I’m sorry to say that I’m not even sure the country is totally ready for one woman, let alone two on a presidential ticket. Rapper TI told Hillary backer Oprah that he wouldn’t vote for a woman because of her emotions. He’s probably not alone thinking it’s 1816, and not 2016. And I believe that Senator Barack Obama would never have won the presidency if he had chosen a black running mate. Even had he recruited the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.
I’m glad to see that you, Senator Warren, and Hillary Clinton have thawed out what was an icy relationship, but that doesn’t mean you two are in sync ideologically and that’s also a problem. Hierarchy would demand that you keep silent when you’d normally speak up, and be deferential when you’d comfortably be out front. Worst, you’d no longer be the straight shooter your supporters admire, because you’d be forced to explain away past differences.
Finally, it’s hard to see how you could be more effective in the role of vice presidential nominee than you are as Senator. You’ve endorsed Hillary, you’re giving speeches about why she is the candidate to support. More importantly, you are Donald Trump’s chief critic, pummeling the presumptive Republican nominee as a “thin skinned racist bully.”
A few days ago you stopped by Hillary Clinton’s headquarters and urged the staff not “to mess this up.” I say the same to you. Resist the call of the madding crowd, keep forging your own path. Say no, Senator Warren. You won’t regret it.
