* The national media had slowly begun to take interest in US Sen. Tammy Duckworth as a possible vice presidential choice for Joe Biden. Duckworth was then put on the vetted list and a recent New York Times profile elevated her profile even further…
Dan Milberg is a retired Army helicopter pilot who voted for Donald J. Trump in 2016, and does not wish to vote for him again. But before he can consider pulling the lever for former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., he needs to know who his running mate will be.
“It might be someone too progressive,” said Mr. Milberg, who lives in Robertsville, Mo.
The one person who would put him at ease, Mr. Milberg said, is the pilot whose seemingly lifeless body he lifted from a helicopter in 2004, her legs blown off by a rocket-propelled grenade not far from Baghdad: Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois.
It is not so much the event that indelibly marked both of their lives and earned Ms. Duckworth a purple heart that draws him to her, Mr. Milberg said. Rather, he continued, she “is moderate enough that I think she can be appealing.”
* The idea of appealing to the center took hold with NYT columnist Frank Bruni…
But mightn’t Warren also give moderate voters pause? What about her age? She’s 71. Biden’s 77. Can the party of change and modernity, whose last two presidents were both under 50 when first elected, go with an all-septuagenarian ticket?
Governing partners don’t matter if you don’t get to govern. The certain catastrophe of four more years of Trump demands that Biden choose his running mate with November at the front, the back, the top and the bottom of his mind.
Harris also ably prosecutes the case against Trump. But many progressives have issues with her, and the idea that she’d drive high turnout among black voters isn’t supported by her failed bid for the Democratic nomination. She lacked support across the board, including among African-Americans. And in a recent national poll conducted by The Times and Siena College, more than four in five voters — including three in four black voters — said that race shouldn’t be a factor in Biden’s vice-presidential pick.
Duckworth is neither progressive idol nor progressive enemy. That partly reflects a low policy profile that’s among her flaws as a running mate but could actually work to her advantage, making her difficult to pigeonhole and open to interpretation. Trump-weary voters can read into her what they want. And in recent congressional elections, Democrats have had success among swing voters with candidates who are veterans.
* Fox News profile…
She’s received high marks on legislative effectiveness.
As a freshman senator, Duckworth passed three proposed bills into law, earning her the rank of “Exceeds Expectations” as a freshman senator from the Center for Effective Lawmaking, alongside Republican John Kennedy, for the 115th Congress, 2017-2018.
* From WaPo’s top eleven…
10. Tammy Duckworth: The senator from Illinois, Iraq War veteran and double-amputee made her case as Biden’s running mate in a New York Times story Thursday: “I can push back against Trump in a way others can’t,” Duckworth said. She added: “I can say, ‘Listen, that American flag is the same flag that would drape my father’s coffin, my coffin, my husband’s coffin and my brother’s.’ It has draped them for generations. No one respects that flag more than I have. But I will respect the right to protest it, too.” (Previous ranking: 9)
* CNN…
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.
* Sabato’s advantages for Duckworth…
•Inspiring life story as double amputee
•Military background could give her crossover appeal
•Succession in the Senate not an issue
•Safe pick
Disadvantages…
•Has kept a low profile in the Senate
•Biden won’t need help carrying IL
•Safe pick
Discuss.
…Adding… I was talking with a pal who brought up a potential issue. Duckworth was a Blagojevich appointee (Veterans Affairs). Blagojevich now describes himself as a Trump supporter. Could be problems there.
*** UPDATE *** VoteVets is backing her…
* Related…
* Sen. Tammy Duckworth Demands Senate Hearing Into Report Russia Secretly Offered Bounties To Afghan Militants For Killing U.S. Troops
- Give Me A Break - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:43 am:
If she were from Michigan or Ohio she would be a lock.
- Osborne Smith III - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:43 am:
I think she’d be a good pick. She certainly checks a lot of boxes.
- efudd - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:44 am:
For the love of mike, please pick someone who can’t tell you where they were when Kennedy was assassinated.
- Francine - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:45 am:
A billionaire is now pushing a a $14 Trillion social equity “wealth transfer” tax. It would be nice if Senator Duckworth, or any person Biden picks as a VP candidate, signs up in support of this plan well before the VP announcement is made. I think this would go a long way in showing the Democratic base that Biden is serious about promoting social equity.
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/01/bets-robert-johnson-calls-for-14-trillion-of-reparations-for-slavery.html
- Cheryl44 - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:47 am:
I think she’d be wasted as Veep, but it’s a safe pick for the Biden campaign.
- Curious citizen - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:47 am:
==For the love of mike, please pick someone who can’t tell you where they were when Kennedy was assassinated.==
Duckworth meets that requirement too. She was born in 1968.
- DuPage Saint - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:52 am:
I think she is too safe and from a state that is going for Biden anyway. I guess if he picked her it would show his independence and own thinking. But I don’t think he has independence on this issue. Everyone has a base they play to. Often to their own detriment
- NIU Grad - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:59 am:
The state relevance of a nominee doesn’t mean what it used to, honestly. If anything, she’s the only potential pick I’m seeing from a Midwest state.
- Excitable Boy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:00 am:
I fail to see where Biden has a real problem appealing to centrists. I’d be happy if Mr. Millberg doesn’t vote for Trump this time around, but I don’t think he represents the majority of voters Biden needs to win over.
- efudd - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:00 am:
Curious Citizen-
Yep, and would be a good choice, IMO.
I just hope there is someone on a major party’s ticket
- Huh? - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:00 am:
“when Kennedy was assassinated.”
Which one?
- West Sider - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:01 am:
It has been generations since?maybe Lyndon Johnson?) was picked because “he” could deliver an otherwise unobtainable state. What Duckworth can deliver is military bonafides- which will either convert or deflate a substantial portion of the Republican base. Also, as a working mom- Duckworth offers a highly relatable personal story.
- BC - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:03 am:
If she doesn’t make the ticket, I’m guessing she’ll be on the short list for Sec of Defense if Biden wins.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:08 am:
There is only one test for being selected VP: can you credibly become POTUS if, God forbid, that becomes necessary?
I don’t think Duckworth passes that test as easily as others reported to be on Biden’s short list.
- West Side the Best Side - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:12 am:
47th Ward - After Trump the “credibly become POTUS” standard seems like it’s on the ash heap of history.
- dbk - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:20 am:
I’ve been following the same pieces cited in the post the past few days, and have commented extensively elsewhere, so will be briefer here.
I think she’s probably Biden’s best pick - will appeal to vets and working women (strong advocate), and she’s comparatively young at 52 - there’s potential for growing into the job, which might - who knows - evolve into That Other Job.
She’s not a aprogressive, but the progressives have nowhere else to go this November anyway. The progressive sites I follow are going for Biden despite everything, and they’ll go for Duckworth too. As far as progressives go, Kamala Harris would be more off-putting. And Warren’s not going to get picked, she’s seen as too progressive.
Probably too early to say this, but her nomination / election as VP could put the kabosh on a certain Governor’s hopes for the Oval Office (say, in 2028).
- lake county democrat - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:22 am:
47th - why do you say that? A congresswoman and senator compared to a state legislator (Abrams), a first term senator w/ AG background (Harris) or longer serving senator or representative? She seems to exceed or be roughly equal.
- Amalia - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:29 am:
so who does pass the test, 47th? Sen. Duckworth has ample qualifications on defense, she certainly understands health care better than maybe anyone else on the list (Gov. of New Mexico might be the exception) and she understands discrimination. Plus, she is a fantastic person.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:40 am:
Honestly, I’m not trying to knock Senator Duckworth. I like her too. If you want to bet that Biden will pick her as his running mate, I will take all of the action you want to bet. That’s all I’m saying.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:45 am:
I would be concerned about whether or not the left flank of the party would be able to be kept hemmed in or enthusiastic enough. Getting poked in the eye repeatedly to watch centrists spend three decades losing congressional campaigns while the lower and middle class repeatedly fail to have glaring and obvious issues addressed is a tough position to muster enthusiasm from.
I would also be interested in seeing how her vetting at which ever white shoe law firm that looked into her went.
There’s also plenty of kids on the Biden campaign right now who will insist that polling shoes and historical data shows the VP pick doesn’t matter, but I can’t help but think what a different country we would be living in right now if Wallace hadn’t been dumped from the ticket for Truman.
I think a benefit Senator Duckworth has is that at a minimum choosing her is what a good decision looks like, and that might be what’s most important to a majority of voters.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:46 am:
===•Has kept a low profile in the Senate===
As an aside, this is also an advantage depending on how you look at it. Spending hundreds of millions on ads will get the name ID where you need it, but not having an existing nationally well known brand is helpful for whatever message the Biden campaign settles into as they attempt to avoid campaigning themselves out of a win in November.
- A Guy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:47 am:
==I don’t think Duckworth passes that test as easily as others reported to be on Biden’s short list.==
I’m with 47 on this one. Likely for a few more reasons, but his is the most vital reason.
I like Sen. Duckworth personally and truly admire her personal sacrifice. Spent plenty of time near her when she ran for Congress the first time. She’s a lovely lady and a hero. She wasn’t close to being ready for Congress. She wasn’t ready for the Senate either; but she’s had time to acclimate and learn at a comfortable pace. When she went from losing the race for Congress to the Illinois Veteran’s post, her inexperience showed dramatically.
Being Biden’s VP really could be more of a likelihood to become President than any time in memory. I’m happy she’s getting accolades, but this is not the right move for her or the ticket. No malice. Just truth from experience.
Of the list I’ve seen that he’s cornered himself with, I think Val Demmings might be his best choice. He put too many unneeded restrictions on himself. Mayor Pete might have been the best choice before he pigeon-holed his choices.
- Comma Chameleon - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:47 am:
Senator Duckworth is just about perfect as a pick for VP. Just keep in mind that, though her father has unquestionable credentials, she was not born in the U.S. and her mother is Thai-Chinese. You can expect the QANON crowd and other conspiracy theorists to go into a white-hot frenzy comparable to what they did to Obama. Would that have lasting significance? My stepfather in Texas still thinks Obama is a Kenyan born, bin Laden loving Communist non-citizen. So I hope if she’s chosen the campaign is ready with messages to neutralize the poison.
- All This - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:48 am:
According to the US Constitution a President must be 35, live in the United States for 14 years, be a natural born citizen. Duckworth meets all those basic requirements.
Natural born citizen of course means citizenship at birth, which she was.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/natural_born_citizen
- Token Conservative - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:56 am:
Whoever gets picked as running mate for a 77-year-old nominee needs to be ready for the job on day one. I’m sure the liberals here love her, but Duckworth is a policy lightweight and a thoroughly ineffective communicator. She would be a terrible choice for Biden.
- Quibbler - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:59 am:
Not choosing a black VP in the current environment would be political malpractice.
- Flapdoodle - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 12:02 pm:
47th makes a valid point, but it’s fair to ask in return: What *does* prepare someone to move from VPOTUS to POTUS? There’s no job like POTUS in the world. The OJT required and the incredible learning curve would stagger anyone.
To me the real question is, What prepares someone to meet that challenge? What are her commitment level, character, capacity to learn, and ability to work with others? In what does she believe, for what will she fight?
Viewed this way, Duckworth measures up pretty well.
- 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 12:10 pm:
I have like Senator Duckworth since I saw her takedown of this person claimed disability veteran status (as I understand it) for a decades old football injury from school:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJtD8hPUTcU
She is very appealing to me. Also comments about “has kept a low profile” are often used to label people who are learning and listening.
- Ebenezer - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 12:28 pm:
=== She’d be wasted as Veep===
If elected, Biden will be 83 on the last day of his term.
His vice president is likely to play an increasingly large role in governing, and if they do well, will have the inside track on the 2024 nomination. I think the pick will be enormously consequential.
- Boone's is Back - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 12:32 pm:
I think people need to focus on the fact that whomever Biden picks will be taking up the mantle for party’s future.
If Biden wins can the VP be successful in keeping the White House and expanding electoral success for dems? Tammy has a great resume but with the elections she’s lost and her personality profile I’m not confident that she’s that person.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:04 pm:
===with the elections she’s lost===
Singular. In an overwhelmingly GOP district.
- M - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:04 pm:
Senator Tammy Duckworth will make a good VP for Biden. She will bring in the younger voters.
- Mama - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:08 pm:
I’m sure Trump will make a big deal out of Senator Duckworth not being born on the USA mainland like he did Obama. That didn’t work for him before and it won’t work for him now.
- R - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:16 pm:
I think she’s an interesting choice. Asian-American, veteran. Plus how else does Rahm get into the Senate? But in all seriousness I think she ends up running the VA.
- M - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:18 pm:
I read the former National Security Lady “C. Rice from FL” is in the running for VP too. Biden worked with her when he was the VP.
- Lake County Mom - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:19 pm:
The problem with labeling Democratic members of Congress as “progressive” is that progressive is never really defined.
Bill Clinton held traditional neoliberal positions, believing the needs of Wall Street and Main Street both needed to be addressed.
Barack Obama realized that the only way to address the needs of the populace was to make concessions to Wall Street.
The majority of Democratic members of Congress now realize that laws that benefit Wall Street have been severely damaging to everyone who isn’t already wealthy.
I think arguing over whether a candidate/vp pick is sufficiently progressive or too progressive misreads the current zeitgeist.
- Huh? - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 2:08 pm:
“where they were when Kennedy was assassinated”
JFK - Mrs. Carson’s 1st grade class, Ben Franklin School.
RFK - in bed asleep.
Why is this factoid important to anyone running for elected office.
Other than what is written in the US Constitution, what qualifications and/or experience are necessary to president or vice-president? The only elected office and experience that may come close is that of governor.
- HL Mencken - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 2:30 pm:
One important point. If she wins we know Pritzker won’t be tempted t sell the appointment to make himself wealthy!
- IrishPirate - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 2:54 pm:
Best reason to pick her is it opens up the Senate seat for Blago and we can coax him back to the Democratic Party.
Seriously, she’d drive Trump nutz.
https://twitter.com/votevets/status/1277602765045448706
- Techie - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 2:56 pm:
“Duckworth is neither progressive idol nor progressive enemy.”
I’m going to have to disagree on that one, at least slightly. Enemy is the wrong word, but she hasn’t been an ally on issues like Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, or other major progressive policies. In that sense, progressives would be upset with her as a VP pick.
Months ago another columnist opined that Tammy Baldwin would make a good, progressive VP pick for many reasons, and I’m inclined to agree. Not only would she make a good President if the circumstances called for that, but she would likely help Biden in her home state of Wisconsin.
- NIU Grad - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 3:16 pm:
I watched that ad and got to relive that Kirk debate moment…literally winced remembering how awkward his statements were during that campaign
- 17% Solution - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 3:33 pm:
==but she hasn’t been an ally on issues like Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, or other major progressive policies. ==
As a member of the executive branch these bills would have to land on her desk. Congress hasn’t made this bills happen so far so why do you think Congress will make these bills happen in the future?
- Lynn S. - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 3:41 pm:
Do I like Tammy Duckworth? Yes
Do I think it would be exciting to see her as Biden’s running mate? Yes
But I like her a lot better as head of the VA or Secretary of Defense.
I think Biden will be better off with Kamala Harris (black and Asian, also has ties to Illinois), Val Deming (black, female, former police chief), or Keisha Lance Bottoms (black, female, mayor of Atlanta) as his VP.
Duckworth’s still young. As long as she plays her cards well, she’ll have a few more chances.
- Montrose - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 3:41 pm:
Duckworth is very safe. If their campaign strategy - and it is not a bad strategy - comes down to to “don’t mess this up,” then I think she is a fine pick. If they think they need to get folks further to the left energized and engaged, then I don’t think you go with Duckworth.
- Thomas Paine - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 4:26 pm:
Tim Caine and Joe Lieberman were both moderates that were supposed to help woo moderate voters. It generally does not work that way.
This is going to be a base election, and you need a running mate who will first ans foremost be a crebible partner in running the country (not Sarah Palin) and secondly help you turn out the base of the party.
I dont think that too many Democratic voters get really energized when they here the name Duckworth, the same goes for Klobuchar. I think you want someone who has been on the front lines of racial justice.
- IrishPirate - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 4:27 pm:
Imagine what the folks at the Lincoln Project could do with Duckworth as VP nominee.
It would be brutual and Cadet Bone Spurs would not be happy.
- Product of the '60's - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 4:37 pm:
I remember being in the Drury Lane ballroom the night Duckworth lost….had never seen so many Democrats in one room in DuPage County before! I like Tammy, she has not been silent towards Trump, but the tea leaves seem to say he’s most likely gone, especially if Biden picks a person of color— which I think energizes the younger voter to come out. Duckworth as VP pick I think will make that essential voter less likely to mail in or go to the polls.
- Senator Clay Davis - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 4:38 pm:
==”I’m sure Trump will make a big deal out of Senator Duckworth not being born on the USA mainland like he did Obama. That didn’t work for him before and it won’t work for him now.”==
OF COURSE Trump and the right wing internet will go nuts over her birthplace. I bet the Russian troll farms already have the Rebirther memes ready to go.
Trump failed the last time he tried to “other” the black guy named “Hussein.” And it’s gonna blow up in his face if he tries to paint a triple-amputee veteran mom named “Tammy” with that brush, especially in today’s political climate.
- Proud Sucker - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 4:49 pm:
That Vote Vets piece is excellent. I, too, had forgotten about the Mark Kirk debate, priceless.
Sen. Duckworth would be the first Asian-American major party candidate and only the fourth woman on a national ticket. She will be a tremendous asset to Biden and the country.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 4:52 pm:
=== I, too, had forgotten about the Mark Kirk debate===
About two-thirds through you get a brief glimpse of then-WICS TV reporter Jordan Abudayyeh.
- Magdalena - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 4:58 pm:
Harris and Rice may be too vulnerable to hits over their pasts. Warren may be perceived as “too progressive.” National experience seems very important. Tammy Duckworth, for me, is the best short list choice.
- lincoln's beard - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 5:07 pm:
Nobody has any idea what her policy priorities are or even if she has any. When she ran for election in 2016, her website didn’t even have an “Issues” section.
- Winderweezle - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 5:21 pm:
Unlike most of the folks who post here, I have only met a handful of politicians in person.
Had an opportunity to meet Senator Duckworth many years ago at the state fair. A mutual acquaintance introduced us. It was Democrat Day, I was a cop in full uniform and it was shortly after the events of Ferguson.
At that time and place, it seemed like an act of political bravery for a Democrat to take the chance of being photographed speaking to a uniform cop. The Senator seemed to have no such concern.
The Senator and my friend that introduced us visited about normal everyday things. It occurred to me that day what it must be like to be a high achieving but otherwise normal person who has had extraordinary things happen in her life. What it must be like to suddenly have knuckle heads making memes about you. How you become a picture on T.V, not a person. How the best people in those positions probably crave being around other “normal” people having “normal” conversation. How a life of service must be very difficult in ways most don’t understand.
I was impressed by her. I have always said that if I have a chance to vote for her I would. Tammy Duckworth “the person” would be an easy choice for me.
- Southwest Sider - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 6:33 pm:
I saw her speak at the City Club. She was great. Even some red meat for those swing states. I’d be excited for the ticket.
- Gdubya - Thursday, Jul 2, 20 @ 1:48 pm:
“SHE WASN’T BIRN IN THE US. SHE’S NOT QUALIFIED. ”
John McCain wasn’t born in the US either but was qualified.
Tammy Duckworth was born in Bangkok, Thailand, the daughter of Lamai Sompornpairin and Franklin Duckworth. Her father, who died in 2005, was a U.S. Army veteran