Though-- and we’ll soon find out how much-- Castro seems to have impressed BHO.
The gamble was selecting Castro as HUDSec-- and exposing him to D.C.-- in order to see if he has the chops for national politics-- inside-the-beltway. That was the internship IMHO.
There’s not been much in the way of criticisms of his stewarding HUD-- though as of late he’s been working to compromise on the program charged with selling of distressed property mortgages-- that has Wall St entities as buyers.
Other than that-- he’s been a straight-arrow.
Now we’ll see what his sponsors HRC and BHO think.
They certainly won’t choose him-- if he’s not ready.
I’m moving into the Kaine camp too but disagree that he won’t cost her votes from the left. That said, they’ve proven themselves completely unreasonable anyway. Even my good friend who is a lefty has made me reconsider my sympathy for their positions. Millennial brats who insist politicians agree with every single thing they think can’t be swayed by a VP pick anyway.
Frankly, I’m not particularly excited about anyone on the short list (at this time – could change) – with the exception of Warren. I know all the downsides people have pointed out, including her lack of experience in foreign affairs, but I trust her smarts and really think she is the best choice if we want to fire up the electorate to turn out for democrats. I am not a far lefty or a Sanders supporter. I just think Warren is brilliant and a political natural who would be a force to be reckoned with on the campaign trail. Also, I think she is the best able to articulate complex issues in clear and compelling language besides being able to get under Trump’s skin like no one else. The contrast between a Clinton/Warren ticket and Trump + Christie (or whoever is willing to humiliate themselves) would be breathtaking.
I agree but I can’t get over the Senate thing. Warren is fantastic and I think she could very well sway some of the Sanders people more than anyone else. She’d also all but erase Clinton’s image of being a corporate whore (not that I buy into it myself). Seeing them together gave me “all the feels,” as the kids say. You’re so right that she would pulverize any Trump VP choice in a debate.
Maybe the Repubs will be so hurt downticket anyway - especially those who haven’t disavowed Trump - because there are a lot of Republican voters who are disgusted with Trump.
Pulling anyone from the Senate when you’re trying to take it back, makes no sense IMHO. Picking some one from a different geographical region that could affect nearby states, has merits. Think southwest. Picking someone who can bring in a huge block of voters has merit. Picking someone younger has merit. Think someone who is energetic and charismatic.
Not a lot of folks who fit that criteria. I can think of one, Julian Castro. And before anyone jumps up and down about his limited experience…LBJ often remarked that if they could walk, talk and chew gum at the same time…they had enough brains. The only way to move forward and engage the young, is to include them in the process. Just saying.
When mentioning stalwart Republicans, I wish people would not overlook Sen. Margaret Chase Smith. She was one of those with the cojones to face down McCarthy.
