I’d pick Kelly over Shapiro, though admittedly I’m way more familiar with Kelly than Shapiro. Having two former AGs on the ticket seems redundant. America loves astronauts and Kelly has personal experience with the issue of gun violence. Any sympathy Trump tries to get with his assassination attempt can be immediately countered. “Oh, your ear was grazed? My wife was literally shot in the head and had to relearn basic tasks. But do go on…”
Honestly, it does make me a bit uncontrollable to use her attempted assassination as a political tool, but in this context, I think she herself may well be okay with it.
I think you make a valid point about 2 AGs on one ticket. But it would pretty ludicrous for the Republicans to spin the “party of law and order” while running a convicted felon against two former attorneys general.
In general terms, I would prefer to have a Governor as the VP pick, rather than a Senator. We have such a thin “majority” in the Senate, jeopardizing it right now seems reckless.
I’m from PA, and I’ve followed Shapiro’s career for a bit. He’s OK. A bit bland, maybe? Like I don’t think he has the energy rally a following for a national campaign on his own. Almost like Klobuchar in that respect. Then again, PA is a fairly good cross section of the US population in terms of demographic disparity, so he’s doing something right. He’s also a bit more moderate than I would like, but he’s not Trump or Vance, so I would absolutely vote for him.
Kelly I don’t know anything about him other than his resume. I’ve never seen him speak, and I don’t know where he stands on issues, but I would vote for him because he’s not Trump or Vance.
I don’t know much about Mark Kelly but if he’s anything like his twin brother Scott he’s likely highly empathetic and environmentally conscious at the very least. I’ve read Scott’s book and from what I understand no one comes back from the ISS without an insane sense of the fragility of our planet and unity of humanity.
His book is awesome of you’re interested in space at all. It’s called Endurance and is mostly about him being on the ISS continuously for a year to study the effects on the human body. Mark, as Scott’s twin, was used as a control.
Honestly, I live in PA, and I don’t know that Shapiro locks up PA. He won by running against Trump in 2022, but Trump wasn’t actually campaigning. And his challenger, Mastriano, won the primary because Shapiro ran ads saying Mastriano was Trump’s guy.
There are plenty of Democrats in PA to win PA. But there are also enough Magats to make it close. Then there are the swing voters and single issue voters who want to hear his opinions on issues like fracking and Netanyahu. He might have to swallow some of his policy stances to fall in line, and a lot of people won’t like that. Many of them are residents that voted for him, or stayed home because they didn’t strongly support his opponent. If he flips because those issues poll differently on a national level, it will temper enthusiasm for the guy, and energize his opponents. That could keep the state in play.
He opposes Medicare for all, does not support the green new deal, and he supported expanding oil drilling.
He’s too moderate right for me. If this is what you people support, or you think this is the best tactic to beat trump, then fine. But there’s a lot of support for this guy and I never see any actual substance as to why.
I think a moderate VP pick from a swing state covers some gaps for a Harris ticket. He could also bring more votes from servicemembers. I wouldn’t necessarily say he would be the best president but he would be good for the campaign.
It’s 100% about beating Trump in swing states. Whoever Harris can get more votes from in those states is who I’d want her to pick. I would love a more progressive pick personally, but that’s not likely to win the swing states.
Life, real life, is about compromise and seeking the win-win outcomes. By all means stake out your boundaries and defend them zealously, but remember you live among people with other needs and so some give-and-take is necessary. Perhaps even a little healthy.
You can’t win them all, but you can walk away from most negotiations with something.
I’d pick Kelly over Shapiro, though admittedly I’m way more familiar with Kelly than Shapiro. Having two former AGs on the ticket seems redundant. America loves astronauts and Kelly has personal experience with the issue of gun violence. Any sympathy Trump tries to get with his assassination attempt can be immediately countered. “Oh, your ear was grazed? My wife was literally shot in the head and had to relearn basic tasks. But do go on…”
I forgot about the Gabby Gifford angle, yea Mark Kelly would be a great choice.
Honestly, it does make me a bit uncontrollable to use her attempted assassination as a political tool, but in this context, I think she herself may well be okay with it.
I had no idea they were married.
I think you make a valid point about 2 AGs on one ticket. But it would pretty ludicrous for the Republicans to spin the “party of law and order” while running a convicted felon against two former attorneys general.
In general terms, I would prefer to have a Governor as the VP pick, rather than a Senator. We have such a thin “majority” in the Senate, jeopardizing it right now seems reckless.
AZ law states that the governor appoints a replacement senator, and there is a democratic governor right now
Yes but we don’t know if the appointed replacement is as likely to win the next election as Kelly would be.
I’m from PA, and I’ve followed Shapiro’s career for a bit. He’s OK. A bit bland, maybe? Like I don’t think he has the energy rally a following for a national campaign on his own. Almost like Klobuchar in that respect. Then again, PA is a fairly good cross section of the US population in terms of demographic disparity, so he’s doing something right. He’s also a bit more moderate than I would like, but he’s not Trump or Vance, so I would absolutely vote for him.
Kelly I don’t know anything about him other than his resume. I’ve never seen him speak, and I don’t know where he stands on issues, but I would vote for him because he’s not Trump or Vance.
I don’t know much about Mark Kelly but if he’s anything like his twin brother Scott he’s likely highly empathetic and environmentally conscious at the very least. I’ve read Scott’s book and from what I understand no one comes back from the ISS without an insane sense of the fragility of our planet and unity of humanity.
Lol I don’t even know his name. Thanks! I’ll check out his book.
Edit: I thought you were joking, but Mark is his name, and he does have a twin named Scott who is also an astronaut. Crazy!
His book is awesome of you’re interested in space at all. It’s called Endurance and is mostly about him being on the ISS continuously for a year to study the effects on the human body. Mark, as Scott’s twin, was used as a control.
It’ll be Shapiro. I want Kelly but locking up pa would be huge
Honestly, I live in PA, and I don’t know that Shapiro locks up PA. He won by running against Trump in 2022, but Trump wasn’t actually campaigning. And his challenger, Mastriano, won the primary because Shapiro ran ads saying Mastriano was Trump’s guy.
There are plenty of Democrats in PA to win PA. But there are also enough Magats to make it close. Then there are the swing voters and single issue voters who want to hear his opinions on issues like fracking and Netanyahu. He might have to swallow some of his policy stances to fall in line, and a lot of people won’t like that. Many of them are residents that voted for him, or stayed home because they didn’t strongly support his opponent. If he flips because those issues poll differently on a national level, it will temper enthusiasm for the guy, and energize his opponents. That could keep the state in play.
And I’d love for Mark Kelly to be, you know, the actual president if something happens.
He opposes Medicare for all, does not support the green new deal, and he supported expanding oil drilling.
He’s too moderate right for me. If this is what you people support, or you think this is the best tactic to beat trump, then fine. But there’s a lot of support for this guy and I never see any actual substance as to why.
I think a moderate VP pick from a swing state covers some gaps for a Harris ticket. He could also bring more votes from servicemembers. I wouldn’t necessarily say he would be the best president but he would be good for the campaign.
It’s 100% about beating Trump in swing states. Whoever Harris can get more votes from in those states is who I’d want her to pick. I would love a more progressive pick personally, but that’s not likely to win the swing states.
Right?! Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.
I disagree with this, I think some of the swing States would benefit a lot from a more progressive pick. Especially Michigan
I don’t think I’ll change your mind by saying this, but for the young’uns here? Don’t be like this guy and let perfect be the enemy of good
I’d never heard “don’t let perfect be the enemy of good”. Now I’ve heard it twice in one comment thread.
Life, real life, is about compromise and seeking the win-win outcomes. By all means stake out your boundaries and defend them zealously, but remember you live among people with other needs and so some give-and-take is necessary. Perhaps even a little healthy.
You can’t win them all, but you can walk away from most negotiations with something.
His face is very calming. He’s like that guy whos always fun and a good time.