There are two major misconceptions about Biden’s choice of a Vice-Presidential running mate. The first is that a running mate shows that Biden has the judgment to pick someone who can help him govern the country. Or, in the case of his premature incapacitation, serve as President. As a result of the “good sidekick” idea, people emphasize the compatibility of a running mate with the candidate. Bill Clinton’s selection of Al Gore typified a good sidekick to such a degree it raised questions about the wisdom of having a ticket with two young Southerners. These questions seemed fitting considering the rift that occurred between Clinton and Gore over the Monica Lewinsky affair.
Missing from this conception of Biden’s choice as a backup is the idea of what a running mate can bring to the ticket. Some pundits pooh-pooh the suggestion that a vice-president adds anything to the ticket. They argue that a polarized electorate votes solely for or against the Presidential candidate. In previous elections, however, the choice of a running mate undoubtedly made a difference. Consider John Kennedy’s selections of Lyndon Johnson as his running mate. Many observers noted that without Johnson and his southern bona fides on the ticket, Kennedy would probably not have won the presidency, even with the shenanigans that occurred in Chicago.
The second misconception is that black voters must vote for Biden because Trump is so racist. This idea implies that Biden’s choice of a white or black running mate will not affect black voting. But the choice is not a pivotal issue. The primary concern is whether black voters will be mobilized to overcome the barriers to voting they will face. The Russians and others will try to dissuade blacks from voting. Also, Blacks will suffer long lines due to the lack of voting machines and personnel in predominantly black neighborhoods. In 2012, for example, a 102-year-old waited four hours to vote in North Miami, FL. Other black voters in recent elections report similar wait times. Will a Biden and Klobuchar ticket inspire black voters to stand in line for hours? Will a Biden and Warren ticket mobilize black voters to convince friends and neighbors to vote for Biden and other Democrats in down-ballot races? If Biden intends to select a white woman as his running mate, he needs to know, beyond any doubt, that she will able to mobilize black voters to the same extent that a black woman would.
Missing from this conception of Biden’s choice as a backup is the idea of what a running mate can bring to the ticket. Some pundits pooh-pooh the suggestion that a vice-president adds anything to the ticket. They argue that a polarized electorate votes solely for or against the Presidential candidate. In previous elections, however, the choice of a running mate undoubtedly made a difference. Consider John Kennedy’s selections of Lyndon Johnson as his running mate. Many observers noted that without Johnson and his southern bona fides on the ticket, Kennedy would probably not have won the presidency, even with the shenanigans that occurred in Chicago.
The second misconception is that black voters must vote for Biden because Trump is so racist. This idea implies that Biden’s choice of a white or black running mate will not affect black voting. But the choice is not a pivotal issue. The primary concern is whether black voters will be mobilized to overcome the barriers to voting they will face. The Russians and others will try to dissuade blacks from voting. Also, Blacks will suffer long lines due to the lack of voting machines and personnel in predominantly black neighborhoods. In 2012, for example, a 102-year-old waited four hours to vote in North Miami, FL. Other black voters in recent elections report similar wait times. Will a Biden and Klobuchar ticket inspire black voters to stand in line for hours? Will a Biden and Warren ticket mobilize black voters to convince friends and neighbors to vote for Biden and other Democrats in down-ballot races? If Biden intends to select a white woman as his running mate, he needs to know, beyond any doubt, that she will able to mobilize black voters to the same extent that a black woman would.
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Even with a polarized electorate, race and gender identification can overwhelm political identity. Trump, for example, selected Mike Pence for his running mate, in part, because of where Pence stood with Republican donors, establishment members, and white evangelicals. And, Obama selected Biden as his running mate, because Biden was widely seen as an older, white moderate, to provide comfort for older white moderates who were considering voting for him.
Biden needs to mobilize black voters to overcome the barriers they will face. Shoring up deficiencies with crucial voting blocs was good enough for Barack Obama; it should be good enough for Joe Biden. Biden must win – he does not need a sidekick; he needs a black woman.
Biden needs to mobilize black voters to overcome the barriers they will face. Shoring up deficiencies with crucial voting blocs was good enough for Barack Obama; it should be good enough for Joe Biden. Biden must win – he does not need a sidekick; he needs a black woman.
