Thoughts on the Last day of Veepstakes

Politics, ,

I’m rooting for MN Governor Tim Walz to be VP Harris’ running mate. He has the rare experience of being in both federal legislative and state executive roles.

I would be surprised if PA Governor Josh Shapiro became VP Harris’ running mate. Not too disappointed, just surprised.

The last time either major party nominee selected a running mate with no federal legislative experience was Sarah Palin (R, 2008). The one before that was Sargent Shriver (D, 1972). Earlier:

  • Spiro Agnew (R, 1968, 1972, won, resigned in second term)
  • Earl Warren (R, 1948, lost, later became Supreme Court Chief Justice)
  • John W. Bricker (R, 1944, lost, later became a senator)
  • Henry A. Wallace (D, 1940, won)
  • Frank Knox (R, 1936, lost)
  • Charles G. Dawes (R, 1924, won)
  • Charles W. Bryan (D, 1924, lost)
  • Calvin Coolidge (R, 1920, won, later became president)
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt (D, 1920, lost, later became president)
  • Thomas R. Marshall (R, 1912, 1916, won)
  • John W. Kern (D, 1908, lost, later became a senator)
  • Theodore Roosevelt (R, 1900, won, later became president)
  • Garret Hobart (R, 1896, won)
  • Arthur Sewall (D, 1896, lost)
  • Whitelaw Reid (R, 1892, lost)
  • Chester A. Arthur (R, 1880, won, later became president)
  • Richard Rush (N-R, 1828, lost)
  • Daniel D. Tompkins (D-R, 1816, won)
  • Jared Ingersoll (F, 1812, lost)
  • Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (F, 1800, lost)

Just saying, it would be most wild for VP Harris to pick PA Governor Josh Shapiro, who does not have federal legislative experience, for this single reason. Only one person with no federal legislative experience becoming vice president since WWII is not a good sign, IMO.

Syllables

Another thing: the last time that a nominee for president had a running mate with more syllables to their last name than themselves was Bush-Cheney 2000 and 2004.

Others:

  • Gore-Lieberman (D, 2000, lost)
  • Mondale-Ferraro (D, 1984, lost)
  • Nixon-Cabot Lodge (R, 1960, lost)
  • Willkie-McNary (R, 1940, lost)
  • Smith-Robinson (D, 1928, lost)
  • Cox-Roosevelt (D, 1920, lost)
  • Taft-Sherman (R, 1912, lost)
  • Taft-Sherman (R, 1908, won)
  • Bryan-Stevenson (D, 1900, lost)
  • Cleveland-Stevenson (D, 1892, won)
  • Blaine-Logan (R, 1884, lost)
  • Hayes-Wheeler (R, 1876, won)
  • Grant-Wilson (R, 1872, won)
  • Grant-Colfax (R, 1868, won)
  • Cass-Butler (D, 1848, lost)
  • Polk-Dallas (D, 1844, won)
  • Clay-Frelinghuysen (W, 1844, lost)
  • White-Tyler (W, 1836, lost)
  • Jackson-Van Buren (D, 1832, won)
  • Clay-Sergeant (NR, 1832, lost)
  • Clay-Sanford (DR, 1824, lost)
  • King-Howard (F, 1816, lost)
  • Clinton-Ingersoll (F, 1812, lost)
  • Adams-Jefferson (DR, 1796, won)

Conclusion

The only reason why Shapiro may already be selected is that it would be awkward to announce someone who is not Shapiro at the Philadelphia rally meant to debut the ticket. But at the same time, prioritizing winning Pennsylvania to this extent seems silly when you’re trying to imagine working with this running mate for (hopefully) 8 years of your life.

But either way, unity is needed, no matter who the running mate may be.

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