Octopus Overlords

Kraken wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 4:08 pm They're all good choices. I don't have a strong favorite. All political calculations aside, Harris will pick whoever she's most comfortable working with.

Thst would be ill advised as the main selection criteria. You can learn to work with someone (or they can learn to work with you). You can't get a redo on a campaign.

Holman wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 3:49 pm It's increasingly looking like Shapiro.

Harris is about to kick off a tour of swing states, accompanied by whoever is her VP choice, and the first stop is Philadelphia.

Shapiro also had a series of independent fund-raiser events scheduled which he has just cancelled. This would be consistent with a new schedule where he pairs with Harris.

Maybe not so fast?

https://twitter.com/thedailybeast/statu ... Zj9hg&s=19

Oops. Perhaps a darker reason for the cancellations.

pr0ner wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 4:59 pm
Maybe not so fast?

Whoa. This is the first I've heard of that!

If it's a real thing, we're so lucky it is coming out now rather than in two weeks.

Edit: Hmm. It looks like this was reported on a year ago. Not a breaking revelation.

I hear the VP vetting process usually takes months so I hope they can rush things and still pick someone good with minimal skeletons in their closet.


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There are reports for multiple candidates that they're changing their schedules/cancelling events. I wouldn't read too much into things.

My guess is John Fetterman. He’s not on the list so I guess he’s my bald horse pick.

waitingtoconnect wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 5:21 pm My guess is John Fetterman. He’s not on the list so I guess he’s my bald horse pick.

Fetterman carries a lot of baggage. He has pissed off Progressives in various ways, and there are really no upsides to him right now.

The stroke has also somewhat limited his communication skills.

Yes there is a lot of calculus to overcome - but he would be popular with working class voters and the Maga crowd would just melt down.

However he does support Israel to the hilt and is in. lockstep with the Republicans on immigration so yes I agree it is dangerous. This my picking him as the bald (dark) horse choice.

The democrats seem to be doing an apple with this Vp thing. We are taking hints from the announcement and leaving Jd with his couch rather than listening to him shouting at the rain.

Holman wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 5:38 pm

waitingtoconnect wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 5:21 pm My guess is John Fetterman. He’s not on the list so I guess he’s my bald horse pick.

Fetterman carries a lot of baggage. He has pissed off Progressives in various ways, and there are really no upsides to him right now.

The only upside would be cutoff shorts a heartbeat from the Presidency.

waitingtoconnect wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 5:46 pm This my picking him as the bald (dark) horse choice.

My horse is darker than your horse. I'm still banking on Jimmy Carter.

waitingtoconnect wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 5:21 pm My guess is John Fetterman. He’s not on the list so I guess he’s my bald horse pick.

health issues. No way. Not even a slim chance. Also- way too 'political'

Also - he's almost a JD Vance choice, only in that he will absolutely add no more votes, and may act to push away people in the middle.

There is a reason he's not on any list.

So looks Shapiro & Beshear have changed and cancelled some fundraisers. Shapiro was suppose to fundraise in Hamptons this weekend. That got cancelled. Beshear as well [ not sure the fundraising location]. Both still viable candidates.

Seem to recall reading somewhere that VP picks hardly swing their home state anymore. Not sure where i read that. They showed some flashy graphs and i was let to believe. Caveat emptor!

Fetterman- yeah as others noted the stroke did him no favors, and that health issue is a red flag.

NYtimes has a neat little video segment of Ezra klein interviewing Waltz. Waltz came out really impressive. First time I'd heard him. His story seems very interest; he comes across as genial next "how ya doin today" type of fellow. Also i think others had noted he could very much communicate to the small town vibe. That would effectively cut off JD Vance's strengths [rural america; i know Vance has foot in mouth disease right now].

I honestly would be ok w/ Waltz, Kelly, Shapiro or Beshear. Just want a woman to kick trump's ass back to the crevice that devil spawned from.

Does Wurst mean Waltz? Is there someone I need to look out for?

Also I should probably change my vote away from Shapiro given the skeleton I was totally unaware of.

Buttigieg also suddenly canceled plans, so I'm not sure we can really read much into those. I was gunning for Shapiro, but that whole controversy really has me gun shy of him now.

I've also read the talk that VPs have really never actually done anything for the ticket in re: to winning swing states, with LBJ called out as the one possible exception.

YellowKing wrote: Fri Aug 02, 2024 2:28 pm Buttigieg also suddenly canceled plans, so I'm not sure we can really read much into those. I was gunning for Shapiro, but that whole controversy really has me gun shy of him now.

I've also read the talk that VPs have really never actually done anything for the ticket in re: to winning swing states, with LBJ called out as the one possible exception.

I'm not sure how seriously to take the harassment thing on Shapiro. I'm not really seeing any press coverage of it, and if there was a real issue there I think there would be. I'm fairly light on the details though so hard to say for sure.

I'm guessing everyone is cancelling plans in anticipation of the general announcement, making appearances in support and then doing what needs to be done in the 72+ hours that follow.

I'm still hoping it's Walz. I don't feel like he'll be "invisible" as a VP and can actually do good on camera and making appearances, focused on some specific issue.

Smoove_B wrote: Fri Aug 02, 2024 2:40 pm I'm guessing everyone is cancelling plans in anticipation of the general announcement, making appearances in support and then doing what needs to be done in the 72+ hours that follow.

I'm still hoping it's Walz. I don't feel like he'll be "invisible" as a VP and can actually do good on camera and making appearances, focused on some specific issue.

Yeah I assume the cancellation stuff is more noise than signal. Also these are fairly busy people so I assume that they cancel stuff all the time, especially as elections approach.

LawBeefaroni wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 4:41 pm

Kraken wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 4:08 pm They're all good choices. I don't have a strong favorite. All political calculations aside, Harris will pick whoever she's most comfortable working with.

Thst would be ill advised as the main selection criteria. You can learn to work with someone (or they can learn to work with you). You can't get a redo on a campaign.

I didn't mean it will be the main criterion; rather, having weighed the various advantages and drawbacks of each candidate and narrowed the field to two or three, personal relations will be her tie breaker. If you know you'll be work-married to someone for four to eight years, you want them to be someone you get along with. You don't have to be drinking buddies but mutual respect matters.

Kraken wrote: Fri Aug 02, 2024 3:08 pm

LawBeefaroni wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 4:41 pm

Kraken wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 4:08 pm They're all good choices. I don't have a strong favorite. All political calculations aside, Harris will pick whoever she's most comfortable working with.

Thst would be ill advised as the main selection criteria. You can learn to work with someone (or they can learn to work with you). You can't get a redo on a campaign.

I didn't mean it will be the main criterion; rather, having weighed the various advantages and drawbacks of each candidate and narrowed the field to two or three, personal relations will be her tie breaker. If you know you'll be work-married to someone for four to eight years, you want them to be someone you get along with. You don't have to be drinking buddies but mutual respect matters.

Yeah, and as I understand it the evidence that the VP matters electorally is fairly thin. So "would this person be a good VP" is a fairly important consideration.

Smoove_B wrote: Fri Aug 02, 2024 2:40 pm I'm guessing everyone is cancelling plans in anticipation of the general announcement, making appearances in support and then doing what needs to be done in the 72+ hours that follow.

I'm still hoping it's Walz. I don't feel like he'll be "invisible" as a VP and can actually do good on camera and making appearances, focused on some specific issue.

Yep. I would imagine that if when announcement is made, they'll want the other contenders there (or otherwise available for live comment) for a show of unity. So they won't lose the Buttigieg Bros or Shapiro Supporters or whoever doesn't get the nod.

https://twitter.com/rudyfunkmeyer/statu ... iSH7b3rfqQ


Thanks Smoove!

If you change the "X" to "twitter" in the link, the website will embed it like it did in the old days before he enshittified the platform.

LordMortis wrote: Fri Aug 02, 2024 1:55 pm Does Wurst mean Waltz? Is there someone I need to look out for?

Also I should probably change my vote away from Shapiro given the skeleton I was totally unaware of.

Watcha talking about willis?
yes i screwed that up, was hungry and thinking of having some sausages for lunch.

Newcastle wrote: Fri Aug 02, 2024 8:25 pm

LordMortis wrote: Fri Aug 02, 2024 1:55 pm Does Wurst mean Waltz? Is there someone I need to look out for?

Also I should probably change my vote away from Shapiro given the skeleton I was totally unaware of.

Watcha talking about willis?
yes i screwed that up, was hungry and thinking of having some sausages for lunch.

Does Waltz mean Walz?

Unagi wrote: Fri Aug 02, 2024 8:58 pm

Newcastle wrote: Fri Aug 02, 2024 8:25 pm

LordMortis wrote: Fri Aug 02, 2024 1:55 pm Does Wurst mean Waltz? Is there someone I need to look out for?

Also I should probably change my vote away from Shapiro given the skeleton I was totally unaware of.

Watcha talking about willis?
yes i screwed that up, was hungry and thinking of having some sausages for lunch.

Does Waltz mean Walz?

/shakes fist
Yes, yes and more yes Unagi and your eagle eyes.

LordMortis wrote: Fri Aug 02, 2024 1:55 pm Does Wurst mean Waltz? Is there someone I need to look out for?

Also I should probably change my vote away from Shapiro given the skeleton I was totally unaware of.

What skeleton are you talking about? This is incredibly cryptic!

Kurth wrote: Sat Aug 03, 2024 3:39 pm

LordMortis wrote: Fri Aug 02, 2024 1:55 pm Does Wurst mean Waltz? Is there someone I need to look out for?

Also I should probably change my vote away from Shapiro given the skeleton I was totally unaware of.

What skeleton are you talking about? This is incredibly cryptic!

Link: Women’s group urges Harris to consider Shapiro handling of sexual harassment complaint against aide

As speculation around Gov. Josh Shapiro’s chances of becoming Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate continued to build Wednesday, a national nonpartisan organization focused on preventing sexual harassment in state government said the governor had failed to prevent sexual harassment in his office.

“Governor Shapiro’s office should have done a better job preventing sexual harassment happening in his own office by former cabinet secretary Mike Vereb, including protecting the survivor who bravely came forward, ensuring that any other potential survivors felt safe in speaking up, and ensuring the harasser didn’t have the opportunity to do further harm after the complaint,” Emma Davidson Tribbs, director of the National Women’s Defense League, said in a statement.

This episode would be a typical Tuesday in any Republican administration, but we rightly holds Dems to high standards.

I know they are all good picks, but I'll still be disappointed if it isn't Walz.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/art ... ala-harris

I'm right there with you. Has has that "it" quality that so many politicians try to exude but he seemingly just does it naturally.

ImLawBoy wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 5:15 pm There are reports for multiple candidates that they're changing their schedules/cancelling events. I wouldn't read too much into things.

News today is that she's interviewing all of the 'contenders' in person prior to the decision. That could be the cause of the rescheduling.

After seeing Pete Buttigieg on various news shows I really wish he was on the ticket. And who knows since the selection process is ongoing. Yeah I know the issue that would give Harris pause but I’m tired of that as well. So much talent being held back because of homophobia.

$iljanus wrote: Sun Aug 04, 2024 11:28 am After seeing Pete Buttigieg on various news shows I really wish he was on the ticket. And who knows since the selection process is ongoing. Yeah I know the issue that would give Harris pause but I’m tired of that as well. So much talent being held back because of homophobia.

I think Buttigieg is a natural leader and would be great, but I’m ok with him sitting this one out. Not sure he’s the right fit to take on Trump/Vance with Harris. Maybe a top of the ticket run in 4 or 8 years?

Kurth wrote: Sun Aug 04, 2024 11:33 am

$iljanus wrote: Sun Aug 04, 2024 11:28 am After seeing Pete Buttigieg on various news shows I really wish he was on the ticket. And who knows since the selection process is ongoing. Yeah I know the issue that would give Harris pause but I’m tired of that as well. So much talent being held back because of homophobia.

I think Buttigieg is a natural leader and would be great, but I’m ok with him sitting this one out. Not sure he’s the right fit to take on Trump/Vance with Harris. Maybe a top of the ticket run in 4 or 8 years?

His time needs to come. He projects leadership, knows the importance of engaging with people with different points of view yet can defend his opinions. And it may be a low bar these days but he doesn’t say stupid shit.

$iljanus wrote: Sun Aug 04, 2024 11:40 am

Kurth wrote: Sun Aug 04, 2024 11:33 am

$iljanus wrote: Sun Aug 04, 2024 11:28 am After seeing Pete Buttigieg on various news shows I really wish he was on the ticket. And who knows since the selection process is ongoing. Yeah I know the issue that would give Harris pause but I’m tired of that as well. So much talent being held back because of homophobia.

I think Buttigieg is a natural leader and would be great, but I’m ok with him sitting this one out. Not sure he’s the right fit to take on Trump/Vance with Harris. Maybe a top of the ticket run in 4 or 8 years?

His time needs to come. He projects leadership, knows the importance of engaging with people with different points of view yet can defend his opinions. And it may be a low bar these days but he doesn’t say stupid shit.

With you 100% on Buttigieg, and I don’t think the homophobia is a reason to keep him off the ticket any more than the antisemitism should be a reason to keep Shapiro off. But I think Buttigieg may outshine Harris in a way that others might not, and she’s the anointed one. She wasn’t my first choice by a long shot, but she is who we have, and seeing the energy behind her right now, I think she was probably the right choice. Now she needs to pick a VP who will best position her to have a fighting chance against the Trump/Vance ticket. I think that’s Shapiro.

He will be 50 in 2032.

$iljanus wrote: Sun Aug 04, 2024 11:28 am After seeing Pete Buttigieg on various news shows I really wish he was on the ticket. And who knows since the selection process is ongoing. Yeah I know the issue that would give Harris pause but I’m tired of that as well. So much talent being held back because of homophobia.

I think he would really energize the base, but I don't think he'd pull in many new voters. Plus, I'd like to see him have a more significant role in the administration.

I need him to fix our absurd, 3rd world country-esque airport security lines.

Any American that’s been to Europe in the past 15 years and sees how painless it can and should be here (again) should be clamoring for a better system.

Not sure that’s Buttigieg’s responsibility, but if it is, what a win that would be.

And I had not considered the outshining Harris angle…that feels right. He can speak circles around her (she can very quickly get into word salad, and I’ve never heard him do that), but it’s not like they would be debating or anything, so ?? Personally would also love to see him top of ticket in 4 or 8 years.

Snoop Dogg has cleared his calendar.

I'm wondering about Buttigieg as Secretary of State.

On the one hand, he's a world-class communicator who does his homework on every issue and speaks French, Spanish, and Arabic pretty well. On the other hand, it's usually expected that the SoS comes from a background in the diplomatic corps or else a congressional career focused on foreign relations. (Trump had Tillerson and Pompeo, but then Trump's diplomacy was mostly concerned with Trump profits.)

Any thoughts?