theedge.com, Saturday November 7th
The VP Line
With the mid terms in the rear view mirror all eyes are now turning to the 2022 Presidential race with a number of Republicans already circling and considering their options rumours are already circulating around what President Seaborn intends to do around the selection of his running mate. After the Franklin Hollis debacle of 2018 it seems highly unlikely that the President will do anything but make a conventional pick. Despite what has largely been a cordial and functional relationship with Republican VP Jack Hunter, sources close to Seaborn are absolutely clear that their is no chance of a unity ticket.
So all eyes are turning to who the main contenders will be and what the main calculation will be in the selection. Reports suggest that the President’s inner circle are divided on what direction to go. There is a groundswell of support for Indiana Senator Rudi Robinson, the former NBA Basketball player. He was passed over for Hollis in 2018 and some see the move as a good way to mend fences with the progressive wing of the party. Others are hoping for someone fresh, New Jersey’s Kelly Hoffman is known to be a favourite of Seaborn’s wife Lauren.
With so many potential directions, now seems like a good time to look at the top 10:
10. Senator Andrew Howard - Washington Senator Howard has long been a favourite on the left of the party. A big advocate of The Green New Deal and a constant advocate for huge rises in tax and spending, Howard has been a thorn in the President’s side for two years. His ongoing push for universal healthcare may well be an obstacle too far for a President that know the path to election runs through the Rust Belt.
9. Senator Louise Thornton. President Santos’ Communications Director has made great strides in presenting herself as a series politician in her own right. Some of the uncontrolled outbursts that were common place in her early appearances has been controlled and she’s become known as something of a policy wonk in the Senate Chamber. The President is know to have a very strong relationship with Thornton and would certainly be able to trust her loyalty but the Seaborn has worked furiously to distant himself from the Santos years, that would be difficult to reconcile with selecting Thornton.
8. Governor Will Diego. The Governor of New Mexico brings a huge heap of electoral help to the Seaborn ticket. He enjoys high approval ratings in the state that Democrats are desperate to win back in 2022. A young, dynamic Hispanic Governor on the ticket will carry significant appeal to the President. Diego however is unknown nationally and has only been Governor for two years, both factors that will count against him.
7. Senator Alicia DeSantos. Another favourite amongst West Wing staff, DeSantos ticks some big boxes for Seaborn. She’s Hispanic, she’s a woman, she’s from Florida and she is popular with most parts of the party. A decade in Congress gives her the relevant experience but is Seaborn really prepared to give up a Senate seat in a swing state?
6. Paris Stray, Ambassador to the United Nations. Stray ran for the Presidency in 2018 and has impressed in her time at the UN. She’s a skilled media performer and is seen by many Democrats as the future of the party. Elevating Stray would be excited a lot of Democrats but her governing experience is limited to Maine and some might think the jump to prime time would be a risk too far.
5. Governor Jarrod Daniels. Minnesota was the key state in 2018 and is likely to be a critical swing state in 2022 as well. Whoever the Republican candidate is will want to replicate President Walken‘s success in the Gopher State. Two major knocks on Daniels are that he’s not massively popular in his state and has almost negative charisma.
4. Senator Ben Newell - Probably the favourite amongst Democrats seeking a sensible, safe pick. Newell has experience as a Governor and as a Senator and also has a Presidential run to his name, winning the Iowa Caucus in 2014. The Colorado native could help with winning his state and has no credibility issues.
3. Senator Andrew Thorn - Seaborn’s Chief rival for the nomination and one of the “final three” that were considered in 2018. The strained relationship between the two men has reportedly been repaired over the past two years. Thorn wouldn’t be a particularly exciting choice and his wealth is likely to repel the left of the party but he’s certainly a serious figure and easily passes the “what if I die?” test.
2. Governor Kelly Hoffman. New Hampshire‘s Liz Bartlett doesn’t make the list but she’s believed to be a big cheerleader for Governor Hoffman. The administration has been criticised repeatedly for their lack of governing know how and Hoffman’s competence wouled certainly help that. One major stumbling block for Hoffman would be that she faces re-election next year. She will come under pressure to clarify her plans before that race.
1. Senator Rudi Robinson. No doubt the favourite. Robinson feels like a choice that would tick a lot of boxes. A nod to progressives, some significant star power, a right leaning state that he may be able to put in play (though that’s a stretch) and the historic opportunity of the first Africa-American Vice President. He’s further to the left of the party than Seaborn would probably prefer but the two men are believed to be on fairly good terms despite the challenges of the Hollis appointment.
