As Parties Choose Nominees, Who Will Be their Running Mates?
As Virginians prepare to go to the polls this November, who will be on the ballot?
At this point in an election year, focus shifts from the nominees from each party to whom they will choose to be their running mate. There are many opposing theories for how to pick a vice-presidential nominee. Some political analysts say that you should choose a candidate much different from yourself to “balance” out the party’s ticket. This was the theory used by the Republicans in 2008 when John McCain, an older, moderate Republican, chose Sara Palin, a younger, far-right Republican. Other pundits say that one should choose someone politically similar to them in order to reinforce the main idea of the ticket. This was used in 1992 when Bill Clinton, a moderate, young Democrat from Arkansas chose Al Gore, another moderate young Democrat from Tennessee.
In 2008, Barack Obama chose Joe Biden to be his running mate. This was a smart move as the two represented different sects of the Democratic Party.
Given that both political parties are extremely fractured this election year, the presumptive party nominees, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, may seek Vice-Presidential nominees who can balance them out and unite their splintered parties.
For most voters, Hillary Clinton represents the moderate, establishment wing of the Democratic Party. Because of this, Clinton may choose a running mate who can balance this perception. This means that Clinton will probably attempt to choose someone from the far left wing of the party. This part of the party has traditionally been cast as outsiders within the party until this election year with the rise of Bernie Sanders.
In fact, Clinton is most likely considering Sanders himself. However, Sanders has proclaimed many times over the election cycle that if Clinton asks him, he will say no. This leaves other candidates who are politically similar to Sanders, especially Elizabeth Warren, a Senator from Massachusetts. On the other hand, Clinton could try to reinforce her moderate, establishment stance with traditional Democrats like Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, and
Junior Emily Anderson, a Bernie Sanders supporter, says she hopes Clinton will choose him as her running mate
Julian Castro, Obama’s Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
For Republican Donald Trump, the field of candidates may be even smaller. Many prominent Republicans are very hesitant to even be associated with Trump, much less be on a ticket with him. Several possible candidates who have been mentioned as such in the press have flat-out denied that they would ever run with Trump. This includes the former Presidential candidates John Kasich and Marco Rubio. Republicans who have said they would be willing include Jan Brewer, former Arizona Governor, Sara Palin, John McCain’s VP pick, and Chris Christie, the Governor of New Jersey.
What is still unknown at this point is how any Vice Presidential nominee would affect the campaign of either candidate. Donald Trump’s pick could help bolster his legitimacy and show undecided voters he is ready for the presidency. Hillary Clinton’s pick could help bring energy to the campaign and draw in former Sanders supporters. What is sure, however, is that both candidates need to choose wisely. A good vice-presidential nominee can really shake up a campaign, for better or worse.
