Mark Kelly's not on list but 1. Swing state AZ 2. Border state 3. Famous ex-astronaut appeal to independents/military and 4. his wife Gabby was shot so is a leading the Anti Gun Movement!
I think Tim Walz is the closest to Bernie Sanders of the whole group under consideration, not just these 4 choices. The democratic socialism that Bernie espouses is almost indistinguishable from the principles of the DFL party that I grew up with in Minnesota.
Tim Walz is a solid winner! He's from industrial Midwest, small town born & bred, quick thinker, former teacher, union man, and like Buttigieg, could hold his own in interviews, talk shows, and campaigning.
Had I had time in the last few days to read your substack my vote would only be Kelly. He brings in a different demographic -undecideds, Never tRumpers and Independents. Yes, who doesn’t love an Astronaut, Navy Pilot, both parents police officers, knows the border, a gun owner for gun laws, a wife whose assassination attempt actually was life changing and life challenging and they met that challenge as a team.
We need many, many more votes because the maggots plan to challenge our voted and the others bring no one new to the table except for Walz who doesn’t have Kelly’s international experience. After all Kelly has seen Russia from his spaceship.
I lean toward Kelly not for myself and the policies I care about personally but for our democracy. We need the VP candidate to bring in votes that Kamala can’t.
I think we should remind the American people where we were before Trump jumped in the pool and muddied the water. So I sent him this letter.
Don, I am sick and tired of you and your sycophants criticizing my government and the people who live in this country. I have been living in America about as long as you, but I was serving in the Army, attending college, working my way up, and raising a family while you were playing monopoly in New York. Don’t tell me I’m a blind fool, Don. That I drank the koolaid. I know what I see. I see that my country has weaknesses and strengths, failures and successes, bad judgements and good. As the most powerful nation in the world we are not the best, but we are trying to be. We get better every generation. Any American with his eyes open knows that. Until you came along with your vitriolic accusations, we were a nation that did not turn on each other, or threaten our elected leaders and public servants, or huddle in groups and call each other names. I’m fed up with the warped image you have and so freely spout about my country and its citizens. I deeply resent your calling the country I love corrupt, misguided, and destined to fail unless you are in charge. We were doing well without you, Don, as well as 330 million citizens can do as a nation with the wealth, power, and freedoms we inherited. And we will be doing a whole lot better when you’re gone.
I want Kelly. I love Buttigieg but afraid we may not be ready for a female woman of color and a gay man. I think Shapiro is good and would bring in Pennsylvania but lose Michigan. Whitmer also great and 2 women would thrill me but we need to win moderates as well as liberals. Kelly covers lots of boxes and Gifford is a great asset as well.
I proud to have Josh Shapiro as my governor. I deeply respect his work as a leader and his personal values. However, I would like to see Waltz in the VP post. Shapiro will come along in time. But at this point in political time, as Kamala rises, Waltz is an excellent complement. Pete Buttigieg is very high on my hopeful list also.
Tim Walz is my favorite of these four, but I don't know why Mark Kelly was not included. He checks way too many boxes to be left out. Arizona, military, astronaut, Gabby's husband...smart, strong, well-spoken. Two women, or a woman and a gay man taken together might be the only hope Trump would have to recover. I'm only speaking electorally, not impugning the competence or brilliance of anyone.
I have been watching Pete Buttigieg on all his interviews this week. I never really paid attention to him before, but now he is totally impressing me! He's so calm and clear with his points. He's military! He speaks multiple languages, including Arabic. He's a young father. He would be a great person to have speaking to international forums and policy makers. And he's had a tough 3.5 years as Secretary of Transportation- with America's aging infrastructure and large barges hitting bridges.... Seriously. He's done an amazing job.
Mark Kelly's not on list but 1. Swing state AZ 2. Border state 3. Famous ex-astronaut appeal to independents/military and 4. his wife Gabby was shot so is a leading the Anti Gun Movement!
Mark Kelly's not on list but 1. Swing state AZ 2. Border state 3. Famous ex-astronaut appeal to independents and 4. his wife Gabby was shot so is a leading the Anti Gun Movement!
My issue with Buttigieg is his "Medicare for All Who Wnat It." Clever, right? But it sounds like he knows it's clever, but it's absolutely not Medicare for All. He's way to the right of where I stand, so I wouldn't vote for him. Clever, smart, well-spoken, unflappable--yes. Policy-wise--No.
It is clever and makes sense. Think abt this. People who want to keep their coverage can do so, But everyone else has the government coverage. So there IS medical coverage for all. The beauty of this is it almost certainly will result, eventually, in everyone willingly leaving their insurance for the government Medicare for All. In an organic way without fussing. Insurers will have dwindling patients and struggle to cover the lawyers, big pharma/ medical corps, overhead, need to raise prices and reduce coverage, etc. resulting in willing movement from private insurance to
MCA. Betcha that'll happen. What else is he to the right of your politics? Interested
That isn't likely to happen. Look at what's happening to Medicare with Medicare Advantage. MA is a lot less expensive than Medicare. So people who can't afford Medicare, now with a Medigap policy, go to Medicare Advantage. If you're lucky and don't have an expensive illness, then great. But many times MA will not cover your expensive illness. Traditional Medicare is expensive! With the Medigap policy it's nearly $400 a month. Single payer is always undermined by the private policy.
I suggest you check out the GATS treaty. Or watch John Pilger's The Dirty War on the NHS. The people in Taiwan are happy with their single payer government insurance. That's what I want here. Single payer.Tax everyone, including the wealthy, so everyone can get good care. (And no CEO gets millions of dollars in compensation.) Buttigieg is not in favor of this.
I worked with the several nurses associations for Medicare for All and CalCare. It's a long shot. But this is an important issue for me.
By clever I don't mean smart so much as tricky/lighthearted. If you haven't met people bankrupted by medical debt and are now homeless, then you don't know the extent of the problem. Around 500,000 people every year face bankruptcy because of medical debt. So next time people talk about homeless people being drug addicts or mentally ill, you can add in your mind, oh, yeah, and bankrupt and lost their home.
On the other hand, if this issue isn't important to you, and you want someone in the White House or Naval Observatory who is smart, unflappable, and seems to have all the answers, Pete Buttigieg is a good pick.
There is also his stance on the issue of the students protesting the Gaza genocide. Yes, not war. If you watch Democracy Now! and you've seen video of starving children and bombed cars, then you would understand the passion of the protesters. As to the damage to buildings, it's hard to know if those people aren't "outside agitators," namely people who are trying to get the students into trouble. The way the police (and it shouldn't be the police) have handled the students is appalling. I'm afraid to go to my local campus with my dog, not because of the students, but because of the police presence!
How does Pete Buttigieg feel about Cop City? Or our police being trained in Israel or being trained by Israelis? (By the way, I worked in Israel for ten months in the 70s, and have numerous relatives still living there, including a great-grandfather buried on the Mount of Olives. Yes, I am Jewish.) I may be to the left of some of the people on this thread, but I've been around the block a few times, literally, campaigning for Bernie Sanders, as well as working with the county democratic party through their headquarters as a community coordinator, making thousands of phone calls and walking hundreds of precincts over the years, so I've learned what people need and want.
Impressive world experiences. Always believe there should a sum certain cost for medical services, agree. Needs some skin in the game, even if $5 or so people will value the care - and possibly less likely to over use it. The money that accumulates I'd like to see go to research or settng up standardized best practices, need up oversight of drugs supplements etc. And Gaza hurts my stomach and heart. Those children, esp, but all the people. Warren has tabs and talks abt the medical -home loses but for some reason this rarely hits news and goes nowhere with Congress. I too worked for Bernie 2016 and helped him win MI in the primary. He's planted Huuge seeds in the minds of college students, youngins. Nice discussion
If Trump were to lose the election, or if the election results are held up in dispute, then Trump must be stopped from taking his case to his corrupted Trump supporting judges on the Supreme Court, who will reverse the election results and rule that Trump is the official winner of the election making him president of the United States???
You mean WHEN he loses AGAIN he’s going to continue to make everyone’s life miserable with his stinking lawsuits. Hopefully, President Biden can help with getting the Supreme Court sorted out before he leaves office.
I voted for Gretchen even though I don’t want her to leave Michigan — yet! But wouldn’t two strong women running against two misogynistic racist men be just perfect?!
Mark Kelly's not on list but 1. Swing state AZ 2. Border state 3. Famous ex-astronaut and 4. his wife Gabby was shot so is a leading the Anti Gun Movement!
He's a Dem Denator! We can't afford to risk losing the Senate majority; and Arizona is far from safe for electing a Dem replacement. Otherwise, I too would vote for Kelly. But we need to keep him where he is.
I would love for Gretchen Whitmer to be on the ticket, but the reality is that it simply isn’t likely. They wouldn’t win. Besides, she’s said a number of times that she’s not leaving Michigan.
I would not choose any of these people, I like Walz but I have lived in Minnesota. They espouse a progressive attitude that they DO NOT live by - generally, they don't walk the talk. I like Senator Kelly. You are wrong that he is popular because of his wife, Gabby. He is popular because he is a great Senator and a great person. I also like Pete B. but as I understand it, he was not invited to be considered. Also,, the Michigan governor opted out several days ago, so why are you including her and Pete in this exercise?
Mark Kelly's not on list but 1. Swing state AZ 2. Border state 3. Famous ex-astronaut appeal to independents/military and 4. his wife Gabby was shot so is a leading the Anti Gun Movement!
Love Mayor Pete, as well as Governors Whitmer and Walz! We need Buttigieg in the Cabinet and we need Whitmer here in MI through 2026, so now that the rest of us outside of Minnesota have gotten to learn about the genuine, dedicated and effective Public Servant Gov. Tim Walz, let's give him the chance to shine with Kamala Harris in DC and throughout the US!
Mark Kelly's not on list but 1. Swing state AZ 2. Border state 3. Famous ex-astronaut appeal to independents/military and 4. his wife Gabby was shot so is a leading the Anti Gun Movement!
I hv a fairly large group of well read friends who share political view/news. I've never heard of Tim and none of my friends hv. Wondering how I/we missed him. Totally agree he and Pete are needed at more visible, higher level of government to help shape policies and voice needs for common good. Those working poor are in an awful position. AOC and Warren get this as well.
I love Pete, but I fear the trifecta of homophobia, misogyny and racism. We need to win this one. We can worry about the other issues once he's dead and gone.
Gasp! Then decided you were referencing the orange....I want Pete involved at higher levels w orange dead or alive, he's mostly dead, but will probably stagger thru 20 yrs or so. Ideally in a prison cell, but un-ideally at tax payer expense. Geesh
I vote Bernie Sanders as Harris' VP.
Mark Kelly's not on list but 1. Swing state AZ 2. Border state 3. Famous ex-astronaut appeal to independents/military and 4. his wife Gabby was shot so is a leading the Anti Gun Movement!
Also, she really was hit. So, there’s that “comparison” between her and the Orange.
She worked so hard and made a remarkable recovery.
I think Tim Walz is the closest to Bernie Sanders of the whole group under consideration, not just these 4 choices. The democratic socialism that Bernie espouses is almost indistinguishable from the principles of the DFL party that I grew up with in Minnesota.
Tim Walz is a solid winner! He's from industrial Midwest, small town born & bred, quick thinker, former teacher, union man, and like Buttigieg, could hold his own in interviews, talk shows, and campaigning.
never heard of him will look him up thanks. downside for him is name recognition...
OMG yes yes yes!
Love Bernie. Always fighting for us, not just when campaigning.
Mark Kelly
Had I had time in the last few days to read your substack my vote would only be Kelly. He brings in a different demographic -undecideds, Never tRumpers and Independents. Yes, who doesn’t love an Astronaut, Navy Pilot, both parents police officers, knows the border, a gun owner for gun laws, a wife whose assassination attempt actually was life changing and life challenging and they met that challenge as a team.
We need many, many more votes because the maggots plan to challenge our voted and the others bring no one new to the table except for Walz who doesn’t have Kelly’s international experience. After all Kelly has seen Russia from his spaceship.
I lean toward Kelly not for myself and the policies I care about personally but for our democracy. We need the VP candidate to bring in votes that Kamala can’t.
He probably knew some cosmonauts. They are actually just like us. Humans!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this response! Especially the punchline.
I think we should remind the American people where we were before Trump jumped in the pool and muddied the water. So I sent him this letter.
Don, I am sick and tired of you and your sycophants criticizing my government and the people who live in this country. I have been living in America about as long as you, but I was serving in the Army, attending college, working my way up, and raising a family while you were playing monopoly in New York. Don’t tell me I’m a blind fool, Don. That I drank the koolaid. I know what I see. I see that my country has weaknesses and strengths, failures and successes, bad judgements and good. As the most powerful nation in the world we are not the best, but we are trying to be. We get better every generation. Any American with his eyes open knows that. Until you came along with your vitriolic accusations, we were a nation that did not turn on each other, or threaten our elected leaders and public servants, or huddle in groups and call each other names. I’m fed up with the warped image you have and so freely spout about my country and its citizens. I deeply resent your calling the country I love corrupt, misguided, and destined to fail unless you are in charge. We were doing well without you, Don, as well as 330 million citizens can do as a nation with the wealth, power, and freedoms we inherited. And we will be doing a whole lot better when you’re gone.
Our country is corrupt, but it is our task to change that right now.
Thank you!
Lovely letter!
every word you wrote is very true. it solidifies many of my own thoughts and more. thank you for sending your letter to that “man”.
but, drumpty cannot read and if someone took the time to read it to him, he would not listen nor hear because to him, only his voice matters.
I want Kelly. I love Buttigieg but afraid we may not be ready for a female woman of color and a gay man. I think Shapiro is good and would bring in Pennsylvania but lose Michigan. Whitmer also great and 2 women would thrill me but we need to win moderates as well as liberals. Kelly covers lots of boxes and Gifford is a great asset as well.
Okay…I’m changing my vote to Kelly.
I proud to have Josh Shapiro as my governor. I deeply respect his work as a leader and his personal values. However, I would like to see Waltz in the VP post. Shapiro will come along in time. But at this point in political time, as Kamala rises, Waltz is an excellent complement. Pete Buttigieg is very high on my hopeful list also.
Tim Walz is my favorite of these four, but I don't know why Mark Kelly was not included. He checks way too many boxes to be left out. Arizona, military, astronaut, Gabby's husband...smart, strong, well-spoken. Two women, or a woman and a gay man taken together might be the only hope Trump would have to recover. I'm only speaking electorally, not impugning the competence or brilliance of anyone.
In an ideal world , my vote would be Whitmer. In real world, right now, Mark Kelly hands down.
I have been watching Pete Buttigieg on all his interviews this week. I never really paid attention to him before, but now he is totally impressing me! He's so calm and clear with his points. He's military! He speaks multiple languages, including Arabic. He's a young father. He would be a great person to have speaking to international forums and policy makers. And he's had a tough 3.5 years as Secretary of Transportation- with America's aging infrastructure and large barges hitting bridges.... Seriously. He's done an amazing job.
Mark Kelly's not on list but 1. Swing state AZ 2. Border state 3. Famous ex-astronaut appeal to independents/military and 4. his wife Gabby was shot so is a leading the Anti Gun Movement!
Sounds hopeful. I like Kamala a lot better than before. Maybe I need to listen to Pete some more!!
Mark Kelly's not on list but 1. Swing state AZ 2. Border state 3. Famous ex-astronaut appeal to independents and 4. his wife Gabby was shot so is a leading the Anti Gun Movement!
Check out Pete’s history while you’re listening.
My issue with Buttigieg is his "Medicare for All Who Wnat It." Clever, right? But it sounds like he knows it's clever, but it's absolutely not Medicare for All. He's way to the right of where I stand, so I wouldn't vote for him. Clever, smart, well-spoken, unflappable--yes. Policy-wise--No.
It is clever and makes sense. Think abt this. People who want to keep their coverage can do so, But everyone else has the government coverage. So there IS medical coverage for all. The beauty of this is it almost certainly will result, eventually, in everyone willingly leaving their insurance for the government Medicare for All. In an organic way without fussing. Insurers will have dwindling patients and struggle to cover the lawyers, big pharma/ medical corps, overhead, need to raise prices and reduce coverage, etc. resulting in willing movement from private insurance to
MCA. Betcha that'll happen. What else is he to the right of your politics? Interested
That isn't likely to happen. Look at what's happening to Medicare with Medicare Advantage. MA is a lot less expensive than Medicare. So people who can't afford Medicare, now with a Medigap policy, go to Medicare Advantage. If you're lucky and don't have an expensive illness, then great. But many times MA will not cover your expensive illness. Traditional Medicare is expensive! With the Medigap policy it's nearly $400 a month. Single payer is always undermined by the private policy.
I suggest you check out the GATS treaty. Or watch John Pilger's The Dirty War on the NHS. The people in Taiwan are happy with their single payer government insurance. That's what I want here. Single payer.Tax everyone, including the wealthy, so everyone can get good care. (And no CEO gets millions of dollars in compensation.) Buttigieg is not in favor of this.
I worked with the several nurses associations for Medicare for All and CalCare. It's a long shot. But this is an important issue for me.
By clever I don't mean smart so much as tricky/lighthearted. If you haven't met people bankrupted by medical debt and are now homeless, then you don't know the extent of the problem. Around 500,000 people every year face bankruptcy because of medical debt. So next time people talk about homeless people being drug addicts or mentally ill, you can add in your mind, oh, yeah, and bankrupt and lost their home.
On the other hand, if this issue isn't important to you, and you want someone in the White House or Naval Observatory who is smart, unflappable, and seems to have all the answers, Pete Buttigieg is a good pick.
There is also his stance on the issue of the students protesting the Gaza genocide. Yes, not war. If you watch Democracy Now! and you've seen video of starving children and bombed cars, then you would understand the passion of the protesters. As to the damage to buildings, it's hard to know if those people aren't "outside agitators," namely people who are trying to get the students into trouble. The way the police (and it shouldn't be the police) have handled the students is appalling. I'm afraid to go to my local campus with my dog, not because of the students, but because of the police presence!
How does Pete Buttigieg feel about Cop City? Or our police being trained in Israel or being trained by Israelis? (By the way, I worked in Israel for ten months in the 70s, and have numerous relatives still living there, including a great-grandfather buried on the Mount of Olives. Yes, I am Jewish.) I may be to the left of some of the people on this thread, but I've been around the block a few times, literally, campaigning for Bernie Sanders, as well as working with the county democratic party through their headquarters as a community coordinator, making thousands of phone calls and walking hundreds of precincts over the years, so I've learned what people need and want.
Thank you for asking!
Impressive world experiences. Always believe there should a sum certain cost for medical services, agree. Needs some skin in the game, even if $5 or so people will value the care - and possibly less likely to over use it. The money that accumulates I'd like to see go to research or settng up standardized best practices, need up oversight of drugs supplements etc. And Gaza hurts my stomach and heart. Those children, esp, but all the people. Warren has tabs and talks abt the medical -home loses but for some reason this rarely hits news and goes nowhere with Congress. I too worked for Bernie 2016 and helped him win MI in the primary. He's planted Huuge seeds in the minds of college students, youngins. Nice discussion
HEAR, HEAR…I SHARE YOUR JUDGMENT OF PETE B!!!
If Trump were to lose the election, or if the election results are held up in dispute, then Trump must be stopped from taking his case to his corrupted Trump supporting judges on the Supreme Court, who will reverse the election results and rule that Trump is the official winner of the election making him president of the United States???
PASS IT ON
You mean WHEN he loses AGAIN he’s going to continue to make everyone’s life miserable with his stinking lawsuits. Hopefully, President Biden can help with getting the Supreme Court sorted out before he leaves office.
Too little too late. He should have done it a year or two ago, but he’s always been against expansion of the Supreme Court.
You mean like they did once before?
Huh? Scratching my head here...
Think real, real hard Mary Lou or Google “Bush v. Gore”.
Mark Kelly from AZ is my vote for VP
I voted for Gretchen even though I don’t want her to leave Michigan — yet! But wouldn’t two strong women running against two misogynistic racist men be just perfect?!
Mark Kelly's not on list but 1. Swing state AZ 2. Border state 3. Famous ex-astronaut and 4. his wife Gabby was shot so is a leading the Anti Gun Movement!
He's a Dem Denator! We can't afford to risk losing the Senate majority; and Arizona is far from safe for electing a Dem replacement. Otherwise, I too would vote for Kelly. But we need to keep him where he is.
I would love for Gretchen Whitmer to be on the ticket, but the reality is that it simply isn’t likely. They wouldn’t win. Besides, she’s said a number of times that she’s not leaving Michigan.
Definitely a cat lady’s wet dream!
I would not choose any of these people, I like Walz but I have lived in Minnesota. They espouse a progressive attitude that they DO NOT live by - generally, they don't walk the talk. I like Senator Kelly. You are wrong that he is popular because of his wife, Gabby. He is popular because he is a great Senator and a great person. I also like Pete B. but as I understand it, he was not invited to be considered. Also,, the Michigan governor opted out several days ago, so why are you including her and Pete in this exercise?
Mark Kelly's not on list but 1. Swing state AZ 2. Border state 3. Famous ex-astronaut appeal to independents/military and 4. his wife Gabby was shot so is a leading the Anti Gun Movement!
Love this!!
Sean Sheets does too!
Examples of non walking the talk? Interested
Mark Kelly.
Sorry, America is not ready for a queer VP, much less President.
Things are achanging... Younger generations are way less reactive to that issue...I think Pete transcends labels once listened to.
I am gay. Like Pete a lot. His time will come. Its not now.
Do people not get how heavy a lift its going to be to elect a Black woman?
Get out of your bubble!!!
Pairing a gay VP with a Black woman is political suicide. Try it and watch Trump get very very happy again.
Do NOT want the orange one to be happy. Valid points
When "Younger generations" are voting in large enough numbers to make up for the others, you may have a point.
Have your heard of MAGA or Project 2025?
My comment is that America is not ready, not that it never will be.
Love Mayor Pete, as well as Governors Whitmer and Walz! We need Buttigieg in the Cabinet and we need Whitmer here in MI through 2026, so now that the rest of us outside of Minnesota have gotten to learn about the genuine, dedicated and effective Public Servant Gov. Tim Walz, let's give him the chance to shine with Kamala Harris in DC and throughout the US!
Mark Kelly's not on list but 1. Swing state AZ 2. Border state 3. Famous ex-astronaut appeal to independents/military and 4. his wife Gabby was shot so is a leading the Anti Gun Movement!
I hv a fairly large group of well read friends who share political view/news. I've never heard of Tim and none of my friends hv. Wondering how I/we missed him. Totally agree he and Pete are needed at more visible, higher level of government to help shape policies and voice needs for common good. Those working poor are in an awful position. AOC and Warren get this as well.
I love Pete, but I fear the trifecta of homophobia, misogyny and racism. We need to win this one. We can worry about the other issues once he's dead and gone.
Gasp! Then decided you were referencing the orange....I want Pete involved at higher levels w orange dead or alive, he's mostly dead, but will probably stagger thru 20 yrs or so. Ideally in a prison cell, but un-ideally at tax payer expense. Geesh
mark Kelly