To the Editor:
Re “Klobuchar Drops Out of Biden’s V.P. Search and Backs Picking a Woman of Color” (nytimes.com, June 19):
I am a moderate Republican and have never supported Donald Trump. I’m confident that Joe Biden will do a better job as president and agree with most of his centrist ideologies. Because of his age, 77, I care deeply about whom he chooses for his running mate and feel that her positions should align with his.
I believe that Amy Klobuchar is the most qualified vice-presidential candidate, but her withdrawal from consideration leaves me searching for another moderate Democrat. Senator Tammy Duckworth and Mr. Biden share similar stances on health care, the environment and student debt relief. Representative Val Demings shows promise as a centrist on law enforcement and economic issues, but she lacks a real track record while in office.
I’m disappointed that Ms. Klobuchar withdrew. I hope Mr. Biden chooses another candidate who appeals to fiscally conservative, socially liberal voters like me. Millions of moderate Republican votes will be lost in the general election if Mr. Biden chooses a progressive V.P. like Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris or Stacey Abrams.
Jana Happel
New York
To the Editor:
Re “Biden’s Search for a Running Mate Puts a Select Few Women in the Spotlight” (news article, June 14):
When we make a case for whom Joe Biden should select for a running mate, the most important consideration should be “Is this person ready to be president?” if he is unable to fulfill his first term or doesn’t run for a second one.
Susan Rice is probably the most viable candidate for the vice presidency. She is a woman and an African-American, which satisfy the diversity issues. Her credentials are impeccable: national security adviser, ambassador to the United Nations, etc. She has the experience, the temperament and the gravitas to be seriously considered for the vice president.
Athena Galitsis
Beechhurst, N.Y.
To the Editor:
There’s one more African-American woman who should be on Joe Biden’s list of potential running mates. No further need for painstaking vetting in this case, given how much is already known about her and how fully she personifies the desired combination of insight and personality, leadership potential, and already proven ability to inspire and embrace diverse segments of the populace.
This outside-the-box, yet sensible and workable choice would electrify the election in ways no one else (of any race) could right now: Michelle Obama.
Tim Smith
Reisterstown, Md.
To the Editor:
Re “Roadblock to a Biden-Warren Ticket: Decades of Policy Disputes” (front page, May 23):
As much as I admire Senator Elizabeth Warren, her selection as Joe Biden’s running mate would be a major mistake that could cost him the election.
An important reason that Hillary Clinton lost to Donald Trump in 2016 was that voter turnout among black women decreased from 70.7 percent in 2012, when Barack Obama headed the ticket, to 64.1 percent in 2016.
Mr. Biden has promised to choose a woman as his running mate, which is admirable, but he needs to go farther and choose a black woman who will motivate black, female voters to come back to the polls. Senator Warren will not do that, and there are several excellent black female Democrats who will.
Richard Kavesh
Nyack, N.Y.
To the Editor:
Re “Calls Grow for Biden to Choose Black Woman” (news article, June 11):
An eminently qualified individual as the Democratic V.P. candidate was unfortunately left out of this otherwise comprehensive article. She is African-American, more experienced in politics and diplomacy than any of the names mentioned and without question one who would help unite our nation. We speak of Condoleezza Rice.
Sure, she’s a Republican, but she’s no ideologue. Yes, there are missteps in her past, yet she cares deeply for America. Plus, she’s business-friendly, a proven administrator and whip smart. If Joe Biden really wants “someone strong” and someone “who is ready to be president on Day 1,” he should give Condi a call.
A Democratic-Republican ticket can win — and unite America in the process.
Nikki Wood
Jim Wood
Tiburon, Calif.
To the Editor:
Re “Biden’s Perfect Running Mate,” by Rachel Bitecofer (Op-Ed, May 27):
We definitely don’t need a ticket-complementing pick but instead require a ticket-balancing pick. Also, Joe Biden doesn’t need his V.P. pick’s help in rebuilding the Democrats’ Midwest “blue wall.”
As far as ticket-balancing goes, Kamala Harris edges out Elizabeth Warren in terms of diversity, experience and appeal to independents and suburban voters.
Then there is the sweet karma of role reversal. In 2008 a mixed-race presidential candidate picked a ticket-balancing white man as his V.P. In 2020 that same white man as presidential candidate picks a ticket-balancing, mixed-race person as his V.P. candidate — who also happens to be the most qualified woman for the job. It just cannot get any better than Biden-Harris.
Jack Nargundkar
Germantown, Md.
To the Editor:
It is time for Elizabeth Warren. She has the intelligence, creativity, energy and passion to work with Joe Biden.
June Cuomo
Cambridge, Mass.
To the Editor:
I enjoyed your article, but you missed the mark. Stacey Abrams has no qualifications to be president should something happen to Joe Biden. Senator Elizabeth Warren has proved her vulnerability in the primaries.
The most sensible candidate is Representative Val Demings, from Florida. Her qualifications include a degree in criminology, serving as chief of police in Orlando, Fla., and being a Democratic loyalist. When she speaks publicly, she is fact-based. In today’s politics, this is a breath of fresh air. She checks all the boxes and then some.
Gerry Rosenthal
Southport, N.C.
To the Editor:
Rachel Bitecofer clearly lays out the reasons that Joe Biden should pick a progressive running mate, signaling to the growing number of young progressives that the party finally acknowledges and embraces them. But in listing prospective candidates who reflect the gender, race and ideological diversity of the Democratic Party she has overlooked an obvious choice: Representative Barbara Lee of California.
Representative Lee is best known for casting the lone vote in Congress against the Iraq war. Before and since she has shown herself to be a woman of extraordinary ability, independence and integrity. Barbara Lee would be an inspired — and inspiring — choice as a running mate.
Patricia Roberto
Berkeley, Calif.
Source: Elections - nytimes.com
