The Best Match
Let's start by identifying a universe of possible candidates. Then we'll describe each contender's strengths, weaknesses, and which other candidates contribute to that contender's campaign.
Since we're unsure who, exactly, will enter the race, we'll confine this exercise to the more prominent Dem. candidates who've actually announced some kind of intention to run for President: Warren, Hickenlooper, Gillibrand, Castro, Harris, Brown and Booker.
Since he recently entered the race...
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We start with Sen. Cory Booker:
Strengths: Friendly, Ebullient, Studious, Tethered To Homeys, Peaceful.
Weaknesses: Lacks Attack-dog Instincts, Single, Centrist Tendencies?
The obvious match is with someone who's more of a firebrand; this, in order to reassure the dedicated base of the party that Booker's perceived Centrism isn't ascendant. And, being single, the likeliest match would be with a somewhat older woman, to avoid problems with a younger, married woman. This all points to Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
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Second, Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown:
Strengths: Personable, Grounded, Strong Labor Ties, Successful Electoral History
Weaknesses: One Less Democratic Senator, Relatively Unknown
Brown needs pizzaz to go with his 'old shoe' likability. Someone respected in Washington circles with name recognition. The obvious answer is Sen. Elizabeth Warren, but she and Brown are both outspoken populists. Wouldn't a different emphasis better compliment? In this case, yes, Sen. Kamala Harris would give him the 'wow' factor that he needs.
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And now for Julian Castro, former cabinet secretary under President Obama:
Strengths: Young, Charismatic, Team Player, Texan
Weaknesses: Relatively Untested, Unknown,
His need is for someone with name recognition. Sen. Elizabeth Warren would be perfect.
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Ok, let's now turn to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand:
Strengths: Fighting Spirit, "Me Too" Champion
Weaknesses: Lacks Experience, Formerly Centrist
Gillibrand would do well to expand her appeal to people of color. Secretary Julian Castro would accomplish this while emphasizing Castro's and Gillibrand's attractiveness when trying to appeal to younger generations.
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Next up, Sen. Kamala Harris:
Strengths: Redemptive appeal to multiple racial groups, Early California Primary, Well-Executed Campaign Roll-Out
Weaknesses: Centrist Tendencies?
Harris has excitement; she needs acceptance from the party base and appeal to MidWestern voters. This points to Sen. Elizabeth Warren and her populist message, or possibly Sen. Sherrod Brown.
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This leads to former Colorado governor, John Hickenlooper:
Strengths: Successful Governor, Business Background, Even Keel
Weaknesses: "Fire-in-the-belly?", Centrist?
To get any traction in the race, he needs excitement. So, Beto O'Rourke (if he were running); Sen. Kamala Harris would be another possible pairing.
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And finally, Sen. Elizabeth Warren:
Strengths: Powerful Message, Projects Strength, Well-known, Deep Campaign, Large Fundraising List
Weaknesses: Press Being Whispered To
Warren is a top-tier candidate who would do well if paired up with a candidate of color. So, someone like Sen. Cory Booker, Secretary Julian Castro, or Sen. Kamala Harris. Likely the best bet would be a candidate from an important early state, so we'll settle on Julian Castro, since Texas would probably produce the bigger delegate haul, with a Californian (Harris) in the race.
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As I've been suggesting since last summer, 2020 may be the perfect year for candidates to break the mold of previous politicking by joining forces prior to the primary election season--in this case working as a pair. This attracts press coverage; emphasizes the alternative to 'negative' campaigning; combines resources, and builds something larger than the sum of a campaign's parts (and, no, Ted Cruz's late primary pairing in 2016 doesn't count; also, I was advocating for this in 1976: Mo Udall, Fred Harris, Walter Mondale, and Jimmy C.).
Which pairing, above, is the most powerful? Warren seems to have the most mentions as a likely match (three). Harris and Castro have two each. This might suggest that combining their talents, somehow, would be the way to go. For some reason, I think Booker/Warren or Warren/Booker might be the strongest, but who knows at this stage?
And how would a candidate pair decide who was President and who Veep? By letting voters decide. The announced union would simply mean a coordination of messages, appearances and advertising. The press coverage, alone, would likely be worth the effort.
I will update as others jump in:
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Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar has announced:
Strengths: Rural Appeal; MidWest Sensibility; Bi-Partisan Record; Successful
Weaknesses: Lesser Known, Taskmaster To Staff
Klobuchar is a Woman and a MidWesterner, key demographics (especially if Trump is the Republican candidate). She values discipline (perhaps to a fault), which is probably good if she can get to the general election, and come across as a no-nonsense truth teller to Trump. She would do well to have a person of color as a teammate. Probably a lesser-known like Julian Castro or Cory Booker. We'll single out Booker, due to his energetic drive. As I suggested last year, Klobuchar, Booker and Castro could form a pact, that would work together as a team. It would guarantee a major position in the cabinet for the 3rd place finisher; the Veep position for 2nd place, and the nomination for 1st. Then have Warren, Harris and Biden handling Finance, Justice and Military matters, respectively; plus Hickenlooper overseeing Business, and Oprah as Spokesperson. Consolidate cabinet positions under these 8 principals to streamline government and enable efficient decision-making, while operating as a team.
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