Hillary Adds An Understudy

Counting Down Her Choices

My Veep picks for Hil, from least to most likely:

14. Oprah — celebrity rebuttal to DJT

13. Tom Perez — ties to labor left might please Bernie; also Latino roots 

12.  Al Franken — SNL alum brings fun to dour proceedings, but seriously

11. Corey Booker — young, crisp, efficient, media-savvy

10. Kirsten Gillibrand — sometimes it’s just personal chemistry 

9. Joe Biden — folksy manner, Part II?

8. Sherrod Brown — unabashed populist fighter appeals to average Joe

7. Susan Collins — Republican centrist gives up Senate seat, induces swoon among ‘serious’ pundits

6. Jeff Merkley — Bernie backer makes it seem like Clinton/Sanders

5. Tim Kaine — guy-next-door appeal; mild-mannered centrist

4. Elizabeth Warren — populist, outspoken, lays down law

3. Mark Warner — masculine persona with appeal to centrists, business

2. Amy Klobuchar — here’s the future, folks

1. John Hickenlooper — likable, unafraid freestyler for Hil to have a beer with

Hillary’s Secret Weapon: Bernie

Bernie, You’re On In 6, 5, 4, ….

The Hillary Clinton camp needs as many Bernie Sanders supporters as possible in November.

Bernie, meanwhile, has built a movement that, knowing it’ll fall short of its goal, needs a way forward.

Absent the obdurate pride that big egos often demand, this is a perfect opportunity for outreach.  And the Hillary camp is probably considering its options.  Here’s one approach:

1.  Hillary’s offer of outreach, if sincere and reasonable, is just as important as whether Sanders accepts.  

2.  Mix up a combination of inclusivity with take-your-medicine by announcing, that Sen. Sanders is welcome to tackle three issues, legislatively, during the course of a Hillary presidency—either as a rotating cabinet member, or as a senator, whichever he wants.

3. Three possibilities:

*  Living Wage advocate, pushing legislation for higher wages.

*  College Affordability czar, putting together a legislative plan.

*  Drug Policy reformer, setting out sensible, realistic legislation.

In all three cases, let Bernie bring it, getting as much accomplished as possible.

The beauty of Sanders and Clinton combining forces is that: A) Sanders is forced to face the music of realistic expectations, as legislation is watered down in order to pass; and B) Clinton, likewise, must confront the likelihood of fairly radical success, if Sanders supporters push the Democratic party to a big victory in November.