FDC Members Weigh In On VP Selection
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has selected California Senator Kamala Harris to be his running mate on the 2020 Democratic ticket for the White House.
Harris, who is serving her first term in the US Senate was previously California Attorney General and District Attorney for the City of San Francisco. Harris is of mixed heritage, her father being African-American and her mother Asian-American (from India). The ticket has been praised as being more reflective of today’s America.
Video of announcement: https://twitter.com/i/status/1293530961150455808
Members of the Framingham Democratic comment on this historic moment:
Parwez Wahid: I like the selection. Harris has been an effective public servant and her inclusion on the ticket will resonate with women of color across the country. The black vote cannot be taken for granted and Biden is acknowledging this.
Jim Hansen: There is no shortage of women of color qualified for this position. Picking Harris was a safe centrist choice that should bring more people to the polls to vote for Democrats up and down the ballot. The most important factor in this election is ensuring a resounding unambiguous defeat of neo-fascism. This lefty progressive Democrat will be working hard and enthusiastically to elect the Biden-Harris ticket.
Mary Kate Feeney: What a great day for America with Kamala Harris on board with Joe Biden. She will bring the poise, the smarts and the understanding of everyday Americans to Pennsylvania Avenue. And as a woman, this choice makes me so very proud. I am thrilled with this choice – and will even be more thrilled to vote for the Biden-Harris ticket in November.
David Magnani: Regarding Kamala Harris’ selection as our VP pick, I am thrilled that Joe Biden has chosen a woman of color as his VP pick, and please let us not undervalue or fail to recognize that she got here through extraordinary intellect, hard work, judgement, political savvy, personal magnetism and damn good horse sense. VP Biden exercised impeccable process and good judgement in what will be seen as perhaps one of the most important decisions he will make as our nominee.
Kurt Fusaris: When Joe Biden said he wanted a running-mate who could lead on Day One and with whom he could forge as strong a relationship as he had with President Obama, it is little surprise that the choice was Harris. Joe needed someone with experience fighting for everyday Americans. He needed someone who has and will continue to prosecute the case against those who have corrupted our American democratic system and its institutions. When it comes to governing, Joe needs someone to lead the team of rivals that will challenge him when necessary. If Obama was the transformational leader, then Harris is a transitional leader and she inspires a new generation of Americans eager to build our nation back better. Biden didn’t need to shake up the race, but that doesn’t make his choice of Harris any less bold. Harris isn’t afraid of the fight ahead. Can we do this? Yes we Kam!
Cheryl Tully Stoll: When Title IX passed, I was a little girl who just finished 5th grade at Dunning. In sixth grade, my woodworking shop class was featured on the Channel 7 news as girls were now allowed to take shop and boys to take home economic for the first time.
Since then I’ve seen a woman President at Harvard, which for generations, only gave degrees to men. Women went to Harvard; but their degree said Radcliff. I’ve seen female astronauts, multiple female Secretaries of State (a bit ironic that the title is “secretary.”); a female Attorney General, 3 women as Vice Presidential candidates for a major political party (the qualified ones ran for our party) and a woman as the Presidential Candidate for a major party (also ours). I’ve seen a female Speaker of the House be one of the strongest Speakers ever. I’ve seen a man of color serve as one of the most distinguished presidents of my life time, and now I get to see a female of color run for Vice President. If we, as a party, do this right; we could have our first female President of the United States be a woman of color in eight years. Such a wonderful example for all of our young people who aspire to succeed. Kudos Joe, you made a great choice and good history.
Jack Patrick Lewis: Women of color and Black women are the core of the Democratic Party. Senator Kamala Harris, one of the Senate’s most progressive members, brings unique experiences, a deep passion, and steadfast leadership to this race. President Trump and Vice President Pence are being supported by Americans who celebrate racism, bigotry, and a nostalgia for the antebellum period, the Biden-Harris ticket is historic and uniquely positioned to set us on a path towards a more just, equitable future.
Tracey Bryant: I am excited about the selection of Sen. Kamala Harris as the Democratic vice presidential nominee. She is the perfect running mate for VP Biden. The fact that she is a Black and Asian woman, from a large state like California, and perfectly balances and strengthens Vice President Biden as our next president, is secondary. There are some parts of the country in which a young, White male running mate might have picked up some votes. I’m glad Biden chose quality over courting favor.
My primary reasons for believing Senator Harris is the best VP choice for America, is that she is exceptionally effective. She has a proven track record. Promises need not be made – the proof is there. She has the courage of her convictions and the ability to not just attack the challenges facing America, but to also solve them.
She attacks challenges with unwavering determination, transparency, and a laser focus. She gains an in-depth knowledge of the problems, and with the adeptness of a premier surgeon, she preserves the healthy, and cuts out our society’s ills. She will provides solutions we all can live with.
Her abilities are unmatched. She has walked the perfect line on so many issues, she can draw collaboration from both sides of the aisle. Her record of service will sell her. Her toughness and strength will compel Republican legislators to work with her. Her integrity and results are unimpeachable. Character, intelligence, a broad-based background, and proven expertise on issues that keep Americans up at night:
Kamala Harris is simply the right American for the job!
I would only caution the Democratic Campaign Committee not to assume that the American public really knows Kamala Harris. Nor should they assume that most voters will read all the position papers and documents they provide online; a mistake made during Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. While it was good to have them online, they gravely overestimated how many Americans would actually make the time to familiarize themselves with the documents. The Committee must do the work of making Ms. Harris known and properly represented to the American public