J. F. Shumate

Weird Vice President Choices Leave Us Wandering In The Woods

Perhaps you, like me, have been wandering in the woods looking for someone for the next President. Thanks to the choices made by both parties for their Vice President candidate, I am now wondering and wandering in the woods.

Both parties should pick the strongest Vice President candidate, someone who offsets the President’s weaknesses, perhaps not spout dogma, and can rally the undecided to their cause. Someone who could easily step into the shoes if the President dies in office.

 Harris and Trump have done a disservice to the voters by picking candidates who mimic their beliefs. The two VP candidates are empty suits about the economy and world politics, two vitally important skills.

Balancing the Democratic ticket should include someone strong on the world economy and politics as it’s a hole in Harris’ resume.  The Republican ticket should have someone with broader views of women’s and minority’s rights.

Let’s review Tim Walz (age 60) versus Josh Shapiro (age 51):

Over the last 4 years, Walz’s Minnesota experienced a 4.1% economic growth rate, which is not much better than inflation, remaining 35^th in the country. Shapiro’s Pennsylvania grew at 15.1%. Give Walz a zero on governing the economy.

Walz’s views on the world situation are unknown. His background as a teacher and coach certainly isn’t encouraging. How can he advise Harris on the Middle East when he couldn’t manage rioting in Minneapolis?  Shapiro is a former Attorney General and has strong views on the Middle East. Give Walz another zero.

Walz stated he is not interested in running for President. Does he know he is only a heartbeat away from that post? Most voters size up the VP on one point: If the President dies, can the VP handle the job? Shapiro is a younger, vigorous man. Give Walz a third zero.

Neither Vance nor Walz seems experienced enough to step up the job. Considering the advanced age of the Republican candidate (if elected he will be Biden’s age at the end of his term,) his VP certainly should be qualified for the position.  But no, it’s more important that he has a sycophant on the ticket.  But then, Harris, not to be outdone by Trump, chose a compliant old white guy to hide away in the VP’s office, reminiscent of Obama choosing Biden.

We now face choosing between two weak candidate tickets or voting for a couple of totally off-the-wall independents. Thanks a lot.

I give the two parties a tie vote: ZERO. You are both voted off my island.