Willie Brown says this is why Kamala Harris should decline VP role
Former mayor weighs in on another position up for grabs that might not be historic, but has more power than the vice presidency
Former San Francisco mayor, Willie Brown, wrote an op-ed in the San Francisco Chronicle this weekend saying that his friend, Kamala Harris, should decline the vice-presidency if offered.
Brown wrote, “Being picked for the vice presidency is obviously a huge honor, and if Biden wins, Harris would make history by being the first woman to hold the job.”
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“But,” he wrote, “the glory would be short-lived, and historically, the vice presidency has often ended up being a dead end. For every George H.W. Bush, who ascended from the job to the presidency, there’s an Al Gore, who never got there.”
Brown surmised that in her role, Harris would have “no real power and little chance to accomplish anything independent of the president.”
“Basically, no one takes the vice president seriously after election day. Just ask Mike Pence.”
(Photo by Tom Williams-Pool/Getty Images)
The op-ed is behind a paywall on the Chronicle site but was reposted by MSN.
Brown wrote that if Biden wins, the “next few years promise to be a very bumpy ride.” He said that Harris should instead be the attorney general.
The former mayor continues, “the attorney general has legitimate power. From atop the Justice Department, the boss can make a real mark on everything from police reform to racial justice to prosecuting corporate misdeeds.”
“That’s power,” he wrote.
“Best of all, being attorney general would give Harris enough distance from the White House to still be a viable candidate for the top slot in 2024 or 2028, no matter what the state of the nation.”
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Speculation that Harris might be Biden’s VP pick increased last week after Joe Biden was seen with notes that had her name at the top followed by five talking points: “Do not hold grudges.” “Campaigned with me & Jill.” “Talented.” “Great help to campaign.” “Great respect for her.”
The vice presidential announcement is expected in the next week leading up to August 17, the start of the Democratic National Convention.
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