As much as I enjoy the excitement and brainstorming, I think it's worth noting that a lot of people don't feel that Harris necessarily represents their vote and don't want, as the NPR Politics folks put it, a "coronation." I can see why some would feel that there's no option but Harris, but it's notable that Pelosi, Obama, and others are allowing a decent interval before issuing endorsements. So I think it's too soon to leap to veepstakes for Harris. Fully realize that to many I'm registering as a wet blanket. But this is an incredibly steep climb, and to get a lot of people really excited about this ticket will require more than a rubber stamp.
Mark Kelly, a solid person of accomplishment. Add spouse Gabby Giffords to the mix, someone who took a bullet directly to the head and survived, and you have appeal to both the conscious and unconscious parts of our beings.
As a New Yorker, I can tell you it will need to be someone who is willing to stand up to Trump's incessant pattern of intense fabrication. He has a profound tendency of getting the last word in, which often negates the power and value of an important statement just made by the opposition. As humans, we usually remember the last thing we heard, instead of what we heard before that last thing.
For example, when Trump mentioned in the first debate that he did not understand what Biden had just said and that he didn't think Biden knew what he had said either...that is what we remember. Trump is a master at deferring any negative comments about himself through an illusory form of Displacement, first recognized by Freud as a psychological dimension of "dream distortion". Put simply, he replaces any negative connotation with a fabricated illusion that minimizes the importance of the initial statement. Such as when he simply adds "witch hunt" or "Trump Haters" to a response rather than addressing the issue.
Amanda Carpenter, who helped run Cruz's primary campaign in 2015, wrote Gaslighting America: Why We Love It When Trump Lies to Us---warning others about this. I don't think anyone in political power read the book, maybe because it came from Carpenter. I know Biden's pre-debate prep did not read the book. Perhaps, the Harris team will take your substack writing to heart and that Mr. Leonard can get you to write more about this.
In 2015, my therapist friend in Iowa commented that the D's needed to hire not only better campaign help, but a psychologist to better combat Trump (with his lies, mocking people with disabilities, etc. They still do.
I wasn’t familiar with Andy Beshear until reading your comment, thanks for sharing! I can’t picture him giving up his governorship, especially in Kentucky where we’re lucky to have a Democratic governor.
Gov. Walz Has executive experience, from the battleground region, military record better than either R, former educator, signed conservation mandates, and signed legalization of cannabis checks a lot of boxes that will add young swing voters, base groups, and veterans. Harris is a hot candidate that balanced a steady Biden, this would balance out the same with get it done middle aged white guy. A little boring trustworthy up against lying chaos.
I like all of the possibilities I've heard. But, not withstanding many positions they hold that I disagree with, how interesting it would be if she would choose a Republican like Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, or Mit Romney
Liz, while touring to promote her book, kept reminding us she is a republican, disagrees with democrats on policy. Despite the fact I respect her very much, it would be unwise to nominate her.
Mary Trump has continually warned us about her uncle. Mocking people with disabilities (which was common after Vets returned from the World War II conflict missing limbs) is a strong sign of a mental derangement in the mocker. The idea is to stigmatize the individuals as a means of trying to deal with your own grief. It is a warped sense of reality to express grievance on another’s physical impairment…children engage in this type of behavior, not adults.
Immediate thoughts were Mark Kelly, a moderate from Arizona, and he's got that astronaut hero-thing-forever going on. I really hate "knowing" and saying this...but the US collective "We" would not support two women or two people of color on the top ticket. The only potential negative is Kelly's voice on gun control. I support his truly informed position. Those on the fence about supporting him, as a vote for Kamala Harris, MAY not. It's a sub rosa challenge. The NRA will up their negative rhetoric and most on the fence will likely drink the NRA Kool-aid. Figuring out classy ways to accept and overcome potential voting realities we don't like gets us across the finish line given the short timeline.
I personally like Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg. (I’ve heard both of them in person campaigning for the presidential race 2020) However, I don’t think those may be winning choices for the race .Probably some Midwestern or swing state governor/ Senator.
Bob, first of all, I want to compliment you on the Old Woman sitting on the sidewalk substance from the other day. It gave me pause and personal reflection. Concerning today's discussion, my first thought before we rummage around looking for running mates is the following thought: the process to nominate Harris HAS to be legitimate and Maga proof. If this forces an open convention, than so shall it must. Otherwise Trump and his cartel of followers will riddle the efforts with criticism and lies. Harris has stated she wants to earn and fight for this nomination, as well she should. There isn't time to miss step anymore. Putting a horse before securing a cart won't do.
Here are three other writings that endorse Amanda Carpenter's belief about Trump's use of gaslighting: :
.
1. "The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump" by Bandy X. Lee: This book, written by 27 mental health professionals, discusses the psychological and emotional manipulation techniques used by Trump, including gaslighting, to undermine truth and manipulate public perception.
2. "Gaslighting: Recognize Manipulative and Emotionally Abusive People - and Break Free" by Stephanie Moulton Sarkis: Although not exclusively about Trump, this book provides a comprehensive understanding of gaslighting techniques and includes examples of political figures, including Trump, using these tactics to control narratives and mislead the public.
"3. On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" by Timothy Snyder: This book examines the rise of authoritarianism and includes analysis on how Trump uses gaslighting to erode democratic norms and manipulate truth, drawing parallels with historical examples of totalitarian regimes.
It is sad when I see so many R's genuflect to his lies. His lies weaken society. There are probably parallels to D's not speaking out when leaders are close to psychopathic or congenital liars and gaslighters. Just to be fair. I grew up under Mayor Daley the first. He would deny the truth and if he did not like follow up questions, he would just walk out..and of course, got away with it, other than with Mike Royko and a few courageous city council members.
The sad truth is that many civilizations before us underwent a coup right bout at 250 years: the Turkish empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Byzantine Empire among many others. We are at 248 years now. We are not very much different from those empires. Project 2025 of the GOP is very much a similar plan to the steps required to gain authoritarianism and change the whole concept of a Democracy. There’s more at stake than many people realize.
I like Kelly, (and Arizona is a "battleground state), but think someone like Shapiro would be a better pick. As an infrastructure/transportation geek, I like Buttigieg, but tbh, hopes he keeps his current cabinet position.
I really like Mark Kelly or Pete Buttegieg although I'm not sure either makes sense. Kelly brings military experience and, as an astronaut, brings a certain heroic persona to the ticket. However, he's from AZ and I'm not positive that having candidates from two western states is ideal. Pete is great, but is the electorate going to vote for a Black President and a gay VP? Democrats will, but I'm not sure about independent voters and cross-over Republicans. As for balancing the ticket it might be better to go with the Pennsylvania or Kentucky governors. And, if all else fails, I'm always available. 🙂
I had the opportunity to meet Kamala Harris on Thanksgiving Day 2019. She was at the finish line of the Des Moines Turkey Trot handing out cookies. My comment to her at the time was that I was not sure she would be president but what an Attorney General she would be. She smiled. I still think that is where she should be. Scaring the hell out of corrupt and illegal business people and really bringing justice to this country. I am not sure still about president but she has my vote.
One thing I am sure about. Rob Sand will be our next governor!
How about someone from the Midwest? The Democrats have given up on rural America but there are more of us than blue states. Appeal to our farmers, climate change, and revitalizing our small towns. Maybe we could win a red state. Tester of Montana has figured out how a moderate can win in a deep red state. Let’s back rural America.
Amanda Carpenter's book "Gaslighting America: Why We Love It When Trump Lies to Us" explores how Trump used gaslighting—a manipulative tactic involving lying, denying, and twisting facts—to dominate political discourse and control public perception. Carpenter, a former staffer for Ted Cruz and a political commentator dissects Trump's methods, showing how his constant falsehoods and exaggerations create confusion, foster loyalty among supporters, and manipulate the media. The book highlights the dangers of this strategy for democracy, urging readers to recognize and combat gaslighting to preserve truth and accountability in politics.
Remember how Trump lied during 2014, increased his lying in 2016 and only accelerated since 2020, given the media and political leaders’ failures to make him pay for the lies to the public. False equivalency reporting has been an ongoing failure in the age of a liar like Trump and the power of social media.
Fast forward to the debate. Trump lied. Trump took credit for solving COVID and reducing the cost of insulin. I blame his staff for not immediately issuing press on each of the lies, like one a day.
The Biden pre-debate prep and ongoing failure to respond quickly and appropriately to Trump lies is vivid and visual proof that D leaders, the Harris team and DNC have not learned. I do not understand why some think Trump will stop.
Let’s be frank. Trump is in this Presidential race for one main reason…to save his butt from likely incarceration. You will not hear anyone in the party or the mainstream media make reference to this glaring fact. Instead, they have swept the myriad legal issues under the carpet for the time being. SCOTUS helped make that happen. He has support in the highest places.
To beat Trump, the opposition has to have a foolproof plan to hold him accountable for his statements and then be immediately ready to reveal that what he is saying has no merit, was fabricated and was intended to mislead the general public. The opposition must reveal this tendency over and over again.
For example, when he asserts that he is the best at this or that and no one has ever done better (a common assertion from him). Such a statement needs evidence, immediately or else he gets away with fabricating. He says things like “you can look it up, it’s been published in the top journals”…”everyone knows I’m right”…there are bout 60 such statements he uses to self-validate his position on something…without ever having to go into any detail about the topic. This is masterful and so far the media has allowed him to get away with it. If it continues, I am afraid he will just lie his way back into the Whitehouse.
Gov Whitmer brings name recognition and an inside track to swing state Michigan. Two women raise the historic nature of the ticket up a notch as well. Last, what combo surpasses their combined voices on reproductive rights and better represents the next generation of leadership America needs?
Well, boo. Quick point - given the calendar and the turmoil over the last few weeks of "will he or won't he" drop out, I don't think there's much appetite for the infighting/sorting through potential candidates other than Harris. I believe it's a done deal. Agree with others that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, 51, is great choice. Nothing wrong with Beshear of KY, but would he actually help much with a state like Georgia?
As much as I enjoy the excitement and brainstorming, I think it's worth noting that a lot of people don't feel that Harris necessarily represents their vote and don't want, as the NPR Politics folks put it, a "coronation." I can see why some would feel that there's no option but Harris, but it's notable that Pelosi, Obama, and others are allowing a decent interval before issuing endorsements. So I think it's too soon to leap to veepstakes for Harris. Fully realize that to many I'm registering as a wet blanket. But this is an incredibly steep climb, and to get a lot of people really excited about this ticket will require more than a rubber stamp.
No, you’re not! Demand an open brokerage convention and nominate a legitimate ticket. #ElizabethWarren,KatiePorter2024.
If the Christians are correct, there’s a special place in hell for a woman of color who packs corrupt old white guy water.
Pete Buttigieg. Kamala would have eviscerated Vance in the vp debate. Pete would emasculate him. His interview by Bill Maher last friday proves it.
Mark Kelly, a solid person of accomplishment. Add spouse Gabby Giffords to the mix, someone who took a bullet directly to the head and survived, and you have appeal to both the conscious and unconscious parts of our beings.
I agree with Mark.
As a New Yorker, I can tell you it will need to be someone who is willing to stand up to Trump's incessant pattern of intense fabrication. He has a profound tendency of getting the last word in, which often negates the power and value of an important statement just made by the opposition. As humans, we usually remember the last thing we heard, instead of what we heard before that last thing.
For example, when Trump mentioned in the first debate that he did not understand what Biden had just said and that he didn't think Biden knew what he had said either...that is what we remember. Trump is a master at deferring any negative comments about himself through an illusory form of Displacement, first recognized by Freud as a psychological dimension of "dream distortion". Put simply, he replaces any negative connotation with a fabricated illusion that minimizes the importance of the initial statement. Such as when he simply adds "witch hunt" or "Trump Haters" to a response rather than addressing the issue.
Amanda Carpenter, who helped run Cruz's primary campaign in 2015, wrote Gaslighting America: Why We Love It When Trump Lies to Us---warning others about this. I don't think anyone in political power read the book, maybe because it came from Carpenter. I know Biden's pre-debate prep did not read the book. Perhaps, the Harris team will take your substack writing to heart and that Mr. Leonard can get you to write more about this.
In 2015, my therapist friend in Iowa commented that the D's needed to hire not only better campaign help, but a psychologist to better combat Trump (with his lies, mocking people with disabilities, etc. They still do.
I would love to hear more about this.
I would like to see Andy Beshear as the running mate.
A solid choice. Sherrod Brown?
I also like Sherrod Brown, but was concerned about how his seat would be filled - would it be by the Republican governor of Ohio??? Not sure.
I wasn’t familiar with Andy Beshear until reading your comment, thanks for sharing! I can’t picture him giving up his governorship, especially in Kentucky where we’re lucky to have a Democratic governor.
Gov. Walz Has executive experience, from the battleground region, military record better than either R, former educator, signed conservation mandates, and signed legalization of cannabis checks a lot of boxes that will add young swing voters, base groups, and veterans. Harris is a hot candidate that balanced a steady Biden, this would balance out the same with get it done middle aged white guy. A little boring trustworthy up against lying chaos.
I like all of the possibilities I've heard. But, not withstanding many positions they hold that I disagree with, how interesting it would be if she would choose a Republican like Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, or Mit Romney
Kinzinger would be a fantastic choice.
Liz, while touring to promote her book, kept reminding us she is a republican, disagrees with democrats on policy. Despite the fact I respect her very much, it would be unwise to nominate her.
I would take anyone that can beat Trump and has some principles and common human decency.
Or Ben Sapp?
Pete Buttigieg
He did well at the caucus, but would he be excepted nationally ??
Mary Trump has continually warned us about her uncle. Mocking people with disabilities (which was common after Vets returned from the World War II conflict missing limbs) is a strong sign of a mental derangement in the mocker. The idea is to stigmatize the individuals as a means of trying to deal with your own grief. It is a warped sense of reality to express grievance on another’s physical impairment…children engage in this type of behavior, not adults.
Immediate thoughts were Mark Kelly, a moderate from Arizona, and he's got that astronaut hero-thing-forever going on. I really hate "knowing" and saying this...but the US collective "We" would not support two women or two people of color on the top ticket. The only potential negative is Kelly's voice on gun control. I support his truly informed position. Those on the fence about supporting him, as a vote for Kamala Harris, MAY not. It's a sub rosa challenge. The NRA will up their negative rhetoric and most on the fence will likely drink the NRA Kool-aid. Figuring out classy ways to accept and overcome potential voting realities we don't like gets us across the finish line given the short timeline.
I like Mark Kelly, but for geographic diversity, another person would be better. I think Josh Shapiro, governor of the swing state of Pennsylvania.
I personally like Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg. (I’ve heard both of them in person campaigning for the presidential race 2020) However, I don’t think those may be winning choices for the race .Probably some Midwestern or swing state governor/ Senator.
I’m also in the Mark Kelly camp!
Bob, first of all, I want to compliment you on the Old Woman sitting on the sidewalk substance from the other day. It gave me pause and personal reflection. Concerning today's discussion, my first thought before we rummage around looking for running mates is the following thought: the process to nominate Harris HAS to be legitimate and Maga proof. If this forces an open convention, than so shall it must. Otherwise Trump and his cartel of followers will riddle the efforts with criticism and lies. Harris has stated she wants to earn and fight for this nomination, as well she should. There isn't time to miss step anymore. Putting a horse before securing a cart won't do.
Thank you! Agreed.
I keep fantasizing about a tough Southern broad like Wendy Davis.
🤩🤩🤩
Don't know the name but like the characterization!
Here are three other writings that endorse Amanda Carpenter's belief about Trump's use of gaslighting: :
.
1. "The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump" by Bandy X. Lee: This book, written by 27 mental health professionals, discusses the psychological and emotional manipulation techniques used by Trump, including gaslighting, to undermine truth and manipulate public perception.
2. "Gaslighting: Recognize Manipulative and Emotionally Abusive People - and Break Free" by Stephanie Moulton Sarkis: Although not exclusively about Trump, this book provides a comprehensive understanding of gaslighting techniques and includes examples of political figures, including Trump, using these tactics to control narratives and mislead the public.
"3. On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" by Timothy Snyder: This book examines the rise of authoritarianism and includes analysis on how Trump uses gaslighting to erode democratic norms and manipulate truth, drawing parallels with historical examples of totalitarian regimes.
It is sad when I see so many R's genuflect to his lies. His lies weaken society. There are probably parallels to D's not speaking out when leaders are close to psychopathic or congenital liars and gaslighters. Just to be fair. I grew up under Mayor Daley the first. He would deny the truth and if he did not like follow up questions, he would just walk out..and of course, got away with it, other than with Mike Royko and a few courageous city council members.
The sad truth is that many civilizations before us underwent a coup right bout at 250 years: the Turkish empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Byzantine Empire among many others. We are at 248 years now. We are not very much different from those empires. Project 2025 of the GOP is very much a similar plan to the steps required to gain authoritarianism and change the whole concept of a Democracy. There’s more at stake than many people realize.
It's great that Project 2025 is finally getting some attention. I saw literature about it at a MAGA event in Newton in August 2020.
Wow. Great resources. Thanks, Ralph.
Great list. I would add "Everything Trump Touches Dies, " by Rick Wilson, famed ex-Republican strategist and co-founder of The Lincoln Project
Was gifted book #1 and definitely know gaslighting. It happens to baby boomer women every day.
Amen joshua
I like Kelly, (and Arizona is a "battleground state), but think someone like Shapiro would be a better pick. As an infrastructure/transportation geek, I like Buttigieg, but tbh, hopes he keeps his current cabinet position.
I really like Mark Kelly or Pete Buttegieg although I'm not sure either makes sense. Kelly brings military experience and, as an astronaut, brings a certain heroic persona to the ticket. However, he's from AZ and I'm not positive that having candidates from two western states is ideal. Pete is great, but is the electorate going to vote for a Black President and a gay VP? Democrats will, but I'm not sure about independent voters and cross-over Republicans. As for balancing the ticket it might be better to go with the Pennsylvania or Kentucky governors. And, if all else fails, I'm always available. 🙂
Works for me!
Last Line :)
I had the opportunity to meet Kamala Harris on Thanksgiving Day 2019. She was at the finish line of the Des Moines Turkey Trot handing out cookies. My comment to her at the time was that I was not sure she would be president but what an Attorney General she would be. She smiled. I still think that is where she should be. Scaring the hell out of corrupt and illegal business people and really bringing justice to this country. I am not sure still about president but she has my vote.
One thing I am sure about. Rob Sand will be our next governor!
How about someone from the Midwest? The Democrats have given up on rural America but there are more of us than blue states. Appeal to our farmers, climate change, and revitalizing our small towns. Maybe we could win a red state. Tester of Montana has figured out how a moderate can win in a deep red state. Let’s back rural America.
Amanda Carpenter's book "Gaslighting America: Why We Love It When Trump Lies to Us" explores how Trump used gaslighting—a manipulative tactic involving lying, denying, and twisting facts—to dominate political discourse and control public perception. Carpenter, a former staffer for Ted Cruz and a political commentator dissects Trump's methods, showing how his constant falsehoods and exaggerations create confusion, foster loyalty among supporters, and manipulate the media. The book highlights the dangers of this strategy for democracy, urging readers to recognize and combat gaslighting to preserve truth and accountability in politics.
Remember how Trump lied during 2014, increased his lying in 2016 and only accelerated since 2020, given the media and political leaders’ failures to make him pay for the lies to the public. False equivalency reporting has been an ongoing failure in the age of a liar like Trump and the power of social media.
Fast forward to the debate. Trump lied. Trump took credit for solving COVID and reducing the cost of insulin. I blame his staff for not immediately issuing press on each of the lies, like one a day.
The Biden pre-debate prep and ongoing failure to respond quickly and appropriately to Trump lies is vivid and visual proof that D leaders, the Harris team and DNC have not learned. I do not understand why some think Trump will stop.
I will share other sources in second comment.
Let’s be frank. Trump is in this Presidential race for one main reason…to save his butt from likely incarceration. You will not hear anyone in the party or the mainstream media make reference to this glaring fact. Instead, they have swept the myriad legal issues under the carpet for the time being. SCOTUS helped make that happen. He has support in the highest places.
To beat Trump, the opposition has to have a foolproof plan to hold him accountable for his statements and then be immediately ready to reveal that what he is saying has no merit, was fabricated and was intended to mislead the general public. The opposition must reveal this tendency over and over again.
For example, when he asserts that he is the best at this or that and no one has ever done better (a common assertion from him). Such a statement needs evidence, immediately or else he gets away with fabricating. He says things like “you can look it up, it’s been published in the top journals”…”everyone knows I’m right”…there are bout 60 such statements he uses to self-validate his position on something…without ever having to go into any detail about the topic. This is masterful and so far the media has allowed him to get away with it. If it continues, I am afraid he will just lie his way back into the Whitehouse.
Josh Shapiro would carry Pennsylvania and is moderate and popular. Also, Mark Kelly, Pete B., Gretchen and KY Gov. Beshear.
I think Josh Shapiro would give us the best chance.
Gretchen Whitmore, Michigan governor, but the governor's of N.C., Pennsylvania, Wisconsin are all good.
Gov Whitmer brings name recognition and an inside track to swing state Michigan. Two women raise the historic nature of the ticket up a notch as well. Last, what combo surpasses their combined voices on reproductive rights and better represents the next generation of leadership America needs?
I just saw on the NY Times that Whitmer said that she wasn't leaving Michigan.
Well, boo. Quick point - given the calendar and the turmoil over the last few weeks of "will he or won't he" drop out, I don't think there's much appetite for the infighting/sorting through potential candidates other than Harris. I believe it's a done deal. Agree with others that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, 51, is great choice. Nothing wrong with Beshear of KY, but would he actually help much with a state like Georgia?
Definitely agree about short timeline considerations.
It will be very interesting to see what the plan is for Georgia.
Who cares. Anybody buying this? Bullshit is suffering from the illusion of choice. Ralph Nader with right.