by Patrick Robinson
Never before have we seen such an unconventional and unprecedented Presidential election. Mr. Trump's supporters have amassed more than $300 million for his re-election. But the Democrats are still working out their differences in debates, and a forthcoming series of primaries.
Clearly they are at a disadvantage.
The shorter timeline means less time to raise money, less time to campaign and other hurdles to clear just to get in the race.
The convention process put on both parties has been an anachronism for decades with the outcome known months before and the “platform” so many battle over carrying no more power than a new year’s resolution.
To offset this it makes sense for the top two or three candidates to start early, and name a VP choice soon, possibly even before the first primary in Iowa. It would give them a clearly defined ticket, allow them to focus on fund raising, give them another voice on the campaign trail to attempt to win hearts and minds.
Earlier in our history, electors cast votes for two candidates on the same ballot for president, and whoever took second place became vice president. Starting in 1804, the president and vice president were elected on separate ballots as specified in the Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution which was adopted in that year. As more and more states subsequently began to choose their electors by popular election instead of appointment candidates understood they could run together as a team.
Even so, the choice of the primary candidate of a running mate is little more than a suggestion since the members of the Electoral College could in theory (however unlikely) vote for a vice president of their choice.Hence the parties and campaigns promote a two name ticket during the conventions.
But there is no rule per se that prevents Warren for example from choosing Mayor Pete as a running mate (or vice versa) tomorrow.
it’s an unconventional and non-party driven way to go. But depending on a weakened incumbent and a largely unlikely impeachment process to gain victory needs a way forward that gives them every advantage.
