Debbie Wasserman Schultz for President/Vice-President in 2016?
It almost happened in 2008. It could happen in 2016. At some point, and some point soon, we'll see a woman in the White House. And her name might not necessarily be Hillary or Sarah. How's Debbie Wasserman Schultz sound? I know, I know, you're saying, "I've never heard of her. She doesn't have the name recognition of Sarah Palin or the major public policy buzz of Kathleen Sebelius. And while she doesn't have the baggage of a Michelle Bachman, she's not a Governor or U.S. Senator." All true. But listen up: Wasserman Schultz is riding a wave that will only get bigger, and she's got a few advantages that few others in the field -- woman or man -- can match.
Here are five reasons she could be on the Democratic ticket in 2016:
Democratic Unifier
Throughout the 2007 and 2008 primary season, Wasserman Schultz was resolute in her support for Hillary Clinton. Whether on TV, radio, or in the blogosphere, Wasserman Schultz was unflappable. But when Barack Obama won the nomination, Wasserman Schultz quickly endorsed him and campaigned vigorously. None of this has been lost on Democratic leaders. Her tireless efforts to unify the Obama and Clinton camps won her kudos from the party faithful, and instantly made her a power player in national politics.
Florida. Florida. Florida.
Wasserman Schultz represents the Sunshine State in the U.S. Congress; having her on the ticket would give the Democrats the upper hand in the infamous I-4 corridor connecting Daytona Beach, Orlando and Tampa. Grab the middle and you win the state -- Wasserman Schultz could be the Dems' surest bet.
Her Jewish Heritage
Before last fall, nobody thought a Jewish-American would ever have a legitimate chance at the White House. But with the tolerant views of 80 million politically involved millennials who helped elect President Obama, Wasserman Schultz's Jewish heritage won't be a liability. How she weighs in on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict between now and then will have a real impact on her standing in the Jewish community, but if she can find a way to please those folks while maintaining cred with younger voters, she could bring far more voters to the polls than Joe Lieberman did for Al Gore in 2000.
She's Tough ... Seriously!
By all accounts, she's funny, engaging and benevolent. But if you've seen her on cable and network shows, you'll know she's also very skilled at dismantling nonsensical arguments, and, leaving unprepared opponents picking their faces up off the ground. And she has used her tenacity, and tirelessness, to fight for the rights of families, women and children.
The 2016 and 2020 Anniversaries
2016 isn't just a presidential election year, it's also the 100th anniversary of Jeannette Rankin being the first woman elected to the Congress. Her victory was all the more remarkable because women couldn't vote -- that didn't come until four years later. The 2016 and 2020 elections promise to be reflective, euphoric and celebratory periods -- and with her considerable political gifts, Wasserman Schultz could take full advantage of the great national mood.
And yes, I know, it's still very, very early. A day in politics is like an eternity, and one day's worth of political earthquakes could shake up or diminish any predictions. I know. But don't tell me that a woman won't be either president of vice-president seven years from now. I just wouldn't bet against it. And I wouldn't bet against Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz being that woman.
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She sounds like she could have a good chance of winning the Presidency. However, Cory Booker is the person who I would like to see in the White House. He has completely turned around Newark--it is now truly amazing to see what is known as one of the poorest places in the country. His chances of being able to win the presidency?(although I don't know if he is interested)--not so good. If he ran in 2016, I would support him entirely despite the probability of him winning.
I meant low probability of him winning, sorry, typo.
I think she's great! I'd like to know more before I vote for her for president, but as for what I know now, she's a terrific lady and a smart politician.
This lady has spunk! I like her! I am looking for good things from her in the next few years.
Nice article. I'd vote for her without hesitation. She may not be in the news as much as Bachman and Palin and for good reason: she actually gets stuff done. From what I know about her she is a policy wonk, and she can go toe to toe with any republican male or female.
"Tiger99" you get no sympathy here, I worked tirelessly for President OBAMA as a Soldier who was stationed in Lawton, OK. I went to TEXAS to campaign in GOP territory and he split with Hillary for TEXAS, he will win TX in 2012 and in the first 9 months I for one am pleased that he is working for a bipoartisan approach to governance. In the end, only time will tell and I am confident that in 2010 election the Democrats will gain a total of 80+ seats in the Senate and 400+ in the House. I am HOPEFUL, I am confident and I have seen the light, YES WE WILL. In reference to 2016, I am confident that President OBAMA will have a woman as his V.P in 2012 and they will win hands down, and in 2016 that female will become President with a hispanic V.P. America and the Democrats are here to forge the future, this is a transformative period and it will last well into this century. In America, the GOP days are numbered and that is truly the facts. Conscious awakening is what is consuming the world today, from healthcare to military industrial complex, to capitalism, CHANGE will happen and Temperance, Industry and GOD will prevail, NOT RELIGION, GOD and the great light of reason and sciene! YES WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD, I am in Iraq and I am hopeful for the wars coming to an end, time for a peaceful enlightenment.
Maybe I am misinterpreting your post, but are you saying you are willing to vote for candidate who may not be as qualified as another candidate base on their race,gender and religion? Isn't that what the GOP has done that lead us to the mess President Obama is stuck "mopping up"?
All I am saying is that if we as Democrats are to be the "enlightened voters as agents for change" then we should be enlightened enough to vote for the most qualified candidate no matter what their race, gender, or religion is...
By the way just exactly which god are you referring too?
She's though, smart (as in: "intelligent") and just survived "breast cancer", which makes her a very tough person in my book. I "worship" cancer survivors of all stripes who do something with it in a proper way.
Catch her segment on CBS:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/14/eveningnews/main5384810.shtml?tag=cbsnewsTwoColUpperPromoArea
I'd vote for her!
It's inevitable that Wasserman-Schultz will be a powerhouse: she's tough and smart as hell; and the way in which she fought for Barack Obama after the defeat of her candidate Clinton was unmatched by any other former Clinton supporter.
She's not at all unknown: during the '08 campaign - salad days, for the cable news networks - she was everywhere, and sparring with every Republican nitwit they threw at her. If only we had more tough-ass people like Wasserman-Schultz, and Wexler, and Alan Greyson (of Republican health plan = "Die quickly" fame) in the Democratic Party. Certainly the more elderly fighters in the party are past it, and we need the new blood.
You might be surprised at how well known Debbie Wasserman-Schultz is outside of Florida. I was always an Obama supporter and had to listen to her argue for Hillary. She is tough and knowledgeable. I was glad when she didn't join the pumas and fought just as hard to elect Obama. She could attract many Obama and Hillary voters from last year's primaries. I would like to see her get some experience in either the Senate or a Governership before 2016 but I would have no problem giving her my vote.
She's a real powerhouse. She belongs in a leadership role.
I think she's fantastic. She's absolutely great when she's on TV. She should give lessons to the Democrats about how it's done. I also admire how she handled her breast cancer - very inspiring.
Her and Alan Grayson would make a formidable pair.
Yes 80 million "enlightened" voters elected President Obama and worked hard to give him the greatest opportunity for a President in our lifetimes to affect "Change" in his first 100 days and watched it squandered in a calculated public display of Bipartisanship to prove his was a man of deep religious faith. We are fast approaching the 2nd anniversary of Obama supporters playing the "Race Card" against the Clinton's and as we observe the complete debacle this Administration has allowed health care reform become we watch the "Your a Racist" being labled to anyone and everyone who is critical of the President's performance or simply disagrees with his policies. There are only so many cards in a deck and the "Race Card" deck is down to the 2 jokers and is no longer being viewed as a legitimate argument in lieu of intelligent rebuttal,
Your article is just more of the same promoting Congresswoman Shultz's Race. Gender and Religion as reasons she would be a viable candidate to be elected to the office of President Of The United States. Now that we have watched deals with big pharma, mandates to force the middle class to enrich Insurance coffers and taxes on people's health care plans become the central focus of President Obama's Health Care Reform Plan believe me when I say that as Democrats we have certainly become enlightened enough to not casually vote for inexperience ,race.gender or religion as qualifications to lead.
"We are fast approaching the 2nd anniversary of Obama supporters playing the "Race Card" against the Clinton's and as we observe the complete debacle this Administration has allowed health care reform become we watch the "Your a Racist" being labled to anyone and everyone who is critical of the President's performance or simply disagrees with his policies."
Oh, you're talking about when a Cinton aide tol the Guardian that President Obama for Americans who want a "hip black friend"? http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2008/01/clinton_aide_obama_is_for_people_who_want_imaginary_hip_black_friend.php
Or when Bob Kerry tried to smear Obama by repeatedly mentioning Obama's middle name? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ari-melber/clinton-backer-bob-kerrey_b_77249.html
Look, we can go into the Clinton's race-based examples from the primaries all day. All day. This post was about Wasserman-Schultz. And unlike Clinton, she would be a unifier from the beginning.
Clinton lost. Obama won. Get over it.
Thanks for proving my point...
See 2morrowknight's Profile
"Gender and Religion as reasons she would be a viable candidate to be elected to the office of President Of The United States."
You better believe it. We've never had a Jewish American in the highest levels of U.S. Government, so you don't think her being Jewsih would talked about? I do. We've never had a woman in the Executive Branch either. You don't think that would be discussed? I certainly do.
The 5 areas I outlined above are very real, and if she's on the ticket, the Dems' will win again. That is my humble opinion. Yes, who she is and how that plays to an increasingly diverse electorate is cetainly worthy of a great discussion.
I don't shy away from discussions like these. No one should.
I would have to agree that of course her race,gender and religion would be discussed but I also argue if you are going to use the term "enlightened voters" that being an enlightened voter would have to include the ability to separate from race, religion, and gender and make you choice based on merit. To factor in race. religion and gender in determining who you would chose as President would be more traits that seem to be suited for the enlightened voters who gave us Reagan and The Bush Family.
We should elect Congresswoman Shultz if she is the best person for the job, not the best Jewish female for the job.
"Obama supporters playing the "Race Card" against the Clinton's"
Didn't I call you out on this in another thread? Yes - I'm sure I did.
Love her! Smart, articulate, and a brilliant debater.
I don't know about president, but she should at least consider running for Senate when the next opportunity opens up.
She's the best of the best.
See 2morrowknight's Profile
If given the opportunity, she would be one of the best campaigners. This woman is awesome.
The only way Debbie Wasserman Schultz has a chance at being prez. is if Biden steps down as VP in 2012 and she fills his shoes.
I like that idea. A lot.
As a Floridian I can't forget the fact the Debbie is one of the ones that pushed for the move in the primary dates and one of the reasons our delegates weren't seated. As an Obama supporter I can't say I am upset about the way that turned out, but I guess you can say she helped get Hillary defeated.
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