Sen. Tammy Duckworth Should Be Joe Biden’s Running Mate

Robert Crohan/Staff Writer

The fight rages on for the second banana.

Presumptive Democratic nominee for President Joe Biden has been conducting his search for the perfect running mate, and is prepared to announce his pick by August 1. Inevitably, pundits and journalists have given their inputs and endorsed a wide range of candidates to meet the moment.

Although I am merely a college student at FIU, I believe Biden should choose Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois for Vice President. 

Duckworth is not very well-known, and I will admit that I didn’t know of her until she was touted as a potential running mate. She is a senator from Illinois who previously served in the House and served in combat during the Iraq War. Despite her low profile, she possesses the credentials, background, electoral history and spirit of America to bring the ticket to victory and take America forward.

I respect and admire the other choices, but have my reservations. Elizabeth Warren is a strong fighter, but may be too Progressive for independent voters and does not fit the ideal demographic; many agree that a woman of color is probably best equipped to meet the current moment. Kamala Harris is smart and can bring out the Asian and Afro-Caribbean vote in Florida, but has a questionable history as a prosecutor and hails from the Republican hell of San Francisco. Val Demings (whose district is ten minutes from my house!), was great in leading impeachment and hails from the swingiest region in the U.S., but her background as a police chief has turned off many progressives. And Susan Rice—despite her extensive background—is not charismatic and has baggage from the Benghazi affair that doomed Hillary Clinton.

As college students in South Florida—a part of the country with a high Asian-American population and up-for-grabs voting sect—someone like Duckworth can give us a good reason to vote.

Duckworth, however, can also bring out voters of color. Being a Thai-American, she can speak to the institutional racism against all minority groups, including those in the armed forces. This is especially relevant as justice is still missing for Vanessa Guillen, a Latina soldier who disappeared in Texas. She has firmly stood against the racism spewing from the Republican party and defended the rights of the Asian and Pacific Islander American community.

Given the horrid discrimination facing Asians during the COVID-19 crisis, Duckworth can be a voice and a symbol of pride to represent one of America’s fastest-growing demographics and inspire Asian Americans to run for office everywhere. The same held true for Andrew Yang during his presidential run.

Americans have proven with recent elections that partisanship is undesired and unproductive. Duckworth’s ability to reach across the aisle while demanding true change can resonate with swing voters in battleground states. Additionally, she hails from the electorally rich Midwest and will not cost Democrats a senate seat. Voters from all ethnic backgrounds and age groups, though especially the young, can be excited by her selection, tipping the margins in Florida, Arizona, and Pennsylvania. She even defeated an incumbent senator in 2016.

As college students in South Florida—a part of the country with a high Asian-American population and up-for-grabs voting sect—someone like Duckworth can give us a good reason to vote. She fights for progressive values, fitting the views of most college students. More Conservative voters here can also admire her bipartisanship and sacrifices in fighting against authoritarianism.

In addition, Duckworth is charismatic and has demonstrated a clear appreciation of our country and the freedoms we enjoy to work toward a better future. In a recent interview, she defended calls to consider the removal of monuments that offend many but have been defended as historically important by others. With this, she has helped to quell conservative suspicion of Democratic anti-patriotism. Listening to voices of the marginalized is about as American a way to address injustices as they come.

With her recent move to block military promotions until the Pentagon protects impeachment witnesses, she believes in fairness and justice without the partisan bickering that has defined the Trump administration. Former Senate majority leader Harry Reid praised her as a “highly decorated woman.” She achieved a legislative effectiveness score of “exceeds expectations” in the House and was ranked 11th out of 48 Democratic senators by the Center for Effective Lawmaking.

Duckworth served in the United States Army for over twenty years, and lost her legs in combat during the Iraq War. She continued to serve in the Illinois Army National Guard and would become a mother. Such spirit and unfettered determination deserves the utmost respect of all Americans. Having a veteran in the White House will also pass along the legacies of fallen heroes like John McCain and George H.W. Bush.

In a time when the right has spread fears of Democrats being anti-police and anti-military, her selection will refute this scare tactic and demonstrate to voters that we are all in this together. And any attacks on her by the right will be immediately struck down and vanquished.

We have a chance to truly make history with this election. In 1984, Walter Mondale selected the first female running mate with Geraldine Ferraro. Today, we could have the first female running mate of color, and the first female Vice President of the United States. Maybe in 2024 we will elect the first female President.

As Panthers and young Americans, there is nothing we value more than equality and justice. We want to see progress and an America that promises equal opportunity for all, and this is the first step towards that promised reality. Biden vowed to pick someone he knows well and has a good relationship with. Let’s hope that person is Tammy Duckworth.

Featured image by U.S. Institute of Peace on Flickr.

DISCLAIMER:

The opinions presented within this page do not represent the views of PantherNOW Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect individual perspectives of contributing writers and/or members of the University community.

Have questions or comments for our writers? Send an email to opinion@fiusm.com with your name and the name of the column in the subject line.