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1/ @susanematthews. The framing of this is incredibly problematic for several reasons, saying VP "isn't important" so "Kamala would fine" meaning Kamala's long list of qualifications is somehow "not important" is some next level misogynoir ish. Also, here's some civics 101 for you
2/It's incredibly antiquated that @susanematthews would say "VP isn't important". Perhaps if Susan was a reporter from 1935 reporting on FDR's VP John Nance Garner who said VP wasn't worth "a warm bucket of spit" she'd be correct, but the role of VP has changed a lot since then.
3/The role of VP changed in the 1970s. Law professor Joel K. Goldstein said, "Beginning with Nixon, the vice president moved into the executive branch." Meaning they were no longer just an appendage to the legislative branch as outlined formally in the U.S constitution.
4/Goldstein: "From Nixon on, they spent almost no time presiding over the Senate." So from Nixon's tenure as VP on, VP becomes an advisor to POTUS on policy. Mondale, Carter's VP expanded the role "to POTUS advisor, full-time participant, & troubleshooter for the administration."
5/We all know how much power a VP can have (or rather how much power they can abuse) through the 8-year tenure of VP Dick Cheney. Cheney completely controlled Bush's foreign policy and much more. That's a cautionary tale not to be repeated.
6/31% of VP's go on to become POTUS. They have to be ready day one to take on the role of the Presidency if POTUS is incapacitated or dies. To say "VP is nothing" is not only antiquated by asinine. The next Vice President will have the ability to shape her own role.
7/Given that Biden has stated he only wants to serve one term, the VP pick will need to be someone who has a vision for this country now & 2024. Someone who wants to dismantle systemic oppressions, that understands our economic inequality, who thoroughly understands our laws.
(Kamala would *be* fine. this is why I want an edit)
