Oh God, please help me choose my VP
I am begging you, please don’t let me blow it
How badly I want the presidency,
You most certainly know it.

I have never been this close to the top
I don’t want to lose to a narcissist,
philanderer, habitual liar, corrupt,
misogynist, racist and a fascist

I have already promised
my VP candidate will be a woman
Now I have a tough decision ahead
What if I choose the wrong one?

I wish I can find a 40ish woman
who is half Latina and half Black,
has executive experience,
is progressive but not too far off track

will go toe to toe to Trump,
will not wilt under campaign pressure,
has good political credentials, and will
attract GOP swing voters in good measure

will energize all segments of the party
Blacks/Latina, young/old, gay/straight
progressives/establishment, native/immigrants
and will be a good fit as my governing mate

No secret, she’ll be ruthlessly picked apart
GOP will scrutinize and vilify her
Will draw more fire than a male candidate
Must remain cool as a cucumber

You know I am no spring chicken
She should be able to take over
without missing a beat, if I fall
and unable to recover

Kamala Harris checks many boxes
But, as an ex prosecutor
carries a liability with Black voters
in the era of Black Lives Matter

Karen Bass has excellent credentials
She is the chair of Black caucus
I’m afraid she will be “Cuba-baited” by Trump
‘”soft on Castros”, GOP will make big ruckus

Susan Rice has not run in any election
She has experience and name recognition
Sadly, recognition is due to “Benghazi”  attack
For this, Trump campaign will hurl a lot of flack

Val Demings, the Orlando Police Chief
Does not have State or National profile
Also, with police practices under hot glare
For some Blacks she may be “out of style”

Stacy Abrams is a well known
Black politician with a strong resume
But, she didn’t win the Georgia governor ship
Americans don’t like ‘losers” come what may

Keisha Bottoms – a mayor, is a tough official
Fights with AP have given her name recognition
But, her experience is only “local”, & should need arise
she won’t be ready to take over the administration

Warren is best prepared to slide over
Also, she is likely to win over Bernie bros
But, she is neither “young” nor a minority
Being White, she may increase Black no-shows

I am sorry, but it’s not the time for a Latina
Blacks have waited 500 years for this opportunity
Have patience and faith; your time too will come
With growth in your numbers, It is a near certainty

No matter whom I pick
I won’t please every one
I hope Democrats understand
and don’t sit out the election

I wish I could name two VP candidates
To better balance the ticket
One Black and one White
VP choice has become a sticky wicket!

Oh well, I won’t be tormented by this issue much longer
I need to choose one within a week or two
in time for the Democratic convention
Whoever she is, she will be out in full view.

God Have Mercy!

Penned a week before the announcement of the VP nominee by Biden