I hope that Hillary Clinton does not pick our senator Elizabeth Warren to run with her for Vice President — but not for the obvious reason. I’m a great admirer of Elizabeth, but her abilities would be wasted were she to become vice president.
After all, a vice president has no legal duties beyond chairing the Senate (and very occasionally casting a tie-breaking vote) and being ready to step in should the president die. Some vice presidents, like Dick Cheney and possibly Joe Biden, have taken upon themselves to do more, but that’s not part of the job description.
On the other hand, Elizabeth would be a marvelous Secretary of the Treasury – and that’s a position that has real power. Or she could remain in the Senate and (assuming that the Democrats regain control of the Senate) become chair of the Senate Banking Committee — again a job with real inherent power.
So please, Hillary — put her where she can do the most good.
Paul Abrahams
Deerfield