Veepstakes!

Next week, Democrats will gather in Philadelphia for the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Hillary Clinton is expected to announce her running mate this weekend, likely on Friday or Saturday. Here's a ranking and rundown of the ten people most likely to be picked according to media reports.

Disclaimer: This is one of the nerdiest things I've done in quite some time. I devised a scoring system based on political positions on important issues, experience, diversity, and x factor. Of course, this is highly subjective. For the top ten candidates, there are two scores. One is the actual score, and the second is their score on a curve.

I've included five wildcard candidates that are dream picks for me. It is incredibly unlikely these candidates will be on the ticket, so that is why I gave the more likely candidates a grade on the curve.

I believe Tim Kaine and Tom Vilsack are the most likely picks, with Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, and Tom Perez being the second tier choices.

1. Sherrod Brown (A+/B+)

U.S. Senate, 2007-Present
U.S. House of Representatives, 1993-2007
Ohio Secretary of State, 1983-1991
Ohio House of Representatives, 1975-1982

Sherrod Brown has a stellar resume and is one of the most progressive members of the U.S. Senate. He's popular in his home state of Ohio, and could likely help deliver the state's 18 electoral votes. A major drawback is Republican Gov. John Kasich would appoint Brown's successor to the Senate if elected Vice President. One major plus is Brown's Pulitzer Prize winning wife, columnist Connie Schultz. She'd make a fantastic Second Lady.







2. Xavier Becerra (A+/B+)

U.S. House of Representatives, 1993-Present
California House of Representatives, 1990-1992

Xavier Becerra is currently serving his second term as chair of the House Democratic Conference. He's a former chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and would be the first Hispanic person on a major party ticket. He's also a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. He was a top contender to be U.S. Trade Representative in the Obama administration, but reportedly turned down the position. Should he leave Congress to be Vice President, his seat should remain safely Democratic.











3. Cory Booker (A+/B)

U.S. Senate, 2013-Present
Newark Mayor, 2006-2013
Newark City Council, 1998-2002

Cory Booker is a personal favorite of mine, and would be higher on this list if he had a little more experience, especially with foreign policy. I think (and hope) he'll be on a national ticket in the near future. The problem with 2016 for Booker is also who would appoint his successor in New Jersey--Republican Gov. Chris Christie. He's got a great hands on record as mayor and senator, but has rankled some progressives with his educational reform positions (such as charter schools and testing mandates).












4. Elizabeth Warren (A/B)

U.S. Senate, 2013-Present

Elizabeth Warren is in pretty much the same boat as Cory Booker. She'd be a perfect pick with more experience especially in foreign affairs. She'd definitely generate a lot of excitement with the Democratic Party base, and she would make a historic ticket even more historic. Once again though, a safe Senate seat would be handed to Republican Gov. Charlie Baker. Also, geographically, Massachusetts is one of the bluest states in presidential elections, so Warren doesn't add much to the ticket there.










5. Tim Kaine (A/B)

U.S. Senate, 2013-Present
Democratic National Committee Chair, 2009-2011
Virginia Governor, 2006-2010
Virginia Lt. Governor, 2002-2006
Richmond Mayor, 1998-2001

On paper, Tim Kaine is the perfect vice presidential pick. He's been a mayor, governor, chairman of the Democratic Party, and as a senator, he serves on the Armed Services Committee and Foreign Relations Committee, giving him foreign policy and national security experience. He's popular in an important swing state, and he's fluent in Spanish. Kaine has a solidly progressive track record on important issues with the Democratic base, He may not be the exciting pick, but he's certainly prepared to be president. Plus, his successor would be chosen by Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a close ally of the Clintons.










6. John Hickenlooper (A/B)

Colorado Governor, 2011-Present
National Governors Association Chair, 2014-2015
Denver Mayor, 2003-2011

John Hickenlooper is a likely candidate to join a Clinton administration in some role. He's been a strong progressive voice on issues such as gun control and combating homelessness. As an aside, should he be elected Vice President or named a cabinet secretary, Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne would become Colorado's first female governor.













7. Tom Perez (B+/C+)

Secretary of Labor, 2013-Present
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, 2009-2013

Tom Perez has a great resume for a cabinet secretary, but has never held any elective office. He worked in the Clinton administration under Attorney General Janet Reno, he served as a special counselor to Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy, and served in Martin O'Malley's administration while O'Malley was governor of Maryland. Perez is a progressive hero for his work on civil rights issues and voting rights, and would be the first Hispanic person on a national ticket should he be selected as Hillary Clinton's running mate.









8. Tom Vilsack (B+/C+)

Secretary of Agriculture, 2009-Present
Iowa Governor, 1999-2007
Iowa State Senate, 1993-1999
Mount Pleasant (IA) Mayor, 1987-1992

Tom Vilsack is another candidate with a great resume. He'd be higher on this list if he were a more dynamic pick and if he didn't have a more moderate/centrist record than the others. Vilsack nonetheless has a strong record on progressive issues such as clean energy and healthcare, as well as a compelling personal story. He's a close ally of the Clintons, and the longest serving cabinet secretary in the Obama administration. He briefly ran for president in 2008, but dropped out and endorsed Hillary Clinton. Picking Vilsack could also help Clinton carry Iowa's six electoral votes.











9. Julian Castro (B+/C)

Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development, 2014-Present
San Antonio Mayor, 2009-2014
San Antonio City Council, 2001-2005

Julian Castro is the favorite choice for many Democrats. His youth and Hispanic heritage would bring more diversity to a historic ticket. However, his relative inexperience lands him near the bottom of my list. Castro has a bright future ahead of him in politics, and could eventually be on a national ticket once he's gained that experience.















10. James Stavridis (C+/D+)

Supreme Allied Commander Europe, 2009-2013

James Stavridis is much more suited for a position like Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or Defense Secretary (although Michele Flournoy is my preferred pick for that position). Stavridis brings national security experience, but is far too unknown in my opinion. His positions on important issues are unknown as well.













* Tammy Baldwin (A+)

U.S. Senator, 2013-Present
U.S. House of Representatives, 1999-2013
Wisconsin State Assembly, 1993-1999
Dane County Board of Supervisors, 1986-1994

Tammy Baldwin is my ideal pick to be Hillary Clinton's running mate. She's got the experience, she's one of the most progressive U.S. senators, and she'd make history by being the first openly gay person on a national ticket. After the horrific terrorist attack in Orlando targeting the LGBT community, picking Baldwin would send a strong signal to the country that LGBT equality is of the utmost importance. As Vice President, Baldwin could give visibility to the LGBT community in an unprecedented way. The only drawback is that Republican Gov. Scott Walker would pick her replacement in the Senate.










* Barbara Boxer (A+)

U.S. Senate, 1993-Present
U.S. House of Representatives, 1983-1993
Marin County Board of Supervisors, 1976-1982

Barbara Boxer has a nearly perfect progressive record and decades of experience. She's retiring from the U.S. Senate, and could bring a unique perspective to the office of Vice President. She'd be able to work on important issues without the burden of thinking about a political future, because in eight years, at the age of 83, it's highly unlikely she'd run for president. She could give way to a younger generation of Democrats in 2024, after two terms of a Hillary Clinton presidency.











* Jeanne Shaheen (A)

U.S. Senate, 2009-Present
New Hampshire Governor, 1997-2003
New Hampshire Senate, 1992-1996

Jeanne Shaheen is the only woman in U.S. history to serve as a governor and a U.S. senator. She's been a strong progressive on many issues, especially women's rights and reproductive freedom. Shaheen has also worked on a host of military and veterans issues throughout her career.







* Kirsten Gillibrand (A)

U.S. Senate, 2009-Present
U.S. House of Representatives, 2007-2009

Kirsten Gillibrand is another person I expect to hopefully be on a national ticket someday. She was an integral part of the campaign to end Don't Ask, Don't Tell, she's fought hard on military sexual assault cases, and she's a leading voice against gun violence. There are some constitutional questions about nominating two New Yorkers on the same ticket, but prominent blogger and founder of the Daily Kos, Markos Moulitsas, explains in this column why it shouldn't be a problem.

















* Donna Edwards (A-)

U.S. House of Representatives, 2008-Present

African-American women are the most loyal Democratic Party constituency, but are vastly underrepresented in elective office. Donna Edwards on the ticket would be a historic choice for many reasons. She's a strong progressive, although has upset union officials at times in Maryland. One potential drawback is she just lost a primary for the U.S. Senate seat opening up due to Sen. Barbara Mikulski's retirement. I think Edwards would make a great addition to a Clinton administration in any capacity, and I hope to see her continue a career in public service.