Why Hillary Clinton's perfect running mate is... Joe Biden

Four more years!

Hillary Clinton and Vice President Biden could make a great team.
(Image credit: Photo Illustration | Image courtesy iStock, Scott Olson/Getty Images, Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

Hillary Clinton is in the process of whittling down her vice presidential shortlist. But if she's looking to truly rout Trump in November, she ought to consider one old hand who is almost never mentioned: Joe Biden.

When evaluating potential running mates, campaigns look for someone with maximal upside and minimal downside. But the names on Clinton's shortlist creating the most excitement also have significant downsides. Cabinet members like Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro and Labor Secretary Tom Perez would bring youth and diversity to the ticket, but they are thin on campaigning and governing experience. Clinton won't want to risk picking someone who can be painted as unready to step into the presidency. And picking a high-profile senator like Elizabeth Warren, Sherrod Brown, or Cory Booker jeopardizes the Democrats' chance to retake the Senate. Because of the Democrats' abysmal state level performance in recent years, a Republican governor would get to name their immediate replacement.

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Joel Dodge

Joel Dodge writes about politics, law, and domestic policy for The Week and at his blog. He is a member of the Boston University School of Law's class of 2014.