Could Mitch Landrieu become Kamala Harris's running mate on the Democratic Party's presidential ticket? That's what the Baltimore Sun columnist believes should happen.
In an opinion piece published by the Maryland newspaper on Wednesday, columnist Michael Cozzillio suggested that Harris should pick the former New Orleans mayor and Louisiana lieutenant governor as her vice presidential candidate, citing his "experience, intelligence, fortitude, and political acumen.
"Landrieu has proved through his words and his tenure as mayor and Louisiana lieutenant governor that he appeals to people of color, workers, youth, women and the melting pot that is the Democratic Party," Cozzillio wrote, citing Landrieu's effort to remove from public places statues honoring Confederate generals P. G. T. Beauregard and Robert E. Lee, Confederate President Jefferson Davis, and the members of the White League who revolted against the state's Reconstruction-era government during the 1874 Battle at Liberty Place.
A Louisiana political analyst says Landrieu has the right credentials for the job.
"He brings some measurable skills and some experiences to the ticket," University of Louisiana-Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross said. "He would be a white male who has executive experience in a couple of different settings: leading an agency, as mayor, and as lieutenant governor as a state. His experience is broad and wide. He's relatively young. So, it's not the worst choice I've ever heard."
Despite those credentials, Dr. Cross says Harris will probably seek out someone else to be her running mate.
"From the position of electoral politics, this is not a great choice," Dr. Cross said. "Harris needs every possible advantage at the ballot box she can get, and Landrieu would bring her not much, particularly in comparison to other people like the governors of swing states who have previously been mentioned."
Although Dr. Cross doesn't believe Landrieu will join Harris on the Democratic ticket, he feels that Landrieu could be tapped to work in the Harris Administration if she wins the November 5 election.
"Mitch Landrieu is in great position to move into a cabinet position in a Harris administration," Cross said.
