Clinton urged to go liberal with vice presidential pick

Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonHillary Clinton responds to Chrissy Teigen tweet: 'I love you back' Trump fights for battleground Arizona Biden leads Trump by 12 in new national poll MORE would be smart to move left in selecting a running mate to win over supporters of presidential rival Bernie SandersBernie SandersOcasio-Cortez says she doesn't plan on 'staying in the House forever' What a Biden administration should look like Ocasio-Cortez: 'Trump is the racist visionary, but McConnell gets the job done' MORE, say Clinton allies and Democratic strategists.

Picking a liberal running mate would help the Democratic presidential front-runner unify the party, they say, driving young progressives to the polls against presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald TrumpDonald John TrumpHillary Clinton responds to Chrissy Teigen tweet: 'I love you back' Police called after Florida moms refuse to wear face masks at school board meeting about mask policy Supreme Court rejects Trump effort to shorten North Carolina mail-ballot deadline MORE.

“She needs to do something in the coming weeks to show that she’s also trying to unify the party,” one Clinton surrogate said. “And that would be a clear signal.”

Prospective running mates who would be a hit with progressives include Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWhat a Biden administration should look like Overnight Defense: Dems want hearing on DOD role on coronavirus vaccine | US and India sign data-sharing pact | American citizen kidnapped in Niger Conservative operatives Wohl, Burkman charged in Ohio over false robocalls MORE (Mass.), the only female Democratic senator who has yet to endorse Clinton, and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.).

Sen. Sherrod BrownSherrod Campbell BrownOn The Money: Dow falls more than 900 points amid fears of new COVID-19 restrictions | Democrats press Trump Org. about president's Chinese bank account | Boeing plans thousands of additional job cuts Democrats press Trump Organization about president's Chinese bank account Brown says Biden's first moves as president should be COVID relief, voting rights MORE (D-Ohio), a prominent opponent of trade deals backed by members of both parties, is another progressive thought to be on Clinton’s shortlist.

A Clinton move to the left would be bad news for two Virginia Democrats, Sens. Tim KaineTimothy (Tim) Michael KaineDemocrats brace for nail-biting finish to Senate battle Democratic Senate emerges as possible hurdle for progressives  Two Loeffler staffers test positive for COVID-19 MORE and Mark WarnerMark Robert WarnerHillicon Valley: Big Tech hearing the most partisan yet | Rubio warns about foreign election interference | Trump campaign site briefly hacked Rubio warns that election interference may ramp up around Election Day Senate Intel leadership urges American vigilance amid foreign election interference MORE. 

Kaine has emerged as a top candidate for Clinton, but neither he nor Warner would be seen as a liberal choice. 

Brad Bannon, a Democratic strategist, said he believes Sanders supporters will eventually coalesce around Clinton regardless of her running mate.

At the same time, Bannon said, “Somehow, finding a moderate white guy doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.”

A curveball in the Clinton choice is the fate of Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the Democratic National Committee chairwoman who has emerged as public enemy No. 1 to Sanders supporters. They believe Wasserman Schultz has tilted the contest against the Vermont senator and are pushing for her to be ousted.

Sanders campaign manger Jeff Weaver on Wednesday told CNN that “someone else could play a more positive role” in response to a question about whether Wasserman Schultz should leave her post.

Told that his answer sounded like a yes, Weaver said, “I’m trying to be diplomatic.”

Some Clinton supporters have also said Wasserman Schultz should go in order to unify the party and ensure a strong convention, and Bannon said removing Wasserman Schultz “would buy [Clinton] a lot of goodwill from Sanders supporters” because she is “radioactive right now.”

It’s conceivable that doing so could have an effect on Clinton’s vice presidential choice by diminishing the need for a prominent progressive on the ticket.

Wasserman Schultz is fighting hard to keep her job, however, and has received public support from numerous Democratic officeholders. A second Democratic strategist cast doubt on her exit, predicting she wouldn’t leave her post early “barring some incredible scandal.”

In making a decision, Clinton has to consider more than just what would make the left happy.

Democrats believe their chances of retaining the White House depend on soundly defeating Trump among women and Hispanics.

Clinton needs to work on her weaknesses with young women of all races, strategists say. And she needs to boost her numbers among Hispanics.

“She isn’t going to win the election with the white vote. She’s going to win it because nonwhite voters turn out like crazy,” Bannon said.

Labor Secretary Tom Perez and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro are both seen as attractive candidates who could appeal to the so-called coalition of the ascendant — young voters and minorities — that turned out for President Obama.

Warren is the name that would most excite the Democratic base, and she has been fine-tuning her attacks on Trump. On Tuesday, she went after the Republican nominee over comments he made about the housing crisis, arguing he was “drooling over the idea” of a meltdown because it could line his pocketbook.

“What kind of man does that? Root for people to get thrown out on the street?” Warren said in a Washington speech.

It’s that kind of talk that has Democratic strategist Jamal Simmons salivating over a Clinton-Warren ticket.

“Hillary Clinton’s biggest challenge is getting Bernie Sanders voters by her side,” said Simmons. “The visual of Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Warren would be everything.”

While a Clinton aide said the campaign is in regular touch with Warren’s team, other surrogates believe selecting the senator would be a stretch.

Kaine — who was runner-up to Joe BidenJoe BidenHillary Clinton responds to Chrissy Teigen tweet: 'I love you back' Supreme Court rejects Trump effort to shorten North Carolina mail-ballot deadline Overnight Defense: Trump campaign's use of military helicopter raises ethics concerns | Air Force jets intercept aircraft over Trump rally | Senators introduce bill to expand visa screenings MORE when Obama was choosing a running mate in 2008 — is among Clinton’s top choices.

One former aide said Clinton “has a fondness” for the senator.

A point in Kaine’s favor is that Senate Democratic Leader Harry ReidHarry Mason ReidMcConnell and Schumer's relationship shredded after court brawl The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Justice Barrett joins court; one week until Election Day GOP Senate confirms Trump Supreme Court pick to succeed Ginsburg MORE (Nev.) is urging Clinton against picking a running mate who could be replaced by a Republican governor. Reid is worried such a pick could prevent Democrats from winning the Senate majority.

Democrats need to win four seats if they win the presidency in November, and five if they don’t.

“If we have a Republican governor in any of those states, the answer is not only no but hell no,” Reid told MSNBC’s Joy Reid. “I would do whatever I can, and I think most of my Democratic colleagues here would say the same thing.”

Still others say Clinton can’t just think about the left in making a pick.

“To win, you need to turn out your base but also bring in moderates,” the source said. “If you’re focused on your flank, you’re not fighting from a position of strength, and if that’s the case, that’s a problem. If her pick is solely aimed at bringing the Sanders people on board, that’s a problem.”