BONUS: DEMOCRATIC VICE PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS (Summer 1984)
Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt hasn't been making any ton of newsworthy comments since clinching the Democratic Party presidential nomination in early June, other than saying he is looking for a "governing partner". He cited several examples such as then-President Lyndon Johnson and then-Vice President Hubert Humphrey as a specific role model, who served together from 1965 to 1969. Both Rev. Jesse Jackson and United States Senator Gary Hart (D-CO) strongly flatly rejected any roles in a future Babbitt administration altogether. Others, who also turned down potential consideration for the Vice Presidency: United States Senator Alan Cranston (D-CA), who explained that he didn't want to give California Governor George Deukmejian the satisfaction of appointing a Republican to his US Senate seat; New York State Governor Mario Cuomo and Texas Governor Mark Wells White, Jr., each cited having won their respective Governorships in 1982 as major factors in turning down requests to serve as Vice President and United States Senator Juan H. Cintron Garcia (D-PR) also declined, citing the need of helping elect Democrats to the United States Senate in 1984.
Various sources have been indicating the following individuals under consideration to be Governor Babbitt's pick for the Vice Presidency in the 1984 presidential election:
United States Senator Dale Bumpers (D-AR)
Why is he being considered? Moderate-to-Conservative Democrat from the South. Popular former Governor and currently two-term United States Senator known for easily defeating then-Arkansas Governor Winthrop Rockefeller in the 1970 Arkansas gubernatorial election and defeating long-time United States Senator Jim Fulbright (D-AR) in the 1974 Democratic primary election for the United States Senate. Bumpers brings both executive and legislative experience to the table including proven ability by appealing to Southerners.
The odds of being picked: Too soon to tell depending on whether Babbitt can overcome the strong popularity of incumbent President George HW Bush in the South during the general election. It remains to be seen if Babbitt will go in that direction.
San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein
Why is she being considered? Moderate-to-Liberal Democrat from the Golden State with a governing philosophy as business-friendly to industries and businesses. Ascended to the Mayoralty following the shocking Moscone assassination in 1978, Feinstein easily won a first full four-year term in 1979; defeated a recall attempt overwhelmingly in the Summer of 1983 and handily won reelection to a second full four-year term later that Fall. Feinstein being potentially picked would make her the first female Vice Presidential nominee of a major political party and set her up for future political success in the future of her political career.
The odds of being picked: 50/50, but highly unlikely due to the fact that the late President Ronald Reagan is still beloved and popular in California, the State with 47 Electoral Votes appears more likely going to be overwhelmingly favoring President Bush in the November general election.
Los Angeles Mayor Thomas Bradley
Why is he being considered? Would become the first African American Vice Presidential nominee of a major political party if chosen by Governor Babbitt. Comes from an overcoming the odds storybook: The grandson of slaves in Texas, his family moved to California when he was a young kid and after graduating from high school and later the University of California-Los Angeles, Bradley began a career in law enforcement, serving on the Los Angeles Police Department for 21 years with the rank of Lieutenant. He served 10 years on the Los Angeles City Council, having been elected in 1963 and was reelected in 1967 and again in 1971, and during that time, Bradley ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of Los Angeles in 1969, losing in the runoff to the flamboyant and controversial then-Los Angeles Mayor Sam Yorty that year. Four years later in 1973, Bradley regrouped and easily trounced Yorty in their 1973 rematch and has been serving as the 38th Mayor of Los Angeles since 1 July 1973: winning reelection in 1977 and again in 1981; Bradley is also known for his unsuccessful campaign for the California Governorship in 1982, losing to Governor Deukmejian by less than by one percentage point
The odds of being picked: Like Feinstein, increasingly unlikely. Plus the factors against Bradley: His age, the fears from Southern and Midwestern voters being scared about an African American Vice President being closer to the Presidency.
US Rep. Geraldine Ferraro (D-NY 09th)
Why is she being considered? Like Feinstein, Ferraro would be the first female Vice Presidential nominee of a major political party if she's picked by Governor Babbitt. And she would also become the first Catholic chosen for the nation's second highest elected office. Babbitt pledged to consider picking a woman on the ticket during the primary campaign.
The odds of being picked: Ferraro could potenitally become the darkhorse considering that according to insiders, Governor Cuomo had recommended Congresswoman Ferraro for Governor Babbitt to chose her. However, there are concerns about her lack of political experience including legislative accomplishments.
Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins
Why is she being considered? Governor Collins is currently the highest-ranking Democratic female politician in the United States. Following her election to the Kentucky Governorship in 1983, Collins had been asked by the press about her interest on serving as Vice President under a future Democratic President. The Governor is being chosen by the Democratic National Committee to preside over the upcoming 1984 Democratic National Convention in San Francisco this Summer.
The odds of being picked: 50/50, but Collins would appeal to women voters including Southerners considering she's from the South.
San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros
Why is he being considered? Cisneros is one of the highest-ranking Hispanic American politicians, who is leading the 10th largest city in the United States as Mayor of San Antonio, having been elected in 1981 and was recently reelected in 1983; In 1982, Cisneros was selected as one of the "Ten Oustanding Young Men of America" by the US Jaycees. He was also tapped to serve on the Bipartisan Commission on Central America by President Bush in late 1983.
The odds of being picked: Mayor Cisneros has been tapped to be one of the top finalists on the Vice Presidential shortlist according to insiders, but there hasn't been any detailed information regarding whether Governor Babbitt would pick the popular San Antonio Mayor as Vice President.
United States Senator Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX)
Why is he being considered? Moderate-to-Conservative Democratic United States Senator from the Lone Star State: many Democratic Party insiders have been lobbying Governor Babbitt to tap Senator Bentsen as Vice President because he would appeal to more Conservative Southern voters in the South. Bentsen previously ran for President, unsuccessfully running for the 1976 Democratic Party presidential nomination.
The odds of being picked: Senator Bentsen brings legislative experience to the table for Governor Babbitt. Being from the Lone Star State (Texas has 29 Electoral Votes) would make Babbitt quite competitive.
29 June 1984: New Gallup Polling Surveys
President George HW Bush Job Approval
Approve: 61%
Disapprove: 37%
1984 Presidential Election Head-to-Head Matchup: 29 June 1984
President George HW Bush: 53%
Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt: 43%
