The Case for Val Demings for Vice President

By Tom Coleman, Guest Columnist
Orlando Sentinel
May 13, 2020

I first became aware of Congresswoman Val Demings two years ago when we shared an interview on MSNBC. We were probably paired because she was a Democrat and I was a former Republican member of congress. The interview went well. I was not surprised when she further established a national profile during the impeachment of President Trump.

Val Demings was well placed to become a major figure in the impeachment process. She is a member of both House committees with jurisdiction over the matter—Judiciary and Intelligence. During the hearings held by the committees, she quickly stood out with her to the point questioning quickly being recognized by the public as an intelligent, articulate member of congress. As a leading member of the committees she played an important role when the articles of impeachment were sent to the House floor for consideration and eventual approval.

Val Demings had also caught the attention of Speaker Nancy Pelosi who saw many of these rare qualities and leadership capability in her two-term colleague. The Speaker appointed her to be one of seven House members selected to serve as impeachment managers in the Senate trial. Her exceptional ability was on full display under the glare of the national media.

As the Democratic campaign for president unfolded and former Vice President Biden became the presumptive nominee of the party, the parlor game of whom he might select as his running mate gained momentum. Biden indicated he would wisely select a woman as his pick. There are more than a few good candidates that would fill the bill and I will vote for Biden regardless of whom he might choose as his running mate.

Val Demings, in my opinion, would help clinch victory for the Democrats in November. Her uniquely qualifying experiences will be of great help to a President Biden. They are why I — as a former Republican — now an independent, believe she is special.

Val Demings has the unique experience of serving as the Chief of Police of Orlando, Florida. She succeeded in this highly sensitive and challenging position in a city of over 2.5 million people along with millions of annual visitors. She managed a large police force that constantly dealt with issues of health and safety; life and death. And she knows what it’s like to console families when they have lost a loved one.

On the other hand, as a member of the Homeland Security and Intelligence Committees, she is aware of those who wish to undermine our national security and she is versed on strategies and tactics for keeping America strong and secure.

Val Demings evokes an even keel personality that suits her well when dealing with emergencies. She knows how to relate to and work with state, local and federal officials to get things done, often during crises and under immense pressure. She will bring these experiences and qualities to the Biden administration.

Val Demings will continue to give voice to millions of people of all races and color as vice president and will support President Biden in assuring no one in America is treated as a second class citizen. Given her humble beginnings and strong work ethic, she will be a symbol for millions of Americans who aspire to be the very best.

Val Demings as the Vice Presidential candidate will give Democrats a tremendous boost for winning Florida, viewed by many political observers as a key state that would secure the election for a Biden ticket. Nationally, I am convinced she will attract significant support to the Democratic ticket from both independents and traditional Republicans alike.

Val Demings, with all of her many years of experience in government, is only 63 years old.

I’ve been in and around politics and government for fifty years and I have found that one must be able to judge an individual’s personal qualities fairly quickly. While I don’t know Val Demings personally, I feel confident that in addition to the reasons I have outlined, she has even more important qualifications such as honesty, integrity and common sense — all qualities we expect in our nation’s leadership that she will embody as vice president.

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Tom Coleman is a former Republican Member of Congress from Missouri. He has served as an adjunct professor at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University and at American University. He is an Advisor to Protect Democracy.

05.13.20
Ex-congressman: Val Demings the right choice for vice president | Commentary, Orlando Sentinel

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