Why? Start with the structure of the 2020 race. It's not going to be an identity-politics or ideological election. Af-Ams, e.g., have shown they want Trump out and will go with the candidate(s) who can accomplish that. Same is true of the rest of the Dem base. 2/13

To evict Trump, the key isn't appeal to Dem interest groups or blue states. It's appeal to swing voters, especially suburbanites and college-educated women, and above all in a handful of battleground states. 3/13

These voters (like everyone) know that Biden's age make his VP likely to succeed him. They want a VP who they can envision as commander-in-chief and who is a safe pair of hands. Someone they can easily imagine as president. 4/13

Harris and Abrams don't have the experience. Maybe not Warren, either, and she's probably too scary. Whitmer is green, still in only her second year as governor. 5/13

So the list is getting short. But...Napolitano! 6/13

She was a successful state attorney general in Arizona. Then a popular two-term governor. Remember, Az is a red state, but in her re-election bid, she crushed the Republican by almost 2:1. Won every county and every legislative district (unprecedented in Arizona!). 7/13

Then she was Obama's Secretary of Homeland Security. Downside: immigrant deportations, hugely unpopular with Dem base. Upside: major national-security cred. And...she worked with VP Biden for five years. 8/13

Most recently, she ran the country's premier university system (U-Cal.) Conveniently, she will be stepping down in August. Kids, can you say "available"? 9/13

So no one will doubt her gravitas and ability to take the reins. Also...Arizona! 10/13

AZ hasn't voted blue since 1996 but looks within reach for Democrats this year. If Biden can win the state's 11 electoral votes, he wins the election, almost for sure. Hmm, might a popular former governor help? 11/13

Sen. Klobuchar has experience, gravitas, and wins red votes, but Biden needs less help in Minnesota. And pragmatic voters tend to prefer governors for their executive experience. 12/13

So Napolitano brings a lot to the table. Biden would be crazy not to put her on the short list. And the dude ain't crazy. You heard it here. 13/13