2016 Democratic Presidential Candidates

callen

Jason P said:

callen said:

JimmyV said:

The "Sanders can't win!" argument has some merit because the terms "Socialist" and "Democratic Socialist" will scare the hell out of many voters. It will happen.

The problem Democrats and left-leaning independents face is that the Democratic Socialist guy is the only alternative left to a career politician with a history of scandal and who is currently under investigation by the FBI. Not some bogus and partison Congressional committee, but the Federal Bureau of Investigation. President Barack Obama's justice system.

Hard to argue that this current FBI is part of the "Vast Right-wing Conspiracy." That the Democratic Establishment want voters to ignore their hand chosen and longtime presumptive frontrunner being under federal investigation is a bridge too far.

Bernie Sanders can't win. Hillary Clinton shouldn't win. And together they represent our only alternative to Trump, Cruz, Rubio, etc.

Worst election cycle I have ever seen and we have miles to go before anyone sleeps.

Have had these same thoughts.

My biggest fear, Cruz and Bernie left after dust settles.

Then Cruz winning. It's a very real possibility.

Just hope if Hillary is indicted it happens soon. Maybe Bloomberg does enter. Yeah I know many don't like but sure as hell better than "President Cruz".

I shudder as I write this.

I think the GOP going to start backing Rubio as we speak ... or in this case, post. No one likes Cruz. But I do think Cruz is the smartest and most shrewd candidate. He was considered a long shot in the Texas senate race and won. I think he understands the game better then any other candidate.

He's got huge following and will win in many states. He also plays well on anti establishment angle.

rr165892

Cruz will loose the middle road moderates like myself that can't stand the religious grand standing and pandering.
Get used to hearing "President Rubio".
He has some big behind the scene support.

JimmyV

Doesn't Rubio have a penchant for religious grandstanding as well? Only watched a few minutes of the last GOP debate but that did stick out.

Gern Blansten

Rubio doesn't have a chance. Charging $20K home improvements on a GOP party credit card will come back to haunt him. Plus his horrible personal financial management aside from the credit card issue.

JimmyV

We could make an argument that every candidate in this race is doomed by something. Somebody has to win though.

Leezestarr313

I wonder about something. Not that familiar with the American system (yet), so please forgive me if this is a stupid question. So I am reading that people are registered as Republican or Democrat voters. Let's say there is a person who is a teacher and has a tradition of voting Republican. What I wonder is how people like that feel now that there are just these clowns available for election. Do people like that really in their right mind go and vote for someone like Trump or Cruz, even if their programs go completely against the mind set that someone like a teacher might have? How fixed is this whole "registering Democrat or Republican"? Can you change that? And how long does it take?

I also recently read that some people think Bill Clinton might suffer from Parkinson's disease, even though he is denying it. Would that affect a possible election of Hillary?

rgambs

Leezestarr313 said:

I wonder about something. Not that familiar with the American system (yet), so please forgive me if this is a stupid question. So I am reading that people are registered as Republican or Democrat voters. Let's say there is a person who is a teacher and has a tradition of voting Republican. What I wonder is how people like that feel now that there are just these clowns available for election. Do people like that really in their right mind go and vote for someone like Trump or Cruz, even if their programs go completely against the mind set that someone like a teacher might have? How fixed is this whole "registering Democrat or Republican"? Can you change that? And how long does it take?

I also recently read that some people think Bill Clinton might suffer from Parkinson's disease, even though he is denying it. Would that affect a possible election of Hillary?

It varies from state to state, but it isn't that hard to change in most cases. In Ohio, at the primary I declare a party affiliation and I can only vote for a candidate from that party. When the general election comes you can vote for whomever you choose.

Leezestarr313

I see. Thanks for explaining

Gern Blansten

Leezestarr313 said:

I wonder about something. Not that familiar with the American system (yet), so please forgive me if this is a stupid question. So I am reading that people are registered as Republican or Democrat voters. Let's say there is a person who is a teacher and has a tradition of voting Republican. What I wonder is how people like that feel now that there are just these clowns available for election. Do people like that really in their right mind go and vote for someone like Trump or Cruz, even if their programs go completely against the mind set that someone like a teacher might have? How fixed is this whole "registering Democrat or Republican"? Can you change that? And how long does it take?

I also recently read that some people think Bill Clinton might suffer from Parkinson's disease, even though he is denying it. Would that affect a possible election of Hillary?

Yes Leezestar they most certainly vote against their own self interest.

I blame the internet. Low information voters feel like they are informed when they aren't.

brianlux

Gern Blansten said:

Leezestarr313 said:

I wonder about something. Not that familiar with the American system (yet), so please forgive me if this is a stupid question. So I am reading that people are registered as Republican or Democrat voters. Let's say there is a person who is a teacher and has a tradition of voting Republican. What I wonder is how people like that feel now that there are just these clowns available for election. Do people like that really in their right mind go and vote for someone like Trump or Cruz, even if their programs go completely against the mind set that someone like a teacher might have? How fixed is this whole "registering Democrat or Republican"? Can you change that? And how long does it take?

I also recently read that some people think Bill Clinton might suffer from Parkinson's disease, even though he is denying it. Would that affect a possible election of Hillary?

Yes Leezestar they most certainly vote against their own self interest.

I blame the internet. Low information voters feel like they are informed when they aren't.

Good point Gern but I also think people have tended generally to vote party line well before the internet.

And before the internet came along, most people got their information from whatever biased news source they subscribed to. I remember back in the 70's when a friend told be about the British (then print) newspaper, The Guardian. When I started reading that paper it was like looking at a different world than what I'd previously been shown.

Free

I don't know abut you guys, but in my area which is relatively conservative, there is more hate for Hillary then there is favoritism for trumpet or Cruz. Thinking that Hillary is a for sure deal, makes no sense when so many people hate her. I don't know how people think that she was ever a for sure thing.

JimmyV

Free said:

I don't know abut you guys, but in my area which is relatively conservative, there is more hate for Hillary then there is favoritism for trumpet or Cruz. Thinking that Hillary is a for sure deal, makes no sense when so many people hate her. I don't know how people think that she was ever a for sure thing.

I 100% agree. Democrats believe they have this unbeatable national coalition but a Hillary Clinton candidacy likely undoes that because she will drive GOP voter turnout to previously unseen heights. Plus, we are already seeing an enthusiasm gap between her and Sanders.

Bernie has his own problems as a national candidate but the idea that Hillary will be unbeatable in November is wishful thinking.

Free

And the reasons so many hate her aren't even really spelled out from what I can tell. It's like a pimple on one's ass.
No explanation.

In a govt system where corporations and corrupt Wall Street prevail, it's a no brainier to want a guy like Sanders in.

brianlux

It seems to me many or maybe even most of those who hate Hillary do so either because she is a Dem and/or because she is a woman. Yet despite the fact that neither of those biases are a good reason by themselves to not like her, I don't think those factors alone or even combined are what might go against her being elected. I think what may impede her that way is that many people who, given the right candidate, would be excited by the idea of a female Democrat elected as president but will not vote for Hillary simple because she is Hillary. These are people who are tired of the same old b.s. and don't want more of the same b.s. whether that person be male or female. Let's wait and give the honor of first Lady President to someone more worthy like Elizabeth Warren and go with Bernie in the meantime.

JonnyPistachio

I just realized i'm not registered to a particular party (Florida). I've got to find the time to send in my updated status so i might vote in the primaries. I think im more interested in the primaries than the general election! haha

PJ_Soul

JonnyPistachio said:

I just realized i'm not registered to a particular party (Florida). I've got to find the time to send in my updated status so i might vote in the primaries. I think im more interested in the primaries than the general election! haha

Hey, look who came to visit!

F Me In The Brain

JonnyPistachio said:

I just realized i'm not registered to a particular party (Florida). I've got to find the time to send in my updated status so i might vote in the primaries. I think im more interested in the primaries than the general election! haha

The Glassmanimal!

The media tells everyone what to believe and the worst thing that happened to this process in my opinion was when they started publishing polls. People think that they need to pick Trump, Cruz, Sanders, or Clinton because that is who other people like in a poll. Sorta kills the idea of the debates or learning about each liar to determine which one lies the least, or lies in favor of how you lean politically.

brianlux

Welcome back to the train, Jon! I know you've been busy with all kinds of baby terrain!

F Me In The Brain said:

JonnyPistachio said:

I just realized i'm not registered to a particular party (Florida). I've got to find the time to send in my updated status so i might vote in the primaries. I think im more interested in the primaries than the general election! haha

The Glassmanimal!

The media tells everyone what to believe and the worst thing that happened to this process in my opinion was when they started publishing polls. People think that they need to pick Trump, Cruz, Sanders, or Clinton because that is who other people like in a poll. Sorta kills the idea of the debates or learning about each liar to determine which one lies the least, or lies in favor of how you lean politically.

Yeah, without the ability or desire to think critically, polls are just flat out harmful.

Free

Another thing about Hillary, although I am not one of them, Americans are nuts about guns, Just nuts. She is on a strict anti-gun mission, something I personally don't mind. But if she's looking for votes, which of course she is, going completely anti-gun is not going to get you a lot of votes.

Free

Polls are the media's best friend, and They mean absolutely nothing. Talk about manipulation, they are done purely to manipulate the public.

InHiding80

Gern Blansten said:

Leezestarr313 said:

I wonder about something. Not that familiar with the American system (yet), so please forgive me if this is a stupid question. So I am reading that people are registered as Republican or Democrat voters. Let's say there is a person who is a teacher and has a tradition of voting Republican. What I wonder is how people like that feel now that there are just these clowns available for election. Do people like that really in their right mind go and vote for someone like Trump or Cruz, even if their programs go completely against the mind set that someone like a teacher might have? How fixed is this whole "registering Democrat or Republican"? Can you change that? And how long does it take?

I also recently read that some people think Bill Clinton might suffer from Parkinson's disease, even though he is denying it. Would that affect a possible election of Hillary?

Yes Leezestar they most certainly vote against their own self interest.

I blame the internet. Low information voters feel like they are informed when they aren't.

Maher hit the nail on the head about that last week. Lies have become the new truth.

PJfanwillneverleave1

I don't know,
Polls favour landlines, what is wrong with that?

rgambs

PJfanwillneverleave1 said:

I don't know,
Polls favour landlines, what is wrong with that?

Nothing would be wrong with it if they expressed that bias, instead they masquerade as accurate data sets.

JimmyV

Anyone who paid attention in 2008 cannot be surprised to see the Clintons crying sexism in the run-up to New Hampshire. It will almost certainly win her some votes, much the same way her tears did eight years ago. Maybe the tears were genuine then and maybe they were not. This time though it is a clear political ploy, one that doesn't make her look very presidential. And it turns this independent off to the likely Democratic nominee even more.

callen

Think Hillary is smart and has the best experience of any candidates running.

I also think she would do what's right in white house and nominate Supreme Court justices that would be fair.

Is she perfect? No. Do I want Bill, no. But Sure as hell a better bet than any of the republicans.

JimmyV

The installation of Hillary Clinton as nominee of the Democratic Party continues. Despite a 20% defeat she will leave the New Hampshire with more state delegates than Bernie Sanders. This is a terrible look for the Dems.

http://dailycaller.com/2016/02/10/hillary-earns-more-new-hampshire-delegates-than-sanders-after-loss/

F Me In The Brain

JimmyV said:

The installation of Hillary Clinton as nominee of the Democratic Party continues. Despite a 20% defeat she will leave the New Hampshire with more state delegates than Bernie Sanders. This is a terrible look for the Dems.

http://dailycaller.com/2016/02/10/hillary-earns-more-new-hampshire-delegates-than-sanders-after-loss/

That is messed up. I wonder if the same is true for the Republicans in NH.
The electoral rules in this country are pretty strange.

Jason P

Hillary still tied Sanders in the number of delegates won in N.H because that state has super delegates, whose vote counts the same as a district. They each walked away with 15

THE GAME IS RIGGED! The power in the Democratic party will take down Sanders and we shall soon be bowing to President Trump.

callen

Jason P said:

Hillary still tied Sanders in the number of delegates won in N.H because that state has super delegates, whose vote counts the same as a district. They each walked away with 15

THE GAME IS RIGGED! The power in the Democratic party will take down Sanders and we shall soon be bowing to President Trump.

That's fked up. Thanks for info Jason.

Free

Hillary Clinton had more votes in the primary election in 2008, but Obama won because of the super delegates. The has been a part of the process since 1984.

http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/02/after-sanders-big-win-in-new-hampshire-establishme.html

Oh no, you might be thinking, look at those delegate totals! He’s getting killed! The New Hampshire primary is meaningless! He didn’t even really win! On the Sanders Reddit page this morning, users were asking whether the whole primary process was a Sisyphean task, and if victory was impossible.


Make no mistake: That’s the point of this kind of messaging. To discourage, dismay, and dishearten, in the wake of something that should feel really positive for Sanders supporters. Reality check: The system is bigger than you, and you can’t change it, so go home.
I have no clue if Timothy McBride has any affiliation or even affection for Hillary Clinton, and he was certainly not alone in advancing this talking point. (Update: Surprise, surprise, the two are connected.) What I do know is that he tweeted these statistics out last night and again this morning, and whatever his intentions—and those like him—Clinton herself could not have written a better media script.

So what’s happening here? Are those delegate counts right?

Well, no—McBride’s math is wrong, but I’m assuming that wasn’t a malicious mistake. The actual count is 394-42.

So technically, yes, the count is close to accurate. He’s not overtly lying. But are they illustrative of some critical, insurmountable problem for Sanders? Not at all. Are they even relevant to the primary race? Barely. Certainly not now, and probably not ever. Are these messages deceptive, even subtly? Yes. Absolutely. And they’re propagated by people who are withholding the full story in the hopes that people like you and me are too stupid and complacent to find out on our own.

McBride’s sneaky tactic is to count “Superdelegates,” which is how he arrives at his imbalanced total. Accept the numbers blindly, and you might feel an impulse toward panic. My message to you: Chill. It’s a clever trick, but a silly one, and it won’t affect anything. To counter this narrative, let’s examine the political reality behind Superdelegates, and explain how they really work, Q&A style.