The Democratic Candidates

mrussel1

I figured I would start a thread to discuss the merits (and lack thereof if appropriate) of potential candidates for the Democratic nomination.  According to Ballotpedia, here is the current list:  

• Cory Booker (D), a U.S. senator from New Jersey, announced that he was running for president on February 1, 2019.[6]
• Pete Buttigieg (D), the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, announced that he was running for president on January 23, 2019.[7]
• Julian Castro (D), a former U.S. secretary of housing and urban development and San Antonio mayor, formally announced his candidacy on January 12, 2019.[8]
• John Delaney (D), a former U.S. representative from Maryland, filed to run for president on August 10, 2017.
• Tulsi Gabbard (D), a U.S. representative from Hawaii, announced that she had decided to run for president on January 11, 2019.[9]
• Kirsten Gillibrand (D), a U.S. senator from New York, announced that she was running for president on January 15, 2019.[10]
• Kamala Harris (D), a U.S. senator from California, announced that she was running for president on January 21, 2019.[11]
• John Hickenlooper (D), a former governor of Colorado, announced that he was running for president on March 4, 2019.[2]
• Jay Inslee (D), the governor of Washington, announced that he was running for president on March 1, 2019.[12]
• Amy Klobuchar (D), a U.S. senator from Minnesota, formally announced she was running for president on February 10, 2019.[13]
• Bernie Sanders (I), a U.S. senator from Vermont, announced that he was running for president on February 19, 2019.[4]
• President Donald Trump (R) filed to run for re-election in 2020 on January 20, 2017.
• Elizabeth Warren (D), U.S. senator from Massachusetts, announced she had formed an exploratory committee on December 31, 2018.[14] She formally announced she was running for president on February 9, 2019.
• Bill Weld (R), a former governor of Massachusetts, announced that he had formed an exploratory committee on February 15, 2019.[5]
• Marianne Williamson (D), an author and lecturer, announced she was running for president on January 28, 2019.[15]
• Andrew Yang (D), an entrepreneur and author from New York, filed to run for president on November 6, 2017.

mrussel1

Here's my first criticism.. Elizabeth Warren announced she wants to break up the tech giants.  She has chosen Facebook, Amazon and Google to start.  I am completely against such action for one simple reason; they aren't monopolies.  You could argue FB, but I don't even know what service they provide.  But the other two are most clearly not monopolies even if she uses the phrase "platform utilities" 20x in one sentence.  We all have additional search and and shopping choices.  We choose those two because they are the best.  That's competition.  

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/elizabeth-warren-amazon-google-facebook_n_5c827b6ae4b0d93616273346

cincybearcat

Man - lots to cover in this thread 

How about I start with N, Y, N, N, N, N, maybe, Y, N, Y, N, N, N, N, N, N. 

mrussel1

cincybearcat said:

Man - lots to cover in this thread 

How about I start with N, Y, N, N, N, N, maybe, Y, N, Y, N, N, N, N, N, N. 

Theoretically it will get whittled down.  

njnancy

I had no idea that Marianne Williamson was running. 

I am a huge fan of her self help books and lectures. 

I don't see this going anywhere though.

Thanks for the list - I think Biden will be added to it pretty soon. He's said everything but the actual words at this point. 

I like Biden (if he announces) with a one term promise running with Harris, Klobuchar, Booker, Castro.....Warren is smart as a whip but I think she is unfairly tainted. Bernie is in the 'go away' column for me. 

Buttelieg is very impressive but name recognition is not there and I like Inslee in there just to keep the Climate Change debate front and center. 

I also like John Hickenlooper for various reasons. But I think it's gonna be Biden with a woman - who knows though.  

Need to see actual policy debate/discussion between them to see who rises to the top in not just ideas but actual thought out ways to make said ideas realistic. 

I need to read the article before I can give an opinion on the topic - I do believe that Facebook better stop acting like 'we're just connecting the world for good' and fess up to the empire they are and start acting like grown ups and protect their users. They are connected to almost every type of app and there needs to be some sort of 'rules' established. But I need to dig into more facts (which are kinda hard to get from tech giants). 

This could be interesting - let's hope we can keep this thread open.

And Trump announced re election before he ever took the oath for his first term - I think I knew this but just seeing it again and knowing all that's occurred shows how he has been just a leach on the public from the very beginning. IMHO.

Hi!

Do they have to put a person of color on the ticket to win? That’s my biggest question. Also, what ever happened to Bill Richardson. Would he be a good vp option?

Hi!

I’m going with Biden/Booker 2020. I’m sure my opinion will change hourly. 

mrussel1

Hi! said:

I’m going with Biden/Booker 2020. I’m sure my opinion will change hourly. 

Biden/Booker
Biden/Harris

Biden calls himself a one termer, to re-stabilize the country from the chaos.  I'm all down with that.  

Hi!

Booker seems like he would bring the energy and positivity over Harris. I like the idea of Booker against Pence in a debate.

Hi!

The one term thing with Biden sounds gimmicky and distracting. Could be risky.

mrussel1

Hi! said:

The one term thing with Biden sounds gimmicky and distracting. Could be risky.

Well it would hopefully help to mitigate concerns about his age.  He has a few years on Trump.  I'm personally done with the Baby Boomers, but there are still many who vote.  

Hi!

I don’t see the Republicans being able to play the Socialism card very effectively against Biden. 

HughFreakingDillon

Hi! said:

I don’t see the Republicans being able to play the Socialism card very effectively against Biden. 

they'll play the same card democrats played with John McCain: "he's old. if he dies, can we really imagine Palin as president?"

same will happen if it's a biden/booker or harris ticket. 

mrussel1

HughFreakingDillon said:

Hi! said:

I don’t see the Republicans being able to play the Socialism card very effectively against Biden. 

they'll play the same card democrats played with John McCain: "he's old. if he dies, can we really imagine Palin as president?"

same will happen if it's a biden/booker or harris ticket. 

There's no Tina Fey to go on TV and destroy Booker like Palin.  Harris and Booker are serious politicians with real experience, not a dingbat.  McCain didn't lose because of Palin, although it didn't help.  McCain lost because Obama was an exceptional candidate.  

HughFreakingDillon

mrussel1 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

Hi! said:

I don’t see the Republicans being able to play the Socialism card very effectively against Biden. 

they'll play the same card democrats played with John McCain: "he's old. if he dies, can we really imagine Palin as president?"

same will happen if it's a biden/booker or harris ticket. 

There's no Tina Fey to go on TV and destroy Booker like Palin.  Harris and Booker are serious politicians with real experience, not a dingbat.  McCain didn't lose because of Palin, although it didn't help.  McCain lost because Obama was an exceptional candidate.  

that's not what I was responding to (Tina Fey). the comment was that they can't play the socialism card against biden, well, they can if they play the "age" game like they did with McCain. i was not suggesting that Palin was as qualified a candidate as Booker or Harris. 

She was a governor, however. Just a "different" one. :l:lol:

mrussel1

HughFreakingDillon said:

mrussel1 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

Hi! said:

I don’t see the Republicans being able to play the Socialism card very effectively against Biden. 

they'll play the same card democrats played with John McCain: "he's old. if he dies, can we really imagine Palin as president?"

same will happen if it's a biden/booker or harris ticket. 

There's no Tina Fey to go on TV and destroy Booker like Palin.  Harris and Booker are serious politicians with real experience, not a dingbat.  McCain didn't lose because of Palin, although it didn't help.  McCain lost because Obama was an exceptional candidate.  

that's not what I was responding to (Tina Fey). the comment was that they can't play the socialism card against biden, well, they can if they play the "age" game like they did with McCain. i was not suggesting that Palin was as qualified a candidate as Booker or Harris. 

She was a governor, however. Just a "different" one. :l:lol:

Oh I see.  I haven't seen much from Booker or Harris on the New Deal stuff.  They both strike me as centrist, Booker in particular.  

HughFreakingDillon

mrussel1 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

mrussel1 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

Hi! said:

I don’t see the Republicans being able to play the Socialism card very effectively against Biden. 

they'll play the same card democrats played with John McCain: "he's old. if he dies, can we really imagine Palin as president?"

same will happen if it's a biden/booker or harris ticket. 

There's no Tina Fey to go on TV and destroy Booker like Palin.  Harris and Booker are serious politicians with real experience, not a dingbat.  McCain didn't lose because of Palin, although it didn't help.  McCain lost because Obama was an exceptional candidate.  

that's not what I was responding to (Tina Fey). the comment was that they can't play the socialism card against biden, well, they can if they play the "age" game like they did with McCain. i was not suggesting that Palin was as qualified a candidate as Booker or Harris. 

She was a governor, however. Just a "different" one. :l:lol:

Oh I see.  I haven't seen much from Booker or Harris on the New Deal stuff.  They both strike me as centrist, Booker in particular.  

it seems the right likes to label and demonize any young democrat senator as "socialist". 

OnWis97

Might have a chance against Trump:

• Beto O'Rourke:  Most Obama-like in terms of a personality that will attract moderate voters (and voters in general to hit the polls).

No chance against Trump:

• Booker 
• Buttigieg 
• Castro 
• Delaney 
• Gabbart 
• Gillibrand 
• Harris 
• Hickenlooper 
• Inslee 
• Klobuchar
• Sanders 
• Warren 
  
• Williamson
  
• Weld
• Yang
• Joe Biden
• The Starbucks guy with the "I want my taxes lower" platform.

jeffbr

HughFreakingDillon said:

mrussel1 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

mrussel1 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

Hi! said:

I don’t see the Republicans being able to play the Socialism card very effectively against Biden. 

they'll play the same card democrats played with John McCain: "he's old. if he dies, can we really imagine Palin as president?"

same will happen if it's a biden/booker or harris ticket. 

There's no Tina Fey to go on TV and destroy Booker like Palin.  Harris and Booker are serious politicians with real experience, not a dingbat.  McCain didn't lose because of Palin, although it didn't help.  McCain lost because Obama was an exceptional candidate.  

that's not what I was responding to (Tina Fey). the comment was that they can't play the socialism card against biden, well, they can if they play the "age" game like they did with McCain. i was not suggesting that Palin was as qualified a candidate as Booker or Harris. 

She was a governor, however. Just a "different" one. :l:lol:

Oh I see.  I haven't seen much from Booker or Harris on the New Deal stuff.  They both strike me as centrist, Booker in particular.  

it seems the right likes to label and demonize any young democrat senator as "socialist". 

You are exactly right. In fact, I was speaking with a couple of people recently who seem to be FauxNews viewers and they use Socialist and Democrat interchangeably. It's very confusing trying to have rational conversations with people who have their own definitions for words.

mrussel1

Iowa poll...

https://www-m.cnn.com/2019/03/09/politics/cnn-iowa-poll-biden-sanders-top-tier/index.html?r=https://www.cnn.com/

Meltdown99

John Hickenlooper Announces Support For Nuking Australia Just To See If Anyone Paying Attention

benjs

OnWis97 said:

Might have a chance against Trump:

• Beto O'Rourke:  Most Obama-like in terms of a personality that will attract moderate voters (and voters in general to hit the polls).

No chance against Trump:

• Booker 
• Buttigieg 
• Castro 
• Delaney 
• Gabbart 
• Gillibrand 
• Harris 
• Hickenlooper 
• Inslee 
• Klobuchar
• Sanders 
• Warren 
  
• Williamson
  
• Weld
• Yang
• Joe Biden
• The Starbucks guy with the "I want my taxes lower" platform.

Compelling argument.

Spiritual_Chaos

OnWis97 said:

Might have a chance against Trump:

• Beto O'Rourke:  Most Obama-like in terms of a personality that will attract moderate voters (and voters in general to hit the polls).

No chance against Trump:

• Booker 
• Buttigieg 
• Castro 
• Delaney 
• Gabbart 
• Gillibrand 
• Harris 
• Hickenlooper 
• Inslee 
• Klobuchar
• Sanders 
• Warren 
  
• Williamson
  
• Weld
• Yang
• Joe Biden
• The Starbucks guy with the "I want my taxes lower" platform.

Might have a chance against Trump:

• Beto O'Rourke:  Most Obama-like in terms of a personality that will attract moderate voters (and voters in general to hit the polls).
• Biden
• Bernie

No chance against Trump:

• Booker 
• Buttigieg 
• Castro 
• Delaney 
• Gabbart 
• Gillibrand 
• Harris 
• Hickenlooper 
• Inslee 
• Klobuchar
• Warren 
  
• Williamson
  
• Weld
• Yang
• The Starbucks guy with the "I want my taxes lower" platform.

mrussel1

Why wouldn't Booker have a chance?

oftenreading

I saw today that polling of favourites among Dems  has Biden at 27%, Bernie at 25%, Warren at I think 9%, Harris close to that, and all the others trailing around 5% or less. Of course, Biden hasn’t even declared yet, nor have several other people on the list, but he’s expected to. 

So, is Biden/Sanders a winning ticket? Could they even work together? Is Biden/Warren or Biden/Harris a better bet, for wider appeal? I have no idea, and early days and all that, but I’m wondering. 

mrussel1

oftenreading said:

I saw today that polling of favourites among Dems  has Biden at 27%, Bernie at 25%, Warren at I think 9%, Harris close to that, and all the others trailing around 5% or less. Of course, Biden hasn’t even declared yet, nor have several other people on the list, but he’s expected to. 

So, is Biden/Sanders a winning ticket? Could they even work together? Is Biden/Warren or Biden/Harris a better bet, for wider appeal? I have no idea, and early days and all that, but I’m wondering. 

Warren is too controversial I think.  Moderates will be turned off by her.  I know I am, especially after that idiotic declaration that she wants to break up Amazon, Google and Facebook.  No thanks.  Harris is a good fit and I think Booker is too.  I don't think there is room for Biden and Sanders on the same ticket.  Neither will be a #2.  
What I like about Biden is that he's fully vetted and all the 'issues' with him are already in the public sphere, I would think.  He would have received the gamut of oppo research during the two election cycles with Obama.  So his floor of support is pretty high.  Plus you would think Barrack and Michelle would actively support him, considering how close they all became.  

Spiritual_Chaos

mrussel1 said:

Why wouldn't Booker have a chance?

He lacks the genuine charm of Obama or Beto. Doesn't come off as honest. Just angry.

Hi!

I think a  Biden Bernie ticket would be interesting. Bernie obviously would have to be in the vp spot. I think he would do it. Think of the ground they would be able to cover while campaigning. They would both draw huge crowds at rallies and that would reach a lot of voters. Would be like a 2 for 1.
If Biden/Bernie is as close as  Hillary/Bernie were in 2016, Biden would have to offer the vp to Bernie, right?

mrussel1

Spiritual_Chaos said:

mrussel1 said:

Why wouldn't Booker have a chance?

He lacks the genuine charm of Obama or Beto. Doesn't come off as honest. Just angry.

Are you sure you're on the right person? I think he comes off as genuinely pleasant.  He's a good dude

oftenreading

Hi! said:

I think a  Biden Bernie ticket would be interesting. Bernie obviously would have to be in the vp spot. I think he would do it. Think of the ground they would be able to cover while campaigning. They would both draw huge crowds at rallies and that would reach a lot of voters. Would be like a 2 for 1.
If Biden/Bernie is as close as  Hillary/Bernie were in 2016, Biden would have to offer the vp to Bernie, right?

Yeah, Bernie would have to be VP, because I doubt Biden is interested in that spot again. Would he do it, though? And that certainly doesn’t reassure those wanting a one term Biden and then a passing of the torch to a younger nominee. 

Hi!

I think his “anger” comes off as a little forced like he’s putting on a show a little bit. I think when people get to know him he’ll be more likable. I don’t mind angry though, we need passion and intensity. A fighter if you will.