General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI will not mention any names, but I believe several will come to mind as you read this.
Let me begin by saying that I will support our nominee in 2020, whoever that may be. That said, let me get to the point: though many point to Trump's "election" as showing that "anyone" can win the White House, the last two years have shown that not just "anyone" can be POTUS. It follows that not just anyone should seek their party's nomination.
What some may term a wealth of candidates is, in my opinion, threatening to so dilute our resources and our passion that it may hurt our chances for victory. The best most selfless course for some of those now flirting with seeking the Democratic nomination in 2020 would be to look in the mirror, smile and ask "Who am I kidding?"
The US presidency is not a "prize". The successful candidate wins not only fame and adulation and awesome power, he or she also "wins" the most grueling and stressful job in the world. If they are successful, they can make the world a better and safer place. If they are unsuccessful, they can destroy civilization. This is not a job for "anyone".
I am not suggesting that anyone be barred from seeking the Democratic nomination. I am suggesting---and hoping--- that several of the good people now "considering" a run choose to contribute by supporting someone else and helping the party to stand united against Trump.
Me.
(35,454 posts)Control-Z
(15,681 posts)But I've no idea who your number two is. I'll be trying to figure it out all night.
Me.
(35,454 posts)I might add a long shot 3 to that list...another easy peasy if you think about it
Hermit-The-Prog
(33,028 posts)I know you're talking about me, er, not yourself, that is... dammit you're not Me! I'm me. And I'm not running, but if I was, it wouldnt' be right to stop me, er, not you, from running. If I was.
Hermits could be presidential. It's a subterranean bar, now.
Me.
(35,454 posts)unless you're in disguise Agent Mike
alwaysinasnit
(5,037 posts)and subsequent campaigning, two goddamn years before the next presidential election. How have we fallen for this type of presidential marketing so far in advance? Any thoughts???
pecosbob
(7,502 posts)only this is the MSM and the electioneering industry.
alwaysinasnit
(5,037 posts)pecosbob
(7,502 posts)as I suspect this thread to be a shot across someone or other's bow...
alwaysinasnit
(5,037 posts)Doitnow
(1,103 posts)leaving out others. Pathetic. What counts is RECORD and character. Promises are only words. Lets see how candidates have already delivered. Can't take chances now.
alwaysinasnit
(5,037 posts)Hermit-The-Prog
(33,028 posts)KY, MS, and LA all have elections in 2019, and all need help.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)spend this time studying and learning and figuring out the new aged media approach? For some reason, don't think it will be trump, as an opponent. I don't think he will be impeached - but from what I read, he is bored, and even he knows he wouldn't win, as damaged as he is, and will be even more after a Mueller report.
He has totally stopped saying he wants to rule indefinitely, have you noticed?
So, who an opponent would likely be, is of ultimate importance.
question everything
(47,264 posts)Not too early - may be "stale" by the time the primaries start.
And not too late, to squeeze among the ones who already declared.
Or so I've heard.
Martin Eden
(12,802 posts)Presidential elections are FAR too long, and 90% of the talk is about personalities and the horse race.
What our country needs first and foremost is a rational national discussion about issues and solutions.
And NOT just in the context of elections.
brooklynite
(93,847 posts)...But I met with a prospective candidate for the 2016 Presidential candidate.....in 2012 at the Convention. And we both knew what the meeting was about.
Honestly, if the 2020 prospects WEREN'T planning to run, and were making the rounds to give policy speeches or help elect Democrats in other States, would you see a difference?
alwaysinasnit
(5,037 posts)that when interviewed, the potential candidates admit to wanting to run and there are quite a few of them. This creates all kinds of media speculation and provides distraction from the current important issues facing our newly-elected Democrats and our nation. Discretion, for the time being, might be more effective in that the potential candidates can continue to explore and develop what may or may not be a viable candidacy without so much media hoopla. When quite a few (serious) people openly express their presidential aspirations, resources (staff and financial) become more scarce and leave the ultimate handful of hopefuls having to work harder to make up for it. People may also start to get attached to their favorite candidate and maybe even start to feel tribal about him/her if that potential candidate is seen as viable, especially this early in the campaign season. Maybe this last point is a bit absurd but given what I have seen on this forum, the somewhat harsh rhetoric between Hillary and Bernie supporters, I don't know that I am totally out in left field.
Perhaps this is the new normal in presidential campaigns, but until fairly recently (last decade or two), I don't remember these campaigns lasting close to two years. I guess I truly am old.
Garrett78
(10,721 posts)One, we've never felt so desperate for a new president--and that's really saying something after experiencing GWB.
Two, the field of candidates is expected to be larger than ever before. Knowing this, aspiring candidates will want to build an infrastructure earlier than normal.
Stinky The Clown
(67,670 posts)aikoaiko
(34,127 posts)I would have loved to see big announcements after the mid-terms, but now I'm hoping for January or February.
Our new candidates need to come out with a roar.
Otherwise there will be a vacuum which will be filled by "anyone".
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)aikoaiko
(34,127 posts)But we focussed on the midterms and now the silence is deafening and creating a leadership vacuum.
I'm just stunned that there haven't been more visible organization to potential campaigns.
Official announcements happened in April of 2015 in the last round with them the candidates making themselves visible and accessible well before that.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)We are kind of in a new world maybe people are worried that if they make it big announcement IQ 45 will start trashing them early?
watoos
(7,142 posts)Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)one with sharp wit and fearlessness again Trump
But, we don't even know if Trump will run again. He may have one foot into jail. He may be too bored.
All I know is that no one, short of Ted Lieu, who someone said isn't eligible? has the media chops compared to Avenatti.
tblue37
(64,979 posts)watoos
(7,142 posts)6 more years to go.
thesquanderer
(11,953 posts)Almost no one thought any of them had a chance when they announced. Definitely candidates for "Who am I kidding?"
I don't think we can assume things would have been better if they hadn't run and had chosen to support someone else instead.
Atticus
(15,124 posts)thesquanderer
(11,953 posts)elleng
(130,126 posts)watoos
(7,142 posts)SoCalDem
(103,856 posts)we need movers & shakers.. no more milquetoast middle-of-the-roaders.... or we lose again..
And as much as it pains me (as an oldster) to say thins.. there is a time and a place, and once you miss your opportunity...you gotta move aside
Please no more:
Hillary (her best shot was in 2004 vs W)
Biden
Kerry
Bernie ( I DO love the guy)
and no more "sortas"
Bloomberg
Garcetti
Cuomo
Kamala
Sherrod Brown
or
assorted wannabees who nobody's ever heard of
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(149,297 posts)I kinda doubt it, but she's the only Amy I can think of.
on edit: Amy Klobuchar is who you mean!
Maggiemayhem
(804 posts)Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)strategize/develop your campaign completely differently depending on whom you are running against.
Although... Beto...he told us he wasn't running against anyone or any idea. He was running for something
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)Atticus
(15,124 posts)Cary
(11,746 posts)Most of us follow. There is no shame in that. We have a representative democracy. Most must follow.
If you wish to lead, put your hat in the ring. I choose to not lead. I am perfectly at ease with being a follower and as this is my choice, and probably my only real one, I choose to be an outstanding follower. I will state my opinion through appropriate channels. I do not always agree but I never knowingly undermine my leader. I never cut off my nose to spite my face. Never.
lark
(23,003 posts)I'm sure others will follow. Joe Biden and Amy Klobuchar are my top picks at this minute.
Is he a contender along with Biden Joseph and Klobuchar Amy?
brooklynite
(93,847 posts)DFW
(54,050 posts)It has been such a long time, me being busy with dogcatchers in Walla Walla, North Platte and Poughkeepsie, you understand....
Also Warren Elizabeth and O'Rourke Beto or vice versa.
oasis
(49,150 posts)Beto runs in 2028 after Jay Inslee's two terms.
Autumn
(44,748 posts)rwsanders
(2,585 posts)So we're going to have primaries for the primaries??
Atticus
(15,124 posts)cite for that. Heard it today on tv.
rwsanders
(2,585 posts)O'Rourke. Doesn't sound out of the ordinary to me.
Bigger worry is still going to be disenfranchisement, gerrymandering, outside assistance, and the variable of whatever the orange buffoon might do if things don't appear to be going his way. What happens if there is an "emergency" that requires a "delay" of the election?
We have to remember that even within government, there are many who will support his agenda.
We'd do better working with the U.N. to ensure fair elections.
Buckeyeblue
(5,491 posts)I think either the governor from Pennsylvania or the governor from Washington might be that voice. I think it's going to be someone from outside of Washington.
It'll be the person who looks in the mirror and says, I can make a difference.
This president will have a big decision to make. Should we prosecute a former President? I know many people think that is an easy decision but I think that decision goes the the existential heart of our country. We've never done that before.