Stop falling in love with candidates. We need a winner.

[Cyrano]

I don't care who our presidential candidate is for 2020. I just want her/him to be able to kick the orange creature's ass out of the White House.

I don't have to love our candidate and I don't have any "purity" test for our eventual candidate. I just want our candidate to be any Dem who can make this grotesque nightmare go away.

The worst thing that can happen is that we become divided over who our candidate turns out to be. We can't let that happen. It would be a gift to Trump. Once we have a candidate, all of us must join hands, sing Kumbaya, drop our grievances, and throw ourselves behind him/her 100%.

Democrats (many of us) have a long history of falling in love with a candidate and then losing. This is how Nixon, Reagan, and Bush senior got into office. (And arguably, it was part a part of the reason Trump got into office.) We can't let that happen again in this dangerous era in which we are living.

I really don't care if our candidate is a woman or a man; young or old; brown, black, or white; gay, straight, bi, or whatever; Jewish, Muslim, Christian, or whatever. I want a candidate who can run up enough votes to beat Republican voter theft and the electoral college.

And if you can't tolerate whoever our candidate turns out to be, imagine another four years of this poisonous orange cloud that has descended upon humanity. Then make your choice. But sulking, not voting, or voting for a third party candidate is not an option this time around. This time around, American democracy is on the line. Really. We must have a winner. The alternative is unthinkable.

[happybird]

1. Well said! nt

[GaYellowDawg]

2. I don't think that's nearly the issue that it was in 2016.

I have seen a whole lot of posters talking about how much they like their candidate, and then immediately following up with a statement like “... but I am voting for whomever the Democratic candidate is.”

At least on DU, I think the lesson has been learned.

[LiberalLovinLug]

18. I think you are correct. Putin and the GOP trolls may try and divide us

But that last election has put the fear of God (or Trumpism) into us. No one expected him to win. So in a way, I think our side thought we had a little leeway to take swipes right to the last bell. Those who were always Democrats first, thought they had the luxury of even jumping on Putin's troll farm. If not actually endorsing the ridiculous smears on Hillary or Sanders, then at least NOT refuting them. Going along with them as long as it helped their choice.

But in that kind of atmosphere, the unintended consequences was that it affected the more vulnerable "undecided" and "independent" voter. Or it kept some away from the polling stations because it seemed that no one was good enough. This time I think there will be no taking things lightly. I will back, as much as I can, the candidate that emerges as the winner.

[Sherman A1]

3. Thanks for the lecture

and you are certainly entitled to your opinions but, I can figure out how to think all on my own.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

4. Too soon for this kind of talk.

First, we need to cast asparagus at each others' choices for the nomination. Admit it: your candidate sucks. My favorite is great. My favorite is even better than the bum who was my favorite yesterday.

Once a candidate is chosen at the convention (my candidate, by the way), then "you people" can all get behind my candidate.

And, I think, we need to hope that "Mr Coffee" Schultz stays out of the race as an independent or third party.

Disclaimer: In the unlikely event that "your candidate" gets the nomination, I will gladly support that individual.

[DirtEdonE]

5. My candidate Bozo -

(Only in deference to your most excellent Firesign Theater inspired moniker)

PAPOON FOR PRESIDENT!

http://www.firesigntheatre.com/papoon/

Hey, we're all bozos on this bus.

[DownriverDem]

7. So easy to see

It's not who I like or who you like. It's who can win the electoral college.

[LakeArenal]

32. I'm not sure I think the same...

For the most part all our candidates are great. It’s the details on which we disagree, not the project.

[DownriverDem]

6. 100% Correct

All that matters is that the Dems have a candidate that can win the Electoral College.

[crazytown]

8. FDR(51) JFK(43) Carter(52) WJC(46) Obama(47)

These are the Democrats who have ended Republican rule over the last 100 years (age on Inauguration)

And yes, people fell in love with them.

[DownriverDem]

26. Maybe but

these are very different times.

[crazytown]

27. And Obama was facing McCain

a man of some honor.

[yaesu]

9. I've never fallen in love with a candidate but even though I voted for Bernie during last primary

I did fall head over hills in like with HRC and enthusiastically supported & voted for her.

[TNNurse]

17. I fell in love with Barack.

[yaesu]

19. yes, but he was irresistible

[TNNurse]

22. That is so true.

Right now this 69 yo married woman has at least a crush on Mayor Pete.

[LakeArenal]

33. Sigh. The exception that proves the rule..

It’s the United love for the Obamas that has driven Orange Puss off the rails.

That and the Blackmail.

[osmium]

10. Well, sure...

I am an exceedingly rare poster, but I follow stuff.

I have my favorites in the primary, but winning the big prize is really the only thing that matters.

If you think that the eventual nominee is too x, or not y enough..compare the person to what the other side is offering.

As I have said since I first had a glimpse into chaos theory....slight changes in initial conditions will yield large differences over time. Unless and until the poles(pun noted, not intended) are flipped, any Democrat is incalculably better than any Repug.

[Mosby]

21. +1

[Honeycombe8]

11. Unfortunately, I'm not "lovin'" any of 'em enough to support him/her.

By "lovin'" 'em, I'm speaking of "winning." I don't see any of them that I think, at this time, can beat Trump. We've seen how vicious and unrelenting he is. The name calling, the lies, the nonsense, mocking candidates, mocking their spouses, mocking disabled people, racist and misogynistic statements. I'm including Biden. I'm not convinced that Biden can handle Trump, either.

So I'll just wait and see what shakes out.

I don't ever recall me not having an idea of who I would support at this stage. There are so many candidates, most of whom are pretty inexperienced. No experienced statesmen who speak with authority. So, I don't know.

I like Beto, but I really need to know more. I like Inslee's positions, but I need to know how he is on the stump and whether he can win.

I'm looking for someone tough. Very tough. Nothing shakes him/her. They've seen it all before. Nothing he/she can't handle. Is there anyone like that? Hmmmm.

[EndGOPPropaganda]

16. What?? No. They all can beat Trump. Did you see 2018?

Trump required winning rust belt states in 2016 to win. He stole those states: WI, MI, PA— with voter suppression, dark money from billionaires, and a lot of help from Russia.

But check out each of those states in 2018. They went blue. Hugely blue.

It will be very very very hard for Trump to win in 2020. (And the cases in which he wins: war, other unexpected events will bring down almost all Dem candidates.)

Don’t worry about who can win. They all can. Worry about who you *like*. Because if you like them, chances are millions of other Americans do too.

[Honeycombe8]

35. I agree with you about the "like" factor.

Unlike some, I think there is a LOT to charisma. It's a huge factor. It's what natural leaders have. What makes people follow them, listen to them. All the candidates support Democratic issues, so I'm not too worried about that.

[EndGOPPropaganda]

46. I think charisma is important too

I have seen many of the Dems speak live in the past few years. That is — unfiltered by our profit-seeking media. I think most of our Dems are charismatic - you have to be a superstar of a person in general to rise high in the Dem party (this is not true for the GOP where billionaire money props up apparatchiks even if they are mediocrities.)

I would say the following are charismatic, despite common consensus.
Hillary (great, especially after 2016)
Elizabeth Warren (incredibly compelling)
Bernie
Nancy Pelosi (amazing speaker, underrated by the media)
Gillibrand
Harris
Booker
Sherrod Brown
Biden

I’ve not seen but heard that Beto is amazing.

[yaesu]

25. Its very early in the stage, you have plenty of time to decide & one or two may just surprise you nt

[LakeArenal]

34. I think all of them have a chance to beat trump.

And they think so too.

Quit the doom and gloom.

[Honeycombe8]

37. They all have a chance in the sense that i have a chance...

if I were to enter.

I'm not doom and gloom. I'm realistic. So no, I do not think they all have a good chance of winning. I think most do not.

This is not an election for someone too green. Just like this was not a year for a green Speaker of the House. We need someone who knows how to handle someone like Trump.

[LakeArenal]

39. Realist? Hmmm.

Sounds more like speculation than reality.

[Honeycombe8]

40. That's all any of us can do, since we can't see the future.

All we can do is predict how a candidate might do, based on what we know now. Which is speculation.

I'm looking for charisma, natural leadership abilities, fast on the feet, very tough but a sense of humor.

Purity about issues not required. They're all Democrats, after all. (I have ruled out Sanders as the nominee.)

[LakeArenal]

43. which of the candidates don't already have all those qualities?

I am firmly Biden.
I feel he’s the most qualified both nationally and globally.

But it’s just my opinion. I think Harris, Beto, Klobuchar, Mayor Pete are all equally talented, charismatic, smart, quick and all those things. If not to me then others very much so.

So yes, my opinion is they all have a chance and they are taking it.

My opinion is also the right candidate will emerge and collectively we will vote and we will win. Without cheating, I believe in the voters.

[Honeycombe8]

44. Biden's not in the race yet.

He is clearly the most qualified nationally, globally, and in every way, really. I have concerns, though. He's run several times, and never got even close to being the nominee. So, what's that about?

I don't see all the qualities I listed in any of the others. But to be fair, I haven't seen some of them enough to know. I'm most interested in Beto (for the charisma, energy, and plain speaking factor, plus his political experience, though not extensive) and Inslee (for the Governorship factor, since that's an executive position).

I like Klobuchar a lot (her positions on things, the way she phrases things, her high level discussion ability, her clarity in discussing complex issues), but I don't think she can win. (charisma, personality factors)

I don't think it's true that just any of them can run, and we'll win. That it doesn't matter. I've lived through too many elections to think that. Who it is, is critical. People vote for party, and then for the person.

I watch debates, so maybe that will clarify things.

[LakeArenal]

47. Biden's not in the race? Realist?

Biden is very much in the race.

I’ve lived through probably as many elections as you. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Honeycombe8]

49. He's trying to get more money donated, is what I heard a pundit say.

He's concerned about the amounts that a couple of the others amassed right off the bat. Apparently he doesn't have that. Or didn't. I don't know if that's true. Makes sense, though.

I like Biden as a candidate. I would think he could handle Trump. He's certainly seen it all and been attacked mercilessly in his career. Nothing fazes him.

I also like Klobuchar. I didn't think she had much charisma, but as I said, I haven't seen her or most of the others enough to judge. I'm going to pay special attention to her, though. I hope she does well in the debates. If she does, I would be interested in her.

Biden/Klobuchar?

[LakeArenal]

50. I like Biden/Klobuchar

But I think there is not enough contrast in their style. As I said before I like all possibilities. I’m going to enjoy the prelims.
We are going to find out so much interesting stuff about all of them.

I’ll be surprised if any actually crash and burn. I speculate that the candidates will fall off gradually. But who knows.

The best is yet to come. I like Joe pretty firmly. But who knows? Maybe I’ll evolve.

[scrutineer]

12. We need lots of winners

We need good senators, representatives, governors, state legislators.

2020 is census year and is therefore a must-steal election year for Republicans. As ugly as recent elections have been, 2020 will be much, much worse.

[Honeycombe8]

36. Yes, it'll be even uglier than 2016. That's why I'm looking for tough, tough, and tougher.

Nothing fazes him/her. Fast on the feet with comebacks. Charisma. (In other words, Obama redux. Which I guess is unrealistic.)

[Thekaspervote]

13. Yup!! Could we all tattoo that on our foreheads.. beat it into our brains.. something!!

[rownesheck]

14. I fall in love

with my candidate, but also fall in love with the eventual nominee even if it's not my candidate. I'm a polygamist when it comes to our democratic candidates.

[TNNurse]

23. I agree, I will love and support anyone in a race against Trump.

[EndGOPPropaganda]

15. But problem isn't Trump-- it's the billionaires that run the GOP

Any candidate we nominate should be one that will take on money in politics (and the followon billionaire-funded phenomena of gerrymandering and Senate minority rule and rightwing propaganda media) on day 1, or nothing else will matter.

All our other problems — healthcare, climate change, corrupt president, corrupt Republican Fed Soc Supreme Court justices, corrupt governors, Medicare and social security cuts, EPA destruction, cozying up to Russia — they are ALL consequences of billionaires buying the GOP. Each one of those policies is a primary goal of rightwing billionaires.

[Norman Conkedwest]

20. K & R + Greatest Threads!

Suffice it to say I am not the president of the Kirsten Gillibrand Fan Club, but if she's our nominee, she's got my vote! And yeah, it would be a vote against Trump, but getting rid of that asshole is THE top priority!

[area51]

56. Welcome to DU, Norman. n/t

[bigtree]

24. does this mean we have to cancel our Kamala prayer candles?

...asking for a friend.

[Iggo]

31. Never!!!

Political prayer candles are the best!

Collect them all...lol.

[Funtatlaguy]

28. Bill Clinton always used to say

Fall in love in the primaries
Fall in line in the general

[PatSeg]

29. You know,

I've been saying this for awhile. Democrats are always looking for a super-star candidate, someone to uplift and inspire them. They want another FDR or JFK or RFK, which of course is ridiculous. There was only one of each and we don't need clones of past leaders, we need leaders for today and today's problems.

During the 2016 election, it dawned on me that a leader like Angela Merkel would probably never get elected in the U.S. She is highly intelligent, extremely competent, and an impressive leader, but no one is going to "fall in love with her". She wouldn't be out there wowing people on the campaign trail.

Democrats need to stop looking for that magic that will motivate them to get off their butts and vote. I was like that when I was younger, now I appreciate the qualities that aren't obvious at a rally, but are necessary to successfully run our country. I was never one who got excited over Obama's campaign rhetoric. All the hype was energizing and fun, but it was his discipline, measured intelligence, and thoughtful demeanor that impressed me. That's what I want in a president, the rest is just icing on the cake!

[Iggo]

30. I'm with you.

If a DUer is knocking an opposing candidate down in order to win, then they're unwittingly playing to lose.

Fuck the short game. The long game is the only one that matters.

[Initech]

38. Fuckin A!!!!

Someone has to kick Trump and the fucking religious right out of the White House and we need the right person who can do that.

[robbedvoter]

41. I want my candidate to represent us all - not just "people where I come from"

there are 4 candidates that chase the elusive 🍊 voter, also dubbed "WWC".
I want a candidate that has an idea how to implement the policies they tout, beyond the slogan
I want a candidate who will fight Republicans, not Democrats - past and present
Any of them who meet those requirements I can support.

[miffelplix]

42. Why should I give my vote to a MAGAt?

I will support the candidate that best reflects my beliefs, not the candidate I think best reflects the views of others.

[Squinch]

45. Well, there's a non sequitur.

[druidity33]

48. Don't tell me what to do. nt.

[RockZombie]

51. Winning a simple message for change

And to win we need to keep it simple and true.

medicare/healthcare for all
living wages
air pollution + water pollution + health effects = climate change. bringing it down to the personal level
money in politics = crony capitalism
we have a mixed economy, capitalism works for trains, plains, automobiles, Socializing our common necessities water/air, safety, education, heath
second amendment, keep it simple and take the argument/divide away from the republicans. background, abusers, etc. common sense not a public policy pillar.

Boil this down to X core objectives and we create a fast, down to earth message that is understandable by just about anyone, including ourselves.

Robert

[Quixote1818]

52. I am interested in seeing the debates to see which candidates stand out. nt

[UTUSN]

53. K&R - all/any of our Dems ( you and I) share the broad Dem agenda, what's needed is STREET FIGHTER

Mixed with CHARISMA!

[GulfCoast66]

54. Now is the time to fall in love. Once it is apparent who the nominee will be.

Even if it is next April. All of us, and more importantly the candidates need to fall in line.

We need to go into the Convention United. And nominate our candidate unanimously on the first vote.

Like we did in 08.

[VOX]

55. Yes! Even if the folkloric Yellow Dog were the Democratic candidate, I'd vote for him/her.

Whoever has the best shot of beating Trump, that’s the candidate for me.

[UTUSN]

57. Kicking this again!

[coeur_de_lion]

58. I agree. I will fall in love with

whoever gets the nomination.