Ted Cruz is on C-span right now

[1-Old-Man]

Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, is being shown on C-Span right now in a speech is giving to the Western Conservative Summit. He is on the campaign trail for the Republican nomination for 2016.

Folks, if he is the sort of clown they will be running in '16 don't be too concerned. While its clear that the nation has been dumbed down in the last several decades we've haven't got quite stupid enough to vote for him, at least not yet.

But Cruz exemplifies a problem that we Democrats have. He is relatively young, as are a host of Republicans who are prominent in the Party. Its their farm-team getting ready for the major leagues. We would be well advised to showcase some of our newer blood too - because running the same old stale set of candidates is not going to give us the vigor our Party will need to be successful in the first half of this new century.

[RKP5637]

1. K&R! n/t

[Loudly]

2. I've been thinking the same thing. Not a deep bench.

Who, conceivably, could even launch a credible campaign?

[Lemonwurst]

3. Agree in principle, but we already have good young candidates to showcase

It makes good sense to ramp up the visibility of younger Democrats in response to this, so I agree in principle with what you're saying.

But I don't think there will be any shortage of good quality Democratic candidates. San Antonio mayor Julian Castro (in my opinion) made a very positive impression with his 2012 DNC speech, and could be a future player. Maybe his twin brother, too? Elizabeth Warren is a new and potent Democrat that I hope will be with us for some time, despite her age (she's 64-ish).

I bet folks can come up with others, too.

And maybe part of the reason these younger R's are getting so much airtime now is that they have no problem tossing red meat out to their rabid base, a trait mainstream media can't get enough of. Older R's, while often just as despicable, probably show more restraint strictly for strategic reasons.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. He's tainted goods now

He won't make it through their primaries, even with a fake long-form birth certificate. The loons that he courted and stoked by trying to talk and act like him will discard him, because he is not considered by them as "natural born" anymore. The karma is incredible.

Democrats have up and coming folks like Kamala Harris, Beau Biden, the Castro brothers (Julian and Joaquin), and for those who can stomach him, Cory Booker (and I'm sure others who are working their way up through the state legislatures).

Problem is, if progressives and liberals don't own, or refuse to buy any media outlets (even if a bundle of cheap radio stations) then we are forced to deal with the RW owners of the current media, who are guaranteed to do everything in their power to ensure our failure.

[Beaverhausen]

5. He was born in Canada. Can he run?

I forget if simply having a parent as a citizen makes one eligible.

And add Kamala Harris to our bench of young candidates.

[1-Old-Man]

6. Well, if he can then so can Jennifer Grenholm. Right? Then there is the Catch 22

Here is the argument put forth this morning. Heller would be amused:

First off the question of his eligibility would have to be decided by the Court. But unfortunately no one would have standing to challenge his eligibility until after he had been elected and installed in Office. If he was installed in office, it was speculated, no court in the land would be willing to hear the challenge against the sitting President.

So bring on Jennifer.