We could certainly do worse than Julian or Beto. Pence or Trump really? More of the same is a choice?
3
Yup, Castro's got the script down right, saying the things the progressives love to hear but with no substance to back it up.
2
As Bill Maher has long said, Democrats keep showing up to the gunfight with knives. In Mr. Castro's case a Cub Scout knife.
Very sad to say, but voting has long been more about emotions than logic and policy. Beto almost knee-capped a solid Republican in a solidly Republican state (mine.) How? Somewhat policy and goals, but mostly being exciting, caring, driving all over Texas while streaming; someone you want to join in the enthusiasm. No, I don't think Beto is ready for the presidency, but any Dem candidates could learn some things.
And let's not forget that Mr. Castro is a, well, Castro. There are millions of ignorant Americans that will use it as an adequate excuse to not vote for him. Like that Hussein guy............
5
If Democrats want to win the presidency this is the prescription for their candidate: white, male, straight, Christian, moderate, and preferably under age 60. Someone who can favorably contrast with Trump's 73 year age, his obesity, his contempt for physical exercise, and his love of Big Macs and Filet-o-Fish.
This country will not elect a woman---even women don't vote for female candidates---and after Obama it will take decades before a person of color is elected again. Play it safe and fill the prescription.
2
No..don't even think Castro peaked. He's genuine and as a former desert dweller, I've been waiting almost 30 years for this candidate. The demographics are aligned with the planets and may he be anointed by the Gods who are tolerant, respectful, truthful and loving of their followers!
1
I have little enthusiasm for the young, charismatic types, including Beto. He's not seasoned. His appearances in the Senate campaign were not brilliant. He shines only by comparison with Ted Cruz, of course, but almost any other boring, cautious political animal.
So, here's my suggestion: Robert Mueller III for president. Not joking. Very significant experience. Impeccable integrity. Brilliant constitutional mind. Gravitas galore. A decorated veteran and a distinguished public servant.
He used to be a Republican, but I am certain he is no longer affiliated with that disgusting party.
While I am progressive leaning toward radical, what we need now is wisdom, experience and a deeply serious understanding of our democratic republic.
And imagine the opposition research Mueller has access to!!
3
Listen to Amy Klobuchar!
2
Not a chance. Please spare us of this Julian Castro nonsense. As a level-headed moderate myself, I say we find an energizing, outsider persona, the man who can go toe to toe with this moron. Where do we find said candidate? From the business community. Someone who's built a fortune through actual hard work and luck, is left-of-center (leaning left at least), stable, relatable, practical, a problem-solver who shows vision and empathy, and speaks their mind confidently. That person is likely going to be Mark Cuban or Howard Shultz. They bring the drive and the ability to mobilize voters... the establishment is dead. Forget it. Let's move on.
1
Too young, too old, too male, too female, too much of a Washington Insider, not enough experience, too moderate, too lefty...I don’t think we should pre-emptively rule anyone out. I think whoever runs, runs. Usually the field shrinks drastically after Iowa. I think having One Obvious Candidate last time didn’t help. Most people have a favorite, a second favorite, change their minds...it all shakes out somehow. My only suggestions would be please not a wild card like Avenatti or even Bloomberg, and don’t try to convince Oprah to run, and also, we don’t usually have a nominee who lost the general have a second shot, for good reasons. Oh, yeah, and keep an eye out for Russian dirty tricks. Best person wins!
11
Charles Blow should know more than most of his colleagues how heartily sick those younger than 50 are of the baby boom generation of leaders. The last thing we need is yet another boomer intent on fighting the battles of 1968 or 1980 once again. Yet another brittle, doctrinaire liberal senior citizen is exactly who Trump is going to be best able to beat. We need somebody younger, somebody with some practical experience running something (a mayor or a governor, not a senator), somebody willing to follow something other than the same 50-year-old script written by LBJ and a generation of Kennedys.
9
The ultimate presidential candidate, totally unwilling to accept any party's nomination (which is why he would win it as well as the election): Mueller. Go Bold or Go Home.
I would ask him if he would be in favor of a Marshall Plan for central America. The current asylum/refugee situation has seriously divided America and dealing with the root of the problem, poverty, might be an acceptable solution. 25 billion dollars to lift central America out of poverty might be a better deal than the same amount of money spent on a wall.
1
I've got this really great idea for the Democrats: Get a presidential candidate who can win!
Maybe the candidate is not interesting, or cordial, or liberal, or progressive, or a woman, or a minority, or whatever - but she or he can win!
Figure it out...it's not quantum mechanics...
1
I would like to see Joe Biden run for President for a four year term and select someone like Julian Castro for vice-president with the pledge that Biden would step aside and let his VP run as a "next generation" leader after he/she received more hands-on experience and Trump is vanquished forever!
3
So he got 1210 on the SAT and Trump would make a big deal over affirmative action? Will Trump show us his score? It was undoubtedly much lower than Castro's. Trump got into U. Penn via affirmative action for rich people.
4
Julian Castro appears to be a really nice guy.
Just like Tim Kaine.
4
I was hoping to leave Julian in Congress and run Joaquin as Vice with Hillary. Those boys have got something!
2
I just don't see Castro doing the full "Beto," Charles, and that is what it's going to take to put a Democrat in the White House in 2020(1). Even Roberto O'Rourke will have to do a near-complete reprise of his Senatorial campaign, which was a gargantuan feat, if he seriously wants to put his knees beneath the Resolute Desk.
Beto will be either blamed or credited for establishing such a high bar to election, even if he did do it during a losing effort. But it was where he accomplished it and how close the margin was that makes it both amazing and, now, imperative. A visit (at least one) to every state in the Union will, for this next election at least, be a necessity, and that includes Alaska and Hawaii. If Beto visits Alaska and Trump doesn't, those 3 electoral votes could prove crucial. Ditto Hawaii from the Republican perspective, though it's a safe bet Trump couldn't sway the Islanders' votes where Beto's story will play well in the hinterlands, just for showing up.
But back to Julian Castro, he is lacking the charisma that drips from Beto like the sweat that darkens his shirt during his campaign events. Sad as it is to say, even his last name will work to his disadvantage, considering the intellect of millions of voters.
While that may be his only negative, it's enough, and probably not the main reason he won't or can't be president.
1
"There is a young man’s ease and airiness about Castro, a disarming charm that arrests the attention because of its counterintuitiveness, but I struggle to imagine it in the Oval Office."
I think you are correct in being cautious about this man. My own interaction with him was brief. I sat in the audience watching him moderate a panel discussion and I got to tell you my first thought was "this guy is so unprepared. He's just winging it while wearing the lapel pin smile of an aspiring politician."
That may sound harsh for such a small sample size, but I have seen enough panel discussions - and politicians - to trust my judgment on this. Honestly, I thought it was embarrassing for both the audience and his panelists.
1
If Joaquin Castro was duly elected by the voters of his district in Texas, he needs to serve out his term instead of resigning to be his brother's campaign manager.
It's bad enough when politicians neglect the duties they signed up for to run for a higher office, but to become campaign manager for a family member? If any of the other Democratic candidates display a more craven desire for power than that, no thanks.
Running HUD (affirmative action again- just what were his qualifications?) and being mayor of a city with a population of 1.5 million in no way, shape, or form qualifies one to be POTUS. This guy has no clue or experience in how to negotiate with obstinate Republicans, along with a whole slew of other deficits in his resume.
1
I believe JFK was only 46 when elected. And he overcame anti-Catholic, anti-Irish discrimination to be the most inspiring President in history. In just 1,000 days: the Peace Corps, the goal of putting a man on the moon. "Ask not what you country can do for you, ask what you can do for you country." A quote too often ignored today. He was young, sexy, exciting; inspired a whole generation to go into public service.
Yes, in the Me Too Era he wouldn't be elected dogcatcher--but neither would most of the Big Cheeses who still sit in Congress (and at least one on the Supreme Court).
Obama was young, had very little experience besides State Sen and IL Sen--but like JFK, he connected w/people--from his early days as a community organizer, to his time as President. He and Michelle remind me of the best heritage of JFK and Jackie Kennedy--charm, grace, culture.
I say, go for it.
There is one goal for 2020, to replace trump with a democrat. That's all. Democrats need to think realistically about a candidate who can do that. They need a solid offense and defense. And they have to practical. Liberals love their symbols and are willing to lose elections to make a point about whose turn it is. They fall in love with candidates for the wrong reasons. They take a spoon to a knife fight. But 2020 is only about trump and/or pence. History is marked by all the great people who "should" have been president but weren't - because they lost. This time, there is no margin for error.
Democrats need to focus their attention - and their money.
1
As a Canadian and a non-voter, my opinion is just that! I think it was Julian who spoke at the DNC convention and was very forceful (unless It was his twin brother)! I do agree with Charles that youth is good, but you do need more these days and be able to take on Trump. I have no idea who that person might be, but I also don't a re-tread of Biden or Bernie - just saying. How about Klobacher or Kamala Harris? I was impressed with Amy during the hearings of the Supreme Court fiasco. We have our own idiots here that are dangerous especially where I live, so will concentrate mostly on them, but as they say here when the U.S. sneezes, we get a cold (my own version of the saying) so I care a lot who the democrats nominate and hopefully wins.
2
Charles: I would not worry about Julian Castro taking on Trump about his SAT scores, which Trump never revealed. Castro's score are undoubtedly lower because he graduated from high school in 3 years to enroll at Stanford, from which he graduated with honors and entered Harvard Law School. Trump, on the other hand, enrolled at Fordham, spent two years there and transferred to the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated WITHOUT honors (Penn does not require SAT scores for transfers). He did not go beyond a BS degree. The consensus is that Fred Trump had much to do in getting his son's transfer. So one might say that Trump benefitted from a Freddy-affirmed action, a shortcut which I assume he and his ilk still endorse.
1
Finally, Charles, a column that is not all about Trump!!
Welcome back! Does this mean you think Trump is on his way out?
3
Many interesting comments here.
It seems to me that what we are all looking for is "authenticity". It shines through, and if the heart is pure and real, this truth will resonate. With that, we can do most anything here in USA.
Let the games begin!
Castro is a credible candidate without Clinton’s hubris who has a progressive agenda and authenticity like Bernie Sanders, but is young, Hispanic and much more attractive than any of the mainstream Dems. The Party needs a candidate who can heal the wounds between its factions. Put Castro and Higgenlooper together and they will walk away with the 2020 election.
Julián Castro has had quite a while to make his presence felt and his case that he should be the leader of the Democratic party. I don't see that he has made much progress on either.
1
. . . About the affirmative action; Trump would have never gotten NEAR a decent college without his personal "affirmative action" - his old man's checkbook. And I have me doubts he'd score high enough to get his head through the manhole cover.
4
This guy will never be president
1
Julián cannot carry Texas.
1
I think Charles Blow should have dinner with every potential candidate and provide us with this kind of off-the-cuff, Martini-in-hand analysis. The new Tim Russert gauntlet.
6
Years ago Molly Ivins said that in order to win, a presidential candidate had to have some Elvis. A spark, charisma, bravado... Julian is not in touch with his Elvis, and may work actively - as the lunch with Blow suggests - to suppress it. Julian was a terrific mayor of San Antonio and should be proud of his record there. But when he took the stage at the Democratic convention in 2012 he failed to tell his story - and it is a compelling one. His mother is a civil rights activist, community organizer and all-around badass. The twins were raised by Rosie and their equally strong grandmother to cherish and protect education and progressive values. If Julian can tap into this background and lose some self-consciousness, he would make a strong candidate. But not until then. He's currently as milquetoast as Mitt Romney.
1
How about Bernie for Prez and Kamala Harris for Veep? We'd have real "populism," diversity, and youth, along with age, experience and name recognition. There hasn't been a woman VP nor a black VP. Bernie would serve one term and she'd go on to a great 8 years as president.
2
To be a true populist the candidate would need to stop pandering to the illegal immigrants and their supporters. That inlcudes the ones already here (20 Million), the ones waiting to break into our country at the border right now (5-7 Thousand) and all the ones waiting for another democrat to win the WH so they can run the fences (About 250-400k a year).
2
Politics is a calling that requires much more than a strong media presence and a large portfolio of platitudes. A strong moral compass joined to a deep sense of public service and personal honesty is essential to resist the faustian bargains that tempt politicians to place self-interest above the public interest.
Near the top of the list should be demonstrated competence in the art of politics by successful early career in lesser elective office.
Without a life well seasoned with life’s failures, disappointments and regrets, such a prodigy cannot deal well with the demands of high office. Whatever the high office , there is no shortcut to acquiring experience except a long apprenticship in the art of
elective politics.
Kennedy, Clinton and Obama provide no refutation of the claim
that youth and ambition are protection against the dangers that come from inexperience and early misjudgments and failures in petty elective office. How ,then , will the public fairly evaluate the host of new ambitious Democrats who ,on the basis of one successful election to city, state or even national office ,claim to be fully qualified to be president of the United States.
1
Taxes, taxes & taxes is going to be the game changing conversation for 2020 nationally. How does one educate the many small rural citizenrys and the fewer but larger urban populations to raise or lower taxes given their respective dependencies on government services are vastly different now and will be into the future. And what should be purely national, state, county and local tax issues. Not to mention business and employee tax policies in light of worker displacements by foreign exploitation and technology.
How only reasonable way to have serious discussions for public benefit and thought is if the Democratic Party begins now as a group to make it an ongoing topic. If "tax and spend Democrats" remains their moniker without rationality then anti government and democracy citizens (corporate syncopates and the more rural self sufficient will buy such negative nonsense as realistic but not critical thinking.
Proper, understandable and fair tax policy must be explained i.e. your tax dollars at work are doing this for general living standards. Government expenses, taxes and services have steadily risen because the late 19th century private business models could not uniformly and practically meet the ever growing economic scale of mass public needs and costs; they not gov. commenced. It ain't that complicated. And we can't go back to that immature era. Agrarianism and lastly corporate citizenship have separated from the majority population. Gov. is the public's only friend.
1
We need someone who can stand up to Trump and Beto and Kamala would be a great team. They could pull it off.
7
@Jacquie
Aye, that would be a true Progressive ''dream team'', but I would submit that republicans and the President are irrelevant. They represent a sliver of a sliver of the minority, and barely got through the electoral college. (with help from a foreign power)
Promote a true Progressive message and that 100,000,000 that sits on the sidelines any given election will wake up and show up. (let alone changing the views of many that voted selfishly and out of tribe, for this administration in the first place)
Just a thought ...
1
I live in Texas where we love the Castro Brothers. But this is not the time for Julian in my1 vote heart. He could be a VEEP to someone with more gravitas, and experience.
1
I don't think so. I thought that Castro would be Hillary's choice for a running mate. I thought he would be perfect and one needs just a hint of color on the ticket. But no. She chose the super safe and super boring Tim Kaine. Castro could have been the difference. I think she made the wrong choice in that situation.
But Castro is not dynamic enough for the top of the ticket. Although I don't believe for a second that trump is going to on any ticket in 2020. He'll probably be wearing an ankle bracelet at the very least.
5
I don't understand how this and other NYT articles on possible candidates can be taken seriously without including discussions about Climate Change.
4
Too bad. Mr. Castro seemed a bit confused about the purpose of impeachment and the rule of law. He disqualifies himself in my eyes if he is still confused about the virtue of having an indictable President.
Can a sitting President (or vice president) be indicted?
If the answer is "No", then the president is above the law. He can pardon himself. He can dangle pardons (and issue them) to coerce testimony. He can fire anyone in the government without recourse. (Witness stealing McCabe's pension because he was prepared to testify to acknowledge his contemporaneous discussion with Comey about Trump's obstruction move.)
"No" guarantees dictatorship. This could well be why there is nothing in the Constitution exempting the President from indictment.
Yes, impeachment is an option--but it is designed to be purely political. Impeachment should not be threat of removal solely because of felonies. It should be used for political or management crimes (High Crimes). Gross mismanagement. Ignoring law enforcement duties or selective law enforcement. Managing the nations tax revenue fairly and honestly....
Impeachment is the remedy for a president who manifestly does not govern as he swore to based on his oath of office. Crimes are one way to "qualify" for impeachment. However, dereliction of duty or using the office for personal gain, or manifest incompetence should also "qualify".
If Mr. Castro is unsure if the President is above the law, he is unfit for the position.
4
Mr. Castro will get some great experience in a bruising national campaign and maybe he will add a new line of attack on Trump. Who knows?
One thing is for sure - a tough brawler will be required to enter the ring with Trump. Brains AND brawn required. Lightweights need not apply. A gifted talent in ridicule will help too.
As the left search for the right gender and race to win in 2020 why not look for a winner? Getting kind of ridicules.
Julián Castro is not ready to be considered for President. He is the perfect candidate for the VP spot. Add Amy Klobuchar as the top of the Democratic ticket and you have an unbeatable combination! What do you get? A woman; a Midwesterner; a popular purple state Texan; an incredible Latino turnout; and two likable, very open minded and intelligent people. Unbeatable!
4
@Uncle Bear
Good luck with this grifter Castro - he and his mother gamed affirmative action for college placement among other issues in his past
Trump will wipe the electoral college (bc that is what counts) with him, it he may win the popular vote like HRC
Castro is a nice guy but does not carry the weight to be a serious contender. I recently saw him speak at a findraiser, he said all tje right things (none of which anybody remembered one hour later) but did not capture the audience. Stark contrast to Andrew Gillum who spoke just before him.
4
I would like a woman of color to become the 46th and effectively blacken the eyes of trump and the gop.
4
The former HUD Secretary has no gravitas, unfortunately. This in no way means to suggest he's not earnest, nor bright, or that he's not smart and hard-working. But so are literally millions. What sets this person apart? Sadly, quite little. The country has a $20T national debt, an income inequality index the St Louis Fed notes to be on par with developing nations, degraded commitments to the environment, and a fascination with identity politics, and Charles Blow dedicates a column to Julian Castro? What gives? There's a lot some may not like about Mayor Bloomberg, or Senators Brown (Ohio), Booker, Klobuchar, or Warren, but they have chops. As does Mayor Landrieu and quite a few more before it makes much sense to do a puff piece like this.
3
Let's face it, people like Obama and Castro have to keep their cool and be "nice". I don't mind that. I prefer smart and quiet over loud and dumb. I do mind someone like Marco Rubio who has no spine.
3
A president of the U.S. named Castro? That is about as likely as one named Hussein. Oh, wait a minute.....
The Castro brothers are not yet ready for prime time, so I am sure Julian is not going to be the candidate.
At this point I am not sure who my favorite for the front runner would be, but I can wait.
I want to see the Democratic Committee chairs wading through the t rump scandals.
I want to see some sanity back in my Nation.
I want to see a major populist push beginning with some controls to help with climate change and a lot of infrastructure.
What I don't want to see is an argument about whether it is a woman's turn, a Hispanics turn, a cranky old guy from Vermont's turn, or a died in the wool progressive's turn.
We have given the idiots their turn; I just want someone who is the exact opposite of the so called man in the Oval now.
3
We Need Someone With:
* Hillary's credentials.
* Beto's likability.
* John Avenatti's toughness.
* Klobuchar's effectiveness.
* Bernie's knowledge and energy.
* Mueller's gravitas.
Thus, this is a job for Joe Biden. Obama, the Clintons, and Bernie would energetically support him.
No one can doubt his resume. Even McTurtle would be hamstrung. Trump would have to fight and insult a proven statesman.
Okay, he's old, but Trump is wet behind the ears?
Biden/Beto 2020
3
@Jim Muncy
Please run the plagurizer (with the grabby hands) and the drunk driver
MAGA 2020
@stan
Trump will likely be in prison or deposed soon, so we will then retool our choices. But virtually anyone should be able to defeat him if he lasts, but how he will I don't know. The walls are closing in rapidly on him.
He is HRC ..light w/o Bill.
Move on .. please !
Castro seems like a nice fellow, but what exactly has he done. My resume as a law professor is not much less impressive than his. I would like to see more accomplishments and less of a friendly smile.
1
I’m listening for something arresting, a vision and a vocabulary that will rally and inspire, but none exists today.
I think that “progressives” in the press and politics should sometimes sit down to eat in a deli, pizza place or diner. Wanna show you’re with the people? Eat where most people eat.
Nice smile but no obvious potential for a groundswell apart from the fact that he's not Hillary.
Trump would have a field day with Castro admitting help through affirmative action, but Trump seems somehow to have gotten away with not being qualified for anything he has done. Affirmative action gave us qualified politicians in the Castro brothers, but elitist racism gave us Trump. I will take affirmative action any day.
2
If my memory is accurate, all the new people who ran for office in November were talking from their hearts and their heads. They were not asking for poll numbers to determine their message. Ms. Stacey didn't go after voters who she knew would never vote for her. She went after the racism of her opponent. Her five years motivated everyone in the state. to get out the vote. She lost because of the racism and the gerrymandering of her corrupt opponent. Yes the stakes are high we need a candidate who will be true to all of the American people. The new members of congress will play an important role in ensuring that we have the best candidate for 20/20. Many of the individuals who are worrying about 20/20 need to worry about doing something substantial with the political seat hey are currently holding . The time for speeches from our elected official is over, work needs to be done.
The Castro bothers have a record to run on, and they are decent Americans. I am glad he wants to be President of all the people not a businessman. Some of the other's running for office need to get a record that they can show the American people what they are all about. Showing up in Iowa doesn matter if the government is hut down this weekend
Affirmative Action definitely has its pros and cons. However, if I were Castro and debating Trump about my AA statement quoted in this OpEd, I would point out that it’s well known Harvard- for example- uses legacy status for admission. Perhaps Trump also got into Wharton because he was rich.
In other words, it’s ok for the rich white guy to have an edge but not the poor minority one.
Hmm- I’m not so sure Trump would have the field day Blow suggests.
4
A few years ago, I thought Hillary Clinton would choose Julian Castro as her running mate. I thought that would be an unbeatable ticket.
He sounds like a nice guy. I think Hillary will consider him and all possible candidates, as her VP.
Well Mr. Blow, apparently you don't have instinct in your insight.
Julian Castro is not going to be the Democratic Party nominee for president. Depending on who is he might end up in the 2nd spot, unlikely even that. But as to the main prize he is an also-also ran.
One of many who comprise the clutter in what will be a foolishly cluttered field that needs to be tidied up now before it strangles Democratic Party chances in 2019 for 2020.
I thought Obama was hindered by his "youth." I didn't sense from him a necessary broad, seasoned empathy.
Julian will be just another Democratic Party shiny object, like Beto O'Rourke.
Well why not? I agree. He's pablum - kind of like Hillary or Kaisich (sp?). But why complain about the genteel old ways just because the times seem to call for "in your face" loud mouths?
Right - because it seems to tame for us now.
Better is, in motion, hands in the air, Beto O.
Sad how the direction of the world's most powerful nation is in the hands of shallow people influenced by TV appearance.
2
Even, after being impressed, even inspired by Julian Castro, Mr. Blow doesn't see him as compelling. From that perspective there are many more such Democrats for 2020.
Downside to Castro is he's Hispanic, which in itself a big minus. Looks aren't necessarily deceiving. And his looks, including his smile are not at all impressive, which matters a lot in the era of television.
His chances of getting the nomination, much less being elected in 2020 are not much higher than that of Bobby Jindal in 2016.
I hate to say it. But after 8 years of Obama, the chances for a non-white person to be elected are quite slim. Nevertheless, curiously, someone like Obama can still win. People all but have forgotten about Obama’s inspiring quality & remembers him now as the first black president who was divisive, just because he was black!
People can’t describe the SIMILARITY between Obama & Trump but can easily sense it and, curiously, many Obama voters became Trump voters!
1
@A.G. Alias
It may be unnecessary to roll back Trump tax-cuts, some of which are even good.
But the marginal rate should be raised to have just one other top rate of 50% on top 0.1% incomes from ALL sources.
Cut the payroll tax on the first $20K, to 1% on the initial $10K & to 2% on the next $10K. This will be a great help for the working poor. To make up the shortfall why not lift the cap but cut again to 1% beyond, say $150K, so that rich would not object much.
Drastic tax-hike will be objected by far too many. But this modest hike on the richest who can easily afford and who benefitted immensely since 1980, in the Reagan era, ought to share the burden to reduce the deficit & slow the rising debt & to help the disadvantaged is fair. A sizeable minority of the rich would welcome this modest tax-hike for the common good.
1
Your thought project: survey the pantheon of mythological American heroes and pick one who would irresistibly attract voters. Our imaginary heroes were successfully designed by their creators to inspire mass adulation. Remember, it's a numbers game;the imaginary hero must appeal to the masses with great sex appeal, including a great voice, as well as split-second decision capability.
Some suggestions:
Spiderman; John Wayne; Han Solo; Princess Leia
Got a mythical hero in mind? Now pick the current politician who most closely resembles your dream candidate. This person will be an irresistible voter magnet.
16
@Texas Trader
Likable Recent Presidents:
1. Ike
2. JFK
3. Reagan
4. Bushes 1 & 2
5. Clinton
6. Obama
Heroic Recent Presidents:
1. Ike
2. JFK
3. Reagan
4. Obama
Castro is likable, but not heroic. He lacks discernible qualifications at the national level, foreign policy, etc. He's a minority, a group of non-voters, so no help there. The old white nationalists still have a presidential cycle left in them, but they're lost anyway. The name Castro is not a plus, either.
He'd make a good governor or even Senator. But is he an American hero, an icon, a man among men, a man tens of millions want to vote for, a man for all seasons, the best we can get? Methinks not. But he may get the nod someday, especially if he runs this time: name recognition, consolation prize, and all that tommyrot. And if Trump can win, anybody can win. Yo.
5
@Texas Trader. Then, of course, there's electable. When you're running against Darth Vader, you need more than the Force.
1
@Jim Muncy @Humanbeing @Matthew
I would say based on your lengthy and probing interview that Mr. Castro is not ready for the big stage nor ready to take on a a crude yet aggressive incumbent like Donald Trump. We forget, the President beat 16 opponents in the primary, a handful more seasoned and skilled than Julian.
At this stage of their respective contests virtually nobody had heard of Jimmy Carter or Barack Obama. In fact, before Carter nobody had heard of Iowa. It is way too early to make serious judgments about potential candidates, in my opinion.
58
@James Ricciardi
Exactly.
It will be a "nobody had heard of before" candidate, just like Carter and Obama, and for exactly the same reasons: war-weariness [1976 and 2008] and scandal-weariness [1976] lead voters to want something completely different. And we've got both now, with no ends in sight.
That candidate is Minnesota nice, Amy Klobuchar. And lots of good Sun Belt running mates for her, like Harris/Castro/O'Rourke/NM Govs. Lujan-Grisham or Richardson/etc.
3
We really really need another candidate who talks as though every opinion they have should be edited by a battalion of focus groups. We are all media savvy enough to know when a reasonable question is being dodged. It’s ok to say “I don’t want to talk about that today”, and it’s also ok to say your true opinion. A marketing algorithm won’t win the election. We live in serious times, say something real or get out of the way.
62
@Baldwin
What candidates say will be focus grouped by the opposition to find something to use against them. Often the focus groups are not necessary. Hillary used the word deplorables, and if she hadnt, something else she said
(or apparently said, or could have been misconstrued or misinterpreted to have said) would have been made famous because it made her sound bad.
For any candidate, opponents will look for one thing to make famous, because repetition of one simple thing works better than explanations of positions or programs or platforms. For Obama, it was clinging to guns or religion; for Romney, it was takers and makers (both uttered to private groups). The media is complicit and may create a one thing on its own and for its own purpose of luring viewers and readers. Such one things are primarily useful for people who do not like a candidate to use in sharing and bonding with each other; these people look for it and propagate it.
We just have to learn to say "so what" to this sort of news and take it as one thing among many.
4
He’ll certainly have a chance to stand out. I’m not sure that caution when speaking is such a bad thing. I’d like to have a conscientious President again. It’s worth noting that successful Presidential candidates carry their home state. Al Gore famously failed to carry Tennessee. If Castro can win over Texas, he’s our man. That’s a tall order though. Even Beto couldn’t do it, and I doubt anyone can run a better campaign than he did.
27
@Aaron, actually Trump didn't carry his home state,(New York) and won anyway. So the usual pattern didn't hold in this case.
2
@Aaron
Also he's Chicano, and white Texans are pretty racist. He's just not "white" enough for the good ol' boys.
2
@Aaron. I'd rather have a cautious president who thinks before he speaks, then speaks in grammatically correct sentences, than the bloviating boor who stains the White House several times a day and lies about anything and everything.
Oh, yes, also one who doesn't head up a crime family infiltrated and influenced by foreign despots.
4
I fear Mr Castro has been running on “potential” for a little too long. I believe him to be polished and savvy but I think he has plateaued as a viable contender while around him the world of politics has turned extremely brutal. We all watched Trump knock off a slew of GOP hopefuls and rather effortlessly get the nomination. And the Oval Office. Unless Castro has some yet to be seen street fighter in him he will be swatted away like an intelligent but ineffective fly. Keep looking, Dems. And realize that trotting out last season’s stars — Bernie, Biden, etc — is like trying to reheat a soufflé. It doesn’t work.
65
@Desert Rat
Trump did not get the Oval Office effortlessly. He squeaked in due to our archaic electoral college despite losing the popular vote by 3 million votes.
12
@Desert Rat
Reheating a soufflé does work if the goal is eating it. It will never again be fully puffed up, reheated or not, but it can still be tasty.
Still, as a 72 year-old, I am completely on the side of those who want a candidate with both experience and energy. Ideally, someone who has a bit of star power and a track record of running an organization other than a campaign--and a record both of being early and right on the issues, but also capable of being politically savvy and a good negotiator. I believe anyone over about 65 running for a first term is too old.
I have every expectation that whoever the Democrats select, the Russo-Right machine will lie-spew its full ration of filth--and the mainstream press will remain stunningly eager to repeat and adopt the lies and false positioning.
I would love to see a woman emerge with the skills and track record of Gavin Newsom, but will look hard at those with a proven ability to lead, mostly right on the issues, and a competent administrator.
1
@Desert Rat Whoa, there! This guy may surprise you. Comparing a level-headed, cool dude Democrat with a bunch of Republican crackpots is no contest. Have you forgotten already how our "Cool-hand Barak swatted back crippling one-liners to this blustering idiot? Castro may have more savvy in him than the whole republican party combined.
3
If Julian is too young, does that make Nancy Pelosi too old? Julian is really smart and personable and maybe he hasn't been corrupted yet. If he can't be president maybe he should run the House!
15
@TheLibrarian His brother is in the US House of Representatives, not Julian.
2
Julian Castro is an amusing example of a synthetic candidate conjured up as "the Hispanic Obama." His big credential was that he was mayor of San Antonio. That sounds impressive, but outsiders don't realize that in San Antonio the job of mayor is a ceremonial one. The major gets paid $20 per city council session to bang the gavel. In contrast, the city government in San Antonio is actually run by a hired city manager, a white woman named Sheryl Lee Sculley who gets paid about a half million dollars per year:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheryl_Sculley
Ms. Sculley should run for President; after all, she has a lot more executive experience than Mr. Castro.
Julian Castro will never make it TO the Democratic primaries, let alone THROUGH them. He's not only bland beyond the pale, he will not have the gravitas simply because he's been a mayor of San Antonio, and a cabinet officer.
The only thing Biden doesn't have is youth. There is no question he can run the country with distinction, honor and high competency. Bernie Sanders is a great voice for important causes but, he is also fighting the age thing. HEY! I'm 74. I know what it's like to exeperience age descrimination despite a long track record of successes. Bernie needs to spend the campaign season on the stump for progressive causes and, once there is a Democratic nominee for POTUS, take to the road to gather his troops for a big Dem win.
There are other unannounced candidates "exploring" a run. In the meantime, let's take a deep breath and let the cards fall where they may. And let's not let a Democratic version of the empty suit, Marco Rubio, ruin our chances to take back the WH.
We need someone who will live up to our treaties and agreements with allies and foes alike; who will let our allies know we will never let them down. NATO is not just an expense. It is our investment in keeping Russia from invading former iron curtain nations.
Mr. Castro's bland and evasive platitudes are fine for a foot soldier in the cabinet. But it's not good enough to reclaim our fading prestige and honor at home and abroad.
@David Ohman
You know, "bland" is a good way to describe him. He's timid too. He's a manager--not a principal.
" There is a young man’s ease and airiness about Castro, a disarming charm that arrests the attention because of its counterintuitiveness, but I struggle to imagine it in the Oval Office."
Joe Biden is a known quantity, there'd be no learning curve, and he'd be ready to govern on day one.
The current POTUS, who has had everything given to him ever since he was a child, wouldn't have a "field day" with Mr. Castro's stance on affirmative action, except perhaps with his base, which believes everything he says regardless of whether it's true or not (which is too often the case). These days, it seems "marketing" is more important than "substance" in politics, which may account for Mr. Castro's tone and approach.
I overlapped as an undergraduate at Stanford with Julian and Joaquin Castro. They were both smart, pleasant, a bit on the quiet side. I didn't know at the time that they had political ambitions. It's a strange feeling for me to see politicians who are my peers rather than my seniors!
Bloomberg for President. Oprah for Vice President. He’s the true practical business man and negotiator who can unite our country, assuage allies and repair international agreements including trade and climate change. A proven, seasoned politician who could easily handle Trump in debate. It doesn’t hurt that he’s got a lot more money and doesn’t need to brag. Oprah’s broad race, ethnic and class appeal complements Bloomberg strengths. She could become a future great President.
I hope she reconsiders her stance on running and they get together!
Personally, I would like to see all the "who will run in 2020" stopped. It is consuming the news when there are far more important issues that need to be addressed.
If we must - I find the Castro brothers charming, but their last name isn't going to get votes. It is the way it is. There are many candidates that also have flaws, whether it's being a woman, too old, ran too many times already, can or cannot stand up to Trump, and on and on. It's time to stop this music and learn a new tune. Watch the real news and see what happens. I doubt that Trump will actually be able to run again. If it's Pence, well, that's another story.
Like I said, it's too early and there are so many other issues to address. Please give me a week or more without the 2020 election and/or the name Trump in the paper.
3
Very charismatic, indeed. Sort of a Latin Obama. How is his Spanish? Better than Beto's?
Obama showed how to do it and Hillary showed how to not do it.
Must be 6 feet tall and a nice smile for men. Sorry Castro and Bloomberg.
If it is the year of the woman, or of the African American woman... Leslie Jones (from SNL)?
JK.
But looks do count for both men and women...it is a popularity contest to some degree.
I could see 2020 being Kamala Harris versus Nicki Haley, assuming Trump's in jail or at least has been perp walked out of the white house and pardoned by Pence.
@priceofcivilization "But looks do count for both men and women..."
2016 must have been an off year.
2
Journalists are always trying to get politicians in a corner by asking stupid questions
Julian Castro's forced smile certainly doesn't inspire much confidence that's for sure. Charles Blow must be truly desperate if he thinks someone with a last name like Castro has any chance of getting the Democratic nomination much less winning the presidency. Besides the average American voter isn't interested in a candidate's vocabulary. I've stopped wanting to be enlightened by a candidate from either party a long time ago.
If you no longer expect enlightenment from a candidate, then the most appealing one will be Donald Trump. Hope you have success with your candidate search.
Castro is not a Southern Hispanic. He is a San Antonio Latino, meaning most likely a Tejano mix of Mexican, Spanish, and Anglo/German.
3
The perfect running mate for a moderate white candidate.
Who and where is his base?
Hispanic has nothing to do with race nor color nor national origin nor ethnicity. Having a Spanish cultural and language heritage has nothing to do with any of those things or any combination of them. Just like an Anglo aka English language and cultural heritage. Some Hispanics are white European Cuban like Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio. Some Hispanics are black Cuban or Dominican. Some Hispanics are Japanese. Some Hispanics are brown Native Mexican. Some Hispanics are mestizo, mulatto or garifuna.
Why does he want to be President?
1
I expected Hillary to choose Julian Castro for her running mate. Sorry she didn't.
1
Blow, are you forgetting how divided this country is?
Have you forgotten about gerrymandering, voter restriction laws and outright illegal rules? Look what is happening in North Carolina.
Have you forgotten what happened to the nominees, people of color in Florida, Georgia and Texas? They lost.
I like Castro's ideas; the WASP males will not.
So Mr. Blow dream on.
Mr. Castro seems like a genuinely nice man but I'm not seeing the fire in the belly so to speak. He ordered chicken in a steakhouse?
1
I think he’s been too cautious and has missed his chance. Democrats in Texas are excited about Beto who dared to run in 2018.
I don't know, Charles, Julian Castro still has a lot going for him. Remember John Kennedy and even our Barack Obama, both young and both junior senators when elected to the highest office in the land? I would venture to say that Mr. Castro has just as much experience in his own way. And he is smart, familiar with the law for sure, and has charisma which may not match our two former Democratic presidents, but is still there. There are two other factors which we must consider, and I feel they are most definitely necessary. First, he is Latino. Our Hispanic population, particularly in states like California and New Mexico, is large, growing, and most certainly under-represented. We can not overlook their voting power. Same for our younger generations. They will show up at the polls if they see a progressive who speaks their language and is a Generation Xer rather than an aging Boomer. Will the GOP make his life a living hell? Of course. But let's face it. If Jesus was a Democrat, they would impugn his reputation as they do everyone else's. All I know is that some how and some way, we have to get a Democrat in the Oval Office. This Republican thing is the ruination of our democracy.
2
TAke your time, you'll get there. Try for VP. You've got a lot to offer, but you need seasoning.
I hate that we have this prolonged vetting process. And add insult to injury that we then select someone based upon an antiquated system in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Castro’s response is quite simple to Trump: YOU were born with a silver spoon in your mouth - the most extreme advantage that could be provided to an individual - which led to Daddy’s donations to Penn getting YOU into a school you did not have the grades for — which then led to an allowance of more than $400 million to “kickstart” your acquisitions.
And when left to your own devices, you declared bankruptcy and scammed your way through countless acquisitions.
(This is where Castro or Democratic candidate #1 drops the microphone)
2
I’d love to see Trump take on Castro over affirmative action. Does anyone actually think the stable genius scored over 1200 on his SATs?
We don't need cordial. We need a fighter to take on the most uncordial president we've ever had.
I’ve been crossing my fingers since 2016 for Catro’s run. I’m sorry Mr. Blow, after the last two years, I think decency is a defining quality.
1
I can't imagine America in 2020 electing a man with the name "Castro". For eight years, much of your country persecuted a man for little more than having the middle name "Hussein."
1
Rally and inspire? This guy will put ambien out of business. How about boring and bland?
Pardoning Trump is a "tough decision"? Next.
3
Don’t get your knickers in a knot, folks, I’m going to mention the dreaded “ identity politics “. Imagine this guy, a very pleasant, young, Latino male as the VP candidate. Imagine an older Woman as the Presidential Nominee. And by older, I mean no more than 60 or so. A Senator, perhaps ??? After all, WE want someone able to successfully serve TWO full terms. Enough with all the drama and fury. I want competence and compassion.
Obama, part II. But no “ compromising “ with the GOP. Let them wander in their self-created desert. Period.
Trump's "experience" is being a con man and criminal for half a century. And, he has the "gravitas" of the same.
So, I find it remarkable that some commenters here are so adamantly critical of Julian Castro due to his supposed lack of experience and gravitas. Really?
Personally, I think it's wonderful how many people are seeking the Democratic Party's nomination, especially how many represent America's diversity, broadly defined, and who have the demonstrated potential to be among our next generation's leaders, and – MOST CRITICALLY – who clearly subscribe to the PRINCIPLES of the rule of law, justice and equity, and the VALUES that are essential to a democracy.
For my part, I won't be speaking negatively of any of the candidates seeking the Democratic Party's nomination, only positively of those I'm most enthusiastic about. And, when a Democratic Party nominee is ultimately decided, whoever that turns out to be, they will have my unequivocal and enthusiastic support.
PS – It's disappointing that the NYT apparently is going to continue to publish vapid pieces like this one that do less than nothing to help inform voters. There is NOT A SINGLE MENTION here of anything Julian Castro actually did as Mayor of San Antonio or as Secretary of HUD. That's shameful.
1
Castro's nomination would give Trump another shot at the birther movement---with a call to deport Castro to Mexico based on a forged birth certificate.
What I want from Mr. Castro is to continue to be a very capable administrator and become seasoned and experienced. We need more like him! His time to be more, to be ready to serve and be served to a higher calling will be apparent when that time comes.
Too bad dude is such a lightweight.
3
Roast chicken at a midtown steak house? And he's from Texas?!
1
Castro would make a wonderful president as would every other Democrat who is flirting with running. With Castro as a last name however good luck getting elected. Just ask Barack Hussein Obama.
Bernie was incomparably the most visionary and inspiring Democratic candidate in 2016, and he still is. We don't need "cordiality." We need genuine populist passion, as opposed to Trump's idiotic demagoguery.
You noted Castro’s annoying tendency to answer every question by first calculating the political consequences of his answer. That is exactly why he would be a poor candidate for the Democrats. How can someone like that be a viable opponent to Donald Trump? I will give Trump one thing: He is a master salesman. He is brilliant at marketing. He has charisma. While he is a liar— you listen carefully, you can actually hear exactly where he stands.
Castro can’t compete. We need someone who is as brilliant at selling, branding, and entertaining— moreover, someone who is beloved by the American people.
1
Everyone is going to want to be the person running against Trump - that includes a fair number of Republicans. Trump is both an easy target and an impossible one, at once.
Fro the Democrats, the mission will be to hold onto the people who, disappointed in Clinton, let Trump win by voting third party, or just staying home. And they will need to gain people who may still support Trump.
That person is going to have to be personally relatable, have a good idea about the reality of people's lives all across the country - and appear to be able to accept the social beliefs of disparate groups of people without managing to deride them.
Can a candidate who can be classified as an identity candidate win? That's a tougher question. Right now, I'd give the GOP a A+ on media manipulation, and on effective, targeted messaging, and the Democrats would get a F. So I'd expect a woman, or a Hispanic, or an African-American to get pigeon-holed and dismissed as a Liberal who supports THEM, with no effective back campaign that keeps him or her looking like a candidate for all of US.
Good luck, for the sake of the nation, to people like Castro, who want to serve us.
The DNC, tricks against Bernie, the best candidate,went straight against them. IN 2020 only a progressive candidate like Bernie will bring the young population out to Vote. I hope NY eliminates the limitations for registration in primaries.Shame in this rules this is against democracy . BERNIE LOST hundreds of thousands votes here in NY. The DNC did not want him, but they got Trump for their punishment. The DNC made millennium very angry. Do you think they learned their lesson? I don’t think so.
1
I will say again that Bernie Sanders is not a Democrat, but was graciously allowed to run on the Democratic ticket by the DNC. He did not win enough votes in the primaries to defeat Hillary Clinton. You are pushing a false narrative.
1
It's clear from the comments there is no one woman or man who stands out from the crowd. No FDR, JFK, LBJ, Obama or Truman (I left out the Clintons on purpose) has shown his/her face.
2020 will be an ugly campaign. We need a fighter and a fighting message- no more lies, no more corruption, no more willful ignorance. I want someone who says there is not some good people on both sides.
Too bad Robert Mueller is not a Democrat.
Like any number of Democrats, Castro is way more presidential than the current occupant of the White House just by virtue of being able to put together a coherent sentence and refrain from spewing a poisonous word salad in response to questions. I wish I could dismiss the negative potential of his last name, but last time we underestimated the stupidity of the voters we got President Trump.
Personally I've got my eye on Sherrod Brown. But at this point the field is wide open.
I have seen Mr. Castro interviewed before and came away with the same impression as you did Mr. Blow. While obviously intelligent and likable, he lacks the charisma of Barack Obama, and the fire in the belly of Beto O'Rourke and Stacey Abrams. I can see him being run over by Trump.
This time we cannot afford to get it wrong, too much is at stake. We need someone who will inspire people to vote as Barack Obama did, and we need a strong message that resonates with the general population. We also need to narrow the field of contenders down quickly so resources are not wasted. We need someone who can unwaveringly call Trump out on all the scorched earth he has left in his wake from the inhumane treatment of immigrants to the overt lying every single day, to the deregulation that is making the environment toxic, to trashing the ACA which is jeopardizing the ability of people to afford healthcare insurance, to all the misogyny, racism, and xenophobia he has encouraged, and all the shame Trump has heaped upon this nation. The Democratic candidate cannot waver nor be irresolute about any of this. We need someone to take on a bully and not back down, nor give an inch.
Somehow, by whatever means we can muster, we have to forget about the stupid old idea that New Hampshire and Iowa name Democratic nominees, that these two small states very much unlike the rest of our country, have the power to stamp someone as a potential winner so that the flood gates of media attention open and the donors line up to throw money at them. This is wrong, dumb, stupid, foolish, wasteful, ignorant and it ain't gonna get us a good candidate. If this system is the best the Democratic party can do circa 2020, the party deserves to be washed away in a tsunami of disgust. Or something.
The process must be changed. How? Well, it is probably impossible to change now because it is only a little more than year till the primaries start. The Democratic National Committee could initiate some basic reforms, but a lot of the operating rules for primaries are at the state level.
Give the delegates back the power to say who the nominee will be, that's one reform. Change the rules so that no candidate can get a majority of delegates from the primaries. Undemocratic, you say? Let's not worry about fine details, the whole system is a shambles of democratic efforts mixed in with blind luck and has become a ridiculous torture test for candidates.
This moment of peril in America represents our one best chance to really look at how we've gone wrong and a narrow window of opportunity to fix things for the better.
All the candidates for 2020 should be under 55, preferably.
2
the great thing about the dilly dilly in last years budlight commercials was the pit of misery. they were in he pit of misery but still celebraing, still saying dilly dilly. this year came the autumnal mead, and beer for the many. (wow, if i went on that i would only watch uefa soccer, hieneken, way better beer). so, form a party to bring back the original dilly dilly commercials and i will vote for that. and keep the two nameless dudes in the sonic commerical. what is jane krakowski doing in that dress going to sonic.
Why would stating that he got into Stanford because of Affirmative Action be a bad thing? Doesn't his success prove that it is a good thing that some students are given a chance to excel?
1
America is a nasty place not because of Trump, it always was, and is getting worse, and two situations are very clear, Ignorance of so many, the ones that believe on exceptionalism, and the imbecility of nationalism, ( that includes racism).Most Americans about 48% continue living inside the bubble,and now Trumps bubble. Some folks , the wealthy ones specially , don’t care if the rest of the population kill each other, they only think about profit, very true. In 2020 will be a very important time for every generation. We need a progressive candidate, Joaquin is a decent man , intelligent but not aggressive enough. VERY crucial have an candidate intelligent in many aspects, specially science, history, communication and economics. We need to fix our diplomatic relations, specially with nations that we ignore for decades, because some ignorant politicians influence the population against many Americans follow the unreasonable excuses why we can’t not make a difference. The old people in WDC, should go , and let the young , savvy to take over. If I had power I would change the laws of SCOTUS( limiting the years).also Senate, and House.No public jobs, like judges, politicians in general should stay forever, or mor than 20 years. They can find something else to do. It’s boring seeing the same old same. We have very good choices for DEMOCRATS. Joaquin is a good option, but we know if Biden competes, he will be the nominated maybe.
Trump's influence cannot be glanced over by a courteous, non-committal, approach.
The Electoral College took away the value of the Popular Vote and produced a nasty, gangster-like America that has pandered to ignorance and hatred, not to mention, hostility toward true diplomacy worldwide.
Something radical need be done to unseat not only the Buffon in Chief but also the prevailing attitude that justifies lawlessness and racial bias.
Ironically, one rationale for the Electoral College's interference in the Presidential elections was to prevent a tyrant from the Office, whereas, it has produced a Tyrant. The last time this happened it produced unending warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Ending the Electoral College should be our first effort.
2
Do we Democrats really need another Harvard-educated liberal telling working people how they should feel? I would have admired Castro much more if he had struggled through a community college or land grant university graduate school like the rest of us.
As far as his affirmative action admission to Stanford, I have no problem with it so long as as he admits that he was privileged in that decision and bumped a kid with a better SAT from his or her spot based on something other than merit.
1
It is very doubtful that Trump will be the candidate for 2020. The noose is tightening around him, and it is even possible - remotely maybe, but possible - that the GOP will turn against him in the meantime when more evidence pours out about his antics.
So who are the possibilities for the GOP candidate for 2020? Cruz, Pence, Graham....unattractive so far - at least to this liberal.
Or on the slightly more attractive side - Nikki Haley.
Good Candidate; however, I would still like to see a Biden/Harris ticket. I think a one term of Biden could do a lot to heal the country.
San Antonio is one of my favorite American cities. And when I think of the great dining there, Mr. Blow, you missed your chance.
But I agree with many other comments here that Xavier Becerra the Attorney General of California with 24 years in Congress is the leader I would prefer to see in the White House.
He answers truthfully on affirmative action, that it has worked, and your concern is that trump would have a field day with it?
This is setting the bar low. Showing concern that a truth teller would fall victim to a liar.
Our hope for any candidate should be that they tell the truth. It's annoying that this has to be stated.
1
Thank goodness you’ve stopped obsessively howling about Trump and his obvious vileness. Writing about potential Democratic presidential hopefuls is exactly where you should focus. It’s high time.
Julian Castro belongs in the top tier of potential nominees. After four years of Trump corruption and nastiness, a nice guy will have real appeal. Squeaky clean Carter succeeded dirty Nixon. A majority of Americans dislike, many vehemently, Trump. A candidate who is likeable and exudes "hope"which has been in hibernation since Obama left office, will have great appeal. Imagine having a president who we like and respect, and who actually smiles! I swoon at that prospect. Julian's time is now. There is an added benefit with his equally accomplished twin. Should Julian get sick on the campaign trail, Joachim could step in for him and who would know? :)
1
Unfortunately, in today's political climate, I do not think it would be possible for a Hispanic to win the Presidency. The Republicans would not hesitate to paint Castro and his family as illegal immigants, and even if that is totally false, the truth no longer matters in elections.
"Trump would have a field day with this".
trump will have a field day with ANYBODY runing / debating him.
trump is a bully, who doesn't posses what it takes to debate in a civilized, coherent, rational way. he won against hillary due to his appeal to that particular segment of the popjulous which voted for him. that abnormality, abomination, despicable scenario will not repeat itself in 2020 - one hopes. but if the likes of senators harris, booker of sanders will face him in a debate, one only hopes
they'll know how to handle him - better than hillary...
@amir burstein! I agree, but in 2020, only Fox News will be with him. I hope the rest of the TV, radio, cable, blogs bring this vicious clown down. He has more dirty around him.. I hope the media start digging very fast, because nothing will happen with him now ,until he’s out of WDC. A group of wealthy and very influential peoples in policies are behind Trump. In NY, is another situation and they will catch him good.
I went back to the Constitution a few days ago to take another look at it and discovered these words, which I had forgotten:
“No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States ….”
Which is a pity and a shame.
No man alive has ever deserved the title of “King of Fools” more than Trump.
And we, the American people, are of course his fools.
3
Sorry, but being the mayor of a second tier city and secretary of HUD does not qualify someone to be the leader of the free world. NEXT.
1
Mr Castro is effectively "running for Vice-President."
1
trump could score 1210 on his SAT--if he took it twice. castro's chance at education is how things are supposed to work.
There's a lesson in both the paths of Barack Obama and Chris Christie. When it's your time, you have to take it.
Obama was "too young and too inexperienced" when he ran in 2008, and some of that showed in his early fumblings as President and refusal to recognize that the GOP in the Senate were not his friends anymore, but his mortal enemies--by THEIR doing (esp McConnell), not his.
Still, had he "waited" as many advised, either John McCain or Hillary Clinton would have become President, served 4 or 8 years, and then it almost certainly would have been too late. 2008 was his time.
Likewise, 2012 was Chris Christie's time. While Mitt Romney was the Party's favorite, Christie's fire and rabble-rousing might WELL have propelled him to the nomination, and perhaps the White House. Instead, he opted to gain more "experience" as NJ Governor (Personal note: I thought his 7 years and 50 weeks a disaster, with 2 good weeks during Sandy), tried to set himself up for 2016, then his heavy-handed, even criminal tactics to get re-elected were revealed in the "Bridgegate" scandal, and the rise of Trumpism, it was too late for him.
Trump threw Christie under the bus, and, when he needed a CoS, last week Christie returned the favor, basically saying "NFW" to Trump.
But this may well be Julián Castro's time. If it's too soon, well, that wasn't a problem for others who later got their party's nomination (Reagan and Hillary Clinton).
As for affirmative action? 3 words: U Penn donations!
1
Two relatively minor positions. Not ready for the POTUS. He should go get elected to something smaller and prove himself. Governor or Senator, at least.
1
Why is affirmative action an issue for the Castros? Is over the top, abused white privilege not an issue for Trump? (I'd love to know this genius's SAT scores.)
Said differently, affirmative action impacted the Castros positively. Can anyone say the silver spoon in his mouth he was born with impacted Trump positively?
Good Charles you had the opportunity to meet and interview Julian Castro. Now if you want to meet a down to earth, articulated, honest to god real person, smart as a whip, knowledgeable about what counts with voters like healthcare, a working wage, and jobs, then please get in touch with Stacey Abrams of Georgia.
The best of the best.
1
It's glaringly apparent Americans don't care what their president does as long he's cordial. Atrocities get brushed under the table just because the presidents committing them were cordial. We give week-long state funerals to these people. GHWB, Clinton, GWB and Obama, all of them. Makes you wonder if there's any hope for this country.
Look, we all have opinions. And I have one. I am an out gay progressive and think Beto O’Rourke would make a fine candidate. You can bet he’s been vetted( so-to-speak) by the Right Wing slime machine- if there was some negatives about his life—you would have seen it exposed all over social media. Texas politics is lethal. And Beto never took the right wing Republican bait seriously—he simply spoke to the people. We shall see how he does in the debates and getting national exposure.
Hillary Clinton should Have picked him for VP .. I think it might have helped.
1
We don't need a preacher, a messiah. Boo, charisma! We need someone who will call us to our senses, and who we can trust will act sensibly.
1
And the Trumpster got into Penn, not because of Dad but rather his transcript at Fordham. Please.He barely showed up and we know he skipped econ.
Really, a gutless candidate who opines that it is a tough decision but he is inclined not to pardon '45 if prosecuted.
FREE healthcare.... FREE college....
ECON 101 - ‘There is no such thing as a free lunch’
Not enough millionaires to pay for this.
Middle class must pay up.
1
Looking forward to reading and enjoying all of your columns on the possible Democratic candidates for president next year, Charles Blow. Yes, Julian Castro is likeable, inspiring, a visionary young man only one year older than JFK was (43 years old) when he ran for and won our presidency in 1960. Who knows, maybe time for identical twins (Julian and Joaquin in tandem in Oval and Rose Garden) to rule the White Houise roost after the big orange rooster retires from the scene sooner than we can imagine. Tribalism? Regionalism? Too early to know how Castro, the Hispanic Texan, will be affected. But Julian Castro is a rising star. During the coming months we Americans need to "...find/ What wind/ Serves to advance an honest mind" (John Donne).
I will make it easy for the Democrats. This is who you should nominate for President: Mikie Sherill of the 11th district in NJ.
Cagey and calculated is not what the democrats need. We need confidence, a clear vision, and frankly, preparedness for a street brawl. Castro sounds like a young, Latino version of HRC. He also, and forgive the air of political incorrectness here, appears to be applying the same affirmative action led calculus that pushed him to apply to Stanford with a 1210 SAT to the presidency - just because your young and Latino doesn’t mean you have what it takes to be president. His resume is painfully thin and he will get chewed up and spit out by the reality showman opponent he will likely face if he earns the nomination.
1
I'm sure Mr. Castro is a great guy. However, the article says, "Joaquín is a congressman in Texas who would be Julián’s campaign chairman."
NO MORE TEXAS INFLUENCE IN OUR U.S. GOVERNMENT. We have had enough of their BIG oil destruction of OUR laws and lives.
1
Remember that Trump crudely dissed his many Primary opponents to get the nomination.
Result: he has no bench to look to for staff or cabinet nominees.
Democrats have a whole once-minor, now major league of candidates. Imagine Beto, Booker, the Castros, Ms Harris, Ms. Abrams and Gillum as a Cal- Tex-NJ, GA. FL talent pool of diverse, proven public servants. Biden, Bernie, Brown, Kerry and Warren haven't exactly won the World Series. I'm really looking forward to Spring training and beyond to 2020.
1
I like him very much, but I like many of the possible candidates. I'm leaning towards hoping Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden do not run. I think (and I am 65) that we should move towards younger candidates. I'm very interested in Sherrod Brown, Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, among a few. Perhaps Julian Castro would benefit from a stint as Vice President.
7
Democrats haved a tremendous stable of smart, young, progressive candidates to run for the presidency. Bernie, Biden, Hillary and others must bow out and use their smarts and skills and base to support the ones who they choose to be the best possible nominee for the party for 2020. I am most impressed with Beto as got to see him in several venues and believe he has both energy and conviction, but that does not rule out the Castro twins, Julian at present, nor Kamala Harris, a very strong possibility with smarts, styles, presence and will. Sherrod Brown's smart and talented, as are others. As someone said, Democrats are emotional, but they must be tough and smart to get the toughest and smartest to run now as the tide must change in 2020. Basta!
3
Your point about him "turning wheels" to calculate on positions unmasks him for what he is, a politician. We've seen the results of a "strongman" authoritarian type in Trump. Given this, I don't think a "regular politician" can cut it. What we need at this juncture is a woman or man of strong conviction, who can articulate that well, think Teddy Roosevelt, for example. Someone who can go toe-to-toe against the entrenched establishment and all the muck that will be thrown at them. Someone who can rekindle the imagination for what we can become, not wallow in the imagined past of who we were.
Does such a person exist? Perhaps, perhaps not. If the former, we have a chance in 2020. If not, expect the rally "four more years! Four more years!" And may God forgive us and protect us of that outcome.
5
I do not think brutality in a campaign, a la Trump will work this time around.
People are weary. They want a true Populist. They also want someone a bit more seasoned who can handle both sides of the aisle in Congress and rebuild our relationships with our Allies . It will be necessary to have a stable and common sense approach to the myriad of problems that the Republicans in Congress and the Cabinet have wrought on the American people,
I am not sure if Castro is seasoned enough. Perhaps he would be a better pick for Vice-President. And maybe that is his real goal.
We must remember Trump is not a for-sure Candidate with all of the scandal surrounding him and his Administration.
Perhaps everyone who aspires to be the Candidate should wait a few more months to see how Mueller's investigation plays out.
Castro does sound like he has the charisma but does he have the gravitas?
2
Every forty something Democrat who has national ambitions should get into the campaign. It is a chance to gain national exposure for future runs and to set yourself up for a nice cabinet post if you do well but don't win.
The Democrats need to develop a back bench for the future. Something they have ignored for too long.
I like Castro and wish him well.
5
"I scored 1210 on my SATs, which was lower than the median matriculating student. But I did fine in college and in law school. So did Joaquín. I’m a strong supporter of affirmative action because I’ve seen it work in my own life.”
Trump would have a field day with this.
Trump got where he is because one had best believe his daddy paid his way in and not because he studied hard or had the ability to comprehend.
I read that Trump was always arguing with his professors.
Only that quality served his future aspiration as a salesperson.
Even as president, that's his strong point.
One must admit he's a master salesperson, more like a con artist, but considering, used car salespersons are good
salespersons also.
Also, Trump has made very good use of the practice of sales 'puffing' where the lines becomes blurred between salesmanship and lying.
If anything, Castro could have a field day with that one.
2
I think there is a fairly rabid group of supporters for Bernie Sanders who expect him to be the star candidate in 2020 but I would still like to see a woman. I like the Democratic women who are considering a run but I don't know if they have the universal appeal that will be required. The idea of Oprah still holds appeal for me, but Kamala Harris could also be a firebrand. However, my mind keeps whispering Ta-nehisi Coates. I am ready for a leader who will be a fan of realistic, well-designed progressive programs. Mr. Castro has not been at the top of any of my lists because I have not heard him act as a standard-bearer for all of we the people, but I also think that he would become a champion of all of us if he did attain the Presidency. I think I will know who I don't want better than I will know who I absolutely do want as we firm up the roster of candidates.
Politicians say one thing when they are running for office and do something quite different once they have been elected. Sometimes it's because they are seeing other sides of the issues they ran on and are forced to realize that it's not as simple as it looked on the campaign trail. We voters then proceed to excoriate them for changing their minds or not doing what they said they'd do. In return the politicians feel forced to equivocate, backtrack, or lie. When they say they changed their minds due to new information we don't believe them.
Here's a concept: how about all people running for office stop playing the one-up game and start giving us thoughtful answers based upon facts rather than what their gut tells them? And we, the voters and citizens, could learn to be realistic about what our government can and cannot do. Oh, wait, that's asking too much in the present Me First atmosphere where the 1% dictate life for the rest of us.
2
As an identical twin, I could certainly envision superficial reasons to support Julian Castro, in spite off concerns that we might at times be governed by a body double. My own experience tells me that he has a built-in supply of empathy for another that comes from being a twin, a quality that is sorely lacking in our current president.
More compelling to me, at this point however, is that Castro and his views are not well-known, and his record not sufficiently clear. Time can heal that, maturity can burnish it, and squaring off against other presidential wannabes can hone it.
My biggest concern is that in 2016, Republicans, too, had far too many candidates, and a politically canny Donald Trump was able to con voters to overlook more than a few who had less glaring blots on their records and more credibility when it comes to having the chops of governing ability.
The challenge for Democrats will be to rally around a compelling candidate and quickly clear the field of distracting and divisive intra-party noise.
It would be nice to believe that Democrats can do that, but reality sets in when I recall the angry and distracting family feud that the Democrats engaged in merely to determine which of them would lead the party after the last election.
Can Castro be that person? Who knows. As Trump would say, "well see," or "time will tell." As it will about Trump and whether he can even manage to survive politically until the 2020 election. That could c change everything.
2
Nice op-ed. Informative, and for me a good introduction to Mr. Castro. Being a liberal the most noticeable remark Charles made was Castro's comment on Affirmative Action, a comment which I agree with, even though I'm a older white guy that suspects I may have lost a job interview or two to Affirmative Action. I believe Affirmative Action is great for the common weal, and morally appropriate!
3
I was impressed by Julian Castro when he was recently interviewed on MSNBC. He is a sensible young man who understands the critical unsolved problems in America and is refreshingly honest and articulate - in contrast to you-know-who. In selecting their 2020 nominee, Democrats must put a high value on electability.
3
I'm impressed by a person who is treated, (I assume,) to dinner at a Manhatten steakhouse and orders chicken. It tells me he has a moral rudder that is not easily affected by outside forces.
I have all but completely removed beef from my diet, but in the same situation I would have ordered the biggest bone-in rib-eye in the house.
Castro has my vote.
3
I saw Castro speak last year in front of a friendly crowd. His speech was superficial and self-absorbed, and his jokes were not funny. The lack of substance was remarkable. He is no Obama, although he thinks he is.
1
Julian Castro is welcome to at least toss his hat in the ring. With so many potential Democratic contenders, who knows what victor will emerge from the primaries? But we do need someone like Castro to remind us what decorum our leaders should show, and frankly, to dignify prominently an ethnicity so maligned by Trump.
1
Castro, Beto, Abrams and Gillum are the future - but none are ready for 2020 - they need to prove they can win a statewide position or one of the main cabinet positions - or VP. Slot. All have such a bright future but none are ready.
3
Some of us are jumping on the youth factor as if it, by itself, will solve our problems. Thing is though, as we see in Nancy Pelosi, experience means knowing how to get things done. No small matter. How to corral and lead a bunch of cats, eh? (Spent a lot of time in Canada)
Personally, for POTUS, I prefer someone who has been close enough to see and experience what having such responsibility really means. Biden is the only choice given that. Combining Biden with a younger person: Beto O'Rourke, Amy Klobucher, Kamala Harris, all of whom bring a special spirit and intelligence to the ball. And, they would help pull the divided electorate together.
Stay away from Bernie. He would only fragment us more as he is not a democrat and has never really accomplished anything in his years in congress. He helped to diminish the effectiveness of Hillary's campaign as well.
3
I'm old enough to remember Roger Mudd of CBS asking Ted Kennedy a simple question as Ted was about to run for president: Why do you want to be president?
It didn't go well for Ted as he rambled on and was practically incoherent in his answer. Jimmy Carter wound up winning the primaries and the presidency.
Castro's answers to some of your questions, Mr. Blow, is troubling. Julian Castro was a baby when Mudd posed that question, but he may want to study the tape so that he's better prepared for questions such as that and more.
The answer to your question about should Trump be indicted is, "of course, yes!" At least in my opinion.
That's what Mr. Castro should have said and perhaps added that it is silly to go with some Justice Department guidance on this matter as the Constitution does not say anything about the indictment of a sitting president.
What if a sitting president commits a murder? Should the president be allowed to serve out the term before s/he can be brought to justice?
We can't keep saying no one is above the law and give the president a pass.
Mr. Castro has other things to worry about besides his SAT scores and admission to Standford. One of them is not being "careful with his answers nearly to the point of being cagey."
That's "no bueno."
I don't understand the negativity of so many of the comments here, criticizing Castro for everything from being unpolished to being too polished, from being too young and inexperienced to being interviewed in a Manhattan steakhouse. Castro lacks gravitas? Seriously? Compared to whom? - compared to George W. Bush, compared to Donald Trump? Almost none of the negative comments had anything to say about Castro's actual policy positions, past or present.
Castro is a smart, accomplished lawyer and politician. He served four years on the City Council and five years as Mayor of one of our largest cities. Then he served as HUD secretary for the last two and a half years of the Obama presidency.
He's also from a state and a region where Democrats have recently shown promise, and he comes from a demographic group that is one of the fastest growing in the country.
Castro just started his campaign, and he has a very long way to go. Democrats need to focus on making sure we defeat Donald Trump and less on making sure our candidate is so pure that he's never eaten dinner at a Manhattan steakhouse. At the very least, let's not trash our candidates until we've heard them out.
politicsbyeccehomo.wordpress.com
7
Julian Castro was a big supporter of Hillary Clinton and with the scent at a young age of being a career politician, Trump will have a field day linking the two in a less than complimentary manner. I would suggest the Democrats go another route and nominate Tulsi Gabbard, an individual that isn't owned by the party and has some independence from Washington's big money interests. She would be Trump's worst nightmare, a gutsy female veteran from an actual shooting war zone that could authoritatively belittle him on a number of fronts. If she were announced at somepoint as his opponent in 2020, his long quiet bone spurs would likely start throbbing immediately.
It's not that Julián Castro is too young. It's that he is vague and shallow.
His speech to the Democratic Convention convinced me that he is a nice guy with an inspiring story who will never be president.
Let's move on.
1
I enjoy listening to both Castro brothers, mostly. When they parse words like most seasoned politicians, then they turn me off.
I'm definitely not seeing Julián Castro as president. But if he has smart ideas, I'm willing to her him out.
I would love to see Julian Castro as Vice President to President Kamala Harris. I think the combination would be a great way for the pendulum to swing back from trump.
I have heard Castro several times as he navigates the cable news talk circuits,and my impression is that this guy is smart, personable, ambitious, and very boring. He does not stand a chance of winning a national election.
1
Personally, I'm tired of politicians always trying to balance on the fence. I want a POTUS who says what he/she means. Julian seems like a very nice man, but I agree with Mr. Blow, this isn't his moment.
1
I have liked Julián Castro since I first became aware of him sometime in 2015. I was rooting for him to be Hillary’s pick as vp running mate and I think that if she had picked him, she might be President now. If you are a Democrat, there is nothing not to like and admire about Julián Castro, a great life story, a fine education and a big heart.
1
I think your example of how Trump would eat Castro's lunch is misplaced. The obvious comeback to the criticism of being accepted to Stanford due to affirmative action could easily be foiled by comparing it to Trump's daddy buying his way into Wharton. Touche. I'd pick affirmative action any day.
1
Saw him interviewed by Lawrence on MSNBC. Was pleasantly surprised by the genuine thought in his answers. He's smart, and clearly has the political experience to thread the needle. I suspect that he won't be the pushover that the nice guy appearance on first impression. I hadn't considered him a serious contender until heard him interviewed. I'm looking forward to hearing more.
2
He's bland, and he's definitely not progressive. Middle of the road democrat and willing to stay quiet when asked.
The almost perfect candidate, we've always thought he was, knowledgeable, reasonable and smart.
1
Xavier Becerra is in the "sweet spot": At about 60, he is neither too young nor too old, he is a progressive who also has extensive experience, both as a legislator (US representative in a leadership position) and as an executive (attorney general of California), and he can be both a forceful partisan as well as a reasonable and unifying leader. He's the Latino Goldilocks.
"But youth has a way of making itself known, of peaking through the curtain of the mature persona one tries to craft." I believe that should be 'peeking'?
3
What a relief it would be to have someone like Julian Castro running for President. However, I can now see the ads from the rabid Republicans, focused upon his last name, making a claim that he would do to this country what his "relative" Fidel did in Cuba. Hey, this is not a stretch, not with what comes out of the Tweeter world of Trump and his minions.
2
Whoever wins the Democratic nomination & hopefully becomes the next President must not be afraid to vigorously prosecute crimes of this administration. President Obama's biggest mistake was failing to prosecute the war crimes of the Bush administration. Those criminals are still working and influencing politics. Do you think any GOP nominee would ever say, "We're going to look forward, not back." No, they will never say that. The GOP criminals are like zombies returning over & over to public life. The Democrats need to do both - prosecute the crimes of the past and move forward. But prosecute they must & slay these zombie politicians.
6
He’s actually running for the Veep job and he won’t even get that.
3
According to CNN's latest Democratic Presidential candidate poll Joe Biden still leads the field in Iowa. Julian Castro isn't even a blip on the radar screen among potential Democratic Iowa voters.
1
Trump will have a field day because a competent minority student got a break? His whole life is a series of special treatment and entitlement that I hope Mueller will put an end to.
4
Always liked him. He hasn't yet distinguished himself as much as Beto has. Doesn't hurt that Beto's a white guy...
Some commenters need to remember that presidents can't make a dent in the structural changes Republicans have wrought locally. The minions of the vampires prevent the Van Helsing policies of the Democrats, until we show up locally and purge their mess.
Green is not a trait the Dems need right now in a candidate.
Mr. Castro is way too green. He's not ready for prime time.
6
Julian Castro is amiable, bright and ambitious. He now is also guarded about what he says.
A man at a good steakhouse who orders chicken is a careful man.
4
Julian Castro might be a good choice. Lord knows he would be better than the current occupant in the White House, but the new congress elected in the midterms isn't even yet sworn in. Don't the American citizens deserve at least a month without a political campaign. Why don't we allow our elected representatives the chance to govern before we ask them to endlessly campaign?
2
who is now 44, would become one of America’s youngest presidents. And this gives me pause.
Well, wait a minute. Democrats who won are young.
Castro “who is now 44, would become one of America’s youngest presidents. And this gives me pause.”
Kennedy 43
LBJ 56
Carter 53
Clinton 46
Obama 48
——-
Average = 49.2
And LBJ was technically an incumbent. So, younger is better for Democrats. It should not give you pause. It motivates the younger base.
1
Underwhelming won't win a Presidential election. Americans want a man or woman with pizzazz and this fellow seems to lack that quality.
Sherrod Brown may be the Dems best hope.
5
In a diverse society one might assume that when the minority communities together constitute a majority of the voters a minority candidate would be a slam dunk winner. Not so. Minority communities often exhibit the bigotry and prejudice against other minorities as does the white majority. A candidate from a minority community would have to have Obama type skills to have a chance against Trump.
5
I just can't imagine the American voters would elect a person named Castro. Sad but true.
4
@David Aronstein
Really? Many of us voted twice for a man named Barrack Hussein Obama. The constant insulting of voters’ motives needs to stop.
1
Show us the market research.
To win, a candidate needs to play in Peoria, and in Chillicothe, be it in OH, IL, and equivalents in MI, PA, MN,WI, etc.
3
Given our choices between old folks like Biden / Clinton and younger folks like Castro, I'm ready to take a chance on youth. Biden's generation has been, to say the least, unimpressive with their accomplishments. They are welcome to advise and help staff the administration, but these older folks are not suited to this time and, in my view, need to retire from public life.
Trump is going to have a "field day" with anyone who runs against him. I don't know what the right strategy is to deal with that, but perhaps the media should recognize the "field day" for what it is and be less breathless in reporting and commenting on every silly thing trump says and tweets. If we allow this next campaign to end up being a trump outrage of the day contest we know who will win.
We know trump lies, we know he is a horrible human being and we know he is a criminal. Now, lets get on with electing someone else and pay him no mind.
3
As someone well into his 8th decade, I'm not worried at all about a Presidential candidate being in his mid-40s. I'd much prefer that he/she have another decade's experience, but we don't need geriatric people in the Oval Office or in other high level posts in DC.
5
we begin the interview, Castro is careful with his answers nearly to the point of being cagey. You can see him doing the calculations in his head, trying not to overstate a position or appear too absolute on a topic that he has not fully considered.
http://pakistan.jobz.pk/category/jobs/job-interviews/
I saw him being interviewed on the Late Show. I'm interested and want to learn more. I"m going to get his new book.
3
The winning candidate must be able to pry enough republicans and independents from Trump to carry Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, assuming, of course, the 2016 blue states remain blue.
Since street cred matters, a Democrat’s track record of success in a red state gets the job done.
If Sherrod Brown can win in purple Ohio, don’t you think he’s got a shot elsewhere in the industrial heartland?
He needs to do is raise his hand, be quick on his feet and put his whole heart into it.
6
I'm not ready to make snap decisions on who will make the best Democratic candidate for president two years hence. While much is known about some of the likely candidates (Sanders, Biden, Warren), the voting public will need much more info.
In reference to Castro, as one swallow does not a summer make, so too one interview in a Manhattan steak house does not qualify as a definitive impression.
4
Julian Castro and his brother are both the kind of politicians I think this country needs more of. They're intelligent but humble. Ambitious but generous. Kind but not sappy. Good men. But to face off against either trump or the recent memory of a stolen presidency means that the 2020 cycle requires someone who is as much a street fighter as trump. At this early juncture, I'm backing Sherrod Brown. A known entity who is gruff enough to present the issues as one of us. Someone who appears to be in touch with the blue collars of the country.
11
In Julian Castro you've just described the perfect Vice-President, but not a charismatic, progressive voice that will energize enough young people to vote. Bernie had it in 2016, but the Democratic establishment was not listening. Beto O'Rourke, by all accounts, has it, but will he run and will the Democratic establishment listen? Democratic establishment candidates have not won in the last 50 years! The three Democratic Presidents--Jimmy ("Who?") Carter, Bill ("the Comeback Kid") Clinton, and Barack ("No Drama") Obama all came out nowhere to upset the establishment. Let's hope the Democratic establishment is finally listening. There just may be a winning candidate ready to emerge out of nowhere.
11
Goldman Sachs is now facing criminal charges in, Maylasia.
Coupled with Trump and company's transgressions and other financial occurrences, I believe that we might face a severe economic meltdown in 2019. A political upheaval might result. Of course, I'm being intuitive.
IMHO it's too, early to pick the candidates for 2020. I do mean Repub and Dem. But, it's informative, interesting and fun to read your columns and explore all the possibilities .
7
@Texan
It's Malaysia.
1
Remember Healthcare!
The seven year-old who died from dehydration in border patrol custody won’t have been covered, but 17 million are covered by plans from the marketplace, many Americans for the first time, many dependent upon the no-limit/pre-condition coverage that allowed some to manage conditions on the edge of life and death.
The irony: here is a democracy experiencing the power of fiats in the hands of the extreme. They fund the raking of scorched Earth.
7
The last three presidents have had thin to non existent records of public service and political leadership. Bush was the most experienced. He spent a few years as governor of Texas, which has modest power. None of them had the deep relationships or the respect that comes with more experience in the political realm. What substantive accomplishments has Mr. Castro notched?
Politics is the only field where deep and substantive experience is a negative. Perhaps we should consider this troubling trend in the next election....
9
What substantive accomplishments has Mr. Castro achieved? Well, he was the mayor of the 7th largest city in the US and HUD Secretary which gives him greater executive government experience at more levels than any of the last four Presidents. So I would say he has checked that box.
6
@G. James
He was HUD secretary for 2.5 years. San Antonio has a council-city manager form of government, whereby the city manager has executive power. The mayor is largely a ceremonial role and has one vote of 11 on city council.
5
After Julián Castro's commencement speech at Morgan State four years ago I told my colleagues, "This is the person the Democrats must make their candidate for Vice President in 2016." Unfortunately, Hillary Clinton was not listening or she would be President today.
This past Friday Senator Elizabeth Warren made the commencement speech at Morgan State. As one of my colleagues said afterwards, "She had an important message. I hope the students really listened." My reply: "I hope America listens!"
9
I thought so as well. She deserved to lose for picking such a poor VP candidate. Unfortunately because she lost America is in chaos.
2
I like the brothers, but they need to work on their messaging. Playing it down the middle and parsing words in a time of great despair and division will not work. Methinks Julian is running for VP.
15
Not since Harry Truman has an incoming president faced a more daunting task. Truman had to build the nation's place in the postwar world. The next president must rebuild the nation's place in the world and heal a broken and divided nation. Neither task will be easy but each is essential; failure is not really an option.
Truman turned out to be one of our greatest Presidents; he built, brick by brick, the structure that would last for 40 years and beyond and eventually see the demise of the Soviet Union. Truman was the 60 year old product of a political machine and hardly would have been anyone's first choice for such a difficult undertaking.
My point here is that in looking for the person who will hopefully be Trump's successor, we should be open minded in considering the candidates; the best individual may or may not be someone with traditional presidential attributes. As Truman showed, sometimes greatness comes from unexpected places.
26
Matt - And Truman only had about a semester of college. So take that, Ivy Leagues!!
@Matt
You are right on all counts. But you forgot to mention that, Truman inherited WW2 from the deceased FDR. The way in which he ended it is still being debated. President Truman exemplified a line from W.C.Fields:
"Sometimes we have to take the bull by the tail and face the situation."
We need a massive correction after the Trump fiasco - it will require a candidate that not only represents the best of us and
our history, but has qualities of civility, decency, intelligence and the charisma necessary to inspire. We may not get all that this go round , but the correction part is a must. We are a national and global mess here and now. We can only hope Americans will remember their past and do the right thing going forward.
33
What Democrats and the country needs is a leader. Not a policy wonk, not someone who necessarily has decades of experience. Someone who is honest, speaks from the heart, and inspires people. It's really as simple as that. Most people don't want to think too hard, they want it told to them. And quite frankly, the only one who comes close is Beto.
28
Didn’t Beto grease the skids on a development deal in El Paso for his Uber-wealthy father in law? Yea, no thanks.
Beto? No thanks.
Let’s win for once with a candidate who actually believes in representative democracy. That’s the underlying issues for all 2020 Democratic hopefuls. Yes, policies to address health care, education, climate change, etc. are vital for our future, but if democracy dies in the stranglehold of the GOP those concerns get a funeral.
Mr. Blow should ask what aspiring Democratic presidential nominees have done to address our access to the ballot. Not talk about it, but have taken action. That’s my litmus test this time.
8
Like it or not, Trump has changed the presidency for the foreseeable future. What Dems need is someone quick on her/his feet with experience and deep core values, but who can also whip up a crowd, engage younger voters, and is loved by the TV screen. Cordial, careful, cagey, and overall uninspiring won't cut it in 2020.
51
@John
I like Beto/Sherrod Brown (or Brown/Beto).
I like Mr. Castro. I really do. I like Mr. Blow, too. What I object to is how running for President seems more like a Miss America Contest than a political event.
I would much rather hear about the party platform and how the candidate measures up to it.
Charisma and knowing where to lead the country have proven to be two different and misleading things. Our country is lost at sea, right now. It will take a lot of people to right this ship. We should be looking at a party that is able to marshal the men and women needed to do the job. I would much rather put my faith in their choosing the right person to lead them, then relying on a primary system that has failed us miserably.
Anyone can be President. We now know that with certainty, and settling on the choices made by the respective parties primary process was a disaster. The truth of the matter is that the overwhelming majority of Americans have no say what so ever about who gets nominated, and we should just admit that and let the party put forth who it chooses by using a more intelligent and convincing process. The process as it now goes forth allows candidates to say what ever to be elected. We need to do better. Frankly, I would also like a system that if none of the candidates gets a majority, meaning over 50% of registered voters, then we should have a new election until one does. This way the candidates from both parties could be rejected, which is what apparently needed to be done last time around.
14
@Reuben Ryder, if they needed to get over 50% of the *registered* voters we'd still be trying to elect our second president. Personally, I'd like a system where it wasn't the norm to have only 50% of the registered voters bothering to vote.
4
@David F I probably wasn't clear. The reference to 50% of the registered voter should be clear enough, but perhaps I should have said with "at least 50% of all registered voters. If we are unable to achieve that the President shouldn't be elected. Why feed in to non participation, when what our country needs the opposite. Not to do that leaves us open to what we have now, government by the minority. The past election should at least show us the wisdom of not repeating that mistake. The bottom line for me is that it would OK to leave the office vacant for a while and see how it goes.
1
@Reuben Ryder
Maybe we ought to do like some other countries and induce voters to show up with either a fine for not registering and voting and/or a tax incentive for doing the same.
Voting should be at least as mandatory as serving on a jury.
9
Is Mr. Castro a viable 2020 candidate? Time will tell.
Meanwhile, it's at least appealing to contemplate the possibility of a serious adult contending for the presidency. America desperately needs to correct the current condition.
14
Sounds simple enough, A nice young man doing the “right” thing, tough to do. Ex President Obama wanted to do the “right” thing” and failed. The housing crisis ate him up and it was downhill after that. We are frozen as a country now, thats the reason we have Donald Trump as our President now. We are going backwards. As they said in the sports world, “nice guys finish last”.
1
I don’t care how he eats his chicken, only what his policies will be for citizens---for a country badly treated by its politicians.
On pardoning Trump as Ford did for Nixon---a ‘tough decision’? Please, not again! If Trump was ever pardoned there might be a true revolution in this country.
And what specifically does ‘common sense gun regulations’ mean?
Roll back the Trump tax cuts, up to what level?
What does a multinational approach to tariffs mean? Sound bad for US workers, already badly treated.
But good that he favors –
Universal pre—k.
Free (or at least low cost) public colleges (as we used to have).
Medicare for All---to bring America up to 20th C international standards of other nations.
Now, how would he compete for big money to run an expensive campaign? And what corporations/billionaires will he owe favors to? That’s the future column.
Might he follow some other state candidates and Sanders, by rejecting PAC money in favor of small donations from citizens? Or is that deemed too revolutionary in our democracy?
What’s your take on that Charles? A crucial question.
17
A cautious person who really wants to be president. Who will be championed in part because of membership in a specific demographic.
Who claims to be progressive while appearing semi-robotic in answering questions about their positions.
I think we danced this dance before, and it didn't turn out well.
28
@Talbot. Compared to whom, the current office holder?
Not to worry Julián.
If Trump’s grades at Wharton were any good he would have released them a long time ago, along with his tax audit.
46
@A. Stanton I don't believe Trump went to Wharton. I think he only took one or two courses there. I do think he flunked out of Fordham and his father's gift to U. of Penn got him in there. I also think he has dislexia which is why he doesn't read. And I doubt U. of Penn could deal with that at that time. Thus, I think his grades were probably quite poor. As for his tax returns, it will take the Supreme Court to decide whether they will be released!
7
@A. Stanton
I'm not even sure Trump went to Wharton, a different program at UPenn. I do know he started at Fordham and transferred to UPenn his sophomore year as his brother had a friend in the admissions office. So not exactly affirmative action but still needed a connection!
4
@A. Stanton humm..."Trump’s previous years of education had been turbulent: His father had abruptly sent him to a military boarding school in eighth grade, The Post wrote, after discovering the boy had been playing with switchblades to imitate a gang member. He nearly pushed a cadet out a window during a fight at the academy but emerged from high school as a passable potential heir to the family business."
at wharton - after 2 years at fordham..."“Donald John Trump.” No dean’s list, no honors or distinctions of any kind."
"Trump transferred into Wharton from Fordham University with help from family connections. The president's older brother, Freddy Trump, knew an admissions counselor at Wharton"
The fact that he didn’t run in 2018, in a statewide race, when we really, really needed him, made him much less attractive to me. Julian should have run for governor of Texas, or attorney general. He should run against Cornyn in 2020. But I think he is too cautious. If, after the election of Trump, Julian did not rise to the moment in 2018, he is too managed, and not bold enough for me.
64
@Me Agree totally. He was too scared to run for Senator so a placeholder, a Congressman from El Paso no one had ever heard of, ran instead. Whatever happened to him?
6
@Humanbeing
The fat that she got 3,000,000 more votes is exactly the point. If she got more votes for considering what she said and he got less for blurting out whatever, then it would seem that thinking before you speak is more popular. The various states manipulate their electoral college votes so stupidly that the results don't really mean anything.
7
@Me Hillary was a superb candidate and lost for four reasons: 1. Russia /Trump collusion 2. James Comey 3. NYT ferocious anti- Clinton coverage 4. Bernie Sanders/Jill Stein.
12
America is badly in need of a policy. There is a large contigent of working class generally rural whites which count disproportionately given our backward electoral system. I have yet to see any candidate address the impoverishment of this group. In general, nice slogans. Without a clear program with specific well specified program the American electoral system will continue to be delegitimized and eventually nobody will show up for elections. Lets hope we don't have the equivalent of the yellow vests here before we start to see change. The loss of life and property will unfortunately be immense if we wait that long.
21
Affability and a dollar will buy you a cup of coffee, but not nearly enough votes. I learned this with the late Paul Simon in 1988 and again in 2016 with Martin O'Malley, and the same thing will happen again should Mr. Castro decide to run. Politics is entertainment to our media, and serious candidates get routinely ignored.
39
@Mark Lebow
Hmmm, "affability" worked really well for President Barack H. Obama. He was really, really friendly, amiable, genial, congenial, cordial, warm, pleasant, nice, likable, personable, charming, agreeable, sympathetic, simpatico, good-humored, good-natured, jolly, kindly, kind, courteous, civil, gracious, approachable, accessible, amenable, sociable, hail-fellow-well-met, outgoing, gregarious, neighborly.
Do you disagree?
3
As a Hispanic my choice for Democratic candidate would be Adam Schiff. Why? Because America needs a thinking person’s candidate; a mature, clear thinking, clear speaking leader. Age, race, charisma, etc., are secondary. I’m American first, and I want who’s best for America.
223
@Herman Villanova -- That is the Democratic campaign of "who hates Trump the most."
While that is popular among the Outrage crowd, it won't win a national election.
6
I do like Adam Schiff.
13
@Mark Thomason
The question is whether one has to roll around in the dirt with Trump to win. The bigger question is whether our standards for the conduct of a president have hit their nadir, and, if not, how much lower can they go? Will they permanent?
6
Uh, forget visiting Democratic candidates. Visit Republicans and encourage them to primary Donald Trump. Remind them "You can never go home again.", and the Mid-terms showed that the welcome mat is definitely not out in many places. Having memorized his lines, they won't be standing in line to nominate him again to get trounced in the General.
8
Castro graduated from Stanford and Harvard Law. Both fine institutions, whose insular alums invariably go on to hire people exactly like themselves and to whom their loyalty finally resides. Obama's story differs not that much from Castro's in surmounting early difficulties and when he was in office, though he talked a good game, his kid glove treatment of Wall Street betrayed his true allegiances. Eric Holder ditto. As long as an Ivy League pedigree is accepted as shorthand for competence, we are going to continue finding ourselves in Vietnams, Iraqs, and financial crashes. The only true genius these people have is in always avoiding culpability for their misdeeds.
33
@stan continople Though this may not describe you, that sounds like the rationale of people who sat out the elections of 2000 and 2016, or voted for minor party candidates, and put GW and Trump in the White House. The results are where we are today.
29
Clinton put Trump in the White House. Her campaign was possibly the worst in history. She didn’t even step foot in Wisconsin, for pete’s sake!
I like careful. I like cordial. It will be a welcome relief.
47
The fact that you sat down with the Castro brothers in a Midtown Manhattan steakhouse and not in a restaurant in their hometown of San Antonio Texas is a big part of why I’ll have a hard time voting for Julián in a Primary. In fact if Beto is in that primary like I want - Julián may as well just stay home - (I’m sort of curious to see if ‘home’ is Manhattan now or if it’s still San Antonio).
.
But I digress. This really is a serious matter. Democrats need to spend time in Texas and other States in the middle of the country. And they need to remain true to their roots. No more relocating permanently to New York or Washington. If they don’t address these problems I fear we may lose in 2020 for the same reasons we lost in 2016 - and wind up with 4 more years of Donald Trump as President.
69
@ZAW
The native-born, rural voters of Texas have to have someone to hate...that's anyone with a D in front of his/her name. The last Democrat to win a statewide election in this state was Ann Richards in 1994. When Trump spews his horrible hatred, that's a plus with native-born, rural Texans.
1
@ZAW
Give the man a break. Castro came to NYC to do a bunch of media interviews and TV appearances to generate buzz about his campaign exploration committee, not to abandon his Texas roots. And you can be sure that Blow picked the restaurant, not Castro.
2
@ZAW, hello, neighbor. You are right about the smart strategy for Democrats to keep in close touch with their home states, or for the DC/NYC-bound ones, with "flyover" states. Any sliver of perceived elitism is potential leverage for loss at the polls.
1
When where Americans best off economically? From the end of the second world war until the 1970's. During this period the lower, lower middle, and middle classes did best in terms of moving up the economic ladder. The poorest 5th fared best of all.
Is there a democrat who knows how to turn our economy and system back in favor of the people at the bottom and lower middle classes? I have not seen much in the way of creative thinking from either party that is truly visionary.
We need new, bold, creative, outside the box people to turn this country around and out of the hands of the rich. I don't begrudge people making money, but not at the expense of the many. How much does one person need? We desperately need today's version of F.D.R.
I'm not so sure Mr. Castro is that person and I'm not sure any other democrat is either. I know there aren't any republicans.
41
@Magan
If there were clear simple answers to addressing the current challenges they would probably be revealed.
We cannot rely on a savior.
5
@Magan
We will never know just how much Pres. Obama could have accomplished had the Republicans been willing to discuss, debate and negotiate in good faith. Instead, Mitch McConnell went on camera within minutes after Obama's first inauguration ceremony to commit his party to total obstruction, and destruction of the political process.
Neither Mr. Castro, nor any other Democratic candidate without the will-and-skill to win, will stand a chance against the remaining obstructionists in the Republican Party. It will take a superb speaker with total command of critical thinking skills to override the reptilian-minded GOPs.
1
Castro is an excellent politician. He could well be president one day. I don't think his peak has passed; I think it is ahead of him. I just feel like he still doesn't have the experience or charisma to win the White House. I think Beto is the young candidate to beat. I could see Castro as the VP candidate with someone like Biden or Sanders. If Castro wins the nomination I will vote for him happily, and not just because he is a Democrat.
9
@Max Deitenbeck
Agreed.
I have spoken about Julian as a possible part of the ticket in these comments' boxes before, often from the standpoint that turnout is still, unfortunately, far too often tribally driven (I talk a lot about the lack of African-American turnout for Hillary, as opposed to Barack, in FL, PA, NC, MI, and WI. voter suppression tactics notwithstanding), and that from that standpoint it would be good to have a Hispanic American on the ticket.
But I do think right now, Julian may need a little more seasoning to run for President. Might make a good VP pick, though, and he could gain experience there for the future.
13
@Glenn Ribotsky, more specifically, it was mostly the male tribe in those places who stayed home, the women went out and voted for HRC. Same happened right here in my precinct.
1
@Max Deitenbeck I think Julian is, in fact, running for Vice President. He cannot seriously think he can take the nomination.
He is right about one thing: if the Democratic nominee is a Texan, it will be very probable the candidate would carry Texas. But that candidate would be Beto O'Rourke - not Julian Castro.
4
Xavier Becerra! And many others as well. Julian Castro lacks the charisma and the depth of experience. Mayor of San Antonio is ceremonial at best.
16
This guy has PAC written all over him. Bernie demonstrated that a candidate with ideas and convictions doesn't need a PAC, an effect that will be greatly amplified in 2020. If you still insist on one, then you are admitting your policies are antithetical to most people's interests, and you are just a creature of corporate America.
4
Sorry. I'm sure he is a good man, but he doesn't have the star power and the gravitas to win a presidency. Both are needed in today's political climate.
Winning our highest office is largely a popularity contest. Sad but true. The successful candidate has to sell an image that the public will buy. That's the one area that Trump is good at. Unfortunately for us, the image sold was false.
Also, unfortunately for us, about 1/3 of the nation refuses to believe his falsity.
Beto O'rourke knows how to create and sell an image. He knows how to inspire, to get people to like him. He does not have the needed gavitas. Beto has a bit of a JFK spin without any wealthy dynasty attached. He is expert at using social media to get the under 40 crowd on board. I would happily vote for him if he won the nomination, but would want an older set of advisers around who can guide him.
My favorite to date is Stacey Abrams. She has the gravitas, a powerful mind, and the appearance of the mom down the street. She doesn't come across as some elitist who is constantly trying impress everyone with a massive vocabulary and paragraph long sentences.
She's a Southern black woman who would have no problem giving Trump his comeuppance in a debate. She isn't burdened with Hillary-itis. She doesn't have to worry about appearing like an out of control, angry black man.
She has to know how to campaign because she nearly won the governorship in Georgia. Interview Stacey, Mr. Blow.
279
@Bruce Rozenblit - I dunno, I just get a sense Ms. Abrams might be too busy to sit for an interview with anyone. As you imply, she needs no one's imprimatur.
6
@Bruce Rozenblit
Agreed. Stacey Abrams is young, witty, brilliant, charismatic, tough and decisive. Being Black, southern and female does not hurt either. I can see her being the democratic presidential nominee or at the very least , the Vice Presidential nominee in 2020.
39
@Bruce Rozenblit As one who followed her campaign and supported her with a few donations, I honestly don't think Stacy is ready or that she wants to run for president, at least not yet. She needs more experience, and rumor has it that she may run for senator in 2020. And, Stacey does have a few things in her background that would be used against her by the rabid Republican base, so let us keep her in Georgia for awhile longer.
17
Mr. Blow, with due respect, this is a bit like waiting for the perfect date. Such a happening seldom takes place when expected, and the person of your dreams may be the younger adolescent whom you ignored; one scenario among others to consider when in search of a revelation.
It sounds as if The National Democratic Party has too many candidates on the platform. A wit might add that it would take 3 with their attributes, to make a formidable opponent to take the presidential crown.
Earlier I remembered 'United We Stand; Divided We Fall', bringing to mind the impact, might and strength of the Party by forming a powerful coalition of liberals, moderates, progressives, conservatives and socialists.
Introduce a well-known, measured and familiar politician to the voters, where the key rests within the introduction of a new vice-president. Energetic and willing to take on extraordinary challenges.
It seems a lot of ask, but we are speaking of a President for The United States of America to take us beyond 2020, and this is not quite the same as electing a chairman for the local rotary club, distinguished as the latter might be.
We can not afford to sit on our thumbs, and let us rally together in supporting the nomination of a visionary presidency.
Thank you for writing of your cordial exchange with Julian Castro. We could use more of these in the times we are living. Let's move forward and gather the momentum needed in so doing.
10
@Miss Ley
I hope you watched the NYT Chairman and its chief White House correspondent interview Chrystia Freeland. Chrystia Freeland is Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs and the kind of person you need to lead you into the future. Chrystia is relatively new to politics but wisdom and curiosity are a powerful combination. You can't have her she is ours but I know America and there is no one that is Chrystia but there are some like her. Solon saved Athens by forgiving the debt that kept Athens best and brightest in indentured servitude.
Chrystia Freeland spent her life finding out what was going on before entering politics and America has so many brilliant young men and women who know enough to listen to the experts because Trump has taught what the world needs in the White House is someone who can listen, read, analyze and plan.
The interview; it put a smile on my face
https://timesevents.nytimes.com/Freeland
3
@Miss Ley
I like your metaphor on dating. What we have, as with Charles' interview, looks more like speed dating. I believe the Democrats "exploring" a run for POTUS should all meet frequently, out in the open, on network and cable stations, to discuss and debate the important issues BEFORE the primaries/
1
Castro would appear too young unseasoned and frankly isnot dynamic enough for my tastedI would prefer a woman to lead the ticket It's time for a female POTUS in USA and after Trump's pseudo hyper masculinity and vulgar misogyny it would be a welcome change for the nation
Warren and Harris are both very opinionated and assertive which I prefer Gillibrand in my opinion stabbed Franken in the back for political purposes and treated him like he was Harvey Weinstein Klobuchar for my tastes is to much of the traditional Clinton Democratic to motivate turnout or create much excitement or enthusiasm
A Warren Sanders ticket would be formidable I want a ticket where the nominees are articulate and combative and jab aggressively at their opponent particularly if it is Trump and are capable of "cutting off the ring" and walking Trump into a corner and landing body shots
Warren is the right age and has formidable political experience as well as academic credentials After Trump and Bush this would be welcomed
Warren would need to put her Native American issue to rest least Trump would try to mock her about it Then again she could always reply with " At least I never bragged publicly about grabbing men by their genitals"
30
@Martin
Sanders will never agree to run second to Warren...or anyone, for that matter. He and his base are confident he has front-runner, top-of-the-ticket appeal.
What Bernie and his bros and sisters will accept: his bid for the Democratic nomination with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as his VP. If both had the courage of their convictions, they'd offer their ticket as an honest bid for a third-party option. After all, they aren't Democrats, they're self-declared Democratic Socialists. And it'd be time to act on what that distinction entails.
6
@Jackie
For most of the 20th century, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez would have been considered mainstream Democrats. It wasn't until the 90's when the Clinton's took the party hard to the right.
I'm sure you'd be happy to see the Democrats splinter, but it's not going to happen. I'd much prefer to see a parliamentary system here to better reflect the granularity of voters. But it's just not going to happen in a winner take all system.
13
@Jackie -- "Sanders will never agree to run second to Warren...or anyone"
He would have agreed to be Hillary's VP.
Then he'd have been President after the crazed Republicans impeached her, as you must know they would have done.
7
I have only seen Castro on TV, where he hasn’t impressed me. Here in NH we will expect candidates to be informed, sharp and inspiring. My view is that Mr. Castro has a long way to go. But then, the Democrats are lacking in inspirational leaders in a big way.
8
@Roy -- If they have a real successor to JFK, RFK, FDR, they are hiding her light under a basket somewhere.
We are waiting. Just give it a glimmer, one good national speech, and she will take off.
5
"You can see him doing the calculations in his head, trying not to overstate a position or appear too absolute on a topic that he has not fully considered."
Haven't we had enough of those types of candidates lately? Oh, please spare me the "careful" (as opposed to caring) politician.
I used to love the Castro brothers, particularly after Julian's compelling speech at the Democratic convention in 2008. I thought the twins had an amazing American success story.
But then we got Trump, and now, Julian seems small. I hate to sound so image conscious, but to fight this man who will stop at nothing, you need someone who stops him in his tracks.
That takes a certain amount of maturity, a quick wit, a daring personality, and personal conviction so strong that he won't flinch.
How I wish running for office weren't so all consuming that as soon as people declare, folks are trying to get them out. I wish the primary and campaign cycle were shorter, so we didn't feel as if we'd been watching a 13-round prize fight.
But it is what it is. And for me, we need someone, any sex, any age, any race, any creed, who can deliver a knockout to the sitting president fairly early on.
175
@ChristineMcM
I think by jan, 2019, Trump will already have knocked himself out.
By then I suspect we'll need to stop reacting and look beyond this embarrassing debacle to look for a real leader, not one who can punch on Trump on his terms.
9
@ChristineMcM: Absolutely spot on comment. Your last paragraph speaks major volumes. I will add one more thing and it was well stated by Dave Leonhardt. " It’s the populism, stupid."
8
@ChristineMcM
"to fight this man who will stop at nothing, you need someone who stops him in his tracks."
I said it before and will keep saying it until one emerges:
We need A BRAWLER.
A mean viscous unapologetic combative in your face brawler.
This is what it will takes to annihilate CWHO.
Of those currently aspiring, none of them fits this description.
CWHO: current WH occupant
3
As a San Antonio native, I can say that I have had a good long look at both Castro brothers. Let me save Iowa the time: there is no there there. Both lack depth, are plenty craven (counter to Blow's point in the op-ed), and have ridden too long on potential. In person they are underwhelming and this will quickly be revealed once the hard look of the primaries get going. If there ever was the right moment for Julian, it went past a few years ago.
72
Just because someone wants to be President doesn't mean they should be. My impression of this young, relatively inexperienced politician is that he lacks gravitas and needs to deepen his experience, perhaps by running for Governor of Texas or Texas Attorney General.
I don't care about flash in candidate. I want solid experience and maturity of judgment. If you want a Hispanic Democrat, give a hard look at California Attorney General Xavier Becerra. He had a long, distinguished career in Congress prior to his current job and is a great Attorney General in one of the largest states in the country.
135
@tencato....maybe in our politics, being relatively young and inexperienced is now a good thing. What does gravitas and deep experience mean---being part of our big money political culture--where the mass of citizens finish last?
I don’t know much about Becerra…… he may be a good and capable guy. But maybe we need more youth and less gravitas.
Maybe being experienced in our corrupted political culture is just what we don’t need.
We need people to break away from the past and start giving political representation to the citizen majority, instead of the elite few who pull the strings of our politicians with big money donations.
11
@Meredith - My interpretation of gravitas is to come across giving confidence of the ability to be the head of this government - in other words, competence, integrity, knowledge of how government works.
3
@Matthew
I agree, Matthew.
I heard there are about at least twelve persons throwing their hat in the ring now.
I would love to see the DEMS decide on maybe three very good candidates among themselves and let those three persons debate, so the American people can decide.
The next election cycle should not be about egos, please.
Many of the persons I've read about are good in their own right but with twelve persons involved, it would become an unnecessary spectacle.
Maybe the last two standing could decide on vying for president and vice presidency, together, as a unit.
4
Dems need to nominate a westerner but Julian may be too ypung. OI think Hickenlooper may be the one.
6
@tom--Anyone west of Eastern Time Zone is a Westerner? Maybe in these skewed days. Sigh!
1
@tom - he's a great guy, Hickenlooper but he'll have a tough slog getting over his Colorado folksy character and, sadly, just the fact of his name.
1
Hispanic is on his side
One white nationalists can't abide
Inspire i think not
Not left as we've got
My bet on Sherrod will ride.
79
@Larry Eisenberg - Sherrod is great. His vocal
chords won't last.
4
@Larry Eisenberg
Amen. Ohio Native here. He’s the real deal.
5
@Larry Eisenberg
A Sherrod Brown /Stacey Abrams ticket or
A Stacey Abrams/Sherrod Brown ticket would be ideal in 2020.
2
Just a two years ago the pundits were complaining that the Democrats didn't have a strong bench of potential candidates. Now, they are complaining that there are too many.
The necessary step for 2020 is to find someone who can unite the multiple wings of the Democratic party and attract enough independents to win. Then, once the imminent threat to the nation has been resolved, we can discuss the various policies that should be implemented.
36
@John Graubard
"Then, once the imminent threat to the nation has been resolved, we can discuss the various policies that should be implemented."
How do you figure on attracting Independents without policies?
6
I take your point, John. Deep bench? Short bench? It doesn't matter; we'll still complain because a true Goldilocks bench is nothing but a mirage.
1
@John Graubard
And we still don't have a strong bench. This looks like the fiasco in the GOP that aided and abetted Trump. I hope the Democratic party is stronger and gets some of these people to stand down. The very fact that a lot of them want to be President tells me they don't have the chops to do the job.
The only people in the Dem Party that can actually manage this mess the current fool is going to leave behind are HRC and Barack Obama. And neither one of them are viable candidates.
What are the chances there is another Barack Obama waiting out there to be discovered? I'm not getting my hopes up.
2
The Democrats will not have to work hard for my vote. A pulse and a belief in democracy and the rule of law will be enough for me in 2020. And if it comes to it, I can be flexible on the pulse requirement.
"Castro is careful with his answers nearly to the point of being cagey."
Since most voters will not have an opportunity to dine with the candidates and wait until they loosen up, I hope Mr. Castro and all the other Democratic candidates leave any hint of cagey, overly calculated, focus group tested responses behind before they decide to run.
I believe most voters are looking for a human to support not a creation of political consultants.
In other words, no need to worry about table manners, or some statement you said years ago, just tell me what you really think and what you plan to do.
174
Yes, LT, and the article says, "Joaquín is a congressman in Texas who would be Julián’s campaign chairman."
NO MORE TEXAS INFLUENCE IN OUR U.S. GOVERNMENT. We have had enough of their BIG oil destruction of OUR laws and lives.
No more Floridians, either like Jeb Bush or Ric Scott who the Robber Barons installed in OUR U.S. Congress. They are democracy destroyers.
No more billionaires. They care about profit above all no matter what their supposed political affiliation is.
Time for Socially Conscious people who understand how government works - and who want it to work for 99.9% of us.
7
Julian Castro has executive experience as mayor of San Antonio, experience in Washington as a member of President Obama's cabinet. It can be said he's lacking in foreign policy and national security experience. But, the same can be said about Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. It would be interesting to see him throw his hat in the ring and put together a campaign, and see how he does.
It would also be interesting to see how America would react both positively and negatively to a Hispanic presidential candidate in 2020.
28
So many names popping up of people who are talented and dedicated, but don't have the breadth of experience with which to lead this nation, especially after Trump.
After Trump, the Democrat who wins in 2020 will be tasked with putting a nation back together from a Trump depression, all the while reconstructing and improving on the things Trump and his Koch-approved administration destroyed over four years. That president and a Democratic majority in Congress will need the fortitude to go against their instincts and habits of the last 30 years, and draw from FDR, as they replenish the depleted coffers of our Treasury. Taxes will have to be raised significantly to offset the damage of the Bush and Trump tax cuts that have fleeced a nation. That same president will also have to ensure that millennials and their successors have some kind of future with or without work, as automation becomes more and more of a norm. That same president will also have to find a way to ensure that these millennials' parents, those of us who are now in their 50's, either have a way to retire or keep working.
Trump has broken and continues to break a lot more than is discussed in the media. If too many candidates compete, we will have almost 500 candidates and a second round of voting which the superdelegates will decide. So much for reform of the DNC...
--
Things Trump Did While You Weren’t Looking
https://wp.me/p2KJ3H-2ZW
71
@Rima Regas
Seems to me that Sen. Mark Warner paired with Beto, Klobuchar or Sally Yates would be able to right the ship.
@Ken Kraemer
Mark Warner would be considered too far right of center for many.
Klobuchar is well liked and her left credentials well-established.
Sally Yates has no experience outside of DOJ. That's even less than Castro, who is too far right of center when you examine his history and record.
''I’m listening for something enlightening, something arresting, a vision and a vocabulary that will rally and inspire. It never fully manifests. '' - Same for me.
Don't get me wrong, I really like him too, but as you said as well, there are other candidates within that community that also have risen.
He seems to me that he would be more than an effective candidate (as many would be), but doesn't have the brawler in him to get there - which is what the country/world needs.
A brawler for the less well off and forgotten, let alone the earth itself, that has more than its fair share of sand kicked in its face.
93
@funkyirishman- God bless you! I’m ready for a President that speaks from his heart and has the brains and character to lead this country out of this nightmare.
8