Couldn't we have one year, just one year, when nobody is running for anything? Right now, I just don't care. I truly feel sorry for those folks in Iowa.
15
In 2004 The Daily Show ran a segment by the brilliant Stephen Colbert called "Minority Report". Colbert collected a diverse group of people all bickering about what's important to them. At the end, in a "disgust" Colbert says, "I for one, am looking forward to the Republican convention where none of these voices will be heard".
Classic and defines both the Democrats and Republicans perfectly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic-neiANx90
3
C'mon, Gail, Bernie is not too old.
Hell, Bernie is 6 years younger than I am and I would make a great candidate if I just had some name recognition. It is without a doubt I would have been a far better choice than Donald Trump and Bernie is even better than me.
Bernie is the standard bearer, the gold standard of candidates. His dyne-o-mite platform of '16 is now what all the lesser lights are shooting for and he keeps moving the bar higher and would currently be our prez if the crooked DNC had not had their establishment favorite.
Warren and Ocasio-Cortez get some of their great consumer advocate leads from him.
Love you, Gail, but you did not catch the ring on this one.
7
Gail:
You must absolutely promise no 'book tours' or anything else that will keep you out of the race! You keep me sane, and I am hanging on by my fingernails!
p.s. what about Landrieu?
13
February 2, 2018
Happy talk is all it talks - Here Comes Every man President and America is about winners so let's go for out Trumping Trump and the winner takes all in the game of Casino parties rigged or so and so that's fake talk and hey let's make for the transition for U S of A all the time for all the world to deal rightly true...true..and keep clear of chatter Facebook and the cyber thugs everywhere -except at the New York Times that's cool...
jja
1
I think that Biden can stand up to Trumps baloney
6
What shall happen is that the Electoral College's selection shall not gross me out, because the founders regarded it as a way to screen out an ignorant
angry mob.
What shall happen is that an eccentric television performer's base embarrasses the h out of everybody else.
Vlad will pick out the nut he'll be controlling.
S repeats happening.
Regretfully it happens again a la Murphy's law about the worse thing shall
happen.
Try not to believe opinion polls ... please.
1
I'll be checking out if they have any pets and what travel arrangements they make for their animal pals.
150
Brilliant column and great comments. But here's a reality check: we are still almost two years from election day and it seems rather early to be so deep in the sorting out process. It encourages diverting attention from the daily crises inflicted by the Trump Administration.
But since we are here now, my criteria for our next president are intelligence, understanding, wisdom, and embrace of the entire spectrum of Americans - "the 100%." Enough segmenting! Also, given the current political climate, they must be a Democrat. Any Democrat. My choice will be made in the primaries. As I have said elsewhere, the God of my understanding will break my hand if it ever reaches for a Republican lever in 2020.
11
Here’s my handicapping so far.
Warren? Born Senator. Oughta shaddap and get better at it.
Booker? Obama Lite.
Klobuchar? Too much of a Trimmer.
St. Bernie? No. Just no.
Harris? Maybe. No more dumbery about single-payer, please.
Biden? Maybe, but prolly not.
Howard Whoosis? Needs to do the Buffett, and figure out how to give his loot away.
Bloomberg? A better choice than Whoosis. Never gonna happen.
Gabbard? Why?
Buttigieg, Hickenlooper? Nobody named “Shicklegruber,” could ever have taken over Germany.
Brown? Maybe. His boringness is just what we could use about now.
Beto? Maybe after he actually accomplishes something. Like around 2028.
1
I'm not voting for a geezer. We need a gen X. Billionaires are out of touch. Only someone with government experience can lead our country. I only vote for people of color. I will not vote for an independent. I will only vote Democratic. We don't need another rich old white men... That's the depth of thinking that electorate brings to the voting booth. And that's our problem.
7
Funny comments about the 'wannabies'...until it stops being funny, when no real answers are available for pressing issues such as the current odious inequality a capitalistic system seems to engender. And the ongoing 'segregation in jobs and schooling, in health and housing, according to one's skin color, a remnant of slavery and the plundering of the 'native's land. I know, some of these problems may be too existential to be accepted yet in polite company. Whoever wnats to persist in becoming a candfidate for the presidency must by very ambitious...and a bit crazy too. Anything would be better than having the current brutus ignoramus in- chief, a proud racist and with xenophobe's expertise in lying whenever he opens his mouth.
4
My concern is that a state that elects an openly racist senator has so much influence in the presidential race.
8
Klobuchar/Beto
9
I wasn’t even aware that Senator Klobuchar had announced anything, no exploratory committee no happy days are here again. Clearly I can’t leave my house and attend any parties until there is a nominee in the Democratic Party. Of course then I will have to know all the independents and third party candidates. I think I’ll throw my support to the gentlemen who is a canadate from the “Damn Rent is to High Party.”
1
As long as newly elected representatives like Omar, Tlaib and Cortez keep talking it will not matter at all. Trump will win. In fact, those 3 have views so unacceptable and, yes, deplorable to at least 40% of the population. With antisemites, anti-Americans and persons advocating wealth taxes and 90% tax rate a candidate named “blank” could win. Game over. Stop saying people who worked hard and did well don’t deserve any credit. 50% of the populace pays NO income tax, the top 10% of tax payers pay near 80-90% of all the income tax. So who is not paying their “share”???
1
I am 72. I thought for a long time that it would be interesting to stay alive long enough to witness the '20 election, if only to savor the hope that Trump might be driven from office in disgrace well before that time. Now that the election is looking less like the stately progress of the electoral process and more like a circus, I no longer care.
Maybe we should just give the nomination to Amy Klobuchar and be done with it.
5
Personally I cannot wait to sign up to contribute and work against Gillibrand. A bought and paid for political hack if there ever was one. In the pocket of big pharma.
But the worst hypocrisy is her attack on Al Franken. No chance for Al to apologize, no chance for Al to make his amends, no chance for anything. Gillibrand saw her chance to destroy an enormously important asset in the fight against "little d__k Donnie" to further her own standing with a constituency that frankly finds her a light weight corporate hack.
But sooo very typical of why the Democratic party remains unable to connect with the Midwest and thus why the Midwest gets more and more "Red". We are the PC police! And any slight is meet with instant attack. While the Republicans run a Roy Moore un-apologetically. NO, I do not want us to be like them, but I am sick and tired of political hack like Gillibrand "eating our own" for their own political gain.
22
And now Gillibrand has to say she has become "woke" to the menace of the NRA when she previously campaigned as a gun rights candidate for an upstate NY House seat. God forbid she means anything she says.
10
2 ways to go about picking a Democratic candidate to beat Trump or ?? in 2020
#1 The Best candidate: Be optimistic, rational, and identify the Best-Ever candidate from the Dem pack--as we sometimes do when we are house hunting, buying a car, or deciding which boyfriend or girlfriend is the best choice. Make plus and minus lists to figure out what or who is the Best choice.
Not a good approach, because we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. That house that came out #1 on the list, that car that beat out all the others, or that potential life partner that clearly had the best attributes on paper will likely have shortcomings we didn't anticipate on the list.
Beautiful house with a view, but he plumbing is a nightmare; car with the great sound system has a defective sensor problem no mechanic can identify (speaking from experience), and that good-looking lover turns out to to have OCD. But this is because we expected perfection. Big mistake, especially when choosing politicians.
#2 The Least-Worst candidate: Treat selecting a presidential candidate like a medical diagnosis when there are too many symptoms but we can't yet identify the disease. So wait and see, then start eliminating presidential candidates as they mess up along the way or previously (e,g,, Gillibrand--out).
No need to strain and tax our brains. Let the candidates do themselves in (they surely will), and then see who is the last one standing.
Not perfect, but good enough to vote for
1
So far, none of the candidates bring up TECHNOLOGY, the latest innovations, which properly used will lower costs and benefit everyone, examples to start, medical care, no more for profit plans, one plan for all, and yes, we all be paying equitably.. This thinking is not socialism it is modern thinking. and do not forget EDUCATION with the fundamental notion to educate teachers so we all learn the proper attitude in our lives.
1
I'm looking for someone who can make government boring again. Competence > style. Call me old fashioned.
197
Please write a book ‘Voting for a Democratic Presidential Candidate In the 2020 primaries’. And it will be a NYT best seller. Add for Dummies and you will sell even more.
4
Please, Democratic Party, please don't start eating your tail yet again.
62
"If a friend asks you if Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota is too centrist, say something like, 'Well, anybody who got $17,000 in campaign contributions from her ex-boyfriends can’t be all bad.'”
Yes, definitely MUCH better than "Individual-1" whose lawyer Cohen "acted in coordination with and at the direction of Individual-1" and made payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal and “struck a blow to one of the core goals of the federal campaign finance laws: transparency.” [Quotes are from federal prosecutors from New York’s Southern District.]
3
"The rest of us are not responsible for knowing anything about John Delaney at this point."
That seems to be the NYT's attitude, as he hasn't generated any op eds. Can he be invited before Bernie gets to do another?
1
The GOP way of being the life of the party by talking presidential is to imitate Trump. This is easily done by any village idiot.
2
Before anyone hops on the wagon and says, "I would vote for any Democrat who could beat Trump," just remember that Trump was a Democrat, an Independent and a Reform until it became politically expedient for him to become a Republican. The moral to this story is that we have to really know the candidates, inside and out, before we vote. We also should not vote for any candidate who keeps switching parties as easily as a person changes socks, which shows both opportunism and a certain lack of philosophical commitment.
4
As a native of Iowa, I find it astonishing that such a small, unrepresentative state is so important in the election process. Jimmy Carter started it when he met virtually every interested voter over countless trips...and won.
There are many good people in Iowa; but any state that votes for Trump, Cruz, and Steve King deserves no rewards. What's more, many residents have taken this unique position for granted. The other day, one resident said of a potential candidate, "If he's interested, he'd better get out here soon." Give me a break!
10
The main thing is what they will try to promote. Yes, promote since no President can do any and all things by themselves. If you note trump actually has done nothing but undo things. He has no actual accomplishment other then the tax thing which any Repub would have got the OK to do. True, he has corrupted most of the cabinet and undone a lot of environmental stuff and slowed down the government, but these are not accomplishments. We need health care, infrastructure, new tax plans, education cost reduction, green energy and emphasis on climate . I think we will find almost all the Dems will agree on these things. The key is getting control of both houses as well as the President.
11
Show me the money. That is on the top of my list of how I will start vetting. I want to know where the candidates are getting their campaign funds.
10
@Homer
AMEN. And in Gillibrand's case look no further than "Big Pharma". Think she's going to help reform our broken health care system? Yes, if Congress will agree that Big Pharma gets to keep charging American's 100% more than the rest of the world pays for drugs.
6
Bravo! A pearl among pearls. Please update as things heat up. As an aside, if this piece had no other useful information - it has plenty - it would be worth reading to get a firm answer on the pronunciation of Comma-la Harris’ name. I heard 4 different people on one TV show all pronounce it differently just last night.
2
Sherrod Brown on the top of the ticket; Kamala Harris for VP. West Coast meets The Middle.
7
It can't get worse.
3
The Dems could run Donald Duck and I'd vote for him. Or Minnie Mouse. Either would be a huge improvement over the incumbent.
6
My rule is no more billionaires for President. Why?
1. They all seem to think because they made money doing one thing, they are experts in everything. A guy who figured out how to get Americans to pay $5 for a cup of coffee is not necessarily the right guy to decide how to get North Korea to disarm, or how to fix the health care system.
2. Many billionaires, like Trump, create this fictional story that they did it all themselves and become convinced that everybody can become rich if they just worked harder. They lack empathy. The billionaires who don’t feel this way, like Gates and Buffet, generally give away a lot of their money, but unfortunately don’t usually run for office.
3. Billionaires who say they are going to “run government like a business” completely miss the point that the reason we have government is to allow the most people to have the best opportunity to have the best lives they can. The objective of government is not to have the best P&L statement, or to ensure that people pay as little in taxes as possible, or to ensure that rich guys can get ever richer. When government is not meeting this objective (like now), it needs to be modified. Billionaires, like Mike Bloomberg, Trump and Schultz, don’t get this.
4. The president needs to be a leader. Many billionaires, while good at making money for themselves, are not particularly good at leading. Would you follow Donald Trump or Howard Schultz into battle? No need to answer.
427
@Jack Sonville
Best comment I've read on this piece. And there are some really good comments here. Thank you.
50
@Jack Sonville Yup, excellent comment.
For me, billionaires need not apply to be president as their first public office because what this president shows us is that the presidency (and much of national politics) is public service. It's not about molding the job to fit the talents of the rich, but about using one's talents to serve the public. Mayor Mike has shown a devotion to public service in lesser offices; whether one agrees with his politics or not, he has done his internship and proven his understanding of the job. These other guys (no gals?) are just impressed by their own backstories.
33
Dear Gail, I have been reading NYT articles of not so humorous content ;Do we really miss the Cold War?, and Trump isn't really the person running the Government and the Repubs may not be able to hide it much longer. But no comments are allowed. Unlike Groucho Marx, I seek to be a member of a club that won't have me, and your's is the only comment section that will take me. As to your subject, the last two Presidents we've elected were, initially, the longest shots in the field. One . a shining example of the best america can be. The other, not so much.
6
Ok you mentioned Iowa, so permit me to weigh in. For the next two years, these people are everywhere. The grocery store, the pharmacy, the tavern, the gas station. You can't walk anywhere without tripping over them. In my closest big city (pop. 10,000) 15 miles away, there is only one restaurant open for breakfast on Mondays; it's in the grocery store. Alas, no way for the next two years I can eat breakfast out on a Monday. By the time we elect a president, Iowans are breathing a giant sigh of relief that these people went away. If only New Hampshire could be first, but Iowa loves it because it's the only time we get any attention.
Plus, Gail, you forgot one thing. We're still in the phase where they are all apologizing for something. Not horrible like that governor guy back east somewhere, but usually stuff they said or wrote. Oh, the PC soul searching...
5
Beto is redefining talking Presidential.
The bar to hit is now Presi-dental.
11
We presently have a guy in the WH who is such a liar he can't even come clean about his tanning bed so I'd vote for any of the 22 potential candidates in the ring so far, even Romney's dog if its a Democrat.
13
I just advise what Julie Mason advises: never fall in love with a politician. Good, bad, indifferent, or whatever the heck version of crazy trump is, they will ALWAYS betray you.
They have to. It’s called bargaining, negotiating, governing. In a country where, alas, a lot of perfectly-decent and intelligent people just plain disagree with you. Whatever your views.
So if you really believe that Whoever’s going to run out and fetch Medicare for All, or sally forth and slay the mighty Illegal Immigration because you stomped your little feets, well, bless your heart.
6
"How to Talk Presidential"? Gibberish, obviously. Seems to work for Dunning-Kruger Don since something like 75% of (R)s still support him. Who are those guys??
4
Beto has “sort of gone for a walk to think about things”!
2
Thanks for the column Gail, I read everything else in this issue of the NYTs yesterday, or even last week.
1
Let’s have a column on likely GOP candidates. Has Trump made tying your dog to the roof of your car a venal sin? Does looking the other way during the birther nonsense and other racist actions disqualify you? How about lying to the UN? Or the American people? It is going to be very interesting to see if any republicans can remove the stentch of trump. Or have found a more secure way to get Russian assistance.
4
Any functional adult.
4
I have an idea. Let's all, NYT and the media especially, try to treat the Iowa primaries as what they are - a contest in a state that's mostly white, conservative, and looking for the candidate who promises the agriculture industry the most corporate welfare.
Better yet, we could ignore them. Heartland, schmeartland.
9
Don't beat up Beto, Gail. He was in the zone after all the work he did. It's too early and I agree w/most points made here by readers who say they'll pull the lever for anyone the Democrats place in order to get Trump out of the White House. That is my fervent wish. Get him and his cronies out. He's proven time and again he's no president. Nothing done at the White House in terms of any state dinners or events. The Trumps do not have the background to pull that off. And the zig-zagging of military, foreign affairs, domestic policy and the ridiculous wall are proof plenty Trump is completely out of his depth.
3
Actually, Kamala is pronounced Camel-ah. Heard her say so in an interview in which she said think of the animal, the Camel.
3
@Carl ZeitzApparently she has capitulated and Americanized the pronunciation :(.
1
at least Hoover was Secretary of Commerce. Donald's only experience with politicians was influence peddling.
9
The Republican Party has lowered the bar for running for president to the point that virtually everyone who will reach the magical age of 35 by January 20, 2021 can look at the current occupant of the White House and honestly say, "I'm better qualified than THAT." Heck, you could have been born in Canada, with a Cuban father. What IS a "natural born Citizen", anyway?
But I'm not looking for someone who can clear the Republican bar; we need someone who can turn this train wreck around, fast. And to do that, he or she has to win the general election.
Bringing working people back into the Democratic fold is essential, and for that my first choice is Sherrod Brown. Anyone who can win the very red state of Ohio must be a top choice for the Democratic nominee.
7
The only Kamala I ever knew pronounced it ka-MAL-a. So naturally I stopped reading at that point.
1
@Joe Runciter
Seriously? Do I "smell" a "millinnia" of the PC Police!
You stopped reading a Gail Collins Op-ed, because she MAY have suggested an incorrect pronunciation of Kamala?
2
Starting the next presidential campaign two years before the election is far too early. It's just a distraction from what is going on with Trump and his nest of vipers. All I have right now is a warning to Starbucks Schultz: If you run as a third party candidate and throw the election to Trump, make sure you're prepared to be a fugitive for the rest of your life.
9
I actually welcome the wide range of candidates and potential candidates we have running for the Democrats. For once, they're not all the same when it comes to issues. This offers us a choice when it comes to their positions and records on issues that matter to us. It's not hard to do some research and find out which candidates actually represent our concerns best. Is it work? Yes. Nobody said that having a say in our government had to be easy and painless.
Last time around the Democrats pushed a Corporate Democrat on us. Even though the Republicans came up with a know-nothing wildcard, enough people were put off by the Corporate Dem to get the wildcard voted in.
Trump has been a disaster, but I think that Hillary would have been worse in the long run. The middle and lower classes have been dying the death of a million cuts for decades now. Hillary would only have continued that trend, while providing a Presidency that was palatable and people would have quietly dealt with it. Trump is so grotesque that there's no disguising the fact that he's bad for the country - the people are riled up, for good reason.
So, I'll vote for a candidate who represents me and most closely matches my stand on the issues I find important. That candidate won't be a Corporate Democrat.
2
I enjoyed every word nodding in agreement . Such an uplifting take on the candidates and the important talking points . Thank you Gail on a cold day where the talking heads have gone on about Virginia your piece had us smiling and telling everyone that this was a must read for a ugly Saturday.
After reading the New York Times story about what Trump thinks . I know it’s sad but the majority of us just don’t care!. Trump is a man who puts children in cages shuts down the government ,lies continually is a traitor to American democracy what do we need to know more of? Maybe a print put of his calls to Russia and
Maybe a recording of Trump speaking Russian. What more do we care to know. Maybe the tanning issue!
Your writing captured the soul of 20/20 election the atmosphere,candidates and all that goes with this important election.
A great analysis to give us an opportunity to think about before some of us are absorbed tomorrow by the Super Bowl.
2
The fact that so many candidates are attempting to show a familiar, even intimate, side of themselves deserves scrutiny. My feeling is that a candidate must have proven restraint with a possibly intimate partner through the practice of bundling before being allowed to test the chastity, nay, the credibility, of the voting public.
How many times has the public been violated by promises & tantalizing visions of Utopian schemes before being brought down to harsh reality determined by the Puritans, plutocrats & social aristocracies.
Centrists are the board down the middle of the bed.
"We're there. We're square. We're going nowhere," they say. Let every reasonable candidate to the right or left recognize this long standing reality and declare, " I came. I saw. I did nothing. I promise the same to you, my future constituents."
This is honesty of the first order.
2
I was pleased with the way Ralph Nader exposed the evil doings of the automobile firms. I hated the way that his ego (or whatever) led him to run as an independent and that almost surely was the cause of Bush beating Gore.
Collins says everybody is angry at Schultz. But is there a way to translate that into getting him to withdraw?
People should remember that as a practical matter in this country, the choice in November is binary: who would you rather have.
Many don't do that. In 2016, many people said "Trump is a total disaster" but also "there is something about Clinton that is unattractive" and so wasted their vote on third party candidates.
4
My bar’s pretty low.
Loyal to the United States and not actively working for a hostile foreign state.
There.
11
Run a governor, Democrats. Someone with executive experience in government, and more than just two years of it. If Obama had had more (some) executive experience, he might have gotten more of what he promised accomplished.
2
Kamala is pronounced Come-a-la... (pronounce come as you usually do and then a la)
2
Ladies and gentlemen, today I announce in the (web) pages on the New York Times my candidacy for the President of the United States. After all, I read, and that by itself makes me more qualified than Trump. I will make Gail my Chief of Staff. You're welcome.
7
Conducting a conversation while having your teeth cleaned proves extraordinary communication abilities.
2
So Trump's "CON"way spokeswoman seems nervous about Booker announcing his candidacy.
She bizarrely called Booker "sexist" for running against several women who have already declared.
So why is Booker throwing his hat in the ring...
What's wrong with the female democratic candidates who already running?
1
My vote goes to whoever will be "people friendly."
2
AOC! AOC! AOC!
Laws can be changed. 29 is not too young.
Think Alexander the Great.
AOC! Alexandria the Greatest of All Time!
Um, I think that one’s actually in the Constitution. Something to do with a suspicion that somebody who hasn’t actually done anything yet would not make a real good Prez.
The first thing you should do is ask whether anyone's seen Candidate XYZ's high school or college yearbook page. Then nod wisely and walk off.
4
@LaylaS
Baby photo.
Gail : I don't think Kamala is pronounced as Comma-la. It is and should be pronounced as Kum-la, which is a very common Indian name for women. And it is derived from Kanwal , which is the name of Lotus . As you know Kamla is of Indian heritage.
My only hope is that the Candidates don’t spend all their time trying to assinate each other a la Trump.
That would make for a refreshing change of not having to listen to insults.
Oh how wonderful it would be if there were civilized debates on substantial issues.
And it would be even better if the Moderaters of the debates would make the Candidates actually answer the questions.
2
If Didius Julianus did it, so can Schultz!
"A coffee in every pod!" The Roman Emperor mentioned above, did not last long, but Hoover lasted four years.
I am of the opinion that Trump will be Trumped out by November 2020! If I am right, save this column for the Republicans when they face the same, country up for grab, issue!
3
Trump will command even more media attention than in 2016. Most moderates and most Americans, regardless of race or sex, have not cared enough about the news to pay attention to Trump's monstrocities. Most are truly at least as well off as they were when he was elected.
With dozens of Democratic candidates that they will hear almost nothing about and with the high likelihood of controversy surrounding the eventual nominee (along with 1/3 of Dems throwing a fit about it), I see Trump winning handily.
All of these random people throwing their hats into the ring is not promising for 2020. We should have started this discussion sooner and primed two or three candidates with wide appeal right after the election. And Warren is not the right answer.
1
Really great thoughts, Gail, once again. Two dozen isn't that bad. The G.O.P. had seventeen candidates. It boggles the mind why Republican primary voters nominated the worst one. For the Dems, it looks like there isn't a trump-type miscreant in the bunch, so I think that, so far, they're safe, no matter who is nominated.
But it's the millennials who are now involved in politics (they already have all the tech gear that they need and are bored, so they've turned to our electoral process, such as it is). Some get sensitive about candidate issues like relations to pharmaceutical companies. Others age. Geesh. Don't some countries have their 90 year old sages running things?
I've noticed that candidates adopt some of the strategy of the preceding president (after all, it won). One thing that voters seem to gravitate to is the entertainment factor of the candidate. They don't want anyone serious. That's how trump got in. So there will be some "entertainer Dems", who are outsiders. Fortunately Oprah is not running. Beto is an example. Hey folks, your candidate could have those nuclear launch codes. You wouldn't want Louis C.K. in that position. But I am voting for a microbrewery on every corner.
Well, it does appear that the 2020 political season is not going to be a boring one. We'll have trump's insulting tweets that his followers love (trump has transformed Christianity to the surly religion). How any opposing candidate confronts that is still unknown.
1
There are a myriad of Progressive policies that are becoming more and more the ''center'' of the Democratic party - much like the nation. (the polls say so)
All of the derive from a simple premise (that the United States was founded upon) that if you make more, then you should be paying more taxes Progressively upwards. (not less) Furthermore, we are getting away altogether from the idea of extreme wealth for any single person or family.
Taxing them a meager 2 or 3% more to contribute back to the infrastructure of society that allowed them to get rich in the first place is the LEAST that can be done. We should do more, but it as start.
The second major plank of the party is to address climate change NOW. (not somewhere down the road) We urgently need action and need to do so proactively, and not reacting.
Third is the idea of health care as a right with there being universal coverage. Medicare for all is a start, but doing away with private insurance is the goal.
All of the candidates will jockey for position on the major issues and more, and we (as Progressives) are not going to disqualify any of them. (especially based on ageism, misogyny. racism or bigotry)
The candidate that comes closest to these positions and is the most forceful and unequivocal in promoting them will garner the most votes.
The republican party is irrelevant and merely a sliver of a sliver of the minority. The United States is a truly Progressive country. (the polls show it on any issue)
3
The progressive income tax was instituted about what, 1915, and appears pretty much noplace in early America.
1
@Robert
No taxation without fair representation.
1
I think it is commendable than an openly atheistic minister can survive a heresy accusation in Canada. The Jesus legend is far more interesting from the perspective that he challenged projection of human nature onto all of nature.
1
As a really old person (almost as old as Biden and Bernie) I'm all in for a young (or younger) person. I'd even vote for AOC if I could.
but, there's a wealth of talent of the appropriate age, with Sherrod and Amy at center stage, in my opinion.
But then there's Beto. I can't help but hope he auditions. He could steal the show.
4
I think Senator Amy Klobuchar is the best candidate so far. She seems to be the among the top candidates. Hopefully the Democratic leaders will remain focused on trying to save our government from the nightmare that Trump, Ivanka, Jared, Don Jr, Stephen Miller and others have foisted on us.
7
I worry about some of the candidates, but i have a philosophical objection to the two-year process that squanders billions of dollars on rubber chicken, newspaper ads and TV commercials.
There is so much money flowing into the media-entertainment conglomerates that we're never sure if what we see is news or public relations.
Where is the Times editorial about getting the money out of politics? How can we be sure journalism is up to the level of constitutional protection we offer?
Last time, we got a lot of Trump, not much of which was exactly perspicacious.
5
The idea that Dems are wringing their hands over who can beat someone with a 37% approval rating seems significant.
6
@Stretchy Cat Person
It's normal, healthy neuroticism.
What would you prefer .... overconfidence ?
That worked well in 2016.
13
America needs a centrist at this time, not more of the fringe. It should be the mandate for each party to pick a person of the people, someone who can bring the majority of the4 Country together and it's the only way to move the Country forward. Between the fringe right wing Tea Party and now the far left taxists, the Country is heading down a steep angled slope. We need compromise and less fringe talking points. One has to look at the current situation as a science experiment gone wrong.
2
@Bill: The US needs to pull its head out of the sand about political Hilbert Space. There are many more dimensions to politics than liberal vs. conservative.
3
@Bill What do you think Hillary was? A socialist? Democrats turned away from Bernie, who had actual ideas, for Hillary, who didn’t, but came up with a few late in the game after she carefully vetted them with focus groups.
We gambled that we would get “crossover” votes. Like yours, apparently. And who did you vote for? No, don’t tell me. I know.
1
Minor tech details include: Hillary’s policies were very little different from St. Bernie’s, and she’d actually got stuff done.
3
Is the constant coverage of Trump’s every word by Fox, CNN, MSNBC about to be replaced by constant coverage of the contest for the presidential nomination? Well, wake me up after the election. I don’t have any power or money that I can use to influence the nomination but I have the advantage of living in New York where it matters not one whit who, on the national ticket, I vote for. Whoever the Democratic nominee is will win New York. I’d rather not deal with the disorganized mess that is my voting site. I save my voting for the local elections that do not seem to interest my neighbors. It doesn’t help that the current crop of potential nominees are a sorry lot with not an original thought between them. I guess that’s how you go when you’re shilling for bucks.
@jc: US politics is a charade played to and funded by billionaires.
3
Speaking of Iowans, and their "certain sense of empowerment that comes with living in the first state", a candidate could really show me something by calling that out for what it is, and damn the torpedoes. Granted, my vote is near-worthless compared to that of a subsidized-by-my-taxes-while-gubmint-intervention-hating Iowa trumpist corn farmer. All of which leads right back to those caucuses as a perfect-storm example of what's wrong with the system. I actually reconsidered after starting to type "our system". Because there ain't no "we" about it.
3
@dan: Nobody can pull the plug on the corn ethanol industry that was supposed to pave the way to cellulose ethanol fuel.
1
@Steve - ethanol from corn will be studied for a long time into the future as an example of political folly and cynical manipulation; but the root of the problem is that politics picked a molecule, and ignored chemistry.
Never let the senate "do science" ... or engineering.
The fundamental problem is that ethanol is a very difficult molecule to synthesize; any low-energy pathway requires a catalyst that can do a two-carbon rearrangement; and that's not an easy catalyst. Biology figured out how to do it with enzymes -- but they are fragile catalysts, expensive to make, and not all that good.
Secondarily evolution figured out how to make cellulose and lignin (very difficult to degrade) precisely so that that woody plants weren't instantly being digested by bacteria and yeasts.
Dimethylether, CH3-O-CH3, has exactly the same number of carbons, hydrogens, oxygens as ethanol, it's just that the oxygen is in the middle.
We have very good inorganic catalysts to make it from synthesis gas (CO and H2), anything that can burn can be turned into synthesis gas, and it is a great diesel fuel (but it handles like propane).
Zero interest from politicians about DME, maximum interest in the least economic and maximum-stupid idea ... because the whole goal was just to create an enormous tax subsidy for corn AND beef production.
"Miller's grains," the leftover from ethanol fermentation, go to feed lots. It's perfect ... for corn agribusiness.
1
The.piece just seems like it was written to so the NYT could say Bernie's to old.
I went to high school with Cory Booker, and would vote for him in a second. Think what you will about the particulars of his politics, but understand this: if all American politicians had his passion, moral compass, and authenticity, we'd be in much better shape as a country. Plus, he has charisma to spare -- he's warm and outgoing and a natural leader. A new Teddy Roosevelt -- without the imperialism!
11
@Kevin
Unfortunately, Mr. Booker is a Wall St. and PhRMA darling.
NOT GOOD.
Next !
https://newrepublic.com/minutes/139825/cory-booker-not-friend
6
More unfortunately, many Americans have become purity police.
2
And he really turned Newark around when he was mayor. NOT!
1
Best line by far: the Millenials junping up and down and whining - too true.
5
Such an incomplete listing of sore losers! Makes BP jump, and heart thump. The opinion columnist seems to be playing a dart game.
2
At this point, if you can spell hamburger--you qualify.
8
Eric Swalwell.
Nah. I looked up the word, “smug,” the other day, and his picture was next to it.
Hickenlooper and Gina Raimondo ticket
Sherrod Brown / Klobuchar 2020
8
President Trump contributed a great thing to politics. Showmanship.
So what we have in all these candidates are just rather dreary folks. If you were casting a movie you would never cast any of them. They could all receive an Oscar for being ordinary. This just shows you how boring politicians are.
1
@Michael G.
Trump contributed Extra Virgin Snake Oil to politics.
This is not "great"; this is catastrophic.
Public policy is boring by nature, but it's really important in reality.
You are aware that governing is different than a movie or a TV show, aren't you ?
Hello ??
14
Please, O Great Whoever, send us boring pols who aren’t nuts, aren’t terminal greedheads, and know what they’re doing. For entertainment, there are movies and stuff.
3
@Michael G. Showmanship? Flash and filigre signifying nothing.
3
I can't care at this stage, and will wait until those Democrats with staying power are still standing when primary season rolls around. I do know that there's no way in heck I'll color in the dot next to a Republican name on the ballot, so that knocks one possibility out of the way.
2
Comma-la Harris, Booker and all the rest save Sanders, Warren and Sherrod Brown, can't articulate any details on most of the central issues, including income inequality, which wasn't funny enough for you to mention, Gail.
This is time of serious reckoning in a Democratic Party that, in 2016, had its pants pulled down running a Corporate Democrat with nothing better to offer than they'd done in forty years.
Booker, Beto, Harris and that bunch of Corporate Democrats over at the Progressive rack trying on new duds are transparently ill-informed. They are speaking in a Bernie Sanders voice, but all we can discern is "I really have no idea what I'm talking about, I've never actually studied these issues, but I sound good, don't I?"
It's really not that funny.
For funny, keep bringing up Venezuela.
6
Gail swings for the fences and whiffs, not every column can be a homer. Remind me again, how many electoral college votes Iowa and New Hampshire have.
I read irony in her mention of Iowa and New Hampshire. You are right to point out their low number of electoral votes, so isn't that her point: The circus begins where it seems to matter least at the end of the race.
1
Nod thoughtfully or shake your head in terror? My choice will need to be ready to undo the damage our misguided excuse for a president has incurred. Both overseas and here in America.
When European leaders smile and say "Whew! The baboon is gone and a thinking human has replaced him," then we will have half of the leader we need.
Undoing trump should be the first order of business.
7
In discussing the baby boomers, born in the 1950's, you missed mentioning that there has never been a president born in that decade, and this is likely our (whoops, their) last chance!
2
Somebody please shut the barn door!
Oh, never mind, the horses are already out. And they're running around like headless chickens.
But it's endlessly fascinating to journalists. It's a horse race! Who's in the lead today? Who stumbled? Who fell?
Never mind that they're running in all directions, braying loudly about their identity politics and sniffing the air for that ever-capricious voter-preference pheromone --- it's all just so exciting!
For the herd that are already out and running, one full year ahead of primary season, I can only wish that they all break a leg. We have other work to do this year.
And I'll put my money on a candidate who has more patience.
3
I am so worn out by the current incompetent menace in the white house, that I'm too tired to get all worked up by who all is running in the Democratic race. Wake me up when we are down to one Dem candidate so I can go vote her/him.
8
I'd vote for a candidate with a flip phone.
120
@James Griffin
I have a flip phone. I leave it in the car turned off, and use it only maybe once every 3 to 6 months. I would make a mature president.
27
Flip phone for me when my new iPhone self-destructs in a couple of years, just was it was manufactured to do.
14
I love my flip phone. My children and wife make fun of me. But, of course, of course I'm 73.
20
I'll say this again: Being "best qualified" has nothing to do with winning a Presidential election. In the last 50 years, few have been truly qualified (or ready) for the job:
Current Nincompoop: not
Obama: not really
W: absolutely not
Clinton: not really
George Sr.: one trick pony (the oversold Gulf War) otherwise not
Reagan: Another nincompoop
Carter: not really (best "human" award though)
Ford: ?
Nixon: capable yes, existentially flawed
LBJ: savvy politician, lousy president
Kennedy: visionary, inspired, perhaps the best
1
Mind you, Obama and Clinton were incredibly successful in passing legislation and straightening out the economy, and LBJ got both major civil rights bills and Medicare through Congress, but hey, no real competence there.
I mean, it’s not like any of them could even give a good speech, amirite?
6
I’ve come to accept that there will never be a generation X president. Politics has pretty much come down to boomers v millennials.
1
Thank you for noticing that Gen X exists.
We are like the forgotten middle child.
I don’t know anyone who is even wondering how we will vote. We aren’t edgy or old and stubborn. We should come up with a way to describe ourselves. I’m sure you could think of something!
2
In this age of 24/7 news, the time from now to November 2020 is an eternity. Sadly, this is all about money. Candidates who are late to the dance risk lining up big donors to early announcers. We need to get money out of this process and level the playing field.
8
Perhaps the real question is who Putin believes is the strongest candidate. He will attack that candidate unmercifully through many illegal means. He will treat the weakest with kid gloves.
Let's remember that Russo-Republicans gather huge amounts of oppo research -- they know who has the best shot at winning or losing the general. Democrats should take their attacks as a signpost pointing toward our candidate most likely to win.
This time, let's not reject Democratic candidates based on Russian and Republican propaganda. Let's put party loyalty over candidate loyalty. Let's remember our favorite policies will NEVER be enacted without Democrats winning down-ballot races as well as the Presidency.
16
I'm waiting until November. A year is plenty long to narrow our choices. Meanwhile, my money is going to charity.
The TV/media/crazy focus on the presidential race has moved us away from reality.
I think a daily walk, setting aside the devices, and spending less time away from things like this (oh the irony) would be a better use of time.
Maybe we'd start noticing that climate change/global warming is real, it's here, and it's dangerous.
11
If asked what I think, I'd say that the nominee should be the person with the most integrity, honesty, intelligence, seriousness, and experience-the 5 most important qualities (of many) that Trump lacks. Age, race, gender do not matter a bit, integrity and experience matter. I like John Kerry (who knows-he may decide to run) for president, Sherrod Brown for VP. After Trump we must raise the bar, not lower it.
5
@CJ
Kerry cannot win. If we must have that type, I'd prefer Al Gore. But I'm solid on Elizabeth Warren.
This country has not yet proven that it can treat women as equals, Nancy Pelosi notwithstanding.
My fever dream: Trump/Pence out this year, President Pelosi. That would shake up the dovecotes!
11
@Susan Anderson
I have had the same fever dream about Pelosi-if only. Sadly, I feel the women candidates thus far fail to impress me-Harris has so little experience that I feel it is arrogant of her to even run. Like I said, we must raise the bar, not lower it. As far as who can win-it's too soon to say what the mood will be a year from now because anything can happen.
4
@CJ
"After Trump we must raise the bar, not lower it."
Shirley, you jest. With the possible exception of Pence, who can fairly be considered a growth on Trump's posterior, rather than a separate entity, ALL candidates exist on a higher level than Trump.
Having noted that, it is fair to point out that Trump has provided a significant service to America, by bringing his supporters out in the open, where we can identify and remember them, in a process of constructive ostracism, until we're well past the border where memories die.
1
Very useful information that I will make use of at the Super Bowl party tomorrow. Not sure about Herbert Hoover in that he did hold some political positions, even if he wasn't elected to them.
3
I'm waiting for the debates. After each candidate gives a two-minute opening, it will be time for the networks to return to their regularly scheduled programming.
4
But then why should I care? I live in Texas. We have our Primary in March - "Super Tuesday." As early as that is, historically, the party nominees have already been selected by that time. HIllary won the Super Tuesday primaries in 2008 - for the most party - but that didn't change the foreordained outcome.
For a good 85% of the population, the Presidential race is a spectator sport and gigantic fundraising event. My vote in either the presidential primary or general election has about as much efficacy as anyone's vote in the old East Germany - and that's true for the vast number of Americans.
Democrats spend a lot of time hand-wringing over Republican voter suppression efforts in "swing states." But they've never touched a system which makes most votes, at least in the presidential race, superfluous. When every race is now nationalized, that seems kind of a big deal.
7
There is no political office in the US answerable to all of its people equally.
1
@Steve Bolger A Presidency answerable to at most 15% of the American people and a U.S Senate disproportionately answerable to five states with a combined population less than the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, and a Federal judiciary answerable to no one hardly constitutes a "democracy."
1
@Gary F.S.: It astounds me that apparently nobody in US politics finds the whole system unsupportive of the legitimacy of its public policy.
1
My original plan was to sit this out until the field narrows. I’ve realized however, since I am committed to voting Blue no matter who the Democratic candidate is, the next year is when we must insure that candidate is a worthy choice.
25
I'm trying to imagine Beto O'Rourke's end of the conversation while discussing "immigration with his dental hygienist while having his teeth cleaned,"
"Awrrrr aw r-r-awwgh awgh wah agh arrgh. " Thank you, Beto. I did not know that!
13
Let us make sure to give plenty of fodder to the right to take all the D's down. I expect the NYT to work overtime ignoring the dictator in power while taking down the D's.
11
The dictatorship has been awful according to the 304,000 people who found new jobs last month. Just terrible.
Too many to count. Too many to consider. We know who the other side throws up (no pun intended, I didn't mean vomit) or should I say ...., no I won't get scatological. The best bets are Harris, Booker and Gillibrand. They come from big population, big money states. Three pick two gets you to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. NW that is, you can buy a condo at 1600 Pennsylvania SE.
3
@Paul
Amy Klobuchar is the best bet to win and to govern successfully.
5
"Virtually every president has either been a general in the military or served in some previous elective office. The exceptions were Donald Trump and Herbert Hoover."
This is true, but DJT has been a politician since the 1980's. He just didn't run, because he was focused on himself. In many ways, Trump is the ultimate politician. The media just didn't notice this. He's going to crush the Democratic field in 2020.
1
@Mark You will be surprised to learn that he won't be running in 2020. The next 2 years will be brutal for the narcissist in chief, as he is subject to oversight. When he pardons Jr he will lose more of his support. With the Senate turning Blue in 2020, he can be certain of impeachment. He loves fighting, but he is also getting old. His daily adderall sniffing isn't going to cut it (it wasn't cocaine, it was adderall). Trump won because so many Dems thought that HRC had it in the bag. We won't make that mistake again. Finally, for you bamboozled, if you want to know what Trump will do - ask yourself - 'What would Putin Do?' with apologies to my Christian friends
4
@Mark
Keep on dreaming.
2
Sadly, what is on the mind of every democrat, has little to do with policy, but a lot to do with who can go toe to toe with Trump. As he did with Hillary, all Trump will suck most of the air out of the campaign with his signature mix of insults and lies---Talking policy will not stop that giant sucking sound---so, who, on the democratic slate can develop a narrative and style that reverses that flow of air from Trump to the chosen candidate---that is who the democrats need.
18
Wait a minute..... I'm quite confused. I thought Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had already been anointed by Brooklyn and Manhattan as the Democratic candidate... did I miss something? Surely we're not going to let the Constitution stand in the way of her rightful ascension to the throne?
4
If the Dems have over 20 candidates throwing their hats into the presidential ring, so what? There could be 40 candidates vying for the lead spot as far as I am concerned. The field, no matter how large, will filter down pretty quickly, and all the media talk about overstocking an already crowded list is just hype.
This is how a democratic system is supposed to work - virtually anyone can throw his/her hat into the ring, Tweet out an announcement, even get some media time as they visit Iowa or New Hampshire (ho hum). But then the hard part comes: getting the traction needed to rise to the top.
There will be casualties, make no mistake. The drop-out rate is already beginning. Stand by to stand by.
11
If this comes up in my conversations, I say, "I might start thinking about it next year. Everything you read or hear now is meaningless noise coming from pundits who need to produce column inches to make a living, and we have too much work to do this year at the State level."
7
Eliz Warren changed her whole demeanor recently. No more combative, angry, witch appearing behavior. Now she is a soft spoken country person from Oklahoma. Changed like a chameleon. No integrity in my eyes. I believe she played American Indian at one time in her life. Outrageous, con like behavior. Please stop insulting us. Go away Ms. Warren.
1
“The exceptions were Donald Trump and Herbert Hoover. Enough said.” This is very unfair to Herbert Hoover, who despite his terrible response to the Great Depression was before his election a person of great accomplishment in mining and philanthropy who had also been a cabinet secretary and was widely respected. However, I agree with your point that we should only consider those who have held elective office, and I would add at the statewide or federal (congressional) level.
12
@Thomas McClendon Trump is often compared to a toddler. That is also unfair to toddlers.
1
I will do the research, see where each stands on a variety of issues. I will study their histories, their qualifications and their past judgments. I will investigate how they treat their employees or constituents depending on their work history. I will listen carefully to their plans for America and where they see it's place in the world. I'll weigh the pros and cons of their ability, electability and credibility. And then and only then, after exhaustive research, will I pull the lever for anyone other than Trump.
623
@Rick Gage - your comment is outstanding! A quick request and a question:
1. please keep working to convince every Democrat who believes they need to fall in love, or worship a singing voice, in order to leave their sofa on voting day to be as pragmatic as you are, and
2. do you agree that pulling the lever for anyone other than Donald Trump does need to be the Democratic candidate -because if it's a third-party candidate, that's a vote that goes straight to Trump?
122
@Rick Gage
I do hope the list is narrowed down, for my own sake as well as anyone planning to research all 2 dozen candidates. As for me, I simply can’t handle knowing as much detail about a person as we learned about our current President – and not being able to do a darned thing about it! I mean there was excessive research done on Trump. We say we care; that makes us appear educated, responsible, and moral. This is a great article and it is perfect for me. I can just take a little political bite and not get myself buried in a trench with a hostile spokesperson cramming their finger in my face while the vein in their forehead pulses as their face turns unhealthy shades of red and purple as they spit-speak through clenched teeth “WHAT AMERICA NEEDS NOW!” Poor America! Notes taken on this article and I can’t wait for the next invitation to talk “Presidential”! I am armed! “Do you think he’s too close to the pharmaceutical companies?” MAGICAL!!! I almost forgot! Regarding Beto, did anyone see his response about taking a knee during the national anthem? Also Magical!
18
@Rick Gage Rick, I fully agree with your approach to this long and growing list of more or less qualified candidates for our highest office…but being so thoughtful how would you ever consider pulling a lever for Trump? Credibility? He has none. Ability? Surviving bankruptcies with father’s cash and dirty money. Work history? Reality TV. Treatment of employees? Ask the contractors he stiffed and the students of Trump University he betrayed. Enough said…although I and others could go on and on. There is no comparison. I will pull the lever for any Democrat in 2020.
101
I hate to say it, but this situation is exactly why the Democratic Party used to have superdelegates -- to prevent a giant slate from tearing each other up so badly that the primary victor is too wounded to succeed in the general election.
Look what happened to the Republicans in 2016. And remember 2008, when superdelegates gave the nomination to Obama, though HRC actually got more primary votes, and Obama went on to win the general.
2
What happened in 2016?
Trump defeated 14 candidates, and went on to become president. What evidence he was “bloodied” by the primary? None.
Superdelegates ensured Clinton’s nomination, along with the ever-sage DNC, of course, and Obama’s endorsement. She sailed to the nomination. No blood, no victory.
There is a metaphor in the media that supposes candidates have some finite store of energy which, if expended in a primary, leaves them exhausted after nomination. The metaphor is stupid, because there is no store, much less a limited one. And it has no factual evidence in support. Otherwise, it’s completely accurate.
@James K. Lowden
NO. You are factually wrong. Superdelegates had NOTHING to do with Clinton's nomination. They only step in in case of a tie or when no one gets a majority.
She won the vast majority of PLEDGED delegates --i.e., more votes -- 3M more primary votes than Bernie.
The woman won fair and square over a male candidate -- heaven forbid you should give her credit for it.
2
We have seen that talking "presidential" had little influence on a group of gullible voters who, rather than look for the person with an agenda that included all citizens, who barked and brayed, allowed a carnival barker to take the reins of our government.
Any candidate that becomes a front runner must be willing and able to engage in gladiator blood-sport in the coliseum in order to succeed.
That is what our politics have degenerated to-blood sport, insults and blatant lies to which many voter gravitates to.
I remember the debates between Nixon and Kennedy. Civil, respectful and to the point. However, that method of debate is history and any potential candidate needs to keep that in mind.
I would prefer to have a candidate become successful in being elected to the office of president solely based on values, ethics, knowledge of the issues and truthful. Alas, that is now just a whimsical thought.
Yes, talking "presidential" would be the life of a party. But, reality dictates that no longer works. Attack, attack and take no prisoners is the game that needs to be played.
3
When I hear someone talking about the 2020 election I want to break out in song...."too soon, too soon". I don't know if there is any such song but I still want to sing it. It could be a hit. In no time it could be "too late, too late.." How about "just in time"? Uh, no, not for at least another year.
2
@mikeyh. There is a song by Kurt Weill called speak low. The chorus is Too soon, too soon. Lovely song.
3
@Carole
Carole, thanks for the info. I'm likely to be humming that tune for the next year or so.
I don't know about how Iowans feel when masses of wanna-be candidates of every party descend on them, but many of us in NH are already cringing and preparing front door signs that read: NO SOLICITING OF ANY KIND.
4
Okay, so we begin again. Since everyone I know in about 1/3 of the states (obviously more to the northeast and far west) will be voting for anyone but Trump, I was excited by and hopeful for Kamala Harris, whose book I'm reading now. Yet, my enthusiasm has already been dampened by the comments from most of these same voters, saying things like 'she can't win' and 'Do you really want to take a chance of Trump for 4 more?" Despite what she says about 'give it no mind', as she has been hearing that her whole life and look what she's been able to achieve, I know that the dark forces of racism and sexism have been let out of the barn to run free and rampant, and so we can't give people any excuse to vote for our 'so-called' president again. What about Barack Obama? Most would say that was a miracle, considering what Russia was able to accomplish by calling to people's fears and prejudices with Trump following suit. Let's just say, we had our Obama and now we must suffer the drama of the Un Obama. Just like you can't expect lightening to strike twice in the same place, we can't expect that American voters would be so wise again. For those of you who say, he was too liberal, may I remind you that he believed in the dignity of every human being made in the image of God, and humbly accepted the responsibility of taking care of the God given resources we've been blessed with. Not trashing everyone who disagrees with you and our planet too, with little respect for anyone but himself.
14
The importance of the completely imaginary personage called “God” is the most telling proof that the US is a very juvenile country.
3
In as much as I really like Gail Collins, this essay reminds me of why I wish we had a very limited election season, along with a tight spending limit and the repeal of Citizens United. Impossible I know, but I can dream.
44
Gail, thanks for the cocktail party primer. You missed one helpful thing and that is a guide to pronouncing the name of the Mayor of South Bend, Pete Buttigieg. It's pronounced "buddha-judge". And at age 36, this Millennial may be barely over the Constitutional minimum age of 35, but he has already been a graduate of Harvard, a Rhodes Scholar, intern for Ted Kennedy, youngest mayor of a mid-sized US city where he transformed that city into a national model of renewal, while mayor volunteered for and served on active duty in Afghanistan, came out as gay while running for re-election and was reelected with 80% of the vote. He already has more executive experience than the last two Presidents and most of those running for the office. Now that's a conversation starter.
26
If the field amounts to 17 contestants, each and every one of them would be better than any of the republicans vying in 2016.
25
Is Bernie a Democrat again?
Why is he included in all these discussions of possible Democratic nominees? He left the party as soon as he had used it to build his little band of Bros.
Perhaps we could get rid of one podium on the stage if the DNC required an iota of party loyalty.
22
@loiejane
It's better to run in the Democratic primary and have your voice heard and, perhaps, rejected than to be a spoiler as a third party candidate.
1
@loiejane, can you help us define a democrat. Do you have to be born one? Is it required to say on the birth certificate, this baby is a democrat?
2
The presidential primary in this country is a farce while the electoral college an anachronistic embarrassment. I won't live to see a change but perhaps a few generations from now? And how about getting serious about bringing the Constitution up-to-date?
23
It is up to date. The Founders knew well the dangers of mob democracy which is why they prevented it. The last thing America needs is NYC, Chicago & LA determining the outcome of every election.
Whoever the candidate is, you can be sure there will be a large, orchestrated smear campaign to promote fear, loathing, uncertainty and doubt.
19
With candidates like Ralph Northam, you don’t need any help from the GOP smearing or impugning their character. Their past behavior is all that’s needed to smear their records. I can’t wait to hear Comma-la complain about the war on women.
1
I'd vote for any liberal candidate who was named "Peaches"...afterall, Trump is fine with this name for his "wall" and so I suspect the Trump base would fall in line behind Candidate Peaches and not even realize the apples to oranges bait and switch.
4
I nominate Gail to deliver the response to the State of the Union.
10
Give Sherrod Brown a second, third and fourth look. You'll be impressed. I think he'll be on the ticket, one way or the other. He's everything the Democrats need to attract the majority of voters. His running mate will bring along most of the rest.
175
@Lobstershift -- I've been impressed with Senator Brown for years, and I think he'd be an excellent candidate and a wonderful President. He's Liberal, pro-Labor, squeaky-clean (by that I mean no possible scandals), and most important -- he's from Ohio, appealing to the Rust Belt. I'd like to see Kamala Harris as his running mate. She's female and black, and would appeal to those two important voting blocks. The only thing I would recommend is that Senator Brown widen his focus. He emphasizes "Dignity of Work," but should also talk about the economy, immigration and foreign affairs.
35
@connecticut yankee Yes I agree. He is a very capable and experienced person. He would be less frightening to many older voters.
21
All good candidates and I am confident that some will stand out more and eliminate the rest over time as always. Frontrunners as the saying goes, and most of the field are young enough to run in 2024 after making more of a mark.
3
Do the numbers. There are far more Democrats than there are Republicans. Only divided Democrats can defeat Democrats, not Republicans.
What is important is that after the Democratic Party finally comes up with a nominee, ALL Democrats must come together.
Or else.
42
I'm with Millennial Andy. We boomers have strutted across the stage for too long. Actually I missed booming by one year. Let us gently go into that good night. And for those who are beyond boomer hood please go away. Yes I am talking about you Joe and Bernie. I heard Cory is a big twitter fanatic; I think we've had enough of that obsession. What's with Beto? Does he really think he is presidential material (I know there is always Trump to inspire the unqualified but really...) My high school yearbook prediction was that I would be the first woman president. If called upon I will not run. Let the circus begin--although it seems way too far in the future to start raising money and campaigning now. We should be so lucky.
6
This column made me laugh out loud. Thank you for the good laughs to start the day. I have no idea from these contenders who is best. The fact there are so many suggests there aren’t any clear superstars among the Dems, which concerns me.
4
@Wendy. Don’t be too concerned. At this point in the 1992 election cycle, Bill Clinton was completely unknown, and the incumbent president enjoyed an 89% approval rating.
11
@NA
Don't forget that Ross Perot caused Clinton to be president in 1992. The final vote count was Clinton... 45 million; Bush... 39 million; Perot... 20 million. Believe me, even though Perot ran as an Independent, all of his votes were from Republicans. Where do you think Howard Schultz's votes will come from? Not from Trump!
3
I’m not so sure. I don’t think Schultz will run, finally, because he’s not quite egotistical enough to be blind to how poorly his interviews were received. But if he did, he would appeal to the neoliberal and “compassionate conservative”, people who care about social policy as long as it doesn’t cost anything. On balance that might describe more Republicans than Democrats.
1
I am just relieved that Bernie Sanders is hopefully fading into the background. I could never figure out what he did in the Senate except bring home the bacon to Vermont (sort of his job) in the form of the f-35 boondoggle and support for arms manufacturers and dairy farmers. When I went to a Sanders rally, the cheers were loudest for his idea of free college for all ( including the wealthy).
Can I put in a plug for my governor, Steve Bullock? He has dealt with some pretty crazy Trump style legislators . One , a Mr. Sales, fights hard against Medicaid expansion but wants my state to give 8 million dollars for a border wall.
And yes. I love the comments on voting. While canvassing for my Democratic Senator, I was surprised by how many people said they did not vote. I would love to see research on why some people do not vote.
20
I have a feeling Mr Trump won’t be around to contest 2020. He and his family will be guests of the USA...they have gotten away with all kinds of wheeling dealing because they had high paid lawyers and accountants working for them. But at some point, they have to be held accountable, for fleecing the US and it’s citizens, even if it was technically done on their behalf by paid lawyers. It’s not fair that rich people can get away for so many decades without being questioned just because they are rich but poor people get pulled over for driving a rusted car with an expired inspection sticker..
Chris Christie mentioned Kushner family is not exactly angelic and Kushner senior served time for which Jared urged the congress to reform federal prison laws in a bipartisan ruling.
18
@petey tonei -- If Trump or any of his family end up in jail the odds are it will be Letitia James (new AG of NY) who will put them there.
She is on their collective tails, and she can put them in jail for financial crimes, frauds, and tax-cheating that aren't Mueller's charter to investigate.
The AG office starting investigating the Trumps under Schneiderman; the civil case against 'Trump Foundation' is winding up. The question is whether that is referred for criminal prosecution (sure looks like it should be), what else investigation can dig up, and in particular whether the AG's office wants to mount a "Corrupt Organization" prosecution against the Trumps. (NY's CO statues mirror RICO.)
James has slam-dunk felony charges against Trump right now: the 430 k$ repayment to Cohen over the 130 k$ payoff to Cliffords is both money-laundering and tax fraud in NY state. She has jurisdiction (Trump's businesses and Cohens are both in NY) ... and it's probably worth an ≈ 5 year sentence.
But just indicting Trump alone is problematic -- the Supreme Court is likely to quash it (until Trump isn't president)
A CO prosecution against the Trump organization would be much harder for the Supremes to stop, and it would really drain the swamp. Even Ivanka could be vulnerable; she was a trustee in the Trump Foundation, responsible for it being used as a corrupt enterprise.
Ivanka may end up in Bedford. She won't find the cuisine, couture, or culture to her liking.
2
Just as the panic sets in and worrying about a viable democratic future turns into waves of nausea, Gail Collins makes us laugh. She’s anti-nausea medication for this hurtling, swervy, bumpy road trip this cast of hopefuls is taking us on and I appreciate the heck outta it.
24
One of the reasons the Dems lose is they are obstinate in how they choose candidates. First, they look to members of Congress who vote ideologically, rather than to governors or mayors who have to deal with real people on a daily basis. Second, they allow Iowa and New Hampshire -- states that hardly represent their base or the population of the country -- condition the rest of the race. When was the last time anyone cared who won the California primary? They need to find a rotation where different groups or heterogenous mixes of states (for example industrial + agricultural + northern + mid-western + ) have turns being first. Otherwise you get a candidate (Hillary) that most of us vote for only because she's not Dirty Don (let's face it, she won the popular vote, but didn't flip one seat in Congress) or Obama (who, because he never learned to communicate [how many years teaching in Chicago] nor to negotiate [how many years as an elected official]) succeeded only in losing both houses Congress to the Republicans. Remember the health care debacle of 2009? He and his staff took the summer off, then spent the fall negotiating against himself.
The electoral college is a vestigial organ from the 18th century, a time when wealthy white men voted after he workers had brought in the harvest (1st Tues after 1st Monday, rather than Sunday. Come on!). So is the primary system. Dems,wake up and smell the 21st century coffee!
8
Boomer winning the inheritance race being told by the gens after me they've got eight different families showering them with stuff. Put it in storage, when and if I need it. Currency doesn't seem to fit this scenario. Bonds maybe. Ripe for Russian trolling.Or newspaper ownership.
The first person with a sneer more disturbing. Giving it some thought.
We drank coffe long before Howie. Ego already nailed down.
Anyone who got one vote against Elmer Fudd Cruz.
First the Superbowl, then hammer em with abortion.
Benjamin Netanyahoo.
Pilled up Truckers for Trump, He promised them the abolition of time cards. They still believe.
Fine sound of the train whistle in the south wind, the big diesels, way off, bringing coal to my powerplant. Ten degrees warmer than I should be. Sweater and socks on the jet.
How cute blackface used to be. In hell.
Raise money for poor people, not your vanity project. That's how Trump does it.
Not even one. Yet.
The Jesus hologram gets my vote. Don't laugh. The current model has detailed instructions how to get those boomer things directed to the right actual people. They will believe.
4
The future of campaigning is T.M.I.
For the present, I refuse to be distracted from the utter necessity of removing Donald Trump from office and Mitch McConnell from outsized power. Furthermore, I won't give a hoot in hell about an election scheduled for November 2020 until at least 2020. Ms. Collins, as much as I love you (and that's a lot) you might as well be advising people to practice scales on their violin 'cause Rome is gonna burn.
17
This first qualification that must be present in any Democrat running for the presidency is honesty. (So most, if not all, Republicans are not competitive.) Next, tax returns. Then taxes (thinking of billionaires, multi-millionaires and corporations). Then healthcare coverage for millions more Americans. Then Climate Change. If a candidate passes these tests nothing else really matters. Or, Obama could run and win handily.
13
@JLM: Michelle Obama, I assume? She'd be great, but she doesn't want to...
1
All the Democrats have great ideas about how to make America work for everyone. The Republicans ran out of ideas after they slashed taxes for the rich.
17
@Ronny
Thank you for stating so clearly this important difference between the two parties.
1
Regardless of who she/he is, I'm voting for the candidate who avoids the quadrennial Iowa Circus of cotton candy hype (don't we have enough of a POTUS Circus already?) entirely and runs a Rosie Ruiz Marathon. The rest is all just noise, palaver balderdash and fake news!
2
I'm just thrilled we're talking about anyone other than Trump.
29
@Jan But... you’re talking about Trump
2
Watch your mouth about us octos, Gail. Some of us oldsters still have enough marbles to know bilge when we smell it.
Good commonsense is what we need, and Mark Twain told us years ago that it's not common.
In a nutshell, more Presidential Talk we do not need. Presidential leadership is what we need, the few among us who can speak without Twitter or teleprompters. The few who can speak the tongue of both parties.
We Minnesota Woebegoners think Amy Klobuchar might have the right stuff, boyfriends and her clumsy ad hominem questioning of a Supreme Court Justice aside.
Nobody's perfect, so lets look for the ones least imperfect.
21
@Lake Woebegoner
I thought Amy's questioning of Kavanaugh was the best of the bunch. I like her and her policies; but, she probably can't win because voters don't look at policies they vote on their gut feeling; and, that is how we got Trump.
Minnesota nice would be nice in the white house after Trump, I wish her good luck if she enters the race.
25
@Ronny So do we, Ronny. So do we. She will need more than luck! The media are vicious.
3
@Lake Woebegoner Senator Amy Klobuchar most definitely has the right stuff. And as the 27th most liberal Senator (as per George Will) she finds herself in the more leftward-leaning Democratic Party mainstream, but also within the national mainstream. I thought her questioning of now Mr. Justice Kavanaugh spot on, and while she didn't need to have an "I am Spartacus" moment, she did earn an apology from Mr. Kavanaugh for his smug replies and mistreatment of her. Trump will be flummoxed by the passive Minnesota nice exterior while her aggressive prosecutorial side shoves the proverbial knife in his groin.
8
How not to talk presidential? Like Trump.
9
When a star is born
They possess a gift or two
One of them is this
They have the power to make a wish come true
When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires will come to you
If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do
Fate is kind
Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true
abridged
Songwriters: Leigh Harline / Ned Washington
3
They could nominate a car door and I’d still prefer it over Trump
36
Provided that the Democratics yap off about raising taxes on the middle and upper class. I believe the Democrats are destined to lose again, and this is a much unkinder cut to the Democratic Party than the first loss to Trump, since we've had the advantage of seeing Trump govern (or not govern as is the case).
1
@John P.
How about if they only raise taxes on the upper, upper class? The .1%?
2
@John P.: Democrats need to talk about health care and good and affordable public education, from pre-K through college, and strong vocational education as well, for those who are not academically inclined. That will probably require higher taxes (starting with repealing the Trump tax giveaway to the rich), but if you'd have to pay for it in health insurance premiums, local school taxes and tuition, it would cost more than what you have to pay in federal taxes.
2
@Anna
That is nonsense. The only reason healthcare and education are too expensive is because we stopped spending tax dollars on them so the top 1% could get a windfall tax cut, again and again and again (Reagan, Bush and Trump). Take away that windfall, and we can once again afford to educate and care for our children.
What if I say Kamala ..is pronounced Kamo-la ?
She is young has time in her hand, I will it would be better if Senator Harris waited until 2024 , trump will be a semicolon by then.
Anyone who has potential to able to beat trump will have my support.
7
The GOP Party over the last 40 years has become antithetical to the concept of egalitarian liberal democracy; indeed its at war with the notion.
A notion we put a real face to around 1776.
A notion we've been internally conflicted about since.
I calculate about 58% of us pretty much hold to the philosophical notions of our founding.
That gives us a counter 42%.
That 42% includes those that defy the reality of evolution that suggests cooperation/empathy/sympathy were key to our survival.
Rather they hold rugged individualism and a warped version of survival of the fittest THE success factors.
These will incline us to Plutocracy.
It also includes those that carry fears, prejudices, bigotries, proclivities toward authoritarianism, hyper-theistic anti-secularism, and/or an innate distaste for facts and science.
These will incline us toward demagoguery, isolation, theocracy, regression.
The GOP owns this 42% lock, stock, and barrel.
And GOP devastatingly wins elections with that MINORITY.
How?
Well that 42% is COMMITTED to GOP winning and VOTES.
AND because the 58% will almost invariably:
eat its own.
sacrifice the big picture for narrow purity.
disenchant itself,
turn unfulfilled enthusiasm into protest vote.
be lazy lukewarm committed non-voters.
Almost worse their candidates will annoy almost EVERYONE with some drive to own identity/victimization politics!
STUPID!
Stop the drama; get seriously committed to winning. It's existentially important!
3
I think it is time that we all got the pronunciation of Kamala Harris’s name right.
Someone in the media somewhere was advised - probably by a Bengali speaker - that her name is pronounced like the punctuation mark; “comma-la”. It has practically become a meme for the pseudo-cognoscenti. (“Nudge, nudge, know how you really pronounce her name? It’s ....). In fact, only Bengali speakers pronounce it this way - a local aberration, if you will.
The correct pronunciation is in fact “Camma-la”. Her mother was from South India and therefore would have pronounced her name this way. In fact, this is a lot easier and less mysterious and exotic...sorry cognoscenti!
3
I love Gail's tongue in cheek efforts to distract us from the daily train wrecks of American politics with a touch of humor. However, there's always an element of truth here, and today she struck one that's been top of mind for me since the 2016 debates.
Gail notes "sagely say that you’re waiting until the candidates are done changing their minds before you pick a favorite." We've become too accepting of the bait and switch approach of political candidates, especially at the national level. I believe two changes would improve the transparency and accountability of the electoral process.
First, be specific. Each candidate should be required to submit a standard package of information that includes three things: a list of their top 3, 5, or 7 policy priorities, say health care, infrastructure, voters rights, for example; the programs they'd recommend to achieve those policies; and plans that describe how programs will be implemented and paid for.
Second, stay on topic. Debates should be limited to the discussion of each candidates' submitted plans. Personal attacks, whether in a debate or an advertisment, would be grounds for disqualification.
These changes are simple and give us what we need: Clarity and specificity about what each candidate stands for. Don't waste our time, insult our intelligence, or deflect attention from your own qualifications by using vague cliches and attacking others.
Stand up and be counted. Pure and easy.
5
I think Gail Collins should run for President as an anarchist. She'd be brilliant.
155
@pbehnken
or a realist!
19
@pbehnken: I'd vote for her.
9
@pbehnken I second the motion. Discussion? Not necessary.
11
Boomers consume the political landscape by sheer gravitational mass. However, the peak has already passed. Their star is somewhere between planetary nebula and white dwarf. Maybe I should say their moon is waning instead. Either way, Boomers are going to have to get used to not having things their way. They haven't grasped this concept yet.
Gen-X is an interesting case. If you don't think Gen-Xers whine about Boomers ignoring them, you've never worked for a Gen-Xer. They whine and stamp their feet plenty. They just won't whine in front of their Boomer boss. At 50-something, they're still waiting to get passed middle management. That's part of their problem.
Gen-X is the silent partner in most of the Boomers' worst mistakes but we're also talking about the generation of "Reality Bites." If you don't see what I'm saying, you should revisit the film. It's a comedy but the view from there to middle age Gen-X explains a lot.
Then you have Millennials. We're not only the largest generation right now, we're also uncharacteristically active for our age group. That's not surprising. See the comments above. Also, the Great Recession happened, climate change IS happening, and we're still just barely getting by. I'm going to die younger and live less happily thanks to previous decisions made outside of my control. Yeah, we're politically active.
The upside is we are the determining factor in the Democratic coalition now. Without Millennials, Democrats lose. Democrats better wise up.
8
As a not-so-apathetic Gen-Xer, I thank God for your generation and the next. Yes, we may get annoyed at you all not looking up from your phones. However, what we don’t know is whether you’re texting about something mundane, or planning a protest. Even if you falter, those behind you will provide a mighty push.
I’m hopeful.
5
@Andy Good for your activism and intelligence. As a young boomer screaming all the time since Reagan about the suicide of the USA its about time you all came in and took control. 38 years of destruction of US democracy and health care and climate and education and yes the republicans did plan and execute it and many are complicit by reaping small and brief financial windfalls but failing to look at the big picture of a formerly potentially good nation in serious death wish mode. I want and expect your generation to lead and just not take the lies anymore - many like me will lend our full support.
1
Hoover did have some experience before the presidency in providing relief to millions of starving people. He was revered prior to being reviled for events largely out of his control. FDR, who forced the passage of an amendment to the Constitution posthumously, did better but he did not end the Great Depression. The war managed that trick. Jackson, the populist want-to-be king, is a much better president to lump in with Trump.
4
I believe we have an extraordinary group of Democratic candidates for president. Sanders has had his chance- it’s time for him to leave the stage.
5
Running for President looks great on a resume or on your dating profile. The draw of being the most powerful human in the world is too great to resist for folks with outsized personalities or people who believe they could be the one who knows the trick to Fix the world. After Trump proved ANYONE can become president, a lot of people think, why not me?
3
One: There should be a job description in which we outline what we want our president to do for us. Who are they to tell us what we need?
Two: There should be a law against age discrimination in this country. We might add this to the list of issues to address. (Though I do admit there will always be ageists among us.)
1
Does it count that I have already - way before Gail predicted - pointed out to a savvy youngster who pays attention to the news but not 4th grade civics, that Ocasio-Cortez is not yet 35?
I can nod sagely. Yep. Gotta be 35. And a born-here citizen, so Arnold Schwarzenegger remains out of luck. As does anyone born in Hawaii, at least according to our current President. I bet that Trump can convince everyone that Ocasio-Cortez is also not a citizen. I mean, that name. Cortez. Wasn't that one of those conquistadors?
I am just looking forward to the debates, with the top 10 candidates duking it out, because that really worked well for the GOP. Onward 2020!
12
Does anyone remember when Gore Vidal said that we need to limit campaigning to 2 months before elections like the rest of the world? The 1970's or the 1980's?
Although I believe each Democratic presidential candidate has something positive to offer, what will they be like after 2 years of campaigning? And how can we foresee their ability to clean out the Pandora's Boxes this administration will leave behind?
17
@MF
Lord, how I miss Gore Vidal. His voice alone might have been enough to spare us the 2016 GOP candidate circus that climaxed with Donald Trump in the White House.
Great points, Gail. But I do need to correct you on an important matter: Kamala Harris shares her first name with a first cousin of mine, who was a major presence in my childhood. Having grown up with that name on my lips, so to speak, I am a bit sensitive to how it's (mis)pronounced. The phonetic spelling is not comma-la as you suggest, it is kuh-muh-la. The first two syllables, you guessed it, rhyme with duh. More or less.
By the way, the name means lotus, adding another element to the candidate's exotic background.
8
@ush, exactly!! Here is the sanskrit/Tamil way to pronounce it, as pure as it gets, musically speaking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzMKcy9NyI0
2
With so many Senators out here running, will there be any in the well of the Senate to conduct business?
At the moment I'm favoring governors but by January 2020 I'll probably be sick of the lot of them.
I recommend the Sieve of Eratosthenes for winnowing the field.
2
Actually , Herbert Hoover was a administrator once appointed by Woodrow Wilson , after assisting Food banks in post WW1 Europe, to the US Food administration. His situation in history forced him to be cast aside, but he was an honorable and capable man. It is an error to lump him in with the con man in chief.
13
i'm forming an exploratory committee. I have taken no money from wall street or the drug companies or the NRA (let's talk, guys). there are no embarrassing pictures in my high school yearbook. i have never been to Russia, but I've been to Oklahoma. i definitely do NOT know more than the generals. my grandparents were legal immigrants. my campaign slogan will be: MAKE AMERICA SANE AGAIN.
19
@butlerguy
I already used Make American Sane Again when I went to a Trump rally as a protester. I was not embraced with human kindness.
5
TMI about too many candidates, Gail. The Democrats (and Independents) are back where the GOP was in 2015, after 8 years with our superbly intelligent and fine 44th President shepherding the US through the thickets of global IEDs. Dozens of good women and men raring to run against America's most unfit and ignorant president. His base is still chanting "Build the Wall!" as Trump passes by them in his Caravan to Mar-a-Lago for his 19th presidential visit to Palm Beach.
The field of Democrats off and running toward Iowa and New Hampshire today is stunning in its breadth, brilliance and age-range. From the very oldest Boomers (Bloomberg, Biden) to the youngest Gen Xers (Indiana's Gov. and others), they are all vowing to take back.the White House and Oval Office (so colossally ill-used by Donald Trump).
We who have studied world and American history know that empires biblically rise and fall, no matter the tribalism within. We are now studying how this XXI Century may well be mankind's next to last on this planet.
9
@Nan Socolow Bloomberg and Biden are not Boomers - they are “Silent Generation” ~1926-1945, a cohort yet to produce a President. We skipped over them from George HW Bush, Greatest Generation (1910-1925) to Clinton, a Boomer, and Boomers ever since. Maybe this is their last chance...
@Cindy You're right,Cindy, my BAD! Did you get a load of the roaring maga-fans cheering their leader here as he went from Airport to Mar-a-Lago? Lord save us!
1
Let's all have 2020 vision and vote democratic all the way, no matter what.
24
@just Robert
Perfect!
2
Between Hoover and Trump, one of them was dispatched to Russia by his government to oversee the delivery of food aid that saved the lives of millions of people. The other one....
4
I see Kamala, Elizabeth, and Amy as the clear leaders. Teaming them together somehow instead of playing one on the other two might just make the winning team. They sparkle with all the right attributes. Who says a woman can't be POTUS?
8
Gail, did you know I'm from Canada?
Two-plus years ago I called myself American, and was happy stick my nose into heated conversations about politics, climate denial, human rights, and whether crazy people should be allowed to run for president. But things have changed. When I'm around strangers and the topic gets uncomfortable, I just say, "Did you know I'm from Canada?" Then the 'lefties' crowd in and the 'righties' back away. And the returned draft dodgers share their fond memories.
This tactic means I hear a lot about Democratic candidates, something I appreciate even though there's a swarm of them. Because I've already eliminated every single Republican.
4
Ms. Collins, it has always been this American voter's ambition to be the political life of the party and The Governor of Virginia has already been disqualified.
Earlier, 'Incorrigible' called from MD., a brilliant phoenix in the field of water engineering, she is holding the torch for Kamala Harris, and still half-asleep, I queried Pamela Harriman, the cause of my being called a dimwit. The former sounds a little too aggressive for this mild-mannered soul.
It is not too early to start learning the entries of Democrats off to seek the presidential thorny crown. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is going far. There is going to be grumbling about her last name among those who fear the Hispanics are coming to take our women away and steal our apple harvest. Fickle, you might say, but a drama series of a scandal is upon us, and I am counting my blessings that I kept my married name.
Living on the property of ancestors of the Delaneys, those of my uncle listed in the congressional records by Senator Chris Dodd, he would have been red in the face about our current state of affairs. A leg-up for John Delaney.
Close the doors, and have a forum to unify The Democratic Party. Invite some liberal Republicans to attend. Mr. Trump is resting, and would welcome a beautiful story from the New York Times. This is a challenge. 'The Old Man and The Wall' is not the right direction.
Let us show respect for our Elders, and focus on the vice-presidential post where Alexandria soars high.
2
@Miss Ley you funny missy ley!
1
There are going to be a lot of disappointed hopefuls but let's hope that their backers remain united and vote Democratic unlike the last time.
14
Someone with experience and whose history is known: A Democrat with public tax returns and a clean high school year book. It's going to take at least one term of a Democrat just to reverse all the departmental regulations that Trump's trumpets have changed to favor polluters and non-moral corporations.
But to get any real change we need not just a Democratic POTUS but a Democratic House and a Democratic Senate and as many Democratic Governors as possible.
Lots and lots of work to do before the election. Howard Dean's 50 state strategy needs to be fully implemented. In 2009 when he was replaced as Chairman of the Democratic Party, I knew the future was seriously compromised. I had hoped that Obama would be wiser than that. It was the only thing I think he did wrong: but it was a doozy. You can't really change the U.S.A. without most of the states on board. Go Dems!!!
11
@memosyne
...with a pledge from the DNC not to pick their favorite too early, and thus not arranging (rigging?) debate schedules and dollars spent with the intention of drowning out all candidates' voices before the people can decide in their primaries.
Each candidate mentioned is more qualified than the morally and intellectually bankrupt, lazy narcissist currently occupying the WH.
If we are talking about the same size field in a year, I’d be a little concerned.
But for now, let’s get better acquainted with the people who are trying out. The more choice, the better.
21
I thought from the title this would be about Donald Trump's speech patterns. Factoid: his mispronunciation of Kamela Harris' name was intentional, and malign in a racist sort of way.
But given the field, you're on to something, Gail, including how quickly the Beto phenomenon seems to have flamed out, as you so delicately put it when characterizing "maybes", "including Beto O’Rourke of Texas, whose great fame comes from losing a Senate race to Ted Cruz."
Anyone who has to roam around the country pondering such things, sounds like Jack Kerouac, not a viable candidate.
Besides, the field is too crowded and includes your assorted billionaires and wags eager to micromanage our lives while squabbling among themselves.
I'm tuning the whole thing out. Wake me up when Donald Trump starts pronouncing Harris' name correctly.
27
@ChristineMcM, ummm maybe he was confused with Prince Charles' wife Camilla's name which is originally a Swedish name, pronounced as https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ccl2rVzeC0
2
No matter which Democrat is nominated, he or she will be tasked with demonstrating to voters that Trump, the least presidential of all presidents, must be a one-term president for the good of the country. In 2016, Trump won by not talking presidential. To talk presidential, a candidate has to display knowledge of critical issues and the class and poise to present them to the people. Trump has neither knowledge nor class but that was his appeal. He was the outsider promoting a populist message that Washington was a corrupt swamp. Now that we have suffered through two years of incompetence and corruption, we need to return to talking presidential. Any of the Democrats who have tossed his or her hat into the ring can do that, and while each of them has baggage, they all look like the very picture of virtue compared to Trump. Trump will certainly retain his base which represents 1/3 of the electorate. The question is how many of the moderates who voted for Trump want a president who is presidential?
14
@nzierler
Did not Hilary Clinton talk presidential? Did she not display knowledge of critical issues?
Did not Hilary lose to the person who did not talk presidential?
3
@esp You are right about Hillary on all counts except one: Trump capitalized on voters who simply did not like Hillary, not for any other reason but her personality.
2
"Second, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is only 29. She cannot be a candidate in 2020. If somebody brings her up, you can make this point clearly but gently, and everyone who’s listening will nod wisely. You’re on your way!" Or you could just say she's not qualified. But then you could say that about all of them. And being qualified didn't help what's her name, nor hurt what's his name.
7
Rationally, having numerous Democrats who can't organize themselves behind just two candidates seems bad. But, if we look back to 2014 and all the Republicans lining up to beat Obama, it clearly did not turn out poorly for them. So, I have hope that this system won't blow up in the face of the DNC.
3
@Anthony
In the previous election, the DNC ordained and "enabled" Hillary prior to the primaries taking place. Let's hope that the DNC can remain equally supportive of ALL Democratic candidates this time around - and allow the American public to make the decisions.
3
@scm
I'm tired of hearing how Clinton didn't really run. Maybe she was the party favorite because she worked incredibly hard in between elections to help down-ballot candidates and support the party.
Why is it that the first time a woman stood toe-to-toe with the men and won, so many people insist that she didn't really win, she must somehow have cheated?
Why did so many say she was "flawed" as if the male candidates were somehow perfect? Don't tell me it was "just not this woman" -- they're doing the same thing to Warren.
Why can't people give women credit for their achievements? And why do they find a woman unacceptable as soon as she actually has a chance at the pinnacle of power?
9
I wonder how many Millenials would even recognize the name Ross Perot. Yet their seeing on in action in the person of Howard Schultz. Setting up a party splitting vote, he's maneuvering to keep Trump in office. With much more in common with Trump than Democrats, it would behoove Mr. Schultz financially to keep Trump in office. And that's who Mr. Schultz really is, a billionaire.
47
@Richard Mclaughlin, suddenly people are interested in what the millennials want or think? No fair
1
With this many candidates the tendency, to differentiate oneself, attacking other candidates has become the preferred method, especially the frontrunner. So whomever becomes the nominee will be bloodied, weaknesses exposed and vunerable. Just how Trump likes it?
7
Gail raises a critical question, not who do we like for the nomination, but how do we choose the nominee?
Third-beer factoid chatter at parties may impress some guests but it strikes me, it is not the best way to lauter the wort from the mash.
With a dozen or two qualified candidates who deserve our attention and consideration, how do we distill the brew? I suggest the 2016 Republican style primary debates were disastrous. Instead of separating the wheat from the chaff, they nominated the chaff.
So before we start forming views of candidates based upon repeated party wisdom, let's voice our concerns and ideas on how to choose the best nominee. (Easier said than done, especially since everyone in the running or contemplating running, is a genius compared to the blockhead currently occupying the White House.)
I hope the chosen debate format will not put more than four candidates at a time on a debate stage. The more the candidates, the less time they each get, the less we learn about their views, the less we learn about how they handle questions.
The more the candidates, the more potential for a circus atmosphere (the Republican's fiasco!). The more the candidates the more of an issue of how to place them on stage. The more the candidates, the more the format overshadows the debate.
We should have many debates with two or three questioners chosen for their knowledge, thoughtfulness, public respect. And no image questions.
Let's get it right. Let's get the right nominee.
48
@JABarry
Hate to say it, but this was the precise reason that Democrats used to have superdelegates. People forget that superdelegates were why Obama was nominated.
1
I’m still irritated that Iowa has such a stake in the presidential election process. Why do we allow a state that continues to re-elect Steve King any voice in this matter. I’m grumpy about this, but I still love you, Gail.
223
@RJR
"Iowa" doesn't re-elect Steve King, the 4th District does. And before casting stones, doesn't Virginia have its own problem with a certain state-wide official?
3
@RJR. The primary system absolutely has to be fixed. The notion that an unsophisticated, unproductive, non-urban, extremely white state always gets to go first is about as anti-democratic as you can get.
23
@Puny Earthling. White supremacist, Steve King aside, there is simply no rational, reasonable basis for the same state to always go first. And Iowa is far too white and rural to be representative of the nation as a whole. I understand it's good for the state economy, but it is highly undemocratic and you know it as well as I do.
27
I am very old so I would like to see a young candidate who would represent the future.There is a young aspirant who was also a Rhodes Scholar and that is Pete Buttigieg.I am partial to Rhodes Scholars as antidotes to the ignorance which has lately emanated from the Oval Office.I know that Cory Booker is also a Rhodes Scholar so for me that puts him in the running.
49
@Janet Michael
I agree with you that we need an intelligent person taking the helm, but I recall that Bill Clinton was also a Rhodes scholar - one for whom the House voted to impeach. I'd hope that we measure our future candidates according to more than that one qualification.
6
Can we look through all of their high school and college yearbooks now and get that out of the way? Might narrow the field a bit and avoid nasty headlines later. While we are at it, let’s go all the way back to grade school and see what artwork masterpieces they brought home from school and their mom taped to fridge. That might be fun and give us some insight into who they “really” are.
73
@D. L.,
Agreed, and you can bet that there are Republican operatives digging through all of that stuff already. Now that we live in a post-historical era, anything you did 50 years ago will be judged on Twitter as if you did it yesterday.
1
@D. L
Republicans ignore the fact that Trump discriminated against potential renters as did his Ku Klux Klan member father before him, that he stiffed contractors, is still participating in fraudulent businesses, and cheated on his taxes. And they fall all over condemning a guy who was stupid enough at age 25 to put a racist picture in his yearbook while ignoring the fact that until a few years ago he was a Republican. Now that he has seen the light and come over to the correct side politically do we really want to just throw him out? Republicans forgive the worst behaviors of their politicians and call for "forgiveness." Is there none of that in Democratic thought processes?
4
Too soon.
11
The world is a better place whenever Gail (aka "the Shark with a Smile") writes.
29
I heard a snippet of the Oakland / Kamala Harris roll-out. She pronounced nuclear as "nuke-ular". She's toast.
And Bernie, Joe, Hillary et al: IT'S OVER. GET OFF THE STAGE!
18
@Rabble Same pronunciation as Bush 44. aka Shrub.
3
Shades of W!!! Too funny. Presidential candidates need a modicum of education and awareness. When in doubt, look it up.
2
Time to let go of Hillary. She's not running.
2
[ ] can beat Donald Trump.
Fill in the blank.
12
@Tom Sullivan, That’s what I thought in 2015/2016. Your writing that enables complacency and we cannot afford to be complacent in 2020!!
2
I am quite impressed that Amy Klobuchar received $17 thousand dollars from past boyfriends. Thankyou for teaching me that factoid, Gail.
32
@Norman Schwartz
I have never dated Amy Klobuchar but I just might donate to her campaign if she decides to run. She is a moderate Democrat with charm, which is what this country needs.
13
Is it just me, or are others concerned that people are "campaigning" in a state that reelects Steve King? It's like having an intelligent conversation with Ann Coulter and Russ Limbaugh. Or voter suppression in Georgia and Florida.
108
New Hampshire is no better a place to pick a president than Iowa. Both are far more white, more rural, and have more guns proportionately than the rest of America.
Neither Iowa nor New Hampshire are representative of the United States.
We need regional primaries, but that would probably take a constitutional amendment.
4
I have never understood the generational labels. A boomer myself, technically, based on age, I feel more like a GenXer. I suppose it is because I was a slow maturer. My friends from high school grew up and my girlfriend and I just lived together and goofed off for ten years, not serious about anything. We got married and I went to college and everyone in school was gen X. The GenXers have grown up and my wife and I continue to goof off and not get too serious. Now, I jump up and down like a millenial, attend emo music concerts and moan about how the boomers ruined the planet . I suspect it won't be long before the millenials mature past our current state of mentality. I am glad to remain somewhat immature mentally because everyone I have ever seen grow up has become some kind of moron conservative. I'll vote for anyone but Trump. Unfortunately the adults even in the democratic party are likely to choose a candidate that doesn't upset the bosses and the owners, you know, because they are good adults as the masters have taught them. Which of course is a hint. Look for the person who most upsets those who consider themselves adults, and that is who the president should be. That is likely the person who both sees expansion of the social safety net, and more specifically expansion of medical coverage for all, and the person who looks to raise taxes on the wealthy and corporations. They will never win though, because democrats are good adults. It's just that that is who we need.
30
#1. Texas is still highly conservative and Beto did great compared to every previous Dem for years.
#2. Richard Nixon LOST for governor of California and then was elected president; that snark from you has always been a straw man.
4
@Bob Jack How does Nixon factor in to this discussion? If memory serves me he was an elected Congressman and Senator before becoming Vice President. I'm interested to understand the straw dog concept?
6
We've had a "faux" businessman as POTUS.
He's taken America on a reality show ride.
Time for a stand-up comic.
15
My money is on and going to...Kirsten Gillibrand.
1
@jahnay: After she did the dirty work for the Republicans with her treatment of Al Franken, she can forget about the male vote, and much of the female vote as well.
16
@Anna - At least Gillibrand is consistent about
sexual misconduct no matter what party.
What's Al Franken doing for you lately?
1
YOu have to lie and know nothing.
2
@bill b
That is the American Way!
The Democratic Party feels like a party, full of life and a diverse group of people. The Republican Party feels funerary. Their incumbent president is threatening to take everyone right back to a shutdown once he gets his State of the Union address delivered. Trump is not winning over any new fans and is unable to bully his way through a divided Congress. Even his usual enablers are splitting with him on foreign policy, though they are cautious not to cross any lines with him. Lame.
The potential is in these early days of the Democratic primary. Let's just withhold purity tests, go through the process, see who stands out, and then, please, above all, ultimately get behind the candidate!
663
@NM
Great comment.
38
@NM
Indeed! Especially the last sentence;
"...above all, ultimately get behind the candidate!"
One would add to that, "baggage and all."
Because whoever Democratic primary voters choose, and it may be someone who isn't even on the current list, will not be perfect.
How trivial Hillary Clinton's email and other issues seem to be next to what has occured in the last two years of Supreme Court justices, environmental regulations, the fear and loathing, and on and on and on.
Hopefully the relative handful of Democratic and left-leaning independent voters who stayed home in 2016, or voted third party, in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and other states will atone for their electoral childishness in 2020.
80
As Mark Shields pointed out on PBS NewsHour (Friday night), DJT has not had a winning month in the polls since he was elected.
48
Gail, I’ve got an idea for a new party game. Political Twister, and our fellow boomers know what I mean. Place the named and expected candidates faces on the spots, spin a dial, then twist your body and knickers into knots. Move your body, practice that yoga, get up close and personal with your friends. Drinking encouraged, but not required. What could possibly go wrong ???
Seriously.
5
I do hope the list is narrowed down, for my own sake as well as anyone planning to research all 2 dozen candidates. As for me, I simply can’t handle knowing as much detail about a person as we learned about our current President – and not being able to do a darned thing about it! I mean there was excessive research done on Trump. We say we care; that makes us appear educated, responsible, and moral. This is a great article and it is perfect for me. I can just take a little political bite and not get myself buried in a trench with a hostile spokesperson cramming their finger in my face while the vein in their forehead pulses as their face turns unhealthy shades of red and purple as they spit-speak through clenched teeth “WHAT AMERICA NEEDS NOW!” Poor America! Notes taken on this article and I can’t wait for the next invitation to talk “President”! I am armed! “Do you think he’s too close to the pharmaceutical companies?” MAGICAL!!! I almost forgot! Regarding Beto, did anyone see his response about taking a knee during the national anthem? Also Magical!
3
'First, Kamala is pronounced Comma-la.'
I guess you meant it jokingly?
It is an Indian name and it is pronounced, more or less, as it reads: Kaa maa laa.
It is a common Indian name and is pronounced somewhat differently in different parts of India, e.g., in Bengal, where I am from, it is more like: Ko (as in caw?) mo (as in mow?) laa, and so on.
6
@Dreamer, nope it is ka-ma-laa. Not long ka long ma but yes long la.
Here's the correct pronunciation
https://www.iagreetosee.com/portfolio/its-pronounced-kamala-harris/
2
Gail, I see some parallels here to your previous column on voting for Trump's worst cabinet members. I know, shame on me!
3
Better to lose a Senate race to Ted Cruz than to have to live your whole life -being- Ted Cruz. My favorite candidate at this point is ABT. Anybody But Trump. Any living and breathing human being will end up being a better president than Trump... it's almost like he's working to degrade and demean the United States. Wait - that's just what Putin wanted, isn't it. Hmmm... Since Trump has already 'declared victory and withdrawn' once, maybe he'll decide he's bored and done with being president, and decide to not run again so he can cash in big-time. Oh wait, he's already doing that now. Sorry. Well, one thing's for sure, we have about two more years of this endless campaign to... enjoy. Good for the opinion writer business, though. And you are always enjoyable, Gail, particularly when you ask the tough questions the MSM won't ask. Thanks.
26
At this point how could anyone of those running be worse than the Trump-Gang? Next thing you know, Trump will nominate El Chapo to head the DEA.
A dill pickle leading the country would be as effective, and much less dangerous than the "Stable Genius."
52
So many Democratic hats being tossed in the ring —- it’s like a Blackhawk scored a hat trick at the United Center—- well maybe not recently.
You can also pose the question: Is Gillibrand an ammoral, conniving, opportunist for throwing Al Franken under the bus?
You can know who the intelligent, righteous people are when they answer “yes, she’s absolutely horrible”.
46
@Kurt There was a great deal of online chatter and letters to the editor here in Minnesota about how Gillibrand had better not show up here to campaign. We are still very bitter about this. You should have heard the discussion at my book group! Many of us thought Al Franken would have been an excellent president, but she destroyed that possibility.
29
@Deb E
Maybe Franken should run. He may not be "pure" enough for the Senate but we have already proven that we have a very different standard for presidential candidates.
13
@loiejane and he would have a sense of humor
8
Great headline.
3
I will wait for Godot
13
@ozymandias,
We shall place beautiful flowers on your grave where the grass grows green.
3
If you can move to Iowa and also spend a lot of time in New Hampshire, what do you do for a living? You know, money? And if you do not need to work for money, you have no idea about my life and most of the other people whom you purport to 'lead'.
26
@Cody McCall To which I would add, how'bout your job in the House or the Senate?
3
@Cody McCall I disagree. Wealth does not automatically define someone as unaware and insensitive any more than poverty automatically means someone understands others in poverty. Would you like and example? How about Franklin Roosevelt?
Hey, Beto also married a woman whose father is worth only $500,000,000, not even a billionaire, so there!
That took some talent, didn't it?
3
Fortunately for all, Oprah was not mentioned in the article.
12
It's only news when someone is found NOT to be running for president.
2
We need details, will she be old enough in Jan 2025?
@Gerard
Yes. She was born in October 1989, making her 35 just before the election in 2024.
Progressives need to realize that it will take 50 years to undo all the damage that has been done by the dirty tricks gang starting with Tricky Dick. It is not a matter of winning the White House for the next term.
Is any of the Democratic candidates making this point? Is any of them saying that this is what is needed, that the war needs to be continued long after he/she is gone? I haven't seen it yet. Not even from the great Bernie Sanders who couldn't say it flat out, but mouthed abstractions about a "political revolution."
I don't really see a winner in this bunch.
3
@whaddoino I so agree with your first paragraph. The tax cuts for the wealthy, the gerrymandering, the creation of PACs (thank you so much Justice Kennedy) are all Republican initiatives and have been for a long time.
However, it's impossible to run a successful campaign only on negativity.
@whaddoino
ARE is a word
Re: "Virtually every president has either been a general in the military or served in some previous elective office. The exceptions were Donald Trump and Herbert Hoover."
Before being elected president Herbert Hoover was a United States Secretary of Commerce and Director of the Food and Drug Administration, which is to say he had held two very high-ranking government positions. Trump was never even a private in the army or a postal clerk. That's a huge distinction. And yes, Hoover was a lousy president, but he was nowhere in the same league as Trump as far as being a lousy president goes. It's absurd and disgraceful to compare the two.
35
At the risk of sounding like a misogynist, I suggest that Gail Collins obviously has a woman’s innate aptitude for making small talk easily. As a male too old for the baby boom generation, I’m referring to polite conversation about nothing important made at social gatherings.
Women are better at small talk. Older men predictably lapse into subjects like golf, fishing, gadgets and low back pain.
We steer away from the traditionally taboo subjects of religion, personal income and politics.
Admittedly, the political topic is hard to avoid these days because of Donald Trump and the Yo-Yo stock market. By now, Donald Trump’s name does not come up, unless everyone present likes him (has never happened in my circles) or hates him (a frequent occurrence).
As far as the Democratic politicians now grazing in the presidential fields for 2020, most Democrats whom I know – male and female – think we should just give them some time to maneuver.
Historically, the leading candidate who emerges will be the one who has made the fewest mistakes, rather than someone who inspires us. That’s probably not a good thing.
8
@sdw Fishing is much more enlightening than politics.
1
@mark
Agreed, Mark. And, the most enlightening fishing in fly fishing in Montana.
It's way past time to end the idiotic tradition of letting Iowa and New Hampshire have so much power in deciding candidates. This is part of the reason we get into the same grind election after election.
Wouldn't it be far more interesting to have a lottery each time to determine the order of primaries? It would take so much predictability out of the process.
18
That’s the least of our worries. Why do we use public resources for party based primaries. Why not have one primary per state and let each party pick who they want from them and people can vote for 1 and 2 so the party isn’t locked in, party leaders can see who can gather votes, might give incentive for people to vote, the convention can include platform development, and we come up with better candidates.
4
@Barbara
So much power in deciding candidates? I would remind you that Ted Cruz won the Iowa Republican caucus and Bernie Sanders tied Hillary for the Democratic. I don’t recall either Cruz or Sanders getting the nomination.
WeattheBalaitisResearchCommune always talk "presidential". We know and always tell each other that we're the greatest, smartest, best worders, best dressers, most intelligent, best golfers, have the bestest words, brew the best Kofefi, teach our students the bestest, and know more about history, security, and barrier construction than anyone else anywhere. And we're not, none of us, from Queens. So there!
Get Balanitis in 2020! (or before)
2
Often I will open several stories in different tabs, to keep them open should my time to read allow. Gail Collins's columns are always among those, but I tend to save them for last. It's like dessert; no matter how disappointed I might be with the entrees and side dishes, I know I can conclude with something sweet. Thank you.
18
In the end, of course, it will be Anybody But Donald, or Anybody But Donald and Howard (aka the Stop The Ducks movement).
4
The real action, Ms. Collins, is betting on Republicans challenging DJT for the nomination. My money’s on a certain Senator fro Utah who travels with the family pet on the roof of his car!
11
Won't that be glorious, if Gail has a reason to regularly write about Mitt again!
@jamiebaldwin. And I see the photogenic Jeff Flake in the wings....
1
This would be funny except it's deadly serious.
4
I was big on Liz Warren in 2016 before she wimped out and refused (1) to run herself, or (2) to support Bernie's candidacy. Now she's on offer, after the horse has not merely escaped the barn, but has busted the fence, trampled the tomatoes and caused a major smashup on I-95.
7
@gradyjerome: Why shouldn’t a Democrat support the Democratic candidate?
2
@gradyjerome It wouldnt have mattered if she supported Bernie. In a very large part Bernie is why we have Justice Kavanaugh on the bench and why we will be living with him there for a generation. Remember Ralph Nader and Gore? We need to pull together for whoever gets nominated, not get mad and take our ball home. Change takes time.
4
Too soon to choose? At least we can start excluding people. Let's start with some most-likely-to-succeed type who didn't sit out his high school years lurking in the stairwell playing Beck songs in parts of the country where racism was widely tolerated, and pretty much anybody might thoughtlessly trade in its symbols.
Hey, guess that would be me as well. A very large number of us, many of whom went on to become SJWs.
1
Citizens need to do their own due diligence on candidates, now more than ever.
1
Gail: How will we know when anyone is talking presidential? For the last three years has any in public office really talked presidential. is there anyone in the president's administration or either party that could? Maybe Nancy Pelosi - yeah she can do it and maybe Robert Mueller when he begins to talk. Stay tuned!
2
How about candidates who do not have a dog? Or better yet, how about candidates who drive to Canada with their dog on the roof of their car?
I believe Ms. Collins has hit on the core of the problem--far too many, starting far too early. In spite of the fact that 2020 is a life-or-death situation, we are still facing business as usual--a campaign and election season that encourages both obscene spending and mind-numbing fatigue. I'm already bored just reading this column.
Is there anyone who really looks forward to hearing about the sins, virtues, and war chests of all these folks for two years? Even candidates I adore and support 100% start to smell after that length of time.
I say just get Trump out of there and elect a moderate/liberal Democrat with a brain, some experience, no morals charges pending, and no one resembling the dreadful Trump offspring, shooting elephants, peddling perfume, and carving out a peace plan for the Middle East.
Lord deliver us.
486
The issues are hardly complex, nor are the divisions. Most of us want universal health care (including a reasonable approach to drug costs), lowered interest rates for students, and infrastructure. Dividing lines are immigration, Fossil fuels, guns, abortion, and tax credits for the rich, which includes corporations, because they'r considered people(?!). Peripheral issues, gerrymandering, lobby contributions, etc., will take back seats to elemental issues, i.e., economic and physical survival issues.
One of the hottest issues now is immigration. I'm hearing that the Dems believe in open borders, and that may be the wrong, but it's there because of democratic opposition to the wall. Immigration is a real issue and skirting that fact won't help us. Many democrats do not want open borders, as somewhat evidenced by the comments of The Times readership when the topic has been broached in this paper. This is an important issue and should be addressed. We must start offering up solutions to this problem, and we have to consider what many in this country want, not just the progressives, who appear to consider anyone migrating to this country, worthy of admission. A hot issue needing a solution. A change in the perception of Democrats advocating for open borders. Abortion will always divide us, but many anti-choice people vote democratic. And, as far as a god goes, anyone can profess some/much love, and we won't think them too much the worse for it.
2
“Pelosi is hurting our country very badly by what she's doing and ultimately, I think I've set the table very nicely."
--- Trump, this week.
As soon as the current border wall crisis is resolved, Congress
needs to look into the urgent matter of getting some full-length mirrors installed in the White House.
20
@A. Stanton
Good luck geting “first daughter” away from a mirror; Stephen Miller and Kellyanne Conway can’t be seen in one.
27
I enjoyed the article, if nothing else it gives a good insight to the process. It bit more frantic than here in the UK. UNfortunately our head of state is fixed by hereditary fiat. Our only concern at the moment is should the Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen’s consort, be driving at 97.
10
Seems a much better option than Trump.
Well, I only really care about two issues: climate change and the risk of nuclear war. But it would be nice to have an avowed atheist elected as president. Really, we atheists e.g. rational people who eschew superstition are the single most under-represented minority in American politics. Example: there are less than a dozen members of Congress who are not avowedly Christian, Jewish, Muslim or Hindu. And it's funny from a European perspective, in most of Europe any politician claiming "Jesus would want a lower tax rate" or "according to the Bible, gay marriage is wrong" would be considered barking mad. In America, that's the party that controls the White House, the Senate, and the Supreme Court.
180
@Mark Nuckols
So true! Europeans still ask me why, if we have “Separation of Church and State,” the President swears in using the Bible. I used to explain that it was just a “harmless” custom, but as “in your face” religion seems to, as you so rightly point out, be holding more and more sway over our politics, I no longer consider the constant references to God and the Lord etc. to be harmless in the least, but the slippery slope to evangelical sponsored theocracy.
63
@Mark Nuckols
"... we atheists e.g. rational people who eschew superstition are the single most under-represented minority …"
True that.
Money: in god we trust.
Pledge: one nation under god.
Oath: so help me god.
Which god? There are thousands of them.
These god references need to be removed. Or possibly replace the word 'god' with the top 10 gods currently in America: Jehovah, Yahweh, some one or all 3 of the gods in the Trinity, Allah, Yeshiva, Ganesh, …
Money: in Jehovah, Yahweh, some one or all 3 of the gods in the Trinity, Allah, Yeshiva, Ganesh we trust
Pledge: one nation under Jehovah, Yahweh, some one or all 3 of the gods in the Trinity, Allah, Yeshiva, Ganesh.
Oath: so help me Jehovah, Yahweh, some one or all 3 of the gods in the Trinity, Allah, Yeshiva, Ganesh
10
I'll favor the candidate who has the best chance to beat Trump, govern effectively, AND carry along the maximum number of Dems down the ballot. We need a Democratic House and Senate, the latter ideally with 60 Dems to minimize filibusters.
(Given a chance, Mitch will obstruct just like he did with Obama. If needed, perhaps Senate rules could stipulate that filibustering Senators have to hold the floor for 24-48 hours, or the threshold could be reduced to 55 votes.)
Since federal redistricting in most states still depends on who controls state legislatures, it's also imperative to carry as many of those as possible. Democratic governorships don't matter for redistricting, but they are still crucial for state governance.
15
@Michael Tyndall
While the ability to beat Trump may be commendable is it really the best criteria for selecting a candidate? How about competence? Or experience? Then again, maybe those never really counted, so forget it. How about what they stand for and tell you. Oops I can't think of any candidate who ever fulfilled promises...and when they failed they usually blamed someone else. LBJ, Nixon, Carter, Clinton and Obama were famous for it. Anyway, my guess is that Trump will eat himself to death before 2020.
1
@Mark Shyres
Please re-read my comment. Beating Trump was the first of three important criteria. Governing effectively was the second listed, but it's at least as important.
4
I think a National Primary Day is in order.
I'm a bit tired of the outsize influence Iowa has on the candidate selection process. Iowans appear so self-involved that their preference for a candidate seems to depend less on policy positions than on whether the candidate showed up to shake their hand.
No one campaigns in New York because they know it'll go Democratic no matter who the candidate is. Yet I can still make what I hope is an informed decision even if I haven't met any of the candidates.
But if all the primaries were held on the same day then everyone gets an equal voice and candidates become battle-hardened from the national primary campaign. I don't care what the Republicans do but Democrats should consider it.
30
While there are a number of candidates ,along with possible candidates I don't support upfront, I'm waiting for the debates before making any decisions.
1
@Debbie
The debates are a waste of time. They are poorly organized, filled with partisan supporters who applaud anything their candidate says and vanity positions for the moderators. No real debate takes place, just silly posturing and empty answers.
8
It will be a feeding frenzy for the chair behind the Resolute Desk. The pure God-Awfulness of Trump creates an Everest-in Kansas phenomenon. Even the guy bagging your groceries is a better choice.
Should be very interesting to see how this shakes out. A true progressive ticket is finally possible.
23
As interesting as any issue is whether Trump will face a primary challenge.
8
@michjas wouldn't it be awesome to see a similar lineup on the Republican side?
5
I'm hoping some of the Democrats who have weighed in will stop and consider what's on the line. Well meaning as you are and with your good ideas, consider how important it is now to outmaneuver Republicans and get legislation passed that protects the country. The fight is in the trenches and much is at stake. Out of the field at most only 3 candidates are viable to win. And once a Democrat wins, you can take a Cabinet position, prove your experience and leadership and launch a run for another time. The nation is desperate for a proven and ethical leader to run government. Please don't screw this up.
95
@Ann
The rest of the world is desperate for this, too. Let's all cross everything we've got two of, and hope the opposition doesn't score any own-goals!
23
@Ann
That's why I'll never forgive Bernie, just like I actively dislike Nader. I have no patience for egotistical men (or women!) who can't put aside their own hubris for the good of the team.
Nader got us Bush; Bernie got us this lout in the White House.
I worry that the same darn thing is going to happen again.
8
The first candidate who pledges to raise taxes not for universal pre-k or free college tuition but to fund a Manhattan-style project to get us off fossil fuels yesterday (or sooner) has my vote. To date it has been an utter non-starter.
53
Amy Klobuchar.
Her state borders Iowa. She is competent and professional. Her composure in the face of a raging Kavanaugh was most impressive.
I reserve the right to fall for someone else. (Klobuchar for V.P.)
150
@tomreel Am heartened to see so many of us pushing for Amy Klobuchar here. George Will, who I don't often agree with, wrote a wonderful column in the WaPo this week singing her praises. Fingers crossed!
8
Do Dems go for the candidate whose policies they like, or the one who can sell them the best?
The situation late next(!) year will be the dark side of the moon, as the Carvillesque campaign manager in Joe Klein's Primary Colors would say. The GOP candidate could be anybody from a vindicated Donald Trump to a reluctant survivor of a Trump-GOP implosion.
We do know two things. The GOP is likely to call whoever is the Democratic nominee a dangerous leftist with socialist ideas, so pearl-clutching calls for a "moderate" are nonsensical. And the U.S. is going to need truth and reconciliation post-Donald Trump, whenever and however he leaves the scene.
Running on truth/facts and competence offers a dramatic contrast to Mr. Trump (if any set of circumstances produces a different GOP nominee, add 'reconciliation' to 'truth').
Any time the Republicans try to frame the opposition with their old favorites "identity politics", "creeping socialism" and such, the Dems should fight back as "the party of truth".
47
@Grennan OMG! Someone put this person on the Dem payroll! Messaging, people. We need a Frank Lutz (only not mean). Love the phrase “pearl-clutching” - that’s it, isn’t it? You could be Obama (nice guy, but a Republican in the mold of Eisenhower, also a nice guy) but we need FDR and left. Nobody lives in the middle. Just stake a claim: you care about people (D) or you don’t (R).
3
Adam Schiff is one of the most thoughtful and intelligent men in govt. He and Senator Amy K would make a fine team! Actually, I hope Amy stays in the Senate and becomes the lioness.
78
Schiff won’t run because he knows that you have to be a woman or person of color to gain traction in the Democratic field. (Or simply nuts: Bernie).
A white male in today’s Democratic Party? The party of AOC & Co won’t allow it.
1
@David G.
I'm sure from your comment that you are one of those open-minded welcoming MAGA hat wearers that Laura Ingraham of FOX calls the truly loving sharing Americans! As for Bernie, check out his history. He started as the mayor of Burlington, VT, at the time an aging and declining city which he helped to revitalize. When we visited it a couple of years ago it was booming. Then he became governor. Vermont is one of the states that is still growing fast, has excellent universities and medical facilities to say nothing of vibrant resorts.
4
Should Democrats look for and run a popular progressive candidate whose background might include a few bankruptcies, a few ex-spouses, and cheesy reality t.v. show experience. Hey, it just might work.
13
The last famous guy who went for a walk to think about things was Jesus. Perhaps when Beto returns he, too, will be able to perform miracles- like walking on water, feeding endless loaves of bread to the multitudes or turning Texas a deep shade of blue by getting Gov. Abbott to rise from his wheelchair. For Beto-fanatics the sky's the limit.
13
You should include W in with Trump and Hoover as having held no substantial public office. Governor in Texas is not a substantial job; the Lieutenant Governor and The Lobby run the show. It must not be substantial as getting the job only entails name recognition and insider gigs Dad's friends got you so they could pay your way and you'd look like you had accomplished something besides not showing up for muster at your arranged Air Reserve unit.
48
SIGH.
Although we all pretend that policy promises and strategy are important, here are the actual winning qualities for a Democrat:
- 6/10 attractiveness
- Young-ish (Gen X = good)
- Sort of cool but not too cool because then older generations wouldn't believe and/or trust them (and wouldn't vote for them)
- Knowledgeable but not professor-like (because having an education "is elitist" in America)
- Not very excitable but can be at times
- Publicly opinionated but yields to older/wiser consultants behind the scenes
We live in a age where B-grade television personalities are elected President, so let's not overthink this thing.
24
@Will
Not just B-grade TV personalities but also B-movie actors. Remember Ronnie?
10
Whichever Democrat wins the 2020 primary process with the nomination will have a great chance to be President.
One advantage the Democratic party has over Republicans is that it has good public policy ideas that are actually connected to reality and good for society...things like affordable healthcare, actual infrastructure, progressive taxation, campaign corruption reform, regulation of corporate and Wall St. psychopaths, gun control, worker rights, voting rights, science, contraception, math, facts, protecting the environment and evidence.
Republicans of course hold their own advantages...white supremacy, white spite, cognitive dissonance, fear, loathing and the best packaged lies since George Orwell graced us with “War is peace...freedom is slavery...and... ignorance is strength.”
The Democrats have the policy edge, but of course the right candidate makes all the difference in the world.
I have one point of inspiration for the 2020 Democratic nominee; if you and the American voters can't beat the Black-Hole-In-Chief who said this, well then let's all 325 million of us file for bankruptcy together:
“I lost massive amounts of money doing this job. This is not the money. This (i.e., the Presidency) is one of the great losers of all time. You know, fortunately, I don’t need money. This is one of the great losers of all time. But they’ll say that somebody from some country stayed at a hotel. And I’ll say, ‘Yeah.’ But I lose, I mean, the numbers are incredible.”
HELP !!!
538
@Socrates
Or this. D. Trump, July 25, 2018:
“We agreed to join forces to protect American and European companies from better and really better than ever we’ve never done like we’re doing I can say from the standpoint of the United States we’ve never done this well but we’re going to do a lot better after we do this deal and other deals that we’re currently working on. Likewise, the European Union is going to do better, stronger, bigger.”
31
One other advantage that the Democratic Party has over Republicans is that the Republican candidate has a 37% national approval rating ?
18
@Socrates
“Whichever Democrat wins the 2020 primary process with the nomination will have a great chance to be President.”
That is exactly what the last democrat primary winner thought in 2016.
17
I appreciate your coaching. Your humor will make the coming life in America digestible. It is still too early but I am concerned that some very brilliant, high energy leaders want to leave the Senate where they are sorely needed as we move through the final years of the Trump Senate.
Just think about their on-camera behavior should we move to an impeachment trial. A Senator has the capability to speak as many times as desired on just about any topic, on- camera.
I conclude that It is extremely difficult for the non-Senate candidates to get their views of record. Non-Senators will have to be a little crazy and pretty rich to attract free TV coverage. Just think what CNN did for Donald Trump and the TRUMP logo on the side of the 747 was brilliant.
As you know, historically, the media defines the issues and has the capability to create a persona for the candidate. So, it will be tough for non-Senators or candidates who have never been in the Senate to gain recognition.
It can be done, former governor, Jimmy Carter demonstrated that with grit, authenticity, a lot of time in Iowa and New Hampshire, you can be successful on a low budget.
Ronald and Nancy Reagan were naturals in the looks department, they were very photogenic. I still remember his stepping off an aircraft with his riding boots and jodhpurs looking as if he had just stepped off a 1930's Hollywood set -- so charisma and props are also important.
But the campaign will not start until Joe Biden announces.
11
As a former Air Force meteorologist, I accept the scientific validation that Global Warming is a serious global threat. As a life long American, i consider massive resource inequality to be an even bigger threat to our National unity. I see Republican policies as intentionally increasing our inequality. Who needs infrastructure if you have a fleet of private jetliners, no use for public schools, and live in gated communities? I regard the GOP as evil. I believe Joe Biden would have won easily in 2016, and can win in 2020. Let’s not have any fringe Nader-like rivals.
92
@JSK
Now Biden would not have "won easily" after the Republicans were done savaging him and Putin had sabotaged his campaign to help Trump.
Every candidate looks new and shiny and undented BEFORE they step into the race. After campaigning, they don't look so pretty. Biden has very serious weaknesses in history.
5
Too much choice! It's like going into a department store where there are racks and racks of great looking clothing and trying to make a decision about which outfit you want to even try on. We need to sort this before next year. I can't even imagine a debate amongst two dozen wannabe presidential candidates. My head would explode. I suggest we have a swimsuit competition and ask profound questions like: "what is your favorite season and why" surely all candidates would be able to make a committed definitive answer to that question. Scrub that - I can hear some of them saying: "well each season has its good points and bad points so I like them all equally."
Looks as though Biden, Bloomberg, and Sanders have becoming president on their respective bucket lists. Will one of them be able to check that square? Or will the feisty Elizabeth Warren steal their thunder? Or will O’Rourke dazzle with his clean teeth? Or will one of the Gen-Xers receive recognition at long last? Too much choice! It makes my head hurt.
Please narrow the playing field Democrats well before 2020. The upcoming election is far too important. We need solidarity not chaos.
Hopefully there WILL be a 2020 election and we will still be standing as a country. Today we just re-entered the twilight zone of a nuclear arms race once again, and all bets are off, as the Doomsday Clock ticked ever closer to midnight after Pompeo's announcement that we were withdrawing from the INF treaty with Russia. Scared.
42
@Diana - I would suggest a written test on the constitution and complete transparency on tax history - just narrow the field in the light of recent experience!!
18
@Diana
Too many egos in the same room. No real discipline. Makes me worry, considering the hard-core, Nazi-esque commitment I'm already seeing: [That Person] 2020 is all over bumper stickers from all over the country here in the Sunshine State.
And, I've been a regular at Starbucks for a while, but after its CEO started to mouth off, I've discovered several absolutely excellent local coffee shops in my area. We are in a life-or-death struggle for the future of our country, and I'm not interested in listening to the posturings of another CEO. I'd suggest a nation-wide boycott of Starbucks until he shuts up; there are terrific coffee shops all over the place that aren't Starbucks!
3
Biden: Uncle Joe
Sanders: Needs a haircut
Harris: Tough on crime
O'Rourke: Over rated
Warren: Prairie populist professor
Booker: Glib
Gillibrand: Ice queen
Brown: Rumpled
25
@Schrodinger Two words: Hakeem Jeffries.
2
@Schrodinger,
No mention of Ocasio-Cortez. There are few Americans who have not heard of this fire bird and hoping she continues to soar.
1
@Miss Ley
The column reminded us that she’s only 29, so can’t run.
5
Wasn’t it easier when the political party’s machine would tell us which candidates made the cut?
Like every thing else in America there’s too many choices.
15
@Michael Piscopiello
Agree with you.
When there are too many candidates then a return to the smoke filled room is the only way to sort it all out.
Give the political experts the chance to exercise their knowledge and skills.
3
@Michael Piscopiello
"Wasn’t it easier when the political party’s machine would tell us which candidates made the cut?"
---------------------------------------------------------
You mean like when the Democratic National Committee--the party's machine--decided to run Hillary instead of Bernie? I think to this day that Bernie could have beat Trump.
1
@Michael Piscopiello,
It is reminiscent of when the Nation was presented with a crocodile raft of republican choices starting with Cruz.
Wow! So many great candidates! To show that Gail's efforts over the years to keep us well informed have not been in vain, after viewing comments on Senator Booker's announcement that he is running, I have done some research. "The American Dream Deferred," a Brookings essay by the Senator published in July 2018 is an excellent introduction to his views on current issues that I highly recommend. It's far too long for DJT to read, but shorter than a whole book!
30
Face it, 2020 is going to be very confusing.
There are several primaries that happen before the voting begins, however. These are very important events and, in fact, in the old days (10 to 12 yrs. ago) they used to be close to decisive in who would get the nomination.
Most important: who wins the money primary. Which two or three top candidates get enough money early on to scare a lot of the others away? The early running tends to be all about who can appear to have a chance of winning and therefore those candidates will draw the most donations early on. The warning: a lot of money doesn't guarantee winning, but without cash candidates fizzle out like a 4th of July bottle rocket, gone before you know it.
Who will win the "media primary"? These are the candidates, because people think they have a good chance, are given...a good chance...by the media with over coverage. Right now, Kalama Harris has the lead there. She is so far out in front that it seems no exaggeration to say. "Corey Who?". Liz Warren fits in the sample of an early media favorite and if Beto gets in, and skillfully rolls out his candidacy, he too could vault to the top of the media primary.
As for policies and ideas, well, 2016 demonstrated that good, well thoughtout plans don't win much. Shouting something simple, even dumb, can get millions of people riled up and ready to vote for you. The Democrats have almost nothing new in the idea department, so any strong, clear plan could make a huge difference.
9
@Doug Terry....There's a lot of new ideas emerging on the left. Wealth taxes, green new deal and anti-poverty proposals like rental assistance for example. Also the 70% tax bracket.
35
@Schrodinger
Ideas are all very well, but unfortunately they are worth little without the language to go with them. The GOP is brilliant at selling lousy policies with catchy words, but I don't think the Dems have had comparable wordsmithing skills since FDR.
One suggestion: a transaction tax of maybe 0.2% on all stock trades. It would raise lots of money and be difficult to evade. But how to sell it? Just call it a sales tax, something we are all familiar with. And don't we just wish it were only 0.2%?
Another idea: on health care, the case for universal coverage can be made in terms of Freedom.
Freedom from medical bankruptcy.
Freedom for workers to keep their health care of they lose their jobs, or to change jobs without losing it.
Freedom for employers large and small to go about their real business without having to worry about health care.
The Republicans claim to be the party of freedom. A Democratic candidate who can take that away from them will win hands down.
67
@mancuroc - one of the best 'selfish' reasons for strong public services is that the crime rate drops . In Uk our crime rate was the lowest it has ever been when the Conservatives got back in in 2010. Yet again their ideological belief in 'Austerity' has resulted - again- in a rise in the crime rate.
If any civilised country supports its vulnerable people it is better for everyone.
13
In the debate about whether executive experience is necessary, please remember Washington Governor Jay Inslee has announced his candidacy as well.
He has presided over a wealthy, diverse state and is promising to be the Climate Change candidate, and that gets my vote.
We can debate treaties and trade and economics till forever, but the planet isn't going to be talked out of being choked to death in our waste. So far, only Inslee gives this topic the primacy it deserves.
29
Not so sure about Inslee. He seems to throw the average consumer undrr the bus with weak regulation and supports regressive tax and other policies that favor the rich and hurt the poor. He also allows the few people of color, the less well off, and the homeless to be treated like fifth class citizens. So, yes, I applaud his focus on the environment/ climate change, but he is woefully unfit for the Presidency. He is progressive on one topic in a largely faux progressive state
3
@Ella. I live in a Seattle suburb and Inslee would be a great president. But, he is largely unknown Nationally.
5
@Buddy -- Who are the 3rd and 4th class citizens?
We have never worried about how old Supreme Court justcies might be before they retire or die. Why should we worry about that for presidents? In fact, presidents have vice presidents backing them up who were elected with them or appointed by them under the 25th amendment. Speaker Pelosi is 78 and is second in line for the presidency. I don't worry about that at all. In fact I would rather have her than the barely boomer Trump or the sycophant Pence.
114
@James Ricciardi
Third in line. Pence is second.
2
@TJ
Beg to quibble. Pence is first in line, so Pelosi would be second. Trump is already President ( ugh) so he's not "in line."
17
@TJ - the Orange is not in line. He is the current occupant. That makes Mr. Expressionless first in line and Ms. I-have-a-brain-and-know-how-to-use-it second.
16
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Gail, for your guide to talking about the 2020 candidates, Democratic side. My whole, largish family is very politically aware, and I have a position of authority to maintain. I am actively memorizing your points and deflections. njs, age 81 who doesn't want anyone over 70 as POTUS come 2020
27
@njs19147 YES! Exactly how I felt!
2
@njs19147
Here's what you need to know.
The best team for electability and good governance is
Sherrod Brown and Stacey Abrams
4
@njs19147
I, too, love Gail's guide. But, must differ with you on age-isms.
My dear father passed away at age 92. Smart as a whip until the end, compassionate as well.
1
John Hickenlooper was the successful mayor of Colorado's capital city, Denver, before he was the successful "business-friendly Democratic governor" of Colorado for as much time as term limits allow. When dinosaurs roamed the earth in the '80s, he helped kickstart the renewal of Denver's skid row district by boldly starting a brew pub - mainly because he was a petroleum geologist at that time when Denver crashed into the oil bust and he needed a job. Give the guy some credit for paying his elected-office-political-dues. Howard Shultz he ain't, if you get the facts right.
72
@Eileen McGinnity
Yes:
o Has been fired.
o Thinks making money is a good idea.
o Nobody takes him for Establishment.
o Divorced.
o Hangs out with writers and CEOs.
o Bland, affable in public.
o Mind like a switchblade in private.
o Not especially identified as a Democrat.
7
@Bob T - Here’s one to add to the list:
- A delicious sense of irony.
Replacing a gathering place for lower case drunks with one for Upper Case Drunks is priceless.
8
Discussing the possible candidates at this time is like putting fresh sheets on the bed, clean towels in the bathroom, and fresh fruit and yogurt in the refrigerator before you go to meet your online date. Premature, in every way imaginable.
172
@Larry Bennett
Love that comment.
8
Gone are the days when a "dark horse" was someone who, unexpectedly and quite suddenly, became a contender. With everyone who appends a "D" to his or her name seemingly in the running, the phrase has now come to be more a literal description of complexion than of surprise.
Personally, I'm partial, at this late date, to "Comma-la," especially with a potential running mate in the form of the peripatetic Beto. Sort of a bad cop/good cop approach to campaigning, a refreshing counter to the expected Republican dimwit/nimrod (or maybe Penn/Teller but without any real skills) pairing of Trump/Pence.
Gail, what vehicle will become the metaphor for this passel of prospective presidential hopefuls? I think the clown car is probably in need of an overhaul, if not a complete frame-off restoration. We really don't have that much time to spare in the search for suitable transportation.
17
@Glen What do you mean "gone are the days ..." Do you not remember 2016? Donald J. Trump is the greatest Dark Horse of all-time.
1
@Glen - Well Trump has that effect on a lot of people of 'Blimey! If he can be president - anyone can!!!!'
1
Contrary to popular belief, politics is a profession, and we need a professional one. The public seems to want anything but, it shows just how uninformed they really are when the current Swindler in office could beaten by Mickey Mouse.
Harris is a spitfire, but can she herd cats, which is what trying to get anything done in Washington is? Those cats are us their voters, so I would look for the wrangler who could round them all up and corral them. They all seem to be able to elicit the ire of some group or other. It also helps to have a name everyone can pronounce, so you actually know who you are voting for.
Some of those mentioned by Ms. Gail are just too bland, they need to sound and act like they can grab all those cats, throw them in a box, and let them fight it out, I give Warren the edge there, she has some elements of Nancy Pelosi, who would be the best, but age rules her out. One requirement is the ability to call a liar, a liar without equivocating. Schultz may be a good businessman, we don't need another, even a successful one.
O'Rourke seems tho have a spark, too bad he is from Texas, a Democrat losing there is an honor, but he is no LBJ, Texans lose in California, just because. Well we have a year or so to find that cat whisperer, who can get them chase out the GOP rats.
60
I see. Age rules out Elizabeth Warren automatically. So anyone under 60 is automatically competent? Or must they be under 50? What is your chronological cutoff for competence?
Maybe we should just put Senator Warren on an ice floe and be done with it, mmm?
4
@KLT
Calm down KLT. David said that age ruled out Nancy Pelosi who he thought would actually be the best candidate. I am content to listen to what they all have to say before I make up my mind but will admit to a soft spot for Elizabeth Warren due to her advocacy on behalf of the consumer and for a wealth tax. Nevertheless, I pledge to support the democratic candidate in every way I can. We are facing an existential threat to our democracy and can't afford to quibble as we did in 2016. Or allow ourselves to be divided from one another by outside forces that do not have our best interests at heart. We must speak in one voice and rid ourselves of Trump and his enablers, most especially Mitch McConnell who is up for reelection in 2020. Nothing less will do.
9
@KLT
The problem with age is the job is stressful. As we get older, we just do not have the stamina it takes to be there 24/7. We do no lose our faculties, but we lose energy level, it takes a toll on us. We might think as well but we do not move as fast, we get tired easier. The job is exhausting, it takes a toll on all of them, Notice even the younger ones have grey hair after the first four years.
4
The best part of this article:
"Virtually every president has either been a general in the military or served in some previous elective office. The exceptions were Donald Trump and Herbert Hoover. Enough said."
388
@Dennis Callegari
You took her words out of my mouth, that's among Gail's most brilliant hits. I cut to paste
Virtually every president has either been a general in the military or served in some previous elective office. The exceptions were Donald Trump and Herbert Hoover. Enough said.
Brava!
And for Dennis, who got there first,
Bravo!
14
Having just one vote, I need only one decent candidate. My choice is Elizabeth Warren, mostly because she knows what she is talking about.
As far as I am concerned, all the others (please tell them I said so) can go for coffee at Starbucks and compare notes on what they might have done if they had been elected. I don't want them!
27
@Fran
No Starbucks.
No Howard Schultz.
Get with the program.
181
@Socrates
I meant: they can go for coffee wherever they want, McDonald's or Dunkin Donuts. I mentioned Starbucks only because most of the candidates are not really the McDonald or Dunkin Donuts types.
5
@Socrates i will boycott starbucks if he runs.
4
The problem is that it is always presented as a race.
In doing so, the process gets reduced to a contest of impressions and likability rather than one of ideas and policy. And for that the media deserves some blame but not entirely because they are only trying to satisfy our (yes, we the readers) voyeuristic addiction to puerile reporting.
If we the citizens, readers, and consumers of the media demand better coverage and don't fall a prey to banal reporting, it is likely that the media will respond.
99
Didn’t presidential candidates used to sound presidential? Some of these Democrats are glib talkers, but they’re also too animated and full of faux enthusiasm to be taken seriously.
One of the worst is Kirsten Gillibrand. She used her swooping, perky voice to destroy Al Franken, so I’ve heard enough from her. I like the idea of Beto O’Rourke, but when he does dental stunts it creeps me out a little. Elizabeth Warren also emotes too much, although I think her heart’s in the right place and she’s plenty smart. We’ve got her DNA to prove it.
Maybe it’s because I’m nearing the top of the baby boomer bracket, but I think I’m looking for Barack Obama—The Sequel. I liked that calm competence and the mellifluous voice. He could break out into a sad and soulful rendition of Amazing Grace, and people would be drying their eyes rather than rolling them.
Of course, you don’t have to look or sound like a president these days. For an example, listen to guy who’s currently squatting in the Oval Office. He’s incoherent. He pouts, poking out his lips like a three-year-old who’s just had his sippy cup taken away. He can praise neo-Nazis and make kissy faces at Putin and Kim Jong-un, and yet, there he is, running the nation—into the ground, as it turns out.
The next Democratic president will need mad rhetorical skills that can appeal to a fickle American electorate and shame the president’s Republican enablers. So far, I’m not so sure anyone’s up the task.
849
@gemli
The successful Democratic candidate will need not only super rhetorical skills but also good ideas and an appealing platform which doesn't lean too far to the left such as free college tuition for all students.
35
@Iryna
Why is free public education "leaning too far to the left"? Maybe public elementary and secondary schools should start charging tuition too?
164
@gemli-Yep. The candidate who wins will be the one who seizes the narrative away from Trump Republicans and the Fox Entertainment News 24x7-alt right megaphone. S/he will deliver the punches and the punchline--and stop these liars from misrepresenting people and issues; showing them up for the true cowards they are, taking them down whenever possible. S/he must save the thoughtful, nuanced, research-intense policy talk for later in office. To be effective above the din and reach Americans raised on polarizing Twitter speech and media-- S/he will have to simplify the message into soundbites that can reach and galvanize people. Fortunately, it can be done.
108
Good points, Gail. But speaking for myself, with too many of my relatives - glad to say in-laws - and old, old friends (yes, you may take that both ways), it will be a mini-revolution triggered by moi if I talk about policies which and even candidates who are 180 degrees of their beliefs. No, at least until 2020, "mum" is the word unless of course I am with fellow Democrats.
Ms Collins initiated a conversation that must be addressed. That is our Generation Xers. My own daughters are in that age bracket. They represent so many of their peers in their intelligence, abilities, maturity, and now experience in life itself. And they ARE being overlooked. Certainly we Boomers should recognize that, and correct what I feel are unfair perceptions of this important group, a group from which we had the privilege and good fortune of electing President Barack Obama (and his beautiful family, including the puppies).
Finally, I think there is one safe person we can speak of in politically, shall we say, "diverse" company. That is Mr. Starbucks himself. On the R side, he is STILL a Democrat. On the D side, he scares the bejeebers out of us if he chooses to run. Not another Nader, please! And besides, I am not all that crazy for his lattes and mochas...
122
@Kathy Lollock Obama was born in 1961. That makes him a boomer. What we boomers owe the younger generations is relief from student debt which is delaying their marriages, children and home ownership. And that hurts us all.
15
It's beginning to look like the Democratic Debutantes Coming Out Ball, as it might be held at that Star Wars cantina, with people who don't dress very well, and have yet to find the right escorts.
6
@cheryl
I would say that it's almost an embarrassment of riches. I would accept almost anyone on the current candidate list; any one of these people are light-years better than the current "squatter" (to quote a previous comment) in the WH.
As to actually winning in 2020, we have at least a year to see how this evolves; and please, please keep H Shultz and his ilk shut out of it.
4
Im' convinced, of the current lot, despite all their progressive rhetoric, if they were faced with the Financial Crisis of 2008, they'd do a complete Obama and give away the store - every single one of them except for Sanders and Warren.
13
@stan continople -- I expect they will be faced with such a financial crisis, something so very like 2008 that laymen won't see much difference.
3
@stan continople
No Trump gave the store, lock, stock and barrel.
5
Depending on what happens with the Mueller investigation, we can be certain that President Trump will do everything he can to make the 2020 election as ugly, if not uglier and more debasing, as 2016. Here's my plan (insofar as possible):
I'm not on social media, so I'll never read "stories" there. I plan to avoid all pundit shows on cable news, except for interviews and "town halls" with the candidates. I will continue to look for print articles and analyses (including the NYT) that discuss relevant issues related to the candidates. I will look at the candidates's website and videos to help me understand where they stand on the issues. And I will continue to avoid reading anything Mr. Trump says about any other candidate (including the rotting carcass that is his Twitter feed).
In short, I hope to be as informed as I can about all potential candidates. However, if President Trump was good for Russian troll farms and American journalism in 2016, I also want to make sure that no media source (including the NYT) has my attention when it comes to making the 2020 election a despicable yet profitable bloodsport.
82
Ms. Collins, the sitting president visited Iowa in 2016 and lost. He didn't "talk presidential" but neither did winner Ted Cruz. Iowa is the jumping off point for all presidential hopefuls but Iowa is also the state that saw fit to re-elect Steve King.
By next year, primary voters will know all there is to know about the candidates from both parties. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam found out the hard way that embarrassing yearbook photos have a way of derailing one's public career. Having a squeaky clean past is practically a requirement for lofty political ambitions.
20
And the irony is that Donald Trump, who had neither a squeaky clean past (the farthest from it!) or lofty political ambitions (didn't see this coming!), is in our highest office anyway.
41
@NM -- I think squeaky clean is more a requirement for someone who pretends to be that. Most do pretend of course. Most really never were -- and neither was I, nor my best friends either, so there's that.
There is more space for "in your face" than candidates dare exploit.
I think the AOC response to the dancing tape was an illustration. Although I think she had nothing to be embarrassed about in that instance, she showed exactly how to handle something thrown at a candidate.
Out of that, we might even get a real human being.
15
@silver vibes
"Having a squeaky clean past is practically a requirement for lofty political ambitions."
Really?
When did that go into effect?
5
Actually, Gail, there is already an App for that. I grew up in and live close to Silicon Valley, but the source is closely held.
The gist of it is that all of Trump's speeches and remarks to the Press are on a hard drive that has two versions: The raw material, and speeches that are edited with articulate language, and say the opposite. Both versions have advanced audio Apps that can make the second, sensible version sound exactly like the President's voice.
There is a third version that has been proposed, but it was sponsored by a European country, and they want to keep their heads down. They got Donald's voice down perfectly, and they speak English better than we do anyway. The contents of that third version are just too horrifying, and it will probably not be made public at any price. People are paranoid enough these days as it is, and claiming authorship would be a no win proposition.
5
Speaking of "How to Talk Presidential", we'll soon be treated to the so-called "State of the Union".
I say "so-called", because how can Trump use the word "union" when it's the opposite of divisive, which is what he is.
144
@Stephen I’d love it if every Congressional Democrat stood up in unison at some point in Trump’s rambling “Stunt of the Disunion” and shouted, “You lie!”
17
I'm not interested in poking holes in these Democratic candidates because it's far more important that we fix Trump's damage to our democracy.
And Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota was by far the most productive senator in 2016, getting more legislation passed than anybody else. And she has a 72% approval rating from her home state of Minnesota. Treating her like a lightweight? I think Gail's been doing too many of those debate columns with Mr Stephens.
454
@common sense advocate
Well said. And Senator Amy Klobuchar does merit serious consideration.
211
@common sense advocate -- "I'm not interested in poking holes in these Democratic candidates because it's far more important that we fix Trump's damage to our democracy."
Just the opposite, I'm most interested in what the next President would actually do with the office.
Trump is a boogeyman distraction, who as shown in an article today does not even control the Republicans. Too many politicians want to talk about Trump instead of the things they ought to be talking about.
27
I was going to submit a quick apology for writing Minnesota twice in my comment- by since Hillary Clinton only carried Minnesota by 1.5 percent, and Senator Klobuchar has a 72% approval rating from the state of Minnesota, I think it's even better to write Minnesota three tines!
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"With the exception of the late, great Abraham Lincoln, I can be more presidential than any president that’s ever held this office.”--Donald Trump
Any Democrat would be preferable.
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@Carson Drew -- "Any Democrat would be preferable."
No. That is a dangerous delusion. It is fostered by exactly those people we ought to be putting under a harsh light to avoid getting worse from someone who'd be more effective at doing it, and harder to be rid of, blocking the way for anyone who would do the job right.
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@Mark Thomason: Give a specific example of a Democrat who would be worse.
You can't, because you're wrong. Trump is the epitome of maximally awful.
Not by coincidence, you're a Republican, as anyone who has read your past comments is aware.
No sale.
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@Mark Thomason
No. It's this kind of nonsense that you and the rest of Bernie bros preached that gave us Trump and, as a consequence, the disaster of Mitch McConnell's Republicans manipulations that brought us Gorsuch and Kavanaugh on the SCOTUS and a record number of conservative judges below it, plus the foreign policy disasters that I'm feeling too dejected to go into. So, No.
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A boomer is most likely to win, now that boomers are seniors, but I'd prefer that we lurch from a senior stable genius to a sensible Gen-Xer.
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@Dan Findlay:
Indeed. I would prefer a candidate who will be alive to reap the full consequences of their (in)actions dealing with climate change.
Governor Jay Inslee.
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My position is simple. I refuse to discuss, think about or read about (except Gail, of course) any Democratic candidates or the "race" for the Democratic nomination, until the primary comes to my state - by which time all but two will have been eliminated anyway, and almost certainly not the best two. In the very year when we most need strong, experienced candidates, unity, and conserving the money and energy for use against the Republicans...we have this display of uncontrolled personal ambition. It's Sanders on steroids. It's terrible, terrible, terrible, terrible, terrible. The primary system itself is utterly unspeakable. it is worse in some ways than even the Electoral College, since it is more directly responsible for the evils, and the farces, that we suffer. Yet how will we ever get rid of it? It will sink us. It may already have sunk us. God help this country. Wake me up when the conventions are over and I will give some money to the Democrat, whoever he, she or it is. In the meantime, leave me alone.
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@XXX
Citizens United and the flood of obscene amounts of private money by wealthy donors literally buying our politicians is why our campaigns drone on for so long.
You'll never get any push back on this broken system from the media - they're the biggest beneficiary of all that cash. One could legitimately argue that our democracy is in it's waning days.
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@XXX -- "The primary system itself is utterly unspeakable. it is worse in some ways than even the Electoral College"
I have to agree.
The idea of a primary is great, that voters have the final say in who they will choose from.
The actual primary system we've got is as bad as this says. We've got the worst version they could possibly concoct.
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@XXX yes. it is the "march madness" of politics except that it goes on longer. not that it helps nationally but here in CA the top two vote getters in the primary are the candidates regardless of party affiliation. that might be nice nationally but republicans would never go for it.
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Why am I dreading the next year already? And I'm only a voter. I don't know how the candidates do it.
Any of them would be infinitely better than our current President.
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We have a year until the primaries start, and it's impossible to know what will happen with all the candidates between now and then. But there's one thing we do know. We should register Democratic voters for next year. It's never too early to get started with that. Considering the robust Democratic turnout for the midterms, we need to make sure apathy does not set in. So let's all do our part. There's no time like the present.
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@Blue Moon
You're completely missing an important voting bloc here.
That is the present Republican voters who hate Trump as much as we do but just can't bring themselves to register as a Democrat.
If you can convince them to register as an independent or 'nonpartisan' you've taken away a member of the R party who can vote Dem but say they're not a member of the Democratic party.
And tell them when they register that way they can leave off their phone numbers and avoid the robo calls. They can do this anyway but it helps sweeten the pot to make a change to the middle.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
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@Blue Moon
More Democrats than Republicans voted in 2016 and 2018.
But the problem is that America is a constitutional republic of united states. And there is no national election. None of the four million more votes that Hillary Clinton won in California over Donald Trump in 2016 counted nor mattered in any other state.
Democrats need to win the usual state suspects plus Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and/or Wisconsin. Florida? North Carolina? Which, if any of the announced candidates can do that? Which one of the candidates is from those states?
Sherrod Brown.
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@Blue Moon-Yes, register voters and make sure as well that registered voters are on the rolls and not expunged as the GOP will do anything to prevent voters from voting including instating punitive voter ID rules, purging voter rolls, gerrymandering, threatening people for voting, and maintaining Republican domination of the Electoral College in 30 states (easy win there, yes?) etc. We can have the every best candidate(s) and still lose elections. That simple.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/29/us/texas-voter-citizenship-list.html
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