Warren's supporters largely wish she had run. She would be fantastic, and would have almost all the benefits of Sanders and Clinton (and more) with none of their liabilities. You're indulging in the usual NYT fantasy that Clinton is a strong candidate and everything is fine, when really the Democratic party needed a new face, someone who can be trusted to make wise foreign policy, and someone who really convincingly can be known to fight for the little guy. Hillary is not any of these things, and Warrn would have been all of them.
12
Someone like Warren can do the most good working to build the liberal wing of the party. Her popularity can be used to push the right issues and raise funds for the right candidates. I think she was born to be a great American Senator, of which there are far too few. Despite her many fine liberal attributes, I can't imagine her ever winning the White House, but maybe it's still worth a shot.
As for Ryan, he's just another conservative-libertarian with a clever (and wrong) answer for everything. There will always be another "thinker" of his quality waiting in the wings of the GOP.
As for Ryan, he's just another conservative-libertarian with a clever (and wrong) answer for everything. There will always be another "thinker" of his quality waiting in the wings of the GOP.
24
And what in the world is good about Paul Ryan?
26
Paul Ryan is if anything, cold and calculating. Seeing what kind of Titanic the Republican Party is these days, he knew better than to climb on board.
That phony resistance to being a player in the Party is done.
He didn't want to be House Speaker. No. Really not -- but guess where he is now??
Same goes for any future Presidential bid. It's all but inevitable.
Just stay tuned.
And you didn't hear it here first.
That phony resistance to being a player in the Party is done.
He didn't want to be House Speaker. No. Really not -- but guess where he is now??
Same goes for any future Presidential bid. It's all but inevitable.
Just stay tuned.
And you didn't hear it here first.
7
I wonder if there isn't more to refusing a presidential run than you've discussed and if "you don't want to be president badly enough" isn't an oversimplification.
As for a potential future run for Warren, if she does. That's great. I stopped hoping. Before this piece, I'd heard that she went Dem after being a Repub. I'll look into it more and see how I feel. I think she would have been a godsend as a candidate. As for Ryan, I think he's bad news whether he runs or not--period.
5-3-16@12:35 pm
As for a potential future run for Warren, if she does. That's great. I stopped hoping. Before this piece, I'd heard that she went Dem after being a Repub. I'll look into it more and see how I feel. I think she would have been a godsend as a candidate. As for Ryan, I think he's bad news whether he runs or not--period.
5-3-16@12:35 pm
4
“He’s being very smart about this,” says a presidential historian of Ryan's refusal to run for president this year. But it is hard to see how his future chances will improve after stepping into the House leadership. His members will pull him farther right and infuriate every progressive in the process, a sure way to alienate half the national electorate. Unless he's planning on attempting a political coup by disenfranchising every minority, poor and Democratic voter nationwide, as has already been done in many GOP states, he could not win. Nothing would surprise me. The right wing suspects that progressives and peace loving liberals would go quietly to the political slaughter. I wonder if they are correct. And I wonder what the gun toting crowd will do if they're wrong.
2
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) should have run for President. Sen. Clinton did the Democratic Party no favors by "scaring" every one away.
4
Elizabeth Warren excels in her grasp of financial and consumer issues and I believe she is an excellent Senator for our state. But that does not mean she would be a good President. She is new to politics and seems to have little experience with anything other than her specialty area. I believe that lack of experience was President Obama's greatest drawback and I don't want to see another president struggle with that problem.
9
Am I the only one who knows that Ryan is consciously lying when he says he will not accept his party's nomination? He ain't no LBJ!!
10
Warren is fabulous. But I think she will have more power in the Senate. Remember, Clinton's popularity was sky high, and she was one of the most admired women in the world for years and years...until she ran for president. In the Senate fights will be over policy, and not the person. And she will be and has been a wonderful advocate.
16
Please, please, please, the name Elizabeth Warren has no place anywhere near to the name of paul ayn rand ryan.
15
Ryan's reluctance to be the Speaker and recently his refusal to be considered for Republican nominee for president reminds me of the comedian Pat Paulsen who in athe 60's said that he would not run if nominated and would not serve if elected.
15
It tells you a lot about Mr. Ryan when he says "there are a lot of good people running." Heaven help us.
31
Ryan for President? In 2012, he couldn't even bring his native Wisconsin into the Win Column for Romney!
14
Elizabeth Warren is a national treasure, and I value her role in the senate. She is as good as we have in this nation on financial issues and the problems of Wall Street. That said, I know little of her positions or experience on other issues, or how strong she would be as a candidate in a national election. I am glad her voice will remain active and she retains her senate platform.
24
Me thinks Mr. Ryan doth protest too much. Why go through a nasty primary season when you can be on the sidelines and be drafted by what will turn out to be a very desperate (looking at institutional suicide in the form of Donald Trump) Republican Party.
Besides he's pulled this 'reluctant savior' act before.
Besides he's pulled this 'reluctant savior' act before.
22
Lucky Paul Ryan and his family for having the freedom and financial fortune to be able to weigh the value of a "balanced family life" when deciding whether to seek a different job. It must be nice to be able to weigh your options. Too bad his consistently regressive, far-right positions regarding, for example, minimum wage opposition, roll back of Roe v. Wade; non-acceptance of LGBT people as full citizens, would effectively deny such freedom to others.
21
When the 2016 campaign starting gun fired I was one of those hoping, convinced even, that Elizabeth Warren would run. I held onto those hopes well into the fall before going with Bernie. Nobody has worked harder than he has in this race. None of the candidates have changed more skeptics and fence-sitters into supporters than has Bernie Sanders.
At no point could it be seriously said in the past year that Bernie Sanders "could have been" President. But there will be millions of us, from both parties, a year from now saying he "should have been."
At no point could it be seriously said in the past year that Bernie Sanders "could have been" President. But there will be millions of us, from both parties, a year from now saying he "should have been."
5
He could have he should have he would have but he's not.
Thank God.
Thank God.
6
Both Ryan and Warren could not do better than to stay out of this horrible mud slinging affair.
And meeting the misfortune of serving for 8 years as Veep is a political death sentence. Save the Veep spots for some elder statesman/woman who will never run on their own.
Ryan and Warren are young enough to run against each other in 8 years.
And meeting the misfortune of serving for 8 years as Veep is a political death sentence. Save the Veep spots for some elder statesman/woman who will never run on their own.
Ryan and Warren are young enough to run against each other in 8 years.
3
Wanting to be president requires to be a bit crazy alright, but also a big ego in need of immediate satisfaction and god-like reverence from fanatic followers, offering full support not because of any virtues but in spite of them. Elizabeth Warren, given her extensive knowledge, and her no nonsense courage to tell things as they are, especially to wall street's god, Greed. Not a candidate yet, probably not crazy enough as yet. Insofar Paul Ryan is concerned, suffice to real Paul Krugman's critique of Ryan's economic nonsense, or the catholic bishop's letter condemning his lack of charity towards the poor, or his adoration of Ayn Rand's individualism, to realize he would be far from 'perfect' in tackling the complex issues facing the nation, and in achieving an inclusive society in spite of our growing diversity. But then again, the presidency is made up not only of one individual but the wisdom of those he chooses to surround herself with, hopefully more knowledgeable, and willing to lend constructive criticism as needed...instead of a lapdog's initiative just wagging its tail. And further, fighting to have the proper power sharing in congress so that political 'compromise' is reasonable enough to get things done. For now, we seem to have forgotten that the government belongs to the people; and that the presidency and its court are but the 'administration' hired to do people's job.
6
Senator Elizabeth Warren was very smart to turn down the opportunity to run for President because, much as I admire her, she simply does not have the necessary qualifications and those who think one person can "save" them would drop her like a hot potato at the first sign of trouble. WE need her in the Senate and I will wholeheartedly support her for President in 2024/2028. Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Senator Elizabeth Warren will help US restore democracy in America without destroying it.
18
“I thought I could make a huge difference and still have the kind of balanced life family that I enjoy at this stage in my life, and that’s why I didn’t run for president,” Mr. Ryan told CNN recently. “But also because there are a lot of good people running.
How nice for him, especially since many of us do not have any sort of balanced life thanks to the GOP's refusal to do anything with respect to governing this country. I think that Trump, Cruz, Rubio, and Fiorina are just what the GOP needs at this stage. They are the logical result of years of race baiting, dividing the different economic classes, and giving most of the breaks to the rich or big business. This election is the first one where I've seen such a stark choice: vote for the party of intolerant racist classist bigots who are anything but concerned about our welfare, or vote for a party that has some people who do understand what we're going through. I hope that the GOP shoots itself in both its collective feet. And I hope that the American voters remember GOP belligerence and outright refusals to do their jobs when it comes to having hearings on a needed Supreme Court justice, their intransigent, traitorous letter to Iran undermining Obama, and their continuing damage to our government even as they are paid by that government.
The GOP is nothing more than a collection of second class intellects bent on ruining the country for everyone but their campaign donors.
How nice for him, especially since many of us do not have any sort of balanced life thanks to the GOP's refusal to do anything with respect to governing this country. I think that Trump, Cruz, Rubio, and Fiorina are just what the GOP needs at this stage. They are the logical result of years of race baiting, dividing the different economic classes, and giving most of the breaks to the rich or big business. This election is the first one where I've seen such a stark choice: vote for the party of intolerant racist classist bigots who are anything but concerned about our welfare, or vote for a party that has some people who do understand what we're going through. I hope that the GOP shoots itself in both its collective feet. And I hope that the American voters remember GOP belligerence and outright refusals to do their jobs when it comes to having hearings on a needed Supreme Court justice, their intransigent, traitorous letter to Iran undermining Obama, and their continuing damage to our government even as they are paid by that government.
The GOP is nothing more than a collection of second class intellects bent on ruining the country for everyone but their campaign donors.
106
I don't understand how you can be so generous and understanding of the GOP.
Benedict Arnold had a less damaging influence on this country than what they have done to us for the last 35 years. "Second class intellects"? You give them far too much credit.
Benedict Arnold had a less damaging influence on this country than what they have done to us for the last 35 years. "Second class intellects"? You give them far too much credit.
9
Paul Ryan is sitting in "The Catbird Seat" exactly where Koch/ Bradley Foundation has put him. No matter who is President all will have to pass through Ryan and the Party of Koch. Whatever you need, money, resources, scripts, votes, data, dark money, legislative packages, Call Paul. Please note he is currently on tour selling the House Of Represetatives agenda beyond the election and starting to travel on a "foreign policy" agenda. It's called a shadow presidency and he gets to by-pass campaigning, holiday inns and maintain power. Just stick to the script Paul.
41
Only until January 2017, Marilynn, when the new democrat/independent Congress WE elect take their seats. The times they are a changing.
9
The grass is always greener, the "candidate who didn't run" is so nice, and clean and shiny. To all of you yearning for Ryan or Warren, remember this guy, Fred Thompson? He was the knight in shining armor, until he actually ran and all his warts were exposed...
14
The time is overdue to redesign the process by which we select our presidential candidates. The need for endless fundraising, competition for headlines on the evening news, and the complexities of pandering to party bases and then trying to achieve a broad consensus for the final election all lead toward a situation where too many thoughtful leaders choose to remain on the sidelines.
Surely, we can do better than this.
Surely, we can do better than this.
14
Senator Warren is, essentially, a "causist" - a politician driven by particular causes and corrective actions. I do not see anything "presidential" about her.
Congressman Ryan presented federal budgets over the past few years which, if enacted, would have gutted traditional supports for the needy. I do not see anything "presidential" about him either.
Whenever we are dissatisfied with what we have, we are inclined to look elsewhere for solace and "greener grass". But if we are mature and truly understand human nature, we also know there are no alternatives which would guarantee the satisfaction we seek.
If Congress would return to being a functional organization, the matter of who is elected President would be less important.
Congressman Ryan presented federal budgets over the past few years which, if enacted, would have gutted traditional supports for the needy. I do not see anything "presidential" about him either.
Whenever we are dissatisfied with what we have, we are inclined to look elsewhere for solace and "greener grass". But if we are mature and truly understand human nature, we also know there are no alternatives which would guarantee the satisfaction we seek.
If Congress would return to being a functional organization, the matter of who is elected President would be less important.
32
"traditional supports for the needy?" Is that what you call Social Security and Medicare? Those programs are for all of us; they are all that remains in place to keep us from becoming a true third world country. THIS is what Ryan wants to destroy.
12
Paul Ryan is the ultimate insider, and also with Cruz, believes in Washington think-tank conservatism. Ryan fostered the environment which brought Cruz and rest of Tea Party to DC. So no thank you to Paul Ryan, stay where you are, connected to the lobbyists and think-tank conservatism.
If President Clinton doesn't bring Elizabeth Warren in to her Cabinet she'd be a fool. Elizabeth Warren is required to help this nation face the economic issues here now, and in the future.
If President Clinton doesn't bring Elizabeth Warren in to her Cabinet she'd be a fool. Elizabeth Warren is required to help this nation face the economic issues here now, and in the future.
24
I disagree. We need Warren in the Senate because we need all the Dems we can get, and we need her to grow her foreign policy chops so she can be a credible successor to HRC when the time comes.
10
We might be better with Warren in the Senate during the Clinton Administration.
16
Common sense tells me that a Senator who holds office for many years is far more powerful than a President whose tenure is limited to a maximum of ten years. When a majority of Senators are opposed to a President, the President then has virtually NO power. I cannot understand why a sitting Senator would even consider running for the Presidency.
8
Last I heard, a president can only be in office for a maximum of eight years. As for senators, let's discuss term reductions. Then onto term limits. Mere mortals only get a maximum of three months to prove that they were the right candidate for a corporate job. It's clear that most elected officials on the national level should be removed from office.
2
The Senate and the House should have more power than the President. They are supposed to make the law, and he is supposed to administer it.
Maybe we can get back to this model?
Maybe we can get back to this model?
10
Aren't the three branches supposed to be coequal?
20
A Speaker of the House has real power. As a measure of his percieved power, he's in line to be President, right behind the Vice President.
More than any other one person, he controls Congress. Even if that control can resemble herding cats, he's got it far more control than anyone else can. The Majority Leader in the Senate has a smaller group of more independent Senators, and except for LBJ nobody has ever controlled that much at all. But a Speaker like Tip O'Neil can and have run the House.
Should Ryan give up that real power in hand for a run at the Presidency? That is just foolish greed unless he is near assured of a win.
Elizabeth Warren is an extremely influential Senator on key committees and spokesperson from that position for powerful political forces. That is real power too, and can run for a lifetime in six year terms, not just a chance at four year terms. That is a lot to give up.
Ryan and Warren are not defined by the Presidential runs they did not make, but by the power they already have and chose to keep.
More than any other one person, he controls Congress. Even if that control can resemble herding cats, he's got it far more control than anyone else can. The Majority Leader in the Senate has a smaller group of more independent Senators, and except for LBJ nobody has ever controlled that much at all. But a Speaker like Tip O'Neil can and have run the House.
Should Ryan give up that real power in hand for a run at the Presidency? That is just foolish greed unless he is near assured of a win.
Elizabeth Warren is an extremely influential Senator on key committees and spokesperson from that position for powerful political forces. That is real power too, and can run for a lifetime in six year terms, not just a chance at four year terms. That is a lot to give up.
Ryan and Warren are not defined by the Presidential runs they did not make, but by the power they already have and chose to keep.
22
I don't care for Paul Ryan's politics and disliked him during the past presidential race, but at least he's sane. I would wish him well in pulling his party together if that could mean a move to the center, and reasonable policies, for his colleagues and marginalizing the far right.
7
You need to define "sanity" for me. If the inability to add and subtract, nevermind clearly having never taken econ 101, combined with an unusual ability to pass off having read Ayn Rand as a substitute for both, constitutes sanity, then we're well past "being in trouble."
7
Anyone who runs for US president has a screw loose. It's only right that if a person decides to run, they should automatically become suspect, and their motives doubted and investigated. Maybe 100 years ago, this would not have been true, but in today's hostile political climate we should always be looking very closely at anyone who professes a longing for the White House. There is more at work there than a willingness to serve--in fact, public service is just about the last item on the list of reasons that most of these people run. They deserve the grilling they get over and over from the press and public. The public needs to get to the bottom of the psychotic need the candidates have to want the job in the first place. Intervention should be arranged. They should be offered a quiet place to rest for awhile with few distractions to help them recover their senses.
11
In his short tenure as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ryan has already acquitted himself as a divider, not a uniter. He is more concerned about placating members in his party than common sense governance for the good of the country. Apparently, the oath of office taken by members of Congress means nothing to Republicans. For Republicans, the Constitution is a document that is open to wide interpretation and deemed relevant only when it serves their narrow purpose.
At his core, Ryan is anti-government. He, like every other Republican, believes that government is the source of all the economic problems facing America. Unfortunately, their actions betray their ideology because when Republicans are in charge of the purse strings, spending increases, particularly Defense spending.
Nobody thinks we shouldn't try to reduce the deficit but Republicans refuse to defy their wealthy masters by raising taxes and eliminating tax loopholes that significantly reduce marginal tax rates as a means of paying past and current bills. Ryan talks a good game but he is not grounded in reality. If he ran a for profit company like he tries to run the government, the company would be out of business.
The leaders of the Republican Party depend upon partisanship and divisiveness to win battles, but ultimately the war will be lost. United we stand, divided we fall.
At his core, Ryan is anti-government. He, like every other Republican, believes that government is the source of all the economic problems facing America. Unfortunately, their actions betray their ideology because when Republicans are in charge of the purse strings, spending increases, particularly Defense spending.
Nobody thinks we shouldn't try to reduce the deficit but Republicans refuse to defy their wealthy masters by raising taxes and eliminating tax loopholes that significantly reduce marginal tax rates as a means of paying past and current bills. Ryan talks a good game but he is not grounded in reality. If he ran a for profit company like he tries to run the government, the company would be out of business.
The leaders of the Republican Party depend upon partisanship and divisiveness to win battles, but ultimately the war will be lost. United we stand, divided we fall.
96
Any comparison of Ryan and Warren as candidates for election to the presidency, turns solely on the adamancy of their respective denials of any interest in running for the Oval Office. Of the two, Senator Warren is the ONLY one who is remotely 'qualified': Ryan's obsessively monotonous (and abundantly contradicted) allegiance to Republican orthodoxy is more than enough to disqualify him, even for the office he now holds, let alone the presidency.
25
Paul Ryan just proved to me how right Paul Krugman is. Empty suit? Even worse.
48
Elizabeth Warren is a great senator, and I would hate to lose her. As a senator she can stay in office for many years; if she were to become president, she'd be benched after 8 years. I don't want to see her talents wasted. As far as I'm concerned, she follows Teddy Kennedy in being one sensible, well-informed, hugely intelligent voice among the strident noise of the greed-motivated many.
82
It hurt when John Kerry ran for president because the Senate was weakened by one Democrat. It hurts a party in Congress whenever a Senator or Representative leaves Congress to run for yet higher office. A Senator or Congressman who has served in office for several years has quite a bit of seniority. This can never be compensated by a freshman Congressman or a new junior Senator who takes his or her place.
9
The path not taken is full of fantasy. Chance and luck rule. Ryan is a young legislative scavenger. Warren is an aging academic.
Paul Davis Ryan is an iconic modern Republican conservative. Ryan has been on the government employment and benefits welfare dole since his father died when he was teenager. But Ryan was never bravely patriotic nor honorable enough to volunteer to put on the military uniform of any American armed force. Nor was Ryan ever humble, humane and empathetic enough to serve in any community civil rights or human services capacity. Ryan has been a persistent parasite political game power player. A hypocritical cynical corrupt "taker" instead of a "maker" as he so derisively characterizes the black and brown poor requiring and relying on welfare.
Elizabeth Warren, like Margaret Chase Smith and Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisolm before her is an independent political power in her own right, without being inextricably tied to a politically powerful famous. In the modern American land of misogyny Elizabeth Warren is a much more intimidating figure than Mrs. William Jefferson Clinton. No one knew nor cared about who was Mr. Smith or Mr. Chisolm. Hillary is no Margaret Thatcher nor Angela Merkel. The nations with the most Muslims-Indonesia, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh- had or have female heads of state and/or government. But being a Mrs. did not aid their rise. There were a couple of daughters but most rose on their own.
Paul Davis Ryan is an iconic modern Republican conservative. Ryan has been on the government employment and benefits welfare dole since his father died when he was teenager. But Ryan was never bravely patriotic nor honorable enough to volunteer to put on the military uniform of any American armed force. Nor was Ryan ever humble, humane and empathetic enough to serve in any community civil rights or human services capacity. Ryan has been a persistent parasite political game power player. A hypocritical cynical corrupt "taker" instead of a "maker" as he so derisively characterizes the black and brown poor requiring and relying on welfare.
Elizabeth Warren, like Margaret Chase Smith and Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisolm before her is an independent political power in her own right, without being inextricably tied to a politically powerful famous. In the modern American land of misogyny Elizabeth Warren is a much more intimidating figure than Mrs. William Jefferson Clinton. No one knew nor cared about who was Mr. Smith or Mr. Chisolm. Hillary is no Margaret Thatcher nor Angela Merkel. The nations with the most Muslims-Indonesia, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh- had or have female heads of state and/or government. But being a Mrs. did not aid their rise. There were a couple of daughters but most rose on their own.
9
@blackmamba,
I agree with you. Hillary's much more intimidating that Elizabeth. Your observation-comparison of Hillary vs Margaret or Angela is very interesting.
5-3-16@11:19 am
I agree with you. Hillary's much more intimidating that Elizabeth. Your observation-comparison of Hillary vs Margaret or Angela is very interesting.
5-3-16@11:19 am
Of course the beauty of being a could-have-been is that you're still the Jeb of last summer, the Marco Rubio who didnt win a primary, the Guiliani and Carson who led the polls. Because you didnt actually run.
3
It's astounding to see how many commenters have bought into the idea that HRC is a conservative democrat, miles apart from Warren. HRC is barely to the right of Sanders by most measures; she's more liberal than Pres Obama and Bill Clinton. The negative view of her comes from eating too much junk-food media.
61
@Barbara,
If that's what you choose to think, fine.
5-3-16@11:23 am
If that's what you choose to think, fine.
5-3-16@11:23 am
1
Too bad Elizabeth Warren won't be running for president. I could have voted FOR her, as opposed to voting against one of the likely candidates. Can she be drafted?
4
What makes you think she WANTS to be 'drafted'?
The wonder is the Hillary Clinton has any following at all, a wonder because of the decades of baseless accusations thrown at her and the midden heap of garbage tossed by shills and puppets. The Right wing holds off on Bernie, hoping to face him in the fall. Hah! I hope he's not fooled by that strategic forbearance.
Ryan will be in control of the GOP delegate conference. Of course he has influence. Warren is a star, and has influence, but that is limited to smart, well-informed, caring Americans ;-)
Ryan will be in control of the GOP delegate conference. Of course he has influence. Warren is a star, and has influence, but that is limited to smart, well-informed, caring Americans ;-)
20
Senator Elizabeth Warren would have been a fantastic presidential candidate in 2016, bar none. However, the establishment of the Democratic Party was in the process of anointing Hillary Clinton, and through the super-delegate system and the Democratic Party primary schedule, they would have tried to shut her down as they are trying to do to Bernie Sanders.
Regarding the flexing of political muscle, Senator Warren's efforts to regulate Wall Street could prove to be a robust tool.
However, Hillary Clinton will neuter the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; thus in effect eliminating it as a tool to help middle- and working-class Americans and especially minorities (think contract deeds, payday loans, subprime loans, student debt, etc.). Additionally, I can hardly wait to see what specific economic policies to help African-Americans and Hispanic-Americans Hillary Clinton offers to the nation.
For more on student debt, go here: http://tinyurl.com/Blacks-and-student-debt
and read a Brookings Institution article here: http://tinyurl.com/role-of-race-in-student-debt.
Regarding the flexing of political muscle, Senator Warren's efforts to regulate Wall Street could prove to be a robust tool.
However, Hillary Clinton will neuter the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; thus in effect eliminating it as a tool to help middle- and working-class Americans and especially minorities (think contract deeds, payday loans, subprime loans, student debt, etc.). Additionally, I can hardly wait to see what specific economic policies to help African-Americans and Hispanic-Americans Hillary Clinton offers to the nation.
For more on student debt, go here: http://tinyurl.com/Blacks-and-student-debt
and read a Brookings Institution article here: http://tinyurl.com/role-of-race-in-student-debt.
25
Sigh.
Clinton has the most votes -- by over three million -- and therefore the most delegates. She has the most pledged delegates -- the ones chosen by election. That is why she will almost certainly be the nominee, not some sinister plot to keep a new member of the party from getting the party's nomination.
Get more votes, get the nomination. At its core, that's how it works.
Clinton has the most votes -- by over three million -- and therefore the most delegates. She has the most pledged delegates -- the ones chosen by election. That is why she will almost certainly be the nominee, not some sinister plot to keep a new member of the party from getting the party's nomination.
Get more votes, get the nomination. At its core, that's how it works.
26
Warren would have been a great candidate, but for the same reasons, she'd lose in the general, as Bernie would. I mean, seriously? Do you people know anything about the greater America at all? The "center" of American politics would be far-right in conservative Ireland. The idea is to win, not to look good, We don't get a do-over in SCOTUS appointments.
23
What you mean is the Democratic establishment dictated to by the powerbrokers.
Why have Americans forgotten that back in 2008 when Hillary and Obama were running neck and neck, they had a secret meeting in Washington with the Bilderbergers. These are the real powerbrokers of the global economy and their presence controls behind the scene of American politics is what controls what Wall Street will and will not fund in an election.
Two days after that meeting Hillary Clinton dropped out of the race and supported Obama. It appears that from that meeting the fix was in for Obama and there must have been concessions for Hillary. Secretary of State and perhaps president after Obama's terms.
Paul Ryan is part of that corrupted system and though he looks and sounds good, it all boils down to a greedy and corrupt system of government, its agencies, the legal system and the global economy. Guess who pays the bill for all of this...We do!
Why have Americans forgotten that back in 2008 when Hillary and Obama were running neck and neck, they had a secret meeting in Washington with the Bilderbergers. These are the real powerbrokers of the global economy and their presence controls behind the scene of American politics is what controls what Wall Street will and will not fund in an election.
Two days after that meeting Hillary Clinton dropped out of the race and supported Obama. It appears that from that meeting the fix was in for Obama and there must have been concessions for Hillary. Secretary of State and perhaps president after Obama's terms.
Paul Ryan is part of that corrupted system and though he looks and sounds good, it all boils down to a greedy and corrupt system of government, its agencies, the legal system and the global economy. Guess who pays the bill for all of this...We do!
5
Little girls are often pictured on Facebook, and quoted saying, "I want to be President someday!"
And I always think, "Child, child, grow up. Talk to a few sane people. Ask their advice. And become a teacher."
And I always think, "Child, child, grow up. Talk to a few sane people. Ask their advice. And become a teacher."
7
Supporters of Sanders and Trump who look to them to save them from themselves are what I call Leap Year patriots. They sit around for years harrumphing about "The System", it's so unfair, undemocratic, out of touch with the people. Then along comes Sanders and Trump and Voila!, their passions are ignited, they're inspired. They attend rallies, work to get out the vote, learn all they can about their candidate, convinced they have found someone who can make a difference, change the world, and all that jazz.
What follows is sheer disappointment. The dreaded System takes control and dashes their hopes. How dare they! Don't they know there's a revolution going on? Can't they see the writing on the wall? Why is The Man, The Establishment, trying to crush their hopes and dreams? Life just isn't fair, whoa is me.
Do these Leap Year patriots have any notion whatsoever how much actual work is involved in organizing political parties. That it is not just some Leap Year temp job. It is full time, year in and year out, election years and non-election years. It is tedious, soul-crunching, laborious, boring work. What culminates every four years is all the effort put into the previous three. Most citizens just don't get it. They come out of their caves, look around, get worked up over some shiny object, then when the shine fades, wonder what happened. The ignorance of the American Electorate should never be underestimated. It astounds.
DD
Manhattan
What follows is sheer disappointment. The dreaded System takes control and dashes their hopes. How dare they! Don't they know there's a revolution going on? Can't they see the writing on the wall? Why is The Man, The Establishment, trying to crush their hopes and dreams? Life just isn't fair, whoa is me.
Do these Leap Year patriots have any notion whatsoever how much actual work is involved in organizing political parties. That it is not just some Leap Year temp job. It is full time, year in and year out, election years and non-election years. It is tedious, soul-crunching, laborious, boring work. What culminates every four years is all the effort put into the previous three. Most citizens just don't get it. They come out of their caves, look around, get worked up over some shiny object, then when the shine fades, wonder what happened. The ignorance of the American Electorate should never be underestimated. It astounds.
DD
Manhattan
131
DD: Leap year patriots! Mid-term absentees!
11
"Do these Leap Year patriots have any notion whatsoever how much actual work is involved in organizing political parties..."
Do the politicians, their staff, and all the advisers have any idea how much actual work is involved in running the real economy? You know, such things as manufacturing stuff and providing services. Based on the laws they enact, I believe the answer is no.
"They sit around for years harrumphing about "The System", ..."
We can't all be paid to sit around and think up nonsense.
Do the politicians, their staff, and all the advisers have any idea how much actual work is involved in running the real economy? You know, such things as manufacturing stuff and providing services. Based on the laws they enact, I believe the answer is no.
"They sit around for years harrumphing about "The System", ..."
We can't all be paid to sit around and think up nonsense.
5
Sure, but how do you explain the Obama 08 campaign and his
incredulous lack of analytic intelligence as a president.
incredulous lack of analytic intelligence as a president.
There are people, including presidents dead and living, who wondered and still do what it was in Mario Cuomo's background that kept him from declaring in 1991. Certainly, very few of us believed then or now that it had anything to do with a NY State budget impasse.
The plight of Elizabeth Warren conjures with me the judgment offered by my departed mother-in-law, a Jewish survivor of three Nazi camps and the gentle ministrations of Dr. Mengele. When considering Jackie Mason, a Jewish comedian who made a career of pointed Jewish humor, delivered in a heavy NY Jewish/Yiddish accent, she would cock her head, narrow her eyes and pronounce "Nope ... TOO Jewish". Elizabeth Warren is like that: too liberal to be electable as president, even more than Bernie Sanders, who at least had to deal with Vermonters on their guns.
Paul Ryan is another matter. The man's still only 46, so he has plenty of time. But he's probably too conservative to be electable as president. He needs the time to soften those edges and cultivate the image of healer and bringer-together of disparate worldviews that he's been cultivating so assiduously. But we'll have Paul Ryan to kick around for a loooong time.
Elizabeth Warren will have an impact on Hillary's run but will cease to have ANY influence if Hillary is elected: the priorities and even fundamental convictions of these two women are just too different. Paul Ryan won't be ready for 2020 and Warren will never be ready. But 2024 for Ryan? Who knows?
The plight of Elizabeth Warren conjures with me the judgment offered by my departed mother-in-law, a Jewish survivor of three Nazi camps and the gentle ministrations of Dr. Mengele. When considering Jackie Mason, a Jewish comedian who made a career of pointed Jewish humor, delivered in a heavy NY Jewish/Yiddish accent, she would cock her head, narrow her eyes and pronounce "Nope ... TOO Jewish". Elizabeth Warren is like that: too liberal to be electable as president, even more than Bernie Sanders, who at least had to deal with Vermonters on their guns.
Paul Ryan is another matter. The man's still only 46, so he has plenty of time. But he's probably too conservative to be electable as president. He needs the time to soften those edges and cultivate the image of healer and bringer-together of disparate worldviews that he's been cultivating so assiduously. But we'll have Paul Ryan to kick around for a loooong time.
Elizabeth Warren will have an impact on Hillary's run but will cease to have ANY influence if Hillary is elected: the priorities and even fundamental convictions of these two women are just too different. Paul Ryan won't be ready for 2020 and Warren will never be ready. But 2024 for Ryan? Who knows?
4
Richard: your Mom was right. You shouldn't have eaten all those sour crab apples.
11
Ryan is not just too conservative (although he is), he is also a unbelievably smug and blindingly hypocritical.
For his entire adult life, he has lived on government money. Even his family's business was built on servicing government contracts. Yet, to him, no one else should be a beneficiary of government funds. Medicare should be reduced or eliminated -- for everyone younger than his mother.
He is also arithmetically challenged -- even by the standards of a party that has wallowed in arithmetic stupidity for forty years now. His economic theories are complete fantasies.
Perhaps it is his religious hypocrisy that is most unpleasant about him. He is sanctimonious as he can be, all the while openly fawning before the pernicious and cruel lies of Ayn Randian 'philosophy'.
The man would be a disaster as President. One can only hope that his district someday wakes up to what a dreadful representative he is of anyone's interests outside his own.
For his entire adult life, he has lived on government money. Even his family's business was built on servicing government contracts. Yet, to him, no one else should be a beneficiary of government funds. Medicare should be reduced or eliminated -- for everyone younger than his mother.
He is also arithmetically challenged -- even by the standards of a party that has wallowed in arithmetic stupidity for forty years now. His economic theories are complete fantasies.
Perhaps it is his religious hypocrisy that is most unpleasant about him. He is sanctimonious as he can be, all the while openly fawning before the pernicious and cruel lies of Ayn Randian 'philosophy'.
The man would be a disaster as President. One can only hope that his district someday wakes up to what a dreadful representative he is of anyone's interests outside his own.
161
The ONLY sane place to kick Paul Ryan is OUT!
21
Most of the time, when a potential candidate decides against putting himself or herself in the ring, they think they will have a better shot in a future which never arrives. That happened to Cuomo and Mondale, and will happen to Ryan and Warren.
Warren will be too old to run in 2020, and Ryan's G.O.P. will be more Trump-like in the future, not Ayn Randish (as he would like it to be). So young Ryan will be linked to discredited ideas (*free trade*, military interventionism, low taxes on the rich, privatizing Medicare, and cuts to Social Security) and he will never get another shot at running for President.
If Hillary does get elected, then she will be the last conservative Democrat to hold that office. The future Democratic Party will be led by someone who is like Warren and Sanders.
5/3 @ 7:46 am
Warren will be too old to run in 2020, and Ryan's G.O.P. will be more Trump-like in the future, not Ayn Randish (as he would like it to be). So young Ryan will be linked to discredited ideas (*free trade*, military interventionism, low taxes on the rich, privatizing Medicare, and cuts to Social Security) and he will never get another shot at running for President.
If Hillary does get elected, then she will be the last conservative Democrat to hold that office. The future Democratic Party will be led by someone who is like Warren and Sanders.
5/3 @ 7:46 am
15
I wonder if you're aware that while Hillary was in the senate she was rated as one of the most liberal senators there? She had the same liberal score as Elizabeth Warren- 85%, while Bernie had an 86%. She's also been fighting for liberal causes since her college days, unlike Warren, who switched from republican to democrat at age 47.
I am so tired of this made up " conservative" label being laid on Clinton, while it was common knowledge while her husband was president that she was far to his left.
I am so tired of this made up " conservative" label being laid on Clinton, while it was common knowledge while her husband was president that she was far to his left.
132
I guess you missed the part about supporting an illegal military coup in Honduras, sending children back there to be murdered and raped as a "lesson" to their parents, and overthrowing Qaddfi who had become an ally in the fight against Islamic extremists, which left the country open to - Islamic extremist?
Those are not the actions of a progressive. Those are the actions of a conservative. I guess you can take the girl out of the GOP, but you can't take the GOP out of the girl.
Those are not the actions of a progressive. Those are the actions of a conservative. I guess you can take the girl out of the GOP, but you can't take the GOP out of the girl.
4
Paul Ryan wants to be President but only if he can be crowned. He lacks the stomach for the public roughing up he would get in a highly contested Primary season.
Ms Warren I doubt wants to be President.
As to Charles Koch, Hillary is an Acolyte of Ayn Rand just like you- she just likes to get things done. About 5 seconds after she secures the Democratic Nomination she will start running back to her Goldwater Girl roots she famously bragged about to Scott Simon on NPR.
SCOTT SIMON: I mean, did you ever, back in the '60s - between when you were, I believe, you were a `Goldwater Girl'-
HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: - That's right-
SCOTT SIMON: - and whatever you became politically?
HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: That's right. And I feel like my political beliefs in the conservatism that I was raised with. I don't recognize this new brand of Republicanism that's afoot now which I consider to be very reactionary, not conservative in many respects. I'm very proud that I was a `Goldwater Girl.'
http://www.npr.org/2016/03/24/471716046/this-20-year-old-clinton-intervi...
Ms Warren I doubt wants to be President.
As to Charles Koch, Hillary is an Acolyte of Ayn Rand just like you- she just likes to get things done. About 5 seconds after she secures the Democratic Nomination she will start running back to her Goldwater Girl roots she famously bragged about to Scott Simon on NPR.
SCOTT SIMON: I mean, did you ever, back in the '60s - between when you were, I believe, you were a `Goldwater Girl'-
HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: - That's right-
SCOTT SIMON: - and whatever you became politically?
HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: That's right. And I feel like my political beliefs in the conservatism that I was raised with. I don't recognize this new brand of Republicanism that's afoot now which I consider to be very reactionary, not conservative in many respects. I'm very proud that I was a `Goldwater Girl.'
http://www.npr.org/2016/03/24/471716046/this-20-year-old-clinton-intervi...
9
IMHO, Senator Warren has sense-enough to know that she can exert more influence in the 'public-debate' as a Senator than she could as President.
6
Coulda. woulda, shoulda - there's time way ahead for Senatorr Warren and Speaker Ryan to strut their stuff. Meanwhile, with Trump the presumptive heir to the GOP, and Clinton almost in the ring, putting up her campaign dukes, we are all hoping for some inchoate deus ex machinas to descend on the Republican and Democratic stages and change prognosticated outcomes in the coming 7 months.
1
Wouldn't it be great if Ryan decided to take a long hard look at the "Hastert" rule and the procedures Hastert put in place and declare that the House would no longer be run by the rules put in place by a serial child molester? Could such a step bring back a little sanity in our government?
192
Yes, it would. But Ryan has shown himself to be merely a "leader" in search of a mob. He has initiated nothing (nothing!) of any independent and lasting import. He sniffs the air, finds what seems to be the common GOP will, speaks a few words, and then waits to be acknowledged as the anointed "aw shucks, me?" leader. Ryan's history shows that he's not been critically tested and simply lacks the political and moral courage to take a principled stand... on anything.
8
I agree!! Hastert's name should never be mentioned in the House again. They certainly shouldn't brag about following his lead.
7
Undeclared candidates immediately lose much of what people see in them when they declare...That's why the undeclared want to put off that moment when the soft focus of might be sharpens to the clarity of what is. Aside from the hotel accommodations, there's that immediate descent into reality that big egos dread.
9
Most Americans of voting age are waiting to vote in November, the election season has been unbearably long and we could all pass a multiple choice test about the plans and positions of the remaining candidates. Too much money from secret places and not enough imagination to move the country forward.
One thing is for sure: Mr. Ryan will study (over the next 4 years) his past positions and revise or deny any of the extreme positions he has put forward on the national budget, domestic programs, social security and national healthcare. He is a calculating member of Congress, slowly biding his time and making deals. We'll see how well he can tread water in the Republican power game of doing little or nothing. It's NOT LEADERSHIP folks.
One thing is for sure: Mr. Ryan will study (over the next 4 years) his past positions and revise or deny any of the extreme positions he has put forward on the national budget, domestic programs, social security and national healthcare. He is a calculating member of Congress, slowly biding his time and making deals. We'll see how well he can tread water in the Republican power game of doing little or nothing. It's NOT LEADERSHIP folks.
86
And we should never forget the Ayn Rand underpinnings of his personal philosophy, a menace to us all!
6
Paul Ryan is the perfect age to run for President, but his policies are exactly wrong for the country. Elizabeth Warren is too old to run for President (Trump and Hillary not withstanding) but her policies are exactly right for the country. Ryan may mature in his position as Speaker, but he will never have the will of the people behind him. Warren can do the country a world of good from her Senate seat, and would be actually more effective there than in the White House. It's best for all if she stays there.
46
Sen. Warren is 66! Too old to run for president? I think not. Ageism much?
3
She would be 67 at the time of her Inauguration, and 71 at the end of her (first, presumably) term. Yes, I believe that someone in their late 60s is too old to be President. That would include Hillary and Trump. And Bernie, of course. That isn't ageist at all. It's just a reflection of the toll the office of President takes on a person. She'd be two years younger than Reagan was when he took office, and he began suffering from Alzheimer's in his second term. Of course, that doesn't mean that she would. But she also has little foreign policy experience, so I can't see her as an effective commander-in-chief, either. But her economic expertise is terrific, obviously. America needs her voice in the Senate, where she can do the most good. But the fact is that she doesn't want to run for President, so it's a moot point.
3
Agreed that America needs her voice. And it certainly seems a moot point at present. But people are living longer and staying vital longer, so I respectfully disagree that she'd be too old should she choose to run for president or to take a seat at a Democratic administration table.
1
Paul Ryan has aptly been called "the Flim Flam Man" by Paul
Krugman, but not even Ryan could out "flim flam" Trump so
he is going to sit this one out. Trump is running a con and
is hoping the people don't figure it out until after Election Day.
Enroll in Trump University? Kiss your money goodbye?
Krugman, but not even Ryan could out "flim flam" Trump so
he is going to sit this one out. Trump is running a con and
is hoping the people don't figure it out until after Election Day.
Enroll in Trump University? Kiss your money goodbye?
20
So Paul Ryan is saving himself. But four years ago he was doing photo shoots in soup kitchens with clean aprons (he was late getting to the soup kitchen to help - but always good for a picture!) because he was "willing" to be President should anything happen to Mitt Romney...God forbid.
Paul Ryan is a sly fox. One of his big agendas has been getting rid of Medicare "as we know it" and like we've known it since Lyndon Johnson initiated it in the 1960's. He also would love to get rid of the Affordable Care Act. He loves to use the word "entitlements" as if those on Medicare are taking a handout that they never paid in to.
What is it about Paul Ryan that he doesn't want others to get a helping hand? His own mother collected Social Security when Ryan's dad died at an early age. And wow, as a federal employee, paid by us taxpayers, he gets great healthcare benefits. But again, that would be for HIS family...so it's ok.
We believe Ryan is awaiting the presidential campaign trail. Face it, his kids, up in Wisconsin, that he admits he flies home to see every weekend, (part of the Speaker sweet deal) will be four years older. Maybe they will be even older enough to get out there and campaign for dad. Maybe they would be more willing to move to DC and live in the White House.
Time will tell. For now, he's having fun, more fun than John Boehner, and the Republicans seem to adore him. Why give that up?
He can have DC on M-F, and Wisconsin cheese and Packers on S-S.
Paul Ryan is a sly fox. One of his big agendas has been getting rid of Medicare "as we know it" and like we've known it since Lyndon Johnson initiated it in the 1960's. He also would love to get rid of the Affordable Care Act. He loves to use the word "entitlements" as if those on Medicare are taking a handout that they never paid in to.
What is it about Paul Ryan that he doesn't want others to get a helping hand? His own mother collected Social Security when Ryan's dad died at an early age. And wow, as a federal employee, paid by us taxpayers, he gets great healthcare benefits. But again, that would be for HIS family...so it's ok.
We believe Ryan is awaiting the presidential campaign trail. Face it, his kids, up in Wisconsin, that he admits he flies home to see every weekend, (part of the Speaker sweet deal) will be four years older. Maybe they will be even older enough to get out there and campaign for dad. Maybe they would be more willing to move to DC and live in the White House.
Time will tell. For now, he's having fun, more fun than John Boehner, and the Republicans seem to adore him. Why give that up?
He can have DC on M-F, and Wisconsin cheese and Packers on S-S.
40
Mima, above, comments:
"What is it about Paul Ryan that he doesn't want others to get a helping hand? His own mother collected Social Security when Ryan's dad died at an early age. And wow, as a federal employee, paid by us taxpayers, he gets great healthcare benefits. But again, that would be for HIS family...so it's ok."
Maybe its the same engine that drives Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Governor Paul LePage of Maine: they too climbed their ladders with help from others, and now devote themselves to making sure no one else can set foot on the first rung, lest they be displaced.
Watch out, boys - the ladder is wobbling!
"What is it about Paul Ryan that he doesn't want others to get a helping hand? His own mother collected Social Security when Ryan's dad died at an early age. And wow, as a federal employee, paid by us taxpayers, he gets great healthcare benefits. But again, that would be for HIS family...so it's ok."
Maybe its the same engine that drives Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Governor Paul LePage of Maine: they too climbed their ladders with help from others, and now devote themselves to making sure no one else can set foot on the first rung, lest they be displaced.
Watch out, boys - the ladder is wobbling!
8
Fauxcahontas is a leftist idiot and Ryan is an open-borders corporatist shill.
Ryan is facing a primary challenge, a la his old buddy Eric Cantor who lost to Dave Brat. I hope Wisconsin gives Ryan the boot.
Ryan is facing a primary challenge, a la his old buddy Eric Cantor who lost to Dave Brat. I hope Wisconsin gives Ryan the boot.
15
On the assumption that Trump is the GOP nominee and Clinton defeats him, Ryan will face the still-angry onslaught of the Republican base. It will argue (if that is the right term) that, once again, the "party" did not run a "true conservative." Forget that the base turned to Trump, who they knew was not such a one. The question to ask today is, who is going to be the "true conservative" in 2020? Steve King? Peter King? Someone else who would be king?
5
Mr. Powell's comment is very telling as were similar comments echoed by Mr. Ryan. Mr. Garfield had a similar historical perspective.
These days, you need considerable passion to want to be president, and, while that has probably been always true to some degree, it is probably even more necessary today given the extended, complex, and usually brutal political process we now engage in for several years before the election of a president. Unfortunately, this probably deters many good people from seeking the presidency, which is the country's loss.
Political office should be a period of service and not a career or a way of life. But, in today's world, if you cannot see yourself as being willing or able to be of service to your country due to the rigors of the process you must go through, you will not have the fortitude to face the challenges of running of high elected office.
Maybe, we should consider going back to the Electoral College the way our founders originally conceived it. If nothing else, it would save us from the huge expenses and enormous amount of time spent on the primaries, much of which by they end of the process seem to be quite useless.
These days, you need considerable passion to want to be president, and, while that has probably been always true to some degree, it is probably even more necessary today given the extended, complex, and usually brutal political process we now engage in for several years before the election of a president. Unfortunately, this probably deters many good people from seeking the presidency, which is the country's loss.
Political office should be a period of service and not a career or a way of life. But, in today's world, if you cannot see yourself as being willing or able to be of service to your country due to the rigors of the process you must go through, you will not have the fortitude to face the challenges of running of high elected office.
Maybe, we should consider going back to the Electoral College the way our founders originally conceived it. If nothing else, it would save us from the huge expenses and enormous amount of time spent on the primaries, much of which by they end of the process seem to be quite useless.
17
"Life" should include the issue of qualifications, as opposed to a billionaire writing a check so one can play at "running for president."
Ryan is the perfect example. A right wing know nothing who wants only to reduce taxes for the 1%. Where have we heard this before?
Ryan is the perfect example. A right wing know nothing who wants only to reduce taxes for the 1%. Where have we heard this before?
36
Who would wish to face the mockery and hateful vitriol of the right wing fanatics who refuse to participate in a functioning democracy and who take it upon themselves to despoil our Nation with their intransigence and ideological nonsense. We are also faced with the prospect of electing a tyrant who would destroy our democracy from within. Obama's adroitly playful and clever humor and intelligence has made the craziness of Washington politics seem manageable but it is not. It is fundamentally dysfunctional. We are endangered by ideological tyrants. Who is really up to this task...who? Were Obama be constitutionally eligible to run for a third term I would give my life to elect him. There is NO ONE with his talent...NO ONE.
163
Hillary will take on the responsibility just fine. Her eyes are wide open.
She may not be able to slay the dragon, but she knows how to really inflict some serious damage.
She may not be able to slay the dragon, but she knows how to really inflict some serious damage.
9
For the campaign-weary, these observations--served up with humor--are much appreciated. Thank you!
4
Warren will benefit from both seasoning and from a Clinton presidency, as Obama would have...
The foolishness and the constant innuendo side, Hillary has all the makings of a splendid president. The NYT endorsement was not a mistake.
Together with Bernie, much is expected of Warren and the so-called ‘Progressives’.
Can the wackos, both left and right, mess it up? Doubtful. Ultimately I’m betting on the wisdom and the decency of the American people, in the aggregate…. my faith, still, in ‘the people’, and our democracy.
The foolishness and the constant innuendo side, Hillary has all the makings of a splendid president. The NYT endorsement was not a mistake.
Together with Bernie, much is expected of Warren and the so-called ‘Progressives’.
Can the wackos, both left and right, mess it up? Doubtful. Ultimately I’m betting on the wisdom and the decency of the American people, in the aggregate…. my faith, still, in ‘the people’, and our democracy.
75
I agree with your assessment of Hillary but even though Trump's rise has been fueled by Neanderthal Republican Primary Voters his present status should give you pause about the wisdom of the American Voter, and don't forget their embrace of W.- almost as dumb as Trump.
30
I'm glad Elizabeth Warren left her powder dry. Perhaps she can use her influence to redirect disappointed Sanders supporters towards something more constructive than beating up on Clinton and the DNC: like electing enough Democrats to Congress to actually pass some of the legislation needed to advance 'progressive' goals.
Bernie is blowing it. If he were helping turn the Senate, instead of tilting at windmills, he and Warren could remake the Senate, and start the revolution, with a grateful Democratic president ready to work with them.
Bernie is blowing it. If he were helping turn the Senate, instead of tilting at windmills, he and Warren could remake the Senate, and start the revolution, with a grateful Democratic president ready to work with them.
228
Hillary Clinton is her own worst punching bag. Sanders support will turn out for her when the smoke clears. You Clinton folks kill me. Sanders is a Democratic Socialist. He had the support of the DNC to run for president. He will and has supported Democrats after he has properly vetted them. The idea that he would give blanket support to the Democrats right now is just ridiculous. This narrative that he's chasing windmills isn't anymore of a fantasy than thinking the United States did good work in Libya, and Iraq. As far as the revolution goes, Mrs. Clinton does not support most of it and that's the essence of the Sanders campaign.
6
ThatJulieMiller
Thank you for your comment. I wish everyone understood how important it is to win the Senate.
Thank you for your comment. I wish everyone understood how important it is to win the Senate.
20
The DNC needs to be beat up on. Hillary is more of the same and I don't mean that in a good way. Elizabeth Warren? Fabulous!
4
A Presidential "Could-Have-Been"? "In-Waiting" strikes me as more accurate. He quietly bides his time, waiting for his hour to strike.
2024 for Ryan.
By 2024 government dysfunctionality, infrastructure decrepitude, fiscal dilemmas and social predicaments will be so severe -- and Republican Party internecine infighting so crippling -- that he won't just be invited to run he will be begged. Hailed as a deliverer, another Washington; begged to run; begged.
And he knows it. So he smiles, speaks reasonably, keeps his hands clean and bides his time waiting for the ripe plum to fall into his outstretched hand.
2024 for Ryan.
By 2024 government dysfunctionality, infrastructure decrepitude, fiscal dilemmas and social predicaments will be so severe -- and Republican Party internecine infighting so crippling -- that he won't just be invited to run he will be begged. Hailed as a deliverer, another Washington; begged to run; begged.
And he knows it. So he smiles, speaks reasonably, keeps his hands clean and bides his time waiting for the ripe plum to fall into his outstretched hand.
13
Ryan's hand may be outstretched, but nominee Trump is going to burn the GOP plum tree down to a stump. By the time it bears anything ripe again, people will ask "Paul who?"
89
Ryan is as bad as any of them, a snake in the grass.
55
I hope you are right@Julie. I differ from you in wishing a similar fate for the DNC and its favorites. People constructing lucrative careers from doing "the will of the people" of any stripe need to go.
1
With campaign blues
From Trump and Cruz
For Ryan one cannot enthuse,
An Ayn Rander one ought not choose
It leads to bilious bloat
The most attractive I discern
Has always been the Man called Bern,
A nice chance for a real left turn,
On Socialistic chaps, I learn,
The media does not dote.
Would Ms Warren have better fared
If with full fire she would have dared
To Hillary have been compared
The Wall Streeters supremely scared
Would spend and spend and spend,
So left-wingers like you and me
Are forced to vote for Hillary
The Hawkish candidate we see
Abandoning our choice, Berne,
Oh what a painful end.
From Trump and Cruz
For Ryan one cannot enthuse,
An Ayn Rander one ought not choose
It leads to bilious bloat
The most attractive I discern
Has always been the Man called Bern,
A nice chance for a real left turn,
On Socialistic chaps, I learn,
The media does not dote.
Would Ms Warren have better fared
If with full fire she would have dared
To Hillary have been compared
The Wall Streeters supremely scared
Would spend and spend and spend,
So left-wingers like you and me
Are forced to vote for Hillary
The Hawkish candidate we see
Abandoning our choice, Berne,
Oh what a painful end.
51
I used to like your poems, but not since you became a berniebot.
2
Ryan might run for President sometime in the future, but I don’t imagine him competing in a contested convention with people who hurl all kinds of vile insults and lies and then threaten violence if things don’t go their way. I don't think the GOP would unite after the convention if it turns out to be even half as nasty as predicted.