Warren was my first choice, but at this point, I will vote for Sanders. I like his policies and think he connects with disaffected working class voters better than any other Democrat.
Biden can be incoherent at times and doesn't seem as sharp as he was 10 years ago. The more I listen to him, the less I like him -- and I think he will lose handily to Trump. Too many people see him as the "establishment." I think voters in the general will see him as the male-HRC (qualified but seriously flawed.) Even though I think he's going to lose, I'll hold my nose and vote for him in the general if he's the nominee.
But if there's a brokered convention and the DNC somehow chooses Bloomberg, I'm voting for Trump. If we're going to have an out-of-touch billionaire President who has made repugnant comments about women and horrible policy decisions affecting minorities, I am going to do my darnedest to make sure they're Republican. I don't want that hypocrisy to be a part of our legacy.
342
@Summer trump is far from being a billionaire, just one of the reasons he won't release his taxes.
87
@Summer
That's a dangerous statement. Another 4 years of Trump could have a disastrous effect on the country and the generations after us. Bloomberg definitely has a spotty record, his advancement of progressive themes can't be overlooked.
Progressives that vote for Trump out of spite will be on the wrong side of history.
257
@Summer That's a bizarre last two sentence conclusion.
163
I'm supporting Bernie Sanders as the only real choice for overcoming the Trump-GOP pro-fascist party. Trump's core white nationalist base has made plenty of threats that they will have a rebellion and physically attack Democrats if Trump loses and we would be foolish to think these are idle threats. We can't let fear rule us. That means we can't decide that since Trumpers truly hate Sanders as the anti-Christ we should not vote for him. Further, any Trump loss is likely to set off white nationalist violence. Would you rather have a president that stands up to this thuggery and intimidation, or have an indecisive president who lets them get away with it in the name of unity and not overreacting?
29
Doesn't matter who the nominee is. If Democrats and Independents come out and vote, Democrats will win. Just like 2008; just like 2018.
Not only it is childish to not vote if your preferred candidate doesn't win the primary, it will give us another 4 years of the most corrupt, incompetent and un-American administration in history. In other words, a no vote is Un-American.
48
Biden is a huge risk---probably a FAR greater risk than Klobuchar, Buttiggeg, Warren or maybe even Bloomberg, much less, the frontrunner Bernie Sanders.
Biden is the worst speaker of the lot, plagued by outlandish gaffes Trump will have a field day with (Nelson Mandela anyone?), not to mention the Hunter Biden nepotism angle that will likewise be a never-ending Republican talking point.
Bernie's greatest potential vulnerability would be red baiting from Republicans, but I don't think they will be very effective on that front, given that Trump is deeply involved in the Russian mob and Trump Towers is filled to the rafters with Russian organized crime figures, many wanted by interpol.
42
Bernie.
How South Carolina's African-American community (or ANY state's) could think Biden is better for the particular concerns relative to African-American issues are beyond me.
Biden was exposed as having lied about being a Civil Rights marcher in his youth. Biden led the committee that approved Clarence Thomas's nomination to the Supreme Court and was one of the fiercest attackers of Anita Hill. He also forbade another woman from testifying even though she had volunteered to the committee to testify against Thomas for sexual harassment when she had worked for him. Biden has always been a foe of busing to desegregate schools (he was vociferously criticized by the lead legal officer of the NAACP at the time).
Bernie Sanders has never strayed from his principles. I have a news photo of Bernie standing only a dozen yards from the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. at the "I Have A Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963 at theMarch on Washington for Jobs And Freedom. I was 15 and attended with my father. Meanwhile, at the time Hillary
Clinton was a volunteer for Goldwater & backed his opposition to the proposed Voting Rights Act & promising to repeal the Civil Rights act.
I recently heard a white supremacist neighbor say that black people were not as smart as white people. I took him to task. Apparently, the South Carolina vote proves African-Americans aren't smarter than whites, either.
37
How to get laughed out of a publisher’s office: Write a novel that has two final contestants for the Democratic nomination for president.
One is a 77-year-old former vice president. He frequently fumbles his words, getting mixed up about where he is and who he’s talking to. He shows obvious cosmetic surgery and has hair plugs. He called on parents to “make sure you have the record player on at night.” Apparently, he’s unaware that the kids switched from record players to 8-track decades ago where they remain today.
The other is a 78-year-old socialist with a bad heart. He wants to destroy our healthcare system in order to save it. When asked about how to fund healthcare he accuses the questioner of nickel and diming him to death. Even though he’s had a recent heart attack, he won’t release detailed medical records. He has an ardent following that includes some latter-day Brown Shirts.
22
So one old male white Boomer v another white old Boomer. I need something better than that.
17
You don’t have the right to make decisions for the people. This is pure misogyny. And it is unfair. In a world where you know that people only read headlines you have made people think that Warren is out of the race. That is clearly your intention. The media has decided it is a race between two old white men and have written that narrative. Warren is still a viable candidate and people should t be led to believe she isn’t in the race anymore.
35
I find it interesting that many NY commentators want a candidate to compromise before even getting into the White House. No wonder Democrats have done nothing for 40 years. They're the party of the white flag.
16
The only reason the Times has abandoned Mayor Bloomberg is because you couldn't convince people to buy your rationalization to vote for him, to overlook so many transgressions. Why the Times is so anti-Sanders is beyond me, he would seem to embody all the Times looks for in a candidate. Is he not fawning enough? I don't know of anyone who could honestly, seriously make a case for Joe Biden. He threw Anita Hill under the bus. He is great Republican when it comes to dumping on the people in favor of Wall Street and Biden never said a thing when his son took a lucrative and questionable job with Burisma; he also pushed for that horrible bankruptcy law "reform" and threw Anita Hill under the bus. His own running mate President Obama has withheld his endorsement. You are going to be surprised to find that too many people are not willing to give up a choice for change, to make life better here, solely because Biden looks more "electable."
The debates do matter. Trump will trounce Biden but Bernie's out there and can cut him into shreds, as can Elizabeth Warren. But what is so utterly arrogant, so outrageous, is that this newspaper talks as if Elizabeth Warren isn't even in the race. It's Bernie or Biden. So you say. Shame on you.
20
If you believe Trump is a truly ruinous president, but you refuse to vote in the general election for Biden because you wanted Sanders as your candidate then you are an incredibly selfish person.
Trump is bad for the climate, bad for the environment, bad for people of color, bad for women, bad for the sick, bad for the poor, bad for decorum, bad for our allies. What part of voting him out office don't some of you get?
22
"What about Warren? ... I have a lot of admiration for Warren"
Reminder:
There wouldn't be Candidate Warren as we know & love her, w/o Bernie.
There wouldn't be AOC as we know & love her, w/o Bernie.
There wouldn't be a plank of Universal Healthcare & education w/o Bernie.
Think Bernie's ideas are too big? I quote Liz:
"I don't understand why anybody goes to all the trouble of running for President of the United States to talk about what we really can't do & shouldn't fight for"
~ Sen. Warren
Pushing a 'Democratic Party Purity Test' to reject Sanders? remember:
Neither Dem purists nor total registered Dems remotely have the numbers to Dump Trump alone. Dems are a distinct minority, as are Trumpists.
Spreading malicious falsehoods about Bernie costing HRC the nom? That's simply not a supportable statement.
Insinuating Sanders is a Stalinist? That's just false.
Citing rumored scourge of abusive 'Bros': Mostly a myth.
Tarring Sanders as preferred by Putin? Show evidence of massive pro-Bernie Russian subterfuge.
Trump supporting Bernie as 'easy to beat'? Don's clearly not the brightest bulb, got himself impeached digging up fake dirt.
But for all we know, Trump's trying to tar Sanders w/the appearance of 'easier to beat' preference in some double-twist 'Briar Patch' idea. Bernie scares Bannonites.
Vote your fave, but desist all the hateful rancor & Bernie-bashing propaganda.
Dems can't win w/o the Berners & lots of I's & non-voters.
Vote Blue No Matter Who!
15
The Dem. establishment is going full hog for Biden, just like it did for Hillary. Just doesn't get it... we saw what that brought us... we need a revolution to stop Trump and the Repubs... and that sure is not Biden...
24
Bernie Sanders or Joe (Mandela) Biden?
Ah, ha, huh. Not so fast.
To me, it's clear: Bernie or Trump.
Crooked Joe can retire or go to jail again (not with Nelson Mandela this time) for his Ukraine corruption. And take Obama down with him, don't tell me Obama didn't know anything about Biden's dealings.
7
Biden.
There.
2
Amazing how you DUDES completely ignore Elizabeth Warren, who has almost the same number of delegates as Biden & Bernie.
19
"Bernie or Biden. Period.
That’s the Democratic choice now."
Wha...hey, wait a min., I thought Biden was out and Bloomberg was the rah-rah candidate who could totally beat back Sanders and then beat Trump w/o a single backward glance over the shoulder for poor Joe...
...Isn't that what all the NYT right lib's have been on the bandwagon for until the Nevada debate, David?
...and now they have to switch horses AGAIN to Biden?
...this time for SURE?
4
Why didn't this essay begin with,"If you're a Democrat who doesn't want Biden ..."? The MSM is so incredibly stodgy!!
3
The three "B's" have it. Bernie, Biden and Bloomberg". Don't forget Bloomberg. .... https://lstrn.us/Bloom_S_F
3
Why not a Biden <-> Bernie ticket?
Radical notion, eh?
2
Didn’t you opinion columnists just endorse Warren/Klobuchar? This makes the NYTimes endorsement look like a mistake.
11
Uncle Bernie - the millennium's Ralph Nader
11
This true-blue democratic voter has decided: if whatever man who wins the democratic candidacy fails to choose a woman for VP, then I'm not voting at all! (First time I'll sit out an election in my entire life.) But politely waiting 200+ years for a place in the leadership is just too long.
Woman VP--or lose my vote!
And I hope all the women reading this will join me!
8
Just because Biden won South Carolina doesn't mean it's suddenly revived from the dead. If you don't want a Sanders nomination your better off backing Warren who actually has a plan and more importantly a ground game to win. Cause no-show-Joe isn't getting the job done outside of Carolina.
18
by the same token for supporters who want a progressive candidate, vote bernie now (and not warren any more). but you don't say that, weird...
7
The title would have been more informative if it had been "Burnie or Biden: Trump wins. Period". How weak is the Democrats field was demonstrated by Biden's win in South Carolina - his first primary win in three election cycles! Neither Burnie nor Biden will defeat Trump. In the end if there is any hope to end the Trump nightmare it is only Bloomberg.
1
There is no way addlepated Ole Uncle Joe is gonna capture the imagination of informed voters. Mike Bloomberg, standing all of 5'7' towers over him. Through effective leadership and targeted philanthropy, Bloomberg has accomplished more on issues that matter; the environment, gun control, education reform, crime reduction, opioid legislation, than all of these candidates and the our last 9 presidents combined. Sure, he is a Technocrat lacking charisma, but the Dems will come to rue the day they sabotaged his run. It is not too late to stop Trump. The way to do it is to declare I Like Mike.
15
If Biden gets elected, the acquisitive, market-centric amoralism of of the “Centrist” Democratic Party will continue to embody naught but a hollow liberal culture that values individual success over collective solidarity.
They will toast the endless triangulation of its elites as a marker of enlightened realism and allow the twin idols of wealth and celebrity to be their lodestars, while the working people of this country keep (literally) dying.
Neoliberalism is the opposite of solidarity.
It encourages an extreme form of selfish individualism that ends up depoliticizing the populace and eroding the collective spirit of democracy.
It also leaves the individual isolated and alone.
In a brutal, competitive, and atomized society, psychic well-being is so difficult that success on this front can feel like a significant accomplishment.
The author pens this article as if this grim future for the majority of us in this country is okay.
Are we invisible to you?
13
Biden spent the weekend asking for support for his 2020 Senate run and talking about he upcoming Ebola pandemic.
Are we supposed to ignore this until the Republicans slam it over our heads?
10
Bloomberg all the way. Will only vote for Biden if he chooses Mayor Pete as his running mate. Bernie is too Angry and will bankrupt the nation as he pushes it into socialism.
5
I’m a moderate Republican and I will be voting for Bernie in the general election. He will pull our overextended troops home and will mount an assault on the neo-liberal establishment. I’ll take the bad with the good.
23
Trump is a dream come true for the left, his incompetence could lead national healthcare, gun control, reduction of student loan debt and creating a real democracy, if only we are brave enough to try. Bernie or Warren could be a real change, not just a slogan.
17
It is good to see a moderate candidate rising in this crucible of political diversity. It is also good to see the large turnout.
This Democratic voter turnout in an election where there is not a dominant candidate is more of an anti-republican coalition than it is a pro-single Democratic candidate.
This bodes well for a Democratic romp in November to include down ballot races. The US voter has had three plus years to live the ignorant, lying, greedy elitist party and evaluate the total unfitness for governing that the republican cult is showing.
I hope the Democrats will coalesce into a unified voice to mount a well financed campaign to save our liberty and freedom from the autocratic republicans.
2
Americans don’t like change much. They are also not very well read and don’t keep up with current affairs outside of the entertainment industry. Uneducated, with little understanding of government, they tend to gravitate toward name recognition rather than take the time to study the platforms and records politicians. Advertising works because people are barraged by visuals which are psychologically persuasive. “Debates “ work well because they are platforms for stating platitudes and promoting likeability quotients for candidates. Viewers may like physical intimidation (think Trump who is a large, morbidly obese man menacingly hovering behind Hilary Clinton to which some may translate as a big macho male intimidating our enemies.) Meanwhile likeability quotients are tricky in terms of regional and cultural biases....Americans tend to interpret Sanders’ old sixties style rebelliousness as a screaming, angry Jew which is a scarey stereotype for Americans. But Trump’s tough sounding, limited vocabulary, misogynistic verbal stereotypes, Queens accent and boorish manners interpret to the comforts of fifties style working class bus driver Ralph Cramden on The Honeymooners. Americans are comfortable with that level of non threatening ineptness but someone who likes to talk about punching someone out. Democracy is difficult and requires thought. Comfort is easy and only requires a bag of chips, a platter of wings and a television.
7
Weird times. The Bern-out isn’t really a Democrat and never has been. Yet people ignore this while trashing politicians who are and always have been Democrats. Maybe the Bern-out should just do what he claims he is doing- forging a new revolution by starting his own independent party. I think many would be happy to follow him and that would leave the Democrats a path to define what the party really is instead of trying to fit
a non-Democrat into it’s confines. I know I know that would split the vote and give Trump an open field to run in. However, Democrats like me will never back Bern Boy as he isn’t, hasn’t and never will be a true member of my party. If he wants to be the vanguard of a revolution then as The Airplane sang- Hey now it’s time for you and me got a revolution.
1
A plea from Europe: Please, please vote for Mr. Bloomberg, the only one that can bring Trump down. Mr. Biden...English is not my first language, but he sounds really..weird. When going off script for more than 15sec he is sometimes wandering to places previously unexplored by man. Alongside him Trump will still not look like a genius, but I'm afraid he will actually look the more stable of the two. Although just as old, Bloomberg appears to be in much better shape both physically and mentally. Envision Bllomberg and Trump together on a stage. Bloomberg neglecting the insults and crazy stuff from Trump, focusing on the important issues and how they can be handled, appearing pragmatic, knowledgeable, sincere and trustworthy. In late 2020, after or during the coronavirus attack, who will the American people prefer? This person or the incompetent, lying clown beside him?
12
Ugh. My husband and I are going to call this primary the “knick-knack paddy whack, give your dog a bone primary.” (Our heads are spinning.) We initially started the primary season supporting Biden only to switch to Bloomberg when we sensed that he had a better chance to beat the monster. Now we are considering a switch back to Biden, if Bloomberg doesn’t do well on Super Tuesday. (We do not think Sander’s can beat Trump and, more importantly, he is not going to help flip the Senate.)
6
Bloomberg take over. Bernie and Biden will not beat Trump.
8
African Americans have given Joe Biden a victory in South Carolina, based on his support for civil rights. Here is recent factual record compiled by the American Civil Rights Union (ACLU) about Sanders, Biden's, and Bloomberg's commitment to protect civil liberties and civil rights.
Mass incarceration (cut federal prison sentences by half)
Bernie Sanders - Yes.
Joe Biden and Michael Bloomberg (declined to take a clear position).
Reproductive Rights (Preventing States from shutting down abortion providers)
Bernie Sanders - Yes.
Joe Biden and Michael Bloomberg (declined to take a clear position).
Criminal Justice (Decriminalize drug use & provide treatment over going to jail)
Bernie Sanders - Yes.
Joe Biden and Michael Bloomberg (declined to take a clear position).
Immigrant Justice (Reduce the number of immigrant detentions by at least 75%)
Bernie Sanders - Yes.
Joe Biden and Michael Bloomberg (declined to take a clear position).
Voting Rights (Protect the right to vote for all Americans including those incarcerated)
Bernie Sanders - Yes.
Joe Biden and Michael Bloomberg (declined to take a clear position)
To see these candidates positions on other civil liberties issues, please visit:
www.rightsforall.org
9
A commentator writes, “ Bernie is an existential threat to our country.” I think, how come FDR was not?
12
Bernie and Biden will be in their EIGHTIES before the next presidential term ends. Same with Bloomberg. Why is this tip-toed around so much? It's okay to go on and on and on about political party affiliations and decades-old missteps and gender and ridiculous media circus "debate" performances, but let's pretend that advanced age is not a key consideration? Pete's not old *enough*, but the three aforementioned candidates are *not* too old?
80
Such a disappointment. It's too bad that Pete + Amy didn't stay in the race through Super Tuesday -- giving 30% of the voters a CHOICE. All of the energy has just been sapped from the Democratic primaries.
2
Don't write off Warren. She is the best candidate to do the job if elected. There is also an age factor for Biden and Sanders. What will count in the general election is who can motivate young voters to go to the polls, and that should be Warren as she is appealing directly to young voters on climate change and student debt.
In times gone by young people have been counted on to serve their country in the military. Now they must be made to understand, that they will serve just by voting in record numbers. It's their world and the Democratic establishment has not served them much better than the Republicans, when it comes to climate change or college tuition.
13
To commenters who say:
"If it's not Bernie, I won't vote."
"Bernie is an existential threat to our country."
"If the DNC chooses Bloomberg, I'm voting for Trump."
"If Biden wins in the primaries he gets my vote. If it's superdelegates at the convention I'll focus on the senate and house."
If you truly believe in universal healthcare, affordable higher education, protecting the environment, social equality, social justice, voting rights, minority rights, women's rights, etc. then how could you not vote for whomever the Democratic nominee is, whether they get there by meeting the vote threshold or by a brokered convention?
Bernie's "radical" ideas will be checked by Congress, which must pass legislation to enact his programs. If it's a Democratic Congress, then there will be compromise–but there will be progress. If it's a Republican or split Congress, there will be problems. But that will be the same for any Democratic president. And, if it's Biden, things won't be the status quo. The status quo is what Trump has wrought–lies, divisiveness, corruption, decimating the ACA, slashing the PHS, denying climate change and eliminating environmental protections, tax cuts for the wealthy, welfare for corporations, appointing unqualified/ultra conservative judges, weakening the social safety net, etc.
Any of the top contenders–Bernie, Biden, Bloomberg, Warren–would be more competent, more honest, more progressive, more inclusive than Trump. No matter who, vote BLUE!
8
I am a liberal Democrat but I don’t support either Bernie or Warren. They are too far left and, should they be elected, could not count on most Democrats in Congress to help them.
1. Remember how hard it was to get Obamacare passed? Medicare for All is a good idea, but needs to be prepared, slowly and surely. Bernie/Warren will not get it passed and will sorely disappoint their enthusiastic followers.
2. Moreover, Trump and his Fox News are already having a party at Bernie’s expense but he has paved the road for them...
Socialist Democrat. What’s that? Russian honeymoon, in those times, really? When talking about Fidel Castro, he singled for sole mention his educational achiuevements? Naturally, Cuban-Americans in Florida are incensed!
3. Last, I’m really tired of his hostility, his sourness, his perpetual scolding. I can’t imagine him sitting in the Oval Room inspiring us with confidence.
4
I am a liberal Democrat but I don’t support either Bernie or Warren. They are too far left and, should they be elected, could not count on most Democrats in Congress to help them.
1. Remember how hard it was to get Obamacare passed? Medicare for All is a good idea, but needs to be prepared, slowly and surely. Bernie/Warren will not get it passed and will sorely disappoint their enthusiastic followers.
2. Moreover, Trump and his Fox News are already having a party at Bernie’s expense but he has paved the road for them...
Socialist Democrat. What’s that? Russian honeymoon, in those times, really? When talking about Fidel Castro, he singled for sole mention his educational achiuevements? Naturally, Cuban-Americans in Florida are incensed!
3. Last, I’m really tired of his hostility, his sourness, his perpetual scolding. I can’t imagine him sitting in the Oval Room inspiring us with confidence.
Binary choices seem more akin to click bait than conversation starters - especially when we have no feel as to the respective running mates.
3
Though their actions made sense, neither Steyer nor Buttigieg nor Klobuchar deserve accolades - "impressive instances of politicians sublimating their own personal interests a larger principle" - for quitting.
They had absolutely no chance of winning outright by staying in a physically and emotionally grueling race. By quitting, they clear space for Biden to be the "moderate unity candidate" and get chits to cash in with establishment Democrats. Maybe they get a spot on CNN or a book deal. It's a totally reasonable decision, but don't pretend they are sacrificing themselves to some higher ideal.
2
Other opinion pieces as well as analyses describe the "horror" of the Democrats that Bernie Sanders is doing well. This will infuriate his supporters. Democrats, all you had to do was to not let Mr. Sanders run as a candidate of the Party. Tomorrow I will vote for Mr. Sanders.
6
Based on the current status, I would agree that either Bernie or Biden would be the nominate.
But one thing that I would want to point it out that for the commentators and opinion writers in the news media, most of them actually judge it based on news or personal thoughts, not really based on what American really think.
Remember not far ago, Who NYT options endorsed at that time? Amy and Ellen. But none of them actually matter anymore. And not too far ago, remembered all the news media and poll said who would win the presidency in 2016? That's Hilary.
We need more writers and commentators that are more close to people, close to the real voters, to know them, to understand them. Not just talking behind the TV screen and writing behind the laptop monitor.
There are many serious issues happening in Unites States and we need somebody really to address them.
1
I wish Biden was as sharp as Buttigeig and Klobuchar, considering he could end up the nominee. I also don’t think those people who refused to vote for Hillary due to her being a “coastal elite millionaire” will vote for Biden either. Another problem: Biden seems to think that once Trump is out the trouble is all over, and things will be like they were before. This is unfortunately delusional and out of touch.
Another thing: so Biden won South Carolina: so what? Is this a Democratic stronghold? Is this state representative of blue or purple states? Its weird that the horrible debate showings and dismal results from first three states suddenly don’t matter. SC is only one state- and we have an electoral college to reckon with.
I have a very sinking feeling about the general election.
4
This is a tough choice for moderates because Biden is, in most ways, a worse candidate than Hillary Clinton. She can not only finish sentences, but actually sound intelligent and focused afterward. (Fortunately for Biden he's old and a man, so his slurred gaffes are seen as "folksy.")
While many commentators thought Sanders won the SC debate /melee because there was no sustained focus on him, Biden benefitted more by being largely ignored. During the next debate, there will be no room for him to hide. Instead, Democratic voters will come face to face with the guy who's been flaming out of primaries for thirty years.
If he's put up against Trump, Dems better pray the economy is in flames by September.
8
What I do know is that all my moderate Democrat and left leaning friends have said without hesitation they will vote for Bernie Sanders, if he is the nominee. But, what I don't know is whether my progressive and democratic socialist friends and all the other Bernie supporters out there, will vote for Joe Biden, if he is the nominee. They hesitate. They will not commit. Will they even vote? Simply put, we ALL need vote for whomever is the Democratic nominee and negotiate differences AFTER the election.
7
A choice between a candidate who takes corporate money and one who doesn’t.
Well, at least we have a choice. For a long time we had to choose between corporate Democrats (bad) and corporate Republicans (worse).
Win or loose the nomination, Bernie is showing the way forward. The catastrophe would not be that Bernie fails to win the Dem nomination (bad as that probably would be), but that the next election cycle will again be between the two corporate parties.
Yes, the corporate Dems are substantially better than corporate Republicans, but do they really offer any meaningful hope or inspiration?
Maybe the point of corporate dems is that they offer no real hope. Just the tribal thrill of somebody who is not totally against you even though they are in the pay of the enemy.
7
Here is the simple fact. Whoever the nominee is, a Democrat will vote for. So the real question is, who can get moderate republicans to vote for them? Sanders is a self proclaimed socialist, and has no chance of winning over the moderates. That is why Biden is the better choice for this party. (All just my opinion)
6
I'm just so frustrated by the primary process. The press had Biden dead and buried after Nevada. So, does this mean that the press thinks Iowa, Nevada and New Hampshire are the only ones with a say? New York's primary is coming so late down the road - and New York has a lot of delegates. And then there's Bernie - not a Democrat, and Bloomberg - really a Republican at heart. How does the Democratic Party deal with this fairly? It's a deeply flawed process - not really much better than the smoke-filled rooms of our past. When it's all over, I'm voting for whoever isn't named Donald Trump. I just hope that it's a person who has the needed skills to deal with our complex domestic and global issues.
5
One of the biggest questions I have is: if Biden is the nominee will the Sanders supporters sit on their hands or do what they can to defeat Trump. The stakes cannot be higher.
3
If "The Party" puts another neoliberal faux progressive or Briibin' Mike Bloomberg in place, I.WILL.NOT.VOTE. I'm not ratifying blatant (or hidden) corruption. Gotta take a stand sometime.
6
@Lifelong New Yorker
Would you rather have four more years of Trump? Think about it.
6
Bloomberg: Get out now.
9
Bah! Warren is the only rational choice. Biden and Sanders are both shambling corpses from the past.
7
We have 2 issues right now one providing for the elite and poor of America. People that are alive Medicare or Obama care will be snuffed out President Donald Trump those people are living walking among us. Right now AG William Barr is trying to do away with Obama care if he secrete , in doing this thousands would die every month the estimates are around 30,000 so is it better to kill the living the other issue is abortion. time and time again Supreme Court authority on that issue. Republicans or Democrats have no say.
If you seen the Republican the last 30 years lobbyists money in their pockets even Sen. leader Sen. Mitch McConnell took in 250 million last year for lobbyists.
I will vote for VPJoe Biden he's respected is not a liar I will follow him not the division that Pres. Donald Trump has given the people of American last 3 years.VP Joe Biden loves people not hate him like President Donald Trump Muslims, Mexican rapists and killers that's not VPJoe Biden separating families from the border and children died under the watch of Pres. Donald Trump that's not VPJoe Biden. Tariffs that hurt our American farmers.
Building a wall 2nd century technology that's not VPJoe Biden and of vote for Bernie Sanders is a vote for Pres. Donald Trump.
2
funny how the all press is doing everything to point out "why not Bernie". The establishment can't deal with it lol
#FeelTheBern
9
What on earth would possess you to write off Senator Warren? She is vastly more effective than Sanders and way sharper than Biden. In a race with Trump, what can he possibly hold over her. The Pocahontas label? It’s ridiculous. He can play the whole Biden Ukraine conspiracy until people are confused, because our press doesn’t call him out. Ever.
He can call out Sanders as a Cuba loving Commie, and you will report on it gleefully.
If there was anyone in your newsroom other than white men, let THEM write about politics.
TYVM.
13
If you're voting for Biden, you'd better be ready for a Trump "Hunter Biden" corruption onslaught of the kind that only the King of Corruption himself can mount! The idiotic "Lock her up" chant will morph into something far more toxic and brutal.
13
We all like Joe Biden, but tragically he is the Robert Dole of 2020. If you want to defeat an incumbent president you have to light up the sky, arouse the populace and make people dance and get kids to sing of the future. Think Clinton, or Obama, they created a wave and rode it to the White House. Biden is never going to light up the sky. Sanders can get people excited, good or bad. We are about to get four more years of bad behavior and idiot government.
15
David Fairbanks, I don't see Bernie Sanders brimming over with charisma. Seems more like a grumpy old man haranguing his audience. Plus he's a socialist who has not accomplished a single thing of note after 50 years in office.
Would that there were someone on the Democratic side with the charisma and accomplishment to challenge Donald Trump. Sadly, there is no one.
2
More DNC foul play. Buttigieg and Klobuchar drop out the day before Super Tuesday? Disgusted!
5
Biden’s Vice President pick would soon be the President because Biden would be soon be removed via the 25th Amendment due to his obvious dementia.
He will pick Klobuchar, maybe Buttigieg. Warren has been to hostile to his candidacy.
Get ready for Trump winning again.
3
This is why Bloomberg is the one ....
3
Warren. Exclamation point.
10
What is going on with the Times? First they endorse Warren (albeit in tandem with Klobuchar), then they print this piece by Leonhardt. Why is Warren being erased by this newspaper? She is clearly the most competent candidate in the field at the moment, and unscathed by any dirt or scandal. Her record is strong, and we're getting this today. I'm holding out hope here that she's still a strong contender.
Period.
11
If it’s Bernie vs Trump, the right will bring up Bernie’s support for Fidel.
Bernie has every right to to bring up Trump’s and his white supremacist views support for Hitler.
Like Bernie, I’m Jewish. I think I said enough.
2
Bernie.
4
Biden loves to tell his opponents how he'll beat them up and take them to the woodshed. Perhaps he should apply the same methods to his idiotic son.
4
So, given that DT is their opponent, we are about to elect, at a time when the future is rushing at us at breakneck speed, a man who is four (DT) to nine (BS) years older than anyone ever elected to the office of president.
The Democrats started this race with 25 possible candidates, of vast diversity, and they've now been winnowed down to two old white men, neither of whom, to my mind, is really fit for the office. The only thing, it seems to me, that would make either of them my undoubted choice is that their opponent is another old man even less fit for office than they are.
How can this be the best that America can do?
5
Why does the media rule out Elizabeth Warren? Just Biden and Bernie? Really? Elizabeth Warren has worked against the corruption of Wall Street and for the economic rights of the middle class and the poor way before she became a senator. Elizabeth Warren has balls. She's smart. She has the guts to tear into Trump. Bernie will continue his rants and will be trampled by Trump for being a communist. Biden will be damned by Trump as being corrupt via his son Hunter's work for Burisma in Ukraine, and Biden will have to defend himself, being reactive instead of proactive against Trump. Bloomberg might be able to put Trump in his place and is one that Trump fears too, more than Biden. So who are the two who should be at the top of the Democratic presidential candidates who have the verbal skills, intellect, and grit to go against Trump? It's not Bernie or Biden. It's Warren and Bloomberg. And of those two, it's Warren.
14
I am a political and historical junkie who has been reading newspapers for 66 years and I cannot remember one instance when Joseph Biden showed leadership or insight.
He's like a punch drunk toastmaster, always maneuvering to be around the in crowd but never emerging as some one with independent judgement willing to step up and be counted.
He got Anita Hill and Iraq wrong. Totally wrong.
And he has temporized, obscured, double talked and lied about both ever since.
Folks, his candidacy and presidency would be as painful as Hillary's because those of us who are politically most sensitive, can see right through him.
Of course, he's 80% better than Trump.
But who has reset the democratic agenda so it is relevant to our problems today?
Bernie.
And who has done more in their life and for the country than any other candidate in real terms?
Bloomberg.
Young David is a smart guy, but he's not feeling the pain this column engenders.
I don't think Biden can stand up to Trump. And I got a better idea, it's one that Tom Friedman shares.
A COMMON DEMOCRATIC FRONT.
At the convention, all the democratic contenders meet in a room and thrash out a platform that all can agree to that tackles our priority of problems. Bloomberg and Sanders and Warren have to come to an agreement.
Biden doesn't matter. He'll agree to anything that seems favorable.
And everybody campaigns on that platform.
Bernie, Bloomberg, 4 president.
Booker or Klobuchar for VP.
We are the anti Trump wave.
6
@frankly32 All for Bloomberg Klobuchar team. They would be great.
Bernie and Biden nope not going to cut it.
1
How about Bernie AND Biden. One for President, one for VP. I'm serious.
1
Enough guessing and uncertainty. Sanders has momentum, he has cash, his opponent doesn't have the same visceral appeal and Sanders promises a lot, probably more than he'll ever deliver, but at this stage, promises are powerful. Bernie or Biden? It will be Bernie.
9
Don't rule out Elizabeth Warren. She's a leader who has proved her mettle and intelligence time and time again. Watching her on the campaign trail is inspiring...she knows how to relate to people.
9
Ah, I seem to recall that there are two other candidates who are viable - Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bloomberg. In fact I would venture that either of them are more electable in the general election than either of yours. Warren can get things done, reaches across the aisle and your paper endorsed her. Bloomberg has enormous potential - period. He has been a problem solver his whole life, he is a good citizen, keyed in on the exact things that drive Americans nuts - gun control, climate change and schools. No other individual American has done as much as Bloomberg on those 3 issues. Bloomberg or Warren. Period. In fact that would be an awesome ticket to run against Trump.
12
Half of the Democratic voters won't turn out in the general if Sanders is the nominee and the other half won't turn out if Biden is the nominee.
12
If only there was a compromise candidate like Elizabeth Warren...
7
The issue is climate change. Sanders and Warren not only know the urgency but, unlike Biden and Bloomberg, Sanders and Warren know and call out the corruption of the fossil fuel industries.
In my opinion, these industries that caused climate change need to be shut down immediately and sued to pay for climate change remediation. Moderation is totally inadequate in the existential threat of climate change.
5
We're now on the eve of the Supreme Court taking a case that will no doubt lead to the nullification of the ACA. I have no confidence that Biden has the capacity to articulate just what a disaster this will be or how he would undo it, were he to become the next President of the United States. There will be no traction in simply saying "Barack and I did it before and we'll do it again." Sanders and Warren see very clearly that vast numbers of people support their position on Medicare for All. To vote one or the other into office -- knowing they will not give up this fight -- before it's too late should be one of our highest priorities.
10
No one believes that Biden is capable of addressing climate change. He lies about healthcare. Everyone knows that a non profit insurance system is less expensive than a for profit health insurances system. Bernie fights to end wars. Biden votes for them. No one believes Biden has ever done anything for to address income inequality.
To do all of the above you can't be in the pocket of corporate interests and that is always where Biden has been. It is getting more and more difficult to fool a majority and it is not happening this time.
13
@Denis Biden's record and his position in the pocket of corporate interests are meaningless, because the guy is plainly not quite "all there" to the extent necessary for a POTUS. The cognitive decline makes him a non-option, and I'm surprised that people would overlook this.
15
@M
Out of curiosity. Are you a medical professional? Is there any research done to substantiate your claims, or is this just another favorite talking point?
Fine. Maybe Biden doesn't have a swift response and gets tongue-tied, that's not uncommon for people who once stuttered -- but dim?
I think not.
And there's no reason to doubt that after 8 years as V.P. he's got a better handle on things than you give him credit for.
And I say this as an undecided voter.
1
A Biden nomination is going to implode in the same way Hillary’s campaign did. The seeds of misinformation regarding his son in Ukraine have already been sown much like Hillary’s email scandal. We do not want another lukewarm moderate who maintains the status quo. The moderates bending over backwards to force a contested election between Bernie and Biden will destroy any enthusiasm Democrats have.
26
Biden is the only moderate with enough experience and appeal to win the election. In a better world, the ticket would be Biden-Buttigieg. It would be wisdom and experience with youth and a great economic agenda. Unfortunately, it is imperative to defeat the trump/putin cabal. Biden needs to have a bipartisan ticket to win the election and to unite the country. It will also help to win the senate and keep the house.
4
Aside from the opinion driven/not provable topic of electability vs. Trump, (which provides the day in day out sustaining grist for op-ed columnists, commenting on the Democratic field ), it is clear that health care - whether the Bernie/Warren Medicare for All or the Biden,Buttigieg Klobochar, expansion of Obama-care etc. version-- is the number one issue with voters. I will make a prediction: In our catchy sound-bite, 30 second attention span, what's trending now, meme driven election cycle, the candidate who says to voters : "I promise you EXACTLY the same health care that every member of the US Congress now receives ..." will win in a landslide. It matters not whether they have a plan to pay for it. If they keep saying this -- they will win. It is a promise that recognizes an existential reality (we/our families are all going to be confronted by an expensive medical issue at some point) and combines it with with the deep resentment the voting and non voting public has for politicians. If all these campaign spin doctors/message marketing wizards weren't so transfixed by their own inside game-- and perceived expertise, I they would have already figured this out?
8
As much as I like Bernie, (and I'm OK with Joe), I'm voting for Elizabeth '0 heart attacks' 'Born after WW2' Warren tomorrow.
But in the general election, I'd vote for a pet rock with a 'D' painted on it over Trump.
29
After seemingly endless complaints that Iowa and New Hampshire are unrepresentative of the USA as a whole (this is partly true), South Carolina, which is also unrepresentative of the USA as a whole, suddenly becomes some sort of perfect example for the Democrats. But it isn't. First of all, the African-American percentage of the population is quite high, and even higher for Democrats. It does present a valuable testing ground for winning the African-American vote, at least among older African-Americans in a Deep South state. On the other hand, no Democrat running for President has carried the state since 1976, and that was Georgian Jimmy Carter. And no Democrat will win it in 2020.
So why do so many pundits get all wiggly about Biden winning in a state in which he has no chance of winning in 2020. Let's see what he can do in a real contest before conceding him anything.
16
We are in a war for global survival of livable and productive human habitat. The enemy is already dropping its weather bombs, e.g. extreme storms, floods, forest fires, and is turning up the temperature rather noticeably.
Given the consequences of losing this war, is moderation the essential characteristic of the next Commander in Chief?
I think Warren is the only candidate that has intellect , drive, integrity, communications skills, and fire in the belly, to win this war. In my view, Sanders and Biden don't have what it takes for this this challenge, though both are good men.
8
I fear the DNC will feel emboldened with a more consolidated center. Biden himself is also very dismissive of the progressive Democratic wing, he mostly still sees it as a marginal movement (quod non) and everything Bernie or Warren says is criticism on Obama/Biden to him.
The DNC with too many centrist superdelegates and committee members to be representative of the party anymore and Biden are a potentially toxic combination that pushes away the youth and latino voters.
I hope the Times columnists do their part in urging restraint about interfering and manipulating.
Personally I hope Bloomberg can still topple the Biden disaster.
4
350 dot org just issued an endorsement of Bernie and Warren as the two climate leaders among the Democratic candidates.
The United Nations has reported that we (the human species) have about a decade to address with climate crisis with any agency, or we might as well give up. No time for moderates.
If you care about leaving a liveable planet for your children and grandchildren, you've got two options: Bernie or Warren. Period.
Personally, I'm hoping that Bernie gets the nomination and gets Warren to be his VP.
"Our greatest responsibility is to be good ancestors." - Jonas Salk
20
I am absolutely relieved that the NYT has made this decision for me. For months, I've been troubled and vacillating about which candidate should make it to the general election.
Warren seemed like a viable option (though never my favorite), but it turns out that she doesn't exist. Bloomberg temporarily made me feel "better" about the possibility of being "saved" from Trump, but it turns out that he doesn't exist, either. Bernie excited me more than the others despite his hypocritical blasts against people with money and heart problems at 78, but it turns out that Biden exists "more". Biden is demonstrating very real cognitive decline and is basically Hillary 2.0, but it turns out that he's the correct choice.
Thank you, NYT!!
21
@M Sarcasm on play here, I suppose...
4
We need to repair all the horrors that Trump and cronies have inflicted on our country, from severely damaging environmental policies to reducing funding for the CDC, building a wall at great expense, reducing services for children, just to name a few. Biden, I'm afraid, will be "business as usual." Bloomberg, like Trump, is a snake, simply with different colors.
But, Sanders needs a powerful younger vice-president who will be able to appeal enough to get votes AND take over well if need be. I think a Sanders-Abrams ticket would be amazing!
7
It would be great to see the kind of demographic breakdown campaign strategists are looking at right now:
What percentage of likely Democratic voters are older than 75, 65, 45, 25?
How many, in aggregate, live in mainly rural states?
What percentage are recipients of Social Security, MediCare, and other federal benefits for seniors?
A lot of Biden supporters seem to be counting on the idea that likely Democratic voters are actually Republicans looking for a way to avoid voicing for Trump... and that Biden is the safe choice because he’s been around and trying since the Ice Age. From what he says in the stump, what Biden mainly promises is a return to the relative normalcy and clear decency of the Obama-Biden years before we fell down the Trump rabbit hole; an appeal mainly to those who were voting adults prior to 2007, some 13 years in the past. What does Biden offer younger voters or those who thought Obama could have been more progressive? Where do these voters fit into the scheme of things - once again relegated to the ash heap of history?
6
Well, South Carolina doesn't resemble the rest of the United States any more than Iowa or New Hampshire -and is probably less representative. I understand Mr. Biden intends to win on the strength of black voters, but they are only 13% of the electorate so I'm not sure how far he'll get. Of course I thought it was Biden as the mystical white-working-class-whisperer that is supposed to trounce Trump in the swing states. Yet the only way he managed to rescue his wounded candidacy was by racking up a super-majority among ferociously conservative African Americans in an otherwise ferociously conservative southern state. It does appear he's collecting a lot of high-dollar endorsements, but they all appear to be the same people who confidently endorsed HRC four years ago. We all know how that turned out.
16
Finally I have decided among the 3 B's. Bernie and Bloomberg are good, ethical Jews; I'm Jewish. Bloomberg would be the best president / chief executive, but he can't get the numbers. Biden will get my vote in November, but Bernie will get it tomorrow because his policies and strategy are the most merciful and sensible, and he still is sharp. I love Joe, but my values are closest to Bernie's. I totally respect and appreciate Bloomberg.
8
Biden it is. Not an exciting or bold candidate, but so be it... he's not Trump, and he's a good human being. Bernie is selfish. Does he really believe he can win the Presidency? He's got an ego almost as big as Trump's. For the good of the country, Sanders should withdraw from the race and allow us to put all our money and energy into Biden.
11
Biden is old relic from yesteryear and clearly senile and not up for the job.
2
@doug Totally agree with that about Biden, same with Bernie who looks like he’s going to croak.
Bloomberg Klobuchar! Go team!
This coronavirus could play a major factor in the presidential race. If a lot of Americans get sick and many aren’t seeking treatment, because they lack health insurance or can’t afford to take time off work, Bernie Sanders could get a huge boost. I really hope we don’t have a major outbreak, but if we do, Bernie Sanders could wind up being our next president.
7
I agree with Bernie's Medicare for All wholeheartedly.
However, I could not vote for him because of certain people who support him and who he surrounds himself with who have made questionable remarks regarding Israel.
His rabid followers are also a huge turn-off. They shout down anyone who disagrees with them and do not allow for diversity of thought. It's not something I could support.
5
Not a single candidate can beat Trump. Period.
Biden need to convince a lot more voters to love him.
Bernie need to...
No, we need to convince ourselves to trust this crazy world can be changed.
7
Warren is still my choice, and I was looking forward to watching her eviscerate the orange menace in a debate - if he even shows up.
Many of us Super Tuesday voters have already cast our ballots. Thanks for implying that our votes don’t matter.
11
The real question is why would anyone not vote for the Democrat nominee whom ever it is and risk having Trump for Four More Years?
4
Tulsi Gabbard is still very much in the race and is unfortunately being constantly ignored and marginalized by every major media organization including The Times.
For all this so-called talk of supporting women and people of color, that all seems to get thrown by the wayside when it comes to Tulsi, I guess.
Bloomberg and Tulsi are the only two Democratic candidates I would vote for. If neither is the nominee, I'll sit this election out just as I did in 2016.
4
Neither Biden nor Bernie is able to defeat trump. Biden is lackluster and he has been at comfortable VP for quite long time. He lacks creativity, passion, or even brain power to hold on in the long battle toward white house. I like Bernie as far as an individual personality is concerned. He is passionate abut his radical idea, but he lacks an vision to create a path to his utopian society. he will definitely fail.
4
An entitled white man with an enormous forum disappears the legitimate women candidates. Quelle surprise.
The perilous situation we are in thanks to Trump and his mobster GOP is not dissimilar to the '08 economic crisis. Remember GWB failing at every opportunity to stop the economic collapse, and then the hastily convened meeting between Shrub (RIP Molly Ivans), McCain and Obama? Only one man walked away from that the true leader, and that was then-Senator Obama.
Senator Warren has already identified the multiple crises facing us right now. The COVID 19 pandemic, a 70% chance of a major recession, unaffordable/inaccessible healthcare, housing, food, education and medicine, a suppressed electorate, rampant Trump installed corruption, the decimation of the diplomatic corps and the foreign service, and military leadership which is buckling under Trump's demand for loyalty in contravention to their oaths of office.
Her preparation and plans make her ready and able right now to assume the mantle of leadership. She is implementing the components of her plans by way of her Senate position, and she is using her influence to build coalitions to continue to implement short term fixes and long term solutions to make Americans' lives better.
The three old white men with heart disease have neither preparation nor planning to confront multiple crises on January 20, 2021.
The most prepared, ready and able candidate is: Senator Warren.
10
In order for Biden or Bernie to win, there needs to be a focus.
Democrats have no focus, so far, other than beating Trump.
I suggest they focus on a new democracy wave for 2020.
Trump destroys democracy, bit by bit, moving us to dictatorship.
South Pacific:
"If you don't have a dream,
How you gonna have a dream come true?"
Democrats might use the "Democracy" song of Leonard Cohen.
"Democracy is coming to the USA"
The Times might run a story in a new democracy wave in 2020.
"Democracy is coming to the USA"
1
I am a life-long liberal democrat and the last guy I would vote for is Joe Biden:
1. He failed to prevent his son from taking a $50,000/month do nothing Directorship with a Ukrainian energy company. His ethics are questionable. If nominated, we will hear the same old refrain “Lock him up”, “Lock him up”. When Trump attacks him about his ethics, his response will ring hollow because there is no good justification for what he did not do.
2. He has shown confusion when responding to question in the debate. In the last debate he got completely confused in what he was saying. Regarding the last question, he stopped talking. He covered it up by saying: Why am I stopping no one else does? A NY Times columnist has called him verbally incontinent .
3. He has no Progressive Agenda. The Affordable Care Act of President Obama simply is not affordable for someone who earns just enough money to not get a subsidy. What will he do if the Supreme Court declares the ACA unconstitutional?
4. His vote for the war in Iraq will destroy him as it did with Jeb Bush.
5. He will lose to Donald Trump.
15
Significance in Buttigieg going to Dallas to appear with Biden to give his endorsement? Possibility of a Biden-Buttigieg ticket? Balance. Age plus youth. One whose mind isn't what it used to be plus one who is brilliant. East plus midwest.
Hard to think of VP choice for Sanders. His ticket will need more balancing than Biden's to be viable.
3
@blgreenie No idea why you say that. Clinton's hardly concealed contempt for progressives cost her the presidency. Biden is Clinton 2016, minus the cognitive abilities.
1
And yet the most thoughtful, capable, and prepared candidate of all is Elizabeth Warren. If Elizabeth is forced to bow to all of this ingrained misogyny, we'll be left with 3 cranky old white men. It pains me greatly.
What excited me yesterday was Thomas Friedman's op-ed and the notion of a unity candidate. IMHO, that would be fabulous. Let us hope that whoever wins the nomination has sufficient ego strength to enlist all of the other candidates in the solution.
[And, yes, ANYBODY but Trump.}
14
Vote for Biden and Trump wins.
Vote for Sanders and Trump wins.
Vote for Hillary and Trump wins.
My 5 year old might be available, and he has a lot better chance of winning than any of the current Democratic field. The White House comes with all you can eat ice cream. Right?
3
@Ben Anders
Bloomberg 2020!
Vote for Bloomberg and Trump loses.
3
@Ben Anderson Bloomberg will crush Trump.
2
And so I’ll choose Biden. That was easy enough.
Thanks for telling us we only have 2 choices rather than the truth.
7
Biden worries me. His little self-aggrandizing lies, such as his “arrest” in South Africa that never happened and the plagiarism that marred his last presidential run aren’t as bad as Trump’s but they are still dishonest. We haven’t seen full disclosure of his health records. And then there is, alas, the foolish Hunter issue which precipitated an incredible mess (do you think Trump will let us forget it in the General?) But worst of all are his same old, same old don’t rock the boat political perspectives. The Democratic Party shot itself in the foot with those in 2016. This nation badly needs a reset, and Sanders looks to be the only one who can begin to do this.
10
If it is Biden, I will crying all the way to the polls. It will be more of a vote against Trump than support for Biden.
Biden is a retread with no new ideas. The only ideas he has are old ones, which may have worked in the past, but anymore.
Thank you, DNC, for doing your worse. You've learned nothing from 2016.
10
So, the party that "imposes" diversity and representation as a mantra throughout the land is now going to potentially have the future leader of America: Straight, White, Elderly, Moneyed and privileged. Message received---loud and clear!
5
Bernie Sanders represents an existential threat to the republic, our freedom, and the bill of rights. All Americans must be united, whether we are republican, democrats, or independents and defeat socialism so that it can never be allowed to rear its ugly head in our country again. There is no doubt that free college, free health care, free housing, free this, free that, will be an attractive lure to many young voters. But we mist all rise up and counter this fraudulent message. The corporate media oligopoly must set aside its hatred of Trump and assist in this effort to defeat socialism. Even if it means reelecting Donald J. Trump, socialism and Bernie Sanders must be defeated.
@johnny I am lost at how providing health care to her citizens & free higher education in a very educated and competitive world equates to socialism the sky is falling scenario.
The world is changing and if you think the US government is out to get your paycheck then you've been duped. Please educate yourself on the issues affecting today's society and those just starting off in their career today. You will see the system is stacked against them.
3
All primaries should be on the same day.
6
The Vegas oddsmakers have Biden in 4th place for the upcoming election, behind Trump, Bernie and Bloomberg, in that order. He is a long shot, at best, and would get destroyed by Trump in the general election.
8
just amazed. Dems inept for 40 years vs. GOP. get out-maneuvered, outflanked, etc., endlessly. Can't get their judicial appointees through even when they're in control, but Repubs never fail at their opportunity to stuff the courts and agencies with their folk. Dems perpetually disorganized, uncoordinated, unable to get message across via media or what have you. 40 years. But just let a self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist threaten to be the Dem nominee, and we see organization and coordination to an extent never witnessed before, and a constant drumbeat in the MSM that Bernie is crazy, a commie, rude, etc. Every day, we see an opinion piece entitled "Why Bernie Scares Me" or "Not Bernie, Not Now, Not Ever" or some such sky-is-falling scenario. The system, or should I say establishment, is clearly fixed. Maybe I'll vote for Trump, just so this house can burn down more quickly. That's how disgusted and tired I am.
7
What is it to be a 'moderate' on climate change as the ice of Antarctica melts?
6
Sounds like a Biden-Sanders ticket coming soon. Can we start calling it?
1
Biden could seal the deal by announcing he would pick Warren as his running mate.
1
Another sword fight. Great.
1
My family , ardent social democrats since the 1890’s , taught me the difference between a social democrat & a democrat socialist. I believe in democracy , that people should help each other. Healthcare for all will grow business & allow businesses to focus in their growth . America’s revolution happens every 2 years , not a Revolution. They taught me that any system must be primarily democratic, otherwise we end up with national socialists or dictatorships of the proletariat. My family lived through both.
BIDEN ALL THE WAY!
4
Biden versus Sanders sounds like de ja vu all over again. Did we learn nothing from the Clinton-Sanders match-up 4 years ago?
5
That you mention Warren only because of pressure from the comments section, when it's this early in the race, points to your sickening sexism. Everyone was shocked that Biden took SC, and there are plenty of more surprises to come.
And yes, sometimes it's that simple. Sometimes it's not, but in this case it clearly is.
8
No one was “shocked” by Biden’s big win in SC. Just like Hillary, Biden will win the primaries in the South, and then the South will go to Republican in the general election. It’s a pattern.
186
@genXfemale
And I don't wish to offend, but like many of your generation and the next, you are leaping to offensive judgments. I am a Warren supporter too, but she has consistently polled way behind. It is a valid opinion that others need to drop out and throw their support to their preferred candidate of the prominent ones left in the race. She hasn't dropped out yet, which will continue to split votes up.
1
I thought Biden was running for Senator? At least that's what he said last week.
7
How about a Biden/Bernie ticket? The best of both worlds?
1
I'm a Warren supporter, and I'm hoping she'll surprise people tomorrow. If not, and it comes down to three septuagenarian white men vying against one septuagenarian white man, I guess I'd opt for Bloomberg to go against Trump (and eventually McConnell). He's the only one who is a big enough [word the moderators surely won't let me publish] to stand up to those two Republican [plural of the same unpublishable word].
4
For everyone getting on the Biden express, remember this:
Incoherent speech pattern
Anita Hill Hearing
Crime Bill
Iraq vote
Bankruptcy law
Working with segregationists
Lying about being arrested while trying to visit Mandela
Lying about marching during Civil Rights era
Plagiarized speeched
Plagiarism in law school
Hunter Biden and Burisma while Joe responsible for Turkey
Hunter and China Hedge Fund while Joe responsible for China
Handsiness
Corn Pop
No real campaign vision beyond maintaining the status quo
"Restore the soul of America"....whatever that means....
There's more, but you get the idea....
25
Unless Warren arrives in second Tuesday.
2
Joe “Barack picked me” Biden is the Democrats best hope, and he has no hope of beating Trump.
6
Big Money, or Working People. That is the Choice we have. Look at their Records.
Biden is Hillary in a Male Body.
5
The headline is Bernie or Biden, yet you only expand on the options against Sanders. You could just as easily expand on strategy for those against Biden. It begs the question that the average voter is naturally against Sanders than against Biden. Understandably it is opinion. Now, perhaps one might argue that those against Biden only have one option, so it doesn't warrant elaboration. That would be inconsistent though, as the piece expands on those against Sanders having only one option. I just feel it could be framed more neutrally to match the headline.
3
@Kage Edwards The headline could be Biden or Bloomberg
No, it's NOT Bernie or Biden period. There is also Elizabeth Warren. The Iowa and New Hampshire primaries are not representative of the entire country, so writing her off based on her performance on those two states is doing a huge disservice to the rest of the voters in this country. Senator Warren is our best hope.
13
Black voters in South Carolina voted to give a nice and nostalgia-filled goodbye to Joe Biden. A big segment of the Democratic Party has mistaken this act of generosity as a miraculous revitalization of Biden's candidacy. But, make no mistake about it: Joe Biden is the same gaffe-prone, inarticulate, undisciplined politician. This blip in Biden's campaign is a mirage and a case of wishful thinking by people who are conveniently forgetting Biden's performance in IA, NH, and NV. The temptation may be there to mobilize the Democratic Party to make up for the lack of passion and money in Biden's campaign, but this will be a transparent attempt on the part of DNC to put their finger (arm?) on the scale and will backfire and jeopardize the election in November.
214
@UC Graduate
Biden is an uninspired choice to be sure. Three runs at the nomination and all he has to show is a victory in South Carolina.
The best the party can do is to assist Biden with the organization problems he has. Basically, he has no organization. It is tough to do will in the process without it.
10
@UC Graduate
Let me guess you are a Sanders supporter.
14
@Fred
I am not. I am one who truly dislike being sold spoiled goods. I liked VP Biden all right. But he does not inspire. He will not mobilize the young. To bad, but that’s the case. Do you find another solid reason for the deafening silence of the politician who should know him better than anybody because they worked eight years together? A much better choice should have been Amy Klobuchar because the evangelical churches would have moved heaven and earth not to allow a President Pete Buttigieg.
11
I see numerous kudos for Mike Bloomberg here. I wonder if these people have actually read the ProPublica article titled, "When the Billionaire Family Behind the Opioid Crisis Needed PR Help, They Turned to Mike Bloomberg." ProPublica certainly is not the only news outlet that had the story.
Some of the kudos come from Virginians. I live in Virginia, but in the part that has been devastated by the opioid crisis. And no, the people here did not "do it to themselves." The Sacklers did it to them.
I am a lifelong Democrat. but I would not shake Bloomberg's hand if he extended it to me, any more than I would shake a Sackler's hand.
Please inform yourselves on the candidates before Super Tuesday.
5
If VP Biden does not win (1) more pledged delegates than Sen. Sanders and (2) the popular vote, but gets the nomination, the Democratic establishment will have given Donald Trump 4 more years. VP Biden's nomination, under those circumstances, will be viewed by a substantial percentage of Sen. Sanders supporters as illegitimate in the manner of Trump's electoral college victory. In turn, the Democratic Party will appear to many of Sen. Sanders supporters, as crooked and elitist. Neither Rep. Ocasio Cortez nor Sen. Sanders will be able to fix the damage.
4
Democrats have been running away from their New Deal heritage for at least the last 40 years. Democrats ran away from the ACA leaving Obama with no cover and they lost the House in the 2010 midterm as a result. They never have the courage of their convictions, but anymore I'm not sure what their convictions are.
If Sanders wins the nomination, I'll bet that mainstream Democrats will go hide in the bushes, not fight for Sanders at all, and in the end there will be a chorus of 'I told you so.' All self inflicted, but the chorus will be revered as truthsayers.
If Biden wins we will once again go with safe vanilla, no vision, and no risks. The old guard Democratic Party abides by that old saying: Better safe than sorry. Right now it's no gain no pain.
13
@JD Ripper If Sanders does win, I too, bet anyone the Dems will go hide in those bushes. Moreover, as Biden sets off to get the US back to normalcy, I will bet Bernie's chorus will sing 'I told you so’ when Biden loses to Trump.
Just as Bernie's ideas regarding health care as a right, are deemed to revolutionary. Then so too is Biden's notion of Medicare for all, it cannot ever be successful while preserving the health care giants behind employer-based health care.
@Tuykeind
That employer based healthcare is great until you get:
1) Laid off;
2) Want to quit and go to another job;
3) The Employer changes the plan just because they can.
If we are lucky to get a Democratic President (Vote Blue No Matter Who!) repairing the damage Trump and the Republicans have caused is going to take one term just to get the government functioning as it should. The big dream ticket items like Medicare for All are going to be overcome by just rebuilding some semblance of governmental proficiency.
The roots of the Republican weeds have quickly run deep. Pulling them out by the roots is going to take a lot of effort.
We should have same day voting, no state’s citizens should have the claim that they are more special than any other state’s.
Rank choice voting would also greatly aid the process by adding extra voices and diversity to the field, both in the primaries and general election.
Lastly we should eliminate the winner take all electoral college system. Either move to a popular vote or a less ideal a weighted vote based on the current electors per capita.
Let every person’s vote matter. Let every candidate be able to carve out their own special niche.
11
@NKM RCV does not aid in any area of the voting process. WE need more than a two party system in order for the RCV sysytem to actual do what people think it is doing. The democratic party and the republican party should both be split, as their are 4 ideologies with-in the current two party system. We should also incorporate major Campaign Finance Reforms and term limits in congress.
UnAmerican from the get go! From the very start, rural and agricultural voters have been deemed more important than any other voters. It was a concession, like the 3/5 rule, that got the Southerners to sign onto the Constitution: hegemony for big time planters and yeoman farmers alike, for ever.
1
Gosh that happened fast. And, along with super delegates, just makes it seem like actual voters don't much matter.
If the DNC were at all awake, it would have urged state committees to institute ranked choice/instant run off primaries. Winners would represent the wishes of the majority. Voters choices would matter, and as my first choice might be your second, we'd see our similarities more than our differences. Ranked choice would give a more nuanced picture of where we are. And it would help us to unite for the general election.
Come November, I hope the party will rally behind any nominee, even if it isn't their first choice. And I hope voters will unite even if they feel their choice did not matter. Eyes on the prize y'all. Trump.
7
Nominate Biden and you'll get Trump, we've been down this path before. Republicans embraced their base and its ideologues which has resulted in the party ultimately getting what they want:
-Permanent tax breaks for corporations & 1%
-Conservative judges
-Draw down of EPA regulations
-Draw down from global oversight organizations (WHO/UN)
-Slow dismantling the ACA
-Cozy administration with lax oversight of the markets they are supposed to regulate
A majority of working class democrats are tired of the so called center for a president. Democrats start in the center and get dragged to the right as they always have. The Senate and House is where we need the moderates but at the national level you need someone who is far right or far left that connects with the people.
I'll say the same thing I did in 2016, if the DNC nominates a traditional political candidate and you are guaranteeing a second term of Trump. Last time I grinned and voted Clinton this time I won't.
14
I won’t either.
2/3 of our country votes against establishment, either iconoclastic (Trump) or change from within but significantly away from the status quo (Bernie).
Biden is the embodiment of Washington politics, the campaign against him writes itself and will include relentless ads about his son Hunter taking lucrative jobs for the Biden name or selling access. Going with Biden will be worse than Clinton 2016 redux.
12
2016 redux? Biden like Hilary Clinton thinks its his time. And the establishment will not line up behind Sanders again. I hope Senator Warren still has a chance.
9
Sanders, Biden, Trump. If these are the choices our two major political parties can offer up for the presidency, I despair.....truly despair.....of the future of this country.
Biden is, in Jonathan Chait's words, "endlessly exasperating"......in part because he is hopelessly inarticulate, and in part because he has shown no creativity in the formulation of policy. What Chait sees as the folksy projection of decency, I see as an incapacity for leadership.
Moderates should not discard Bloomberg so readily, his formidable limitations notwithstanding. And we can't overlook the many polls that show Sanders beating Trump.
If it should come to this, there would be nothing dishonorable if the Democrats were to turn to Sherrod Brown.
But please.....not Biden.
11
@desertcherokee I totally agree. Why do we need to interpret the primary results as "Bernie or Biden"? This is ridiculous. If South Carolina is the first state followed by Iowa or NH, the discussion would be totally different. Why do we need to rush just one day before Super Tuesday?
I am very worried....neither Bernie nor Biden makes me confident that they can win against Trump. Both can be a disaster for different reasons. We would need someone else to save us all.
1
While many of the things Bernie campaigns on would be good for the country, many of his backers view him as the same sort of "savior" as Trumpers view Trump. That's a view that leads to trouble. A Bernie candidacy would lead not only to a second term of Trump but a continued GOP senate majority and the GOP taking back the house.
Politics is not "religion" (whatever that means). It's the art of the possible.
2
Not with Trump on the job.
@Econ101
"Democrats won the house by winning middle class moderate Republicans and Independents, and by having a big voter enthusiasm differential. Biden will win for those same reasons. Sanders will scare all of those voters to Trump AND drive an astronomical Republican turnout. Sanders may even lose a sizeable proportion of the black and Hispanic vote to Trump. Why?"
Once again: Bernie is an existential threat to our country."
That's your assumption without solid evidence to backup your allegation.
If the demonization of Sanders continues and Biden becomes the nominee, Biden will lose because Sanders' base will feel that the process was rigged and for the second time, Sanders was robbed of the nomination. As a result, like last time, they will not vote for the Democratic Party nominee. We shall see how the DNC and the Democratic Party leadership behave toward Sanders from hereon.
4
@azarn If 100% of us Bernie supporters vote Biden (and I will have to if he's nominated) Biden will STILL lose.
I have no crystal ball. No one does. But my instinct is that Bernie is maybe yes and maybe no to defeat Trump and Biden is a resounding no.
1
Bernie is older than Biden, has a trickier heart, and has been supportive of his Bernie Boys' lies.
He's also a socialist (I am one, also) in a country too allergic to progressivism to stand such a candidate. Would you have him bludgeon the Right as Trump has bludgeoned the Left? That is NOT governance.
7
Vote for Biden, you'll also get Warren for VP: the best of both worlds: progressive pragmatism.
3
Biden and Warren are both DNC hacks. Imagine Biden debating Trump. Now imagine Bernie debating Trump. Who’s more articulate? Who’s got the passion to win?
If Warren believed half of what she espouses, she would/should have said something about Bernie back in 2016. She has no support in swing states. She’s staying in because she hopes to get the VP nod from Biden, just as she hoped for a nice cookie from Hillary. She figures if she gets the VP, Biden will most likely be too old for 2024, and then she will become the establishment candidate. Establishment DLC Democrats are over. They’ve been selling out the base since 92. Biden/Warren would be no different from Clinton/Kaine.
1
@gary e. davis Not to mention the man who brought down apartheid in South Africa.
Hitching your wagon to Biden is political suicide at this point. Warren is too smart for that.
1
Bernie is worth a lot more votes than Biden: here's why:
Bernie wants to help ordinary Americans with healthcare for all, higher wages and and college that doesn't leave the graduate with a pile of debt and no jobs available that pay well enough to pay the college debt off. Entire families will be better off. I've lost track of how many times I've heard "I'm the first in the family to go to college".
There are a lot more ordinary Americans in this situation than Trump Voters that will vote Democratic because they are "tired of trump". These voters are supposedly college educated suburban women. Guess what? The hubby votes Trump and the wife doesn't say anything.
9
While I support some of Bernie's positions, I'm concerned that his ideology leans towards the same sort of absolutist authoritarianism that Trump aspires towards. This may not be entirely fair. Perhaps I'm applying the revolutionary ideology of his followers to the man himself, but our system is not built on a "My way or the highway." philosophy. it's built on compromise that moves the needle in a positive direction. Ultimately, in today's America, I believe Bernie will not achieve the delegates needed for the nomination. If so, will his supporters choose to cut off their noses to spite their face, or will they choose to move the needle, if only incrementally in their view?
2
I'm an Independent. Recent events going on among Joe, Pete, Amy seem orchestrated or choreographed as if over many weeks or months clandestine deals were in the works behind the scenes. How was Biden able to maintain a somewhat unremarkable presence at the last two debates. He neither attacked nor was attacked in the vitriolic way that every other Presidential hopeful was. Can we still anticipate that a deus ex machine endorsement by his former boss will appear if the race against Sanders requires it.
8
The Party won’t let Bernie be the nominee because they know Trump will beat him. When you have big Dems like Bill Clinton and James Carville, among others, fuming about the possibility of his nomination, it means they’re worried, very worried. If Bernie gets the nomination, the Republicans will take the House and keep the Senate and these smart Democrats understand that. Bernie would be rendered mostly powerless from Day 1.
2
@Olivia They ran their corporatist "moderates" against Reagan, Bush I, Bush II and Trump and lost ALL of them. They have no credibility and need to get out of the way.
1
I followed the four links to apparent "evidence" that Warren has "attracted an enormous amount of media attention." At least two of them show that Warren received attention received by all major Democratic candidates. Nothing that points toward "enormity."
The problem, and it is clear in Leonhardt's piece itself, is the quality of the attention, the attitude with which the attention is expressed, and the nature of recent primary-focused attention, when media grants it to Warren.
When I heard Mary Louise Kelly pushing Warren in an NPR interview early last week to speculate about whether Sanders can beat Trump, I couldn't help but think Et tu, Brute? What could Warren's speculation on that front possibly inform me about? Why push on that question as opposed to a dozen other "tough" questions? Kelly of course shouldn't make it easy for Warren but she ought, in her role as a journalist, to ask Warren questions that inform her audience about something other than Warren's speculation. Like maybe Warren's policy proposals and what those proposals speculate about what's best for the country. What do I care what Warren thinks of Sander's chances of beating Trump? Huh?
I'm tired of hearing Sanders yell and can't imagine him effectively repairing our relationships with allies: he has neither the composure nor capacity for nonreactive reflection nor intellectual agility needed.
Warren has my primary vote. Don't dismiss it: I'm not "sitting out" anything.
8
this might go more to friedman's article the other day about giving all the candidates a role, but i see klobuchar and buttigieg as laying on the sword for the party (for biden). i think if biden could have one of them as his vice president and state that he is willing to be a one term president (maybe his family wants that, whatever the rationale), it could really help set up the future of the party.
i sense that of all the candidates, bernie might be the most obdurate in not compromising for the good of the party (a large part of his appeal!). nonetheless in a 2 party system its darn near impossible to have a majority without a willingness to compromise to get things done for the broader coalition. i suspect pretty much every candidate agrees with much of bernie's agenda/policy ideas but unlike bernie they are ok with compromising to progress toward a better end goal (compared to the crazy orange menace and suppliants - a MUCH BETTER policy stance!).
i hope this works and i hope as friedman suggests there are roles for as many of these stars of the party as want them. i actually think the first candidate that states he will compromise and work for the nominee or if s/he is the nominee will place others in the administration would gain votes. we'll see....
You’d just be going back to the same conditions that gave rise to Trump.
1
Do not discount Elizabeth Warren.
Mr. Leonhardt’s conventional wisdom is based on a generalization of the ideological rift between “progressives” and “moderates”. Buttigieg, ideologically speaking, is somewhere between the centrist candidates such as Biden, and the far left candidates such as Sanders. To assume that his supporters will naturally drift to Biden is a miscalculation: thorough polling of Buttigieg and Klobuchar supporters shows their second choice, more often than not, is Elizabeth Warren. In fact, virtually none of either Klobuchar’s and Buttigieg’s base will migrate over to the Sanders camp. Naturally a few will migrate to Biden, but a good chunk will switch over to Warren, propelling her to victory in Massachusetts and ensuring a massive delegate haul after “Super Tuesday” is done and dusted. I will go as far to wager that Bloomberg will drop out at the latest on Wednesday, with a good chunk of his supporters also going to Warren. This will get extremely close approaching convention time.
Biden, Sanders, and Warren will all be around until June.
10
I think it might be a mistake (though an extremely common one) to assume that the supporters of Buttigieg are dedicated "moderates" who will automatically move over into Biden's column.
Isn't it possible that what a lot of them saw in Buttigieg was something fresh and new that attracted them away from an older guy like Sanders, whom they might otherwise have supported, but will still find Sanders, despite his vintage, fresher and newer than Biden because of his ideas and refusal to transact business as usual? Biden may think that making himself the second coming of Obama gives him more favorables than it does, especially with younger voters. Not everyone wants a continuation of the Clinton and Obama years.
As regards Klobuchar, surely one of her positives is that she's a woman, and women and men who devoutly wish to give a woman another chance at the office will now (if Mr. Leonhardt is right) have to choose between two men. Again "moderate" politics may not be their overriding interest, and it would not be surprising if feminists prefer the more change-oriented Sanders.
The traditional reasoning in this and many other articles may be missing the fact that this is no more a traditional election than 2016 was, and we know how wrong the pundits were that time.
6
There's a video going around online of Joe Biden - at an event today - losing his train of thought as he attempts to recite the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, and devolving into incoherence. This is one of numerous such video clips easily searchable online.
I don't say this disparagingly. But Joe Biden is in the midst of severe cognitive decline. It's not "a stutter," as some of this supporters claim. Those with parents who've gone through such decline know it when they see it. He is frail and his mental acuity is increasingly not there. He makes Trump look vigorous by comparison, and I expect the president to run rings around him.
Moreover, Biden's message boils down to "let's go back to 2015." Ultimately, a winning presidential candidate has to inspire people to the polls. The candidate whose campaign essentially tells the country to look backwards is starting the general at a deficit.
Is this really the candidate the moderate Dems are going to get behind? Sounds to me like a recipe for disaster.
12
Thanks to the unfulfilled promise of roughly 40 years of supply-side economics, the American Dream is no longer a realistic objective for the majority of Americans, those who occupy the middle and lower working classes.
Our democracy has been lost to the influence of Big Money. Our three branches of government and “the fourth estate,” the press, have all been financially captured by wealthy individuals, large corporations, and big banks.
As a result, most Americans are slaves to a growing list of severe social and economic problems. This has caused American society to badly deteriorate. Our society has deteriorated to the degree that there is no longer an overarching sense of community in America. Most Americans are forced to live a selfish existence: every individual for himself or herself and in a decreasing number of situations his or her own family.
What is left of our American democracy is a mere plutocracy. The elites maintain it by lulling the majority of Americans beneath their level into a state of complacency through various means of deception, distraction, and coercion.
Only a nonviolent ideological revolution can restore our American democracy. Vote for Bernie Sanders.
9
I could not bring myself to vote for either Bernie or Biden, and if either is the nominee I'll either sit the election out or consider voting Green.
2
Why not simply cut out the middleman and just vote for Trump?
2
I suppose it all depends on which states you care to emphasize. Biden did very poorly in Iowa and New Hampshire, and not much better in Nevada, where he was a distant second. South Carolina came through for him, and he probably has an edge on Sanders with more conservative Southern states (states that also won't vote Democratic in a general election). But moderates aren't just voting against Sanders, they're voting for the person they think will be the strongest candidate to take on Trump. Biden hasn't looked like a strong front-runner until S.C.. Personally, I'm still not convinced he can win. (Not that I claim to know who can - I just don't see any candidate as an obvious "safe" choice.) I don't see how one victory proves that he's a stronger candidate than Bloomberg, who was savaged in the debates but hasn't been tested by any primary voting yet.
I have my preferred candidate, but above all else I'd like to see this primary resolved one way or the other before the convention. I don't see how a brokered convention will result in anything but a broken party and a badly wounded nominee. You can explain party policy to angry voters all you like, but I don't think it will make a difference to them.
Purely on merit, I think Warren is clearly the most qualified candidate and remains the best choice, but I have no illusions about her chances now. I don't blame women who are fuming over her lack of traction.
10
At the height of the last Gilded age, it took a Progressive to begin to level the playing field. During this new Gilded Age we need another Progressive, but I don't see a Teddy Roosevelt in the field.
6
Elizabeth Warren remains the best choice as nominee and President. She has my vote.
22
Looks to me that Bernie and his Fanatics will hand this election over to Trump, again, unless they show some maturity and will take half a loaf rather than none.
I am not optimistic about that.
6
I disagree with your discounting Warren; it’s March, too early. I have seen posted on many Blue group sites where early voters & mail-in voters such as myself have voted for her & those have yet to be counted! Very few votes have actually been counted of the total to be had! I believe we have 3 top contenders in Sanders, Biden & Warren. For those who feel Biden is too moderate & Sanders too angry, um passionate, Warren is a great choice along with all the other reasons her platform & persona speak to. Go Liz!
14
Here's my scenario; while I will not deny the odds are against it, I would argue that it is not entirely out of the realm of possibility:
It is still quite possible, perhaps even likely, that nobody will have a majority of delegates going into the convention. The Bernie supporters cannot abide Biden, just as the moderates will never vote for Bernie. At this point Elizabeth Warren emerges as the compromise candidate. The Bernie wing can live with her policies, and the Biden wing is at least assuaged that the head of the ticket is at least a member of the Democratic party and not a self-described "socialist". I'll admit that there is a fair amount of wishful thinking in this scenario. I think the party is all but certain to lose with either Biden or Sanders.
11
Those supporting Sanders are passionate about his policies. I get that. What they don't get, despite polls they cite, is that he represents a significant part of the Democratic Party but a distinct minority of general election voters. He will lose in a debacle worse than Mondale and more like Barry Goldwater in 1964 who had passionate supporters on the right.,He will ensure a larger Republican Senate majority and Supreme Court nominees that will cement a conservative court for decades. I applaud Mayor Buttigieg and Senator Klobuchar who will endorse Biden who can beat Trump. They clearly have the country's welfare at heart. Kudos to them.
8
@alan brown
"What [Sanders supporters] don't get, despite polls they cite, is that he represents a significant part of the Democratic Party but a distinct minority of general election voters."
That is utterly false.
Sanders does as well, or better than, Biden or Bloomberg against Trump among the general electorate. And especially in swing states, such as MI, PA, WI, NC, and AZ.
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/president-general/
10
@alan brown
Opinions are not facts.
1
Bernie (who I will vote for if he's the nominee) will bring the apocalypse of an unfettered Don Trump winning a landslide and both houses of congress.
Biden.
4
One objection: voting for Biden decreases the likelihood of a contested convention. If Biden locks up a first-round nomination, we’re stuck with him. And many of us oppose Sanders and Warren yet doubt Biden is the best moderate to lead the ticket — or even one who’s good enough.
There’s a case for a vote that optimizes for a contested convention. There a stronger moderate nominee — younger, more with-it, better suited to manage government, more suited to this moment — may emerge.
Sure it’s a risk. But depending on a tired candidate to beat Trump is a bigger risk.
1
I have the same sinking feeling about Biden as I did with Hillary. I would like to think that Biden has the grit and ability to publicly turn the tables on Trump, something Hillary did not do. Insulting his supporters was not a good idea.
9
If the Dems convinced Klobuchar and Buttigieg to drop out, they’re crazy. Every person I have spoken to about who they want to be the nominee—and granted, we’re all in our 40s—has ranked him toward the bottom of the other moderates. Klobuchar and Buttigieg are much sharper than him and would perform much better than him in a debate against Trump, if Trump will be willing to participate in a debate. Perhaps one of them will be his running mate...
5
It's great that it's down to two. Obviously, if Bernie leads Biden in delegates when they get to the convention, the nomination will have to be given to him, whether the moderates like it or not. Especially since Bernie is now leading in all the Rust Belt head-to-heads with Biden except PA. Only if the Dems want to win should the guy who wins the Rust Belt be given the nomination, of course. If the fat cats who've owned and operated the party for the rich against all the little people of all types until now choose to destroy the party by stealing the nomination from Bernie, who can blame them? Obviously, their money would be much safer under their fellow gazillionaire Trump than under Bernie.
3
But it’s not down to two. Warren and Bloomberg are still in it and the media does is a great disservice by ignoring this fact.
3
You have to smile at all the Berniacs swearing they will never vote for Biden thus ensuring another 4 years of Trump. Thus proving the truth of Daniel Patrick Moynihan's adage that the far left would rather have nothing than not enough.
9
@John Most Bernie voters (like me) will vote blue no matter who. It's the self-described "moderates" and the Biden cult who swear they will never vote for a socialist and have gone out of their way to expose themselves as completely uninformed corporatists in sheep's clothing
2
Last election, they shoved Hillary down our throats. People here kept saying that they didn't trust Hillary and they didn't like Trump. They wrote in Bernie.
Now the establishment is trying to shove Biden down our throats. Why? So he can keep us on the same track to less affordable medical care and the rich getting richer but with a friendlier demeanor than Trump.
Plenty of us want real change. The establishment is going to learn that when they keep shoving these candidates down our throats, the Democratic party chokes.
16
@Mary I see the "Hillary was shoved down our throats" refrain a fair amount. But didn't Hillary win more delegates than Sanders in openly contested primaries and caucuses? It is an article of faith among many of the Sanders faithful that the nomination was rigged last time. I've tried to track this down, and the evidence as far as I can identify it, comes down to three allegations.
1: Hillary and the DNC collaborated on fund raising.
2: They moved the debates to weekend nights to depress viewership.
3: Donna Brazile fed Hillary some answers for one debate.
The second and third charges strike me as rather a slender reed upon which to hinge a six-month nomination process. As for the fund raising charge, it would bear more weight if the DNC fundraising apparatus weren't so utterly feckless.
No doubt the DNC wanted Hillary to win--just as they had in 2008, for all the good it did her then. The leadership of the DNC in 2012 was Ms Brazile and Debbie Wasserman Schultze. They hardly strike me as Machiavellian operatives who could successfully scheme to fix an election; I very much doubt that they could "fix" a leaking bicycle tire.
Four years ago, Bernie had to pick up a critical mass of black and brown votes to get the nomination. He failed to do so. End of story. South Carolina suggests that history may be repeating itself.
Tom Perez and Co have us all circled up and ready to fire. I guess they don't remember what happened last time they put their thumb on the scale.
8
Biden would have been great 4 years ago, now he just seems tired and sort of irrelevant. Extreme times call for an extreme candidate, aka Bernie it is
18
The Stop Sanders movement is in full action.
Brought to you by the corrupt DNC and the corporate elites.
I hope all Sanders supporters vote for Trump
7
@New World Of you course you do. You voted for Trump in 2016 and want him reelected.
4
I agree, through gritted teeth, it’s Biden.
If Warren stays in, she’s effectively for Biden too as she’ll be splitting the progressive vote. If she withdraws, then she’s throwing her weight behind Sanders.
Bloomberg’s a complete non-starter. His I’ll timed tone deaf entry into the race superficially smacks of oligarchical manipulation in a way that America, in spite of Trump or because of him, will not accept.
Unfortunately if we nominate Sanders, we’d risk delivering the presidency and congress to the republicans. And that’s a risk too far.
BIDEN 2020!!!!
4
How did David do in the last election? The pundants are guessing, but by doing so in public, they bias the electorate who decide by “likes”. This constant misinformation must stop.
1
I agree with Perry Bacon on Buttigieg. If people can get past the doomsday belief that if Trump wins that our country will disintegrate then Buttigieg seems to have a bright future. Maybe get some seasoning as governor or make a run at the House/Senate.
1
@Kellyn
I’m sorry to break the news, but Senator Warren is toast. Her chances of winning the nomination are about 5 percent. Not good.
8
Occupy Wall Street 2011 - disappeared mysteriously in every single city.
Panama Papers 2016 - media suddenly goes quiet after threatening to expose a lot of Western rich people for illegal tax havens.
Warren September, 2019 - attacked relentlessly as frontrunner, Bloomberg and Deval Patrick join the race in a panic.
Bernie right now - under assault from every possible direction.
Do we see a pattern here? The powers that be, remain in full control. 1980 and counting ...
7
The smart money is on Biden now, but Sanders will not go without kicking and screaming. Biden is clearly the choice we need at this point; it’s no time for a Socialist revolution. It’s time for measured wisdom, which Biden provides. Warren is brilliant, tenacious and vivacious, and she has a place in government — just not the Oval Office now. Bloomberg is a proven leader who cannot be bought or sold. So, he should throw his money behind Biden and, just as importantly, drive home the fact that Trump is not only the worst president in American history, but among the most immature, unqualified people to ever hold office — anywhere at any time. Bloomberg has the clout and the shekels to remind Americans that our current president is a fraud and a phony who poses an imminent threat to this country, and to the world. It’s time to put the Trump nightmare in the rear view mirror and embrace a Democrat who can heal our wounds and lead us forward into a better tomorrow.
6
@H. Clark
"The smart money is on Biden now"
No, the dumb money is on Biden right now.
(Don't get me wrong. I'll vote for him in November if he is the nominee.)
4
Warren or None of the Above! (You asked!)
6
DL,
No, I think it's down to Warren and Biden. Period?
Bernie is berning out. He is the provocative left candidate, just as bad as Trump. His followers are maybe as naive as Trump's. The Horseshoe Theory applies. He has no team behind him. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horseshoe_theory
Bernie added much to the national conversation. We owe him gratitude for reaching so high. I hope he retires, cares for his health and we get more ideas overtime from him. Thank you, Bernie.
Ask the three of them, W, Be, and Bi which one should drop out next to form a strong executive TEAM. Ready to hit the ground running with a fully vetted cabinet and executive staff?
How many of the roles in this org chart can they identify & fill before the election when we need certainty? The dream team matters. Three branches and bipartisan goals.
https://www.usgovernmentmanual.gov/ReadLibraryItem.ashx?SFN=Myz95sTyO4rJRM/nhIRwSw==&SF=VHhnJrOeEAnGaa/rtk/JOg==
Why is Tulsi on the ballets, I forget she is she running most of the time. Bloomberg has better, more honest things to do. Is he a Republican spoiler? He could do better.
Forget debates let's see the remaining 2 candidates fill out org charts. If you are the nominee who would you appoint...?
What does the next administration look like? How do you see yourselves working together? What are your priorities?
Two hours TV of NOT debates, but a discussion between our two candidates. Add interviews with cabinet prospects to the broadcast.
If the DNC nominates Biden, all you will hear about is Hunter and corruption until next November. Trump probably already has the dirt on Biden and is holding on to it for an October surprise.
6
“And Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar — to their credit — have both acknowledged this reality by dropping out of the race.”
Or more likely they were told to drop out and offered a political incentive to do so
10
Well, there's Bloomberg, too.
I'm all in for Bernie. I'll vote and work and donate for anyone who gets the nom, no matter how ugly it gets.
And so should you. Forget fee-fees and whether the nom matches your precise set of demographic qualities or whether you "like" or "want to have a beer with" them.
Four more years of Trump is four more years of carbon floored, nuclear arms control out the window, and all the rest. No hope. No Trump means nonzero hope.
I periodically state this, here and to people I know. I get lip service, mostly.
Fine, if we're all going to be infantile brats, then Trump will take it. Even if we unite and fight, he still might take it, of course, but if we insist on being infantile brats, he's a shoo-in.
Politics is often ugly. Get over it--whether you're for Bernie, as I am, and they prevent him from getting the nom, one way or the other, or if you hate Bernie with every fiber of your being and he wins.
If any of you don't back the nom, whoever it is, to the full extent of your financial ability and ability to work on the ground -- not just nose-hold out a vote -- you will be nailed on the pillar of shame for eternity.
Till the nominee is determined, fight like rabid weasels. Then get over it and yourselves and unite against the far, far, far greater threat.
Worry, if you want to fret, about how we'll run primaries--or the general--during an epidemic: absentee ballots for all...that want it, is the way.
Where's the contingency plan?
9
Reading endless comments here: defending Klobuchar's staying in the race- and she's already left.
And lot of people are rationalizing reality away for Warren.
That won't last long.
Leonhardt is right.
Two person race.
1
Oy!
Bernie is so radical!
Bernie is so far left!
I am scared of Bernie!
Bernie is a Socialist! (Or is he a Democratic Socialist?) - What's the difference again?
Due to my fear; I will vote for Biden!
HAHAHA!
I fully understand most people over 55 fear Bernie, I get it; really, I do.
4
Biden can't put 2 sentences together.
Bernie had an MI and will be castigated as a Socialist/Marxist/Communist.
Bloomberg's issues seem more minor and in the past.
2
@turbot
In NYC, Bloomberg's issues are not minor nor in the past.
4
It's worth noting, that the two female candidates, Warren and Klobuchar were disabled by the extreme fanaticism of the #MeToo movement.
American voters do not like extremists, whether they are KKK, Socialist, #MeToo, or Peta. They are smart enough to know, that as the extremism ramps us, we pass into a state where accusation equals guilt.
I'm not saying that either of these 2 candidates made extreme statements; just that when you play identity group politics, you get identified - sometimes, a lot more that you wanted.
Using either as these 2 candidates as the VP choice, would be a disaster.
The big deal in the general election is winning - it's not being politically correct.
Elizabeth Warren’s support is weaker precisely because of editorials like this one.
12
So, it comes down to do we want to survive Climate Change or do we want to continue the way we are until we cannot? I figure we have another 4-6 years if we keep on the way we are. Continuing with the status quo and his Obama Care, this country is doomed. If we do not forgive student loans and add a Bachelor's degree to public education we are doomed to have the dumbest people of all the developed countries. If we do not dump the GOP in the Senate, this country will definitely not survive 4 more
years.
4
Biden is on his way to dementia and Sanders is a lunatic -- too extreme and can never beat Trump. Bloomberg has the best chance of beating Trump and Klobuchar would be the best V.P. Warren is a hopeless case/a horror and should drop out.
3
@Carol
Perhaps you are unfamiliar with the extensive polling that shows that Sanders leads Trump more than any other candidate.
And why would Klobuchar be the best V.P. while Warren is a hopeless case? Warren faired far better than Klobuchar in this nomination.
3
@Carol
I be you never herd Sander speak for an hour.. The man is not a lunatic. And wanting Medicare 4 all simply brings America in line with the rest of the civilized world and Cuba.
Ditto free college for those who qualify.
OTOH perhaps people like living in the Wild West... with uncertainty at the door and bullying their fellow citizens and helping global warming by drinking Fiji Water.
4
Biden is not relevant in modern day America. He needs to go.
12
As long as it's fashionable to dig up dirt on candidates, Biden was caught plagiarizing which speaks to his character or lack there of. He basically gave us Clarence Thomas, refusing to hear other witnesses in the Anita Hill case and mistreating her. He does stupid Mano-a-mano adolescent stuff with voters trying to prove he is tough when he is just a stereotypical politician. And, most of all, he takes credit for everything that Obama did that was great.
He is doddering, started out saying climate change had to be studied, talks about social workers which is 1950-60s racism speak and tells people to put on record players. He cannot wait to accede his time since he runs out of material.
He is sadly pathetic. Pick him, Trump wins.
Bernie may have his needle stuck in the grooves of old fashioned FDR democratic social programs, but he is earnest and his own msn. He actually cares about the ignored classes and many of his programs are embraced in civilized and successful nations the world over.
Biden's entire history is that of a weathervane. How sad that America can settle for his crumbs.
11
I really do not understand with this obsession with prognosticating. Is this why newspaper columnists are nicknamed "the chattering class." I mean, Super Tuesday is tomorrow. Why can't we just let the voters decide instead of this nonsense. Talking about elections like sports betting really dumbs down democracy.
8
The Democrats, America's great melting pot, has boiled down to a choice between 2 elderly white males. How did this happen? We need to change perceptions and dialogue and funding and all the paradigms that have convinced us that only white men are qualified to lead this country. By the way, in case you didn't notice, presently, it's a white man is moving our country to ruins.
3
@Jonathan
Your comment amounts to pure racism. I don't know if you have noticed but this nomination had more women, minorities and even an openly gay candidate than any other before.
We have had a black president and also a woman run for president and receive 3 million more votes than the white male running against her. The country accepts candidates of any group at this point.
1
After reading many of the comments below, it seems the Sanders bots are out again. It makes reading the NYTs politics articles and opinions tedious and useless. I choose not to get so worked up this election cycle. I know what I'm going to do. I'm going to vote blue no matter who. Someone will win the Democratic nominee - that's a certainty. I'll vote for that winner in the general.
See? No stress.
1
Written just for this writer. From Jennifer Siebel Newsome. She nailed it.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/Jennifer-Siebel-Newsom-Step-aside-ladies-15095542.php
I’m voting for Mike.
1
I'm be casting my vote for Elizabeth Warren. See in a democracy you can't really tell anyone how to vote.
9
There seem to be no women in the sights of most commentators.
3
@Dana
Maybe that's because the women in this nomination have performed poorly. I think that most of the commentators you speak of supported Hillary last time so it's not about gender.
Bernie's policies, centrist in Europe but radical for the US, represent a risk, but it is a reasonable risk, in my quiet opinioin, for this reason:
If the US. can survive four years of a near-mad dog in the White House, it can surely survive four years of a honest man with a good heart.
7
Great; 2 old white men. Here we go again. I hope Mayor Pete and Amy were promised something to bow out early - we need more young blood.
6
@JG I will never understand such comments. We have incredibly inspiring old white people like Bernie. We have inspiring young Latino women like AOC. We have lots of male and female young, old, white, black and purple garbage too.
Judge not by the color of one's skin (or age, religion, country of origin, etc) but by the content of our character. I always thought that was the liberal creed. One we should all adopt.
1
I don’t think either Bernie or Biden can beat Trump as of right now. If I had to bet on one or the other, I would say Bernie, because there’s a feeling we have that he’s really fighting for change; not just wanting to be president or believing he deserves it.
9
This voter is unable to connect with either Sanders or Warren, and I was young when working as a cleric, transferring calls between political campaign managers, beginning with Robert Strauss for President Carter, and then Mike Kantor for President Clinton with Mr. Ross Perot on his first bid for the Presidency.
Mike Bloomberg was one of our finest New York City mayors, and he told the Nation as an Independent what Americans were to expect with a Trump election. Let the Democratic Party not forget that he now is backing the Dems as a Democrat, regardless of whether he is their choice.
"Biden looks much more like a national candidate than any other moderate" sounds right, and there is nobility to be seen in his stature. He cares about America and the diversity of the People who make it unique, tried and true, reminding us that the choice of a running-mate features high on his addressing our Country.
With appreciation to Senator Klobuchar for her endeavors, and for endorsing this measured and seasoned statesman, and joining this strong representative in the Heartland of America in backing his bid for the Superior and the Public Servant to All: Red, White and Blue.
1
Tomorrow I vote for Bloomberg. He didn't win the "talent" contest aka the debates. His strategists erred in counseling him to stay out of the primaries and caucuses. Otherwise when it comes down to it IMHO Mike has the experience in attracting smart people to get things done. He puts his money into supporting many worthwhile goals e.g. climate change and gun control. Yes, he has BIG warts but I believe he genuinely wants to be a responsible and constructive leader and has the capacity to do so. However, that said, I WILL VOTE BLUE no matter who on November 3. trump has to go!
2
Bernie sees the problems in this country and wants change. Biden feels entitled to power because he experienced.
Bernie vs. Trump will be a real choice between different visions for the country.
Biden vs. Trump will be a moderate Corporate Republican vs. a radical Corporate Republican.
13
Bernie will lose moderate States in a landslide. Period! Moderates will NOT vote for a socialist....especially one who has been in Congress for thirty years and done nothing.
No moderate is going to vote for a tax raising Socialist who can’t even explain how he’s going to get any of his fairy tales to come true.
Here’s what we’ll get if we nominate Sanders.
1.Trump and the possible end of our Democracy.
2.The end of Obamacare
3.A Supreme Court that is 7-2 Conservative.
4.The end of abortion rights.
5.A criminal cabal running the Country.
Nominate Sanders and all these and more will be the end result.
1
Where is this word "cabal" coming from? .. it's floating around the American lexicon lately, mainly among Trumpist "QAnon" conspiracy theorists.
1
Ideally, the Democrats will elect a candidate who will appeal to all but the most recalcitrant right wingers in this country, and will introduce policies developed with moderates, right of center, and left wing voters to achieve a near consensus. But got this to happen, Democrats must be willing to work with Republicans who probably will not agree with left wing policy proposals.
I didn't know who I was going to vote for until I saw Bloomberg interviewed on The NewsHour on PBS. The newscaster was tough on him and he represented himself really well. You should go to PBS and watch that interview. Also saw him interviewed on 60 Minutes where he lists what he would do for the country. He talked about how Trump will eat the other candidates for lunch. I agree, Trump will if he's up against them. Bloomberg is no Bernie, but he can beat Trump and not be intimidated by him. He's also a really good manager, he would get accomplished what he sets out to do.
Many of us are going to vote for Bloomberg.
7
Looks like Klobuchar held out for the VP slot till the 11th hour. We can probably tell when the establishment reached out to her by how she treated Biden in the last few debates. She didn't even stick it out for her own state tomorrow! The establishment is really desperate here.
13
So far the canditates the NYT endorsed have whittled down to one and she may be a short timer. The one that left, supports Sanders. I think Bloomberg is in this race because of greed for power and he is willing to buy it. I also don like Bloomberg's gun ideas. He has shown a willingness to interfere in state laws as he did in getting more restrictive gun laws passed in Colorado. He also got two state senators recalled and replaced because they voted for his ideas. Biden has jumped in saying he wants to get gun manufacturers responsible for gun deaths. Why not make booze producers responsible for all the drunken driver deaths? Or maybe the car manufacturers? But since they both want to go after guns, I think I would rather have Bloomberg lead the country. He may not be a great debater but he provided leadership for a huge huge city with all its diversity and problems. Joe hasn't really lead anything but maybe a few Senate committees. He also carries a lot of baggage like the mess about Hunter and his inappropriate touching etc. of women. With Bloomberg, we know we aren't going to hear a lot about non disclosure,or charges of racism since he has stop and search on his shoulders. They can stick to who can lead best when he and Trump debate. One thing we can bet on. If elected he will let the Democrats know who is in charge and it won't be Pelosi or Schumer.
2
It is amazing to me that the press has created a blackout of Warren, this has been going on since Iowa. This is on top of mischaracterizing her candidacy as "too far left" and "radical" by rarely acknowledging that she's really more moderate than "left". She believes in capitalism and the markets (that's a moderate), she supports the working class (that too is a moderate), she is anti-corruption (America has a long, proud history of anti-corruption), she believes in the law (her profession), AND she doesn't believe in proposing change unless there is a solid, viable, and economist-vetted way to fund it (also a moderate position). Biden and Sanders have serious baggage, it is unlikely either of them can withstand Trump and his machine; Democrats need to wake up - Warren is the only candidate with no baggage, and the goods to beat Trump.
10
“economist-vetted” — nonsense! As long as our global economy is based on growth as the ultimate measure of success, we’re doomed. But we’re stuck with it, because we are incapable of making the sacrifices for the greater good. (And by “we” I mean those in power that make the socio-political decisions we all are forced to live with.)
2
Bloomberg has PROVED his capability in the real world with first class businesses and results as mayor of NYC.
While I disagree with some of his nanny policies and unjust criticism of other countries on climate change, there's no better choice for the Democrats. Nobody even close.
4
What about Warren? She's no radical, but a woman who has actually gotten things done and affected the livelihood of millions of Americans who were being preyed upon by big banks. And she did it as a private citizen. It seems the corporate Democrats have never forgiven her for that accomplishment.
10
I think that Sanders will not be an effective President and his proposals lack any practical appreciation of real limits upon what can be done. I do not disagree with most of his goals, they do seem good. But I think that Democrats must appreciate how much support that he has which will be needed to assure that a Democrat is elected President or risk losing those votes. Bernie is seen as the true heart candidate, a leader of a movement. Opposing him too firmly may produce the same results as the disclosure of RNC leaders doing what they could to assure Clinton would be the nominee in 2016. It hurt the Party.
3
@Casual Observer You can depend on this. The movement to stop Bernie at all costs, the negative Bernie press, and the panic of the corporate Democrats about Bernie leaves a very, very sour taste in my mouth. If the discourse about Bernie had been to discuss his pros and cons, fair and square, best person wins, etc I would not have minded if he were not the nominee. However, this is not an even race by any means- the moderates are not respecting the viewpoints of the progressives. It is 2016 all over again. The Democrats are resorting to dirty tricks, which is what they accuse the Republicans of doing.
6
@Casual Observer Bernie will fight for all of us. And yes, fights for justice and a decent shake for the middle class are HARD. They take guts and they carry significant risk of loss. Do you prefer politicians who will just hand your future to the Republican dogs without any fight at all? Because that's the alternative.
1
I don't see Biden doing any better than Hillary did in 2016. Every time I hear Biden speak, I feel sorry for him as he stammers out a few over-rehearsed lines. Biden does not excite enough folks to beat Trump ("like a drum").
Bernie is a general election long shot -- too many old folks and moderates won't take the leap for Bernie. Although Bernie's heart is in the right place, I fear that even if he were somehow miraculously elected, he'd be an ineffectual president, in way over his head. Like Biden and Bloomberg, Bernie is sadly, past his prime. He repeats the same lines over and over, without adding any force to his arguments. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is much more effective at communicating the democratic socialist message.
Which brings us to the only candidate who is suited to be president -- Elizabeth Warren. She's probably the most acceptable second choice candidate to most Democrats. Yet without winning primaries, I don't see what her plan is after Super Tuesday. Is she hoping to be a kingmaker at the convention? A consensus choice at a brokered convention? Bernie or Biden's running mate? Too bad she got hammered on Medicare For All. Warren would be the best president.
12
People are asking "how to pay for M4A?" This is the wrong question.
Consider this: The federal gov can create as much money as it needs out of thin air. Because of this fact, the gov does not need your money to pay for any gov operation. It has an infinite supply of the stuff.
We do have to be careful since too much money chasing not enough stuff will cause prices to go up. We may get excessive inflation.
One way to avoid that is for the gov to take some back, to tax it back, but we may not have to have high taxes. It is true that prices are proportional to the amount of money in the economy, but they are also inversely proportional to the amount of stuff we can produce. If we spend the new money in a way that facilitates more production that will yield more money chasing more stuff which does not lead to excessive inflation.
Why is this important? Using "kitchen table" ideas, if we want M4A & it costs $X, then we have to tax $X dollars to pay for it. If we use the way the finances of our gov actually work, we have to see how much it would increase production which is probably quite a bit since it would get more money to the people who need it & will spend it which will by itself increase production. It will also provide a healthier workforce. When we do the figures, it may turn out that if we have to raise taxes at all, it may be a lot less than $X.
The right question is "How much will it increase production?"
6
Get out of your echo chambers! I yelling across the aisle to you! Only BIDEN has a chance against Trump. Bernie is another McGovern. Remember that catastrophe? The people of all races and creeds you need to help you defeat Trump will stay home if Bernie runs or they will vote for some third party choice. Stop putting political ideology and mule-headedness above America's future. We need to get rid of Trump!!
6
@Mel
I hope Bernie is another McGovern.
As stated in The American Prospect, Oct-21-2012 article on McGovern’s death - “McGovernism means believing in basic American values-democracy, justice, the dignity of honest work, and never hesitating to embrace those values even when it is not popular. It's courage combined with common sense. It's recognizing our responsibility to face the hard questions-like the shame of hunger in America and the reality” of the war.
“McGovernism means believing that government has certain basic responsibilities, like guaranteeing civil rights and searching for ways to live peacefully with the rest of the world. It means choosing dialogue over blame, respect over division, hope over fear.”
Bernie vs Biden/Bloomberg or Trump - a no brainer!
1
@Mel
"Only BIDEN has a chance against Trump. Bernie is another McGovern."
That is utterly false. Bernie Sanders does as well or better against Trump as compared to Biden and Bloomberg. Especially in the swing states, including MI, PA, WI, NC, and AZ.
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/president-general/
2
@Mel
I yell to you...Biden is another Hillary!
2
The last Democratic debate proved that Biden is no “cage fighter” and that is exactly what the next presidential debate with Trump will like— a cage fight, but this time with a gorilla! Trump is ruthless and unapologetic. He will attack Biden on issues that Biden’s democratic rivals would never touch: Biden’s conflict of interests in the Ukraine and China, his mental lapse (“ One hundred and fifty million people have been killed since 2007...”), his old school, very patronizing views and his incoherent responses to questions from the media.
Picking Biden because he’s a moderate is like renominating Hillary Clinton! Good luck with that!
12
2016: bernie vs hilarie
2020: bernie vs joe
humm what could go wrong? What I see here is a non-democrat putting the democratic party to his death bed. Might be worth that kid of fatal medicine. So soon we will have two parties disintegrated by candidates not belonging to them. Should make for a fun 2024. until then... :-(
1
VOTE BLUE NO MATTER WHO
I don't care any more; Just NOT TRUMP!!!
7
If it's Biden we're cooked!
18
I don't want to hear about HUnter Biden all summer and fall.
Maybe it wasn't illegal...but it was clearly unethical and looked horrible.
Moreover, Biden is weak and sleepy and old.
Trump will eat him up and destroy him.
Vote for Warren!
"Dream Big, Fight Hard!"
Vote for Warren -- endorsed by this newspaper!
10
@G
Hunter is now a painter which relieves his depression.. BTW I also recommend electro shock therapy - seriously.
Biden/Klobuchar 2020
4
The stop Bernie campaign is sad and predictable. It’s a pathetic commentary on the current state of the Democratic Party if they think an old, senile, out of touch Joe Biden is the solution to anything. Trump will embarrass and humiliate Joe Biden. It will be merciless. He’s too old and a doddering old fool.
23
Biden. ?
Nice guy go slow same old same old Biden. ?
Mr. Malarkey. ? Mr. Molasses. ?
He’s totally out of it, weak and broken.
This is who you want me to vote for. ?
Is it just me ?
Take a hike guys, I’ll go for Trump.
At least he looks out for my small 401K
9
@New World
"I’ll go for Trump. At least he looks out for my small 401K"
How's that working out for you over the last week?
3
OK Joe- Tonight’s the night - take a page out of Tom Friedman’s playbook. Stand on that stage in Dallas and announce who your picks will be for a Biden cabinet .Will it be Pete or Amy or Elizabeth for Vice President, Cory -housing and urban development, Andrew -economy czar , Kamala -attorney general, Bennett -education ...Joe give people a reason to back you and this entire projected administration that will rescue our country in 2021. Go blue!!!!
1
Beat the Bejeebers out of the idiot in the White House with the "B" ticket. Biden/Booker in 2020.
1
What a lot of readers here don't realize is that Trump will win with a nomination of ANYONE but Bernie. I'll vote blue (unless it's Bloomberg), but there are people who will not vote. A lot of people.
The reason Sanders has so much support is due to the tremendous failings of the Democratic establishment. They tout fairness and equality, but all the while we the people of this country have been getting an unequal wealth shift towards the monied class and much more extreme racism and racial violence.
A lot of better off people fail to see the desperation that led this country to Trump. If you are lucky enough to be able to afford rent, health care, and eventually retirement, congrats. But know that you are lucky to be white, or able bodied, or male, or not mentally ill, or tall, or pretty, or intelligent, or not morally stymied, or born wealthy. It is luck and not meritocracy that brought you to that point. There are many who are unlucky and their lives are paid out to the metaphorical house. The myth of meritocracy is how we got here and it's exactly what Biden will perpetuate despite his family being excellent evidence that brain chemistry can damage one's life to an extent where, if not born wealthy, one will end up with nothing. He will capitulate to Republican demands for more oil subsidies and more power to Ice.
I'm mostly just time stamping this because there are so many comments already that no one will get to this one. Never Bernie gets you Definitely Trump.
13
You're delusional. Sanders will NOT have the support (read votes) in the general election. The great majority of moderate to more conservative Dems, moderate Repubs. and independents will not vote for Sanders.
I do agree that with a Trump/Sanders choice, many may stay home.
I was self-employed for most of my life until recently. My parents owned a small-business. My grandparents on both sides were self-employed. I also own some stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
If Sanders is the nominee, I will enthusiastically support him for president. Nothing he wants to do scares me. Nothing he wants to do will destroy capitalism or business. I don't agree with him 100% on every issue, but he wants to move our country in the right direction.
Furthermore, universal healthcare will be a huge benefit for small business and American workers. Small companies will be able to compete with large firms for the best employees, without the disadvantage of being unable to offer the best health benefits. And workers will be able to change jobs without fear of losing their health coverage. And also able to become entrepreneurs or start their own businesses.
19
I already voted (by mail) for Elizabeth Warren, and I do not intend to change my vote (although I understand that it can be done, by requesting another ballot and cancelling the first one).
Elizabeth Warren is the president we need; she has done her homework, understands what has to be done, and is determined to do it.
If Sanders is the nominee, I will vote for him in November without any hesitation.
If Biden is nominated, I will vote for someone else -- anybody will do, from Mickey Mouse to Donald Duck.
What I will never do is "vote blue no matter who".
8
Real smart Fran. Voting for Micky or D. Duck will certainly five us four more scary years of Tang Face.
1
I wish the NYT would write MORE about 'middle class issues' like healthcare, education, public safety and retirement. These are the basic issues most voters care about but not ones the Times tends to write about. While I am a college graduate that does not face issues like not having food on the table and having a good school for my kids; I do understand that close by, my neighbors are very concerned about these exact things.
Who is the average American voter (and family) and what are they basing their vote on would be really educational for the rest of us who lives on the coasts in nice houses with picket fences.
9
Well then if that’s the case, call me a Warren supporter who will cast my primary vote for Sanders.
Mostly because I’m sick of the hollow rhetoric of centrism which continually shifts the needle further and further to the right.
21
Not only will Biden completely lose the youth vote, he will disenfranchise an entire generation who have been mobilized in politics. I know people see Bernie as a scary prospect, but Biden will not win in the general election without people under 35...
There is NO energy behind Biden or his campaign. He gets flustered when he tries to seem passionate. "Why did I stop? no one else stops..."
20
Well, this is a pickle. Neither Sanders or Biden should have run and yet, here we are. Sanders is too old and will struggle to unite the party. What comes to Biden, dynasty candidates are the reason why we have Trump and his son's involvement in Ukraine looks weird, no matter how legal it is. I do not understand how we got here with so many better candidates. This looks like a Trump win barring the coronavirus outbreak and/or continued stock market slide. Due to the latter two factors only, I have moved my forecast from very likely Trump win to likely Trump win.
Why we are here? Well, Sanders is a leading candidate only because Hillary Clinton ran in 2016 and he was the only opponent to have the nerve to run against her. I like Hillary but she is the wife of a former president and had been in politics forever. Also, the party cleaned the field to pave the way for her and that angered many, for a good reason.
Biden is a candidate because he served as Obama's vice president. In other words, he has served in a prior administration and has been in politics forever. Sound familiar? In his current age, he also has trouble keeping his recollections straight and is unpredictable in debates.
Of course, we will all have to forget this and after the nominee is selected, I won't write this sort of stuff. It'll just be harder to convince others.
4
The future of this country is in the hearts and minds of 20 and 30- year olds. That is also where you will find Bernie Sanders.
22
@neev
Shoulda been a times pick
2
Truth is these endorsements and drop outs before Tuesday are not really FOR Biden. They’re just against Sanders. What are Democrats really for I wonder.
17
@LFK democracy rather than socialism
1
If Biden and Sanders are essentially tied by the time of the Milwaukee convention, will the super delegates go for Biden and risk many of Bernie's supporters sitting out the general election. We know Trump will try to fan those flames. Or, for the sake of the country will Sanders and Biden do what's best for the country and get behind a candidate who can assure the moderates and at the same time ignite the progressives. Who might that candidate be? I vote for Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown who can beat Trump in the Rust Belt and take the election.
2
Self styled "Progressives" and "Democratic Socialists" are anti-establishment voters, people who want radical changes with respect to their pet issues. They see compromise as betrayals when it comes to what they strongly want. They are convinced that the citizens who do not share their priorities are unreasonable and perpetuating bad governance. They see these issues as so important that relying upon democratic decision making would be wrong, that such decision making prevents the real needs being satisfied, no compromising is sensible. But in a country of 300 million living in communities across a continent, few issues are so widely agreed that compromises are not needed to achieve the better ends possible.
1
@Casual Observer Compromise got us Donald Trump. Go Bernie.
2
Please don't give us Good Ol' Joe. Warren is the best alternative to Sanders. We need some serious change in the economic rules of the game so more working people can hang on to the American Dream. We need to get lobbyists out of the halls of our government so we can finally get what a majority of people want on major issues like healthcare, childcare, housing, higher education, gun regulation, and criminal justice reform. Back to normal is just not good enough.
28
Relax people. If Bernie were to become the nominee and go on to defeat DJ, he would still have to garner support from Congress to pass any legislation. People are overreacting to Bernie's platform, in helping the average min. wage earners, the homeless, the crazy student debt, and OMG, medicare for everyone -- that dirty word that everyone is afraid to mention bc how on earth can it be paid for without paying more/higher taxes? Bernie may be a socialist, but so was Jesus, and if this country has taught me anything, it's that it is steeped in Christian values. Remember, Jesus? He would be considered a socialist in the highest regard.
Healthcare for everyone, tuition free colleges isn't rocket science. But, if Biden is the choice, then prepare yourselves for 4 more years of Trump.
28
@xpat
Now Bernie is Jesus. And you think all those Christian evangelicals are going to embrace Bernie Jesus. Oh Lordy.
1
@John Didn't say he was Jesus, merely pointing out the fact that socialism isn't anything new -- it's been preached about for centuries ala Jesus. Oh Lordy back to ya!
3
No Bernie. He might get 1/3 of the votes but who would the other 2/3 get behind... someone more moderate than sanders that is for sure.
I'm not sure many folks out there who made responsible financial decisions (and decisions based on funding) aren't keen on Sander's ideas to give college kids loan forgiveness. How about students who forgoed the private school? or went to military first for GI bill? or went trade school route?
1
Yes, this is the decision. I'd like to see Warren drop out so we'd know once and for all where her allegiance lies. I'd bet it's with the establishment candidate, whoever it happens to be.
6
@carl bumba
I bet you're right about Warren being with the establishment. I fully expect her to drop out, and then either not endorse any candidate, even the one with values closest to hers, Bernie, or she will endorse a Bernie opponent. For Warren, it's all about loyalty to the Democratic Party above any core values she may have.
That loyalty to party is why neither establishment Democrats nor Republicans represent Americans, first and foremost.
5
@carl bumba
You mean you didn't figure it out after she recently reversed her stances on taking PAC money and Medicare for All? Staunch Reaganites don't usual turn into ultra-liberals; that would be rarer than rare, if it were actually true. She's turned out to be another opportunist, albeit one who wants to do good, and will do more good remaining where she is in the senate, or in a cabinet-level post. Bernie is the truly great person in this contest, and given the point we have come to as a nation, we risk everything if we refuse the opportunity to vote for him to defeat Trump. But don't take my word for it, check the latest polls.
8
Elizabeth Warren does not take PAC money. A SuperPAC was created without her involvement... that’s what SuperPAC’s are; they spend money on a candidate’s behalf; without disclosing their donors. Warren’s hands are tied.
1
Incorrectly stipulated choice.
More accurate would be:
Bernie and Elizabeth
OR
Biden...and we get Trump in 2020 or an even worse Republican in 2024
4
@Sage
Bernie and Elizabeth. Really?
No broad-base appeal there --only two of the same.
Not a winning strategy.
7
I have no interest in supporting Biden UNLESS his VP choice is Warren, at least then someone in the White House would have a plan. Warren is infinitely better than Biden.
20
I'm a Bernie voter. If Biden is the nominee, I will not note for the top of the ticket.
7
@Diogenes
Counting the number of Bernie voters who will ONLY vote for him indicates a repeat of the same problem in 2016.
Prepare for 4 more years of Trump.
19
@diogenes
Be sure and threaten us all now, then do what you will on Election Day. If our tangerine Idi Amin wins another term, your thanks will being the first to the firing squad. Enjoy.
1
Warren is still viable and those of us who believe she’s smarter than every one of her competitors, and better prepared to lead, are not impressed with your willingness to erase her.
Warren for the win!
23
@Ellen
She would not appreciate being made a victim.
Of course this changes by the hour as Buttigieg and Klobuchar drop out. So you are way off on your thinking now.
People are sick of lousy medical insurance and the general phony politicians in both parties. Biden is regular, corrupt politician who listens to the elite and wealthy and ignores unions (the few left) and helps push and grow the horrid wealth disparity in this country.
Less and less chance in recent decades for the average person to "move up" in status or "class rank." Opportunity is less because of expensive college educations and the elite buy their children a place in Ivy League college slots.
Counties like Denmark and Finland have some of the healthiest people in the world and they are capitalist countries but with government controls to help spread the wealth. Capitalism and the State need severe adjustments in our country.
So you are wrong. Once Bernie, a very sincere and authentic person, starts talking against slow Joe Biden, who is very inarticulate, huge numbers of people will see who they need to vote for. Biden stated early in this race that nothing would change under him. And that will be seen and we shall have a progressive president to change America once and for all.
10
The notion that Bernie Sanders somehow has any chance whatsoever of capturing the nomination is, in my estimation ridiculous. He professes to want a revolution, and with all his pie-in-the-sky promises of free money and bail outs, he appears to have won over many financially desperate folks.
Yet American voters are conservative in their sensibilities, and do not seek rapid, dramatic change. And believe it or not, there is a very strong majority of us -- independents and democrats -- who are NOT in debt up to our eyeballs, who do NOT want our hard earned money to be handed out like so much candy, and who will gladly vote for either Joe Biden or Mike Bloomberg because we do not want to risk putting Bernie Sanders in the oval office.
You Bernie supporters would be wise to throw your support behind Biden or Bloomberg. Either way, Mr. Trump is going to win by a landslide. Impeachment is now a distant, vague memory.
4
Biden. Definitely. As ham-handed as he can appear, he's Shakespeare in comparison to Trump.
But his number one feature is the fact he can express optimism, not anger. I'm sick and tired of Bernie's angry, screaming voice and refusal to even join the Democratic party, instead using it as a spring board for his candidacy.
I'm also tired of his evasion on the costs of his numerous socialistic programs, as well as releasing his full heart data following a health scare that should make any candidate his age be grateful he's not asked to end his campaign altogether.
I will support the eventual nominee, but it wil be far easier for me to cast a vote for a candidate that I like, than one who is merely carrying the blue mantle.
8
So much of Sanders support comes as a result of his history of bottom-feeding off the Student Loan Debt of generatiuoins of Millennials. What about the majority of this country not drowning in Student Loan Debt?
Donald Trump is salivating waiting for his chance to go head to head with Sanders, with a strategy in tow taunting Sanders as being a Socialist and claiming, if elected, Sanders will solely crash the Markets and destroy the 401K's of the electorate.
4
The same plutocrats donate to the Leonard Leo, John Roberts inspired dark money unlimited super PACs for plutocrats, giant multi-national corporations and other (usury are us) and (we control the narrative forces of and for greed) and they fully intend to interfere with our U.S. democracy even more than the Russians and other Trump associates by Contesting the Convention and Interfering with the U.S. democratic system.
They are even worse than Putin because they care even less about the will of the people. We know that about Putin, McConnel, and Trump. Most simply don't know that the oligarchs and plutocrats in this country have an army of cronies who are members of the so-called "super delegates", who will do the bidding of the highest bidder.
Bloomberg is trying to buy the election his way, Biden is the plutocrats Trojan Horse puppet and Bernie and Liz and I so would have been, Booker. Harris. Yang and Steyer are the people of actual spiritual and moral integrity who will fight for average Americans, for ending Jim Crow, ending the good education for rich kids and crummy education for poor kids paradigm and they would all have made saving the world from the accelerating mass extinction event.
Biden has long been the advocate for the TBTF banks with his 2005 Bankruptcy bill that stripped ordinary citizens of the right to Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and turned our nation into a place of debt slavery and in 2008, it most of us hard but the TBTF doubled, tripled. No Joe.
4
biden is absolutely unelectable.
bernie would bury trump, but the corporate democrats will do all they can to deny him the nomination.
the corporate democrats prefer trump in the white house over bernie. trump allows them to raise unlimited money. bernie will actually make them do something real. and he might cost their corporate backers a few bucks, tho in the long term he'd be better for everyone.
we are already a socialist country---for the rich. we need social democracy or we collapse into dictatorship, which is what trump will become in (goddess forbid) a second term.
bloomberg is a disaster.
liz may be electable. it is essential we have a female president, sooner rather than later. but even she seems too real for the corpdems.
the one person who could pass through the eye of the needle with both the corporate dems and at least the moderate progressives is sherrod brown. he brings ohio. as a life-long union man, he also probably brings wisconsin, michigan and pennsylvania.
he is incorruptible, extremely intelligent and a very decent guy. see his wonderful appearance in AMERICAN FACTORY.
it would be a travesty if bernie is denied the nomination. it will be a catastrophe if they nominate biden. he will lose in a landslide.
if the corp dems deny bernie, lets hope they have brains enough to go with either liz or sherrod.
12
BREAKING: "The corporate D establishment kisses a ring! The mushy middle coalesces around a former VP with terrible odds."
Biden: "Nothing will change!"
Sanders: "Not Me US!"
One is a message for the status quo of moneyed interests. The other is a message of hope, opportunity, change, and inclusion. Not too difficult when we break this down. One would think the D party would warm to the fact that their relevancy is on the line. One would think...
Oh yeah, lastly, Biden also has a well-documented history of groping, lying, plagiarizing, and enthusiastically supporting R initiatives in the Senate. Change is NOT on the menu with Joe.
11
Mr. Leonhardt's argument is based on the elderly African American votes in South Carolina. I would like to ask Mr. Leonhardt, DNC leadership, and the media what have DNC and the Democratic Party leadership done for the African Americans of South Carolina to improve their living standard, education and healthcare after the election of Barack Obama and Joe Biden in 2008 and 2012? What has Hillary Clinton done for them and the rest of the African Americans across the country. In this context, Sanders's top priority is his programs for minimum wage, living wage, education, healthcare, and clean air for all Americans including African Americans.
10
Bernie will sweep the nation, become the nominee, because he is an honest to goodness representative of all of the people; he is our modern-day FDR, unapologetic, ready, willing and able to lead our Democratic Republic into a sustainable future with real opportunity for all.
Contrary to the Republican-Lite Pelosi Schumer Biden plans, the people now know that Medicare for All is not only possible, but will result in hundreds of billions of dollars saved over our current corporate for-profit system, which on its own has all but beggared the poor and the middle-class, driving them to near penury and economic slavery.
See recent Lancet excerpt and link -
"By contrast, a universal system, such as that proposed in the Medicare for All Act, has the potential to transform the availability and efficiency of American health-care services. Taking into account both the costs of coverage expansion and the savings that would be achieved through the Medicare for All Act, we calculate that a single-payer, universal health-care system is likely to lead to a 13% savings in national health-care expenditure, equivalent to more than US$450 billion annually (based on the value of the US$ in 2017)."
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)33019-3/fulltext
The respected Lancet has driven a stake into the heart of the wholly corrupt campaign by moderate democrats, Big Insurance, Big Pharma, and corporate Americas' efforts to stop universal health care in America.
11
@Mel Farrell
Why do Sanders' supporters sound like they're all reading from the same script?
2
@N. Smith Because they are truthers working for the truthiest truther of them all.
Go Bernie!
And 4 more years of trumpian destruction of our country due to the short sightedness of our so called leaders in the Democratic Party which is basically “smoke filled back rooms “ where these decisions are made. You wonder how anyone could end their campaign and support Biden who is a nice and decent man but is sure to lose to trump.
3
I was a strong Buttigieg supporter.
Biden is a disaster ... I am sad to see Pete endorse him.
I love Bernie for his idealism, but may end of with Bloomie for his pragmatism.
Sheeesh.
5
It will be between Biden, Bloomberg and Sanders tomorrow. Warren should drop out as she is a hopeless case. Let's see how Bloomberg does against the other two. Biden is old and senile and Sanders is very old and too extreme. I hope Bloomberg does well as he is the only Democrat who I would vote for. Otherwise, I will vote for Trump.
3
Ignorance is the winner of this primary and this whole presidential election. Everyone waves a towel to fan the flames from Trump to Bernie to the Press. The Press is not agnostic (especially the opinion pieces and who is chosen to write those opinions and the opinions of the opinions).
If big business and big money does not give in to the demands of the 99% more anger will spill. You are blowing up a balloon that will eventually pop. I'D SAY WHEN HEALTHCARE COLLAPSES.
4
That's not a choice. Biden is absolutely terrible. He's showing his age too much, and isn't sharp enough. At least Bernie still has energy, and a huge movement SET on accomplishing his goals.
There is only one option at this point, they took away all the other progressives, or bought them off.
9
Mr. Leonhardt,
You are pushing a false narrative. You claim that there are two lanes in the Democratic primary. The moderate lane includes Biden, Bloomberg, Buttigieg, and Klobuchar. The progressive lane includes Sanders and Warren.
Now that Buttigieg and Klobuchar have dropped out, you assume their supporters will all automatically go to Biden (or to Bloomberg). You assume that there is such a thing as the "moderate lane", and that all of those voters are fungible, as if we are commodities to trade.
You assume the same thing about Sanders and Warren voters: that their support is fungible between those two candidates, should one of them drop out.
I was a Pete Buttigieg supporter. I am now a Bernie Sanders supporter. I do not belong to a "lane" in your parlance.
All of the Democratic presidential hopefuls are very close, in terms of their vision for a better future with opportunity for all Americans. Their major differences are in their tactics: how do we get there?
===
Please stop it already with the Tom Perez DNC party line about the centrist lane and the progressive lane. That is a false narrative, and not helpful.
Vote your conscience in the primary.
And then vote blue, no matter who, on November 3.
13
Bernie is the obvious choice to replace oligarchic Anglo-Saxon capitalism with the Nordic type; the one that provides equitable income distribution and a social safety net. As for Biden, he is one of the "centrists" that haven't brought us any change having depended on regressive interest groups' contributions and later faced with IOUs when elected. Biden is also a poor choice because he is ineloquent in debates, incoherent, and even makes up stories like the South Africa arrest non-sense. And why would older African Americans support him? Historically, Biden sponsored the bill limiting courts’ power to order school desegregation and an amendment to an appropriations bill that barred the government from withholding funding from schools that remained segregated! His co-sponsors of the bill were segregationists Sens. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., and Strom Thurmond, R-S.C. Similarly, Biden a man for the working class? Biden was in the pocket of the credit card companies. He was the champion of the 2005 Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA). It erected roadblocks for Americans struggling with debt and responsible for putting the U.S. in the current student debt crisis. Finally, Mr. Biden, in spite of Anita Hill's harassment allegations, saw no reason to postpone the approval of Clarence Thomas's Supreme court nomination. I expect Dem. convention machinations will make him the nominee. I will have to bring an airsickness bag to the voting booth.
7
Yes, once again we have the SAME situation set up for us as in 2016. There is not one bit of difference between Clinton and Biden (they are both moderate republicans in Democratic clothing). And then we have Bernie! That is my choice???? Neither candidate is a true Democrat. A Democratic Socialist is a Socialist and does not believe in Capitalism! Biden is a hand's off, business friendly and bought moderate republican.
I have lost my trust in democracy! Putin has done a great job!
So we will eventually have Trump, Bernie and Bloomberg (as a 3rd party).
If anyone wants to restore my trust they would declare the VP picks NOW! These VP picks are inclined to become President given the ages of all.
2
The ultimate fight is here. The corporate Dems that lost to Trump that are happy to take money from wealthy and corporation (and do their bidding) vs the progressive wing representating intrest of ordinary people.
4
Yes, Bloomberg is probably history. That's amazing when you think about it. All the money he had to hire the best consultants to get ready for that infamous first debate. He should have been ready for every conceivable line of attack and had the right answer and his own attacks to deal with each one. But no. I think he had the conceit that comes from being around people who always tell him what he wants to hear. He was not ready and he blew it. Half a billion down the drain!
3
I am betting that Bernie will win in Texas big time this week.
Watch and see.
11
@Dulcinea
And California
The People's candidate (Sanders) vs The Establishment's candidate (Biden, for now).
9
And neither can beat Trump. Period.
3
God forbid! I don’t think this country will survive another 4 years of Trump. It might still be called the United States (unless Trump changes it) but it will not be the country my father fought for, the one I grew up in and love.
2
@KB Sanders has a better chance. You don’t bring a knife to a gunfight, and defeating Trump is the latter, definitely. Sanders could stand up to him.
I would go as far as to say if Sanders can’t beat Trump, no one can.
Bernie will light the fire to our new frontier.
Go, Bernie!
7
Vote Blue, no matter who! Especially if you are a woman who wants to have control over your body.
5
@RP I think your comment is sarcastic...are not Weinstein, Epstein and company big democratic endorsers ?
1
Ten Little Indians and them there were.............For me it's Biden all the way and hopefully he selects a woman to run with him. Sanders socialistic with a dash of communism policies are way too scary. Biden is a decent man and a seasoned politician. He's exactly who we need to bring back sanity and respect to the White House.
2
i think Biden is feebleminded and that his verbal communication problems will only worsen over time because they are the result of diminishing mental acuity (not stuttering), but i will vote for him tomorrow anyway because the nomination of a socialist is the worst possible outcome for Dems and anyone else who wants Trump defeated.
7
A vote for Biden is a vote for the kind of big money politics favoring the rich and big corporation which led to Trump. Even if Biden were to beat Trump, corporate Democrat Biden would just lay the foundation for working class dissatisfaction and the return of some future Trump.
A second reason to reject Biden is that we've already had, in 2016, an election between Biden's politics and values and Trump, and Trump won. Biden is the old white man's version of Hillary with Hillary maybe being somewhat smarter. Why would a less favorable version of Hillary beat Trump when the original Hillary couldn't?
Nominating Biden would be a mistake. He's even a lesser candidate than the 2016 candidate who lost to Trump. And if Biden should win the presidency, he'll set the stage for another future Trump.
Bernie will beat Trump. Biden won't.
13
@Steve C I think neither of them is capable to beat Trump.
But I agree that Bernie is better than Joe.
Anyway people should decide and not all the DNC great maneuvering which we are viewing right now.
That's is scaring !
3
First, I fear Bernie will not win and we will be stuck with 4 more years of Trump.
Even if Bernie wins, we will not get a majority in the Senate and might lose the House with Bernie at the head of the ticket so none of the Bernie agenda will be enacted.
I’m not willing to take a chance of a Trump win for a ‘perhaps’ Bernie Presidency where nothing gets done.
I voted for Bernie in the primary in 2016 (Hillary in the General) but I will vote for Mike if he is viable when NY gets to vote (end of April), otherwise it’s Biden and ANY Democrat in November.
2
@Maxi If the voters do their jobs and vote blue all the way down, things will get done under a Sanders presidency. We need to keep the House and flip the Senate.
1
David, you're way too quick in writing off Mike Bloomberg. Yes, he hasn't amassed many delegates for far—because this wasn't his strategy, and in fact he hasn’t even been on the ballot! He let the others battle for the small number of delegates in Iowa and New Hampshire, plus a few more in South Carolina, while he concentrated on the bigger stakes on Super Tuesday plus more upcoming primaries.
So thanks for the advice, but I'll be voting for Mike in the Wisconsin primary on April 7th, and I hardly think I’ll be wasting my vote.
5
@Jerry Schulz
I think you will and you will be harming the Democratic party in the bargain. I would have had no problem with Bloomberg had Biden fallen by the wayside but he hasn't fallen by the wayside despite the endless tales of doom over the last few weeks. I think either Biden or Bloomberg can beat Trump but the way the cards have fallen they have left Biden in the stronger position and given that the priority is to stop Sanders who would be a one way ticket to disaster then there is only one rational choice. Biden.
1
You vote before NY. If he is still viable in NY primary, I will also vote for Mike. I believe he has the best chance against Trump.
@Jerry Schulz
Bloomberg hasn't put in the groundwork, he has no grassroots foundation among voters, and has shown contempt for other candidates and the voters throughout the process. All he has going him is his billions and his imperiousness and lousy, corrupt moral and ethical character, which was always on display during his 15 years as mayor of NYC.
Absent the widespread fear of Bernie among bourgeois democrats, who are looking to the mediocrity of the past for selfish reassurance, there'd be no reason to consider voting for him at all.
I think it's terrible that candidates drop out before the Super Tuesday primary. Biden or Sanders should NOT be our only two choices!
How can you base decisions on just Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina? Those 4 states don't represent the entire USA.
It's totally unfair to 46 states to leave us with just two candidates when we started out with so many more.
9
@sfdphd
Please Vote for the candidate you believe in. The one you believe will change lives and whom you trust.
For me, knowing the details is important.
Bernie just said in LA:
“ if elected, he'll legalize #marijuana in all 50 states by executive order and expunge the records of all those who've been arrested for pot possession”
Bernie doesn’t even understand how criminal law works... he’s just promising the moon now!
3
@sfdphd I understand your disappointment. Talk about unfair? Unfair was an antiquated electoral college nullifying the individual votes of 3 million more citizens voting for Hillary resulting in trump winning. But, that's our system. Pete and Amy are actually helping the party by ceasing the fragmentation heading to the Dem Convention. So, it's up to us to decide among those left standing and vote! And, on November 3 VOTE BLUE!!!
2
@sfdphd I think this is the result of the DNC "great maneuvering" during the past WE.
Bernie is a dreamer who collects votes by giving away free stuff to young people at the expense of the working class who have paid their dues. I agree with him that the problem is the top one percent who have corrupted our government to their advantage. But, if nominated, he will lose in the general. And the House will likely swing back to the Republicans. We can't afford another four years of Republican mayhem.
That is why Putin is backing Sanders.
4
it is amazing how candidates like Pete and Amy spend the whole time talking about a new generation and new ideas, and when they drop out they endorse same ol' same ol' Joe. I he is the one we choose from do not be surprised if we get another 4 years of trump. He is Hilary Clinton for 2020.
Maybe our country could try some new ideas that benefit the largest part of the population. Maybe we can swing back to the tax rates under that flaming liberal Eisenhower.
9
I will vote blue no matter who in the general election, but Warren has my vote in the primaries. She has the most detailed policies and really good ideas, and I'm tired of a political process that gives short shrift to the kind of real substance she brings to the table.
I hope that if she doesn't get the nomination whoever does is smart enough to choose her for VP or at least a cabinet post.
10
It is interesting the number of places where the ghost of George McGovern seems to be appearing in reference to this election and the candidacy of Bernie Sanders.
Using the Nixon presidency as a data point, it would not have been possible without George McGovern. In my younger self I thought that any act to prevent McGovern from attaining the presidency was justified. Now I'm torn between not wanting Bernie to win, and not wanting Trump to win - both look like different sides of the McGovern coin. Who is the evil of two lessors?
If the current financial crisis endures into the fall, Trump will fall. If the ship is righted by July, Trump will win.
So, I don't think it matters who is the democratic candidate, I think it's all about the economy. Trump will have proven he can't fix what he thinks is his signature accomplishment (thanks Barack), and Sanders is going to tear down capitalism at any cost and amount of human suffering.
Biden has come on strong, but he has a number of weak points regarding race (Anita Hill for starters), add the plagiarism scandal and publication of a few other misdeeds and Joe looks about as corrupt as Trump. Who knows? Maybe the Ukraine came through at the last moment?
So, that leaves us with Bloomberg, he certainly knows how to right the economic ship. He is as close to the middle as anyone currently running. And, his liberal leanings aren't enough to drive moderate republicans away.
So, it's not Biden or Bernie - just yet.
2
The race has always been between Biden and Sanders from the moment it started. All the rest of the field were simply opportunists who felt that in these uncertain times they could not lose anything by taking a shot at becoming president. So 2020 is shaping up as a replay of 2016 as Bernie again battles the status quo candidate. But this time Bernie has a much broader base and Biden does not have the campaign rigging insiders that Hillary had. In a fair fight Bernie would have been nominated last time. In a fair fight he will win the most delegates this time. And again the DNC will be faced with the choice of pushing the boring status quo candidate who Trump will eviserate, or going with the peoples choice who will present a viable alternative for frustrated Trump voters.
The truth is that the electorate no longer wants a Republican or a Democrat as president, they are fed up with the lies of both parties. Trump and Bernie represent two outsiders who will shake up the status quo and make things happen. The difference between the two candidates comes down to character. One is a life long grifter who has contempt for law and for his country, and the other is a dedicated servant of the people who respects the law and who will defend the constitution and the rights of all people.
That is an easy choice for the American voter to make. Bernie will win in a blowout if the DNC just gets out of his way.
10
^^^THIS.
There was no choice. There is no Democratic party just as there is no Republican Party.
In a healthy democracy Bernie and Biden are two different parties with two different ways of dealing with change, you either adapt or you try to push back either way this election is about Trump and there is the rub. Trump makes this election about nothing. Nobody will advance their solutions to real problems except Bernie and the only problem Biden wants to solve is Trump. Trump of course is not the problem only a symptom.
5
This is basically an attempt to sabotage not only Sanders’ campaign but also the message he lead with. You will not take down the one without losing the other.
12
South Carolina is one of the most conservative states in the country. It’s no surprise conservatives there voted for Biden. Apparently they want a candidate who will cave to everything Republicans want - which is basically the story of Biden’s career. Republicans never caved to anything Biden proposed. Apparently his relationship with Republicans only goes their way.
10
South Carolina is a solid red state . Even the Obama / Biden ticket lost the general by double digits , twice. Mr. Biden has been puffed up as the front runner because of winning in S.C. ? it seems fishy to me. Trying to deflate the progressives , derailing their message and labeling them unelectable is a sly narrative . Let’s wait for the swing states to weigh in , that’s where the elections are won. ( or lost) . Biden if the nominee ,will lose South Carolina to Mr. Trump in November.
3
I had researched and spent quite some time on seven democratic candidates and their policies carefully, and finally found one I wanted to support the best. Now my candidate dropped out, and I need to find out the next candidate I will support this time among the remaining candidates. I know it will not be Bernie for primary (though I will vote for him if he is to beat Trump), but not sure yet which one to choose. I am leaning to the person my candidate will endorse, but well, not sure yet. I hope we have no more Trump from 2021. But seriously, I would like to ask. When will we be ready to have a female or under-represented minority (including all minority and diversity) candidate?
6
The only people voting for Biden are people who have employer based health care, haven't done the math on how absurdly expensive it is, and have become frightened by the Corporate Dems who irresponsibly message that the Milky Way's imminent demise would occur upon election of Sanders.
And of course, the other people not voting for Sanders is are small groups of elite Democrats who run this absurd show of pretending to stand up for the concerns of ordinary Americans, only to sell us out every time.
7
@Kip Leitner
You left out some of the other groups that support Biden:
- those who understand math
- those who have examined Bernie's 30 year record in Congress and see that he has never accomplished anything
- those who have examined Bernie's platform and think that it is wrong for the government to confiscate private property, as Bernie proposes to do
3
@Kip Leitner I'm a Biden supporter and have never been called elite. With a little more than the grudging support he gave Hillary perhaps we wouldn't have Trump. My message to Bernie supporters, if you lose shut up and back the Democratic nominee otherwise you're helping Trump again.
1
@Kip Leitner
That "us versus them" trope is starting to grate -- or do you really believe that any Democrat voting for someone other than Sanders is an "elite" and not caring for ordinary Americans and America?
Sorry to tell you.
That sounds more like autocracy than Democracy.
2
@ Aaron Lee: As of two hours ago, the most recent CBS/YouGov Poll of 1,411 likely voters in the California Democratic Primary has Joe Biden in second place at 19%, behind Bernie Sanders at 31%, with Elizabeth Warren in third place at 18%.
5
Wait until the Super Tuesday results come in before you say it's either Biden or Bernie. If Bloomberg does well, then he is still a serious contender. The only thing that matters in this election is defeating Trump and I think Bloomberg would be a much stronger contender against Trump than Biden. Fox News and Trump and his base will find a lot of bad things to say about Biden - they can get middle America to not trust Biden at all. And Biden will probably say foolish things and not sound up to the job of being president. Bloomberg, on the other hand, will seem competent to handle emergencies such as coronavirus and our developing stock market panic. And what will the Republicans be able to say against him? They're not going to attack him for stop-and-frisk or making demeaning comments to women. It's true that Bernie supporters will find it hard to rally around Bloomberg and Biden may finally win out as the generally acceptable compromise candidate, but I still think that Bloomberg would be a stronger challenger to Trump in debates and every other way. And you certainly can't count out Bloomberg before we see how he does in the Super Tuesday primaries.
6
Joe is popular because people just want samey same.
But Joe Biden will do nothing for the growing gap between rich and poor. He's been presiding over that widening gap since he got in office.
Of those of us who want Trump out, the astute can see that going back to standard Dem policy is just status quo -the well connected and the rich get richer - but with nicer wording.
14
@Bob
Let me assure you, the MAJORITY of Black folks and other Americans voting for Biden are not rich and getting any richer.
@Sean - Here is a computation I have been doing incorrectly, but I think I know how to do it right now.
There have been several estimates of the 10 year costs of Bernie's plan, M4A. There are all below $37 TRILLION, some way below, e.g. CRFB who are quite conservative say it will cost $28 TRILLION.
That still seems like a lot of money. We need something to compare it to. I attempted to see what we would pay over 10 years if nothing changes. I took what we paid in 2019, which was about $37 TRILLION and computed what the 10 cost would be at the long term rate of medicate inflation, 5.28%. It came out at well above $50 TRILLION.
My error was that the $37 TRILLION included items like medical research that M4A will not cover. So I got a spreadsheet from CMS that broke out each type of spending in that $37 TRILLION & subtracted the items not covered by M4A. It came out to about $33 TRILLION. Then I went to a compound interest computer on line & asked what $33 TRILLION which increased 5.28% would come to added up over 10 years.
It came out to about $55 TRILLION. So the highest estimate of the 10 year cost of M4A is $18 TRILLION less that we can be expected to pay if we do not change anything.
In case you do not believe the 5.28% long term medical inflation figure, here is the 10 year cost if nothing changes for other values:
5% - $54 TRILLION
4.5% - $51 TRILLION
4% - $49 TRILLION
But don't forget if medical inflation is lower, the estimate of the cost of M4A will also be.
3
The other corporatist candidates dropping out should itself tell you precisely who it is they represent. Notice that there is no 'higher authority' that is pushing Sanders or Warren out of the race. Sanders and Warren are not beholden to the ruling elite. Biden is.
12
@Sean - Here is a computation I have been doing incorrectly, but I think I know how to do it right now.
There have been several estimates of the 10 year costs of Bernie's plan, M4A. There are all below $37 TRILLION, some way below, e.g. CRFB who are quite conservative say it will cost $28 TRILLION.
That still seems like a lot of money. We need something to compare it to. I attempted to see what we would pay over 10 years if nothing changes. I took what we paid in 2019, which was about $37 TRILLION and computed what the 10 cost would be at the long term rate of medicate inflation, 5.28%. It came out at well above $50 TRILLION.
My error was that the $37 TRILLION included items like medical research that M4A will not cover. So I got a spreadsheet from CMS that broke out each type of spending in that $37 TRILLION & subtracted the items not covered by M4A. It came out to about $33 TRILLION. Then I went to a compound interest computer on line & asked what $33 TRILLION which increased 5.28% would come to added up over 10 years.
It came out to about $55 TRILLION. So the highest estimate of the 10 year cost of M4A is $18 TRILLION less that we can be expected to pay if we do not change anything.
In case you do not believe the 5.28% long term medical inflation figure, here is the 10 year cost if nothing changes for other values:
5% - $54 TRILLION
4.5% - $51 TRILLION
4% - $49 TRILLION
But don't forget if medical inflation is lower, the estimate of the cost of M4A will also be.
@Len Charlap
Bernie will become the nominee, because he is an honest to goodness representative of all of the people; he is our modern-day FDR, unapologetic, ready, willing and able to lead our Democratic Republic into a sustainable future with real opportunity for all.
Contrary to the Republican-Lite Pelosi Schumer Biden plans, the people now know that Medicare for All is not only possible, but will result in hundreds of billions of dollars saved over our current corporate for-profit system, which on its own has all but beggared the poor and the middle-class, driving them to near penury and economic slavery.
See recent Lancet excerpt and link -
"By contrast, a universal system, such as that proposed in the Medicare for All Act, has the potential to transform the availability and efficiency of American health-care services. Taking into account both the costs of coverage expansion and the savings that would be achieved through the Medicare for All Act, we calculate that a single-payer, universal health-care system is likely to lead to a 13% savings in national health-care expenditure, equivalent to more than US$450 billion annually (based on the value of the US$ in 2017)."
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)33019-3/fulltext
The respected Lancet has driven a stake into the heart of the wholly corrupt campaign by moderate democrats, Big Insurance, Big Pharma, and corporate Americas' efforts to stop universal health care in America.
9
@Len Charlap - Just a little more. The Times article on the cost of M4A
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/10/31/upshot/medicare-for-all.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article
is useless because it is based on first year costs. Anyone who does budgets can tell you that the first year of any program will usually cost more than latter years because of startup costs. You can see this for any of the estimates in the Times article by simply multiplying the first year cost by 10. This should give you the 10 year costs of M4A assuming ZERO medical inflation and so should be lower than the 10 actual estimates. But it is substantially higher.
3
Nostalgia is nice but it doesn't make good policy.
5
@Pia
But fantasy does?
Bernie and Biden...
Think about it, if they were indeed elected, and let's consider for a moment that they were teaming up to ensure that they win against Trump, that tag team would be going onto 90 by the middle of their FIRST term.
Sorry, people there is a reason why someone younger than 35 cannot be elected president, there also ought to be a law that says one cannot draw social security by the time of inauguration.
4
I know it's unlikely but I'd like to see Klobuchar and Bloomberg throw their support to Warren. I just don't see Biden or Sanders as good presidents, whatever their success thus far in primaries. I agree with the Times editorial endorsement, though I favored Amy somewhat over Liz. The virus crisis shows how important it is to have a smart, effective leader in the highest office (if there was any doubt after the past three years). Joe and Bernie are coasting on name recognition and organizational strength. I think they're both too old and too hard wired for the challenges ahead.
13
The best fix to the current nomination system is to have the party populace vote on high level issues that are become platform. Until the electoral college imbalance is fixed, the issues can (read: should) be weighted toward swing states. Then there should a simple national process to select the candidate who can best champion the platform in the general election.
The best fix to the current nomination system is to have the party populace vote on high level issues that are become platform. Until the electoral college imbalance is fixed, the issues can (read: should) be weighted toward swing states. Then there should a simple national process to select the candidate who can best champion the platform in the general election.
3
Bernie supporters need to look at the math problem they have:
- With Bernie, you completely throw away FL, NC, AZ, and OH, all states where Biden is currently up, plus you put NH and NV in play for Trump to pick off. Thus, Sanders' path to 270 is narrow and can only be attained through PA, MI, and WI, with PA unlikely since he'll be throwing 400k natural gas workers out of their jobs.
- Bernie's appeal is strongest among the two segments that always have absolutely atrocious turnout; young households and poor households.
- Bernie alienates the key segment Democrats won to help them win 2018 by over 8pts, a segment which will turn back to Trump if Democrats go too extreme; Sub-urban households.
- Bernie will fire up and rally the Republican base to record turnout.
- Lastly, Bernie isn't horrible with minority and female households, but he's not nearly as strong as Biden in this category, especially with the clear indication that Biden is building the Obama coalition to his side.
7
@JA
Let's do this math:
I am female.
I am minority.
I am not young.
I am not poor.
I support Bernie.
2
@Pia You = one person
And that's fine. We're really voting on who sit in the Cabinet, what judicial choices are made, and how the State Department is run. Biden will pull the best team around him.
1
While I think Joe Biden is a decent man and a big improvement over the current occupant of the White House, my perception of him is that he is a corporatist Democrat who will resolve none of the issues of inequality, globalism, endless war, and monopoly power. A Biden presidency would simply swing the pendulum back to the Clinton era, inevitably to be followed by another Trump-like populist reaction in four years.
Also, prone to gaffs and stumbles on the debate stage.
Will corn pop want to hear his campaign message playing endlessly on the Victrola?
2
Only a moderate can beat Trump. That is the reality of the electoral college. Nominating Sanders is irresponsible and will guarantee four more years of Trump and a Republican Congress.
That is the reality - and something Dems who want Trump out need to accept.
7
Bernie and Trump do have something in common, neither have any interest in unity. A good slogan for them both, as reflected in their speeches and in their supporters, would be "My way. or the highway". Having said that, I don't see any viable alternative to unite us. Unity, if it occurs, may take a crisis to bring us together. Or rip us apart further. Democracy, what an interesting experiment "If we can keep it".
3
I'm ok with either although I think Sanders is a better choice. I don't want party elites making the choice for me, however.
7
The bigger question may be what blue collar Republicans want.
I predict they will choose Bernie Sanders' Medicare4All over Making America Great Again.
If they don't have that choice, they'll pick Trump again.
6
Well, with Amy and Pete dropping out perhaps we'll get a better idea of who actually is capable of getting the majority of Democratic votes. If only Bloomberg would do the same.
Premature. Bloomberg has not been in a single primary yet. Let’s see how he does on Tuesday. Also I have news for you: only political junkies are paying attention to the debates. Biden has been a stumbling embarrassment in every debate and yet you want to crown him the only moderate hope. Let’s wait till Wednesday morning. The narrative might change again quickly. Finally, the way things are going, I would bet on a contested convention. It’s hard to see how Sanders comes out on top in that scenario.
7
Democrats need to coalesce around a moderate Democrat. Bloomberg should not be allowed to buy the nomination. His record is less than admirable in a lot of ways. Time to clear the field for Biden who can then focus on defeating Trump. Democratic infighting will not win the election in November.
3
@DRR
Neither will a corporate/establishment moderate, i..e
Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, Michael Dukakis, John Kerry, Walter Mondale, Hubert Humphrey.
They all lost. That ship has sailed, time to attempt to nominate someone who actually has some ideas , not someone who keeps trying to resurrect the past and the "status quo".
4
The youth, minorities and the lower incomes do not want a moderate. Why do you think the poor are still poor? Because moderate politicians are slaves to corporate greed. Bad idea. Incorrect analysis. Moderate do-nothings are the past. It’s time to represent and fight for the majority of Americans and they are not just moderately in pain! They can’t afford deductibles, education, housing costs, and unexpected costs of any kind. Does their pain sound moderate to you? Enough with the good old boy network of moderate imaginary trickle down!
5
I was all in for Pete. He made the right and honorable choice dropping out. I will be behind Biden.
3
Reading the comments, I’m struck by the negativity, also some of the ignorance. Look, as a woman I wanted Harris, Warren or even Klobuchar to emerge as the Democrats nominee, but alas we are still in many respects a misogynistic country. Sadly. Now, we have Warren, Biden, Sanders or .....the long shot, Bloomberg. If I had my druthers I would choose Elizabeth Warren for our nominee! With Cory Booker as VP!
Bernie’s ideas are great, but there’s no way he will fulfill those, no way. Joe, is wonderful, I like him but I worry about how he sharp and feisty he will be debating with the Bully-Trump!
To those voting on Super Tuesday PLEASE go to Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s web site and look over her plans which are very well thought out! PLEASE! Let’s not allow fear, misinformation nor divisiveness come between us. Let’s pick the VERY BEST: Elizabeth Warren!
20
@Mari
If Bernie can’t fulfill his great ideas, how the heck is Warren gonna do it, ? With a magic skirt. ?
3
Better get comfortable with Bernie as the nominee, he’s gonna win this thing and trample Trump in November. He’s the new FDR, and and I’m a Bern-liever ;)
17
@CLee
Not even the old FDR could beat Trump.
The Republican oppo research juggernaut will make mincemeat of Bernie the non-Democrat.
2
@CLee
Ever hear of reverse psychology?
Trying to force Sanders on voters is bound to backfire at one point or another.
In fact, I'm close to that point right now.
1
Warren needs to stay in it. I think there is much more support for her than we've seen. I hear people say they love her, her policies, but they are afraid others won't vote for her. Once people vote for Warren, whom they really want, she will move to the top. She's the smart, get things done, middle between Bernie and Biden, between "rebellion" and "moderate".
11
In this election there are many goals. But, the main one is to remove trump. Four more years of him will ruin democracy -- the banana republic and leading to an Erdogan dictatorship.
Michael Bloomberg is the only one who can beat trump.
No matter how nice the old guard is Biden and Bernie Sanders would have a very hard time.
Think about backing Bloomberg.
5
@EC Bloomberg is part of the old guard , our political gerontocracy.
1
I'm looking for someone who will do two things on his or her first day in office:
(1) Repeal or annul everything (regulations, EOs, leases, sales, permits, treaty abrogations, etc.*), that Trump authorized in his first and only term of office, so that we start with a tabula rasa dating to Election Day 2016 (I realize this wouldn't undo his SCOTUS picks, but it might be possible to get rid of them another way), and
(2) Declare a Climate State of Emergency.
Legislation (such as the 2017 tax cut) that has to be repealed through Congress will take longer.
The Trump presidency must be expunged. I am not willing to live with the social and environmental atrocities committed by this president. My only hope is that everything will be reversed by the next Administration. This shouldn't require a lot of tortured analysis - we just need to go back to where we were four years ago. All remaining Democratic candidates must take this pledge to earn my vote.
*Contracts that should not be voided immediately for national security reasons or reasons of equal importance should be renegotiated.
4
This is premature in discounting Bloomberg and Warren and seems intended to save Biden.
My vote in the Washington state primary is due in a week and at this point I'm torn between Warren and Bloomberg.
I think I'd prefer Sanders over Biden if the choice boiled down to those two. That is because Biden has done poorly in debates, seems reactionary and a return to questionable past policies and policy makers. Those past policies are what contributed to income inequalities, the discontent which gave us Trump etc. Furthermore Biden's judgement seems questionable going way back to the Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas hearings and given his tolerance for his son's Ukraine board membership or China work.
It also seems to me that Bloomberg would get more really effective things done than Biden despite lacking Biden's experience because Biden may be too locked into past establishment patterns. Not least important is that Bloomberg would likely accord climate change higher priority than Biden.
8
It's too bad that Warren isn't being recognized or touted more as the solution/middleground between Biden and Sanders. Yes, she is "progressive", but in the sense of using her proposed programs to even out the playing field in order for capitalism to work as it should. I wish she would articulate this aspect of her platform more often and better. Poof -- the hand-wringing and vitriol of "non-Democrat" Sanders vs. "Establishment Democrat" Biden vanishes in a puff of clarity!
20
As a registered moderate Democrat and middle-class American, I, given the choice between these two guys, would choose Trump. Sorry to say that.
6
What about Warren? If she were the nominee would you vote for her?
3
@Marat K
I hear you. And I am with you.
I was rooting for Andrew Yang, then Mayor Pete.
What a shame, is it not?
1
Biden needs to speak forcefully and in detail with regard to a set of policies. His campaign has been a boring and irrelevant litany of what he claims to have done years ago, and who he supported, and what a friend he is of interest groups. That's not going to play as the campaign now focuses on only two candidates--and Joe has been soporific in his speeches and in the lack of specificity in what he would actually do as president.
I'm concerned about him, because I think he truly is too old and getting too feeble to carry the agenda for principled, moderate progressives--while Bernie, the old socialist, has no problems, because he doesn't have to think on his feet or respond to changing conditions: He has been talking the same fantasies since he was mayor of Burlington.
7
latest polls indicate Bloomberg ahead of Biden in California, and over the 15% threshold. Its actually still a 3 way race, with Mike having the actual resources to fight Trump.
5
Bloomberg is a better candidate than Biden and Biden stands for nothing besides having run with Obama.
He would do nothing in office.
I will vote Sanders.
Sanders stands for important things.
8
Wow... It's the Joe Biden cheer leading squad. This is all exactly why the United States remains hopelessly enslaved to the status quo. No imagination. At the end of the day, Democrats need to vote for the Democrat. Trump must go. There will be a Congress to temper anything Bernie wants to do once he's in.
9
@Will McD
So then by that logic, Bernie will be reduced to a troll in the White House.
Mr. Trump sounds better all the time.
And the market is going up. How about that?
1
Biden for President and Klobuchar for Veep. There's your winning ticket. You'll get African-American voters back (their election participation declined by almost 7% in 2016), plus Midwestern states, PA, probably Ohio, and maybe even a few Southern states.
Dems have the west coast and NY/NJ/New England/MD/VA anyway. They need to win back Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan (and likely Ohio). This ticket would do it.
3
Why can't we schedule Democratic primaries in all states on the same day...or at least in the same week? And ranked choice voting - yes, yes, yes !
13
Warren has been a stalking horse for Biden since her campaign decided that she had zero chance of winning the nomination. She has disavowed all her progressive views and now spends her time attacking Sanders and Bloomberg. When Trump trounces Biden, she will be to blame.
5
A note to folks in Mass: Biden may not make threshold here which means the no-Bernie vote (i.e. the best you can do for Biden) is Warren.
7
To defeat Trump you must first understand how he wins. So here is a pop quiz to help us understand that concept as we move on to Super Tuesday.
1. How does Trump win another 4 years?
A) Vote for Trump
B) Vote for Joe Biden
C) Vote for Bernie Sanders
D) A and C
The correct answer is D.
It is noteworthy to point out that Putin and Trump, the winners of the last Presidential election have chosen Bernie Sanders as their preferred nominee. While Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar have chosen Joe Biden. It is about strategy and common sense. Please use both when making your decision.
4
Bloomberg . Don’t count him out .
Biden is not appealing anymore especially with young people .
7
@GW
He does appeal, but is not appealing.
2
He would have been a great choice. However, his debate performance was a fatal blow. I still wonder how someone with such vast resources and intelligence came across so unprepared and unfit. He is much better than what we saw, but often times you only get one shot to make a great impression.
@GW
And young people love nothing better than a 77 year old billionaire who lives in a cloud, where he churns out TV ads.
No, the choice is currently between Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Michael Bloomberg, and Tulsi Gabbard. I suggest you vote for the candidate you consider the best. I did. I voted by mail for Elizabeth Warren.
22
@Unsound
Too bad, so sad!
Biden is officially the weakest candidate still running. Democratic voters are better off supporting Warren or Sanders. (Gabbard and Bloomberg don't count)
8
The democratic party can't fight the fact that voter excitement right now is, wether you like it or not, in the far right and the far left. If the party pushes Biden to the top of the ticket over Sanders, like they did last time we're going to have the same results. Textbook insanity!!
7
Bernie and his band of rigid, disrespectful ideologues have painted themselves into a corner. While some will vote for Biden, many will not, as in 2016. Democrats can write off Sanders entire base and still win by picking up the votes of real Democrats and independent moderates and Republicans tired of Trumps, dishonesty, corruption and incompetence.
Biden is a reasonable and empathetic person. Presidents should be seen by everyone, across the spectrum, as a fair arbiter of policy.
4
Please stop with the pronouncements! Most delegates are still up for grabs, most voters are still undecided. There are millions of people -- not just women! -- who want a WOMAN for president, not another old white man. These voters are tired of being ignored and dismissed. Don't underestimate the power of a highly motivated feminist electorate, please. Especially now that there is just one brilliant, hugely capable, dynamic and empathetic woman candidate. Give her -- and us -- a chance to breathe, please, before nailing the coffins!
8
Or, you know, Warren. She can win if you vote for her.
23
@Andrew Law
Sure, and the Moon is made of green cheese with Pigs in orbit.
@Andrew Law; apparently that's a big "if."
So it's all over now, huh? 46 states to go, but we might as well not bother voting in the primary! That's not democracy.
I want Warren, but apparently all the black folks are scared to vote for a socialist or a woman, so they picked the safe choice.
Warren and Sanders ideas would help the country far more than Biden and his bland approach to problems. We are at a crisis point, and you go with the guy who helped us get here.
I will vote for Warren if she wins at all anything on Tuesday. If not, it's Sanders. Stop telling us all what to do. That differing old guy Biden is the wrong guy.
10
For those thinking of Biden, consider the following words. Anita Hill. Plagiarism. Crime Bill. Bankruptcy Bill. Clarence Thomas. $200,000 payment for campaigning for anti-Obamacare Republican congressman. No vote on Bin Laden take down.
No one is pure in this election. Bloomberg has best chance of beating Trump.
2
Once again, erasing the most qualified candidate, Elizabeth Warren. Thanks, MSM.
8
Most of the people I know in my town are going Bloomberg.
1
@Cary tel aviv ?
1
Biden--safe choice. Just like Al Gore, John Kerry, and Hillary Clinton were safe choices. I am so afraid we are headed into a complete disaster with an incoherent, uninspiring Biden at the top the ticket.
10
I'm still voting for Warren because she is the best candidate. Times writers have consistently shorted her. Why do so many of you have such disregard for her intelligence, passion, ability, and experience?
13
@K. Norris
Hopefully, she'll be back on the Res. soon to help them.
1
I hate this column headline. How dare any pundit just say after South Carolina that it is over except to choose between Sanders and Biden?
It is also infuriating that Klobuchar can't see her way to vote for Warren and help make it work for there to be a competent female president. And should I care that Harry Reid, for god's sake, says to vote for Biden?
Why don't the ones who drop out hold off till a few more folks have voted? Why have election day at all when the press and all its pundits can decide who wins?! In March!!!
8
Let’s never ever talk about misogyny in the US. It’s not an issue apparently.
11
Mr. L., it's Bernie's to win.
1
Party establishment is weighing in big time: Buttigieg and Klubuchar both resign BEFORE Super Tuesday. Klubuchar's staff didn't even know and were still planning campaign events.
10
@Pat
Bloomberg has 500 DNC staffers on his payroll, so...
Unfortunately, for Elizabeth Warren, in order to try to differentiate herself from Bernie Sanders, she has attempted to operate as a progressive, but, within the institutional confines of the establishment democratic party. She should have realized in 2016, that this is just not possible without giving up a considerable amount of her principles and regardless of what anyone thinks about her, by continued drops in the polls, we have learned her political acumen leaves much to be desired.
The corporate/establishment wants nothing to do with progressives at any level because they represent a threat to the "status quo" and traditions of a party that since the day of Bill Clinton has chosen money over winning elections and those that earn that money in D. C. want nothing to do with Bernie Sanders.
I suppose Warren will try to hang on to the bitter end but, if she loses her own state and since the bulk of her second choice supporters overwhelmingly indicate they will support Sanders, they may just as well start peeling away from her sooner than later.
3
I hope that these "moderates" of the right wing rallying against Bernie means that, when he is elected, they are all closed out of all appointive offices. No Cabinet posts. Nothing for them. Run them out of power.
5
@Mark Thomason
Yes, like Republicans the moderate democrats have supported much of Trump's agenda (tax cuts and increased military budget)which means Americans can't afford healthcare(democrat moderates told you so).
1
@Mark Thomason Agreed. Let's throw the people who voted for the Iraq War, who supported deregulation of financial markets, who support Zionist imperialism, and who led to the financial crisis of 2008 and which in turn led to Trump out of the Washington establishment.
2
arrest them all.
1
I think Bloomberg would govern with the most competence. But his political acumen is atrocious, unfortunately. Perhaps his wife and staff can help him with that.
I salute Klobuchar and Buttigieg for taking one for the team! I admire you all the more for doing that.
Sanders supporters scare the daylights out of me with their ‘my way or the highway’ attitude and I don’t think Bernie can govern. Idas are one thing, but funding and implementing them are another.
So - tomorrow I vote for Biden.
6
My first choice was Liz, then Amy. The most brilliant and articulate of the candidates. I guess vlad thinks Biden will be easiest to defeat? And Americans STILL don't want equality for women. Or people of color.
I am now grudgingly thinking I might cast my vote for Biden to keep Sanders from running against tRump. vlad can make the democrat defeat seem plausible instead of rigged if Sanders is on the ticket.
Good job, vlad. Good job, owm. /s
1
Don't count out Elizabeth Warren yet. She is the best candidate, polled in second place in some national polls and is second in CA. She would make the best president, and I think she'll have an incredible showing on Super Tuesday!
8
I hold the media responsible for literally wiping Elizabeth Warren off the slate. I have never seen anything like it. She is a VIABLE, CREDIBLE, PREFERABLE alternative to Bernie Sanders, but is it because she’s woman? Or because the papers treat this like a horse race and want to bet on one winner? It makes me SICK!!!
15
@Julie O What are you talking about? All the media could talk about last winter was how Warren was going to steal Bernie's support and run away with the nomination. And they continued to run with that narrative until she got obliterated in all four of the early contests.
Warren should be the LAST candidate complaining about a lack of positive coverage in the media.
3
@Julie O Wiping her off the slate? The New York Times just endorsed her (along with Klobuchar). So much for the powerful anti-female cabal running the MSM.
1
The presidential election is a personality contest, and every time Biden opens his mouth he loses support. Most people see him as deranged humorless, and out of touch... He even attacked his own supporters!
3
How about Bernie and Biden? Biden already has experience being a VP.
1
When reading this article, a big banner for Bloomberg came up, breaking up the text of the article. I guffawed heartily! Though, I totally agree with Leonhardt
1
Better find. Kennedy at the Convention.
The misogynists are lining up to push a woman out of the race, so one of two angry, ancient white males can rule the country.
Forget it. Don't expect Warren supporters to fall in line either.
It looks like a Democratic COUP to stop Bernie and pave the way for Old Man Biden.
Forget it.
8
so 538 has the most likely outcome as no-one wins a majority... i.e. a contested convention. but David Leonhardt wants to pretend that isn't a real thing????
I think both Bloomberg and Warren could stick in this for quite a while with the idea of being the choice at a convention that is looking for someone who has a following and is between Bernie and Biden.
But apparently the quick bait absolutism is too rewarding...
1
Bloomberg is my first choice. He has a significant record as mayor of NYC. Biden, not so much. Years as a Senator, vote yes or no. Years as Veep, not worth. A bucket of p!§§. Plus, Biden is just clearly not too smart. And Trump will have a field day with Hunter and Joe has been proven blind to that borderline corruption.
5
or Bloomberg.
What Buttigieg did was truly noble. And it will make him a great president in the future.
2
Hey, Bloomberg!
Out.
Now.
3
I can't understand the Bernie angst! Sure he talks a lot of Socialist bravado but will he deliver? Without the dems taking the senate he will not be able to raise taxes or any of that stuff. What he will be able to do is stop a lying, cheating, misogynist from taking us close to a catastrophic climate and environmental disaster. So get real folks and vote for anyone but Trump! Our future and our planet needs your vote!
2
I'm already building my mental bunker to wait out the next four years of Trump.
Georgia just started early voting and I'm voting for Elizabeth Warren. I am really REALLY sick of my choices being rich old white men. Because Trump is a bona fide dummkopf on a cellular level I will have to hold my nose and vote for whoever the Democratic nominee is; unless it's Elizabeth in which case I'll be skipping with joy to the polls.
So how's that, Biden and Sanders camps? I would only be voting for one of you because you are not Donald Trump.
10
So we get to choose between two old men pushing eighty, one with a heart that is marginally functional and the other with a brain that is marginally functional. Pathetic and scary.
5
Now that both Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar have dropped out, it's down to four people -- Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, Mike Bloomberg, and Elizabeth Warren.
All of those four seem willing and able to go the distance, though I wouldn't be surprised to see either Mike Bloomberg or Elizabeth Warren drop out after the big bloc of elections tomorrow if things don't go well.
I don't like Elizabeth Warren, and luckily I don't like her chances either. She seems too much a scold and a know-it-all. She hacked at Mike Bloomberg with a true hatchet job, going well beyond debate decorum to make it personal.
Her plans too are all fantastic, with no chance of being passed into law, let alone working. "I've got a plan for that!", she always says. But as former boxer Mike Tyson said, "Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth". She has shown no ability to fight through failure to make her plans a success.
As for Mike Bloomberg, the bloom is off the Bloomberg. He's just too prissy and bureaucratic to pull off an election victory. I guess his shtick worked in New York City, but it's not going to work nationally.
So we are left with Bernie or Biden. Which will it be? I couldn't tell you. Bernie Sanders seems the safer bet, but how could someone who is not even a Democrat lead the Democratic party?
I guess we'll see what happens. But I voted yesterday, and I put in my vote for Joe Biden. And I have my fingers crossed. Good luck, Joe! You'll need it.
2
@John Smithson Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Trump Admin desperately trying to dismantle it. Yes, Elizabeth did it starting in 2007. Progressive Capitalist with teeth to fight the oligarchs and corrupt corporations.
1
J Gunn, the only thing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has done that other agencies weren't doing before is to create a slush fund for progressive causes. It's no accomplishment, it's an unconstitutional disaster that adds bureaucracy with no benefits.
1
I want Hillary in the Cabinet for "Secretary In Charge Of Getting
Even."
5
NYTimes desperately wants a Senator. I’ll go with Bloomberg.
5
What is this Bernie or Biden business? Hello, LIZ WARREN! Why is she invisible to you? WARREN.
13
Did Warren fall off the earth as you were writing this? Did Super Tuesday happen in your mind already? How dismissive. Everyone, every pundit knows elections are unpredictable. Writing Warren off is just wrong and projecting an obvious bias.
11
The corrupt DNC is at it again.
It’s like the boxing industry.
Buttigieg takes a fall today to get a shot at the title in the future.
Same with Klobuchar.
They’ll get to Warren soon too.
Any democrat who won’t endorse Biden is dead to the DNC
You’d think Don King was running the DNC
9
Your numbers are wrong on the popular vote because your polls don't reach the people who care about Bernie. The NY Times should be called the TBTF times at this time.
If you want another Trojan Horse Corporatist who does the bidding of Monsanto, big pharma, the military, and industrial complexes and who will bow to the repetitive play by the GOP who always starts wars, create giant tax cuts for plutocrats and then tells the Trojan Horse and the corporate media that they need to cut social benefits to reign in the very deficits the GOP created; vote for Biden.
If you want to know the truth and care about true justice consider these facts about Biden:
Biden was the champion of the new Jim Crow extremely racists drug war policies that vastly impacted Americans of African descent.
Biden championed causes for all of his Wall Street TBTF Deleware based corporate constitutes and among other horrific laws and a lack of meaningful financial regulations; pushed to pass the 2005 Bankruptcy bill that destroyed the right of people who do get a clean credit slate; from filing chapter 7 bankruptcy except under the direst circumstances. So while giant corporations can borrow all they want and claim chapter 7, students, people who had no insurance and went deeply into debt and others down on their luck are now debt slaves to Joe's "usury is us" clients.
Biden helped billionaires, banks, payday lenders when he passed that law and in 2008, the consequences of the 2005 bill bit hard
10
Biden + Warren, period.
2
Bill Clinton didn't win a primary until Super Tuesday fyi
4
Biden is a complete embarassment for democrats. Imagine if he did win how many bizarre things he will say over 4 years. He is in mental decline. He challenges people to street fights. He voted for the Iraq war. Republicans will hammer on Hunter and Ukraine until we are silly. Forget it. Biden cannot win. What a ridiculous show. I want to jump in an alligator pit.
7
@Eric
You seem to forget we've already had a "complete embarrassment " in the White House for the past three years.
Have fun in the pit.
1
Warren. Period.
9
Gee, do you think that now that the NYT's odd split endorsement of Warren and Klobuchar is down to Warren, that they'll go ahead and fully endorse Warren, instead of barely covering her? No, as Leonhardt shows, they'll ignore all the reasons she ought to be president (policies, intelligence, ability to beat Trump in a debate) and revise in favor of Mr. Pro-banker, pro-credit card companies Biden.
12
Biden. Now.
And Warren!!!
7
Bernie. He's going to give everyone tuition-free education and he endorsed his wife's plan to saddle a tiny college with $10,000,000 in debt. The 100 student school, which had paid the on-line degreed semi-qualified Mrs Sanders $160K a year as president, folded. Bernie, in his red trunks sun-bathing at a big donor sponsored event, ranted from coast to coast that the Senator from New York who represented financial workers in her state was a Wall St Shill. Same senator who'd raised money for him. And gone undercover as a young lawyer to investigate school segregation in the South while Bernie was finding himself. The ultimate white male poser. And his fans are promising to stay home if they can't vote him into the White House. Do they want to move to Russia? Cuba? Total censorship, but literacy rate almost equal to Mexico's. Ask Bernie.
4
No, not period. Either or both of the old white B-men might keel over any day now. Obviously that would open things up for Warren, who would make a finer president anyway.
5
Bernie or Biden? Well, the choice is between a stark raving maniac with grandiose, fantastical ideas, and a decent, elderly man with what for all the world appears to be borderline senility.
A Hobson's choice, it would seem.
5
At times I feel that the NYT embraces the America of old that Trump is always whining about. Biden is a good man, however we need to win this election against the worst white president that has ever walked into the white house.
Vote Blue no matter who down the ticket, and if you think these GOP traitors deserve to ever be in charge of anything then you are a complete fool.
We don't have health care and now we are going to pay the price for that with this virus.
So whoever the nominee is, we will ensure that they fill the cabinet with people who are like Yang, brilliant and progressive. If Biden gets it so be it if Bernie gets it so be it. We democrats will support the nominee and we will run the monster out of office and his minions who are traitors to America
2
Fine - Biden with a Warren chaser! C'MON!
1
Bernie. Period.
2
Another biased analysis, once again, by Mr. Leonhardt. It is obvious he's on the front lines of stopping Bernie along with most of his colleagues at NYT and WaPo. Corporate status quo candidates are the message of the day - everyday until the Democratic National Convention. The mantra is ...."Must....save....Wall Street......no matter what the cost!"
1
I'm very sorry that the only two realistic Democratic candidates are two Clinton perjury enablers - which means they are also two Trump perjury, corruption and general horridness enablers. I may have to make a decision similar to FDR's Hitler or Stalin decision. I will be glad when this generation is dead (I will be too.) I will continue to hope that America will regain its balance sometime in the future.
Warren.
5
Amy is out. Just now.
Dems are working hard to make sure Biden gets beyond 15%. It is hard even for the entrenched moderates to not recognize how manipulative and non democratic the party has become.
The means, the goals and the excuses..
If Sanders is the choice of your voters and you do treat them as idiot children who are to be corrected and chastened, hey, you do not call your self the Democratic Party.
1
"Jonathan Chait: “[Biden] has a quality many of the media elites have failed to see. His meandering delivery — marred with a stutter that seems to have returned in his old age...nonetheless manages to convey a sincerity and a decency.”
O...M...G...Talking about putting lipstick on a pig - can you only IMAGINE the merciless avalanche of 'Get out, yer too OLD!' attacks Sanders would be DELUGED with if he struggled w/Biden's obvious age-related mental deterioration vs. what he was less than a decade ago???
And can you only IMAGINE how cruelly Trump would cut up "sleepy Joe" in debates if he were nominated? It would be too painful and pathetic to watch.
5
I have always liked Biden’s more centrist approach - and his strength as a sensible politician who has reached across the aisle. Bernie has some very important ideas that this country needs to come to grips with- health care as the greatest one, but he seems as polarizing as the orange moron in office now, even if he’s far superior in terms of intelligence. ( There’s no comparison between trump any of the democratic candidates- trump is as stupid and truly evil a person we have ever had as a president- or maybe even dog catcher..)
I just hope that Biden stays on track- and doesn’t put his foot in his mouth or let trump get him too riled up. He can trounce trump in a minute if he stays cool and delivers a mature- strong and centrist message. Add Cc a few good zingers back at the orange lowness and get the blue vote out in droves.
1
Oh well, looks like the party of diversity has three old white guys as it's front runners.
4
Biden vs. Trump???? On stage in televised debate?
1. Will Biden say something weird, wrong, or out of synch, or get combative or tear up or we don’t know what, but we know that Donald Trump says lies, awfully insensitive things, exaggerations, and makes family and personal attacks. It’ll be a nail biter, butterflies in the stomach, handwringing and continuously saying, “Just be cool, Joe!” episodic cringe-worry series of happenings.
Maybe Joe will threaten the Don right on camera and the Secret Service will also make an appearance.
Bernie has proven that he can handle the tough, nasty stuff and won’t dissolve like a sugarplum. His Democratic peers have all already attacked him in the last debate as did the NYT et al with much of what they got: Democrat? Socialist? Frail? Angry? Consistent? He takes it all and gives it back in strong measures and yet will sell his platform emphatically. No Al Franken he. Stalwart and focused! For a future you can believe in! Not me. Us!
Mass incarceration! Iraq War! You’re not Obama! Burisma and Hunter Biden! Big credit card corporatist! Slow Joe! Gaffes!
Who is inspirational and will attract a broader base away from Trump?
Can you really trust Joe in the arena?
Joe can embrace Moderate Democrats, but the Democratic Party is destined to become that big tent with Bernie.
Research and take a fresh look now at each. Evidence not wishful thinking and Op-Ed crystal balls. Biden is 2016 Redux.
3
Anyone but Trump the Impeached liar.
3
Warren.
11
BIDEN 2020
1
Hello David Leonhardt
With all due respect, I wonder how your article can ignore so many polls.
I alsowonder why the NYT, corporate lobbyists and Wall St. are so scared by a Scandinavian-style social democrat, but then if you follow the big-donor money, I guess the reason is clear.
Going forward perhaps you or your headline writer will consider these choices for your articles,
"Want More of the Same? Biden is your Choice!
or "Afraid of change? Stick with Biden" or, especially for those middle-age voters,
"Forget Anita Hill. Biden is Your Man!"
4
The Democrats need for HAMB (His Arrogance Mike Bloomberg) to leave.
4
Please drop out Mike. You are not special and you haven’t paid your dues like the rest have.
4
Great to see the Bernie Bros here already threatening not to vote if Biden or Bloomberg win the nomination. They would apparently rather have four more years of Trump than four years of not-Trump. What idiocy.
3
Such a smug article, David. You just couldn't wait one day and see what the voters say on Super Tuesday. You have to pronounce, show you know so so much. I'm for Warren btw.
9
Two White Geezers. Period?
3
So Democrat: blah blah women blah blah people of color blah blah Republicans sexist, racist.
Biden and Bernie.
1
will vote for Sanders, lifelong conservative.. millions of us will vote. You smart alexks calld it on Trump, Brexit....hell, we need ro keep trusting your education,credentials,cause ya"ll keep missing. Your missing this: millions of Trump voters will vote dor Sanders, Bloomberg and Biden? Never. The people want change, real damned change.
3
This is so depressing.
It really is the process that got us to this point: no people of color, no women, just two old white guys and the choice is a tradeoff of their failings.
Frankly, I think either of these two men can win against trump, but with different coalitions. I am not sure I want either as president but Washington generally does not have a say. So I guess we all get to do what the 4 - 5 early voting states dictate. Its a crappy process.
1
It's tempting to narrow the race down to Bernie vs. Biden, but neither of them can defeat Trump. He will paint Bernie as someone left of Stalin, and a lot of misinformed or uninformed undecided voters will believe him. He will denounce Biden as someone who propped up the miserable failure Obama (in his telling), and again the uninformed middle will believe him. Bloomberg is the only candidate with a long and solid record of achievement, both in building wealth and spending it on progressive causes, and he is accustomed to being on top and managing through a massive organization. As a bonus, he has friends among the Republicans.
If the Democrats know what's good for them -- and it's not clear that they do -- they will nominate Bloomberg.
1
I was a Pete Buttigieg supporter. I am now supporting Bernie Sanders.
The pundits, including Mr. Leonhardt, have been pushing a false narrative nonstop: the false narrative that there are two lanes in the Democratic primary: 1) the moderate lane (Biden, Bloomberg, Buttigieg, Klobuchar); and 2) the progressive lane (Sanders or Warren).
That is a false choice.
I have positive things to say about each of the major Democratic presidential hopefuls, including those who have recently dropped out. All of them share a vision for a better future, with opportunity for all Americans. Their differences are subtle, and mostly in their tactics for how to get there. I will enthusiastically support any of them in November.
Mayor Pete inspired me with his question about what happens the day after Mr. Trump leaves office. He spoke of moving forward to a better future that works for all Americans. I also liked his message of Medicare for All Who Want it, and choice.
Bernie Sanders inspires me because, starting in 2016, he defined the conversation about what the most important issues are for Americans: healthcare, climate change, income inequality, and so forth. That is leadership. Do I agree with him 100% on every issue? No. Am I scared or worried about him as a candidate in November or a potential president? Absolutely not. Congress (not the president) enacts laws, and responds to their constituents. Sanders will mobilize the American people to push Congress in the right direction.
3
Why should I trust this? I am not the paranoid “the world is rigged type,” but this opinion piece feels a lot like the avalanche of other ones that emerged after Nevada that said “Bernie has it locked, so get used to it.”
Do you think the increased level of forecasting pieces as an overall part of political coverage might contribute to the declining trust people have in the news and analysis business?
2
Bernie or Biden: Citizens United, up or down vote, for me.
Sorry, I just can't see government run by corporate money continue unabated.
We will be offered the usual incremental dollop: "save Roe v. Wade", etc. i.o.w., dems will offer to save the people from going backwards while working tirelessly for the corporate money that elected them.
3
It looks like the moderates who supported Klobuchar and Buttigieg will now gravitate towards Biden or Bloomberg who will split the moderate vote.
Sanders and Warren will continue to split the progressive left vote.
Super Tuesday prediction here is that roughly 50% will go for Sanders (35%) and Warren(15%). The other half will go for Biden (30%) and Bloomberg (20%).
The DNC, Democratic Party leadership, billionaires, corporations, and the media want status quo even though status quo is not working for the majority of Americans. They want Biden or Bloomberg, the Democratic billionaire version of Trump, to continue Trump’s work. They don’t want Sanders because Sanders cares about the poor, the working class, and the middle class Americans. They fear that if Sanders were elected, he would give their piece of pie to the poor, the working class, and the middle class Americans.
Therefore, in order to defeat Sanders, they have unjustly demonized him and put fear into the people by misrepresenting his social programs which if implemented will actually benefit the majority of the Americans.
Now, if they continue to demonize Sanders and/or try to rig the nomination, the potential Democratic nominee will lose no matter who gets the nomination for the following reasons:
1- If the DNC leadership unjustly snatches the nomination from Sanders, his base will not vote for the DNC nominee.
2- If Sanders wins the nomination, many in the DNC leadership and super delegates have stated that they will not vote for Sanders and let Trump win.
Finally, the Democratic Party must be reminded that in 2016, Hillary Clinton lost the White House, the Senate and the House, and the fact that in 2018, the Democrats regained the House, was because of the young lawmakers many of whom support Sanders.
6
Warren has the most practical plans for change to help the most people.
She also has the skill, intelligence, and drive to rip trump apart in the debates.
27
@SP
She’s out.
The DNC is cutting a deal with her now.
She’ll be out Wednesday
Same with Bloomberg
The DNC has thrown it’s lot in with Biden.
Big, Big mistake.
Biden is no match for Trump.
And Sanders, ?
The DNC would throw a burlap bag over his head and drive him to Canada before they’d let him be the nominee
4
@New World
If the DNC throws a bag over his head and has him "extraordinary renditioned" to Canada, Bernie has about the same probability of carrying out his agenda as if he were elected. Zero.
As a Democratic Socialist myself, of course I like Bernie, and think his policy proposals are what this country needs to finally change direction the systemic inequality our nation has suffered under for decades. But I think other Democratic Socialists tend to overestimate how many people in this country agree with us, and underestimate how many people think we're just plain crazy. Our first priority is defeating Donald Trump, who among other things, will gleefully strengthen the power of big banks and corporations, and in terms of income inequality, will be like pouring gasoline on a wildfire. And unfortunately, I think Senator Sanders is just too divisive a figure to unite the Democratic Party and bring aboard the number of voters we will need to defeat Trump. Joe Biden is far more centrist than I am, and a flawed candidate in many ways, but I think he's our best chance to defeat Trump in 2020, while we lay the groundwork for someone like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to carry our mantle in 2024 or 2028.
3
@dwbh Well said. Burning passion with a cool head. This kind of strategic thinking is exactly what Sanders supporters need. The first priority is to defeat trump, otherwise none of the democratic policies, progressive or moderate, past accomplishments or future promises, will be completely destroyed on trump's second term . Democracy will no longer exists. The country now is still center-right. As much as I admire Sanders' passion and heart, he is not able to bring moderates and independents to beat trump. Biden will have a much better chance to beat trump.
4
@dwbh
If you take that approach, change will never happen. 2016 is a wonderful example. The party said back the corporatist and we will support you later. That later still hasn't happened. And it won't.
@AK None of our problems today are happening because Hillary received too much support in 2016. If she had been able to win, then our nation would have been spared four years of a wannabe authoritarian white supremacist eager to write awful trade deals and give as many favors to corporations and banks as he can.
We should not be so hasty in predicting yet. Remember when Dewey was declared a winner but it was Truman who won? Remember when the pundits predicted that it would be Hilary and it was Trump?
If nothing else has been proven over the last election election, the Media was wrong. Trump won and it has been down hill ever since.
Biden is a decent man, but he is too retro for me. We live in a different world now. Biden does not seem to realize that. He has a wonderful back story about growing up and what he has suffered over his children and wife dying. My heart goes out to him
But he does not appeal to my policy leanings
This election should only be about the serious issues we face and the fact that Trump is runing our country.
Progress is needed. We need a progressive in the White House and also in the Congress.
9
Number one for the sake of our children and the country - we MUST DEFEAT TRUMP. Biden isn’t my first choice either but he will be a fine President for the entire country. He will help heal the damage done by four years of Trump!
5
or Warren; if people actually were aware of the faults of those two old men.... Then she should be able to come out on top. Unfortunately such a shift in awareness is doubtful, or is it? She would be far and away the better leader for the times we are in. I don't doubt Bernie though, however he seems too irascible to me - and Biden is painful to listen to, though he may be able to lead I suppose. It is just curious that the best candidate is not even a choice at this point according to your article. Sad!
12
Biden has moments of clarity, but he also exudes a mental fog that has me concerned about his ability to do the job, and that's before we consider his record. In the case of Sanders and Bloomberg, on the other hand, both seem equally sharp and in command of their faculties. Very different men of course, but in neither case do i doubt their ability to do the job.
16
@MD
With all due respect, i’ll take Sleepy Joe over Trump in a heartbeat.
1
@MD Mental fog? Can anyone be worse than trump's word salad? You need to see the whole person. Biden has the balanced attributes and qualifications to unite the nation. He has a wealth of experiences and skills to assemble an excellent and competent cabinet and lead the nation!
1
I can fully understand that many if not most middle-age and older Democrats just want four years of quiet and "normalcy." They don't want a fight to change the system that may work pretty well for them but not for many others. They want Sanders' "movement" of brown, black, young and working class white people to shut up and go away on election day and never come back. But I'm not sure it's a good idea to silence the voices and discount the concerns of roughly 30% of the population, especially that younger generation. Boomers can out-vote them today but what about 10 years from now when most Boomers are gone?
8
As a Boomer, I want the next generation to take over but they are not in line to take up the mantel. I don’t know why. Are they not as committed as my generation, does my generation take all the attention? Doesn’t really matter now. Now, all that matters is getting Trump out. Although I agree with many of Sanders’ ideas, I don’t think he will win and we can’t take the chance of four more years of Trump.
2
Even if Bernie Sanders were to win the popular vote, just how many folks in Congress or the Senate would actually work with him to accomplish the goals he has in mind?
His reputation is less than cooperative much less engaging.
And that's where Joe Biden comes in. He certainly seems less combative and much more reasonable than someone as progressive and aggressive as Bernie Sanders.
I think a lot of folks are more frighten of Bernie Sanders than they are of Joe Biden.
I have been on the fence for a long time about Joe Biden but with Mayor Pete gracefully bowing out of the race last night, my entire heart and soul is going to Joe Biden.
However, should he not be the nominee, I will still vote Democrat come November 3rd.
6
@Marge, well said. My hope was for one of the ladies to emerge. Bernie, is great, the Millennials love him. Joe is the one, we are leaning towards now that it looks like it’s Joe or Bernie. Voting blue on November 3rd, we need to place our nation back in line with our laws, democracy and our Constitution.
2
@Marge Keller
So you'd rather Biden push his Republican lite agenda and succeed at it than have Sanders fight for something meaningful? That is very discouraging. Sounds a lot like petain and Chamberlain in the 1930s.
@AK
Not necessarily. There are many ways to get something meaningful accomplished without yelling at people or giving the entire store away.
One of my problems with Bernie Sanders is his extreme answers to such complex and complicated problems.
I firmly believe there is room for compromise in any given situation. I just don't see compromise in Bernie Sanders color wheel.
2
The only thing predictable so far is the unpredictability of the race. The reason why it seems so random is it appears the main criteria for a choice is voting against something/someone. It's simple, but a low information, low bandwidth voting. David's column repeats the error.
Who are you voting FOR? Who is the best candidate for America to achieve its potential, its goals, its values? Easy. It's Warren.
I've talked to so many uneasy moderates, many in the finance industry, who are confused about their choice: Pete? Biden? Bloomberg? Then we have a dialogue about Warren.
- American values? Check
- Smart? Undeniable
- Empathetic? To a fault
- Gets Stuff Done? Absolutely
- Ready? Totally
Then the usual propaganda about the 2 cent wealth tax on folks with more than $50MM. Why are we so worried about these ~25,000 people and corporations? You're framing the problem the wrong way.
The reality is middle America is already paying wealth taxes! Are you paying property tax on your house? Are you paying fees on the value of your car? I thought so.
If you're a small business, are you able to evade taxes by incorporating outside the U.S.? You're probably paying a higher rate than a company 1000X bigger!
Let's make the system fair so we can all prosper.
13
@Rob
Unfortunately the 25,000 people you mention, are holding 80 percent of money in circulation.
They have an outsized say in the lives of the rest of us. I don’t think it’s okay for so few to have so much, while so many have too little. They are fanning the flames of fear of Bernie as they greedily clutch their bags of money.
3
This presidential election won't be decided by Bernie "Bros" and Trumpistas. It WILL be decided by Independent voters, just as the 2016 election was.
More than 40% of the electorate has no party affiliation and swings back and forth between parties. Independents tend to vote for the most sensible candidates and policy proposals. Some of them took a chance on Trump in 2016 because they thought Hillary was corrupt and too beholden to corporate interests. Others thought Trump to be totally unqualified for the office (turned out, they were right) and voted for Hillary or 3rd-party candidates.
The United States of America is a big country. You can't make major changes in governmental policy by turning on a dime. It has to happen incrementally. The Affordable Care Act was a clear demonstration of how that principle works. Many opposed it at the start, but as some people started realizing the benefits, public opinion changed - but that's taken nearly a decade.
Independents see Bernie as a left-wing version of Trump, advocating for more government programs and promising a chicken in every pot. These "pie in the sky" promises sound great on the campaign trail, but are not likely to get through Congress.
As you go to the polls, think about this. Democrats are endlessly debating how to redecorate the castle. Instead, they should be focused on taking it back first.
There will be plenty of time for redecorating after that.
3
@hdtvpete
You ignore why Donald Trump got elected in the first place. In choosing another corporate/establishment centrist you will have no chance to take the castle back, that now requires ideas. The establishment wants the "status quo' and they don't have any ideas anyway.
.
2
@hdtvpete
Independents voted for trump in 2016. Still think they are sensible?
If Sanders wins - who's his VP? Who does he appoint to Treasury, State, Defense, etc.?What moderates will want to work with him? It's easy to see how Biden would answer these questions (inlcuding choosing Liz for Treasury). In short, it's easy to see how Biden can unify the party and reach out to progressives. It's much harder to see the reverse. Withut unity, it's how to see how Sanders can win in November or govern if he does win.
1
@JoeG
That's always been my point. You have to vote according to how the candidate is going to staff the executive branch. In fact, the debates need to be a lengthy job interview on only that single topic.
1
Folks, we can't nominate Joe Biden. Trump will hound him about Hunter and Ukraine, all day, every day. It will fire up Trump's base and put Joe on the defensive from day one. Additionally, Biden's run for POTUS 2x and LOST both times. He is NOT a winning candidate!
I would have voted for Pete or Amy if they had stayed, but now that the moderates are gone, we have to put our best foot forward, and that's Bernie.
Remember, Biden CAN'T WIN if he spends his whole time trying to defend against Trump and Trump's lies about Hunter and Ukraine. Bernie has the least baggage and the best chance of winning the White House.
11
It's done folks. Pete and Amy have now officially dropped out and will be endorsing Biden. That solidifies the centrist ticket except for Bloomberg who is fading. Biden will now outperform expectations on Super Tuesday and Sanders, yes Sanders, will trail him coming into the Convention. Then Sanders supporters will pull a complete 180 and suddenly embrace the rules that say a candidate can't win with a plurality of delegates. Biden gets the nod anyway and sanity is restored. Zoomers and Millennials will crow about not voting, and some may not, but it won't matter and they'll learn a powerful lesson in the process.
There is no progress without compromise. Period.
1
@John
As we have clearly seen, democrats attempting to compromise with republicans means republicans always get what THEY want.
1
I would guess that the gender gap would substantially decrease with two male candidates, revealing that voters are gender biased. Simply stated, all things being equal, we vote by gender. That’s straight out prejudice. And men and women are equally at fault.
4
Biden is losing it. Say what you will about Trump, but he is a formidable debate opponent and will run circles around Biden.
This is the best we've got?
7
Anyone who had supported any of the candidates that have recently bowed out and thrown their support to Biden, has to have buyer's remorse. They likely supported them because they didn't want to throw their hopes into another establishment/machine politician who had a bad case of mytimeitis with accompanying special interest strings. It looks like setting up for making the same mistake as gifting the nomination to Hillary. A better choice would be between Sanders and Bloomberg, as both of them are from the same hood as Trump and besides not owing anyone any campaign contribution favors, both will draw blood when Trump throws insults at them. Even if they are all around the same age, the two mentioned are quick enough to get out of the way when Trump jabs, while Biden is going to get hit while he is still contemplating whether to duck or not.
4
"YES WE CAN" was Obama's progressive mantra. Once elected he moderated much to the disappointment of his supporters. The mandate was not capitalized on and the corporate interests of the Democratic party had their way. "NOT ME US" is the only promise of a progressive platform moving forward. The "No we can't" wing of the establishment only succeeds if those seeking a 'middle way' have their way.
History shows us, quite explicitly, what we can expect should that occur. Biden represents the entrenched middle. Sanders is the progressive alternative with a eye on real and sustained change beyond the slogans.
10
Ha! Remember, there’s the need to FLIP the Senate and hold the House! Bernie’s slogans are great, his ideas are utopian....but will his supporters actually go out and vote?! I know the African-American vote will, us, moderate Democrats will....will the Millennials?! That’s the crucial question!
@Mari I know...Comforting to think that the middle lane ensures a return of minority rule AND that the rule will be effective. How many years ago did Obama have that? This requires one to consider a presidency less reliant on the balance of power of oft compromised establishment politicians and one that is energized by the body politic. #NotMeUs
The choice is not between Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden. The primaries have just begun and Super Tuesday is really the first significant vote and has not happened yet.
Elizabeth Warren has a huge following with millions of donors and is as progressive as Bernie without having the same weaknesses. The arrogant way in which many opinion writers just ignore her candidacy displays their discriminatory views. There is not even an attempt to explain why they say that she will not win.
I hope that Super Tuesday serves to make it clear that people decide who wins, not commentators.
21
@Minerva
Warren's results in the first four primaries don't jive with your claims.
@Minerva
She's likely to lose her home state; are they all discriminating, too?
As an old white man, I am profoundly disappointed that we are once again left to choose between two old white men. We are "Lost in the 50's" again, having to choose between decades-old notion of the status quo, as exemplified by Joe Biden (I guess; I'm not clear on what he has to bring to the table, other than he and Obama were pals), and a frequently disproved notion of 50's-style socialism as envisioned by Bernie Sanders.
The field of Democratic contenders was profoundly weak, which is not to say that there weren't potential stars among them, but none that could possibly appeal to a general electorate.
With Hilary Clinton, it was often said, "I'll vote for her, but I'll be holding my nose." I'll vote for Bernie, but with clenched teeth, or I'll vote for Biden, but with a weary sigh. When all is said and done, the Democratic candidate should be denoted "Not Trump." Then I could punch that ticket without the existential malaise.
5
Bernie's passion is great.. it will fire up the liberals but will definitely turn the moderates and independents down.
Not sure how he can afford to either pay for these or pass these.. remember it's the congress who has the purse and there a lot of lobbyists out there.
Biden is be the way forward
1
I watched Bloomberg being interviewed on "60 Minutes." He came across as super-competent, realistic, and on the right side of most issues. He has baggage, but I don't think there is a perfect candidate. Despite his age he seems far sharper than Biden and far more pragmatic than Sanders. He relates better to problems--i.e., solving them--than to people. At this point I would choose competent over personable.
17
@max byrd
Sorry. You call "Stop and Frisk" a better way of relating to problems?
1
Bloomberg is my first choice for many of the reasons you say.
I don’t like money in politics- but money in politics is just a fact of life.
Mike did a good job in NYC. Stop and frisk was a bad policy but it was built on a reasonable basis - black and brown neighborhoods had the highest incidents of violence, mostly by young black and brown men. Many black leaders were in favor of the policy. It turned out badly, too many innocent young black and brown men were stopped. Mike is smart, he learns from bad as well as good decisions. He will do better.
I’m not black but I am a woman so I feel better saying that I can overlook, forgive -whatever you want to call it - Mike over his past treatment of women. He came up in a piggish ‘manly’ world - the men were disgusting and we women mostly put up with the language and the leers. It wasn’t funny and I’m glad that time is over. Mike has learned there as well.
So he was a Republican and an Independent. To me, a Democrat, that just shows Mike doesn’t care about Party. As a Mayor, he cared only about the City. As President, he will care only about the country.
The NY primary is very late. If Mike has a chance, I will vote for him in the primary. Else I will vote for Biden. We MUST beat Trump.
2
Ideally in a democracy an election is not a game but rather an opportunity for a serious discussion of policy alternatives.
Unfortunately, election coverage is more like coverage of March madness, with handicapping, polls, spin, etc.
Elizabeth Warren continues to take the forum she has by campaigning seriously, by presenting detailed plans and proposals (not just slogans) for discussion, including her proposal mentioned at her "loss in SC" rally re how to remove financial disincentives that interfere with responsible behavior to lessen the spread of coronavirus (eg not charging people for testing, removing the financial burden from self-quarantine).
https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/other/watch-elizabeth-warrens-full-south-carolina-primary-speech/vi-BB10zKY4
So, I do hope that Leonhardt stops ignoring her---she is playing a generally constructive role and indicated that she intends to keep doing that through the convention.
(In contrast, I am worried that the more delegates Bernie has the more he is likely be generating divisive media at the Convention as he did in 2016.)
10
Sanders is uncompromising and absolutely certain about what he will do and how makes him the favorite for people who are certain about what they want and will accept no compromises. They feel that right will prevail if they persist.
It's why Sanders has no chance of achieving anything unless the only people who he must work with totally agree with him.
3
@Casual Observer
That sounds exactly like what we've already got in the White House.
2
Sanders has NOT accomplished ANY of his policies in decades in Washington. Even if he were to win the general election (a slim chance), I don’t think he has any chance of getting anything done even from the White House.
I’m not willing to take a chance of 4 more years of Trump for policies that McConnell will never let out of the Senate. With Sanders at the head of the ticket there is ZERO chance of getting a majority in the Senate and a real worry of losing our House majority.
If Sanders cared about the country HE would get out - it’s up to the voters.
Really? Two old men and a woman who is smarter, more energetic, and capable of uniting moderates and progressives, and you encourage votes for the old men?
Biden is increasingly more than just "meandering" in his appearances. He looks way past viability.
Sanders may give back the house to the GOP by hurting downstream candidates.
Sanders could withdraw, endorse Warren, ensure a victory in Nov., and grow the "movement."
Vote Warren.
22
Primary polling so far: 2 caucuses; 2 elections;150 or so delegates pledged.
Last week: Joe Biden seemed on the brink of irrelevance, Sanders seemed to have the whole thing tied up, and everyone was debating Bloomberg's yet-to-be-felt impact.
This weekend: Biden came back from the political dead zone, two candidates bowed out, and party influencers are still fretting over Sanders' strong polling.
Today: The Democrats have one choice ... and why don't those two women show some character and just bow out gracefully?
It's only one day till Super Tuesday. Why not let millions of Democrats across 24 states have their say before you restrict the scope of their options.
5
The main problem with Sanders is that practically none of his agenda can ever become law. Much of it may not even pass a Democratically controlled House, not to mention a Senate controlled by Mitch McConnell. So much of what Bernie supports is more like coffee shop dreaming than reality.
So I just don't understand the excitement about Bernie -- he won't be able to govern. At least Biden will be able to pass some moderate improvements and and reset some of the Trump damage.
4
@MrDeepState The excitement is populism. The Democratic Party is currently wrestling with the same beast that the Republicans did four years ago and I hope they do a better job of bringing it to heel. Social media has led the more radical members of the parties to feel as though they're a more substantial element than they are, and the thing about radical populists is that they cast the world in black and white. Either you're for M4A immediately, now, yesterday or you're some sort of neoliberal globalist. They don't want progress - they want revolution.
Republicans didn't take the threat seriously. The alt-right backed the one candidate who was willing to pander to them and - as they had always done - the mainstream ignored them, because they're not serious people and you can take them for granted. That's why it's so important for moderates who care about the future of the party to coalesce around a single candidate now and break the back of the populist segment before they take over the party, the same way Trump and the alt-right did.
1
And I don’t want to take a chance of 4 more years of Trump for an agenda that will NEVER be accomplished - not now.
Leonhardt might know his economics, but he clearly doesn't understand voting primaries and the volatility thereof. Either that, or, as another NYTimes reader commented, he is deliberately trying to swing public opinion in Biden's direction.
Which would make him part and parcel of the DNC Old School Bunch, people who are too conservative to embrace the facts: 1) the DNC has been Moderate-Right since the days of the McGovern-Nixon election loss (a loss that would have happened to just about anyone running against Nixon in '72), and, 2) the USA, at this point in time, NEEDS the Democratic Party to go back to their roots of True Liberal Politics, the kind that looked out for the people (minimum wages, women's rights and civil rights), looked after the land (ecology, water, air, climate control) and the kind that taxed the rich and the corporations (instead giving tax breaks to billionaires and Uber-rich CEOs and their companies, and Defense Contractors).
ALL of which would be addressed by either Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren, both of whom would make fine Presidents, both of whom could beat Donald Trump.
It's time to put "moderation" (especially the sort of conservative moderation espoused by Biden and Amy Klobuchar) out to pasture. Along with ex-Vice President Joe Biden.
5
Any other election I'd say maybe Bernie. Not this time. Biden can beat Trump. Bernie, not so much.
3
@karen howd that logic work out last time...
hillary lost. biden is more addled.
2
@Richard L. Wilson
Just in case you missed the whole story:
Clinton won the popular vote and lost the Electoral College, thanks in part to...RUSSIA.
1
It's Bernie and the multi-racial working class, teachers, Wall Mart employees, nurses, Amazon workers versus Biden, the Democratic establishment, industry lobbyists, and the Billionaires. Power shows its teeth when threatened, and we are seeing that here. People say that Bernie and his supporters talk too much about the class war, and meanwhile the rich are busy launching mortar attacks. Biden is the last hope of establishment Democrats, the last hope of the billionaires, and the last hope of the worst of the mainstream media. It's a gamble, though. Biden likes to tank, and we will work for Bernie until it's over.
5
@John Krumm
Not so. Or maybe you haven't had a good look at the demographics in South Carolina?
These people and most Democrats are hardly "establishment" or "billionaires".
Time to stop baiting the base.
1
@N. Smith No doubt Biden has strong support in the South which he fought hard to earn, but his financial supporters are of a far different class. They support him because he is not a threat to them. Sanders has huge support from the multiracial working class, as shown in his vote results so far, and his donor base. And he is absolutely the strongest with low income voters. In New Hampshire, the more impoverished the town, the more likely they supported Sanders. Joe represents the credit card companies, not the people.
1
@John Krumm
Guess what?
People, and not credit card companies just gave him a decisive win over Sanders in South Carolina.
1
Anyone but Trump! I want a President that WON'T make news everyday simply because he's given juvenile nicknames to someone he disagrees with. I want a President that WILL actually try to help ALL Americans, not just the wealthy ones. I want a President that people can actually admire without HIM demanding it with no basis. I want a President who I can trust NOT to decide to use puppies and kittens as an NEW! energy source simply because his friend the news anarchist makes the suggestion. I want a President that will respect the rule of law AND rules of science.
THAT sure isn't Trump!
Anyone else would make a better president.
2
Republicans tried to consolidate behind a single moderate to stop Trump in 2016. It didn't work because the people, the actual voters, were behind Trump and the anti-democratic nature of the moderates eroded establishment's credibility. To their credit, they eventually stepped out of the way and embraced the people's candidate, grotesque and vile as he was. Looks like history repeating with the Dem establishment and their media hacks. We will see if the Democratic establishment will embrace the will of the people or if they will prove to be even less democratic than Republicans.
3
I all his years in the Senate what has Bernie accomplished? Why will he be any better as President?
5
Wow the Democratic establishment is way more organized and powerful than the Republican establishment. Trump slid in between Rubio, Cruz and Kasich but the big guns in the Democratic party have forced out everybody but Sanders and Biden. I must admit, as an anti-Trump Republican, I want Biden to win; however, if I was a Democrat, I would be disgusted at the way my party was run. What a top down elite organization it is! All you Democrats must feel like rubber stamps for your betters. How does it feel to be on a plantation?
2
Sad that Warren isn't making it, she's the smartest IMO.
That said, whoever is the Dem nominee has my vote.
4
@Jules
I read so many commenters who wish Warren well; think she's the best candidate; that she'd be a great president. What I'd say is skip the mediation. Go straight to her site. Read about her. Listen to what she has to say. You like her ideas, dedication, and intelligence? Vote for her. That's how she'll do well, and how we all will make it out of this mess we're in.
7
Will vote for Bernie in the primary and anyone not named Bloomberg or Trump in the general.
2
We don’t need another angry, inflexible, overly self-assured president. Joe is the right choice.
1
Bernie's selling dreams. Biden's selling a better future. I'll go with Biden if he has the sense to choose a great vice president.
2
@Patrick Stevens
No, actually, Biden, like all corporate/establishment candidates is selling the "status quo".
1
He won a single primary in a single state because of a single voting demographic.
8
@nw
It was a pretty significant win and it also showed the strength of the Black vote.
Or do you think states like Nevada, Iowa and New Hampshire matter more?
1
@N. Smith Iowa, Nevada and New Hampshire are swing states. South Carolina is not.
1
@N. Smith
You might want to take a look at the support from black voters outside of South Carolina and for whom they support. For Bernie Sanders the results are quite different.
I like Bernie, his heart is in the right place. But he doesn't understand moderation, and has gone off the deep end in the giveaway department.
The working middle class who have health insurance benefits, no student debt, and no preschool children will never go for his agenda. Most of them struggled mightily to get where they are, paid their own debts, and can finally relax. And now Bernie wants them to pay again for everyone else? It is not time for Bernie.
I love the guy, but, even if elected, he'll never get any of his multi-trillion dollar proposals through congress. He will only serve to improve Putin lackey Trump's reelection chances.
And any thinking person knows that America cannot afford another four years of this fascist mess.
There is good reason both Putin and Trump are supporting Sanders.
2
Bernie is espousing policy that has worked in all the Nordic states for over 50 years. These governments are all true democracies (unlike ours) and they are all capitalist market economies. They are also the most educated,healthiest, and happiest people in the world. That could be us if you just don't buy in to the red baiting propaganda...most people don't anymore that's why Bernie's winning ....Bernie the real populist will beat the sham populist with the fake tan...
5
I like Biden-Klobuchar as the ticket. But, for the umpteenth time, focus! The only path to winning in 2020 is taking back PA, WI and MI, while holding all the other states that Hillary won in 2016. Focus on those three states!
How is Biden stronger against Trump than Sanders? He can barely draw a crowd and he struggles to get a complete sentence out!
6
Joe Biden as the nominee would be a disaster and guarantee 4 more years of Trump. His message has been the weakest of all the candidates -- that we should rewind back to earlier years. Oh and stop the malarkey. Whatever that means.
Bernie consistently beats Trump in head-to-head polling (more so than Biden). If the democratic establishment truly cared about beating Trump then they would learn from their mistakes in 2016 and stop pushing the moderate choice on us. People are waking up to the fact that the DNC would rather have Trump than actually roll out progressive policies. This election cycle has really made me question what the democratic party even stands for anymore.
4
It would the saddest day of my life if I have no choice but to vote for a mediocrity, a has-been in November only because I may not survive another 4 years of trump.
5
"Bernie or Biden. Period." If you don't want Trump for four more years vote for Bernie. Period.
3
I hate to bring this up, but, having lived in the Northeast, the Midwest, and now the Bible Belt, it occurs to me that with both Sanders and Bloomberg, Trump will viciously play the religion card. Those who are thinking, "What is she talking about?" need to remember which groups blindly support Trump.
1
Punctuation is not an argument.
Elizabeth Warren, because she's smarter, tougher and will do a better job representing most Americans.
11
Why is the Democratic electorate of Iowa and New Hampshire of no account because it has more white voters than America at large, but the Democratic electorate of South Carolina , which has many more black voters than the nation at large a better test?
3
I could not agree less with Mr Leonhardt's analysis , not all Buttigieg's supporters will be supporting Biden , Pete much to his credit has not advised us as to whom to support.
In the suburbs as long as Elisabeth Warren and Bloomberg remain in the race there is nothing to indicate Pete's supporters jump to Biden , like me some of Pete's supporters may even support Bernie as we believe he is more electable than Biden , as is Michael Bloomberg.
Support for Biden has its limitations centered as it is around African American and Boomers. Last time I checked no Democrat can win the nomination with support from just this demographic. Liberals will not support Biden, he is not seen as one of us . Rather he is an old time middle of the road Democrat who frankly needs to retire and allow someone else the opportunity to lead.
If Biden is the nominee come November we will see a Hilary part deux.
4
What an awful choice: status quo and elite rule v. radical change (and likely stalemate). And both candidates favor open borders! And then one of them goes up against Donald Trump! How did the system produce this mess?
4
Warren should immediately drop out. Let's get it down to just Bernie versus the Joe. Does anyone really believe there is room for a moderate in this political climate. In the real world there needs to be at least three parties. America has been locked into this two party system for two long. Bernie represents a progressive approach and should lead a new party representing all the progressives including youth, unions, blacks, latinos, asians and every other unrepresented faction of the American population. Joe can represent the staid do nothings in the Democrat party. Like many countries in the world minority governments accomplish more real improvements to humanity. Bernie's party and Joe's group would outnumber the current wanna be dictator.
3
Biden does well in red states. Taking the fifty state strategy to heart doesn't however include campaigning for Republicans.
After Super Tuesday he's toast.
4
Bloomberg will bankroll Biden, giving him the money to keep the Trump lie machine in check. Imagine a world where phony stories from Fox or Newsmax are debunked in real time.
I doubt Bloomberg will give a nickel to Bernie, so he'll just have to hope those $25 donations go a long way.
1
shame on you. I don't know anyone who isn't voting for Elizabeth Warren. Wait until after Super Tuesday to count her out. I think she will do very well tomorrow.
17
Thanks, David.
So it is decided from on high.
No one but Bernie and Biden.
Yeah. Got it.
Meanwhile, I will continue full time to make Mike Bloomberg our next president.
2
Biden or Sanders, that's like a menu where you get to choose between oatmeal and horsemeat. Neither one is terribly appealing, and you have orange Cheetos on the other side of the page.
1
Please tell me this isn’t a repeat (or worse) of the 2016 elections, with Joe Biden standing in for Hillary Clinton.
3
Klobuchar and Buttigieg showed real leadership in suspending their campaigns and urging folks to get behind Biden.
1
Joe Biden(IF the nominee) = Hillary 2.0 = Donald Trump for another four years.
America, you just don't get it, you don't understand the reasons why Trump got elected in the first place and you certainly don't learn from history either.
4
If Nevada is anything to go by, Biden will not do well in California or Texas tomorrow.
3
Wow ! Reading all the negative comments about Biden and the NYTs shows only how polarized part of the voting public is (or is it possible some are bots , Trump supporters , or the Russians sowing discord?) or just plain disgruntled Bernie believers ? Just because Bernie has planted , aroused, cynicism in the minds of many does not mean the other candidates are being forced to get out of the race . To all who believe so , you are entitled to your vote , your opinion , but not to try to poison the field . Perhaps you should vote for Trump ?
1
How can that even be a choice? A socialist, non Democrat, who has demonstrated not an iota of flexibility, conducting a "revolution"? Hugo Chavez at the head of the party will destroy every down state race AND lose the WH to boot. The only choice is Biden
1
Four relatively unrepresentative states vote, and suddenly the primary season is virtually over. How I wish Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and S.C. didn’t dictate, especially this year. Surely the candidates who have recently dropped out could have waited through Super Tuesday, having already spent their money campaigning for this day. I’m really tired of living in Georgia, where I have little voice in the primaries and none in the general. In November, I will certainly vote for the Democrat, and I will also campaign for him—yes him, sigh—but the events since Saturday have let the helium out of my balloon.
1
it should be just those two. For Biden, Klobuchar is a good choice for Veep. Buttegieg is a good choice for secretary of state. Kamala Harris as AG.
Bernie or Biden...or Warren after a contested convention.
Think about it. The two geriatric front runners each limp into Milwaukee with around 30% of pledged delegates, Warren with 20%, and Warren emerges as the compromise candidate able to satisfy both progressives and the establishment.
6
You all got just what you wanted.
Thanks for the token endorsements, as the rest of you pushed Biden, then Bloomberg on us-- handing the primary to Sanders!
Seriously, an excellent field of 27 reduced to 3 straight, white, men who are at an age most men don't live til even BEFORE they take office and they are expected to go 8 years and campaign for predecessor at age 86. What a sham this country is. 75 other countries have had female heads of state and we can't even get a viable candidate male, female or undefined to take on Trump!
I'm done with the republican and democratic party system and with social medial and the regular media who made this happen. I'm done with billionaires buying power and the shell of this democratic republic that once held so much promise. Thanks old, white, men. Thanks for nothing.
I'm done with sexism, racism and homophobia and a country full of screaming, bragging white men a country that can't find their way out of paper bag when it comes misogyny, racism, homophobia, healthcare and climate change.
5
If you liked 2016, you're going to love 2020.
4
The Times support for Biden over Sanders and Warren reveals its true colors. Below is just one example of how big a phony he is.
"Biden’s support for BAPCPA* is well known, but his numerous roll call votes on amendments to the bill have never been previously examined. Warren’s plan draws sharp attention to these votes by adopting many of the very positions Biden opposed. An examination of Biden’s roll call votes paints a very different picture of Biden’s involvement with the bill than the vice president likes to present. The record makes clear that as a senator, Biden used his clout to push for the law’s passage and to defeat amendments to shield servicemembers, women, and children from its harsh treatment. When votes were taken, “Middle-Class Joe” was no friend to the middle class."
ADAM LEVITIN JANUARY 9, 2020
The American Prospect
Biden and the Times just can't hide their view of working people. Make less than $100K a year, you barely exist.
The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA) was passed in April, 2005 by the U.S. Senate in a 74-25 vote, including the "yea" vote of Joe Biden, and was quickly signed by President Bush.
(Hillary Clinton skipped the vote. She did vote "yea" on the unsuccessful 2001 bill, although she later claimed to regret the vote, and explained that she had traded her support in order to make sure that alimony and child support payments weren't compromised by the new law.
2
And why not Warren?
10
You can still vote for Warren.
17
I bet that a large part of Buttigieg's and Klobuchar's votes, now that they are out, are more likely to go to Warren than Biden. I am going to stick with Warren tomorrow, and if she doesn't have a really good day, she should get out. Same with Bloomberg, who is my second choice.
3
All things being equal the question should be who can get things done and Biden wins on that score. But all things are not equal.
I'll turn 40 next month. The problems my generation, and the younger generation, is facing now and will face in the future are at crisis levels. The climate crisis is at a tipping point and is something that genuinely keeps me up at night with worry. Our healthcare system is an inhumane extortion racket. Our economy is rigged in blatant favor of the 1%, while the middle class shrinks by the month. An entire generation has put off buying homes or starting families because they're drowning under student loan debt.
Between these two candidates, only Bernie Sanders seems to see these problems for what they are and has the courage to suggest real solutions. Biden, unfortunately, believes that his ultimate goal is to play kumbaya with Mitch McConnell while slightly, at best, tweaking the status quo. Well, we're out of time for incrementalism. I'm voting for Bernie Sanders.
4
A vote for Biden is a vote for Trump. Biden will lose. We need CHANGE. Bernie is the only one who will deliver it.
7
Bernie is a my way or the highway politician for the far left as Bush II was and Trump is for the far-right. Biden understands how to bring the parties together to effect compromise and action.
I like Bloomberg but do not like how he is trying to buy the election. We need campaign finance limits that are equal for all and do away with outside spending to have fair unmanipulated voter decision making.
Also, make lies and propaganda illegal with much stiffer legal and financial penalties.
1
If you think Elizabeth Warren is still the best prepared, most unifying candidate still running in this race, I have one word for you:
PERSIST! Ok.. two words. VOTE & PERSIST!
We need Elizabeth for balance in future debates to keep Biden and Bernie from killing each other and taking the whole Democratic party with them.
There is another way. Women effectively bridge conflicting perspectives to create a stronger, more effective working consensus, leading to real results, on important everyday issues in families, businesses, and government. We need a female leadership alternative more than ever after Trump. Elizabeth can make the big changes we need and build coalitions for the future without tearing down any more of the institutions that we need to keep us safe.
19
Bernie and Warren will split the crazy vote and Biden will get the nomination.
Then, he'll look weak and angry against Trump in the debates and lose to Trump in both the popular vote and the electoral college.
Any questions?
6
@Elfego el Gato
Yes. Here's a question.
How could Biden possibly look any more "weak and angry" than Donald Trump?
Think about it.
1
@N. Smith
Unless you mean that all bullies inherently look weak, I'm not sure what you're referring to.
Trump doesn't look weak, though he does often appear angry. Biden, on the other hand, looks not only angry, but like his anger is a reaction to some unspoken implication that he is weak.
It's a subtle, but significant, difference.
@Elfego el Gato
Weakness is in the eye of the beholder.
And anyone with a pair of eyes knows that Trump is weak.
The choice is, and was, really only ever Biden. And had the Democrats chosen him in 2016, he would be president now. I suspect the party has learned nothing from their error then and in fact appears to be doubling down on its folly. But we live in an era in which people insist on making statements rather than winning and accomplishing real outcomes.
As a progressive, biden wouldn't have been my choice then nor is he now. Can we quit "recycling" the same people and move forward with a blend of experience and new ideas?
5
Either way, popular vote should decide, not the establishment. If the Democratic National Committee puts up Biden after Sanders wins the popular vote, I'll be voting downticket for sure. I don't support tyranny or hypocrisy. I'd do the same if Sanders wins, but Biden got the plurality, but we know that's not going to happen. If Biden wins the plurality and the contest, I'll vote for him.
1
@Stephen Sanders is behind Biden in popular vote.
1
@John
Honestly, I don't care who wins, so long they actually win. It's hypocritical for the DNC to get angry about Hilary losing the electorate with the popular vote in 2016, and then threaten to pull the exact same shiest on their own supporters because they disagree with the potential nominee.
I have voted Democrat in every election of my life, but if Sanders is nominated, I'm going with Trump. Enough!
4
Having Mayor Pete and Amy Klobuchar quit will give Biden a fair fight against Bernie Sanders. Hopefully both of them will endorse Biden and their votes will go to Biden .
Now what’s holding back the race is Bloomberg . Hopefully he won’t get that many primary votes and suspend his campaign after Super Tuesday.
At one of the debates Bernie said that he would wholeheartedly support the Democratic candidate to beat Trump. If Biden wins let’s see if he’s a man of his word.
2
@Karen E
How about the others stating the same thing if Bernie wins? It would seem the insiders within the DNC are trying to make sure that doesn't happen. So much for unity, it works BOTH ways.
5
@Karen E
If Biden needs 2 people to quit so he can have a "fair fight" against Sanders, who else should get out of the way when he fights against Trump? Trump himself so Biden can have Hillary's coronation?
1
Yes, if you're a more centrist Democrat (or anything less than radical), Biden is now the only answer. Which is scary. I saw him struggling to reply to a simple question from an interviewer the other day. There were several seconds of silence during which I had time to wonder "did he even hear the question, and if he did, is he going to say something that actually makes any sense?" Happily, this time, he got through it. But how did it come to pass that our two leading Democratic candidates are in their late 70s with the infirmities of old age starting to show? Democrats, you need to get cracking on developing some viable candidates for next time. Emphasis on the "viable" part.
12
@Bob G.
Biden has a stutter.
@bobg.Have you seen Trump at his so called rallies lately? He appears to have mini strokes or talks in tongues sometime.
Warren would make a better president than either, so I will be voting for her in my primary. Of course, the pundits will pund. But not entitled to pretend the best candidate does not exist, based on a few early states.
Also, either of the old dudes he likes could topple over any month now. If you are a voter who does not like the other one, wouldn't it be prudent to keep a third choice viable and at hand?
19
@D.R.F. Warren is behind Biden, Sanders, and Bloomberg in most Super Tuesday states. She’s third right now in California. She has no chance of winning.
3
Well, as the surge of Biden (and potentially Bloomberg) already has ultra-progressives in a tizzy, please consider why Bernie Sanders isn't technically Democrat, and that you far-left voters aren't really either. If you want to vote on a narrow set of ideas, fine, but you're not really in the right party for that. If you want to vote to get rid of Trump, then vote Democrat.
To be fair, though, Biden is hardly a sell-out. He's been pretty reliable as far as progressives go, but not willing to die on the hill of unwinnable battles. He'll probably get staff in with similar values to Obama's, but maybe with more management acumen and experience. If you want a frightening thought, consider who Sanders would staff his administration with. You can write off those 4 years.
Trump galvanized large swathes of the electorate generally at odds with each other behind hatred of the Clintons. I believe voters should focus on winning the battle of doing the same against Trump.
In may ways, this is the simplest election we've had in decades.
3
@Joe Schmoe
It seems that only Americans believe Sanders ideas are "narrow", the rest of the industrialized "civilized" world believes otherwise and they have for decades.
1
I'm voting in California tomorrow and I'm voting for Warren. I don't like either Biden or Sanders but if necessary in the primary I will vote for whoever is the nominee.
I think all the pundits are prematurely counting Warren out....
29
I have no intention of voting for anybody but Warren. I campaigned for Bernie last time, but his movement seems fueled by anger and score-settling and I don't want to be a part of that. Warren is promoting most of the same positions with a positive, forward-looking energy and a deeply informed professionalism--what's not to like?
Biden is lovable on a personal level (if you're not a White House intern, from what I've heard) but he promised billionaires that nothing would change except tone, and that's not enough this year. Warren can bring us both change and decency.
24
@Flora This is why I refuse to support Bernie. His “movement” is fueled by anger and revenge. People like that should not have power. I fully support both Warren and Biden. I would even be pleased with Bloomberg at the helm knowing his decisions would be data driven and thoughtful.
I want healthcare at reasonable prices and for it to be universal in the next 10 years. I want the government to step in and regulate for lower prescriptions now. I want a smart, driven person to lead that mandate. Bernie has never worked with anyone in his career.
6
I was very impressed with both Buttigieg and Klobuchar during their campaigns. I am even more impressed that they quit now.
For me, it is important that Biden be the democratic candidate. One, he is a democrat, two, he has much needed experience at home and abroad, three, he will be president to the whole country.
I believe Biden will help us heal from trump, restore respect and dignity to the nation and bring in very qualified people as VP and Cabinet Secretaries. Biden will help bring healthcare to all. He will help those overrun with college debt as well as those in need of better paying jobs. He will balance our tax system to help the 99%. Of course he is going to need a Democratic House and Senate. Vote Blue.
5
We keep commenting on how crazy the primary process is, and how unfair it is that later voting large states hardly have a choice, and yet here is David Leonhardt, declaring the candidates to be two very old guys, one of whom has been out of office for years, the other out of the Democratic party, both likely to be hampered by their age/health in being President for any more than one term - and all this before super Tuesday has even happened. What gives?
It is clear that the dynamics of this race will change with fewer candidates to choose from. It will also change once we have an eventual nominee.
4
@DebbieR
The primary Schedule forces this narrowing after SC. If. We want that to change we have to change when CA & TX vote.
1
Biden is like a plain beige dress. It’s all about the accessories. He can continue to be bland and boring, or he can follow Thomas Friedman’s excellent advice and immediately bring Klobuchar, Buttigieg, Steyer, Yang, and other vibrant Democrats onto his team. And Elizabeth Warren, if she is willing. But Bernie will never agree to be an accessory, and I hope his egocentrism gets him out of our political life forever.
8
@Barbara
Really? If we take your advice than one person who won't be out of your life will be Donald Trump guaranteed for another four years.
2
For the last 40 years, "Business as Usual" whether its been Democrats or Republicans in power...has not worked.
In fact, over that period , America's middle class has shrunk, more citizens have been put in jail and inequality has grown to levels not seen since the Gilded Age and it is getting worse.
What's more, America has fallen off the map as compared to its peers as more and more countries supply ALL their citizens with universal Health Care coverage, Paid Maternal leave,subsidised Child Care, Affordable Drugs, cheaper or free University as well as a minimum wage indexed yearly to inflation...and so much more.
Given the state America finds itself in as the majority of its people continue to struggle against the ever increasing influence and power of the Billionaire class and Corporations, both of which are only getting more powerful as the needs and voices of the people further diminish...its time to change things radically.
If only to voice a desire and need that the Rich and Influential can not but hear and must act accordingly...if the voters in no uncertain terms lay it down on the line and give notice that they have had enough.
For that reason alone and for many, many others...it's time for Bernie Sanders.
America has a lot of catching up to do...and only Bernie wants to take you to where you should be and where you need to go so Americans get what they need to have ...those things that so many others already enjoy.
Bernie Sanders 2020 .
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I would vote for Biden against Trump, but I would not be happy about doing so. I hope the Democratic nominee is Sanders. I want to vote for someone whom I believe wants the best for his fellow Americans.
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