2020 Presidential Candidates

[Alan]

I think the 2020 elections have potential to change politics as we currently know them forevermore. It's the perfect opportunity for the Democratic Party to either assert it's middle-of-the-road dominance over the Socialist wing, or not, as well as allow the Republican Party to either reclaim it's Grand Old Party roots, or not.

Ideally, after the primaries we'll enter the General Election with 4 candidates, a mainstream Democrat, a Socialist, an Independent who can reclaim the Republican brand, and the incumbent. That would eventually show us the real mood of the country.

[Williamsmith]

I think the 2020 elections have potential to change politics as we currently know them forevermore. It's the perfect opportunity for the Democratic Party to either assert it's middle-of-the-road dominance over the Socialist wing, or not, as well as allow the Republican Party to either reclaim it's Grand Old Party roots, or not.

Ideally, after the primaries we'll enter the General Election with 4 candidates, a mainstream Democrat, a Socialist, an Independent who can reclaim the Republican brand, and the incumbent. That would eventually show us the real mood of the country.

I haven’t sensed any change in the mood of the people that elected Trump. Barring an economic meltdown or a serious illness, he seems likely to repeat. That is if the government shutdown still isn’t going on.

[catherine]

I haven’t sensed any change in the mood of the people that elected Trump. Barring an economic meltdown or a serious illness, he seems likely to repeat. That is if the government shutdown still isn’t going on.

I agree... judging by my Facebook feed with posts & memes by many of my conservative friends, they are still locked and loaded for Trump.

[jp1]

Trump still holds all the power over the gop. Anyone questioning that need only look at the fact that mitch mcconnell is absolutely not under any current circumstance going to do anything to buck trump and reopen the government. That plays well with 30ish% of the voting population. Not nearly enough to get him reelected.

What will happen with the dems is anyone’s guess. Personally i welcome a big primary. Lets see who has a compelling story, who has interesting policy ideas, etc. And, gasp, let the voters pick the candidate that best represents their needs dreams and hopes for a better future. With only 43% of americans in a recent poll saying they stand with the russian candidate the future has never looked brighter for the party of inclusion. Yes, maybe the dems will throw it all away with backbiting and whatnot but i’m more optimistic about the future of our country today than i ever have been in my 51 years on this planet.

My only question is how much popcorn should i buy to get through the next 22ish months of insanity. Judging from Colludy Rudy’s ever shifting story I suspect that it will be almost impossible to overpurchase. Probably should have rebalanced in favor of Orville Reddenbacher a while ago.

[Williamsmith]

That’s funny, I was thinking that same thing about my bourbon stash.

[LDAHL]

How do you format debates if it gets up to 25-30 candidates with no clear frontrunners? March Madness brackets? I thought the GOP thing that tiered them by polling numbers was strange.

I hear some O’Rourke groupies aren’t waiting for him to declare before starting to fund raise for him, eager for a Beto tomorrow.

[Yppej]

When we had an open primary debates held at the state university were four canidates per night to get through the 17 or so who ran.

[catherine]

This 2014 gubernatorial debate is one of the reasons I love Vermont.

https://video.foxnews.com/v/38526115...#sp=show-clips

[jp1]

With two of the three largest states (CA and TX) participating in Super Tuesday early in March the field is likely to get narrowed down a lot more quickly.

[Williamsmith]

“Kamala Harris, For The People”........the thought of that catching on sends shivers down the spine of the 40% Trump base. After all I suppose some of them have actually analyzed why she is such a threat to Trump rather than just hate her because she is from California.

Maybe they have considered that a Trump rematch with a woman might not turn out so favorably again. “For the People” is much more adaptable to a campaign than “I’m with Her.” Which basically meant, “I don’t need you because I deserve this.”

Maybe they understand externally Harris represents the very opposite of Trump. Female, racially diverse (Indian/Jamaican) , polished in the art of verbal judo, and most of all......immigrant.

They might wince at the optics of a former President campaigning side by side in a photo op orgy leading up to elections. Obama/Harris campaign stops will look nothing like Obama/Clinton meet ups did. Obama has already labeled her “good looking”. An electorate that enjoys solid reality tv will love following those two around on the cable news.

Maybe they realize that in a nation so polarized by its chief executive, the next campaign will be a knock down drag out affair. And that this time around, tweeting and insulting Harris should backfire.

The only misstep the Democratic Party could make would be to allow Joe Biden to obtain the nomination thereby shooting themselves in the foot once more.