I believe Elizabeth Warren is the best option for 2020.

[Music Man]

Progressive bona fides with experience in both the legislative and executive branches, a sharp mind who can speak in-depth about law and economics, and a compelling personal story about overcoming the poverty of her Oklahoma youth. She speaks passionately about getting money out of politics, about breaking up monopolies, fighting for higher wages, and understands that the selfish, deregulatory era of Reagan is the root of so many of our current problems.

I love Kamala Harris's toughness, but I think she's still unseasoned and there's a lack of a connection I feel when I watch her interviews (I think she is one of the most likely nominees, though). Cory Booker is too corporate in my mind, though I appreciate his passionate demeanor. Cuomo, MacAuliffe, and Gillibrand have been mentioned, but I don't think they garner excitement. Biden, Sanders, and Clinton are re-treads. I think John Hickenlooper will be a wild card, though, having overseen economic growth in Colorado, which is emerging as an important left-of-center state. He was even on Clinton's shortlist for VP.

I believe that leaves us with Warren. She exhibits several of the best characteristics of the above people. She too was considered by Clinton for the vice presidency, which should say something.

Some downsides:

1. She ultimately was NOT chosen by Clinton for VP, and you wonder why. One article quoted a Clinton aide as saying it was ultimately something outside of Warren's comfort level. That may just mean it was too early for her, or she is better suited as a #1 than #2. I think that Clinton chose a man on her ticket to balance the historic nature of her identity, something that Warren couldn't help.

2. The Native American ancestry issue is, admittedly, goddamn stupid. It's completely contrived. But Republicans are good at framing this sort of thing, and Warren will eventually have to put this to bed once and for all. Candidacies have been sunk by far dumber things (see: Howard Dean's scream).

3. She will have to get around the inevitable "Massachusetts liberal" label. It's not a geography issue so much as a perception thing. Obama was from Illinois/Hawaii, and Clinton and Trump were both from New York, so we shouldn't put up with crap that says our candidate needs to be a white man from the South or "the heart of America." But that kind of charge can stick, as it did with John Kerry.

I do believe Warren will run. Her current line is "I'm not running" (using the present tense), but I think her careful words are evidence that she's at least considering it.

In the meantime, we have midterms to win

[leftofcool]

1. Maybe. I would vote for her.

[JustAnotherGen]

2. We only have 17 tuesdays

Until the Midterms. Can this wait until then?


We need to be ONE party right now! ONE.

We dissolve into arguments in 2019, when the impeachment hearings are underway.

[awesomerwb1]

4. Seriously. /facepalm

I just don't get this need to prop up ANYONE for 2020 right now while the most consequential elections in the USA's history are just around the corner. Lord.

[JustAnotherGen]

13. Generally I'm open to the discussion

But I'm a County Committee democratic party official - like I'm having an ad hoc meeting at my house this week. EVERY single door has to be knocked on in my precinct. Every single one.

[awesomerwb1]

17. Thank you for your hard work.

Good to hear you guys are going to be working so hard to help take the country back.

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

28. Well done!

Chances are it's hot as hell outside as well. TY

[Music Man]

10. The point is well-taken, and I expected several such responses.

But I enjoy hypothesizing about this sort of thing, and I think we can fart and chew gum at the same time.

[JustAnotherGen]

14. I can't

I have the following to focus on (I'm serving a two year term on democratic committee)

Mayor
Two Council Candidates
Two Free Holders
House of Representatives
Senate

I don't have time for anything.

I have SEVENTEEEN Tuesdays.

It's really crunch time and down to the last hour.

Last night? Was the last hour.

[Music Man]

20. Thank you for your hard work.

You rock

[Proud Liberal Dem]

40. Why do these posts keep getting shut down

here on a freaking discussion form? I thought that the whole point of DU is to have discussions about whatever anybody wants to talk about. Yet, it seems like, when anybody starts bringing up 2020 instead of 2018, some people quickly jump in to shut it down like, if we were to talk about 2020 for five seconds, 2018 midterms will be ruined. I don't get it.

[Upthevibe]

53. Proud Liberal Dem...I completely agree with you....

For God's sake, can't we still have a conversation? You're absolutely right that the whole point of DU IS to have discussions about what folks want to talk about. WTF?!- Someone can't start a thread about 2020 because it means we're spending 10 minutes on this thread instead of 10 minutes on another thread about 2018?!?! IMHO, those who don't want to join the conversation should treat this like a T.V. show, if you find it offensive, turn the channel!

[JustAnotherGen]

60. Don't have time to answer

I have to call Lisa Murkowski, and then call around to make certain that all borough Committee Members and County leadership can make our ad hoc meeting tomorrow night.

[murielm99]

3. Let's work on winning the midterms.

Politics can turn on a dime. Even two weeks can bring huge changes.

[nycbos]

5. Agreed

We might differ on baseball but we are on the same page on this.

[ooky]

6. Maybe we should keep it quiet until the last minute.

That will confuse Hannity who to launch his felony conspiracy against. I'm sure they already have the narrative prepared but don't know who's name to put on it.

[NewJeffCT]

7. I like her a lot and would happily vote for her, BUT

Last edited Tue Jul 10, 2018, 04:19 PM - Edit history (1)

as I've stated many times before, Democrats do best when running smart, young, charismatic candidates.

JFK - Bill Clinton - Barack Obama were all in their mid 40s when elected.

Plus, as much as I like Warren, I'm not sure how charismatic a speaker she is.

Who fits that bill this time around?

Booker is 49 now; Harris is 53; Julian Castro is 43; Gavin Newsom is 50; Hickenlooper is 66; Chris Murphy of CT is 44; Jeff Merkley is 61; Kirsten Gillebrand is 51; Deval Patrick is 61; Erick Holder is 67; Eric Garcetti is 47

Going by those ages, it's Castro or Murphy.

[Quixote1818]

22. You have to be 35 to be President so if Kristen Gillebrand is only 5 then she won't qualify

[CTyankee]

35. I love my senator Murphy so I'm a bit torn when you offer him and Castro...

I think an Hispanic would be ideal. More diversity!

[Upthevibe]

62. I LOVE your Senator Murphy! He's the one I've had my eye on...

I've googled him to get more details on him. What I've seen I really like!

[Freddie]

41. Yes!!

Our candidate will be running against a 74-year-old. PLEASE someone at least under 65! Sorry Bernie and Joe and yes Elizabeth too.
A relatively unknown (nationally) Governor has been a good bet for us (Bill Clinton, Carter, FDR). Less ammunition for the GOP Slime Machine. We need someone with lots of real government leadership experience as a contrast to the current amateur hour. I like what I hear about Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. Actually I think PA's awesome Tom Wolf would be a great Pres. but he's pushing 70 although he looks a lot younger.

[Vinca]

8. I'm finding it hard to think past 2018 at the moment, but if Trump is the opposing candidate

in 2020, I'd vote for Charlie Manson back from the dead over him.

[Squinch]

9. TAMMY DUCKWORTH!

[CTyankee]

36. Sorry, she wasn't born in this country. But I admire her greatly and she would do wonders for

disabled Americans.

[Squinch]

37. She is a naturalized citizen, daughter of an American serviceman serving abroad. Like McCain.

There is no bar to her being president.

[CTyankee]

39. Oh, I thought there was sstill a requirement that the candidate be "born in" the US.

I guess I'm wrong. Good. Glad to hear this!

I guess the only thing I want to know is if she interested in running. She is certainly an American hero...

[Historic NY]

11. She will be hammered to dust by the Republicans...

she's a loss outside of New England

[Awsi Dooger]

33. Caricatured

Easily twisted into anything they want her to be. Very ugly. They'd thrill at the ready-made nickname. Weaker than Hillary and mistakes would be abundant.

Warren would carry the vast majority of our reliable states outside New England but ultimately it would be a defeat. We continue to underestimate the immense advantage of presidential incumbency.

[Freddie]

42. Unfortunately agree

Look what they did to HRC. The Slime Machine would be in full force.

[smirkymonkey]

46. I agree. I love what she is doing as my Senator, but she had a little bit of a struggle

even here in liberal MA. She also has a bit of a charisma problem. I think she is doing a great job, but I don't think she is presidential material. She doesn't have broad appeal.

[FSogol]

12. Suggestion: Why not wait until people who want to run enter the race and then pick your favorite?

The whole cult of personality and divide everyone who doesn't support "my preferred savior" is really tired.

[JustAnotherGen]

15. Exactly!

I don't believe for one minute that was OP's intent - but having gotten through the 2016 primaries (and you were here too) - it will only divide us.

Wait until they announce/throw their hat in the ring.

[Trumpocalypse]

16. Way too early.

Let’s wait until after the midterms and then see who actually decides to run.

[beachbum bob]

18. Won't be warren...I don't think whoever it will be is even on the radar

at this point in time.

[Squinch]

38. tammy duckworth tammy duckworth tammy duckworth tammy duckworth tammy duckworth tammy duckworth

[Crunchy Frog]

19. If she runs, it's very likely that I'll support her.

[Quixote1818]

21. I like her or Biden

It would be fun to see Biden go head to head with Trump because Biden is extremely eloquent and quick thinking and comes across as sincere and kind of like a Dad sticking up for his kids.

I think Trump would have more trouble running against Warren than Clinton because she is a bonafide populist with less of a track record. I also think Warren comes across as moral and genuine than most politicians. I liked Hillary but I think Warren will have a lot less image trouble than Hillary had.

[NCTraveler]

23. You are better at this than I am.

I'm not even aware of the options. Shit. I didn't know Warren was running.

[Generic Other]

24. You can tell the way he attacks her

that he thinks he has to thoroughly sidetrack any debate with her as a candidate with his constant baiting. I think it best to keep reminding people of Trump's shady roots. He cannot take Warren's fire away. She speaks her mind. But he and the propaganda machine that passes as a mind on their side...are vicious. They have no other strategies for maintaining their power.

The way they tend to go after the women on our side is a disgrace. Pelosi and Waters. Warren and Clinton. They do hate the women, don't they? And blacks and Latinos and LGBT and Jews et al. But the women first for those cowards.

[sarcasmo]

25. Elizabeth Warren/Kamala Harris.

[RandomAccess]

26. I believe 2018 deserves ALL our attention

and am already sick to death of ANY and ALL conversations about 2020.

[kevink077]

27. I like Merkley or Gabbord

Only if Biden bows out. Biden is the strongest by far to take on Trump.

Biden/Gabbord or Harris is my dream ticket...

[RhodeIslandOne]

52. Who is Gabbord? n/m

[appalachiablue]

29. K & R. Interesting post, thanks and we'll see, soon enough..

[DigitusImpudicus]

30. She's a great Senator.

That doesn't always translate into being a great Presidential candidate.

[marble falls]

49. Well said. She'd be seriously missed in the Senate.

[Rhiannon12866]

56. That's what I was thinking, too - she's one of our most proactive and effective senators

We could use a few dozen more just like her.

[marble falls]

59. Absolutely.

[gopiscrap]

57. welcome to DU

[zipplewrath]

31. Foreign policy and defense

We've seen very little from her on these subjects and what little we have seen didn't reveal alot of depth. I'd like to see more first.

[calguy]

32. As much as I love her....

in my opinion she is not presidential material. Her public persona is weak in the eyes of many voters we'll need to win in 2020. She's doing a great job as a Senator and I vote to keep her there.

[TheCowsCameHome]

34. Better in the Senate.

She's a perfect fit right there.

[radius777]

43. Warren lacks broad appeal

Last edited Tue Jul 10, 2018, 11:14 PM - Edit history (1)

and I don't think she'd defeat Trump, but I would gladly vote for her if she were the nominee although I'm generally not a fan of the populist wing. She did support Hillary in the primaries and is a real Democrat unlike Sanders.

I think we could only win with someone like Xavier Becerra or Cory Booker, both of whom are suave and good speakers and could excite the Obama coalition (PoC, youth, women) that is crucial for us to win, while also attracting moderates.

[FreeState]

50. She reminds me of Dennis Kucinich

Love both their politics but their personalities don’t do them justice.

[marble falls]

61. She's much better thought out than Dennis is. Love Dennis, but never'd vote for him if there were ..

another Democrat in the run. He was a great mayor for Cleveland. He had the same problem Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton had - Dennis's brother robbed a bank.

[MFM008]

44. Keeping powder dry

........

[Comatose Sphagetti]

45. Someone new and out of the blue.

Less time/history for the right-wing slime machine to gear up.

[Odious justice]

47. She will lose. Any women will lose. Sexism wins. God Bless America.

Run Biden or his 55 year old equivalent.

[JCMach1]

48. I love her, but she to sell me on the idea of her as President

Not putting my chips down anywhere yet for 2020... Show me some leadership somewhere Dems.

The most effective Democratic leader and resistance to Trump is actually Gov. Brown. Is it time???

[RhodeIslandOne]

51. Klobuchar 2020

Hickenlooper as Veep.

[stonecutter357]

54. lol

[Rhiannon12866]

55. I agree she'd be excellent, but she's stated she's not interested and only running again for Senate

She made that very clear in this interview from two months ago with Jimmy Kimmel:

Jimmy Kimmel: Guest Senator Elizabeth Warren on Health Care & Minimum Wage
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1017490334

Senator Warren talks about getting her fighting spirit from her mom, how hard it is to live off of minimum wage in America, Donald Trump’s inauguration, the fight to bring health care to all Americans, why calling your representatives is important, and reveals whether or not she’s running for president.

[BlueTsunami2018]

58. We need to go young or go Biden.

Democratic Presidential candidates win when we go young. Kennedy, Carter, Clinton, Obama. Young, energetic, hopeful and with a vision for the future. We need someone young and good looking like Gavin Newsome, maybe Corey Booker. Or we need Uncle Joe to go toe to toe with the asshole. Тяцмр pretends to be “one of us”, Biden is the real deal. He’s authentic, he’s sincere, he has the gravitas to get the blue collar workers and he’s tough enough to throw Тяцмр’s garbage right back in his face.

I like Elizabeth Warren, she’s smart and well qualified but she can’t deal with bully Тяцмр. He’d ridicule her to death and run her right over with the idiotic “Pocahontas” crap. As stupid as that is, it will be used against her. She won’t actually take a dna test to prove it because I expect she already has privately. It’s a dumb, ridiculous thing but it makes her look like a liar. It’ll just give people a reason not to vote for her. And it’s suoerficial stuff that doesn’t matter to us that will matter to a lot of the middle America idiots. Massachusetts liberal, the fact that she’s a woman, her age and, I hesitate to say it, her voice. She doesn’t have a good voice. People won’t hear what she says, they’ll hear how she says it. She has a scolding schoolmarm voice. People hated Hillary’s voice, they’ll hate Warren’s more. I realize it’s ridiculous and has nothing to do with her qualifications but it’s a real thing.

No, Warren isn’t the one. She’ll lose, maybe spectacularly and for the dumbest of reasons.

[ecstatic]

63. I disagree. nt

[Hamlette]

64. I am not a fan, and I don't know many people who are

I couldn't support her in the primaries and think she would be a disaster as prez.