What do you look for most in a Democratic candidate?

[welivetotreadonkings]

I'm trying to pose this question without getting into arguments that fall along parallel lines of the 2016 primary, though I understand some of that might be inevitable. I'm genuinely interested in hearing everyone's thoughts on what you look for most in a candidate--and I'm talking more about their character, guiding principle, or philosophical disposition--rather than a specific policy platform.

I personally think, that in this moment of radical right-wing dominance, I want Democratic nominees who acknowledge that the Republican party (not just Trump) has been becoming increasingly dangerous; not only in their policies, but their tactics in governance (i.e., blocking Garland). I'm all for reaching out to work on bipartisan legislation with the handful of Republicans who are reasonable on certain positions, but by and large I think we need Dems who are prepared to fight dirty--Obama (as much as I love him) tried playing nice, and in many instances it did not work too well.

Anyway, I'm curious to find out what everyone else thinks.

[CozyMystery]

1. I want someone who is fierce, straight-talking, and honest, has integrity.

Al Franken, Elizabeth Warren, Maxine Waters, and people like them come to mind. My mind, unfortunately, cannot remember all of the names of people I admire.

[Squinch]

2. This year? I look for a D after their name. The end.

[dalton99a]

4. +1

[DURHAM D]

5. This.

^^^^^^^^^

[BigmanPigman]

8. Me too!

[Hekate]

11. What Squinch said. We find unity among ourselves and with Never Trumpers, or the republic dies. nt

[catrose]

17. Yes. Also breathing.

[Madam Mossfern]

3. I look for a candidate

who is most likely to win.

[Squinch]

6. Yes. This too. A D after their name and likeliest to win against the republican.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. At this point I want someone who can defeat the opposing GOPer.

I do not care so much about ideological purity, or about race, gender, age, or other characteristics. More than anything I want someone who will be counted in the D column in Congress. I'll worry about all that stuff later, when we get control of Congress and Trump is gone.

[Squinch]

9. We need the committees!

👍

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

14. Exactly. We can't control the committees without a majority.

If they have a pulse and a D after their name I'll vote for them. I don't feel like we can afford to be any choosier than that this time.

[RandySF]

10. Candidates who fit their districts and have interesting life stories.

Elissa Slotkin probably doesn't sell in the Bronx and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez might not be a good fit in Central Michigan. Each, however, has a great narrative.

[Cha]

12. First they show their Tax Returns and be a Democrat

who's worked hard for our Democracy.. not trying to tear others down for their own agenda.

Fire in their Belly!

[underthematrix]

13. Educational background, history of public service,

character,

[FM123]

15. I look for D's like decency, dependability, dignity, dedication, determination, discipline...

[ucrdem]

16. They have to be smart. That means a law degree. Obama was no-drama but he moved mountains.

Whatever you might think about his style he was a dynamite executive and pulled one rabbit out his hat after another. He'll never get the credit he deserves but a law degree is important. Look at Trump, look at Dumya. Disasters.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

18. A law degree is not always evidence of intelligence.

I went to law school. It was academically challenging, but somehow, some remarkably dim people managed to squeak through it. And as further evidence I give you, for example:

Louis Gohmert
Glenn Grothmann
Roy Moore
Michele Bachmann
James Sensenbrenner
Tom Cotton
John Cornyn
Trey Gowdy

And there are many more dumb lawyers in the U.S. Congress. Presumably after taking courses in constitutional and administrative law one would understand these things, but the nitwits on that list obviously don't. A law degree would be useful only for a person who isn't fundamentally stupid.

[phylny]

19. I don't know if I am eloquent enough to describe exactly what I look for (other than the "D")

but I've been very enamored of several current Democratic politicians this year, including Adam Schiff, Kamala Harris, and Ted Lieu.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

20. Inspiration for our youth like this...

Quote from:

Link to tweet

(snip)

Talked to a Republican woman yesterday who said l was too “liberal” to earn her vote. We then discussed student debt, the GOP tax plan that increased the deficit, and the many benefits of her Medicare plan. She asked for more info and a donation envelope. #NE02

WEB site: http://eastmanforcongress.com/
Twitter page: https://twitter.com/karaforcongress

There's just soooo many of these great young candidates around the country that inspire us old folks and we're hoping to contribute to as many as our limited budget will allow.

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