Excuse me but may I say something about Senator Harris?

[NewsCenter28]

She has yet to show, to me at least, the ‘it’ factor for 2020 that Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Beto O’Rourke, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Al Franken even though he is now retired, Kirsten Gillbrand, the Castro brothers in TX, Amy Klobouchar, and even the defeated Claire Mckaskill have shown. I connect with all those listed above. They all make me feel terrific about myself, radiate empathy and compassion, and have succeeded in accomplishing significant progressive agenda items at the national level.

All of the above come across as someone relatable. Harris is definitely tough as nails. I see the fighter in her but not warmth to be honest. Likability is an important factor. She is not the most llkable candidate we have imho. Also, I was counting on her to knock Kavanaugh out with her tough-as-nails reputation but that didn’t occur. I just see red flags here with her. Primarily, just in the silly but important sense of the ‘have a beer with’ presidential election test. Warren, Mckaskill, Gillibrand, and Klobouchar all easily pass that test with me.

I’ll support her but I do not see in her specifically the qualities of a winning Democratic Presidential Nominee at this time. Also, she is still just a newly elected freshman senator. Hopefully, she’ll blow me away and prove me wrong with her 2020 campaign. She would be better suited and probably be a terrific attack-dog VP nominee.

[JHan]

1. it will play itself out.

and I disagree, I think she has shown grit and substance.

"Likability is an important factor. She is not the most llkable candidate we have imho. Also, I was counting on her to knock Kavanaugh out with her tough-as-nails reputation but that didn’t occur. I just see red flags here with her. Primarily, just in the silly but important sense of the ‘have a beer with’ presidential election test. Warren, Mckaskill, Gillibrand, and Klobouchar all easily pass that test with me. "

ffs.. this is inventing a reason to dislike her, I don't see what you're seeing here.

[Hortensis]

45. Agree on the likability. I like her fine. But she has

a strong, tough prosecutor's edge that I don't think would fly well in a female candidate.

Hillary's always had plenty of personal friends and admirers, who said she was fun and had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. Really?! For years she came across to groups as a rather distant, boring policy wonk, who left everyone feeling she wanted to maintain that distance. Of course, she'd been under constant, vicious attack for decades, and reacting to that was probably part of a significant problem.

Kamala can be very charming and come across as warm, but I keep feeling like it's turning on and off. Imo, she also needs some developing for the big ring.

I'd like Kamala to hire whatever team helped Hillary learn to become warm and approachable and finally be able to charm her audiences. Hillary will never be a talented, charismatic speaker like Sarah Palin or Bernie Sanders, but she finally learned to be likable and even enjoyable on a stage, a transformation that impressed the hell out of me all by itself.

[elleng]

2. As I've posted:

Race and gender aside, I think we should nominate a candidate who SPEAKS POWERFULLY, like Biden and Booker; others may suggest others.

[Garrett78]

4. We can't set race and gender aside, though. Both matter.

Anyway, Harris is a very powerful speaker.

[Garrett78]

3. I find her to be much more likable than several you listed, but to each his own.

[NewsCenter28]

6. I've seen her on MSNBC

And she doesn’t exhibit the things I’ve loved in previous Democratic Presidential nominees. She’s not someone I can fall in love with at this time anyway the way I did Barack and Michelle Obama and Bill and Hillary Clinton. As soon as you hear those 4, you fall in love. I’ve yet to get that feeling ever from her but I have from others in the field.

It’s minor but many votes in the Presidential are based on gut.

[brush]

42. Your opinion is yours only. It's not the majority opinion by any means.

[RandySF]

5. I'm focused on 2019

[NewsCenter28]

9. That's fine-Just exhibiting some caution lights

Here and in the huge field we seem set to have, I don’t think she should stand out above the rest of the field at least at the outset.

[Quixote1818]

7. The likability factor is a concern. I think she would be a strong candidate though.

If we are talking likability, Klobuchar and Gillibrand probably top the chart but Gillibrand has made some bad moves. I personally really like Warren but I wonder if others connect with her like I do? Biden and of course O'Rourke are also very likable. For that matter Sinema probably tops the chart but she if pretty much out of the picture just having won in AZ.

[Awsi Dooger]

11. I think Klobuchar is extremely likable

As evidenced by her appearance on Colbert last week:

If I could dictate the ticket it would be Beto/Klobuchar and take my chances.

I try to warm up to Kamala Harris, to the point I've watched several online interviews recently. They are okay but never wow factor and I suspect the OP is correct. Unless it becomes a primary contest of Trump bashing and Kamala comes across as toughest with the best lines, I think she'll be somewhat of a disappointment and steadily slip.

[Quixote1818]

12. I agree, I think she is extremely likable.

I would be more than happy if she was at the top of the ticket.

[greymattermom]

52. I think that coming from a non coastal state would help.

Franken would have been great. So is Klobuchar. Farmers would not be afraid of her, and that would help some with the rural vote.

[Justice]

61. Klobuchar has significantly more experience than Beto.

Shocked you would say Beto should be at top of ticket.


Klobucher -

- Just re-elected to her third term carrying all but two of Minnesota's counties, including rural ground that was won by Trump in 2016
- former county prosecutor
- more bills passed than any other current senator
- will be 60 years old in 2020

[LeftInTX]

8. I like her

As a woman, I think she can win.

[NewsCenter28]

10. Let's put it this way

I’m a lifelong Democrat and have been lucky enough somehow to support the nominee from the beginning of their campaigns starting with Bill Clinton in 1992 and she concerns me for some reason.

Really wish Michelle Obama would run!

[rogue emissary]

13. She has that "it" factor for me.

Read DU for a while. Every Democratic you listed has their detractors. As an example, Biden and Sanders never reached me on that level.

[Firebrand Gary]

14. Love Kamala, I really do... she would lose! She does not have the magic that MANY others have!

And thats OK! We *need* her in the Senate!

Stacey Abrams
Beto
Joe Kennedy
Ayanna Pressley
Kyrsten Sinema
Jahana Hayes
Ojeada
Andrew Gillum
Gavin Newsom
Cory Booker

They all have it.

Kamala is not the only one either. Elizabeth Warren, Gillibrand, Julian Castro, Martin O'Malley, none of them have "it" either. I love this country and I would very comfortable with all of these people as presidents. However getting into the office requires a broad connectibility, which the later do not have.

As it stands, I'm 100% in for Gavin, Jahana Hayes, Beto, Joe Kennedy and Michelle Obama.

And to note, this is just my opinion.

[Brawndo]

15. The Debates

For many voters their decision will come down to what they see in the Presidential Candidate Debates. Considering we have a lying criminal for a president*, I would prefer that his opponent, in those crucial moments, be a professional Prosecutor who has a demonstrated ability to effectively call out bullshit. Personally, I think she's very likable but more importantly she's a fighter and this dire situation calls for a fighter.

[NurseJackie]

24. Great in a courtroom. Great in a hearing. But, NOT GREAT at a rally or debate...

... I do not see the "it" value in her either. I've seen her at campaign rallies, and she's very uninspiring.

When she's speaking, it's ho-hum, reserved, rote and perfunctory... and we need more than that to win.

I much prefer someone like Cory (Bring-it!) Booker!

[DFW]

16. I agree, fully, but keep something in mind

Many of the people you named in the OP weren't even on the radar until they DID declare their candidacy and showed some real fire that they had kept under wraps, and hadn't been tested before.

I am neither hot nor cold on Harris, but that only tells me that IF she declares, THEN we will see if she has "got it" or not. If she doesn't, then it won't matter, will it.

I only met Amy Klobuchar once, during her first (and successful) campaign for Senate. After that, I was positive she would win, and I was right. Straightforward, intelligent, and quietly confident. No games--she puts it all out there on the table, and most people like what they see (and she was one of the Democratic Senators who did NOT jump on the "ditch Al Franken" bandwagon). I have no idea if she wants the White House, of course, but if so, she will be a difficult target for Republicans to throw rocks at.

[OnDoutside]

18. 100% agree. People need to let the Primaries play out, there looks to be a great pool of talent out

there.

[octoberlib]

17. I see zero warmth in Gillibrand and the only place she's popular is in NY. People have different

perceptions. Gillibrand was on Chris Hayes tonight and I was distinctly unimpressed. She said she might run for President for "moral"

reasons. That there needs to be somebody who can tell right from wrong (like no other Democrat is capable of that). Not only was it offensive,it was the most uninspiring , insipid. performance I've ever seen.

[Merlot]

29. Agree with you completly on Gillibland

[lillypaddle]

19. I don't really connect with her either

I don't know why.

[Sunsky]

20. She definitely has the it factor for me

She's fierce (someone who will stand up to Trump). She will do so fervently, intellectually and without hesitation. She's not gaffe prone like some other potential candidates. She is very relatable, she strikes the right tone and knows her audience. She also has that youthful energy that will motivate many young adults to participate in the electoral process. I believe she will captivate the Democratic base. She will also win over moderates and Independents.
I also like: Booker, Beto, Julian Castro, Stacey Abrams and Warren.
Kamala and every other potential candidate will have their set of pros and cons. She and every other potential candidate will have their share of detractors. May the best person win the primaries and then destroy Trump2020.

[In It to Win It]

21. Kamala Harris captured me when she gave a speech on the Senate floor in opposition of...

Brett Kavanaugh. That’s when I saw that “it” factor.

However, I don’t know if she would win those Rust Belt states. That is up in the air for me.

[onetexan]

22. hmm i'm still a bit miffed she sided with expedient Gillibrand on pushing Al Franken out

Harris's background as a litigator and soft qualities are impressive, but she is still wet behind the ears as far as legislative experience is concerned. I'd like her to have a bit more years under her belt first, and redeem herself for the flack she gave Franken before she sells me she can be a great POTUS.

That said, if she was pitted against Gillibrand and/or Warren in the primaries, i'd vote for her.

[Vinca]

23. We shouldn't be picking candidates at this point, we should be waiting to listen to them make their

case. I've been thinking back to the early days of Barack Obama and how that magic caught on. Somehow, somewhere, we need to find that magic again. Beto's come closest so far, but at the moment he doesn't feel right to me. Maybe VP? I'd love to see a woman at the top of the ticket, but I'd prefer someone other than Hillary.

[Marcuse]

25. She's likable enough. Democratic voters need to inspire and motivate themselves.

[BeyondGeography]

26. "Likable enough"

I remember that phrase. Cost Obama the NH primary.

[violetpastille]

27. +1

INTJ women have it tough. Just ask Clinton. They are the smartest people in the room and they don't suffer fools.

No they don't exude warmth, and they really don't want to have a beer with you. They have NO TIME to have a beer with you.

These are the leaders we should want.

[SweetieD]

28. I agree. And I find it strange so many people see her as a possible candidate.

There is no way she would make it out of the primaries.

I also don't like the sound or tenor of her voice. She always speaks as though she is congested. I know that should not matter but those little things matter to the average voter.

[MrGrieves]

31. Well... at least you didn't say

Well... at least you didn't say her voice was shrill.....

[SweetieD]

35. No. It is nasally. I guess that is a better word than congested. It is something

Most people can't help.

[brush]

44. Can't believe there are people on this Democratie board willing to eliminate...

a candidate because of voice.

Ridiculous.

[SweetieD]

46. I am saying one of many reasons why she is probably not going to make it out of the

Primaries. Part of the job is public speaking. If you think your speaking voice doesn't matter,then I'm not sure what to tell you. People vote for candidates for all sorts of reasons most of which have little to do with actual policy.

[brush]

47. It's your opinion. I doubt many other share it.

[qazplm135]

53. here's the sad truth

people judge you based on your appearance, demeanor, and how you come across with body language and voice.

What you say is the tiniest sliver of it. That's not me talking, that's science.

[brush]

54. And some said Hillary had a shrill voice in 2016 so they didn't vote for her.

Last edited Tue Nov 13, 2018, 01:58 PM - Edit history (1)

That was ridiculous too.

[qazplm135]

58. Not talking about the ridiculousness or not

Talking reality.

When I give an opening statement or closing argument, science says my credibility almost exclusively turns on anything but the actual words coming out of my mouth.

[brush]

59. The OP doesn't like the sound of Harris' voice.

I doubt that will be the deciding factor as to who will be on our ticket in 2020.

Please proceed with your whatever it is you're talking about.

[qazplm135]

60. It will be the deciding factor for some

For others it will be about how tall a candidate is, how good looking they are, how in shape they are, are they funny?

[MrGrieves]

30. No need to start judging candidates yet.

They have jobs to do and they really aren't getting enough time in front of the cameras to show you anything. Let them show you when the time is right. Right now is not the time. I understand thinking about it but I would caution putting too much thought into it until they are making their cases to you. Otherwise we risk overlooking the best candidate.

[lsewpershad]

32. Seems the trolls and bots

are out to get Harris. Wonder why

[ProudLib72]

33. Franken/Harris 2020!

[GemDigger]

34. President Obama was one in a million.

To expect someone else to have that charisma is setting us up for a let down when we realize that there is no other like him. Not Biden, not Harris, not even Beto (yet).

[SweetieD]

37. There are charismatic politicians. I'd say Gillum is very charismatic. Beto is. Bernie is. And no

I don't want Bernie to run. Just using him as an example.

[GemDigger]

38. They absolutely do. I am not dissing on them.

My point was that expecting someone to blow your socks off might be a big let down.

[FSogol]

36. Translation: I wanna candidate that entertains me on cable news-talk shows with zingers & tuff talk!

[dawg]

39. I'm quite fond of Senator Harris. I find her more charismatic than most ...

of the people you just mentioned.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

40. We need someone who can fill stadiums like Barack Obama and that's Beto.

He might not be the leader America deserves but he's the leader we need. Kamala Harris is my senator and I like her but we need an outsized personality to compete with Trump. A Beto-Kamala ticket makes so much sense. Beto's talents would be wasted as a vice presidential candidate.

If we are in a recession in 2020 a ham sandwich can beat Trump. If the economy is in good shape we need more.

Democratic candidates who I think can beat Trump in order:

Beto
Biden
Sherrod Brown
Cory Booker
Deval Patrick
Kamala Harris
Amy Klouchibar

I will support any Democrat. I just think some Democrats have better chances than others.

[elleng]

55. I agree, an outsized personality,

imo the best (from your list,) Biden, Booker, Beto.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

56. Michael Moore said we need to nominate a celebrity that everybody loves like Oprah.

That's just not how we Dems view the world. We do need to nominate someone who can generate excitement and fill up a stadium.

[dalton99a]

64. +1. Beto is a natural born leader and an excellent orator

People - young and old - really wanted to see him and hear him speak, and they liked what he said

[Liberty Belle]

41. I would rather see her as a Supreme Court justice or an Attorney General

under a future Dem administration. I agree with your assessment, having covered her over the years, including a couple of in-person appearances where she spoke in California. She does lack warmth, though she's certainly who I would want fighting for me in a courtroom.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

50. She would be a terrific vice presidential candidate that would add balance to the ticket.

[dlk]

43. Harris Does a Fine Job in the Senate. I Hope She Continues There.

Not everyone who does well in the Senate is automatically a winning Democratic presidential candidate.

[Adrahil]

48. "Warren, Mckaskill, Gillibrand, and Klobouchar all easily pass that test with me. "

Hmmmm.... well, we will disagree then. I think none of those fine women have "it" IMO.

I am, OTOH, a big fan of Harris. I guess we'll see.

[ghostsinthemachine]

49. She seems willing

To bring the fight to whomever the R nominee is.

Unlike some of the other persons in the mix, except E Warren, and Bernie.

[yuiyoshida]

51. I disagree very much!

i have read her tweets, and her responses, She doesn't have time to play nice, especially with Trump's Attacks and him doing nothing about the fires in California other than to bitch and complain about our forest management. She is getting the work done in California and is my champion right now...as an up and coming bright star in the California Democratic Republic.

[obnoxiousdrunk]

57. All the

it factors will be determined by the primary voters. You are not saying that she shouldn't run . Right ?

[MoonRiver]

62. I like everything about her, except the time she stood with Gillibrand against Franken.

[Skidmore]

63. Your concern is noted

even though I do not share it.