Tom Steyer makes moves toward a presidential bid

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

San Francisco billionaire Tom Steyer took the biggest steps yet toward a potential 2020 presidential bid Tuesday, laying out a progressive policy platform and announcing a tour of five key primary states.

Steyer, a former hedge fund manager who left his company in 2012 to focus on political activism, joins at least three other Californians who are widely believed to be running.

In an announcement, Steyer said he planned to hold town hall meetings in five states, starting with a Dec. 4 event in the early primary state of South Carolina, where he expects to discuss voting rights. That will be followed by an appearance in Fresno in mid-December focused on clean air and water as well as stops in New Hampshire, Iowa and Nevada.

Full-page ads in newspapers across the country will also lay out the rest of his "5 Rights" platform, which includes education, a living wage and healthcare.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/tom-steyer-makes-moves-toward-a-presidential-bid/ar-BBPUQYx?li=BBnb7Kz

[manor321]

1. No thanks

I'm not replacing their oligarchs with our oligarchs.

[fleur-de-lisa]

2. Agreed. I appreciate his efforts to oust Trump but no more rich guys with no political experience.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Steyer has been doing some useful things but I don't want another inexperienced rich guy

as president. I'm sure he's not an ignorant, narcissistic, weapons-grade asshole like Trump, but there are so many great Dems with solid experience that we don't need to turn to some filthy-rich businessman who can buy the presidency - no matter how well-meaning he might be.

[greymattermom]

5. I think it's a good thing

for him to show us all that if the Presidency is for sale, he can buy it just like as easily as any right wing oligarch can. His candidacy will make the point that all rich folks aren't Republican, and his candidacy will bring the issue of campaign finance reform to the forefront.

[JonLP24]

4. I like him. I think he's doing a good job

This seems to be more advocating for a platform than a personal ego thing.

"These five rights should be at the core of the Democratic Party's 2020 platform," Steyer said in a statement, "but this is bigger than any political party."

Three other California Democrats have suggested — either in actions or words — that they're potential 2020 contenders. On the trail in October, Sen. Kamala Harris hinted that she'd consider a presidential bid after the midterms. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti toured early primary states to campaign for Democrats in House races. And Bay Area congressman Eric Swalwell, reported to be running, has visited Iowa more than a dozen times.

A spokeswoman said Steyer's priority is ensuring Democrats commit to the priorities he's laying out, regardless of who the nominee is.

[RDANGELO]

6. If he is divorced from any international business dealings,

he may be ok. I still want to hear what his positions on policy are. The fact that he is pushing so hard on impeachment, could be a turn off to lots of independents.

[JonLP24]

7. Impeachment is why I would be excited to support him

Independents are turning against Donald Trump: Nearly half support impeachment

Finally, when it comes to impeachment, 49 percent of Americans support Congress leading impeachment proceedings against the president while only 46 percent say that it should not do so. These numbers are identical among independents, who likewise break down with 49 percent supporting impeachment and 46 percent saying they would oppose it. By contrast, 75 percent of Democrats think Congress should begin impeachment proceedings against Trump and 82 percent of Republicans say they should not do so.

https://www.salon.com/2018/08/31/independents-are-turning-against-donald-trump-nearly-half-support-impeachment/

[msongs]

8. like Trump, Steyer has never been held accountable to a public constituency nt

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. Exactly. While well-meaning and not evil, Steyer has never had to answer to the public

and would be able to run for president only because he's rich.