U.S. Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.) is running for president in 2020. What do you think?

[jpljr77]

His state is liberal but his district includes the most conservative parts of it. He's running on unification platform that skews centrist and looks more like the labor populism of the old Democratic party, but still recognizes modern issues:

Delaney’s early messaging blueprint — “the elevator pitch,” he calls it — features three prongs focused largely on empowering American workers to compete in the 21st century economy.

First, he’s promoting better access to education and training programs to make workers more “nimble” in the event of job disruptions. Second, he wants to expand employee benefits while making them transferable across jobs. And third, he’s pushing for aggressive ways to shore up the nation’s finances and tackle climate change — problems he characterizes, collectively, as “the incredible intergenerational debt we’re leaving our kids.”

“You don’t have to have a three-hour white-board session to get most Americans to understand the world is changing, and it’s changing pretty rapidly,” he said. “Change can be very beneficial, but we have to be careful because it’s not going to be beneficial for everyone.”

That was from a profile in The Hill this morning: http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/345808-all-in-delaney-hopes-to-alter-washington-with-white-house-run
]
He's going out early because no one knows who he is. He's also sacrificing his safe House seat in 2018 to do this. And he's hella rich.

I'm in the district adjacent to his in Maryland, so I know a little about him. But I wanted to see what his profile is with sure-to-be primary voters. For the record, I'm withholding judgement until the time is right; 2020 is a LONG time from now and no one knows what can happen.

[SharonClark]

1. I could not care less while 2018 looms before us.

[delisen]

2. Foreign policy expertise in actually more

needed than domestic. People don't realize this yet-but they will soon come to understand that the rest of the world is now the major influence on our lives.

[Funtatlaguy]

3. Needs a combover toupee

Americans won't vote for bald

[Not Ruth]

4. NORML gives him a B grade, so sure

http://norml.org/congressional-scorecard/maryland

[jpljr77]

8. Thanks. In case anyone wants more grades, here they are:

https://votesmart.org/candidate/135143/john-delaney#.WYxoXNL5i70

Highlights include:

NRA - 7%
Gun Owners of America - 10%
Club for Growth - 18%
American Conservative Union - 4%

ACLU - 52%
NARAL - 100%
NAACP - 85%
Environment America - 93%
Clean Water Action - 80%
National Treasury Employees Union - 100%
Common Cause - 81%

[hatrack]

5. It's too damned early for this . . . .

2018 comes before 2020.

[FSogol]

6. Too early to form opinions. See how he runs and what he proposes. n/t

[kwassa]

7. He is my congressman and I barely know him.

He doesn't resonate as much as previous congressmen, and until now he has not been very visible.

Delaney's seat was created by Democratic gerrymandering, too, to take away Roscoe Bartlett's old Republican seat.

[David__77]

9. I don't like what he says here about expanding Social Security.

http://thehill.com/policy/finance/243435-house-dem-left-has-hijacked-partys-message

Which isn't to say I couldn't support him in the primary- it's so early. I find it unlikely.

[Lee-Lee]

10. Traditionally House members don't do well at jumping to President

He will have an uphill battle for sure.

[OnDoutside]

11. He's certainly no Adam Schiff....

[Amishman]

12. Curious about specifics but I am interested by the tone and direction of his message

But as always, the devil is in the details

[rogue emissary]

13. Living in NOVA. I saw his campaign ads when he ran awhile ago.

Since my media market covers DC, MD, VA. His presidential announcement was covered in depth by local news.

I didn't notice anything negative about him but I wasn't that impressed with him as well.

[Foamfollower]

14. In early to get the best seat for a cabinet post is my guess.

[Weekend Warrior]

15. I love three prong approaches.

http://www.theonion.com/video/live-from-congress-the-skull-fucking-bill-of-2007-14161

[Weekend Warrior]

16. Basic Outline On The Issues

Supports public abortion funding. (Oct 2012)
Supports churches providing birth control. (Oct 2012)
I consider myself pro-choice. (Sep 2012)
Voted NO on prioritizing spending in case debt limit is reached. (May 2013)
Supports federal stimulus spending. (Sep 2012)
Voted YES on reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. (Feb 2013)
Endorsed as "preferred" by The Feminist Majority indicating pro-women's rights. (Aug 2012)
Supports same-sex marriage. (Sep 2012)
Enforce against anti-gay discrimination in public schools. (Apr 2013)
Sponsored removing deadline for ratification of the ERA. (Jun 2013)
Enforce against wage discrimination based on gender. (Jan 2013)
Voted NO on workforce training by state block grants & industry partners. (Mar 2013)
Rated 92% by the NAPO, indicating a tough-on-crime stance. (Dec 2014)
D.C. Opportunity Scholarship gives parents more options. (Nov 2012)
Opposes school vouchers. (Oct 2012)

http://www.ontheissues.org/House/John_Delaney.htm