Is Howard Dean the only viable challenger to Hillary in 2016?

[One of the 99]

Everyone says that if she runs, Hillary will clear the Democratic field. But could that create an opening for Dean?

[no_hypocrisy]

1. There's Joe Biden.

[Sherman A1]

3. And probably many others

time will tell.

[still_one]

52. The most obvious. Howard Dean sure isn't. Problem is if Hillary decides to run, she has the money

that I do not believe Biden can match

[awake]

2. Obama Has just started his 2nd term this thread can wait a few years can't it?

[longship]

4. For Christ sakes!

Is Nobody is the only challenger to Nobody in 2016?

For Christ sakes! The USA is the only country which is in perpetual presidential campaigning. The UK does it in a few weeks. I'd buy into that system, if only to see the "Silly Walks" candidate.

[DJ13]

7. The USA is the only country which is in perpetual presidential campaign

I wish.

That way they wouldnt ignore the voters after they are in office.

[brooklynite]

15. Sorry to disappoint you...

...but if you were at the Convention, it was perfectly obvious who was "running"...I had a personal and private meeting with one of them.

[Jennicut]

36. You said it. This 24/7 speculation just after Obama has been sworn in

Is making me want to puke. I love Biden, have great respect for Hillary, adore Howard Dean. But just...enough already. I am still recovering from 2012. Permanent campaign mode by the media and others is ridiculous. Let's deal with our actual problems facing our current President. Sheesh.

[dsc]

45. that really isn't true

the campaign that would be similar is that for party leader since the UK doesn't have primaries. Those campaigns are often years and even decades in the making.

[Renew Deal]

5. Howard Dean is not viable

[Generic Brad]

9. Much as I admire him, I reluctantly agree

Howard Dean has kept a low profile the past few years. That has not helped his presidential prospects.

[DFW]

18. Howard is a personal friend. A few comments on your post:

A few weeks after Obama's first inauguration in 2009, Howard said he thought it was a good thing that younger blood was stepping up to run for high office, and that he considered himself too old to run again (at age 60!). So whatever remarks he may have made to entertain the media, he has NO intention of running at this time. He has his hands full with his wide range of projects. He has had ZERO interest in pumping up his "presidential prospects," so they are in no need of help. In 2016, he will turn 68 two weeks after the election, just a year younger than Hillary. The ONLY thing that might encourage him to change his mind would be if no viable candidate stepped forward and said he or she would seek to be Obama's successor. You can't tell me our roster is THAT devoid of talent or ambition. Howard has a full family life, too, and he keeps them out of the limelight. Judy would not exactly be thrilled to see him run again, although she would probably reluctantly go along with it.

The one thing Howard has NOT done is keep a low profile. Right after the 2009 election, I asked him what he would do if Rahm shut him out of the Obama administration. He said he would lend his name tot some law firm to draw a salary, and spend the rest of his time "raising hell for causes he cared about." As you saw from his recent walk in Thailand/Burma to draw attention to human slavery and trafficking, not to mention his running around the world to help budding clones of the Democratic Party get organized, plus his occasional talk show appearances, he has indeed been doing just that. We meet up in person maybe once a year for the specific reason that his schedule is so full, it's difficult to coordinate an in-person meet-up. Unless running for office or having your own talk show is the only way to maintain a "high profile," keeping a low profile is the last thing he has been doing.

[Evergreen Emerald]

27. Thanks for that info...

I have always admired Dean and count on his voice. He has a way of cutting through the BS and telling the truth.

I was mortified when he was driven out of the presidential campaign. It was all politics with the help of the propaganda-media.

And I was disappointed in Obama when he shut Dean out of his administration.

He could have helped us keep the house in the last midterm elections.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

14. but he is very capable

[customerserviceguy]

6. Nobody is viable if she wants it

That's why I'm certain she will run, no matter what protestations she makes today.

[graham4anything]

11. actually, today she said she was running, if you parse it correctly.

her exact quote said parsed

On Jan. 29, 2013, I am not ready to officially announce.
nuance.

[whistler162]

20. The way I parsed it was...

The Martian overlords are coming in June!

[graham4anything]

21. but Hillary45 will still be Hillary45, January 20, 2017 either way.

[winter is coming]

50. I seem to recall hearing this kind of talk before the '08 primaries. n/t

[customerserviceguy]

59. Who knew

that Barack Obama would go from being "fraction of a US Senate term" to full-bore Democratic nominee, fated to win two general elections in a row?

That's why Hill added Secretary of State to her resume.

[grantcart]

63. beyond the obvious point that Obama was a unique talent at a unique time there is

A lot of people had Clinton fatigue, and I include myself.

She paid her dues as Secretary of State and will now be out of the headlines for a few years.

No more fatigue.

Also she has been through the primary system.

She did very well and I am sure that she learned from her mistakes (not showing up in Idaho for example).

If she commits to the nomination, and if she is in good health, she will win decisively.

There will be some other names in the mix.

They will be running for Vice President.

Clinton-Castro has every single Republican operative in absolute terror.

It would mean that the Republicans would probably be locked out of the WH for 20 years.

[doc03]

8. There seems to be a conclusion by people such as Tweety that

Hillary will just walk into the presidency in 2016. There is a long time between now and 2016, who knows something may happen in the next couple years that will make any Democrat unelectable. What if Obamacare turns out to be even half the nightmare the Republicans have been saying? Everyone thought Hillary was unbeatable in 2008. How did that work out?

[graham4anything]

22. Hillary won in 2008, if not for President Obama. With President Obama, she will win in 2016.

to use 2008 is a false allocation
because President obama won being President Obama

Hillary would have won against the republicans.
There is no one on the bench anywhere near what President Obama was in 2004.
And the people that backed President Obama early(myself and Ted Kennedy and all the others) are all on record.

Therefore it is not equateable to say 2008/2016

Hillary easily would have beaten McCain or any other nominee, same as Obama, that was never in doubt

They were both equals in many ways, but only one can win.

Hillary has no equals in 2016. There is just no one else out there.
(and I say this as someone who wore an Obama2004 button in 2004(yes 2004 not a typo).
and was not a fan of Hillary in 2008.

She has no equals (well, there is one person, but that person will be later, not for 2016.)
That would be Michelle Obama. But not in 2016. 2024,six years after President Obama is on the US Supreme Court.

[karynnj]

25. Ted Kennedy is on record??? Did you hear him endorse HRC in your dreams?

HRC may or may not be the President, but not with Ted Kennedy's endorsement.

[graham4anything]

33. John Kerry is going to back Hillary45/and her vp choice. Like he did (belatedly) in 2008.

Ted Kennedy, no matter what you said, (it must be satire)
backed President Obama.

How could Ted Kennedy back anyone now?

He died.

He is sorely missed. Because the last four years, we sure could have used a senior senator
fighting for 100% of President Obama's agenda.
Once Ted Kennedy did not win in 1980, he stayed in the senate the remaineder of his life.
he didn't look for another job. He knew where the power was.

[karynnj]

37. you said that

"And the people that backed President Obama early(myself and Ted Kennedy and all the others) are all on record. "

The last 4 years O)bama did have a MA senior senator supporting him 100% - Kennedy for half a year, Kerry the other half.

[doc03]

34. What if the economy falls apart again? What if Obamacare turns out to be the

nightmare some people claim it is? What if we are into another war? Lots of things could happen between now and then to think Hillary orf anyone has a lock on the Whitehouse in 2016 is just BS.

[LiberalFighter]

10. It's been 9 days since Obama was sworn in again as President.

Now is not the time to hash about this. Obama and other Democrats need our help now on important issues.

[DrToast]

12. Is there another Howard Dean I don't know about? *

*

[Rosa Luxemburg]

13. Elizabeth Warren

[Moostache]

16. That is the VP candidate in '16....

Clinton - Warren 2016

Now its up to Obama to lay the groundwork to have REAL progressive change actionable by 2014 and beyond.

[Whisp]

47. as opposed to all the PHONEY changes he's done so far?

lol.

anyway it's Warren and someone else. take Hillary out. She just does not have the jam to go full on a campaign, besides she has really poor choices in managers and helpers and bad bad instincts on how to go head to head with the opponent. Embarassing, omg, don't let's talk about all the doofus things she said and did. That inevitability schtick can only work one time and it was used up in '08. but I'm sure she is having fun jerking people around.

and if anyone thinks Obama will hand over that fancy software he and his team has been developing for 8 years - he could do that but it will certainly not be as helpful to Clinton as it was to him. These things can't just be given over and expect the results to be as positive.

[Arkana]

32. Please no. Can't we keep her for a few years?

Massachusetts is going to have another special election in six months, then another Senate election in 2014. We don't get a breather until 2016.

I'm tired of giving Republicans chances to represent us.

[Jamaal510]

17. Didn't Hillary already say that she won't run in 2016?

Why does the media and everyone else keep pushing the idea of her running? Is it a slow week for news or something? No means no.

[HappyMe]

38. Yes, she has said that

a couple of times.

From what you read here, you would think she has made an announcement. There's plenty to do for 2014.

[DFW]

19. Howard has no intention of running

The LAST thing he would do is change his mind in order to challenge Hillary for the nomination. If we have NO willing talent come December, 2015, he MIGHT change his mind, but he firmly believes younger people should be looking to do this job, and that the Democratic Party has plenty of good younger people.

[Sancho]

23. Our new Secretary of State?

John Kerry...

[davidpdx]

24. I'm for no one

until there is actual candidate.

[mgcgulfcoast]

26. lots of possibilities

i support hillary but didnt alot of people say she had it in the bag in 2008? joe biden just looks too old.

[NewJeffCT]

28. The nomination is Clinton's to lose

I can't see anybody else being viable. If Biden ran, he would get swamped in Iowa/New Hampshire and then drop out.

Anybody else running in 2016 is trying to place themselves in position to be VP to her - O'Malley, Cuomo, Patrick, Castro, etc.

I doubt Dean would be viable in 2016. He was popular in late 2003/early 2004 because of his anti-war stance, and he was great as DNC chair, despite what Washington insiders said. However, I don't think the positives of his anti-war stance will last through until 2015 or so.

[mainstreetonce]

29. I hope

she teams up with Joe.

Clinton/Biden 16

[NewJeffCT]

30. It would be nice

but, I see Clinton turning to somebody younger, like O'Malley or Castro, for VP. Plus, would Biden want to be VP again?

[Arkana]

31. No. Howard Dean will be a 12-year-gone has-been by then.

He hasn't been visible in politics at all for almost four years. He's never going to be President.

[onenote]

35. If Dean is viable, so are a lot of other possible candidates. nt

[yellowcanine]

39. Howard Dean??? Really?

I suppose it is theoretically possible but speculating about it now is just nutty.

[WI_DEM]

40. If Hillary runs my belief is she will only face token opposition.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

41. The Corporate Media destroyed Howard Dean, and cowardly Democrats betrayed him.

Do you really think he's a viable candidate?

I have a better question: Can you give the current president some respect? He was only inaugurated a week ago.

[geek tragedy]

42. Love Howard Dean, but he's a better behind the scenes guy than

a high profile candidate.

[madinmaryland]

43. Don't forget about Martin O'Malley. nt

[TeamPooka]

44. Elizabeth Warren

[Beacool]

46. Howard Dean??????

Nothing against him, but seriously? Dean wouldn't have a chance against Hillary. Neither would older white guys like Biden and Kerry. There's a lot of talk within the party that they want a woman in 2016 and Hillary is the more than obvious choice. The pressure is going to be tremendous on her. Right now I do believe that she thinks that she might give it a pass, but I noticed her recent answers to that question and they seem to be leaving the door a bit ajar. She has a strong sense of duty and a belief in service that hearkens to another era (she even admits that sometimes people think it's corny). If in a year or two she thinks that a Democrat would have a chance of keeping the WH and that it is her duty to carry the dreams and hopes of women and girls by becoming the first woman president, then she might do it. Time will tell.

[libdem4life]

48. Dean is the past...Hillary is the present and if she's not the future, the Bush dynasty will likely

step in. 2014 looms and is crucial ... light years away from 2016 in this political climate. Both should affirm their Democratic credentials and power by getting out the victories in Congress. Then, let us decide who gets the partisan nod.

[MjolnirTime]

49. Dean has no viability. Sorry.

[hedgehog]

51. I saw Joaquín Castro on tv the other day and I thought -

"Damn! that is one good looking man! "

Now, I don't usually have that reaction, but I found him instantly attractive. If I have that reaction, I figure lots of other people will, too. I like what I've heard about him and from him so far.

[Drunken Irishman]

53. I like Howard Dean. I supported Howard Dean in '04. Even have my Howard Dean buttons and t-shirts.

But he's not a viable candidate. He was barely a viable candidate in 2004 and that was before he had been tagged with the dreaded loser label. Worse, he's been out of government long enough that he's basically been relegated to cable TV. I just don't think he'd be a viable candidate anymore and he certainly wouldn't against Hillary.

I know people like to compare any _____ candidate to Obama and his upsetting Hillary. But I think that just further proves the difficulty it will be defeating her. Most candidates are not Barack Obama. When Obama gave his speech at the 2004 convention, everyone in the world started talking about this guy and suggesting he may be the next POTUS. I don't see that from any Democrat right now. Obama was a once in a lifetime politician who was able to captivate a nation like we hadn't seen since, arguably, the Kennedy days. It's possible there is some unknown person out there who can do it - but it's not Howard Dean.

[MADem]

54. I can't see Howard Dean blocking the path of history. nt

[november3rd]

55. Chris Van Hollen

The guy's willing to get out there and talk the Progressive Line, even when he's getting hit back for it. I don't know if he has the brains, but he seems to have the energy and the character to be President.

[wandy]

56. Although I think it's a touch early to worry about it......

Let's face it we have problems to deal with right now. Republican obstruction not being the least of them.
It might be good to keep an eye on Alan Grayson.
In terms of upcoming elections it might be best to concentrate on being rid of the republican menus.

2014: Get the vermin out of the House!

[libdem4life]

58. Ditto this^^^^and Grayson. 2014 will determine much about 2016. n/t

[Recursion]

57. Dean is way way WAY less liberal than his supporters think

So, probably not

[ellisonz]

60. No.

But he should consider running if the field is weak.

Howard Dean would make an excellent POTUS.

[Ian Iam]

61. No

[cvsgracht]

62. Dean is a Hillary 2016 ally

He's already voiced support for a potential campaign from Hillary. http://www.wcax.com/story/19473847/dean-points-to-hillary-clinton-for-2016

[hedgehog]

64. Don't forget - back in 2007, Hillary had a dead lock on the nomination!

[Whisp]

66. and don't forget that a lot of Dems of power just did not want her to win.

for what reasons? Probably because they know how the Clintons operate. Bill pissed off so many and some don't forget. There were a lot of ship jumpers if you recall and I just do not believe that is going to suddenly change for '16.

She has her own 24/7 promotion machines out there for weeks now, like Rendell and the likes, to pump her up and the media follows and salivates but that is a rerun. We went through that before but the rest of us forget a lot - the ones inside that Bill pissed off will not tho.

I have my doubts she will run, she is probably just basking in all this just for her book sales. and enormous ego that must have rubbed off from Bill.

[cecilfirefox]

65. Howard Dean is known only with the very active left, and online community, so no. He does not have

name recognition that you think he does with people outside of who you're talking to here. This smacks of fantasy.

[TroyD]

67. Dean? Dean is probably not viable at all

He's a failed candidate from nearly a decade ago. Rightly or wrongly, he has the aura of a loser around him. I think the way the media blew up the whole 'Dean Scream' was ludicrous, but the reality is that Dean's career is in the past now. I don't think he plans to run for office again. He did a great job as head of the DNC with the 50-state strategy, and it is in roles like that where I hope to see him in the future.

[SmittynMo]

68. Howard Dean? You're kidding, right?

No competition at all. Dean is a joke. Besides that, he has 2 first names. I never trusted people with 2 first names.