It is sad that we cannot think beyong Hillary-Warren-Sanders

[question everything]

All good Democrats with many supporters. But, really, all are over 65!

I am envious of the Republicans with so many who at least have some supporters, most younger than 60.

What happened to us?

A nauseating (by definition) editorial in the WSJ blamed Obama (of course) for the dearth of Democratic governors that used to be the natural pool for presidential candidates.

But when I, all of us, are seeking other candidates, if, for nothing else, to debate Hillary, to sharpen her appeal - who is there?

Some mentioned the Castro brothers, others, CA AG Kamela Harris but how well are they known nation wide? Besides, seems that Harris is going after Boxer's Senate seat.

At least Martin O'Malley is a former governor and is 52.

I think that instead of wishing for Warren and Sanders, we have to really cast our net wide to find someone. Even if center left, even if not a favorite of DUers, just, find someone.

Sigh

[stone space]

1. And here I was about to suggest Ron Dellums.

But, really, all are over 65!

[Capt. Obvious]

2. Deval Patrick is 58

[question everything]

6. Yes, what happened to him?

He did not lose the elections, right? Left on his own accord, or because term limits?

One would have though that he would be active in politics.

[Capt. Obvious]

7. Served two terms and stepped down

No limits.

538 likes his chances if he were to run for President based solely on his outperforming fundraising expectations.

http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/some-democrats-who-could-step-up-if-hillary-isnt-ready-for-hillary/

[question everything]

17. Never heard of the 538. Interesting site (nt)

[question everything]

23. Looks like Bob Menedez is still on the list

Hope someone will update it.

[stuffmatters]

9. UGH, Patrick is heading the Wall Street "Progressive" TPP propoganda machine

I used to respect Patrick, but this is repugnant. Sooner or later, either in practice or in the four years after its secrecy protections expire, America'll see and experience what's in this TPP...an ALEC wet dream, "Nafta on steriods",antidemocratic
submission to global corporatism, destruction of American civil, health and environmental protections to omnipotent corporate courts.

[appalachiablue]

10. Very sorry to hear this, I liked him. O'MALLEY-CASTRO 2016

This tract (of corpo Dems.) isn't working. Dems. must be bold, smart and forward in a backward time!

[stuffmatters]

11. I wish Warren would turn the airtime she's getting (running yes or no?) into denoucing TPP

She definitely has voiced objections, especially to the Corporate/ALEC scam that is the Investor State Dispute

Every MSM is eager to interview her right now, trying to scoop that she's changing her mind & running. I wish she'd fast pivot to "No, and I'm not supporting any Democrat either who votes to fast track the Transpacific Trade Treaty because..."

There is no better messenger than Warren to explain the reasons the TPP is so destructive to American workers and taxpayers.

[appalachiablue]

13. Agree, since Warren has media access now the TPP should be brought up, esp. w/Wikileaks.

The monster TPP, global corporate Coup D'etat might even stun many conservatives it's so radical.

[libdem4life]

12. I'm warming up to O'Malley and I love Castro.

[appalachiablue]

14. Fresh figures & ideas are needed. This stale, older corpo. Dem. tract isn't working.

Dems. need to be bold and smart, move forward in a backward time of regression and loss. It has to stop. The Castros are intelligent, qualified, young and energetic. Add before it's too late. And return Howard Dean to the DNC Chair now with 2 Co-Chairs with high visibility, a woman and an Hispanic. (Dean should have never left, Rahm was involved there I believe).

[libdem4life]

15. I like your ideas. God knows we need them...and I'd trade a Castro for a Clinton

as our White House's First non-white-male occupant. Now for the Presidential Candidate...Under 55 and Progressive, please apply.

[appalachiablue]

16. The issue is creating enough of a movement to influence the Dem. Party. It's a big job but it can

happen if the people unite; we're not moving forward at this rate. More populist & progressive candidates could add a lot of energy and re-direction especially leaders under 55 but not exclusively as Warren would be terrific. (Castro would be the 2nd non-white (Vice) Presidential Executive, as President Obama is the first black male Executive Branch President in the WH).

[CentralMass]

26. Doesn't Castro support TPP as well ?

[appalachiablue]

27. Don't know. The powers are set for that thing to pass soon, like by April 13 or smthg.

There are so many centrist Dems. now who have supported fracking, privatization of public schools and other destructive policies it's concerning. We'll find out more on who among them supports TPP with time, whenever Congress gets to see the agreement in full. What a nightmare global corporate Coup D'etat and almost a done deal according to many unfortunately. For example fmr. Gov. Patrick Deval of MA is lobbying hard now for TPP sadly. What I've read and seen of the Castros is positive.

[gwheezie]

3. I've said this before

I would like to see some of the younger up and coming dems to take a shot at it. Sadly because our politicians are bought and paid for its to expensive to make a run for it.

[question everything]

5. Indded. Saw a story about a Republican "bundler" who used to bring millions of dollars

Now, no one calls her, candidates go straight to the billions of dollars.

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. Both Warren and Sanders are advancing powerful and responsible critiques of....

... national economic policies.

Which means there will be a DISCUSSION of CRITICAL issues in the primary season if either or both of them run.

Haven't heard O'Malley establishing any kind of comparable critique or theme. (Which alone says something about him..... or ME.)

Just being 52 and "looking like a president" is not enough.

As for Clinton.... she will run because... well... that's what she does.

[question everything]

8. Just standing on a podium to debate will not cut it

I am sure that moderators would ask her all the critical issues.

But I wonder about any former ambassador? Spouse likes John Kerry but... he is 71!

Also, in contrast to the Republicans, except for Adlai Stevenson, I am not aware of anyone who lost and ran again to this time win the nomination.

[elleng]

18. There's much more from O'Malley, including economic policies.

Listen to this; you may skip first 20 minutes.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

20. Uhhhh...you must not know my former governor very well. Remember, he did lead

the Democratic Governors Association. When former Virginia Governor and CRIMINAL, Bob McDonnell was his Republican counterpart, they both appeared on a C-SPAN sponsored debate which became a legendary smack down by O'Malley. In fact, McDonnell was so uncomfortable that he literally squirmed in his seat. Each time he did so, O'Malley would invade his space, moving closer in where he was sitting, as McDonnell nervously shifted in his seat. It was so beautiful that both Rachel Maddow and Larry O'Donnell did segments.

On economic issues, Maryland's economy experienced a surplus under O'Malley. Even Maryland Republicans give O'Malley high remarks on the job he did. The only reason we have a Republican is due to low voter turnout in the midterms and because Anthony Brown, O'Malley's Lt. Gov. was an incredibly weak candidate with zero charisma who also botched the rollout of Obamacare in this state. That was unforgiveable. Hogan, the ReTHUG candidate, exploited the "tax and spend liberal" theme to bring out the conservatives in non-populous areas of the states and they voted for him. Meanwhile, voters who were unenthusiastic about Brown and/or assumed that he would win, so they stayed home.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

19. I can. My former governor, Martin O'Malley would be a pretty good president, but...

...he's too liberal for the majority of Americans, too dull, and can't win, even according to Democrats.

Our current Vice President, Joe Biden is fantastic and would make an incredible president in my view, but he is still being held accountable for having lifted a piece from someone else's writing for his own speech even though most politicians have committed far worse atrocities. He's accused of speaking his mind too much and with brute honesty--an attribute that we Americans commonly adore when Republicans display it, but as Rachel Maddow reminds us, "IOKWRDI".

I even think a center-right Workhorse like Mark Warner would be a good candidate for the Democrats, but he's too pragmatic for liberals, too dull for the righties, and too professorial for most Americans.

Schweitzer would be perfect if he stuck with the populism without all the racist adherence to the Southern Strategy of the Atwater era. If the Democratic Party would realize that we lost Bubba forever...in other words, the Reagan Democrats are lost (if we ever had them) and are not coming back, we'd do well in solidifying the coalitions we already have that have proven successful.

Sigh...

[LynneSin]

21. BIDEN

nuff said

But if Biden doesn't run I'm liking Martin O'Malley too

[davidpdx]

24. I think if Warren or Biden don't run it will be a very very short primary

It seems to me the only others would be O'Malley or Sanders and I doubt either have a chance of beating Hillary's machine which will already be up and running and having raised a significant chunk of cash (my guess is a billion already). If O' Malley or Sanders were the only other choices in the primary though I'd vote for one of them.

[TeamPooka]

25. We can think past them but too many at DU can only post about them, for good and bad. nt

[Joe the Revelator]

28. O'Malley is there

and will probably make a very interesting run. Especially if its just him and Hillary.

[Cal33]

31. You're right. I'd also prefer O'Malley. He's possibly waiting for Clinton to make her

announcement first, before he finally makes up his mind.

[DFW]

29. There are others

I was with Howard Dean about three months ago, and he mentioned a few names, one of which he said was a real contender (if said person wants to go for it). That name hasn't even been discussed on this thread.

Don't box us in yet. Our options are not as limited as they might look at first glance.

[question everything]

30. Of course not. But at some point individuals have to declare

in time for money and other considerations. First caucus and primary are now less than a year away and then we have the behemoth of super Tuesday, or something like that.

Glad to hear that Lincoln Chafee is considering joining. Another former governor (Rhode Island) and is.. 62 years old. Will take it.