We don't need 23 presidential candidates. There's another important role to fill.

[Skidmore]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/we-dont-need-23-presidential-candidates-theres-another-important-role-to-fill/2019/06/10/f7b5012c-8bbd-11e9-8f69-a2795fca3343_story.html?utm_term=.0db726064983

Opinions
We don’t need 23 presidential candidates. There’s another important role to fill.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Capitol Hill on June 4. (Susan Walsh/AP)

By Eugene Robinson
Columnist
June 10 at 5:43 PM
Dear Democratic presidential candidates: I know all 23 of you want to run against President Trump, but only one will get that opportunity. If you truly believe your own righteous rhetoric, some of you ought to be spending your time and energy in another vital pursuit — winning control of the Senate.

I’m talking to you, John Hickenlooper of Colorado, who would have a good chance of beating incumbent Republican Cory Gardner. I’m talking to you, Gov. Steve Bullock of Montana, who could knock off GOP incumbent Steve Daines. I’m even talking to you, Beto O’Rourke, who would have a better chance than any other Texas Democrat against veteran Republican John Cornyn.

And I’m talking to you, too, Stacey Abrams of Georgia, even though you haven’t jumped in. You came within a whisker of being elected governor, and you have a national profile that would bring in a tsunami of campaign funds. You could beat Republican David Perdue — and acquire real power to translate your stirring eloquence into concrete action.

As the Republican Party has long understood, it’s all about power. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) could not care less about lofty words and high ideals. Coldly and methodically, he has used his power to block widely supported progressive measures such as gun control, to enact a trickle-down economic agenda that favors the wealthy and to pack the federal bench with right-wing judges whom we’ll be stuck with for decades....more

[BigOleDummy]

1. I agree

Totally.

[Celerity]

2. Plus a billion

[Funtatlaguy]

18. Three gazillion trillion to infinity this is so spot on!

[Cha]

3. Thanks Skidmore! And, we need

the Democratic candidate to beat McConnell in Kentucky!

[FM123]

12. This!

We need McConnell out of there!

[Funtatlaguy]

19. Kentucky Dems hoping for McGrath.

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2019/03/12/amy-mcgrath-vs-mitch-mcconnell-group-launches-campaign-draft-her/3131763002/

[shanny]

4. I agree with the general point

but as a Coloradan whose top issue is climate change, we need someone other than Frackenlooper.

[brooklynite]

27. EDF: Bipartisan western governors agree methane reductions benefit states

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that oil and gas facilities emit along with other chemicals that deteriorate air quality and threaten public health. It is also the main ingredient of natural gas, so capturing more methane means companies can sell more gas. Methane reduction targets, therefore, protect the environment and benefit the economy. It is a critical reason why decision makers in the both the public and private sector are prioritizing methane reductions.

The resolution is far from perfect. It tries too hard to excuse western smog problems because of some issues with background ozone pollution and international transport. It also fails to recognize the many opportunities for cost-effective local pollution reductions and the importance of the national power plant standards that are under attack.

Western states have long been at the forefront of the methane conversation. In 2014, Colorado, under Governor Hickenlooper, became the first state in the nation to require companies to control their emissions. In 2015 Wyoming, under Governor Mead, also made strides to strengthen oil and gas rules to improve their state’s air quality. Since then, more and more companies and governments have followed suit. Most recently, California and Pennsylvania – both leading consumer and producers of natural gas – started requiring companies to reduce emissions, while other forward thinking companies like BP, Exxon and Shell, have also each recently agreed to set their own methane reduction targets.

http://blogs.edf.org/energyexchange/2018/06/28/bipartisan-western-governors-agree-methane-reductions-benefit-states/

[shanny]

30. Yes, they decided that plugging leaks was a good idea

... and one that was necessary because of the booming extraction industry, fostered by Frackenlooper himself.

"Smart and cost-effective regulations – ensuring that oil and natural gas is developed in the safest way possible – are in the best interest of all Colorado residents,” said Ted Brown, Noble Energy Senior Vice President, in a statement Sunday evening to FOX31 Denver. "We all want clean air, and we believe keeping methane in the pipeline and out of the air is the right thing to do."

Sorry, but keeping methane in the pipeline is not "the right thing to do," keeping it in the ground is.

Unless you don't think climate change is an issue, of course.

[brooklynite]

31. Here's the thing: I've asked Hickenlooper about this personally

Unless you imagine that GND is a viable political strategy (I don't), we're going to still need fossil fuels and natural gas for the foreseeable future. Hickenlooper says that the gas deposits in Colorado are a lot deeper than they are in NY and PA, so the risk of contaminating the water table is minimal.

In any event, here are your candidates:

Dan Baer (D) - Ex-US Ambassador & Ex-Depy Asst US Secretary of State
Diana Bray (D) - Psychologist & Envinronmental Activist
Ellen Burnes (D) - College Professor, Economist & Ex-Boulder County Democratic Chair
Kerry Donovan (D) - State Sen.
Mike Johnston (D) - Ex-State Sen., Businessman & Ex-High School Principal & '18 Gov Candidate
Dustin Leitzel (D) - Critical Care Pharmacist
Alice Madden (D) - Ex-State House Majority Leader, Attorney, University Official & Ex-Gubernatorial Aide
Andrew Romanoff (D) - Ex-State House Speaker, Attorney, '10 Candidate & '14 US Rep Candidate
John Walsh (D) - Ex-US Attorney

Which ones meet your exacting environmental standards and can win a Statewide race?

[shanny]

34. Unless you imagine continuing to extract and burn fossil fuels

is a viable strategy to forestall environmental collapse (I don't, and yes it really is that serious), then we are going to need a drastic overhaul of our entire energy system and society. "Partnerships" with fossil fuel companies and their proponents will do nothing but kick the can down the road, exactly what they have wanted for 50 years.

Btw, have you spent any time in CO? It's not just about the water table.

[brooklynite]

36. I don't need a lecture; I need a candidate who can win in CO

[shanny]

37. Pot, kettle?

My guy is Andrew Romanoff and yes, I know he has lost before, but the climate is different now.

[brooklynite]

40. "Mike Johnston says he has raised record $1.8 million for 2020 Senate bid"

Romanoff raised $504 K. Better get cracking...

https://www.fec.gov/data/elections/senate/CO/2020/

[shanny]

42. Indeed.

Btw, since electoral viability is your focus, why support Hickenlooper for president? Is he even polling above 1%?

Better get cracking.

[brooklynite]

44. Happy to explain...

I'm under no illusion that Hickenlooper will make it to the top tier. But of the six candidates I've met with personally (Hickenlooper, Swalwell, Bullock, Castro, Klobuchar and Harris), he's the most appealing because of his record as Governor (health care expansion, gun control, marijuana legalization) and his ability to relate to ordinary voters. I also think promoting a candidate from the Mountain West does the Party good, as opposed to being tagged as a Party of coastal elitists. I'll happily switch my support if a better candidate presents him/herself.

BTW - One thing I don't engage in in politics is emotional fandom. Feel free to take a stab at a candidate I like; I don't mind.

[redstatebluegirl]

5. Love this!

[dalton99a]

6. Such righteous rhetoric

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=146056

[IronLionZion]

46. Good points for both

and it's not mutually exclusive. Since many candidates can use the national attention as a springboard for state office after we have a nominee. In the meantime, it's good for our party to have lots of candidates promoting diverse, bold, well thought out policies compared to the steaming pile of hot garbage on the other side.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

7. There's the true battle...nt

[jimmil]

8. Cornyn will never be defeated in Texas....

No one knows what he does in Washington. As long as he does nothing except oppose anything remotely democratic people will love him. He's a douche.

[pazzyanne]

9. ...and what does that say about his voters?

[IronLionZion]

47. Texas has very low voter turnout

because people keep telling Dems that there's no hope. I would think demographic changes and an inspiring candidate could change that eventually.

[Honeycombe8]

16. What he does is....vote for Republican bills & against Dem. bills.

He's good for it. He does that reliably. That's all they need.

I don't think Beto could defeat him. Cornyn is immensely popular in Texas. Maybe Eugene Robinson means Beto could oust him because Beto is so popular in Texas that he could GOTV enough to beat him. Maybe. But if the votes are there to oust Cornyn, but those people refuse to show up unless they're energized enough by someone, well....the problem seems to be with the voters there.

Republicans have it goin' on in that state. They reliably show up to vote. They will show up in greater numbers in some years, but you can count on them to show up in healthy numbers in most years, no matter who their candidate is.

This civic duty believe starts at home, when people raise their little liberals. Democracy has many benefits, and has costs, too. You have to serve on a jury, and you have to vote.

[Funtatlaguy]

20. What if Castro was our Veep...could Beto then win Texas Senator?

[Honeycombe8]

23. What does Castro being VP have to do with Cornyn being Senator? nt

[Funtatlaguy]

24. Castro could help Prez ticket win Texas. Bring out Hispanic vote?

[Honeycombe8]

26. Oh, I see.

If the voters rely on someone "bringing them out," that means they'll just lose in the first election that the voters aren't "brought out."

As long as the Democrats in that state don't have a voter base that shows up to vote, no matter what, they won't own that state.

I don't know how popular Castro is in that state. The Democrats already have the Democratic-leaning urban areas in the state. What they need is the Democrats in other areas to show up and vote...if there are enough Democrats there.

Hispanics in that state mainly live in the Democratically-held urban areas, I think. Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio.

I don't know. But Cornyn wins because those urban areas aren't enough to overcome the many other areas of the state. Those are white working class voters, probably. A higher Hispanic count than in most other states, but still mainly white voters.

Obama had a strong GOTV initiative in that state. I lived in Dallas and had never seen so many people show up to vote. Lines were backed up. Obama won the urban areas hands down. He STILL didn't win the state.

[Lonestarblue]

33. I agree that it's an uphill battle.

But Beto came close to defeating Cruz in an off-year election, and the extreme gerrymandering in Texas has no effect in a Senate race. Beto is the only person with the name recognition who could take on Cornyn. MJ Hegar has announced, and I like her policies, but she’s relatively unknown in most of the state.

I do see one problem with Beto, though, and that is his statement that he is for no walls on the border. Texas was once part of Mexico, and we have have a significant population of Hispanics whose ancestors became citizens when the state joined the Union. They are not necessarily open to a border with no walls. Democratic candidates need a sensible immigration plan, not just one that is opposite what Trump is doing. For example, immigration numbers could be connected to our rate of unemployment so that citizens know they are not being displaced by immigrants. In addition, even with our low unemployment we know that several thousand jobs cannot be filled because there are no candidates with the necessary skills or who live where the jobs are. How about analyzing the skills needed and incentivizing companies to recruit from areas with high unemployment and training the workers needed.

And instead of filling our agricultural and meat producing industries with illegal workers, how about work permits for jobs that US workers refuse to do, with states monitoring wages to ensure that they are fair and do not undercut US workers. Talking about immigration probably feels like touching the third rail, but there’s opportunity there also to convince voters that a candidate will actually do something, which we know Republicans will not.

[pazzyanne]

10. From your words to the American voters - please!!!

[The Blue Flower]

11. 1000%

We also need to keep our good people in Congress.

[myohmy2]

13. "As the Republican Party has long understood, it's all about power."

...and it shows...

...republicans aggressively use every real or imagine ounce of power they have...Dems mostly sit, threaten and warn with their power...

...whether they like it or not, the average voter actually or intuitively understands power at play...we need to dramatically up our game...

...we not only need to respond dramatically and aggressively to trump and the republicans, we need to dramatically and aggressively pursue them with bulldog aggression and determination...

...in the process we might look like strong leaders defending our country and the American people's interest...

...

[Duppers]

14. BRAVO, Eugene!

So right!

[Funtatlaguy]

15. Schumer and DSCC Chair Masto need to beg them.

Not sure what would work, but Schumer and Masto REALLY need to coax some of these people or find the best other alternative in those states.
Otherwise, we win the White House and McConnell blocks everything as he did with Obama.

This is Masto. I had to google her. That’s how quiet a Senator she has been.
https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/report-catherine-cortez-masto-lead-dscc-2020

[Funtatlaguy]

17. Mitch McConnell is the 👿. He's a crook, a liar, and a 🐢 faced asshole.

[Funtatlaguy]

21. I have 2 words for anyone who disagrees. Merrick Garland

[Bernardo de La Paz]

22. 20 also-rans plus 3,4,5 strong candidates is unhelpful. Eliminate the also-rans ASAP!

Before the debates! It's nonsense to have a debate with 16 people like the Republicons did, allowing tRump to rise.

[ColesCountyDem]

25. At this juncture, it's presumptuous to suggest that candidates withdraw

'Natural selection' of the electoral kind will rapidly thin the field of candidates, so why court anger and resentment among the supporters of Candidate A, B, C, etc.? I know firsthand how it feels to have people telling the candidate I prefer to withdraw. At some later date, after our primary voters have had a chance to cast votes in a good number of states, it may then be a more appropriate time to suggest that candidates withdraw and run for other offices.

I'm a 'yellow dog' Democratic voter, so I'll vote for our nominee, but other voters are not yellow dog Democrats, and their votes carry the same weight that mine does.

Don't say you weren't warned.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

28. Bet Howard Dean would have been all over that

Before it happened.

[marble falls]

29. I absolutely agree. We should have no sitting Democratic Senators in the the run ...

The Senate is a key battleground.

I think Beto could beat Cornyn.

[njhoneybadger]

32. What he said

[Perseus]

35. 100% Correct

I continue to compare what is happening here to what happened in Venezuela because having lived the Venezuela experimentm although from afar but with closeness nonetheless, I see the same path here. In 2007 Hugo Chavez called for a referendum of the of his presidency, and until then the opposition had been united, but then they saw an open door for them to become president and wham!, they all run in different directions to try to dethrone Chavez. Chavez, without moving a finger had managed to divide and once united opposition...the result? Chavez won in a landslide, not one of those power seekers even came close.

The same is happening here, they have managed to put the efforts in the wrong cause, those Democrats who are below 5% should think it over and get out from running, and instead like Robinson suggests, run for the Senate.

[denvine]

38. You are absolutely right!

The senate is just as important as the presidency. We need to protect and expand any advantages we have in some of the courts because in the end, it all comes down to the courts. Plus, we need to get rid of that smug corrupted turtle.

[Rebl2]

39. Totally Agree!

[colsohlibgal]

41. Exactly

There is still time for them to figure that out and go for it.

Without taking back the Senate.....The Notorious RBG will not live forever, we need to get serious about getting the Turtle back to his terrarium.....if we don’t we may not take back the Supreme Court for decades.

We already have a good feel for who really has any kind of chance, there are prime Senate possibilities among the rest.

[Indygram]

43. Bullcrap...

All of these people who insist that Beto would beat Cornyn (who is more popular in Texas than Cruz was) then he is a 100% SURE THING to beat Trump...so he should be your #1 choice since beating Trump is the number one most important thing.

MJ Hegar is running against Cornyn. She rides a Harley. She is a war hero. She strapped herself to the outside of a freaking helicopter, returning fire after having been shot. Support her. She has EARNED that with her service.

And finally, if any of the people who keep telling Beto (or anyone else) what office they are allowed to run for REALLY gave two sh*ts about the Senate they would be calling for all the Senators running to drop out and stay put to guarantee those seats are not lost.

[highplainsdem]

45. Agree completely.