I'm going to say something good about Democratic candidates other than my choice.

[GaYellowDawg]

Bernie Sanders: I think he's pushed the Democratic Party back towards the left. "Centrist" is not a bad word for me, but I think we needed liberal Democratic candidates, and I think Sanders has brought a lot of candidates out who are not afraid to declare themselves as liberal.

Pete Buttigieg: So many positives. Very strong speaker. Very charismatic. He's very able to anticipate attacks, and stand them on their heads. Witness what he's done to Mike Pence. The first candidate whom I'm sure is as intelligent as President Obama. I'm sure he will be very, very capable in debates.

Amy Klobuchar: Tough. Speaking in the snow doesn't particularly impress me, but her demeanor during the Kavanaugh hearings sure as hell did.

Joe Biden: Genuine. Compassionate. Is known and respected internationally.

Beto O’Rourke: Charismatic. Passionate. Able to inspire others.

Cory Booker: Compassionate and charismatic. A strong speaker who would have been very standout in any other years.

Elizabeth Warren: Highly intellectual. Has changed her views from conservative to liberal based on experiences and data, not ideology. Pragmatic yet ambitious in her economic plans.

Eric Swalwell: A very strong legislator. I like his stances on healthcare and gun control.

I don't know the other candidates well enough to comment. No offense intended.

[sazemisery]

1. Thanks k&r

Glad to see your positive opinions on the candidates.

[plimsoll]

2. I'm hurt.

I'd say the same things in general. I'm not as big a fan of Corey Booker he's a bit to pro business for me, but he also seems to see the limits of what business can do.

But.....Where's my candidate?

[GaYellowDawg]

23. I'm sorry.

I haven’t homework on him. Flawed poster, not a flawed candidate.

[plimsoll]

24. Don't be, it was said somewhat tongue in cheek.

Getting any national attention is a good thing for a politician from Washington. Jay understands Washington D.C. (we are not the other Washington!) and has been an effective legislator, but he has not really been a national voice.

[pdsimdars]

3. I want them all. . . and that's why I think whoever wins should put all the others in the cabinet

in appropriate places of their strength. Wouldn't that be fantastic? It's not like we're losing our favorite candidate if they lose, we are gaining a very strong leader in some area of government. And we'll need them to fix the mess the GOP had made.

[demtenjeep]

5. I don't think we should put them all in the cabinet...we still need their seats in congress

if they don't win, we need them in their seats

[DesertRat]

16. I agree with this. nt

[LisaM]

18. Agreed, look what happened in Arizona when Janet Napolitano left her post as governor.

Arizona ended up with that awful "Papers Please" Jan Brewer, which IMO helped fuel some of the rage at immigrants and led indirectly to some of Trump's wall rhetoric (plus she was disrespectful to President Obama on a major scale).

Don't take them into the Cabinet in this day and age without a safe replacement.

[BigmanPigman]

7. I agree!

[TNNurse]

4. Thanks, this is what I think we should be doing.

Say something positive. The GOP will find plenty of negatives and we do not need to help them.

[The Mouth]

8. So true.

They obviously read this board and other such forums, to find what issues resonate negatively within the Democratic party. It's a smart thing to know which topic or tactic will sow dissension in the ranks of one's opponents, Sun Tzu knew this well. Just as there is a chasm between the Libertarian right and the Christian right, and any time that chasm can be widened or arguments provoked, such as between the social conservatives and the 'leave me the hell alone' conservatives, fun ensues. Nothing new to party politics. The divide between liberals/Democrats who view problems in the context of Race, versus those who view things in the context of Economics was carefully and consistently exploited in 2016, both at the national and local levels. That's just how the game is played and always has been since there have been parties/factions.

[The Mouth]

6. Thanks. Agree 100%

Building the case for one's candidate is good. Attacking other Democrats not good.

[True Dough]

9. I'm going to say something nice about GaYellowDawg

Good on you for leading by example. Kudos!

[BobTheSubgenius]

10. Just naming them as "Democratic candidates" is already saying something good about them.

The field is a bit too crowded, IMO, but there are several extremely good candidates this cycle.

[FailureToCommunicate]

11. Civility breaking out on the Primary pages?!?

Dat's crazy man.

[Delmette2.0]

12. That is want we need to hear.

Positive remarks about everyone running. This is how we end up all supporting the final candidate.

[Catch2.2]

13. Thank you!!!!

Attacking our own will guarantee another 4 years of Trump. I'm tired of the bashing that goes on here towards Dem candidates. You may like some candidates better than other, but by starting threads bashing the candidates you don't like does not help our cause at all! Thank you for starting this thread! For the record, I would be happy with ANY of the current Dem candidates.

[forgotmylogin]

14. Too many good choices!

I just want this cast to replace the current cast for the next season, please.

[onit2day]

15. Not supporting the Green New Deal or FDR ideology is a turn off for me.

One thing I caution is running a moderate with years of baggage. According to all the political polls of what people claim they want the country is liberal and left. Some claim the center is Republican light but it's not. The center is left, FDR left, Democratic socialism left but for sure we need bold action if we are to survive due to climate change, global warming and nuclear weapons threat. We must act immediately just to survive and ensure our freedom...our economic freedom especially (wealth inequality). I am proud that all our candidates show a core of progressive leadership which puts country and people first over corporate power and money. I'd vote for any of them in a heartbeat but I feel Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren best reflect my views and are proven to be honest, experienced, and will fight for the people''s rights for wealth equality, health care and transparency, with the help and support of all our other amazing candidates.

[question everything]

17. Klobuchar did not choose to "speak in the snow"

Instead of having Colbert looking lovingly at her eyes, holding her hand while declaring a candidacy the way Gillibrand did; or announcing on "Good morning America" the way Harris did, and some other "clever" venues, Klobuchar went to a public park by the Mississippi to emphasize it importance in our country. She did not plan on a snow storm but in Minnesota one can never know.

If a tornado hit a Beto's announcement, would you hold it against him?

Klobuchar is the only one who came with at least one concrete plan: National infrastructure Plan that includes also water treatment and flood control

https://www.democraticunderground.com/128746785

[GaYellowDawg]

22. Hey now.

Lots of people made a big deal about that. I was trying to say that her demeanor during the Kavanaugh hearing was impressive - and I was trying to give her a substantive compliment. No need to bristle.

[murielm99]

19. Thank you.

[Buzz cook]

20. Each candidate has positives

And all are miles beyond their ultimate opponent.

Jay Inslee is right that global climate change is the greatest challange we face. He is also right that fighting that will lead to a bunch of benefits, both economic and social.

Pete Buttigieg is an inspiring person and I like his bringing up matters of faith in the face of how faithless the republicans are.

Amy Klobucher is a strong centrist and represents the back bone of the party well.

Beto O'Rourke put his thumb in Ted Cruz' eye. What's not to like about that?

Cory Booker in his official announcement this week was a great speaker and I can see him in the Whitehouse.

Bernie Sanders has changed the whole conversation we are having.

[corbettkroehler]

21. This Sanders Supporter Likes Harris, et al.

I like your candidate very much and appreciate your egalitarian viewpoint of the field.

[Iggo]

25. I like 'em all. (n/t)

[sfwriter]

26. I don't get why Booker isn't doing better.

He seems to have the same insider vibe as Harris withou any visible return for it.

I’m also surprised Warren isn’t doing well. That may have to wait for the debates.

[Power 2 the People]

27. You are a credit to our party GaYellowDawg.

[Maru Kitteh]

28. I'll give it a go!

Jay Inslee: His push on climate change is absolutely spot-on and NEEDED in this time, NOW. Also, he is my baby granddaughter's governor. Ties it all together symbolically for me.

Kamala Harris: She was my early first choice and I'm still rooting for her! She is like a human magnet for other humans! Her intelligence and strength is obviously vast and deep, and she really connects with people.

Amy Klobuchar: Amazing leadership. Her ability to walk on a progressive path through less than favorable territory cannot be ignored.

Joe Biden: Joe absolutely inspires love and compassion and shows in an authentic way how that compassion sprang from a very ordinary early life and a genuine call to service. Joe is my other second choice right now with Kamala. Love him.

Beto O’Rourke: Full disclosure - I lived in El Paso for six years so . . .. mayyybeee a little biased! His energy and positive attitude is absolutely infectious. If he fleshes out his creds a little, he could fly like a rocket.

Elizabeth Warren: Undeniable toughness and strength of character. Fierce intellect. Her determination is commemorated on a bracelet I wear frequently "Nevertheless, she persisted."

Cory Booker: Holy smokes! It would be SO refreshing and AWESOME to have a vegan in the White House. Think about it - this would lead, FINALLY, to all kinds of conversations in the media about the environmental impacts of factory farming, the health benefits, compassion for animals . . . Mainstreaming a plant-based lifestyle could have a major impact on how many people think.

Eric Swalwell: Such a quick mind, and he has proven absolutely tireless in the fight against the degradation of our democratic institutions. No matter how his campaign goes, we owe him great respect for this alone.

Andrew Yang: I had heard that his platform relied heavily on the challenges of automation and universal basic income and I'll freely admit - I thought whooooaaah boy. Here we go! But on the way to work one day (50min commute) I listened to an interview of his and I was seriously impressed with how he explained his positions and defended their practicality.

[watoos]

29. I'm inspired by this thread,

The only way we lose in 2020 is if we fight among ourselves.

Let's also not forget that we need the millennials to get out and vote like they did in 2018.

Honestly, I think we need a tough as nails candidate to beat Trump.

[Demsrule86]

30. Yeah that would be great for sure,,,we can then lose all senate races that have moderates

like Arizona and Nevada, perhaps even the house...we won the house with moderates 31 of them. And if we go too far left in our nominee , we lose. In order to win rustbelt states we need a moderate. Trumps first term was awful but his second will be far worse and if they get a 6/3 in SCOTUS, we are truly fucked. Wishful thinking based on nothing that is real will give Trump another term. I know many here think anyone can beat Trump but it is simply untrue.

[PDittie]

31. Mike Gravel has

impressed me (or at least his Tweets have). I'd like to see him make the debates.

Likewise Tulsi Gabbard, whom I was initially not inclined to like when she first announced.

I wish that Elizabeth Warren was doing better in the polling. She is solid and working hard.

(It seems very strange that in a cycle which has so many well-qualified women and people of color running, four of the five early leaders are white men. I'm really hoping that changes.)

[ancianita]

32. Totally agree. This is the DU I love to see. Praise, not purity. Highlighting, not infighting.