# 2020 Prez hopefuls... your take or your candidates **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 12, 2017, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413 "2017-11-12T07:52:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413/202 "2017-12-11T18:51:16Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > What’s wrong with Newsome? San Francisco Politian. SF is well known for corrupt politics. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413/203 "2017-12-11T18:53:31Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > If\*\* adahe\*\*r thinks Harris could be good for the Dems, what does that say about her? :eek: > 😛 I actually don’t like Harris at all, I just think she’s good for bringing out black and progressive and young voters in the VP slot, and she won’t make trouble for the top of the ticket. The one I think is actually good for Democrats is Joe Biden. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413/204 "2017-12-11T19:14:44Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > I get the feeling though that the Bernie Bros aren’t interested in compromising with the mainstream of the party. If they get their guy on top, the VP is going to be just as progressive. I don’t think The progressive wing is really that strong. They are sizable, and vocal, but much of Bernie’s support was from moderates who couldn’t believe the party was could be stupid enough to put someone as disgusting and likely to lose a Hillary on the ballot. Plus the Trump/Moore taint will drive more centrists and even Pubs to the Dems in 2020, pulling the party average that way. I think the Primary winner will be a Hickenlooper type if not him, moderate, business oriented, and without much public exposure to be used as baggage against. Then as a clear gesture for party unity, the VP will be someone like Harris. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413/205 "2017-12-11T19:24:30Z")
I also think the winner will be a mainstream candidate as well, and a progressive could be the VP. I was actually kinda surprised that Clinton gave the progressive wing precisely nothing when she nominated Tim Kaine as VP. I mean, it was a great choice in terms of someone being ready to be President on Day 1. I respected the choice a great deal for that reason. But man, she just didn’t throw them a bone at all. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413/206 "2017-12-11T19:29:31Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > I respected the choice a great deal for that reason. But man, she just didn’t throw them a bone at all. She’s as bad as Trump in needing the spotlight, she wasn’t going to share the stage with anybody who had more going for them than a pulse. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413/207 "2017-12-11T19:34:31Z")
I actually think that one of her good qualities was a sense of responsibility. Tim Kaine was a very responsible choice. Democrats in general have actually taken the VP picks very seriously. I’d take Kaine, Biden, Edwards, Lieberman, Gore, and Bentsen over Quayle, Kemp, Cheney, Palin, Ryan, and Pence any day. Not that I don’t like some of those Republicans, but Republicans have been more prone to gimmick picks. And the fact that the base often clamors for Democratic gimmick picks(Julian Castro?) and get ignored says a lot about how seriously Democratic candidates take the process. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413/208 "2017-12-11T19:37:48Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > I’m pessimistic because I think we’re entering a phase of disorientation. By that I mean, we’re really and truly entering the beginning stages of democracy’s death throes, when people on the one hand see assaults on democracy but still operate on the assumption, the hope that enough reasonable people will rush to democracy’s rescue. Information is a critical component of a functioning democracy. We’re being bombarded almost daily with misinformation. A lot of people over the past year have recognized that we’re consuming false information and we’ve expressed outrage on a frequent basis. At the same time, the perpetual sense of outrage leaves us both confused and, to a degree, desensitized. We’re confused in the sense that we ask ourselves, “Did I see what I think I just saw? Did I read what I think I just read? Did he really effing say that?!” And of course he did. But then we accept it and move on. But more than that, we’re not just talking about statements or retweets; we’re talking about real, executive and legislative actions. Trump really did execute a Muslim ban. Trump really is deporting illegal immigrants. Trump really is trying to destroy Obamacare inexplicably. Trump really is using federal office to enrich himself. Trump, a Republican president, really is blocking a corporate media merger because he just doesn’t like what some people on CNN say about him. Trump really is trying to use the FCC to concentrate corporate power and also threatening to take away broadcasting licenses to punish another critical network. Any of these would have been perceived as an outrage by a former president; they’re a daily occurrence in this White House. And we’re getting used to it. And we’re going to get used to much, much worse I’m afraid. Tell me why I’m wrong. > > As I’ve said before: it doesn’t take a majority of people to destroy a democracy; it only requires that a majority of people do nothing to stop its destruction. May I remind you that Hitler’s Nazi party came to power by winning only 37% of the vote in the early 1930s. And not everyone voted. When you look and see that Donald Trump’s approval rating is at about 38%, what does this tell you? > [@asahi](#): > > I sincerely hope that I turn out to be wrong to the point of ridicule on this one, but I am beginning to think that short of a massive economic collapse, Trump will win re-election in 2020. > > A major reason for my continued pessimism is my sense that Democrats and progressives broadly are just too divided, disorganized, and confused to put up effective resistance. I could be wrong, but it seems like there is a looming fight for the soul of the progressive cause and what it means to be a progressive. There are a lot of centrists like myself who have believed that we don’t need a revolution, that we can make things better with a return to a more progressive form of neo-liberalism. However, even before the election, there was obviously a strong voice of dissent, which advocated a more aggressive approach and insisted on things like a higher minimum wage, medicare for all, and a host of other progressive proposals that went beyond what a lot of center-left progressives were comfortable with. > > I’ve been among those who have felt that we just unity for the sake of unifying against Trump, but that may not be possible. In fact, I suspect that there’s a kind of Trump feedback loop happening within the leftist ranks. As Trump’s party becomes more and more outrageous and extreme, it makes it harder for progressives to take centrists seriously. There’s a growing animosity toward compromise on both sides. > > In the short-term, I think what this means is that there will be a lot of divisiveness. I think Republicans are in a better position to capitalize on these divisions. They have the economic power, and they have the political power in most places. **Unfortunately, I think the only people who can stop the Republican march into the abyss are conservatives themselves. It will take a lot of conservatives to get to the point where they have no choice but to look around and see the carnage their votes have created.** [sgs7’s emphasis] I am afraid there is much wisdom in **asahi** ’s writings here. But I wonder who these conservatives are of which he speaks. Moderate Democrats?? Susan Collins? Returning to OP’s question, I am saddened by the offerings. Brown? What’s he? 80 years old? Even Trumka would be 70 when inaugurated. Among women … How old is Feinstein? 90? > [@AHunter3](#): > > In the name of healing the country, [Susan Collins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Collins) for President. Competent, extremely ethical and honest. Republican. Pro-choice. Fiscally moderate. Definitely not a puppet of any political faction including her own party. I’m not in love with all her positions on all issues but the country would be in good hands. Yeah. Collins, the fiscal moderate who fell for Ryan’s lie and voted for the worst tax plan in history. :smack: I Googled her to see if she could be excused by mental impairment due to old age but she’s younger than Lizzie Warren! The betting sites may confirm **asahi** ’s prediction. Trump is about even-money to finish his full term, and if he then runs for re-election he’ll be the favorite. Where is Emperor Hussein the Messiah when we need him? :rolleyes: ☹ ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413/209 "2017-12-11T20:57:34Z")
If there is hope, it lies in the proles. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413/210 "2017-12-11T21:13:54Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > San Francisco Politian. SF is well known for corrupt politics. So is Chicago, but no one thought Obama was corrupt. I don’t live in California, but I thought Newsome was well regarded. I’m willing to hear evidence to the contrary ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413/211 "2017-12-11T22:32:28Z")
Well, I didn’t think Obama was corrupt, but I didn’t think anyone coming out of Chicago who didn’t have a history of being pro-reform was ever going to be a reformist President. And I was right. Obama was a go along to get along type in Chicago. He didn’t partake in corruption but he wasn’t interested in rocking the boat either. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413/212 "2017-12-11T22:42:16Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Well, I didn’t think Obama was corrupt, but I didn’t think anyone coming out of Chicago who didn’t have a history of being pro-reform was ever going to be a reformist President. And I was right. > > Obama was a go along to get along type in Chicago. He didn’t partake in corruption but he wasn’t interested in rocking the boat either. He was an incrementalist. And he successfully made some incremental changes. We’ll see if they continue in that direction, but he got some things started (health care, Cuba, Iran, etc.). ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413/213 "2017-12-12T00:20:50Z")
I looked up videos of Trumka, trying honestly to see what there was about him that suggests that he’d be a good candidate. I’m sorry - I’m just not seeing it. I really tried. I watched videos of his speeches. He sounds like he’s very knowledgeable and passionate about running a labor union, which is what his job is. He does not sound articulate enough, exciting enough, and _entertaining_ enough to be the centerpiece of the Democrats’ battle to unseat Trump in 2020. I’m not trying to shit all over your enthusiasm for the guy, **Happy Lendervedder** …I mean, even though that is kind of what I’m doing, but I don’t mean it personally - I am just really not seeing the potential of this guy to be a presidential candidate. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413/214 "2017-12-12T12:50:51Z")
I’ve thought for a while that someone like Tulsi Gabbard might be what the party needs. First of all, most importantly…she’s easy on the eyes. Oh wait, I can’t say that anymore. Seriously, I think her candidacy checks several boxes. She’s a visible minority, she’s female, and…she’s a veteran of the military. She’s well-rounded. I don’t get the sense that she’s hard left, but I think she even endorsed Bernie Sanders. She’s from Hawaii, which is the birthplace of a popular Democratic icon. I’d like to see what she can make of herself. But even if she falls, there might be others who could step up. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413/215 "2017-12-12T14:54:13Z")
Tammy Duckworth has the same qualities plus more experience. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413/216 "2017-12-12T17:21:19Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > I’ve thought for a while that someone like Tulsi Gabbard might be what the party needs. First of all, most importantly…she’s easy on the eyes. Oh wait, I can’t say that anymore. > > Seriously, I think her candidacy checks several boxes. She’s a visible minority, she’s female, and…she’s a veteran of the military. She’s well-rounded. I don’t get the sense that she’s hard left, but I think she even endorsed Bernie Sanders. She’s from Hawaii, which is the birthplace of a popular Democratic icon. I’d like to see what she can make of herself. But even if she falls, there might be others who could step up. I could see her as Veep, but only if the prez is from the South or Rust belt or midwest. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413/217 "2017-12-12T17:30:25Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I could see her as Veep, but only if the prez is from the South or Rust belt or midwest. I agree with this about Gabbard. My biggest hangup with her is she’s Buddhist; I don’t know if the American people are ready for that, and I’m not sure I’m ready to take that risk against the orange yam in 2020. With a diverse #2 on the ticket (which I think is critically important), I also think the top of the ticket needs to be at least two of these three: 1) White, 2) Male, 3) Executive position (gov, mayor). ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413/218 "2017-12-12T17:41:24Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > I agree with this about Gabbard. My biggest hangup with her is she’s Buddhist; I don’t know if the American people are ready for that, and I’m not sure I’m ready to take that risk against the orange yam in 2020. With a diverse #2 on the ticket (which I think is critically important), I also think the top of the ticket needs to be at least two of these three: 1) White, 2) Male, 3) Executive position (gov, mayor). And not from the West or the NorthEast. ---
**Author:** ![gatorslap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gatorslap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gatorslap)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413/219 "2017-12-12T19:40:49Z")
Harris is a progressive but she’s not way out on the fringe. She also was a prosecutor. I would think that would lend her a little crossover appeal. Some of the hard left dislike her for that very reason. She’d make a good VP. I don’t think she has the political skills to be successful at the top of the ticket, nor to win the nomination. I don’t know why more people aren’t talking about Sherrod Brown. He’s from a red-leaning swing state. Both progressives and moderates seem to like him. He’s skeptical of free trade, one of Trump’s major campaign issues. And he’s a heterosexual white Protestant male. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413/220 "2017-12-12T19:45:00Z")
> [@gatorslap](#): > > Harris is a progressive but she’s not way out on the fringe. She also was a prosecutor. I would think that would lend her a little crossover appeal. Some of the hard left dislike her for that very reason. She’d make a good VP. I don’t think she has the political skills to be successful at the top of the ticket, nor to win the nomination. > > I don’t know why more people aren’t talking about Sherrod Brown. He’s from a red-leaning swing state. Both progressives and moderates seem to like him. He’s skeptical of free trade, one of Trump’s major campaign issues. And he’s a heterosexual white Protestant male. I didn’t realize this until recently, but there’s a domestic violence issue in his past with his first wife. She’s now a supporter of his, and has publicly made statements in support of him and hand-waving away the police and news reports that involved her, their kids and new husband. I haven’t found any good info that says there’s no credibility to the original accusations of abuse, so…I don’t know, but it may be something that keeps him from ascending to the White House. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413/221 "2017-12-12T19:57:04Z")
Tulsi Gabbard is pure scum, she certainly should never be considered for dogcatcher, much less VP. Clinton was smart to pick Kaine and ignore the ‘progressives.’ Those progressive ass clowns who wouldn’t vote for Clinton because she didn’t meet their purity test would still have done their pouting and stayed home, voted 3rd party, or a silly write in. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-prez-hopefuls-your-take-or-your-candidates/801413.md?page=12)