# Hee-haw, y'all. The 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 12, 2018, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415 "2018-11-12T17:52:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 142
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2019, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/2821 "2019-11-28T23:34:15Z")
It is is extremely hard to call that a “hindsight is 20/20” situation. Almost cowardly. Even the Dems like Clinton who voted supposedly to avert war, the whole thing was still to show Iraq just how big America’s balls were. It was dangerous sabre rattling at best. Eta: the moral of story is don’t sabre rattle around your big balls. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2019, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/2822 "2019-11-29T02:01:24Z")
> [@divemaster](#): > > Biden will be the nominee. He was \*always \*going to be the nominee. No sir, YOU are the nominee. You’ve _always_ been the nominee. I ought to know: I’ve _always_ been here. Love, [Delbert Grady](https://stephenking.fandom.com/wiki/Delbert_Grady) ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2019, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/2823 "2019-11-30T20:19:49Z")
**Thing Fish** , thanks for that analysis of the state polls. IMO Sanders has a lot of vulnerabilities which would be exposed in GOP attack ads in the general. Biden is much more of a known figure to the general public so he is less vulnerable so overall I think he is the best bet though I understand the worries about his age and sharpness. ---
**Author:** ![divemaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/divemaster/32/78_2.png) [@divemaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/divemaster)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2019, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/2824 "2019-11-30T21:05:23Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > No sir, YOU are the nominee. You’ve _always_ been the nominee. I ought to know: I’ve _always_ been here. > > Love, > [Delbert Grady](https://stephenking.fandom.com/wiki/Delbert_Grady) Ha! Clever! ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2019, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/2825 "2019-12-01T05:58:39Z")
> [@Lantern](#): > > Biden is much more of a known figure to the general public so he is less vulnerable so overall I think he is the best bet though … Plus he scares the bejesus out of Chump. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/2826 "2019-12-03T18:27:17Z")
Kamala Harris dropping out: [Kamala Harris ends 2020 presidential campaign | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/03/politics/kamala-harris-ends-presidential-bid/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/2827 "2019-12-03T22:18:37Z")
As far as I’m concerned, Joe Biden is still the best, although Pete Buttigieg intrigues me. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2019, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/2828 "2019-12-04T00:20:37Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > As far as I’m concerned, Joe Biden is still the best, although Pete Buttigieg intrigues me. Mayor Pete in 2028! ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2019, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/2829 "2019-12-04T04:10:40Z")
If he doesn’t win the nomination he’d best run for Senator or governor. His mayoral record is nothing special, he needs to prove he’s a good executive. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2019, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/2830 "2019-12-04T05:30:03Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > If he doesn’t win the nomination he’d best run for Senator or governor. His mayoral record is nothing special, he needs to prove he’s a good executive. He could get a Seat on the Cabinet. ---
**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 4, 2019, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/2831 "2019-12-04T05:54:09Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > If he doesn’t win the nomination he’d best run for Senator or governor. His mayoral record is nothing special, he needs to prove he’s a good executive. He’s not gonna win statewide office in Indiana, and his Congressional district is pretty red. The Cabinet isn’t much of a launching pad for the presidency. He needs to leave Indiana. We’d be happy to have him in Michigan, as Congressman or even Senator when Stabenow retires. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2019, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/2832 "2019-12-04T06:14:38Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > He’s not gonna win statewide office in Indiana, and his Congressional district is pretty red. The Cabinet isn’t much of a launching pad for the presidency. He needs to leave Indiana. We’d be happy to have him in Michigan, as Congressman or even Senator when Stabenow retires. There was a Dem Gov of Indiana as recently as 2005. And Dem senator recently left in 2019. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2019, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/2833 "2019-12-04T06:16:53Z")
I suspect the real issue is that winning statewide office in Indiana would make him unnominatable in a Democratic primary. ---
**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 4, 2019, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/2834 "2019-12-04T06:20:46Z")
So as we inch toward the first votes of the 2020 primary, I want to go on the record (if only for my own self-interest): If the primary were held today in my state (Michigan), I would hands-down vote for Joe Biden. Yes, I really, really like Warren (she’s actually already gotten money from my household), but I’m fully on board believing Joe is the candidate for the times we live in. Plus, a week or so ago, he mentioned in an interview that Sally Yates was on his radar for veep, which gives me optimism. I’ve been a fan of hers for running mate for a few months now, and to hear him articulate what I’ve been thinking about gives me hope that he’s thinking along the same lines I am. I can definitely vote for him, old age and sloppy tongue and all. Biden-Yates would be my dream ticket as of now. So, to continue this line of thought (and I don’t really know that we need another thread to have this discussion): Who would you vote for if the primary were today in your state? ---
**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 4, 2019, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/2835 "2019-12-04T06:24:00Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > I suspect the real issue is that winning statewide office in Indiana would make him unnominatable in a Democratic primary. Yes. A Democrat winning statewide office in Indiana these days is not a Democrat that will do well in a Democratic primary in most other states. He would have to swing so far right that he’d be a Republican in every other Midwestern state. ---
**Author:** ![Boycott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boycott/32/6741_2.png) [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2019, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/2836 "2019-12-04T13:31:50Z")
Personally I’m inclined to support Klobuchar. I want someone who understands the realities of DC politics and has the responsiblity to be honest about it but also who is going to be a good incumbent in 2024. I just don’t think someone who crosses 80 years old ought to be running again for a second term but the flipside is I don’t think a 37 year old whose resume in elected office is flimsy ought to jump from a mayor of a small town to ‘leader of the free world’. I look at Klobuchar and see someone who is about the perfect age for the presidency, who has a record of getting bills passed while others just talk, who wins elections in a so-called purple state. She might be boring but I don’t care. Boring \> chaos and boring but effective \> charismatic but ineffective. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2019, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/2837 "2019-12-04T14:18:50Z")
If the nominee had to be someone in the more moderate side of the party, I’d much rather have Klobuchar than either Biden or Buttigieg. I think the latter two would both get rolled by the Republicans as President (if they won), the former because his mind’s still back when TipnRonnie could sit down and come to an agreement, and the latter because he really doesn’t know shit. The vibe I get from Klobuchar is that she’s not easily rolled. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2019, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/2838 "2019-12-04T14:33:40Z")
I’ve met Sen. Klobuchar and heard her speak, and would be inclined to support her were it not for recurring reports that she’s an ogre to those who work for her. > **[How Amy Klobuchar Treats Her Staff (Published 2019)](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/22/us/politics/amy-klobuchar-staff.html)** > > Interviews with more than two dozen former staff members and internal emails reviewed by The Times reveal demeaning and unusual behavior by Ms. Klobuchar toward her subordinates. > **[Terrified Aides Say Senator Klobuchar Is Just Like Trump](https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/02/senator-klobuchar-temper-rumors)** > > Rumors about Klobuchar’s temper are exploding into public view just as she prepares to make a 2020 announcement. > **[Exposing Amy Klobuchar's Mistreatment Of Staff Is Not Sexist](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/amy-klobuchar-sexism_n_5c705bd3e4b00eed08341067)** > > Former staffers say they're frustrated that many Democrats and journalists have dismissed reports of her behavior. ---
**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 4, 2019, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/2839 "2019-12-04T14:41:49Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > If the nominee had to be someone in the more moderate side of the party, I’d much rather have Klobuchar than either Biden or Buttigieg. > > I think the latter two would both get rolled by the Republicans as President (if they won), the former because his mind’s still back when TipnRonnie could sit down and come to an agreement, and the latter because he really doesn’t know shit. The vibe I get from Klobuchar is that she’s not easily rolled. I agree with this. I think Klobuchar is an exceptionally smart and skilled Senator, and even if she isn’t the most skilled communicator (i.e. not on the level of Reagan, Bill Clinton, or Obama), I think her other skills make up for this relative lack (and she’s not bad at this at all – way better than Hillary, IMO). My preferences, in order, right now: Warren/Sanders (I’m fine with either one) Klobuchar Booker Castro Buttigieg Yang Steyer Tulsi Biden/Bloomberg ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2019, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/2840 "2019-12-04T16:06:47Z")
Not a fan of Biden but I think he is the nominee unless he has a major scandal or health problem. A main reason is older voters really like Biden and they vote at a much higher rate than younger people. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415.md?page=141) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415.md?page=143)