# Hee-haw, y'all. The 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415>\
**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:** 22

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**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\
**Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/421 "2019-01-30T03:51:54Z")

</div>

> [@septimus](#):
>
> I’d have pursued it myself if I knew the correct tools! I ended up doing some R\_to\_Excel conversion followed by an Excel\_to\_csv conversion, by which time the data had been so mangled my patience was out. _ **R** _ could probably do anything I can do, and more, but the thrill of dusting off my own hand-written statistics tools was part of my incentive in the first place. 🙂

I’m curious about this. Generally R exports to csv. Is it a plain text file that needs some parsing? Or is it some weird binary serialization of an R dataframe? Or something even more exotic?

If it’s plain text can you post a couple lines within code tags?

---

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**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:** [January 30, 2019, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/422 "2019-01-30T04:59:20Z")

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[Eric Garcetti’s not going to run.](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/427559-garcetti-wont-run-for-president)

This surprises the heck out of me. He’s been talking this up for a couple years now it seems, traveling to the early states, making a case for a mayor to be a serious contender for the WH. I thought, if nothing else, he’d make a run to be considered as an eventual running mate.

I’m also a little disappointed. I was looking forward to having a lot of voices and perspectives up on the big stage, including Garcetti’s.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\
**Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/423 "2019-01-30T11:59:17Z")

</div>

> [@Lance\_Turbo](#):
>
> [Marianne Williamson](https://twitter.com/marwilliamson/status/1089890607764463616)

I’m put off by her self-description:

> [@](#):
>
> Activist, author, entrepreneur - and mother!

Wow! You successfully reproduced! Well done, you! _Speaking as a father_ I’m all for parenthood but it doesn’t suddenly imbue you with magic powers that make your opinion on things unrelated to parenting somehow more valid, and it’s certainly not a reason to vote for someone (or not).

And while I’m all for her various social justice causes in principle, writing a bunch of books on “spiritual psychotherapy” earns her a gigantic “Nope” from me.

Get over yourself, Marianne. You came in fourth in a House race so clearly the country isn’t crying out for you. Or are your book sales slumping?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [January 30, 2019, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/424 "2019-01-30T13:46:01Z")

</div>

> [@Lance\_Turbo](#):
>
> I’m curious about this. Generally R exports to csv. Is it a plain text file that needs some parsing? Or is it some weird binary serialization of an R dataframe? Or something even more exotic?
> 
> If it’s plain text can you post a couple lines within code tags?

Here are the first eight lines of one of the files I ended up with. My complaint was just that the data had been expanded into long strings (e.g. “Very\_conservative” instead of just 0 on a scale) — I’d have to squeeze all that toothpaste back into the tube to deal with it. It’s quite likely my conversion effort was flawed, and that this expansion to strings was a ‘friendly’ feature of my wrong effort.

```auto

"", "mergeid", "sample", "int_date", "phase", "fcall", "attempts", "refusal", "stimes", "ilang", "p1version", "cregion", "state", "density", "usr", "scregion", "sstate", "susr", "igender", "irace", "llitext1", "llitext2", "qs1", "cpitext1", "cpitext2", "qa1", "qa1a", "qb2", "qb3", "qb4", "qa12", "qa14a", "qa14b", "qa14c", "qa14d", "qa14e", "qa15a", "qa15b", "qb18a", "qb18b", "q25a", "q25b", "q25c", "q25d", "q25f", "q25g", "q25i", "q25k", "q25n", "q25p", "qa26", "qa27", "qb27", "qb28", "qb29", "qa30", "qb30", "qb31", "oftvote", "qb32", "qb33", "qb33a", "cheat", "qa36a", "qa36b", "qa36c", "qa36d", "qa37a", "qa37b", "qa37c", "qa37d", "q40", "qb42a", "qb42b", "qb42c", "qb42d", "qb46", "q50r", "q50u", "q50y", "q50aa", "q50cc", "q50ee", "q50hh", "qbx", "qe2", "qe1", "qe3", "employ1", "employ7", "qe11", "q51jj", "q51ll", "q51mm", "q51nn", "q51pp", "q51qq", "q51rr", "qb52", "qb52x", "qb53a", "qb53b", "qb53c", "qb54", "qb54a", "qb55a", "qb55b", "qa62", "qa77", "qa77a", "qa77b", "qa78", "qb80", "qa126", "qa126a", "qa126b", "qa127", "qa128", "qa129", "qa143", "ideoconsist", "typogroups", "sex", "age", "educ2", "hisp", "racecmb", "racethn", "racethn2", "birth_hisp", "usborn", "marital", "citizen", "relig", "chr", "born", "attend", "income", "inchi", "reg", "party", "partyln", "partystr", "partysum", "qb166", "qb167", "qa168", "qa169", "ideo", "partyideo", "hh1", "hh3", "adults", "child", "ql1", "ql1a", "qc1", "ll", "cp", "money2", "ckinfo", "iphoneuse", "hphoneuse", "weight"
"1", 1100009, "Landline", 61417, "Phase_A", 170608, 4, 0, 4, "English", "Phase_A_rvsd_on_6/9/17", "South", "Georgia", "4", "S ________", "South", "Georgia", "S________", "Female", "Black_or_African-American", "We_are_conducting_a_telephone_opinion_survey_about_some_important_issues_facing_this_country_today.", "Youngest_Female_First", NA, NA, NA, "Disapprove", "Very_strongly", NA, NA, NA, "A_community_where_the_houses_are_smaller_and_closer_to_each_other...within_walking_distance", "Positive", "Positive", "Positive", "Positive", "Positive", "Very_unfavorable", "Mostly_favorable", NA, NA, "Statement_#2", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#1", "Statement_#1", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#2", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#2_", NA, "Ability_to_change_[OR]", "Most_of_them_have_a_college_degree", NA, NA, NA, "Losing_more_often_than_winning", NA, NA, "Nearly_always", NA, NA, NA, NA, "Yes __describes_Republican_Party", "No__ does_not_describe_Republican_Party", "Yes __describes_Republican_Party", "No__ does_not_describe_Republican_Party", "No __does_not_describe_Democratic_Party", "Yes__ describes_Democratic_Party", "No __does_not_describe_Democratic_Party", "Yes__ describes_Democratic_Party", "Some_of_the_time", NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#2", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#2_", NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, "Statement_#1", "Statement_#1_", NA, "Statement_#2_", NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, "The_U.S._stands_above_all_other_countries_in_the_world.", "Yes", "Mostly_because_of_human_activity_such_as_burning_fossil_fuels_[OR]", NA, "People_not_seeing_discrimination_where_it_really_does_exist", NA, "Yes __government_responsibility", "Be_provided_through_a_single_national_health_insurance_system_run_by_the_government__ [OR]", NA, "Convict_an_innocent_person", "Strongly_favor", "Legal_in_most_cases", "The_Islamic_religion_does_not_encourage_violence_more_than_others", -8, "Solid_Liberals", "Male", "45", "Postgraduate_or_professional_degree __including_master's__ doctorate __medical_or_law_degree", "No", "Black", "Black__ non-Hisp", "Black~Hisp", NA, "Yes__born_in_U.S.", "Never_been_married", NA, "Christian_(VOL.)", NA, "Yes__would", "A_few_times_a_year", "75_to_under_$100_000", NA, "Are_you_ABSOLUTELY_CERTAIN_that_you_are_registered_to_vote_at_your_current_address_[OR]", "Democrat", NA, "Strong", "Dem/lean_Dem", NA, NA, NA, "FOR_what_the_Democratic_Party_represents", "Very_liberal", "Lib_Dem", "1", NA, "1", "No_children", "Yes__have_cell_phone", NA, NA, 1, 1, NA, NA, "Dual", "Dual_HH", 1.06451612903226
"2", 1100012, "Landline", 60817, "Phase_A", 170608, 1, 0, 1, "English", "Set_up_on_initial_version_(Phase_A_6/8/17)", "Midwest", "Indiana", "Lowest", "R ________", "Midwest", "Indiana", "R________", "Female", "Asian_or_Asian-American", "We_are_conducting_an_opinion_survey_about_what's_going_on_in_the_country.", "Youngest_Male_First", NA, NA, NA, "Approve", "Very_strongly", NA, NA, NA, "A_community_where_the_houses_are_larger_and_farther_apart...several_miles_away", "Negative", "Positive", "Positive", "Positive", "Negative", "Very_favorable", "Very_unfavorable", NA, NA, "Statement_#2", "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#2", "Statement_#2", "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#2", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#1_", NA, "Reliance_on_long-standing_principles", "Some_of_them_have_a_college_degree_and_others_do_not_[OR]", NA, NA, NA, "Winning_more_often_than_losing", NA, NA, "Always", NA, NA, NA, NA, "No __does_not_describe_Republican_Party", "Yes__ describes_Republican_Party", "No __does_not_describe_Republican_Party", "Yes__ describes_Republican_Party", "No __does_not_describe_Democratic_Party", "No__ does_not_describe_Democratic_Party", "Yes __describes_Democratic_Party", "No__ does_not_describe_Democratic_Party", "Most_of_the_time", NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#2", "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#1_", NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, "Statement_#2", "Statement_#2_", NA, "Statement_#1_", NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, "The_U.S._stands_above_all_other_countries_in_the_world.", "No", NA, "Just_not_happening", "People_not_seeing_discrimination_where_it_really_does_exist", NA, "No__not_government_responsibility", NA, "Continue_programs_like_Medicare_and_Medicaid_for_seniors_and_the_very_poor", "Let_a_guilty_person_go_free", "Strongly_oppose", "Illegal_in_all_cases", "The_Islamic_religion_is_more_likely_than_others_to_encourage_violence_among_its_believers_[OR]", 2, "Country_First_Conservatives", "Male", "54", "High_school_graduate_(Grade_12_with_diploma_or_GED_certificate)", "No", "White", "White__non-Hisp", "White~Hisp", NA, "Yes__born_in_U.S.", "Married", NA, "Protestant_(Baptist__Methodist __Non-denominational__ Lutheran...)", NA, "Yes__would", "More_than_once_a_week", "50_to_under_$75_000", NA, "Are_you_ABSOLUTELY_CERTAIN_that_you_are_registered_to_vote_at_your_current_address_[OR]", "Republican", NA, "Strong", "Rep/lean_Rep", NA, NA, "FOR_what_the_Republican_Party_represents", NA, "Very_conservative", "Cons_Rep", "3", "3", "3_or_more", "No_children", "Yes__have_cell_phone", NA, NA, 1, 1, NA, NA, "Dual", "Dual_HH", 4
"3", 1100014, "Landline", 60817, "Phase_A", 170608, 1, 0, 1, "English", "Set_up_on_initial_version_(Phase_A_6/8/17)", "Northeast", "New_York", "Lowest", "R ________", "Northeast", "New_York", "R________", "Male", "Black_or_African-American", "We_are_conducting_an_opinion_survey_about_what's_going_on_in_the_country.", "Youngest_Female_First", NA, NA, NA, "Approve", "Not_so_strongly", NA, NA, NA, "A_community_where_the_houses_are_larger_and_farther_apart...several_miles_away", "Negative", "Positive", "Positive", "Negative", "Negative", "Mostly_favorable", "Mostly_unfavorable", NA, NA, "Statement_#1", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#2", "Statement_#2", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#1", "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#1_", NA, "Ability_to_change_[OR]", "Most_of_them_have_a_college_degree", NA, NA, NA, "Losing_more_often_than_winning", NA, NA, "Always", NA, NA, NA, NA, "No __does_not_describe_Republican_Party", "No__ does_not_describe_Republican_Party", "No __does_not_describe_Republican_Party", "Yes__ describes_Republican_Party", "No __does_not_describe_Democratic_Party", "No__ does_not_describe_Democratic_Party", "Yes __describes_Democratic_Party", "No__ does_not_describe_Democratic_Party", "Most_of_the_time", NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#1", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#1_", NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, "Statement_#1", "Statement_#1_", NA, "Statement_#1_", NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, "There_are_other_countries_that_are_better_than_the_U.S.", "Yes", "Mostly_because_of_natural_patterns_in_the_earth's_environment", NA, "People_seeing_discrimination_where_it_really_does_NOT_exist_[OR]", NA, "No__not_government_responsibility", NA, "Continue_programs_like_Medicare_and_Medicaid_for_seniors_and_the_very_poor", "Convict_an_innocent_person", "Oppose", "Legal_in_all_cases", "The_Islamic_religion_does_not_encourage_violence_more_than_others", 2, "Market_Skeptic_Republicans", "Female", "57", "Four_year_college_or_university_degree/Bachelor's_degree_(e.g.__BS __BA__ AB)", "No", "White", "White __non-Hisp", "White~Hisp", NA, "Yes__ born_in_U.S.", "Married", NA, "Protestant_(Baptist __Methodist__ Non-denominational__Lutheran...)", NA, "No__would_not", "Once_or_twice_a_month", "50_to_under_$75_000", NA, "Are_you_ABSOLUTELY_CERTAIN_that_you_are_registered_to_vote_at_your_current_address_[OR]", "Republican", NA, "Strong", "Rep/lean_Rep", NA, NA, "AGAINST_what_the_Democratic_Party_represents", NA, "Moderate", "Mod-Lib_Rep", "4", "4", "3_or_more", "No_children", "Yes__have_cell_phone", NA, NA, 1, 1, NA, NA, "Dual", "Dual_HH", 1.61290322580645
"4", 1100018, "Landline", 61417, "Phase_A", 170608, 6, 1, 6, "English", "Phase_A_rvsd_on_6/9/17", "South", "Alabama", "Lowest", "R ________", "South", "Alabama", "R________", "Female", "Black_or_African-American", "We_are_conducting_an_opinion_survey_about_what's_going_on_in_the_country.", "Youngest_Male_First", NA, NA, NA, "Disapprove", "Very_strongly", NA, NA, NA, "A_community_where_the_houses_are_larger_and_farther_apart...several_miles_away", "Negative", "Negative", "Negative", "Negative", "Positive", "Very_unfavorable", "Very_favorable", NA, NA, "Statement_#1", "Don't_know/Refused_(VOL.)", "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#1", "Statement_#1", "Don't_know/Refused_(VOL.)", "Statement_#2", "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#1_", NA, "Ability_to_change_[OR]", "Some_of_them_have_a_college_degree_and_others_do_not_[OR]", NA, NA, NA, "Losing_more_often_than_winning", NA, NA, "Always", NA, NA, NA, NA, "Yes __describes_Republican_Party", "No__ does_not_describe_Republican_Party", "Yes __describes_Republican_Party", "No__ does_not_describe_Republican_Party", "No __does_not_describe_Democratic_Party", "Yes__ describes_Democratic_Party", "No __does_not_describe_Democratic_Party", "Yes__ describes_Democratic_Party", "Some_of_the_time", NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, "Don't_know/Refused_(VOL.)", "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#2", "Statement_#2_", "Don't_know/Refused_(VOL.)", "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#2_", NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, "Statement_#2", "Statement_#1_", NA, "Statement_#2_", NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, "The_U.S._is_one_of_the_greatest_countries_in_the_world__along_with_some_others_[OR]", "Yes", "[VOL._DO_NOT_READ]_Don't_know/Refused", NA, "People_not_seeing_discrimination_where_it_really_does_exist", NA, "Yes__government_responsibility", "[VOL._DO_NOT_READ]_Don't_know/Refused", NA, "Convict_an_innocent_person", "Oppose", "[VOL._-_DO_NOT_READ]_Don't_Know/Refused", "[VOL._DO_NOT_READ]_Don't_know/Refused", -3, "Devout_and_Diverse", "Female", "54", "Two_year_associate_degree_from_a_college_or_university", "No", "Asian", "Other", "Other", NA, "Yes__born_in_U.S.", "Widowed", NA, "Protestant_(Baptist__Methodist __Non-denominational__ Lutheran...)", "Yes", "Yes__would", "More_than_once_a_week", "[VOL._DO_NOT_READ]_Don't_know/Refused", NA, "Are_you_ABSOLUTELY_CERTAIN_that_you_are_registered_to_vote_at_your_current_address_[OR]", "Democrat", NA, "Strong", "Dem/lean_Dem", NA, NA, NA, "FOR_what_the_Democratic_Party_represents", "Very_conservative", "Cons-Mod_Dem", "Don't_know/Refused_(VOL.)", "Don't_know/Refused_(VOL.)", "2", "Don't_know/Refused", "Yes__have_cell_phone", NA, NA, 1, 1, NA, NA, "Dual", "Dual_HH", 3.74193548387097
"5", 1100019, "Landline", 60817, "Phase_A", 170608, 1, 0, 1, "English", "Set_up_on_initial_version_(Phase_A_6/8/17)", "Midwest", "Indiana", "3", "U ________", "Midwest", "Indiana", "U________", "Female", "Asian_or_Asian-American", "We_are_conducting_a_telephone_opinion_survey_about_some_important_issues_facing_this_country_today.", "Youngest_Female_First", NA, NA, NA, "Approve", "Very_strongly", NA, NA, NA, "A_community_where_the_houses_are_larger_and_farther_apart...several_miles_away", "Neither/No_influence/Mixed_(VOL.)", "Neither/No_influence/Mixed_(VOL.)", "Negative", "Negative", "Negative", "Mostly_favorable", "Very_unfavorable", NA, NA, "Statement_#1", "Statement_#2_", "Neither/Both_equally_(VOL.)", "Statement_#2", "Statement_#2", "Neither/Both_equally_(VOL.)", "Statement_#1", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#2_", NA, "Reliance_on_long-standing_principles", "Most_of_them_have_a_college_degree", NA, NA, NA, "Winning_more_often_than_losing", NA, NA, "Always", NA, NA, NA, NA, "No __does_not_describe_Republican_Party", "No__ does_not_describe_Republican_Party", "No __does_not_describe_Republican_Party", "No__ does_not_describe_Republican_Party", "Yes __describes_Democratic_Party", "No__ does_not_describe_Democratic_Party", "Yes __describes_Democratic_Party", "No__ does_not_describe_Democratic_Party", "Most_of_the_time", NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, "Statement_#1_", "Neither/Both_equally_(VOL.)", "Statement_#1", "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#2_", "Neither/Both_equally_(VOL.)", "Statement_#1_", NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, "Statement_#2", "Statement_#2_", NA, "Statement_#1_", NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, "The_U.S._stands_above_all_other_countries_in_the_world.", "No", NA, "Just_not_happening", "People_seeing_discrimination_where_it_really_does_NOT_exist_[OR]", NA, "No__not_government_responsibility", NA, "Continue_programs_like_Medicare_and_Medicaid_for_seniors_and_the_very_poor", "Convict_an_innocent_person", "Favor", "Illegal_in_most_cases_[OR]", "The_Islamic_religion_is_more_likely_than_others_to_encourage_violence_among_its_believers_[OR]", 7, "Core_Conservatives", "Male", "63", "Four_year_college_or_university_degree/Bachelor's_degree_(e.g.__BS __BA__ AB)", "No", "White", "White __non-Hisp", "White~Hisp", NA, "Yes__ born_in_U.S.", "Married", NA, "Protestant_(Baptist __Methodist__ Non-denominational__Lutheran...)", NA, "No__would_not", "Once_or_twice_a_month", "100_to_under_$150_000_[OR]", NA, "Are_you_ABSOLUTELY_CERTAIN_that_you_are_registered_to_vote_at_your_current_address_[OR]", "Republican", NA, "Strong", "Rep/lean_Rep", NA, NA, "FOR_what_the_Republican_Party_represents", NA, "Conservative", "Cons_Rep", "2", "2", "2", "No_children", "Yes__have_cell_phone", NA, NA, 1, 1, NA, NA, "Dual", "Dual_HH", 1.25806451612903
"6", 1100026, "Landline", 60817, "Phase_A", 170608, 1, 0, 1, "English", "Set_up_on_initial_version_(Phase_A_6/8/17)", "Northeast", "Pennsylvania", "2", "R ________", "Northeast", "Pennsylvania", "R________", "Female", "Black_or_African-American", "We_are_conducting_a_telephone_opinion_survey_about_some_important_issues_facing_this_country_today.", "Youngest_Female_First", NA, NA, NA, "Disapprove", "Very_strongly", NA, NA, NA, "A_community_where_the_houses_are_larger_and_farther_apart...several_miles_away", "Positive", "Positive", "Negative", "Negative", "Negative", "Very_unfavorable", "Mostly_unfavorable", NA, NA, "Statement_#1", "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#1", "Statement_#2", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#1", "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#1_", NA, "Ability_to_change_[OR]", "Some_of_them_have_a_college_degree_and_others_do_not_[OR]", NA, NA, NA, "Losing_more_often_than_winning", NA, NA, "Always", NA, NA, NA, NA, "No __does_not_describe_Republican_Party", "No__ does_not_describe_Republican_Party", "Yes __describes_Republican_Party", "No__ does_not_describe_Republican_Party", "No __does_not_describe_Democratic_Party", "No__ does_not_describe_Democratic_Party", "No __does_not_describe_Democratic_Party", "Yes__ describes_Democratic_Party", "Most_of_the_time", NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#2", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#1_", NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, "Statement_#1", "Statement_#1_", NA, "Statement_#2_", NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, "There_are_other_countries_that_are_better_than_the_U.S.", "Yes", "Mostly_because_of_human_activity_such_as_burning_fossil_fuels_[OR]", NA, "People_not_seeing_discrimination_where_it_really_does_exist", NA, "Yes __government_responsibility", "Be_provided_through_a_single_national_health_insurance_system_run_by_the_government__ [OR]", NA, "Let_a_guilty_person_go_free", "Favor", "Legal_in_all_cases", "The_Islamic_religion_does_not_encourage_violence_more_than_others", -2, "Disaffected_Democrats", "Male", "72", "Two_year_associate_degree_from_a_college_or_university", "No", "White", "White __non-Hisp", "White~Hisp", NA, "Yes__ born_in_U.S.", "Divorced", NA, "Protestant_(Baptist __Methodist__ Non-denominational__Lutheran...)", NA, "No__would_not", "Seldom", "30_to_under_$40_000", NA, "Are_you_ABSOLUTELY_CERTAIN_that_you_are_registered_to_vote_at_your_current_address_[OR]", "Independent", "Other/Don't_know/Refused_(VOL.)", NA, "DK/Ref-no_lean", NA, NA, NA, NA, "Moderate", "Ind", "2", "2", "2", "No_children", "Yes__have_cell_phone", NA, NA, 1, 1, NA, NA, "Dual", "Dual_HH", 1.83870967741935
"7", 1100038, "Landline", 60817, "Phase_A", 170608, 1, 0, 1, "English", "Set_up_on_initial_version_(Phase_A_6/8/17)", "South", "Texas", "Highest", "S ________", "South", "Texas", "S________", "Female", "Black_or_African-American", "We_are_conducting_an_opinion_survey_about_what's_going_on_in_the_country.", "Youngest_Male_First", NA, NA, NA, "Approve", "Not_so_strongly", NA, NA, NA, "A_community_where_the_houses_are_larger_and_farther_apart...several_miles_away", "Don't_know/Refused_(VOL.)", "Positive", "Positive", "Negative", "Negative", "Mostly_favorable", "Mostly_unfavorable", NA, NA, "Statement_#1", "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#1", "Neither/Both_equally_(VOL.)", "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#1", "Statement_#2_", "Statement_#1_", NA, "Reliance_on_long-standing_principles", "Most_of_them_have_a_college_degree", NA, NA, NA, "Don't_know/Refused_(VOL.)", NA, NA, "Seldom", NA, NA, NA, NA, "Yes __describes_Republican_Party", "No__ does_not_describe_Republican_Party", "Yes__describes_Republican_Party", "Don't_know/Refused_(VOL.)", "Don't_know/Refused_(VOL.)", "No__does_not_describe_Democratic_Party", "Don't_know/Refused_(VOL.)", "Yes__describes_Democratic_Party", "Most_of_the_time", NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, "Statement_#2_", "Neither/Both_equally_(VOL.)", "Statement_#2", "Statement_#1_", "Statement_#1_", "Neither/Both_equally_(VOL.)", "Statement_#2_", NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, "Statement_#1", "Statement_#1_", NA, "Statement_#2_", NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, "The_U.S._is_one_of_the_greatest_countries_in_the_world__along_with_some_others_[OR]", "Yes", "Mostly_because_of_human_activity_such_as_burning_fossil_fuels_[OR]", NA, "People_not_seeing_discrimination_where_it_really_does_exist", NA, "Yes__government_responsibility", "Continue_to_be_provided_through_a_mix_of_private_insurance_companies_and_government_programs", NA, "Both_(VOL.)", "Strongly_oppose", "Legal_in_all_cases", "The_Islamic_religion_does_not_encourage_violence_more_than_others", 0, "Devout_and_Diverse", "Female", "62", "Two_year_associate_degree_from_a_college_or_university", "No", "White", "White__non-Hisp", "White~Hisp", NA, "Yes__born_in_U.S.", "Married", NA, "Christian_(VOL.)", "Yes", "Yes__would", "A_few_times_a_year", "10_to_under_$20_000", NA, "Are_you_ABSOLUTELY_CERTAIN_that_you_are_registered_to_vote_at_your_current_address_[OR]", "Republican", NA, "Not_strong", "Rep/lean_Rep", NA, NA, "[VOL._DO_NOT_READ]_Don't_know/Refused", NA, "Moderate", "Mod-Lib_Rep", "2", "2", "2", "No_children", "Yes__have_cell_phone", NA, NA, 1, 1, NA, NA, "Dual", "Dual_HH", 2.64516129032258

```

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [January 30, 2019, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/425 "2019-01-30T13:48:41Z")

</div>

> [@Gyrate](#):
>
> I’m put off by her self-description: Wow! You successfully reproduced! Well done, you! _Speaking as a father_ I’m all for parenthood but it doesn’t suddenly imbue you with magic powers that make your opinion on things unrelated to parenting somehow more valid, and it’s certainly not a reason to vote for someone (or not).
> 
> And while I’m all for her various social justice causes in principle, writing a bunch of books on “spiritual psychotherapy” earns her a gigantic “Nope” from me.
> 
> Get over yourself, Marianne. You came in fourth in a House race so clearly the country isn’t crying out for you. Or are your book sales slumping?

Don’t be mean. She’ll only be in it for about a month so the back of her next book can describe her as “Activist, author, entrepreneur, mother and former presidential candidate!”

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\
**Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/426 "2019-01-30T14:43:14Z")

</div>

> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#):
>
> [Eric Garcetti’s not going to run.](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/427559-garcetti-wont-run-for-president)
> 
> This surprises the heck out of me. He’s been talking this up for a couple years now it seems, traveling to the early states, making a case for a mayor to be a serious contender for the WH. I thought, if nothing else, he’d make a run to be considered as an eventual running mate.
> 
> I’m also a little disappointed. I was looking forward to having a lot of voices and perspectives up on the big stage, including Garcetti’s.

I’m somewhat surprised too. He handled the LA teachers’ strike well. However, I have the feeling that most big Democratic Californian donors are backing Kamala Harris, and he wasn’t getting the commitments he felt he needed.

And look at the end-game. If Garcetti doesn’t get the presidential nomination, his chances for vice-president are slim. If Harris gets the nomination, she won’t nominate another Californian. If she doesn’t get the nomination, if the nominee wants a Californian they’ll pick her over him. It’s all or nothing for Garcetti.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [January 30, 2019, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/427 "2019-01-30T20:08:56Z")

</div>

That seems like a spot-on analysis.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [January 30, 2019, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/428 "2019-01-30T20:12:11Z")

</div>

> [@Pleonast](#):
>
> I’m somewhat surprised too. He handled the LA teachers’ strike well. However, I have the feeling that most big Democratic Californian donors are backing Kamala Harris, and he wasn’t getting the commitments he felt he needed.
> 
> And look at the end-game. If Garcetti doesn’t get the presidential nomination, his chances for vice-president are slim. If Harris gets the nomination, she won’t nominate another Californian. If she doesn’t get the nomination, if the nominee wants a Californian they’ll pick her over him. It’s all or nothing for Garcetti.

Unless they’re looking for a Californian who is also a vet, Latino, has executive experience, and possibly even carries a Y chromosome.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/429 "2019-01-31T10:13:24Z")

</div>

I’m curious whether the DNC is going to try to draft Abrams to run, given that she’s been tapped to give the SOTU address response. Or maybe this is just the Democrats flipping the bird at Republican vote suppression efforts.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/430 "2019-01-31T10:23:45Z")

</div>

I think there are some in the DNC who want Abrams to run for Senate.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/431 "2019-01-31T13:32:09Z")

</div>

> [@Gyrate](#):
>
> I’m curious whether the DNC is going to try to draft Abrams to run, given that she’s been tapped to give the SOTU address response. Or maybe this is just the Democrats flipping the bird at Republican vote suppression efforts.

Probably both, but she may be after Perdue’s Senate seat in 2020 instead.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/432 "2019-01-31T14:50:13Z")

</div>

Pete Buttigieg had an interview on NPR this morning. He made a good first impression on me, unlike Sherrod Brown. I’m not sure how he could win the nomination ([hmm, looks like I need to catch up on 538](https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/pete-buttigieg-2020-democratic-nomination/)).

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [January 31, 2019, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/433 "2019-01-31T15:35:08Z")

</div>

> [@Gyrate](#):
>
> I’m curious whether the DNC is going to try to draft Abrams to run, given that she’s been tapped to give the SOTU address response. Or maybe this is just the Democrats flipping the bird at Republican vote suppression efforts.

It would be pretty weird for the DNC to try and draft a state congresswoman for President.

> [@foolsguinea](#):
>
> I think there are some in the DNC who want Abrams to run for Senate.

> [@ElvisL1ves](#):
>
> Probably both, but she may be after Perdue’s Senate seat in 2020 instead.

DSeid linked this the other day:

[Dems go all-out to land top Senate recruit: Stacey Abrams](https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/24/stacey-abrams-georgia-senate-2020-1121843)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/434 "2019-01-31T16:12:24Z")

</div>

> [@Gyrate](#):
>
> I kept saying to Sanders supporters at the last election that the Republicans and their foreign handlers have a MASSIVE amount of mud ready to fling at Sanders and that their insistence that Bernie would have carried the day instead of Hillary failed to take that into account. Seriously, I like Sanders but the avalanche of bullshit poised to fall would bury him.

They’d probably “find” an old CPUSA card for him. It’s not like the Russians don’t have any blank ones lying around somewhere.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [January 31, 2019, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/435 "2019-01-31T18:21:45Z")

</div>

Is it just me, or does it seem surreal that relative beginners are being touted for the Potus job? Sure, the Gopsters had the Pizza Guy, ol’ Crazy-Eyes, and Trump but these were always regarded as jokes, not serious contenders for the big job. Most Presidential nominees were Governors of major states or national figures before they got the big job. Even Teddy Roosevelt, the young V.P. promoted by an assassin’s bullet, had been Governor of New York. I’m not even happy with mere Senators — JFK beat an unpopular Nixon and the country was sick of the GOP when Obama won; those are the only two Senators to win the Oval in a century. Clinton was ridiculed for only being Governor of Arkansas, but he was prominent nationally and, anyway, Arkansas has 30 times the population of South Bend. (And I think South Bend has a higher population than El Paso city district 8.)

Perhaps Beto and/or **/piːt ˈbuːtɪdʒɛdʒ/** is a fine man who would make a fine President, but that’s not my main concern. I’m afraid many voters will look at “current job,” see  
[ul][li] C-in-C of the U.S. military; Leader of the Free World; and[/li][li] Mayor of 301st largest city in U.S.[/ul][/li]and vote for the more “qualified” applicant.

Unless one of these newcomers really dazzles over the coming year, I’m afraid our best shot is Biden.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [January 31, 2019, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/436 "2019-01-31T18:31:31Z")

</div>

It is still pretty early. Still a couple of months for serious contenders to jump in.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/437 "2019-01-31T18:33:26Z")

</div>

State rep to Senator is a step that makes sense. And maybe, a few terms after that, she’ll be Presidential material (or of course, more likely not). State rep straight to President is not.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [January 31, 2019, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/438 "2019-01-31T19:11:29Z")

</div>

> [@Pleonast](#):
>
> And look at the end-game. If Garcetti doesn’t get the presidential nomination, his chances for vice-president are slim. If Harris gets the nomination, she won’t nominate another Californian. If she doesn’t get the nomination, if the nominee wants a Californian they’ll pick her over him. It’s all or nothing for Garcetti.

If another woman wins the nomination, they would be unlikely to choose Harris as a running mate, I would think.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/439 "2019-01-31T19:32:01Z")

</div>

> [@Chronos](#):
>
> It doesn’t matter if she’s ruling it out, because everyone else in the country has already ruled it out for her.

Except maybe the 50% of Americans who like her.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/440 "2019-01-31T19:41:16Z")

</div>

> [@septimus](#):
>
> Is it just me, or does it seem surreal that relative beginners are being touted for the Potus job? Sure, the Gopsters had the Pizza Guy, ol’ Crazy-Eyes, and Trump but these were always regarded as jokes, not serious contenders for the big job. Most Presidential nominees were Governors of major states or national figures before they got the big job. Even Teddy Roosevelt, the young V.P. promoted by an assassin’s bullet, had been Governor of New York. I’m not even happy with mere Senators — JFK beat an unpopular Nixon and the country was sick of the GOP when Obama won; those are the only two Senators to win the Oval in a century. Clinton was ridiculed for only being Governor of Arkansas, but he was prominent nationally and, anyway, Arkansas has 30 times the population of South Bend. (And I think South Bend has a higher population than El Paso city district 8.)
> 
> Perhaps Beto and/or **/piːt ˈbuːtɪdʒɛdʒ/** is a fine man who would make a fine President, but that’s not my main concern. I’m afraid many voters will look at “current job,” see  
> [ul][li] C-in-C of the U.S. military; Leader of the Free World; and[/li][li] Mayor of 301st largest city in U.S.[/ul][/li]and vote for the more “qualified” applicant.
> 
> Unless one of these newcomers really dazzles over the coming year, I’m afraid our best shot is Biden.

Well, since 1960, here are the won-loss records of Presidential candidates based on most prestigious job previously held, excluding the two cases (1968 and 2008) when both candidates had the same job, and also excluding 2000:

US Senator 1-6  
President 6-2  
Vice President 1-2  
Governor 3-1  
Beauty Pageant Judge 1-0

So at first glance it looks like you’d be better off with a Governor, but I think on closer examination this is a phenomena of small sample size.

Of those six Senatorial losers, Goldwater, McGovern, and Dole were all running against popular incumbents, and Kerry and Clinton came very, very close to winning. Dukakis is the only case I see of someone who lost fairly badly, where a better candidate might plausibly have won.

OTOH, the three Governors who won (Carter, Reagan, and Clinton) all had the advantage of running against unpopular incumbents. When the GOP tried running Governor Romney against a popular incumbent in 2012, it didn’t go well for them.

I hear a lot about how Senators have historically been bad Presidential candidates, but I think the evidence of this is skimpier than it might seem at first sight, especially since I’ve never heard a plausible hypothesis of WHY Senators would make bad candidates, and I’ve never met anyone who said they personally would strongly prefer to vote for a Governor rather than a Senator.

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