# 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:** 30
**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:** [February 20, 2019, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/581 "2019-02-20T17:11:13Z")
Approximately thirteen million people voted for Bernie Sanders in the 2016 primaries. About 1.4 million voted for Jill Stein in the general election. It is mathematically impossible for more than a small percentage of Sanders supporters to have voted third party in the general election. In addition, exit polling data indicates that 85-90% of Sanders voters supported Clinton in the general election, which is in line with the usual historical trend for supporters of the losing candidate. This board really needs to find some way of dealing with posters who continue to repeat false statements, even after such statements have been repeatedly rebutted. ---
**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:** [February 20, 2019, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/582 "2019-02-20T17:14:17Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yeah, the kremlin could have brought out a Communist Party membership card with Nernies name on it. Easy. And people would believe it. Add some easily procured photos of Bernie at a Commie rally or forum, and no one votes for him. > > Boy that’s a shot from the crazy room. While it true that Hillary mentioned that one reason why she didnt drop out was the Obama could be assassinated, the way you word it is like she was suggesting it. Even her mentions of Wright werent really attacks on Obama like the lies the Kremlin started and the bernie-bros spread. > > [https://www.snopes.com/?s=hillary+clinton](https://www.snopes.com/?s=hillary+clinton) Your link is just to a snopes search result for “Hillary Clinton”. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2019, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/583 "2019-02-20T17:31:27Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Well, I do, and perhaps more than one, but that will be either proven or disproven as we get into it. It’s certainly possible that the field may contain a twit or two. But at least they’re currently employed in a government capacity and are plausibly qualified to be President. So they’re not \*just \*a twit; they’re Senator Twit. ---
**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:** [February 20, 2019, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/584 "2019-02-20T17:33:52Z")
Well, there’s also a mayor and a businessman in the lot, and a couple who haven’t held any position higher than Representative. ---
**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:** [February 20, 2019, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/585 "2019-02-20T19:52:40Z")
ISTM (and a lot of folks I’m following online, like Nate Silver) there could be 3 main “lanes” for the Democratic nomination – the economic left lane (i.e. the Green New Deal or GND lane); the moderate-ish/rust belt lane; and the racial/social justice lane. There’s probably overlap between all three, but I think most of the candidates could be slotted into these three lanes. I’d say the most prominent in each, at this time, are Bernie for the GND lane, Biden (assuming he runs) for the mod/rust-belt lane, and Harris for the justice lane. Warren probably slots in after Bernie, with Klobuchar, Brown, and a few governors slotting in after Biden, and Booker and Castro (and maybe Gillibrand) after Harris. Beto might fit into any of them – perhaps most cleanly in the GND lane. With this in mind, I think it’s very possible that it will only take a few primaries and caucuses to figure out which candidates are strongest in each lane – Iowa might go to Biden, for example, with NH going to Bernie, and SC going to Harris – and most of the other candidates will start to drop out and endorse after that. So an interesting way to look at it from now up until the contests start is to consider who are the strongest candidates in each “lane”, and which of these will have the best chance to win in the general. ---
**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:** [February 20, 2019, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/586 "2019-02-20T23:59:33Z")
Kamala Harris is getting slammed pretty hard for her record as a prosecutor. If those characterizations stick—I’m not convinced they’re deserved, but they may stick anyway—I don’t think she can dominate the social justice lane. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/587 "2019-02-21T03:01:40Z")
I think they meant more in an identity politics sense, but yeah. I was really, really impressed with Corey Booker’s rollout video. That’s a good sign for the strength of his political team and his/their vision for the campaign. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/588 "2019-02-21T08:07:34Z")
They are already starting the attacks:['Operation Divide the Left': Analysis Shows 2020 Online Disinformation Campaign Already Well Underway](https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/20/operation-divide-left-analysis-shows-2020-online-disinformation-campaign-already?fbclid=IwAR1NEp0zEwBi42yTHKX_2mXKdqwN8m7z_3maKJOjmu_8YspL3YQTc_U9Jy4#) \*As the pool of candidates vying for the 2020 Democratic nomination for president continues to grow, so does a “sustained and ongoing” push to spread lies about them on social media—with one key aim being to sow division among progressive voters—according to an alarming Politico report published Wednesday. Citing analyses by and conversations with data scientists and digital campaign strategists, the outlet reported: Researchers and others interviewed for this story say they cannot conclusively point to the actors behind the coordinated activity. It’s unclear if they are rogue hackers, political activists or, as some contend, foreign state actors such as Russia, since it bears the hallmarks of past foreign attacks. One of the objectives of the activity, they say, is to divide the left by making the Democratic presidential primary as chaotic and toxic as possible. Research by the pro-democracy tech firm Guardians.ai found that Sens. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) as well as former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas)—who has not formally announced his candidacy for president—appear to be the top targets.\* ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/589 "2019-02-21T08:12:05Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > Your link is just to a snopes search result for “Hillary Clinton”. Well, scroll down and click a few times brother, and you will find all sorts of outrageous lies spread about Hillary. ---
**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:** [February 21, 2019, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/590 "2019-02-21T08:40:59Z")
So your argument is “outrageous lies have been told about Clinton…therefore, Bernie is responsible for all of them”? I think you skipped over some steps in the logic there. ---
**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:** [February 21, 2019, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/591 "2019-02-21T09:01:38Z")
I did click on several of those links, and all of the lies debunked therein were originated by right-wing websites. I also searched on “Bernie Sanders” and guess what: people make shit up about him, too! Some say he owns a $500K luxury car. Others say he proposed a bill to require Christians to wear scarlet crosses on their clothing. So why are you moderates spreading these lies about Bernie??? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/592 "2019-02-21T13:42:16Z")
[Operation Divide The Left](https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/20/2020-candidates-social-media-attack-1176018) is well under way. > [@](#): > > Not all of the activity is organized. Much of it appears to be organic, a reflection of the politically polarizing nature of some of the candidates. But there are clear signs of a coordinated effort of undetermined size that shares similar characteristics with the computational propaganda attacks launched by online trolls at Russia’s Internet Research Agency in the 2016 presidential campaign, which special counsel Robert Mueller accused of aiming to undermine the political process and elevate Donald Trump. Don’t be part of it. ---
**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:** [February 21, 2019, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/593 "2019-02-21T14:06:26Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > [Operation Divide The Left](https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/20/2020-candidates-social-media-attack-1176018) is well under way. > Don’t be part of it. Yes, don’t engage in online campaigns of distortion and slander aimed at undermining the candidacy of Bernie Sanders (or Harris, Warren, or Beto). Damn good advice. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/594 "2019-02-21T14:28:30Z")
When you can support such a claim, please do so, instead of crying “Lies!” and “Fake news!” all over the forum. Meanwhile, you’re doing what your hero himself did to the Democrats in 2016, by being a dividing influence. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/595 "2019-02-21T20:24:39Z")
Yes, I agreed and I have taken the pledge. It’s Ok to say you dont like a candidate’s stance. But let’s lay off the sniping like Bernie and his Bros past issues, Warrens Indian peccadillos, how old biden or Sanders or anyone is and the like. ---
**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:** [February 22, 2019, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/596 "2019-02-22T03:05:02Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > When you can support such a claim, please do so, instead of crying “Lies!” and “Fake news!” all over the forum. Meanwhile, you’re doing what your hero himself did to the Democrats in 2016, by being a dividing influence. You don’t even read your own cites, do you? ---
**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:** [February 27, 2019, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/597 "2019-02-27T23:18:27Z")
It’s being reported that Beto won’t run for Senate again, but will announce his presidential run in the next couple weeks. > **[Beto O’Rourke likely to announce presidential bid soon: report](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/431912-beto-orourke-likely-to-announce-presidential-bid-report/)** > > Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) is not running for Senate again but likely will announce a presidential bid soon, The Dallas Morning News reported Wednesday, citing sources… ---
**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:** [March 1, 2019, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/598 "2019-03-01T12:16:33Z")
Jay Inslee is in, the first governor to announce. Climate change is his focus. > **[Inslee announces White House bid](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/432148-washington-gov-inslee-to-run-for-president/)** > > Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) announced in a video Friday morning that he will run for president, becoming the first governor to join a crowded field vying for the Democratic nomination.Insle… ---
**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:** [March 1, 2019, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/599 "2019-03-01T13:30:04Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Jay Inslee is in, the first governor to announce. Climate change is his focus. > > [Inslee announces White House bid | The Hill](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/432148-washington-gov-inslee-to-run-for-president) Good! Another solid candidate in the mix. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2019, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415/600 "2019-03-01T13:36:41Z")
I hope there aren’t \*so \*many solid candidates entering this one race that it thins out the field for other ones. We need responsible adults as Senators, Governors, and Representatives too, and it won’t do to leave too many good ones out in the cold after the filing dates but before the Presidential nomination is decided. Also, there are so many things we need to fix and improve that covering the gamut in the primary campaigns creates the risk of making the party appear unfocused and agenda-less - it might be more effective in the general for most of the top contenders to agree to pick some popular and accomplishable things they will all talk about, that the Republicans will of course reflexively oppose and lie and fearmonger about. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415.md?page=29) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hee-haw-yall-the-2020-democratic-presidential-primary/824415.md?page=31)