Clinton was helped by the bad economy in 92 and also Bush Sr. was mainly there because Reagan could not run again in 92.
Bush had won, and won handily, in ‘88, so I’m not sure what Reagan’s unavailability in ‘92 has to do with it.
I stand corrected. Also, poor Bill Richardson, to be dismissed so easily so early!
Where do you think the phrase “Yes we can!” came form? 
I meant to say Bush Sr. mainly won in 88 because Reagan could not run for a 3rd term. He was not really a strong candidate other than the fact that he was seen as a Reagan surrogate and that was not true any more in 92.
You and me both (and I’m a lifelong Texan, two-time Obama- and one-time Hillary-voter).
I’m pretty ignorant when it comes to big-stage politics, so maybe I’ve read to much into the “well like Beto, Abe Lincoln lost a Senate race and see where he ended up?” social-media comments.
But I see no reason that Beto couldn’t be considered - if not the (D) front-runner at this point - certainly in the top-tier? Maybe he gets weeded out (through attrition, lack of interest in two years, or some made-up Fox News bullshit), but he’s my leader in the clubhouse as of this moment.
Beto deserves a real thought as a VP candidate. He proved himself a monster campaigner. A well regarded Red state kid. He has to do something to keep his name in the conversation for the next 12 months though. Otherwise, he’ll soon only be a fond memory.
It tested better than, “Holy Fuck. Really?”
I actually think that if you want to elevate Beto, you put him in the VA or Defense Department. That’s what he’s specialized in as a House member. Make him an Undersecretary.
Holy crap that’s a pretty cool thought - I’m sure it’s been mentioned here before (either in this thread, or elsewhere), but maybe a Biden / Beto ticket?
He’s been in the House for six years, so he has legislative experience. I think he could be a real asset at VP, and it would give him enough juice for his own presidential run. I think this is a great idea.
My reason for not liking Beto as the running mate:
I feel like we need a white man at the top of the ticket in 2020. Personally, I’m ready to hand things off to a woman last night. But I’m not willing to confirm that America is still as sexist in 2020 as they appeared to be in 2016.
That being said, I don’t think we need a ticket with two white dudes. A white dude as the nominee doesn’t need Beto as his running mate. My ideal ticket is a young(ish) white dude who can inspire partnered with a youngish or more-mature woman-of-color as the running mate.
Is anyone else wary of a Dem ticket consisting of two white dudes in 2020? Or is this just me?
I just watched some videos of Sherrod Brown on YouTube. Holy shit, he looks and sounds straight out of central casting for the role of a “rumpled, overworked professor/detective/salesman.” I mean, this guy is like the second coming of Columbo. Whether this could be a good or bad thing for a presidential campaign, I’m not entirely sure. He’s very very different from the typical polished and mannered ideal of a politician, that’s for certain. He’s a real “character.” I’m inclined to view this as an asset rather than a liability, in the current political climate. The question is could he take the debate stage with Trump and be the brick wall of brick walls against Trump’s taunting and vindictive rhetoric first-hand? Or would he be too rattled and thrown off by it to make his points effectively?
Yeah, not only is Biden/Beto two white dudes, it’s a really old guy with a running mate who is not ready to be President. No one has any idea how Beto would do in a national race. The kinds of questions you face are totally different. He’ll be quizzed on basic facts and if he doesn’t know them, he’s Sarah Palin. And given the similarities in temperament between McCain and Biden it would not surprise me to see Biden go down that path.
I like it.
Hmm, you make a point. I would say woman or minority or both, doesn’t have to be both. But whatever wins, and if Beto can bring in Texas…
Sigh. Too many people who are otherwise smart seem to think we’re electing a middle school class President.
Would you rather elect someone who couldn’t be elected middle school class president?
Let’s start from actual accomplishments and go from there. Likeability is what you look at after you’ve got someone who has done something that would imply that they could be a good President.
There’s more to this than just winning the election. Electing an empty suit just means Democrats lose the House, fall further behind in the Senate, and then the Republicans get another crack at unified government in only 4-8 years.
Beto can’t bring in Texas. He already lost against a Republican in Texas, and Trump is more popular than Cruz. He might bring in a bunch of other states, but Texas itself is a pipe dream.