# Obama meets with potential 2020 contenders **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 12, 2018, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980 "2018-06-12T17:43:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2018, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980/21 "2018-06-12T20:20:35Z")
If your precedent for running/winning is “Trump”, forget it. Unless you’re Oprah, but even then it’s a long shot. He was an anomaly. I hope the Dems don’t nominate someone whose last resume item is “mayor of a small city”-- I want them to win. It’s not impossible for that person to win, but it’s a long shot. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2018, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980/22 "2018-06-12T22:45:14Z")
Sanders can’t be considered a candidate, and thankfully I think his corrupt wife will help prevent another vanity campaign. Kirsten Gillibrand would be at the bottom of my list, her selfish and despicable actions by sandbagging Al Franken shows she’s not up to the job. Tulsi Gabbard is an unfunny joke. But the rest of the list seems decent, however, let’s win back the House and Senate first, then get a great Democratic field for 2020 ---
**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:** [June 12, 2018, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980/23 "2018-06-12T22:52:59Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > If your precedent for running/winning is “Trump”, forget it. Unless you’re Oprah, but even then it’s a long shot. He was an anomaly. I hope the Dems don’t nominate someone whose last resume item is “mayor of a small city”-- I want them to win. It’s not impossible for that person to win, but it’s a long shot. For an average mayor, sure. If that mayor is exceptionally talented, which Landrieu may be, then maybe not. I’m not going to dismiss him out of hand, and I’d urge you not to as well. ---
**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:** [June 12, 2018, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980/24 "2018-06-12T22:55:04Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Kirsten Gillibrand would be at the bottom of my list, her selfish and despicable actions by sandbagging Al Franken shows she’s not up to the job. This moved her up on my list. Doing the right thing, even when it might damage a political star like Franken, makes her more attractive to me. Especially facing someone like Trump. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2018, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980/25 "2018-06-12T23:01:02Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > This moved her up on my list. Doing the right thing, even when it might damage a political star like Franken, makes her more attractive to me. Especially facing someone like Trump. Nope, not in my opinion. Declaring him guilty and demanding a political execution before finding out if there’s any truth there. I’m well aware she wanted to get a edge up on the 2020 nomination, but there’s no way in Hell she’ll get my primary vote. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2018, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980/26 "2018-06-12T23:02:30Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Sanders can’t be considered a candidate… Yeah, the DNC seems bound and determined to encourage him to run as a 3rd party candidate. I’m sure that will work out real well for them! ---
**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:** [June 12, 2018, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980/27 "2018-06-12T23:02:39Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Nope, not in my opinion. Declaring him guilty and demanding a political execution before finding out if there’s any truth there. I’m well aware she wanted to get a edge up on the 2020 nomination, but there’s no way in Hell she’ll get my primary vote. Fair enough. As long as you’ll vote for the nominee, whoever it is, against Trump or whoever, I’ll be happy. We’ll see if there are more Democratic voters who feel the same way as I do, or as you do, on credible allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault, in the 2020 primaries. ---
**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:** [June 12, 2018, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980/28 "2018-06-12T23:11:41Z")
This does not look to me like a list of potential 2020 candidates. This looks to me like a list of people to coordinate messaging and GOTV efforts. What’s the source on the actual substance of these meetings? ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2018, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980/29 "2018-06-12T23:26:54Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Fair enough. As long as you’ll vote for the nominee, whoever it is, against Trump or whoever, I’ll be happy. We’ll see if there are more Democratic voters who feel the same way as I do, or as you do, on credible allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault, in the 2020 primaries. I will vote for the Democratic nominee. I almost never get my first choice. I think Al Gore and Hillary Clinton were the only two Democrats that I supported from day one of primary season that went on to win the nomination. If Gillibrand wins the nomination, I’ll not only vote for her, but actively campaign for her and donate money. I assume the money is more important since Chicago is very blue, especially my neighborhood. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2018, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980/30 "2018-06-12T23:28:12Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Yeah, the DNC seems bound and determined to encourage him to run as a 3rd party candidate. I’m sure that will work out real well for them! He and you are gonna show _us_, all right! Yeah, we’ll be sorry! :rolleyes: ---
**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:** [June 12, 2018, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980/31 "2018-06-12T23:28:20Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I will vote for the Democratic nominee. I almost never get my first choice. I think Al Gore and Hillary Clinton were the only two Democrats that I supported from day one of primary season that went on to win the nomination. If Gillibrand wins the nomination, I’ll not only vote for her, but actively campaign for her and donate money. I assume the money is more important since Chicago is very blue, especially my neighborhood. Absolutely. ---
**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:** [June 13, 2018, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980/32 "2018-06-13T00:50:35Z")
Mitch. ---
**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:** [June 13, 2018, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980/33 "2018-06-13T01:36:04Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Trump will have a field day with Mayor Buttigieg. But who goes from mayor to president, anyway (especially a small city)? The only 2 people I see on that list with any chance are Sanders and Warren. The latter would almost certainly lose against any Republican, and Sanders would have a very tough time. I think Biden is past his political prime to be a contender. > > It’s not looking good if this the field from which a candidate will be chosen. Well, don’t worry because Obama’s meeting schedule is not the candidate list. As the article states: > [@](#): > > It’s not just prospective presidential candidates, according to people aware of other meetings. Harry Reid, the former Senate Democratic leader, stopped by while on a trip through town at the end of March I humbly submit that Sanders should have been in that paragraph as well. ---
**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:** [June 13, 2018, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980/34 "2018-06-13T01:54:52Z")
The first question that needs to be asked about any prospective Democratic candidate is not what their position is on this issue or that, but can he (or she) WIN? For 2020 electability MUST, er, trump, ALL other considerations. Can we find a real-life Jed Bartlett anywhere? ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2018, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980/35 "2018-06-13T02:16:40Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > This does not look to me like a list of potential 2020 candidates. This looks to me like a list of people to coordinate messaging and GOTV efforts. What’s the source on the actual substance of these meetings? I can’t say one way or the other for certain. The only information I have is what’s in the links I provided. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2018, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980/36 "2018-06-13T02:54:21Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Close. I think the last name does begin with a “C”, though. It’s on the tip of my tongue, but I’m just drawing a blank for some reason. I can’t help you. All those New Yorkers look alike to me. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2018, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980/37 "2018-06-13T03:03:20Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > . . . > The only 2 people I see on that list with any chance are Sanders and Warren. The latter would almost certainly lose against any Republican, and Sanders would have a very tough time. > . . . I think Elizabeth Warren is our best option, both as a candidate, and as the best person for the job. Why do you think she would " . . .almost certainly lose against any Republican . …" ? She is the perfect plainspoken foil to President Trump’s populism. She has an unbroken record of standing up for the little guy, and is extremely good at breaking down legislative issues for the general populace. She is exactly what the Democratic Party needs. ---
**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:** [June 13, 2018, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980/38 "2018-06-13T04:19:13Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > We have seen US Senator –\> President and State Governor –\> President several times in the modern era. When was the last time we’ve seen Small-City Mayor –\> President? > > But Obama had lots more name recognition than does what’s-his name. And Clinton got a bit lucky. Many of the Democratic hopefuls were afraid to run against Bush since, at the time the primaries got started, Bush was riding sky-high in the polls. Remember, you have to win the primary first, and just doing that gives you some serious name recognition for the general election. Obama had lots of name recognition among Democratic primary voters. Going into the primary as nobody is tough. > > Anyway, if you have an example of an obscure, small-city mayor waging even a semi-successful presidential campaign in the modern era, let’s see it. If you have an example of a black first-term Senator with an Islamic sounding name winning the nomination, the presidency and then re-election prior to 2008, let’s see it. There’s a first time for everything. The only thing that matters in 2020 is a good message that resonates with voters. Not someone’s job right now. Or name recognition right now. And just because you reference Mitch Landrieu as “what’s-his-name” doesn’t mean he’s a complete unknown. But even if name recognition prior to the actual primary season meant anything, do you really think Barack Obama would’ve beaten Hillary Clinton? Or Bill Clinton would’ve beaten Jerry Brown? Your average jane and joe didn’t know either of them 30 months before their presidential victory. They both came out of nowhere with a great message that resonated with the people. Résumé-wise, before their presidential primaries, they were both small- to mid-level players. I want someone who can win, not just an attention-seeking Senator from an east coast and/or populous state. I’m not saying the answer is Mitch Landrieu, or Eric Garcetti, or Jay Inslee, or John Hickenlooper, or Seth Moulten, or Luis Gutierrez, or some other “what’s-his-name.” But to say it’s NOT gonna be one of them just because you don’t know who they are, or they aren’t what you’d expect a presidential contender to look like, is ridiculous. ---
**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:** [June 13, 2018, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980/39 "2018-06-13T04:45:48Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu I’m afraid that the majority of America is not ready to pronounce or spell a French surname. I don’t see Elizabeth Warren faring well against Trump. I think she’d be rattled in the debates, and I also think there’s too much sexism in this country for the Democrats to chance this election with a female candidate. ---
**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:** [June 13, 2018, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980/40 "2018-06-13T05:27:58Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Kirsten Gillibrand would be at the bottom of my list, her selfish and despicable actions by sandbagging Al Franken shows she’s not up to the job. > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > This moved her up on my list. Doing the right thing, even when it might damage a political star like Franken, makes her more attractive to me. Especially facing someone like Trump. I admit I was pretty angry at K.G. for a while over what happened to Al Franken, but I’m getting over it. I think she probably did what she did out of principle. And I see now that Franken would have been pushed to resign without K.G.; Leeann Tweeden’s response to Al’s book tour is what got the press uproar going. We Franken fans have been unfair to Kirsten Gillibrand. That said, there may be still enough resentment in certain quarters that she would need on her side to win that she shouldn’t run. But then there’s this: Today, [George Soros has said he hopes Gillibrand isn’t the nominee,](https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/12/opinions/george-soros-kirsten-gillibrand-dems-stereotype-sexism-filipovic-opinion/index.html) and my first thought was, “I agree with Soros.” After a few hours I rethought it. The Democratic nominee could usefully be somebody that the infamous George Soros is on record opposing. If Mr. supposed Antichrist doesn’t want her to run, she can use that. (But, maybe that’s what Soros wants me to think. Man, I was happier when I thought he was an urban myth.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-meets-with-potential-2020-contenders/815980.md?page=3)