# State your pick for best (most likely to win) Democratic ticket for 2020. Then say why. **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 12, 2018, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229 "2018-09-12T16:40:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**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:** [October 16, 2018, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229/181 "2018-10-16T01:30:33Z")
The Democrats are toast. They have nobody. They’re the party of pussies. America doesn’t want pussies; they want tough guys. Christ, doesn’t anyone remember what happened to John “Muppet” Kerry when he tried to debate George W “Fuzzy Math” Bush? ---
**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:** [October 16, 2018, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229/182 "2018-10-16T01:56:09Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > The Democrats are toast. They have nobody. They’re the party of pussies. America doesn’t want pussies; they want tough guys. Christ, doesn’t anyone remember what happened to John “Muppet” Kerry when he tried to debate George W “Fuzzy Math” Bush? I am also pessimistic. I asked for anyone in thread to link to a YouTube of Hickenlooper — or any sitting Governor — showing Presidential-level charisma or speaking skill. No takers. Is the _ **Draft Admiral Bill McRaven** _ movement dead on arrival? I see McRaven has recently accepted an appointment as Director of ConocoPhillips. That doesn’t sound like something a prospective candidate would do, no? ETA: _ **If** _ the octogenerian Biden appears quite healthy 2 years hence, he may be our best bet. But that’s a big If. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229/183 "2018-10-16T02:26:09Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > I am also pessimistic. I asked for anyone in thread to link to a YouTube of Hickenlooper — or any sitting Governor — showing Presidential-level charisma or speaking skill. No takers. > > Is the _ **Draft Admiral Bill McRaven** _ movement dead on arrival? I see McRaven has recently accepted an appointment as Director of ConocoPhillips. That doesn’t sound like something a prospective candidate would do, no? > > ETA: _ **If** _ the octogenerian Biden appears quite healthy 2 years hence, he may be our best bet. But that’s a big If. Well Hillary has Charisma. ---
**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:** [October 16, 2018, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229/184 "2018-10-16T02:54:11Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > I am also pessimistic. I asked for anyone in thread to link to a YouTube of Hickenlooper — or any sitting Governor — showing Presidential-level charisma or speaking skill. No takers. Here’s Montana governor Steve Bullock. He’s all right. I just don’t think he’s ready for Washington. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/LjFsqeAs-dk/maxresdefault.jpg "Trump, Guns, and Net Neutrality...With Governor Steve Bullock?!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjFsqeAs-dk) ---
**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:** [October 16, 2018, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229/185 "2018-10-16T03:26:59Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > Here’s Montana governor Steve Bullock. He’s all right. I just don’t think he’s ready for Washington. > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjFsqeAs-dk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjFsqeAs-dk) He seemed OK. But the video seemed edited, and the _ **nerdy interviewer spoke more than Bullock** _. 😕 :smack: This annoyed me enough that I quit watching after 3 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229/186 "2018-10-16T03:40:00Z")
ElvisLives: > [@](#): > > Why would conduct that is inherently discriminatory be considered praiseworthy? Because he’s about as far from a sexual predator as it’s possible to get. He’s taking responsibility for his own conduct by making it clear to all that no woman is ever in a compromising position around him. In this world of Clintons, Trumps, Cosbys and Weinsteins, I’d think that’s a good thing. In this world of Thomases and Hills and of Kavanaughs and Fords, I’d think it’s a good thing that there’s no situation that will come down to the he-said-she-said-neither side comes out unscathed kind of fight. In what way is it inherently discriminatory? Is there some kind of non-sexual advantage that attaches itself to a situation of being alone with a member of the opposite sex? Have women in Mike Pence’s employ or potential employ been denied jobs, raises or promotions (to a degree equal to that of men) because he will not be alone with one of them in a room? ---
**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:** [October 16, 2018, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229/187 "2018-10-16T03:42:55Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > ElvisLives: > > Because he’s about as far from a sexual predator as it’s possible to get. He’s taking responsibility for his own conduct by making it clear to all that no woman is ever in a compromising position around him. In this world of Clintons, Trumps, Cosbys and Weinsteins, I’d think that’s a good thing. In this world of Thomases and Hills and of Kavanaughs and Fords, I’d think it’s a good thing that there’s no situation that will come down to the he-said-she-said-neither side comes out unscathed kind of fight. > > In what way is it inherently discriminatory? Is there some kind of non-sexual advantage that attaches itself to a situation of being alone with a member of the opposite sex? Have women in Mike Pence’s employ or potential employ been denied jobs, raises or promotions (to a degree equal to that of men) because he will not be alone with one of them in a room? Men have direct access to the Vice President (and before that, governor of Indiana), which in these situations, gives men a lot of power with him. Women apparently need a chaperone to have a one-on-one conversation with him. Don’t you see how this would put a woman at a disadvantage? ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229/188 "2018-10-16T03:51:02Z")
Happy Lendervedder: > [@](#): > > Men have direct access to the Vice President (and before that, governor of Indiana), which in these situations, gives men a lot of power with him. Women apparently need a chaperone to have a one-on-one conversation with him. Don’t you see how this would put a woman at a disadvantage? No, I don’t. As long as the conversation is face-to-face, the access is direct. The presence of his wife (or someone similarly harmless as far as political influence goes) in the room should have no chilling effect on legitimate political/business communication. ---
**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:** [October 16, 2018, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229/189 "2018-10-16T04:18:06Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > Happy Lendervedder: > > No, I don’t. As long as the conversation is face-to-face, the access is direct. The presence of his wife (or someone similarly harmless as far as political influence goes) in the room should have no chilling effect on legitimate political/business communication. It’s not only about a chilling effect of having someone in the room, it’s about the fact that a man on staff could drop in to chat at practically any time to talk/network/brainstorm/pitch, while a woman needs to wait until someone can chaperone her to his office. Deals get made over lunch one-on-one, ideas get pitched on the golf course. But if you’re a woman, you’re at a distinct disadvantage with a guy like Pence. If you’re a woman, you have to wait until someone suitable is found to be present as a chaperone, and who’s to say he even sees that as a priority. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229/190 "2018-10-16T04:34:00Z")
Golf courses are public places. Lunches don’t have to be secluded to make deals. I can see your point about drop-ins, but before assuming that this leads to discrimination (though I suppose it has the potential to), I’d like to see some proof that Pence applies it in a discriminatory manner. And even if it turns out he is discriminatory and therefore wrong for it, it’s certainly not a matter of his being an “emotionally constipated weirdo.” He’s doing it to avoid even the appearance of impropriety, and if he went overboard in that, it’s still no reason to project some sort of neurosis on the man. ---
**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:** [October 16, 2018, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229/191 "2018-10-16T09:43:10Z")
Democrats might as well go down to the nearest university and find a history or English professor, because that seems to be the kinds of candidates they attract. Wouldn’t surprise me if their next candidate starts diagramming sentences mid-debate. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229/192 "2018-10-16T15:24:11Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > Attach from the 3rd Dimension: > > No, no, no. He doesn’t interact ALONE with A WOMAN without his wife present. This is not due to some sort of weird neurosis, but as a way of keeping him absolutely beyond reproach in his dealings with women. It’s called the “Billy Graham rule” and is something quite a few Christians (and many Jews, under a similar Jewish law) follow. I would think that in this day and age, such conduct would be considered praiseworthy, but of course, when you’re politically opposed to the man, it has to have a weird vibe, doesn’t it? I’m impressed that you managed to completely ignore the point of my post. To reiterate: Please stop putting words in my mouth. Please stop incorrectly restating what I said, by saying what you think I might have meant if I had been your straw man. Please stop assuming anything about other posters’ politics, or opinions. Please learn basic internet civility. ---
**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:** [October 16, 2018, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229/193 "2018-10-16T15:31:26Z")
unless the economy goes down I only see a white guy beating Trump. And not an old guy like Biden. It would be best if the guy had a strong military background too. ---
**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:** [October 16, 2018, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229/194 "2018-10-16T15:41:31Z")
What I’m hearing is that you want the Democrats to nominate someone with, what’s the phrase, “blood-curdling masculinity”? Somebody who can beat weak little rich boy Donnie Trump by threatening to beat him up on stage? Fine, then. Somebody ask LeBron James. He’s real tall. ---
**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:** [October 16, 2018, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229/195 "2018-10-16T15:55:19Z")
last 2 incumbents to lose were Carter and Bush Sr. and both had bad economies. The incumbent always has a big advantage, you can’t beat them with a weak candidate. ---
**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:** [October 16, 2018, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229/196 "2018-10-16T16:19:16Z")
Beto & Tammy. ---
**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:** [October 16, 2018, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229/197 "2018-10-16T16:23:43Z")
the other problem Dems have is a guy who could beat Trump probably won’t get the nomination. The primaries don’t vote for a middle of the road guy , in both parties. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229/198 "2018-10-16T16:49:41Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > What I’m hearing is that you want the Democrats to nominate someone with, what’s the phrase, “blood-curdling masculinity”? Somebody who can beat weak little rich boy Donnie Trump by threatening to beat him up on stage? > > Fine, then. Somebody ask LeBron James. He’s real tall. I know you’re joking here, but James has already demonstrated a better, smarter sense of philanthropy than Trump ever did: > **[LeBron’s new school for at-risk kids in Akron shows he’s bigger than basketball](https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2018/7/30/17629560/lebron-james-i-promise-school-akron)** > > The I Promise School starts Monday. If he chooses to pursue politics after his basketball career, his work ethic and leadership skills could make him a formidable Democrat. Bookmark this post! ---
**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:** [October 16, 2018, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229/199 "2018-10-16T17:10:55Z")
I’m calling it. (Colorado has the 2nd-fastest growing economy in the Country.) **John Hickenlooper [for the Big Job](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe8FnYVSX0Y). Kamala Harris [as his V.P.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqsT4xnKZPg)** That’s it, the final answer. The next two years will be anticlimax. Remember you heard it here … second. (I was Ninja’ed by **ElvisL1ves**.) _@ **Mods** , close the thread please._ ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229/200 "2018-10-16T18:54:56Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > the other problem Dems have is a guy who could beat Trump probably won’t get the nomination. The primaries don’t vote for a middle of the road guy , in both parties. While I don’t know if Gore and Kerry were middle of the road, but Bill, Hillary, and Obama all got a lot of flack for not being liberal enough, and if that’s not middle of the road I’m not sure what is. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-your-pick-for-best-most-likely-to-win-democratic-ticket-for-2020-then-say-why/821229.md?page=11)