# The 2016 Democratic Candidates **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 20, 2015, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400 "2015-01-20T18:50:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/181 "2015-03-12T09:00:23Z")
Here’s an interesting Milbank op-ed on O’Malley: > **[Opinion | Hillary Clinton has little to fear from Martin O’Malley](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/hillary-clinton-has-little-to-fear-from-martin-omalley/2015/03/11/b64373b4-c82f-11e4-b2a1-bed1aaea2816_story.html)** > > She just doesn’t have a credible challenger. Milbank poo-poos O’Malley’s “data driven governance” as uninspiring and more befitting an EPA administrator than a President. I think he’s mistaken. There’s definitely a market for candidates who give a damn about government being inefficient and have ideas on how to make it work better. If the EPA administrators of the country were getting it done it wouldn’t have to be a Presidential issue. But it is, so I’m glad to hear a candidate talk about it. There was once another candidate who talked about making government work better, and then assigned his VP to the task as soon as he was elected. I wonder what Milbank thinks of that President? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/182 "2015-03-12T09:04:13Z")
> [@](#): > > “We brought crime down by 43 percent,” he said. “We reduced the number of children poisoned by lead in our city by 71 percent.” The statistics kept coming. “We cut in half the number of children placed in foster care. . . . We reduced infant mortality by more than 17 percent. . . . We drove down avoidable hospital readmissions by more than 10 percent in just the first year of trying. . . . I think we received some award from somebody.” WTF? Those aren’t huge accomplishments, Dana? ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/183 "2015-03-12T12:19:17Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I think I’ve figured out how every Democratic candidate is THE MOST LIBERAL. You start by dividing the country into two parties, a liberal party and a conservative party (i.e., the Democrats and Republicans). You then measure how liberal a candidate is by how often they agree with the liberal party. But how do you establish what positions are held by the party as a whole? Well, you look at who they nominate s their presidential candidate: What the candidate stands for is assumed to be what the party stands for. Presto, you now have that the Democratic nominee is 100% liberal. > > On the other hand, though, this does not work in reverse. The Republican candidate is not the most conservative Republican, because often, the Republican candidate doesn’t agree with the Republican candidate. Excellently put. Someone might say that, for example, HRC’s “hawkish” foreign policy instincts might serve as a counterexample, but you can bet that she’ll be painted and perceived by many as 100% liberal in this realm as well (why? because…Benghazi!) ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/184 "2015-03-12T12:25:49Z")
I’m sure there will be attempts from many quarters, but believability matters. I’d note, however, that many people seem to see Clinton as some kind of progressive. Not sure where they get that idea, her record has been centrist down the line, leaning to the right on foreign policy. My criticisms of Clinton have little to do with her ideology. But because her ideology is center-right, I’ll take her over some Republicans and just about any Democrat. Then again, when I say “center right”, I’m trying to categorize a politician who avoids taking firm stands on anything if she can avoid it, so maybe I’m just seeing in her whatever I want to see in her, much like many progressives. Never has so little been known about the views of someone in the public eye so long. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2015, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/185 "2015-03-13T16:07:37Z")
[Interview with Martin O’Malley.](http://www.salon.com/2015/03/13/a_lot_of_us_are_disappointed_and_angry_martin_o%e2%80%99malley_makes_his_case_to_salon/) ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/186 "2015-03-16T18:08:57Z")
[The New York Post is reporting that senior Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett is responsible for the leaks about Hillary’s email account, and that Jarrett has more bombs she’s planning on dropping.](http://nypost.com/2015/03/14/obama-adviser-behind-leak-of-hillary-clintons-e-mail-scandal/) ---
**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 16, 2015, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/187 "2015-03-16T18:20:46Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > [The New York Post is reporting that senior Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett is responsible for the leaks about Hillary’s email account, and that Jarrett has more bombs she’s planning on dropping.](http://nypost.com/2015/03/14/obama-adviser-behind-leak-of-hillary-clintons-e-mail-scandal/) Edward Klein (and his unnamed sources)? LOL. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/188 "2015-03-16T20:16:10Z")
Even without seeing who wrote it, just by reading it you can see how full of crap he is. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/189 "2015-03-16T20:49:32Z")
The right wing has had a major hard-on (if you’ll excuse the image) to get Valerie Jarret since she was first hired. She’s the female Van Jones to them. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/190 "2015-03-16T20:56:07Z")
I wouldn’t classify it as any more than a chubby. Karl Rove got much more hate in a similar role. And liberals were just dying to pin the Valerie Plame thing on him. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/191 "2015-03-16T23:25:49Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > I wouldn’t classify it as any more than a chubby. Karl Rove got much more hate in a similar role. And liberals were just dying to pin the Valerie Plame thing on him. Wow…good job. You’re hitting on all the false equivalency cylinders today. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/192 "2015-03-17T02:42:18Z")
Karl Rove, [political expert.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBQvXZSnua4) The polls are a liberal conspiracy! Good times. [Five Democrats who should run](http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2015/03/hillary_clinton_campaign_deval_patrick_ron_wyden_amy_klobuchar_and_other.html) Anyone have thoughts on Ron Wyden, Sherrod Brown or Amy Klobuchar? I’m pretty sure Bloomberg and Patrick won’t run. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/193 "2015-03-17T03:30:53Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Anyone have thoughts on Ron Wyden, Sherrod Brown or Amy Klobuchar? I’m pretty sure Bloomberg and Patrick won’t run. I hang out at several center-to-lefty blogs and I haven’t heard word one about any of those three even dropping hints. Nor have I heard any clamor for any of them, like I have for Senator Warren and Governor O’Malley. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/194 "2015-03-17T05:50:55Z")
The Hillary-effect makes the 2016 democratic primaries seem as though she is the incumbent, sitting president. It’s weird. Every possible candidate is a fantasy candidate, because nobody thinks they can beat her. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/195 "2015-03-17T09:56:23Z")
Ezra Klein states the obvious. Al Gore should run: > **[Al Gore should run for president](https://www.vox.com/2015/3/16/8220537/al-gore-president-2016)** > > If Gore is really so concerned with the future of the planet, then running in 2016 is his best chance to change it. If Gore entered the race at this point, he’d probably sweep Clinton aside. Gore has all the name recognition and an even more impressive resume, without the scandal. Plus he’s unbeaten in Presidential elections. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/196 "2015-03-17T10:09:10Z")
Another article on Gore from this week: > **[Al Gore for president. Does he have a chance?](https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/Decoder/2015/0316/Al-Gore-for-president.-Does-he-have-a-chance)** > > The former vice president has been out of politics for a long time, but some are clamoring for Al Gore to run in 2016. I’m sure he’s getting calls. I wonder if he’s taking those calls? I always figured he stayed out of past races in part because the time wasn’t right. 2004 was just too soon, 2008 featured Clinton and Obama, and 2012 was Obama’s reelection campaign. 2016 will be his last chance. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/197 "2015-03-18T14:12:47Z")
[Hillary Clinton crushes Dem, GOP rivals in new poll.](http://www.salon.com/2015/03/18/hillary_clinton_crushes_dem_gop_rivals_in_new_poll/) ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/198 "2015-03-18T17:37:13Z")
I think any Dem who gets in the race against Clinton will be in a good position. We’ve had a bunch of posters in this thread (and I add myself to the list) saying “Sure, I’ll vote for Clinton if she’s the nominee. But I’d rather vote for someone else.” She’s dominating the polls because she’s one of the most recognized political faces in the country. John Q. McVoter couldn’t pick O’Malley out of a lineup today, let alone any of the lower-profile names mentioned above. But put any name on the primary ballot next to Clinton’s and they’ll make a decent showing; put a _good_ candidate against her and it’s a real race, especially if she stumbles. This whole e-mail kerfluffle is a tempest in a teapot but even so, she handled it clumsily. Not only is she not unbeatable; she’s vulnerable if someone would _fucking run against her_. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/199 "2015-03-18T23:10:32Z")
She has opposition. Democratic voters just need to act more like Republican voters and give the less well known candidates a fair hearing once the debates start. Martin O’Malley is tons more qualified to be President than Herman Cain or Rick Santorum, yet those guys got their chance to lead the pack based on good debate performances. Republican voters were willing to hear them out. Democratic voters need to be willing to hear O’Malley and any other well qualified candidates out and not be dazzled by Clinton’s celebrity. Webb is also well qualified. Sanders at least checks some ideological boxes if nothing else. And despite Biden’s penchant for gaffes, I’ve never understood why he’s gotten so little support in his last two runs. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/200 "2015-03-18T23:16:19Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > And despite Biden’s penchant for gaffes, I’ve never understood why he’s gotten so little support in his last two runs. Perhaps because he is too likeable to take seriously. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400.md?page=11)