# 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:** 13
**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:** [April 9, 2015, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/241 "2015-04-09T19:41:59Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Anybody who says, more than a year before the nominee is going to be picking a running mate, that he wants to _be_ that running mate, is very unlikely to get the job. It’s considered bad form to want the Vice Presidency that much. Chafee didn’t say that he wanted to be VP (in fact, he was strongly critical of Hillary). I think **Elvis** was just punditizing. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/242 "2015-04-09T23:33:28Z")
Seems to me that Chaffee would be more effective as an independent. Then Clinton needs to get him out of the race, which means making a deal. ---
**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:** [April 9, 2015, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/243 "2015-04-09T23:38:33Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Seems to me that Chaffee would be more effective as an independent. Then Clinton needs to get him out of the race, which means making a deal. I seriously doubt Chafee is interested in playing spoiler. Even a hint of Naderesque spoiletry would be incredibly poorly received by moderates and liberals. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/244 "2015-04-09T23:44:17Z")
Given that he’s already won a race as an independent, he’s not really a spoiler. And more than Nader, he can claim to be winning Republican votes. Which he will. He’ll just win more Democratic votes at this point in his career. But if the GOP nominates a Tea Partier, where do the moderates go? Why not Chaffee? But I’m not actually suggesting that he go through with a run. If he wants to be VP though, he could credibly plan to run, which would get him either VP or a sweet cabinet position. It’s a big plus for Clinton too, because it’s almost like a unity ticket- Democrat/moderate Republican vs. the extreme right. The obvious disadvantage is that it leaves the Democratic bench bare unless someone emerges over the following eight years. I’m pretty sure Clinton will be under a lot of pressure to appoint someone young and interesting as the VP so there’s an heir apparent. ---
**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:** [April 10, 2015, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/245 "2015-04-10T00:20:11Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Given that he’s already won a race as an independent, he’s not really a spoiler. And more than Nader, he can claim to be winning Republican votes. Which he will. He’ll just win more Democratic votes at this point in his career. But if the GOP nominates a Tea Partier, where do the moderates go? Why not Chaffee? Chafee won’t do it because he’s principled and intelligent, and has no interest in helping the Republicans. > [@](#): > > But I’m not actually suggesting that he go through with a run. If he wants to be VP though, he could credibly plan to run, which would get him either VP or a sweet cabinet position. It’s a big plus for Clinton too, because it’s almost like a unity ticket- Democrat/moderate Republican vs. the extreme right. The obvious disadvantage is that it leaves the Democratic bench bare unless someone emerges over the following eight years. I’m pretty sure Clinton will be under a lot of pressure to appoint someone young and interesting as the VP so there’s an heir apparent. He’s already started to attack Clinton in a pretty substantial way. I see no reason to believe he’s particularly interested in a VP slot. I’m not particularly optimistic about his chances, but I’ve always liked Chafee and I’ll consider supporting him. ---
**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:** [April 10, 2015, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/246 "2015-04-10T01:35:31Z")
Any other Democrat who runs will have to make a case as to why he or she would be a better President than Clinton-- That’s what running in an election fundamentally means. And logically, “I’m better than A” is exactly equivalent to “A is worse than me”. It’s just that the latter gets parsed as an attack, while the former does not. In any event, though, any other Democratic candidate would agree that Clinton would be a better choice than the vast majority of Republicans, and in the unlikely event that Clinton is the last one standing, none of them would hesitate to endorse her. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2015, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/247 "2015-04-10T01:56:25Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Given that he’s already won a race as an independent, he’s not really a spoiler. Anyone who runs for POTUS as an independent or third-party candidate is a spoiler. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2015, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/248 "2015-04-10T09:40:54Z")
The Washington Post point of view about Chaffee: [He’s selling books](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/04/09/lincoln-chafee-the-oddest-presidential-candidate-yet-until-you-see-his-web-site/) ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2015, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/249 "2015-04-10T11:26:55Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > And logically, “I’m better than A” is exactly equivalent to “A is worse than me”. It’s just that the latter gets parsed as an attack, while the former does not. “While my esteemed in the upcoming certainly has some interesting ideas, I believe that my plan will create more, higher-paying jobs by blah-blah-blah. I therefore humbly ask your support.” “My opponent’s jobs plan will force our people to choose between leaving the state for a good job or accepting a lower-paying job here! Can you afford to have _him_ in the job? We need your support.” Are these truly logically equivalent? ETA: And really who cares if they _are_ logically equivalent. Politics has very little to do with logic. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2015, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/250 "2015-04-10T13:36:16Z")
Hillary announces on Sunday. That will clear up a few things, anyway. ---
**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:** [April 10, 2015, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/251 "2015-04-10T15:29:55Z")
\ What does it mean to say “Candidate X will announce on Y date”? How is this ever known? If the information comes from the candidate or her campaign, then isn’t the release of the information itself the announcement? And if it doesn’t, how can it be reliable? Is it actually just “Candidate X will be making a major press release on Y date”, and it’s just assumed that the only reason for such a press release would be to announce that she is running? \ ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2015, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/252 "2015-04-10T16:28:40Z")
A leak like this is usually quite specific as to what that major press release will be. In a 24/7 news cycle, the specifics get reported and become the story. Here’s CNN on Hillary’s entry into the race: [http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/10/politics/hillary-clinton-2016-announcement-sunday/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/10/politics/hillary-clinton-2016-announcement-sunday/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2015, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/253 "2015-04-10T17:08:18Z")
Hell, politics _operates_ via leaks, and leaks are usually planned and planted. This isn’t even really a leak, either. All the announcement means is that FEC regulations, jokes though they are, start coming into effect. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2015, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/254 "2015-04-10T17:19:32Z")
[BTW, Nancy Reagan wants Hillary to win.](http://drudgereport.com.co/nancy-reagan-i-want-hillary-to-win/) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2015, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/255 "2015-04-11T03:07:29Z")
A good _Guardian_ profile of O’Malley: [Will Martin O’Malley be Hillary Clinton's undoing in 2016 presidential race? | US elections 2016 | The Guardian](http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/mar/12/martin-omalley-profile-2016-presidential-nomination-clinton) ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2015, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/256 "2015-04-11T04:19:11Z")
If one wants an anti-war candidate one should go for an actual Democrat like Jim Webb or Brian Schweitzer rather than Lincoln Chafee. Mr. Chafee is hopefully one of the last manifestations of the sort of Very Serious Personist nonsense that this country has suffered from in the last two decades, especially the Democratic Party. Same with Chafee who parades himself as some sort of a virtuous “moderate” or even “liberal” because he supports gay marriage, legalized abortion, and opposed Iraq War despite advocating destroying the basics of the New Deal. Fortunately he seems doomed to irrelevancy at this point in time. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2015, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/257 "2015-04-11T15:24:35Z")
[The NRA makes its views known](http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/04/wayne-lapierres-grotesque-warning-hillary-clinton-will-bring-a-permanent-darkness-of-deceit-and-despair/) (not to anyone’s surprise): > [@](#): > > “She will not bring a new dawn of promise and new opportunity,” LaPierre argued. “Hillary Rodham Clinton will bring a permanent darkness of deceit and despair, forced upon the American people to endure.” ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2015, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/258 "2015-04-11T15:28:37Z")
They said much the same, if not worse, about Obama. I must have missed the massive house-to-house gun confiscations by jackbooted government thugs since 2009. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2015, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/259 "2015-04-11T15:53:47Z")
Heh. That’s because Democrats quail at the prospect of even having to vote on background checks. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2015, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/260 "2015-04-11T16:30:15Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > They said much the same, if not worse, about Obama. I must have missed the massive house-to-house gun confiscations by jackbooted government thugs since 2009. It will happen on January 19th, 2025! JUST YOU WATCH! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400.md?page=14)