# 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:** 6
**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:** [February 3, 2015, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/101 "2015-02-03T21:19:18Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [O’Malley’s putting himself out there.](http://www.salon.com/2015/02/03/the_progressive_executive_how_martin_omalley_plans_to_run_for_president/) Good stuff - thanks. I like what I’m seeing of him. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2015, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/102 "2015-02-05T15:21:11Z")
Another interesting piece on O’Malley: > **[A long-shot bid in 2016 may suit Martin O’Malley](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/if-he-runs-for-president-in-2016-martin-omalley-will-again-be-an-underdog/2014/09/15/d67dccce-39f0-11e4-bdfb-de4104544a37_story.html)** > > It wouldn’t be the first time the Maryland governor had been the underdog candidate. ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2015, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/103 "2015-02-08T23:43:02Z")
Here’s an interesting short piece on why the Democratic 2016 bench is perceived as weak: [http://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/why-the-2016-democratic-bench-seems-weaker-than-it-is/](http://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/why-the-2016-democratic-bench-seems-weaker-than-it-is/) ---
**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:** [February 15, 2015, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/104 "2015-02-15T20:40:03Z")
Some grumbling among Dems as to Hillary’s mooks asking for money while the putative candidate stays out: [Activists bristle at Clinton fundraising - POLITICO](http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/activists-hillary-clinton-fundraising-pleas-115199.html?hp=t2_r) ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2015, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/105 "2015-02-16T04:33:18Z")
The infighting’s started early. And who thought it was a good idea to hire David Brock? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2015, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/106 "2015-02-16T14:46:16Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > The infighting’s started early. And who thought it was a good idea to hire David Brock? Why would that not be a good idea? He knows how the enemy thinks. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/107 "2015-02-17T13:13:17Z")
He’s also the master of the ineffective dirty attack. When I see the smears he was behind, I think to myself, “And what did any of that accomplish? It didn’t even dent the Clintons.” Anyway, here’s a great profile of Jim Webb: > **[Jim Webb's Populist Zeal](https://www.nationaljournal.com/s/31956/jim-webbs-populist-zeal/)** > > Can Jim Webb spark an anti-Hillary uprising? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/108 "2015-02-18T12:39:29Z")
Clinton team annoyed that David Axelrod keeps telling the truth. > **[Axelrod quips irritate Clintonland](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/232811-axelrod-quips-irritate-clintonland/)** > > “It’s not helpful, and it’s definitely not appreciated,” said one Clinton ally. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2015, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/109 "2015-02-18T13:32:31Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Clinton team annoyed that David Axelrod keeps telling the truth. > > [http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/232811-axelrod-quips-irritate-clintonland](http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/232811-axelrod-quips-irritate-clintonland) This type of stuff is good for Hillary. She needs to be picked at and needled, and hopefully have a vigorous primary opponent, to be ready for the general election. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/110 "2015-02-18T13:39:04Z")
I don’t know where you’re getting that from. There is virtually no one with more experience and more success in taking rabid, mindless attacks from Republican politicians. Getting needled by Elizabeth Warren about an insufficiently bold populist agenda must seem like getting a warm hug compared to being accused of murdering Vince Foster. Or even taking rabid, mindless attacks from Obama worshippers for an entire primary season, for that matter. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2015, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/111 "2015-02-18T13:51:39Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > I don’t know where you’re getting that from. There is virtually no one with more experience and more success in taking rabid, mindless attacks from Republican politicians. Getting needled by Elizabeth Warren about an insufficiently bold populist agenda must seem like getting a warm hug compared to being accused of murdering Vince Foster. Or even taking rabid, mindless attacks from Obama worshippers for an entire primary season, for that matter. I think it’s easy to get complacent. Whatever she’s been through, I think there’s a great chance her opponents will come up with some new line of attack, and I want her to be as ready as possible. I don’t think these sorts of needling comments matter even a smidgen, and I think it might keep her team thinking and responding. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2015, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/112 "2015-02-18T13:59:27Z")
Honestly, other than outright fabrications - which will only appeal to those who will never vote for her anyway - I have trouble imagining anything that could be thrown at Hillary that hasn’t already been thrown. It feels like all of her negatives are already baked in. A campaign against her is going to have to try to re-raise doubts about issues X,Y and Z. But it’s pretty clear a lot of that is settled business. Even the Benghazi thing isn’t getting a lot of traction outside of already decided hard-R voters anymore. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2015, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/113 "2015-02-18T14:05:20Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Clinton team annoyed that David Axelrod keeps telling the truth. > > [http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/232811-axelrod-quips-irritate-clintonland](http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/232811-axelrod-quips-irritate-clintonland) Right-wing wanking site owned by the Moonies publishes article with no named sources, only a “Clinton ally” and a “Clinton supporter”. Thanks but no thanks for digging up some “truth”. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/114 "2015-02-18T14:07:57Z")
Most of her negatives are actually baked in, although with that couple there are always new things. Reportedly, Bill Clinton still can’t keep it in his pants and has been associating with some pretty shady characters. Right now those stories are only percolating through the right-wing media, but like the Edwards story, they’ll go mainstream pretty quickly if there’s anything to them. But more importantly, she’s still a very artificial, play-it-safe candidate and I think you’ll find that other candidates in the primary upend her apple cart pretty easily. It still remains to be seen whether she can win a competitive race. So far, she’s 0-1 in that regard. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/115 "2015-02-18T14:15:49Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Most of her negatives are actually baked in And she still has favs in the 55-60 range. > [@](#): > > with that couple there are always new things. Most invented. The old stuff has failed. > [@](#): > > Reportedly, Bill Clinton still can’t keep it in his pants and has been associating with some pretty shady characters. Right now those stories are only percolating through the right-wing media C’mon, don’t be stingy with the links. 😉 > [@](#): > > It still remains to be seen whether she can win a competitive race. So far, she’s 0-1 in that regard. A couple of NY Senate candidates might wish to discuss that with you. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/116 "2015-02-18T14:36:43Z")
Really? A Democrat winning in New York is a challenging race? Again, 0-1. And she’s repeating all of the same mistakes she made last time. We’ve still got no one really in charge, we’ve still got infighting, we’ve still got her running as if she’s assuming a coronation. She’ll wilt at the first sign of an alternative. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/117 "2015-02-18T14:43:27Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Really? A Democrat winning in New York is a challenging race? You know what you said. You also know why you said it. > [@](#): > > Again, 0-1. 😉 > [@](#): > > And she’s repeating all of the same mistakes she made last time. Specify. > [@](#): > > We’ve still got no one really in charge, we’ve still got infighting, we’ve still got her running as if she’s assuming a coronation. She’ll wilt at the first sign of an alternative. Is that what Mallard is telling you these days? ---
**Author:** ![Pashnish\_Ewing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8797f3/32.png) [@Pashnish\_Ewing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pashnish_Ewing)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/118 "2015-02-18T16:08:35Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Or even taking rabid, mindless attacks from Obama worshippers for an entire primary season, for that matter. Hey, Everybody! 2008 \*\*Elvis \*\*is back! ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/119 "2015-02-18T16:18:08Z")
And so is 2008 **Pashnish**! Tell us all what you learned from the experience. ---
**Author:** ![Pashnish\_Ewing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8797f3/32.png) [@Pashnish\_Ewing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pashnish_Ewing)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400/120 "2015-02-18T16:29:07Z")
Well, since 2008, the right wingers have proven that the ‘Obama Worshipers’ line of defense is one without merit. But I guess that doesn’t answer your question because I knew that way back then, too. I see you have failed to learn that lesson. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400.md?page=7)