# What are these "going nowhere fast" candidates thinking? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 28, 2023, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232 "2023-06-28T14:30:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232/1 "2023-06-28T14:30:14Z")
Say you’re the governor of some backwater state, 40ish, with vague Presidential ambitions off in some distant future, decades hence. Either party, and it doesn’t much matter if you’re a Congressman or a Senator or a Mayor—just some pol in 2024 with no shot at nomination, because your party is looking to nominate an elderly man who has the nomination virtually locked up. So why would you run for an office you have virtually no chance to win? You can’t even rock the boat very much, because that would be seen as getting into the grill of your elderly opponent and making enemies for yourself for no practical gain. The answer is two-fold: one advantage would be elevating your now-low profile into a little name-recognition. “Oh, yeah, that dude who ran for President prematurely in 2024. OK, let’s see what he’s got going now, in 20xx” Probably not worth much, certainly not the effort of spending weeks in wintry NH or Iowa. The other advantage lies in your putative 2024 rival’s advanced age. There is a minuscule but not-zero possibility that your elderly rival will drop dead in the next few months. A smaller but more viable chance is that he drops dead after getting nominated, perhaps even well into the campaign season. What to do? No time for another primary season, debate, nominating convention—the election is only days/weeks/months/hours away!!! Let’s nominate another candidate who’s put some positions out there, gained a delegate or two—I know, how about that shlub from Shlubsylvania? So that’s what such worthies as Pence and Suarez and Hutchison and even Gavin Newsom are up to, putting themselves in people’s minds as “Presidential candidate” in case they’re needed as emergency nominees. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232/2 "2023-06-28T14:40:57Z")
It could be for name recognition for later elections or to get a cabinet position but the reality is that politicians use elections to build up a war chest for elections they may win. For example, when John Hickenlooper ran for President he received a ton of donations and spent hardly any of it until he ran for Senator and added a new round of donations to his treasury. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232/3 "2023-06-28T14:44:04Z")
> [@slicedalone](#): > > Shlubsylvania As a proud resident of this fine state I will not stand for this calumny. And at least Pence, Newsome and Hutchinson have some name recognition. Did Eric Swalwell ever really think he had a shot? Is “getting your name out there” and being squashed really a good career move, wat chest aside? Is that the only reason to do it? ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232/4 "2023-06-28T14:48:13Z")
1. Money (campaign donations) 2. Profile raising for other elections 3. Book deal 4. Cabinet post ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232/5 "2023-06-28T15:20:50Z")
I suspect some are doing it to split the sane vote and let DJT coast to the nomination just like in 2016. Some are auditioning for the vice presidency. Those not currently in public office may do it just to feel relevant again. Some want the campaign money and will find a way to line their own pockets. And some may not have enough self-awareness to know they have no chance. ---
**Author:** ![MrPete67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@MrPete67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrPete67)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232/6 "2023-06-28T15:26:02Z")
For the campaign $$$$$$$$ … As mentioned above. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232/7 "2023-06-28T15:28:47Z")
> [@slicedalone](#): > > Say you’re the governor of some backwater state, 40ish, You just described Bill Clinton. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232/8 "2023-06-28T15:30:29Z")
> [@MrPete67](#): > > For the campaign $$$$$$$$ … As mentioned above Can someone remind me whether candidates can use their campaign funds for personal use after the election? Otherwise, it seems like a lot of work, and all the money will go to consultants, staffers, and ad buys. (I’m talking legally, not like some have done) ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232/9 "2023-06-28T15:33:16Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > and all the money will go to consultants, staffers, and ad buys. I misread this as “ad boys” and was wondering if I’d missed a story or scandal. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232/10 "2023-06-28T16:19:29Z")
Regarding the first two people who announced that they were running for the Democratic presidential nomination, one had just released a book and the other is a constant public antivax advocate. In both cases it was 100% a publicity stunt ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232/11 "2023-06-28T16:25:15Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Some are auditioning for the vice presidency. Yeah, I forgot the VP thing (GOP only, thanks) is another path towards greater future electability. Trump’s VP is also a candidate for “getting yourself killed” of course but if you escape that fate it does lift your name recognition a bunch. And the legacy thing cannot be overstated. “In Iowa, I once came in twelfth in a pool of sixteen GOP candidates for President, once upon a time, that’s how powerful and important your great-grampa was, and never you kids forget that.” ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232/12 "2023-06-28T16:40:46Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > - Money (campaign donations) > - Profile raising for other elections > - Book deal > - Cabinet post 1. Ambassadorship - there’s nothing more loathed at an embassy than some political appointee that wants to be called Mr/Ms Ambassador for the rest of their lives, but has no actual diplomatic skills. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232/13 "2023-06-28T16:48:20Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > > [@slicedalone](#): > > > > Say you’re the governor of some backwater state, 40ish, > > You just described Bill Clinton. And Jimmy Carter. Those two convinced many candidates that someone with almost no national recognition has a shot at the Presidency. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232/14 "2023-06-28T16:48:28Z")
Grifting. Here’s how it works: 1. Write a book 2. Run for office 3. Raise money for campaign (these are donations and you can’t put that money in your pocket) 4. Buy your own book with campaign funds to give out and fundraisers and such (now you can put the money in your pocket) Mike Huckabee has been running this scam for years. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232/15 "2023-06-28T16:58:13Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > Here’s how it works Thank you. That explains a lot. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232/16 "2023-06-28T17:12:16Z")
While all the cynical reasons listed above that “no hope” candidates run for President are valid, I think it’s a mistake to underestimate how much these candidates genuinely believe that there is a path for them to the nomination. Clinton and Carter have already been named as low-profile politicians who ended up in the White House. Obama had been a Senator for all of two years when he announced his candidacy. All politicians almost necessarily have enormous egos, and don’t need much prodding to come up with a scenario where the stars align just right to put them in the Presidency. ---
**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 28, 2023, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232/17 "2023-06-28T17:16:08Z")
Let’s not rule out the possibility that one of the “going nowhere fast” candidates might end up taking the oath of office on January 20, 2025. It’s seventeen months before the election. I doubt anybody in June of 2015 was thinking Donald Trump had a shot at becoming President. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232/18 "2023-06-28T18:00:53Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > And Jimmy Carter. And Jed Bartlett. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232/19 "2023-06-28T18:07:54Z")
Don’t forget Jed Clampitt either while you’re at it. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232/20 "2023-06-28T18:14:21Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Let’s not rule out the possibility that one of the “going nowhere fast” candidates might end up taking the oath of office on January 20, 2025. > > It’s seventeen months before the election. I doubt anybody in June of 2015 was thinking Donald Trump had a shot at becoming President. True. But at the same time, Trump subsequently entered the campaign from a very different place than did the OP’s various current examples, or even from where Carter & Clinton did in their eras. Trump’s cannonball bursting on the scene in 2015 was, like so much else about that ghastly guy, _sui generis_. As of now in 2023 for the 2024 election, Trump looms yugely over the R party’s situation. It doesn’t matter which R wannabe candidate we’re talking about, that person is maneuvering mostly against / around Trump and his baleful shadow, not against / around anyone, much less everyone, else in the field. My point being that yes, I fully agree with your historical assertion, but I’m not sure it says much of anything useful about 2024. And especially nothing useful on the R side. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-going-nowhere-fast-candidates-thinking/986232.md?page=2)