# What type of candidate do the Democrats need in 2020 for opportunity for success? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 7, 2018, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142 "2018-11-07T16:55:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142/41 "2018-11-08T20:48:22Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > I agree on selecting someone more from the center. The 40% that always vote straight D or straight R are going to remain - it’s that 20% that will make the difference. They need to appeal to that 20%, and not only to the base - which means move center. Here is what I think the Dem 2020 candidate needs to be: > > - White\* > - Male\* > - Charismatic - good looking and confident wont hurt > - Like-able > - Lacking “baggage” > - Appearance of bi-partisanship (e.g. co-authoring a bill with a Republican) > - From the mid-west or south/a flyover state (to avoid that “coastal elite” label) > - Focus on the economy, trade, health care (where the GOP can be weak) and not LGBT, immigration, and guns (where those 20% people may perceive the Dems to be weak). > - Some government experience at the state level - a proven record of successes in government > - Be willing to go toe-to-toe with Trump and his supporters and call them out on their lies > > \*Do you want to make a point, or win the election? Obama being elected was the confluence of some very specific circumstances of the time - may not be able to duplicate at this point or in near future. And let’s face it, the US is not going to be ready for a female POTUS in 2020. Yes, BUT- to balance the white male, the Veep should be a minority and/or a woman. Harris comes to mind, as well as many others. I like Beto, Biden (sure he’s old but with a young veep that’s OK) and a couple others. Not Sanders, not Warren, not Harris. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142/42 "2018-11-08T20:53:11Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > I’m with Bernie. He’s the most popular politician in the country. He won the primaries in those Rust Belt States that Clinton lost, so we know he appeals to voters in those States. . He is popular because the GOP did not smear him like they have done to Clinton or any other front runner. In fact the GOP helped Bernie in the primary. The GOp still would love him to run again. He won _caucuses_ in those states, not voter elections. Caucuses show hard core support, not broad support. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142/43 "2018-11-08T21:04:09Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > Likewise, although a Midwestern candidate would make good sense, there’s no sense nominating a Southerner (unless we really feel strongly they’re the best candidate, of course), because we’re not going to win the South no matter what. > > The pro-gun vote is also lost to us beyond redemption. We need to double down on the sensible gun control policies that mobilize our base and appeal to independent suburbanites. Hillary won Virginia. She came close in North Carolina. Bill Clinton won Georgia, Tenn, West Va, Ark and LA. No, it’s not. Yes, the radical “take my gun from my cold dead hands vote” is gone. But the people who own a couple guns for hunting or a handgun for home defense are not gone, and in fact voted for Bill. “Sensible gun control” will just lose us those votes. Look, the anti-gunners ain’t gonna vote GOP, are they? “independent suburbanites” are often the ones who do own a gun for home defense. Sure, put some mild gun controls on the platform- ban bump stocks, maybe “gun show loophole” and such- \*\*but you will lose if you are seen as a “gun grabber”. \*\* Make _absolutely sure_ that Joe Hunter and Jane handgun-in-the-home are not scared off thinking their guns will be taken. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142/44 "2018-11-08T21:06:16Z")
While imperfect, the primary system is pretty good at giving a sense of how good a candidate is. The main issue is that usually not very many candidates run. If the only options are Sanders or Clinton, then the choosin’ ain’t too good. Get a good variety in there and see what shakes loose. Until we see them all in action, I don’t think we can say anything at all about how winnable anyone is. I like Bullock, for example, but I have no idea how strong a campaigner he is. Looking good on paper isn’t sufficient. Though I do think that if you can get Republicans (e.g. Meghan McCain, Jeff Flake, Joe Scarborough, etc.) to all back and endorse a candidate, then that should make you sit up in your seat. It would make sense for the current roster of candidates to go and start flirting. And if they can’t do that, then the DNC might want to let them fund themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142/45 "2018-11-08T21:11:15Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > He is popular because the GOP did not smear him like they have done to Clinton or any other front runner. In fact the GOP helped Bernie in the primary. The GOp still would love him to run again. > > He won _caucuses_ in those states, not voter elections. Caucuses show hard core support, not broad support. Neither Michigan nor Wisconsin had caucuses. (Minnesota did have a caucus, and Clinton won the Pennsylvania primary). ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142/46 "2018-11-08T22:14:04Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yes, BUT- to balance the white male, the Veep should be a minority and/or a woman. Harris comes to mind, as well as many others. Why? Just tossing-in a minority/woman reeks of the “binders full of women” meme from the Romney campaign. Both candidates need to have merit beyond appearances. If the best VP candidate happens to be a woman, or a minority, or a veteran, or whatever, fine, but let’s not go down the tokenism route or the “deserves” route. And when I say “best” I mean electable and will help us win the election. Again, do you want to make a point, or do you want to win? ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142/47 "2018-11-08T22:27:27Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > I agree on selecting someone more from the center. The 40% that always vote straight D or straight R are going to remain - it’s that 20% that will make the difference. They need to appeal to that 20%, and not only to the base - which means move center. Here is what I think the Dem 2020 candidate needs to be: > > - White\* > - Male\* > - Charismatic - good looking and confident wont hurt > - Like-able > - Lacking “baggage” > - Appearance of bi-partisanship (e.g. co-authoring a bill with a Republican) > - From the mid-west or south/a flyover state (to avoid that “coastal elite” label) > - Focus on the economy, trade, health care (where the GOP can be weak) and not LGBT, immigration, and guns (where those 20% people may perceive the Dems to be weak). > - Some government experience at the state level - a proven record of successes in government > - Be willing to go toe-to-toe with Trump and his supporters and call them out on their lies > > \*Do you want to make a point, or win the election? Obama being elected was the confluence of some very specific circumstances of the time - may not be able to duplicate at this point or in near future. And let’s face it, the US is not going to be ready for a female POTUS in 2020. I was just about to post something very similar. I think you’re dead-on about not nominating anything but white males. I have a feeling (nothing more) that if the Democrats here in Texas had nominated a white male candidate for Governor instead of a gay, Hispanic woman, they’d probably have come a LOT closer than they did in that race. And they did in the rest (all white men on both sides). I’d also add “not ancient” to the list. Having a vigorous candidate who’s not eligible for Social Security would set up some interesting contrasts with Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142/48 "2018-11-08T23:37:29Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Why? Just tossing-in a minority/woman reeks of the “binders full of women” meme from the Romney campaign. Both candidates need to have merit beyond appearances. If the best VP candidate happens to be a woman, or a minority, or a veteran, or whatever, fine, but let’s not go down the tokenism route or the “deserves” route. And when I say “best” I mean electable and will help us win the election. Again, do you want to make a point, or do you want to win? So, the Presidential candidate absolutely needs to be a white male, but taking the VP’s race or gender into account would be “tokenism”? Oooookay… ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142/49 "2018-11-08T23:42:52Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Why? Just tossing-in a minority/woman reeks of the “binders full of women” meme from the Romney campaign. Both candidates need to have merit beyond appearances. If the best VP candidate happens to be a woman, or a minority, or a veteran, or whatever, fine, but let’s not go down the tokenism route or the “deserves” route. And when I say “best” I mean electable and will help us win the election. Again, do you want to make a point, or do you want to win? Because balancing the ticket has always helped. Those who want a woman or a minority can take solace in the Veep. ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2018, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142/50 "2018-11-09T00:44:53Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Because balancing the ticket has always helped. Those who want a woman or a minority can take solace in the Veep. We always hear this claim that the Vice Presidential candidate should balance out the Presidential candidate, but does experience show that it’s true? 2004: John Kerry chooses John Edwards, on theory that Edwards’ youth, charisma, and southernness will balance out Kerry’s stiffness and air of old northeast elitism. They lose. 2008: Jon McCain chooses Sarah Palin, on theory that Palin being young, female, and insane will balance out McCain being old, male, stodgy, and boring. They lose. etc… I’m just not seeing any evidence that balancing works. Many winning tickets actual seem kind of similar: 1992/1996: Bill Clinton and Al Gore, both rich, southern, middle-aged white men. 2000/2004: George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, both white men from Texas with ties to the oil industry. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2018, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142/51 "2018-11-09T00:57:07Z")
2016 Insane Multi-millionaire with little religious background, from NYC. Middle class religious zealot from the rust belt. 2008- Middle class black man from the rust belt. Wealthy Catholic from Delaware. 2000/2004: low IQ grinning gladhander/ brilliant, nefarious and machiavellian man from Nebraska. Balanced tickets. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2018, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142/52 "2018-11-09T02:03:15Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Get a good variety in there and see what shakes loose. There’s a lot less time in the 2020 for things to shake loose. California moved it’s primary up to Super Tuesday, March 3rd for the next cycle. That’s a big chunk of delegates moved to a day that was already difficult for challengers. The traditional slow start where someone can find their electorate in IA and NH, along with finding money, to build a nationwide organization is harder than before. Early fundraising and name recognition is more important in that schedule. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2018, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142/53 "2018-11-09T02:07:57Z")
Someone who can, like Bentsen did to Quayle, look Trump in the face and basically say, “Donald, you’re an idiot.” And then turn to the cameras and say, “I’m talking to all of you viewers over 60, or who have a mom or dad over 60. The Republicans want to take away your Social Security and Medicare. Is that something you really want?” Doesn’t sound all that difficult… ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2018, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142/54 "2018-11-09T15:21:54Z")
> [@DinoR](#): > > There’s a lot less time in the 2020 for things to shake loose. > > California moved it’s primary up to Super Tuesday, March 3rd for the next cycle. That’s a big chunk of delegates moved to a day that was already difficult for challengers. The traditional slow start where someone can find their electorate in IA and NH, along with finding money, to build a nationwide organization is harder than before. Early fundraising and name recognition is more important in that schedule. By my count, there’s something like 700 days between now and the next election? ---
**Author:** ![Aescwynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Aescwynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aescwynn)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142/55 "2018-11-09T16:31:44Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > Ideally sqeaky clean, unflappable and personable with a quick self deprecating wit. Basically someone who can laugh off the insults and barbs will inevitably be thrown at him/her and still seem like a nice guy. > > Not that I’m recommending Patrick Mahoney, but I want to love to see a candidate who [could handle hostility like him.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz-MCDR7iks) Damn, that was impressive! OK, now I’m a big fan of Maloney. And Tucker Carlson is a dick. ---
**Author:** ![Aescwynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Aescwynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aescwynn)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2018, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142/56 "2018-11-09T16:48:18Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > A few years ago I thought Cory Booker would be unbeatable. I met him a few times. I’ve heard him speak in public. I have never seen someone be as eloquent, likable and charismatic speaking in front of that many people. No prepared speech. No notes. No TelePrompTer. Tall and handsome don’t hurt either. But now it appears like he thinks he needs to fight fire with fire. He got all yelly at the Kavanaugh hearings. That’s not playing to his strengths. I’m not sure it’s going to do well for him. A lot of people were turned off by the Kavanaugh hearings. Democrats misplayed their hand. ---
**Author:** ![Aescwynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Aescwynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aescwynn)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2018, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142/57 "2018-11-09T17:00:36Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yes, BUT- to balance the white male, the Veep should be a minority and/or a woman. Harris comes to mind, as well as many others. > > I like Beto, Biden (sure he’s old but with a young veep that’s OK) and a couple others. Not Sanders, not Warren, not Harris. How about Biden and Klobuchar? ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2018, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142/58 "2018-11-09T17:12:22Z")
> [@Aescwynn](#): > > A lot of people were turned off by the Kavanaugh hearings. Democrats misplayed their hand. Voters in last Tuesday’s elections disapproved of Kavanaugh’s confirmation by 47-43%. Democrats won the (larger) group of opponents by a greater margin than Republicans won the (smaller) group of supporters. How was it the Democrats misplayed again? ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2018, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142/59 "2018-11-09T17:15:46Z")
> [@Aescwynn](#): > > Damn, that was impressive! OK, now I’m a big fan of Maloney. And Tucker Carlson is a dick. I only watched about 2/3rds, but I wasn’t super impressed. It wouldn’t have been very hard to walk through how a warrant ends up being filed and what sort of evidence has to go behind that. Or even just to say, “The law is blind to who you are. If you’ve committed a crime, the FBI agrees that you’ve committed a crime, a Federal judge agrees that you’ve committed a crime, and a Trump appointee agrees that you’ve committed a crime, then yeah I’m completely comfortable with a warrant being executed on you just as much as I’m comfortable with a warrant being executed on anyone who has created sufficient evidence of criminal activity to convince that many people that they need to get in there.” ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2018, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142/60 "2018-11-09T17:44:13Z")
> [@jaycat](#): > > Someone who can, like Bentsen did to Quayle, look Trump in the face and basically say, “Donald, you’re an idiot.” And then turn to the cameras and say, “I’m talking to all of you viewers over 60, or who have a mom or dad over 60. The Republicans want to take away your Social Security and Medicare. Is that something you really want?” > > Doesn’t sound all that difficult… Cause that propelled Dukakis and Bentsen to the White House! :rolleyes: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-candidate-do-the-democrats-need-in-2020-for-opportunity-for-success/824142.md?page=4)