# Which 2020 Democrat CAN defeat Trump? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 19, 2018, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218 "2018-07-19T18:35:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218/61 "2018-07-20T14:10:34Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > There is no question that Obama able to run a third term would have won. If whites who voted for Obama had voted for HRC she’d have won. If Blacks who turned out for Obama had turned out for HRC she’d have won. If she got the same popular vote result (remember she won that by 2%) but shifted some of the votes to MI, PA, and WI, she’d have won. > > That last part is I think key. You need a candidate who will win those states. PA, MI, WI … what candidate does best in those states without losing others? Race, gender … matter less than that. Charisma matters more. Indeed. Every analysis of the 2016 election comes down to one inescapable conclusion. Donald trump DID NOT win, Hillary Clinton LOST. Nominate someone who won’t lose and the winning will take care of itself. Democrats _have_ the votes to capture the presidency, they just have to get damn near ALL of them in order to do it. And it takes someone like Barack Obama or Bill Clinton to do that. That person _is_ out there, we just don’t know it yet. ---
**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:** [July 20, 2018, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218/62 "2018-07-20T14:18:34Z")
I think all we have to do is ask ourselves one question: is our candidate’s name Hillary Clinton? If it is not, we win. She is the only Democrat who could have possibly lost in 2016 but very nearly pulled it out. Take away the Comey surprise and she wins. But any other Democrat would have won in a walk. It isn’t fair, but people just don’t like her. We can pick any candidate with any charisma and we win. Give me Biden, he’s as comfy as an old pair of shoes. In 2020 after 4 years of hell, people are going to want someone who will lower their blood pressure. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218/63 "2018-07-20T14:49:05Z")
At this point I am open to being wowed by someone who I do not yet really know (and will enthusiastically rally around whoever gets the nom) but am \*tentatively \*pulling for a Biden-Duckworth ticket. I could also see Brown or even Harris rounding it out for different reasons. Or even a Bullock. 75 is the new 60 … 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218/64 "2018-07-20T15:13:36Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I think all we have to do is ask ourselves one question: is our candidate’s name Hillary Clinton? If it is not, we win. She is the only Democrat who could have possibly lost in 2016 but very nearly pulled it out. Take away the Comey surprise and she wins. But any other Democrat would have won in a walk. It isn’t fair, but people just don’t like her. We can pick any candidate with any charisma and we win. Give me Biden, he’s as comfy as an old pair of shoes. In 2020 after 4 years of hell, people are going to want someone who will lower their blood pressure. Nope, nope, nope. We are well past that point. Biden is so last-administration and ‘Socialist’ Sanders would get steamrolled. What the Democrats need is someone who is more than just a not-Hillary; it’s got to be someone who actively excites the majority of the party, and particularly younger voters. I don’t have a name to hand but then I’m not a younger voter. Go ask, say, the Parkland kids for some names. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218/65 "2018-07-20T15:17:14Z")
Who can beat Trump? Or rather, how can Trump be beaten? Is there a candidate who will draw a better turnout than Hillary in 2016? Unless someone like Obama comes out from nowhere, I’m not seeing it. So the answer to me is to flip 2016 Trump voters in key states like Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida, etc. Moderate republicans who reluctantly pulled the lever for Trump might not be able to stomach an overly progressive D candidate. The guy I’d like to see run against Trump is John Kasich. He clearly doesn’t like Trump and hinted at leaving the GOP months ago. I don’t think he’ll primary Trump, nor do I think he would have a chance to win if he did. But if he pulled the ol’ party switch-a-roo? He’s got enough name recognition and he’s from the right state. He’d win Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Democrats may not love the idea, but I think if your candidate is ultra progressive, you are at great risk of losing again because you couldn’t convince enough people to switch their vote. ---
**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:** [July 20, 2018, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218/66 "2018-07-20T15:17:59Z")
Gee, if only the Democrats had someone who could excite younger voters. It’s a real stumper. ---
**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:** [July 20, 2018, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218/67 "2018-07-20T15:48:47Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Harris isnt even all that popular here in CA. I understand you don’t like her, but she tallied 7.5 million votes (62%) in her senate race. A lot of people would kill for that level of unpopularity. I’m not saying she’s ready for the presidency, but VP isn’t out of the question. > [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > Rolling my eyes at the folks saying we need to nominate a conservative Southern white guy. Yeah, because Americans would never elect a non-white President. Oh, wait… **And HRC didn’t lose because she was a woman, she lost because, not to sound like a broken record, _most Americans don’t like or trust her._** That’s largely due to the 25 year smear campaign against her, and it’s not fair, but that and two bucks will get you a cup of coffee. (bolding mine) Put aside most of the clueless “analysis” concerning why the Democrats “don’t get it” in these threads, because this is the single most important reason that she lost. She didn’t even excite white women voters. HRC was an inevitability that inspired apathy. People need to stop freaking out about the lack of a consensus candidate this far out. Let’s have a big, ugly primary with a dozen candidates. This time around, it won’t be the DNC shoving their nominee down everyone’s throat. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218/68 "2018-07-20T16:31:26Z")
> [@nate](#): > > Would Al Franken have a chance? Your answer to Trump is to run someone to the left of Marx? Good. Guaranteed win for my side. Trump is nuts but other than the 1 Democrat I suggested I’ll take him over anything you guys offer up. And so will the rest of the country. The left just doesn’t learn, do they? * * * Obama was a demagogue who will enjoy the distinction of being the last black president. Nobody will ever motivate the black vote like he did ever again. After him the Democrats will not win the White house running anyone left of center. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218/69 "2018-07-20T16:34:07Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Your answer to Trump is to run someone to the left of Marx? Good. Guaranteed win for my side. > > Trump is nuts but other than the 1 Democrat I suggested I’ll take him over anything you guys offer up. > And so will the rest of the country. The left just doesn’t learn, do they? > > Obama was a demagogue who will enjoy the distinction of being the last black president. Nobody will ever motivate the black vote like he did ever again. After him the Democrats will not win the White house running anyone left of center. You’re not a Democrat or even a thoughtful independent. Forgive me if your opinion fails to sway. ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218/70 "2018-07-20T16:34:38Z")
> [@chargerrich](#): > > That would be a near deam ticket… and yes that is one of the best political ads in recent memory. > > My dream ticket would be two moderate democrats with military backgrounds for POTUS/VP. McRaven and Kander would be a lock IMO > > Can you imagine Trump trying to insult, belittle or otherwise impugn McRaven during a debate? That would be worth a pay per view 🙂 That ticket isn’t going to get the minorities out to the polls. I like all the people you’ve mentioned but there needs to be a minority on the ticket if one of them ran. Kander would be a good VP for Booker. Booker himself would be a good VP for McRaven. ---
**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:** [July 20, 2018, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218/71 "2018-07-20T16:35:46Z")
I think the country is a lot more left than is given credit. Franken would have a good chance since he is extremely smart and very articulate and quite charismatic. What’s more, having a serial sexual predator as an opponent would inoculate him against charges of sexual harassment. The Republicans will vote like they always do. The challenge is getting someone that can relate to rust belters. ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218/72 "2018-07-20T16:36:56Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > The guy I’d like to see run against Trump is John Kasich. He clearly doesn’t like Trump and hinted at leaving the GOP months ago. I don’t think he’ll primary Trump, nor do I think he would have a chance to win if he did. But if he pulled the ol’ party switch-a-roo? He’s got enough name recognition and he’s from the right state. He’d win Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Democrats may not love the idea, but I think if your candidate is ultra progressive, you are at great risk of losing again because you couldn’t convince enough people to switch their vote. Kasich is a joke. He is a complete JOKE. The guy has NO charisma at all, even his face looks like a sad-sack hangdog mug with the weight of the world on it. I remember in one of the GOP debates he actually closed by saying, “I’d like you all to consider giving me your vote, I’d really appreciate it.” _I’d really appreciate it!_ He’s a joke! ---
**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:** [July 20, 2018, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218/73 "2018-07-20T16:48:05Z")
I would also suggest that a key to winning would be for the media to give Trump reporting a break, rather than delivering him the greatest quantity of free promotion in the history of mankind. ---
**Author:** ![chargerrich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chargerrich/32/5399_2.png) [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218/74 "2018-07-20T16:59:39Z")
> [@Lamoral](#): > > That ticket isn’t going to get the minorities out to the polls. I like all the people you’ve mentioned but there needs to be a minority on the ticket if one of them ran. Kander would be a good VP for Booker. Booker himself would be a good VP for McRaven. A McRaven/Booker ticket would also be great (besides Kander is running for Mayor of Kansas City so he is likely more of a 2028 option). I would posit that the Dems do not necessarily need a minority on the ticket to get minorities out to vote in 2020. I think Trump has done plenty to ensure most minorities do not sit on the sidelines and certainly will come out in more force than 2016. ---
**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:** [July 20, 2018, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218/75 "2018-07-20T17:03:42Z")
This thread is pure comedy gold. Are there Republicans who think like this? “Our key to victory in 2020 is to dump Trump and Pence and run a ticket of Maxine Waters and Caitlin Jenner!” “That sounds good, but I’d feel more comfortable if we had someone on the ticket who has extensive experience performing third-trimester abortions. If his wife wears a burka, that would be even better!” ---
**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:** [July 20, 2018, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218/76 "2018-07-20T17:10:28Z")
On a serious note, I’ll point out that Ohio and Wisconsin have elected two of the most left-wing Democrats in the Senate, one of them a lesbian. So I don’t understand why people would think the Dems need to dumb down their message or pander to bigotry to win in the rust belt swing States. ---
**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:** [July 20, 2018, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218/77 "2018-07-20T17:20:34Z")
> [@Lamoral](#): > > Kasich is a joke. He is a complete JOKE. The guy has NO charisma at all, even his face looks like a sad-sack hangdog mug with the weight of the world on it. I remember in one of the GOP debates he actually closed by saying, “I’d like you all to consider giving me your vote, I’d really appreciate it.” _I’d really appreciate it!_ He’s a joke! Yeah, he couldn’t come close to running a competitive primary campaign in a party where his positions on abortion, gay marriage and guns AREN’T automatic deal breakers, so… ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218/78 "2018-07-20T17:44:37Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > You’re not a Democrat or even a thoughtful independent. Forgive me if your opinion fails to sway. This. This is why Trump will get reelected in 2020. > [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > On a serious note, I’ll point out that Ohio and Wisconsin have elected two of the most left-wing Democrats in the Senate, one of them a lesbian. And in November that lesbian has a very high possibility of getting tossed out like last nights Shake-n-Bake bag. Wisconsin will actually be a Republican pick up in the Senate. Remember how you guys thought Russ Feingold was going to come back and defeat Tom Johnson? Feingold is more popular than Tammy Baldwin ever was and he lost! ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218/79 "2018-07-20T17:49:37Z")
> [@chargerrich](#): > > A McRaven/Booker ticket would also be great (besides Kander is running for Mayor of Kansas City so he is likely more of a 2028 option). > > I would posit that the Dems do not necessarily need a minority on the ticket to get minorities out to vote in 2020. I think Trump has done plenty to ensure most minorities do not sit on the sidelines and certainly will come out in more force than 2016. Not so sure about that. I know that personal experience doesn’t necessarily translate to the big picture, but most of the black and Hispanic people that I know are fairly apolitical compared to the white people. My FB feed blows up all day long with political posts from white people, but my friends of other ethnicities seem to very rarely post about politics. They post about the things in life that they enjoy: their family, their music, their art, their sports, their pets, etc. Obviously white people do this too but I see WAY more political posting from them compared to the others. Moving from FB to real life, I go to shows, open mic events, I see political statements in the music from white people far more often than from black people. This isn’t to say that I never see or hear political statements from black and Hispanic people. However when it comes to overblown hyperbole - Trump=Nazi comparisons, talk about how Trump is a treasonous Russian operative, etc - this is usually from white people. I know, I know, anecdote is not data. Still. This is the general feeling I get. You would THINK that just from his _campaign_ and all the blatant pandering to racists that he threw around, Trump would have gotten minorities energized to vote against him in huge numbers in 2016. Didn’t happen! ---
**Author:** ![betonbill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b782af/32.png) [@betonbill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betonbill)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218/80 "2018-07-20T18:10:14Z")
I like Ted Lieu, but he’s far too nice to run and win against Trump. Remember that all of the R’s that he ran against were trying to be (at least) semi-rational, polite, and run mainly on the issues, and Trump ran over the top of him. Because of his racist comments and especially against Obama and “Mexicans,” that pretty much eliminates any people of color. Same goes for any of the women mentioned, because there was a whole lot of prejudice sown about women in the last election, especially Hillary. Any of the women that he’s given longstanding nicknames to (Pocahontas) are also eliminated. Whoever has any chance of beating Trump has to have an excellent stage presence, be able to dish it right back to Trump, have an active Twitter account and know how to use it–and also hopefully have a good grasp on how the legislative process works. Has to be able to speak for everyone, be at least semi-likeable. He (and it has to be a white male), if not squeaky clean, has to have less baggage than Trump, and has to be able to come clean about this before someone else digs it up and plasters it across the tabloids. Whoever it is, he has to be able to beat Trump at his own game. So do we have any candidates? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-2020-democrat-can-defeat-trump/818218.md?page=5)