…just from this thread alone we can tell the biggest problem that we’ve got: there is no stand-out candidate (yet). The current lot range from divisive to uninspiring to wishy-washy to simply too old. Out of all the names that have been mentioned Biden is the only one that I think could go toe-to-toe with Trump on a national stage, but he’s too fricken old. And i fear a campaign like this would be seriously detrimental to his health.
So who do I think would be best for the next election? Someone who has the following characteristics:
Integrity. And I mean Obama-level integrity. No skeletons in the closet. And if there are “skeletons” then they’ve been dealt with openly and publicly. No ammunition for the alt-right and surrogates. That won’t stop “birther tactics” and the like, but it will mitigate them. Policy positions based on honestly held and well-reasoned belief and not on “what they think” will get them votes, changing positions as the wind changes.
Moxy. Won’t back down from a fight. Strong support base (family, friends, etc) because the campaign will be soul-destroying, relentless, slog. Quick-witted. Smart.
Street-fighter. Its going to get dirty. I’m not saying they need to “get dirty in response.” But the primary Republican weapon in the next election (as it was in the last) is the Talking Point. “The Deplorables” comment was an effective and devastating Talking Point last election. They need to be tackled head-on and destroyed, not allow them to fester and linger. Make them pivot from point to point. Turn every attack around and throw it back in their face.
A Proven Leader. Someone with a track record of being a thoughtful yet decisive leader, who commands respect not out of fear but because they earned it.
In addition to all of that, whoever gets picked won’t succeed without:
100% support. Whoever gets the nomination gets the support. 100%. No crying in your milk. No voting third party. No dragging the feet. The world can’t afford another 4 years of Trump. The world will not be the same if we get 4 more years of this Republican Party that has ceded control to the worst person in the world. So no fighting. Get out and spread the word and get out and vote. Follow the rules of your state, get people enrolled and get them to vote.
So ignoring the picks we’ve seen so far in the thread, if we were to think outside the square what are some of the names that might fit the bill?