Democratic Party Presidential Candidates for 2020

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Clara D.

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RIGHT!

I can understand wanting to take electability into account, but I really don't even think Biden is that electable. He just has a lot of name recognition. He has a very strong tendency to make a fool of himself. Nominating him would also take a lot of moral authority away from democrats on #metoo type issues. And nobody really likes him that much. I think everyone who supports him only does so because they think he's electable. That's a bad motivator for campaigning.
It's not so much about how I feel about him personally as it is about me being afraid he'd be fairly easy for the opposition to cut down. So I guess I'm in the "not as electable as people think he is" camp with Biden.
 

Pamela

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Most Democrats will have no problem voting for any Democrat nominated. But look at the pie graph I posted. If the nominee does not get a significant majority of the independents and third party voters, it’s all over.

I have no idea who will have the best chance against Trump, just that right now it would be Biden.
 

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i would have preferred Sherrod Brown in the race instead of Biden. Both are blue collar Democrats with broad appeal in the rust belt, the states that ended up giving Trump the electoral votes to win. Brown is more progressive and less gaff-prone. Still a strong possibility as a VP candidate.
 
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Aribeth Zelin

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Understand, I'm actually a DINO [because closed primary :p], because I'm an independent. I'm also an independent because I find the Dems too corporate/right for what we need.

At the end of the day, for the primary, I'm voting for who I think is best.

And I disagree, if progressives and reasonable moderates held the house and the senate? It would help fix some of it, at least get us back on track to the middle. That's the real function of our system anyway; preserving the status quo - neither too far left, or too far right. The downside of living with someone with a degree in political science. Which is why its hard to get him to keep wanting to -vote-.
 

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Most Democrats will have no problem voting for any Democrat nominated. But look at the pie graph I posted. If the nominee does not get a significant majority of the independents and third party voters, it’s all over.
I half agree with you. The left isn't the constituency that we most need to appease. But I disagree that Biden is the best candidate to woo the center. The more he talks, the more he'll shoot himself in the foot. I think the undecided voters will be more attracted to someone more charismatic, or someone who shows more interesting ideas other than "I'm not Trump but just as old!"
 

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I understand — I would like to see major sweeping policy changes — but ultimately I am a one issue voter: Get Trump the fuck out. For me it’s whoever polls best against Trump, and Biden at this point seems to be it. But that could change.
Biden has name recognition, and that might be enough for him to win the primaries. But I don't think he has what it's going to take to beat Trump. Not with all the resources the GOP is throwing at keeping him in office. We need a candidate who can not only win the primary, but who can also raise mass awareness of the issues and why they are so important today, and can handily beat Trump.
 
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Katheryne Helendale

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This discussion motivated me to put my money where my mouth is. Just signed up for a recurring monthly donation to Elizabeth Warren's campaign.
I'm literally living paycheck-to-paycheck, and am in no financial position to donate to anyone. But if I could, I'd support both Warren and Harris. I can't decide between either of them.
 

Pamela

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But I disagree that Biden is the best candidate to woo the center.
As I said, I have no idea — and no opinion about — who will poll best against Trump when the time comes. I just know what the polls say now.
 

Pamela

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The division is deeper than you think.
Oh I am pretty sure MOST Democrats will vote for the nominee. Note I did not say all. Some purists will either not vote or vote third party.
 

Anya Ristow

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Oh I am pretty sure MOST Democrats will vote for the nominee. Note I did not say all. Some purists will either not vote or vote third party.
It's worse than that.

Some parts of the popular left would rather Trump won than Biden.

The democratic party establishment, and the six corporations who own all the media, would rather Trump won than Sanders.
 

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That's why I'm trying to figure out who has the "broadest appeal" -- D's can't afford to be split down the middle again.
You don’t have to figure anything out. There should be plenty of enlightening polls that will make it clear, unless there is a statistical tie at the top. It’s just a matter at that point of whether you want to make a statement or you want to win.
 

Katheryne Helendale

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You don’t have to figure anything out. There should be plenty of enlightening polls that will make it clear, unless there is a statistical tie at the top. It’s just a matter at that point of whether you want to make a statement or you want to win.
Funny thing about polls: The last time we relied on polls, Hillary lost the presidency. Polls can also be loaded, so it's not wise to rely too much on them to make your decision.
 

Clara D.

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As long as it's not two strong candidates tearing each other up again. My main concern is the D's ability to act cohesively.
 

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Funny thing about polls: The last time we relied on polls, Hillary lost the presidency. Polls can also be loaded, so it's not wise to rely too much on them to make your decision.
Aren't polls are the primary source of data about voting preferences that we have? Is there some other more reliable source of data?

What would you rely on to decide who has the best chance of winning against Trump?
 

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I do use poll data, but with a grain of salt. Knowing the source of the poll, as well as it's sample size and it's vulnerability to be tampered with by Trump trolls making a weak candidate look good - these are all important to know. Overall, I have to trust my own gut instinct. Does the candidate have the charisma and personality to beat Trump? Does he or she have excess baggage or potential skeletons in the closet?
 

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I do use poll data, but with a grain of salt. Knowing the source of the poll, as well as it's sample size and it's vulnerability to be tampered with by Trump trolls making a weak candidate look good - these are all important to know. Overall, I have to trust my own gut instinct. Does the candidate have the charisma and personality to beat Trump? Does he or she have excess baggage or potential skeletons in the closet?
But my question is what other data source besides polls would you recommend relying on? Everything you mention — charisma, personality etc. — May inform your own preference, but it tells you nothing about how independents intend to vote, and how independents vote will determine the election. That depends on a data source of some kind.
 

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Not that it counts for anything, given I'm ineligible to vote in this election (no taxation without representation my fluffy arse), but of the current crop, my pick would likely be Warren - she's got a decent track record, and has been willing to listen to the likes of AOC. Maybe Sanders as Veep?

Biden - if we ignore his gropiness, and I'm not especially inclined to, my sense is he might poll decently enough, but wouldn't be able to actually get the vote out; he's a very safe candidate, and simply being Not Trump isn't enough.

As regards polls: let's not forget Clinton did win the popular vote - but, that's not what counts, as we all know. Gerrymandered districts often weigh against the Dems, and the ongoing Rep attack on voting rights does work (for them), even if we discount the lack of audit trails with the electronic voting systems in use, and their demonstrated vulnerability to fraud. Even with a magic candidate, if someone's vote doesn't count, or is outright flipped, there's a headwind against them. Ultimately, what will make the difference is getting people out to vote - ensuring they're registered, and with any proof of identity required.
 

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simply being Not Trump isn't enough.
For a great many of us, beating Trump is everything. It doesn’t matter a candidate’s policies or personality if he can’t beat Trump.

The worst person who has ever run for president, including George Wallace, would be better than Trump.
 

Katheryne Helendale

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But my question is what other data source besides polls would you recommend relying on? Everything you mention — charisma, personality etc. — May inform your own preference, but it tells you nothing about how independents intend to vote, and how independents vote will determine the election. That depends on a data source of some kind.
Unfortunately there really aren't any other data sources readily available. I'm just saying raw poll data cannot be treated as gospel. That's too dangerous, especially today. There's a lot to consider when parsing poll data.
 
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