Democratic Party Presidential Candidates for 2020

[Jolene Benoir]

Her long-standing record of highest staff turnover in the Senate is the kind of fact that makes me think this is more than just malicious gossip. If so, then she's self-sabotaging -- and not just from a PR standpoint. To run for president, you need the best campaign staff and there are rumors that people have turned down those jobs precisely because of her reputation of being so difficult to work for. If she can't clean up her act when the stakes are so high, then she's not presidential material. Bad habits are one thing (and can be unlearned), but compulsive abusive behavior is a red flag of deeper emotional issues that could signal she's not fit to lead. I'm curious to see how this plays out and whether we can peg where she falls in that continuum.

Yes, she is certainly going to be put to the test. She and the orange one have already been sparring. It didn't take him long to go after her, noting that she was announcing in the middle of a snow storm and using it to take a pot shot at climate change. She responded with some bite. The spotlight that is going to be on her now, would, I think begin to reveal those tendencies, if they are there.

 

[Beebo Brink]

The spotlight that is going to be on her now, would, I think begin to reveal those tendencies, if they are there.

I don't know much about Klobuchar beyond the fact that Rachel Maddow really likes her, which I consider a big plus. But I'm unsettled by such a disparity between her public persona -- which appears to be that of a very amiable person -- and the private reports of how she treats staff. That kind of hitting downward is the hallmark of a bully, not just someone with "high standards." The stress crucible of running for president will definitely put her to the test.

 

[Soen Eber]

Apparently her senior staff members have stayed for anywhere from 5 to 14 years, but she does get quite emotional and abusive; and even as a Minnesotan I'd never heard of that before.

Not a good choice for president. Perhaps vice president, where you're allowed to be a nasty but effective bull dog, but not president. Her treatment of her staff also goes directly against being "Minnesota Nice", so it'll be bought up time and time again because it's such a contrast. Too bad Tim Waltz (our current governor) isn't running.

 

[Jolene Benoir]

I don't know much about Klobuchar beyond the fact that Rachel Maddow really likes her, which I consider a big plus. But I'm unsettled by such a disparity between her public persona -- which appears to be that of a very amiable person -- and the private reports of how she treats staff. That kind of hitting downward is the hallmark of a bully, not just someone with "high standards." The stress crucible of running for president will definitely put her to the test.

Yes, it is that disparity between public and private that has me a bit befuddled. On paper, she has everything that I like about a candidate, though not necessarily for Pres, as I stated. Previously, I have always seen her as a quiet but always efficient worker for progressive causes, which I of course support. She also got things done. She is very well liked here, so I apparently am not alone in how I have seen her.

If there is indeed a large disparity between public and private that is indeed a cause for deep concern. It's really a shame because she truly does stand for things that I, and most Minnesotans believe in. It would be a shame if that all was lost because she has personal deficiencies or tendencies that run counter to that.

But again, this upcoming pressure should reveal those tendencies one way or the other.

 

[Jolene Benoir]

Apparently her senior staff members have stayed for anywhere from 5 to 14 years, but she does get quite emotional and abusive; and even as a Minnesotan I'd never heard of that before.

Not a good choice for president. Perhaps vice president, where you're allowed to be a nasty but effective bull dog, but not president. Her treatment of her staff also goes directly against being "Minnesota Nice", so it'll be bought up time and time again because it's such a contrast. Too bad Tim Waltz (our current governor) isn't running.

Tim Walz is a genuinely likeable guy, but I think he is right where he needs to be; keeping the wolves at bay.

 

[Pamela]

I don't know much about Klobuchar beyond the fact that Rachel Maddow really likes her, which I consider a big plus. But I'm unsettled by such a disparity between her public persona -- which appears to be that of a very amiable person -- and the private reports of how she treats staff. That kind of hitting downward is the hallmark of a bully, not just someone with "high standards." The stress crucible of running for president will definitely put her to the test.

If true she is abusive in any way, it shows to me a weakness of character and self control. I had an abusive principal once, someone the district promoted from a vice principal position straight to a large new high school top spot because she was such an impressive golden girl — and by year end she was standing in the hall weeping and shaking.

 

[GoblinCampFollower]

That kind of hitting downward is the hallmark of a bully, not just someone with "high standards." The stress crucible of running for president will definitely put her to the test.

Agreed! My experience with mean managers is that when they go far, it's because they are good liars with good presentation, and not because they are effective.

 

[Beebo Brink]

Now, I AM a big Klobuchar fan. She has been very, very good for us in Minnesota and in representing us in Congress.

Having seen her interview on Rachel Maddow's show tonight, I can understand why you're such a fan. She's pretty impressive and answered the questions about her staff treatment issues with aplomb. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt on this... for now.

Klobuchar strikes all the right notes of someone who can appeal to moderate Republicans and Independents, who doesn't alarm them by stressing her burning desire to dismantle their rotting, stinking pile of corrupted shit. For that very reason she doesn't resonate so strongly for me, standing as I do on the progressive "far left" (aka center-left in the sane world). In comparison, Warren goes to the heart of our country's issues with a steak knife, not a handshake, which is fine by me. I think we're beyond the point where Republicans are acting in good faith and can be reasoned with to do the right thing for their country instead of their party/pocketbooks. I'm ready to feed them into a wood chipper.

So Warren still has my primary vote, but I could vote for Klobuchar in the election without too many qualms. I'm fully aware that the candidate that makes me the happiest is probably the least likely to succeed with a majority. That's my fate in life.

 

[Pamela]

H

Klobuchar strikes all the right notes of someone who can appeal to moderate Republicans and Independents, who doesn't alarm them by stressing her burning desire to dismantle their rotting, stinking pile of corrupted shit. For that very reason she doesn't resonate so strongly for me, standing as I do on the progressive "far left" (aka center-left in the sane world). In comparison, Warren goes to the heart of our country's issues with a steak knife, not a handshake, which is fine by me. I think we're beyond the point where Republicans are acting in good faith and can be reasoned with to do the right thing for their country instead of their party/pocketbooks. I'm ready to feed them into a wood chipper.

So Warren still has my primary vote, but I could vote for Klobuchar in the election without too many qualms. I'm fully aware that the candidate that makes me the happiest is probably the least likely to succeed with a majority. That's my fate in life.

The country has moved left, propelled no doubt by the trauma that’s been inflicted on us. GND seems pretty popular and a significant majority likes taxing the super rich fairly. Medicare for All seems reasonable to most people. Every word Warren spoke in her speech was both spot on and not wildly left anymore.

Even the word socialism doesn’t seem scary. Maybe people have been watching Scandinavian shows on Neflix and wondering why they seem to have figured all this stuff out while we circle the drain.

 

[Porsupah Ree]

Text-Only NPR.org : Former Attorney General Eric Holder Close To 2020 Decision As He Heads To Iowa

NPR.org, February 12, 2019 · Former Attorney General Eric Holder travels to Iowa on Tuesday as he weighs whether to join a growing field of Democrats seeking the presidential nomination in 2020, and he's expected to make a decision in the next two weeks, NPR has learned. NPR's Carrie Johnson reports that Holder, who served for six years under former President Barack Obama, will make a decision on a White House run in the next two weeks. Meanwhile, the speech he plans to give at Drake University Law School in Des Moines certainly sounds like the building blocks of a possible campaign with a heavy condemnation of President Trump.

"We should be dissatisfied with an administration rife with corruption, stunning incompetence, and shameful intolerance," Holder will say in his speech, according to prepared remarks. "Most of all, we should be dissatisfied by that same administration's total abdication of moral and policy leadership — and its failure to address the many other urgent challenges we face: A democracy that's under attack. A climate crisis that's ignored. And racial and cultural divisions that are weaponized and exploited for political gain."

 

[Pamela]

Text-Only NPR.org : Former Attorney General Eric Holder Close To 2020 Decision As He Heads To Iowa

Yay! He has been my first choice for two years!

 

[danielravennest]

GND seems pretty popular and a significant majority likes taxing the super rich fairly.

Sounds like "Tax the Rich to Put People to Work building Solar and Wind Farms" would be a winning campaign position.

 

[Jolene Benoir]

Having seen her interview on Rachel Maddow's show tonight, I can understand why you're such a fan. She's pretty impressive and answered the questions about her staff treatment issues with aplomb. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt on this... for now.

Klobuchar strikes all the right notes of someone who can appeal to moderate Republicans and Independents, who doesn't alarm them by stressing her burning desire to dismantle their rotting, stinking pile of corrupted shit. For that very reason she doesn't resonate so strongly for me, standing as I do on the progressive "far left" (aka center-left in the sane world). In comparison, Warren goes to the heart of our country's issues with a steak knife, not a handshake, which is fine by me. I think we're beyond the point where Republicans are acting in good faith and can be reasoned with to do the right thing for their country instead of their party/pocketbooks. I'm ready to feed them into a wood chipper.

So Warren still has my primary vote, but I could vote for Klobuchar in the election without too many qualms. I'm fully aware that the candidate that makes me the happiest is probably the least likely to succeed with a majority. That's my fate in life.

I managed to catch most of that, as well. You were right, Rachel really does like her. I do like Amy's approach, as well, mostly because she's been able to get things done without compromising her/our values. Rachel brought up some very good points in regard to her potential weaknesses.

For sure, Warren is still my lead choice, for the same reasons you cite. I would love nothing more than to see her get in there and start tearing it all apart. I have the utmost respect for her integrity and her honest nature that makes her abhor what is currently happening in this country. What's more, she has the will, heart and know-how to really have a shot at changing it.

We will see how it all shakes out. We have more than a few choices this go-round and time to see how they flesh out their ideas, with new entries still coming.

 

[Brenda Archer]

I love that the Dem field is shaping up to be so strong. It’s like being at a large buffet prepared by an excellent cook.

 

[Katheryne Helendale]

I love that the Dem field is shaping up to be so strong. It’s like being at a large buffet prepared by an excellent cook.

That's a good way to put it. I just hope, in the end, the winning dish from this buffet attracts more people than the Scarf-n-Barf across the street.

 

[Cristiano]

These questions about Kamala Harris and her "blackness" are getting out of hand

 

[Beebo Brink]

Elizabeth Warren Makes Surprise Appearance At Native American Conference

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) made a surprise appearance at a Native American conference on Tuesday.

Warren spoke at the National Indian Women’s “Supporting Each Other” lunch, where she introduced Cheryl Andrews-Maltais, the chairwoman of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah in Massachusetts. The event took place during an annual meeting of the National Congress of American Indians.

Warren received a standing ovation from tribal leaders and other Native attendees as she approached the stage. She called on Congress to take more action on Native issues, including “the alarming number of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls,” suicide rates among Native people, housing, health care and addiction.

 

[GoblinCampFollower]

I love that the Dem field is shaping up to be so strong. It’s like being at a large buffet prepared by an excellent cook.

That's a potential danger. Strong candidates could damage each other if the primary fight gets dirty. Though my preference is Harris, I mostly just want an unscathed winner. ..any of them.

 

[Cristalle]

These questions about Kamala Harris and her "blackness" are getting out of hand

The issues surrounding her "blackness" are really questions of whether or not she really identifies with the American black experience. I find some of this unsavory, but I understand where they are coming from. American blacks don't want someone who is a shill for the status quo of white supremacy to come dancing for their votes, using their "blackness" as a lure when they don't really connect. I've seen some of the discussion about it. Mainly, they want any candidate who purports to represent the black community to come with "tangibles" - a real, positive agenda that will deliver tangible benefits to the black community. I don't blame them one iota. The Democratic Party relies on the black vote and yet has yet to deliver meaningful economic gains. Civil rights is good and necessary but not enough. It's time to move the black community's economic power ahead. That's a reasonable request. Every other interest group (Latinx, LGBT, etc.) have some kind of policy specifically aimed to meet their needs. But when asked about what they intend to do for the black community, the response is mostly mealy-mouthed weasel words. Thus far, the only candidate who has anything resembling a positive black agenda is Marianne Williamson. Although this section of the commentariat doesn't think that her 100B reparations plank is enough, it's still something that distinguishes her from every other candidate.

 

[Free]