The “Who is running in 2020?” tea leaves thread, Part 3

[Tender Branson]

Interesting that roughly 10 important Democrats have announced so far, but no Republican challenger for Trump.

But I guess that's fine. Better 1 good candidate to run against him (with the chance of getting the - small - anti-Trump vote, than 5 or so challengers splitting the vote.

[Tender Branson]

More signs point to Bullock presidential bid

by Maritsa Georgiou - Friday, February 15th 2019

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https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/more-signs-point-to-bullock-presidential-bid

BTW: the 66th Montana Legislature ends on May 1.

[Tender Branson]

All of this shows that the race is not getting interesting until September/October, because there's enough time for important candidates to jump in until then, without missing anything (ballots are only printed in November for the early primary states and organisation takes no more than a couple months in those small states with the right plan).

So, who cares if there are debates in June or July already ? Everyone's on vacation anyway.

[Tender Branson]

Bullock is in IA for a 6th time and hires a campaign staffer there:

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/iowa/articles/2019-02-28/bullock-hires-iowa-staffer-plans-sixth-trip-to-state

Still, no decision until May ...

[Tender Branson]

It should be noted that out of 14 major declared candidates so far (incl. Yang and Marianne), only 6 are women.

And of the 15 who are mentioned by the media to weigh a candidacy, 14 are men ...

[Tender Branson]

It‘s pretty clear to me that Merkley will run for Senate again.

[Tender Branson]

75 pages.

There needs to be a new Part 4 thread.

[Tender Branson]

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/07/montana-gov-bullock-adviser-2020-1211289

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock has hired veteran Democratic operative Jenn Ridder to work for his PAC, in the latest sign that the Western Democrat is nearing a presidential run.

Ridder will join Bullock's Big Sky Values PAC as a senior adviser, but she would be an obvious choice to manage Bullock's campaign should he decide to run for president. Ridder ran Colorado Gov. Jared Polis' successful campaign in 2018 and previously worked at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and was former Colorado Sen. Mark Udall's deputy campaign manager in 2014.
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Ridder's hiring is the latest in a series of behind-the-scenes moves laying the groundwork for Bullock's potential run. Big Sky Values PAC has already tapped Megan Simpson, a Democratic operative who most recently ran the coordinated campaign for the 2018 Montana Democratic Party, as its organizing director in Iowa.

This is great news. I hope his candidacy gains traction.

Yeah, me too.

[Tender Branson]

Stacey Abrams is out, says she won't run for President earlier than 2028.

Good woman.

I hope she runs for Senate instead.