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

[Karpatsky]

Opinion piece on Sherrod: https://articles.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2018/10/will_a_landslide_win_for_sherr.amp

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that they let such economically illiterate people be journalists, but I still am.

[Karpatsky]

Sherrod has put a 2020 thoughts site up on his landing page:
https://www.sherrodbrown.com/landing/w181121/

[Karpatsky]

I didn't see this get posted: Avenatti out, thank goodness.

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/04/avenatti-announces-that-he-will-not-run-for-president-in-2020-1043388

[Karpatsky]

IT'S HAPPENING https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/11/sherrod-brown-2020-iowa-1090314&ved=2ahUKEwix_tqdzevfAhUhooMKHZdEDCsQqOcBMAB6BAgHEAQ&usg=AOvVaw3E6ylshhiHqkJNXTciNMM2

Oh boy. In my mind I know the Democrats need his senate seat to prevent 2021 being another McConnell obstruction fest, but in my heart it feels right.

I'll probably be living in an April primary state when the election comes, so it won't matter much, but still.

[Karpatsky]

Also bear in mind that Brown was a finalist to be Hillary's running mate, but she didn't go through with it because she knew that he'd be replaced in the Senate by a Republican. That was his only real negative, but it's a big one and it hasn't gone away.

This. A D who wants to have a chance of, y'know, doing things in office would be a fool to take Sherrod out of that seat for VP.

[Karpatsky]

Wow, Sherrod's being a bit of a tease on MSNBC. I don't know who he thinks he's fooling announcing a tour to the first four primary states but continuing to say he's 'still thinking about' running.

[Karpatsky]

I like how so many people here are opposed to Brown seeking the Presidency instead of keeping his seat in Ohio, but no-one is complaining about the idea of the Democrats' best candidate in Texas running for President and not the Senate. Not inconsistent at all...

[Karpatsky]

It'll be hard to support Brown in a primary until he stops being to Gillibrand's right on an issue as fundamental as healthcare.

In a statement, Brown, D-Ohio, said he has “always been supportive of Medicare for all.” But he said “right now, I’m focused on building bipartisan support for my bill to allow people to buy into the Medicare program at age 55, which will cut costs and expand choices for Ohioans.”

That isn't good enough. Not even close.

He's ceding ground on a popular policy position to the GOP already, for no reason. I imagine by the time he gets into office, he'll be promoting "Medicare for All, over 65."

How is it that someone can become a United States Senator, and not know how to negotiate? What the hell does he lose in a campaign for calling for Medicare for All right now? Even the neolib candidates support it!

The kid I graduated with who's running a GoFundMe for both of his cancer-stricken parents can't wait for a goddamn "bipartisan solution." He needs action, now. He needs someone on his side now. Apparently, Sherrod isn't.

I will not be supporting a candidate who does not explicitly support Medicare for All during their campaign. A shame to add Sherrod Brown to that list.

I'm sorry to be blunt, but if that is the case, he will get nothing. Brown is wise enough to focus his message on what is achievable, which is why I respect him a lot more than other progressively-inclined politicians who are content to be firebrands without substance.

[Karpatsky]

I got information from someone (claims to be close to Ohio Democratic Party and DNC) that Sherrod Brown would have guaranteed VP slot to somebody who will win D's primary.

Further informations on that are as follows:

- Brown would be also having a blank cheque whether to run or not in Democratic primaries, it has to be up to him only

- He was offered to be a horse of "Rust Belt Act" (whatever that name means) which is being reportedly in the works

- That guaranteed Brown's VP slot would not only limit to the winner of Dem primaries, but to any other Democratic contender, I was told that he would get also guaranteed VP offers from "everyone" contending Democratic primaries

- That case about losing a Senate seat when choosing Sherrod for VP in 2020 (because Ohio governor is a Republican) was of course being considered, but according to the informations I got the stakes in 2020 are higher than losing a Senate seat, because it goes about presidency, and such decision was taken concerning that problem

Have you ever heard of "Rust Belt Act"?

Here are the latest updates:

- Harris (her person, candidacy and campaign) have been well accepted in the circles close to DNC;

- She's ready to kinda cooperate with DNC along DNC's legislative agenda (if such thing will be suiting her needs and views). This is important, because DNC wants to and plan to coordinate the outlook of the Party with the primary candidates, and wants it all to be made run smoothly (so Bernie Bros wouldn't get DNC support);

- Staffs of Harris and Brown are have to be coordinating calendars of each own to talk around questions of "Rust Belt Act" (of which I mentioned above in the quotation);

- Brown would decide whether to start or not within two months, if he'll decide to run, he'll officially launch (like KH did last day in Oakland) his campaign on May 1st (the Labor Day) in Chicago;

- But if Brown decide not to run, he'll be in Windy City anyway and along with KH would presumably officially unveil "Rust Belt Act" in the name of the rest of Democrats and DNC;

- That thing of course, would be meaning that Brown joins Harris on her ticket.

May 1 is way too late for someone polling as low as Brown is to announce, and I find it hard to believe Harris would announce a running mate that early - it would come across as desperate, besides the concerns about the Senate others have noted. How sure are you this source is credible?

[Karpatsky]

I think this is my favorite article title of the season so far: Sherrod Brown Is Not an Idiot

[Karpatsky]

Biden's implosion is going to be biblical. He'll lead every poll after he announces. The honeymoon period will be real. But what comes after -- the POP. The collapse.

I can't wait to see him drop out.

Remind me of what Atlas was saying about Trump in 2015. "Yeah he's leading in the polls now, but he'll collapse any minute now! I can't believe X scandal hasn't ended his campaign already."

The left doesn't work the same way as the right in this way - while the latter tend to close ranks, the former tend to fragment.