The “Who is running in 2020?” tea leaves thread, Part 2

[President Johnson]

For what it's worth, based on Brown's comments from last year, it sounds like he's very much open to running for VP.  I mean, it sounded like he was on board with running as Clinton's running mate in 2016, and so I'm guessing he'd be up for VP in 2020 too.

And I still wouldn't rule out the possibility that he has presidential ambition too, but is hiding it until he gets through reelection in November.  But there isn't much evidence to support that at the moment.

I agree, and I think that after the 2018 midterms we would be able to assess that better. If Cordray wins, the chances of VP Brown or maybe President Brown go substantially up.

Honestly, he'd be the right kind of VP for someone like Kamala Harris. Essentially that would be some new version of a balanced Obama/Biden ticket.

[President Johnson]

Charlie Baker spokesman asked about 2020:

link

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Honestly, I don't get Atlas's obsession with the word "focused". I understand that it's a word commonly used in clear non-denials, but it's also not always indicative of a non-denial. "Absolutely not" seems like a pretty telling indicator -- at least much more so than Atlas's favorite buzzword -- and imo it's almost disingenuous to point out the use of the F word as something that's suddenly important.

I do think this is most likely a sincere denial.  I just think it's funny how nearly every denial includes "focused", especially the obviously fake ones.

He would go nowhere in the Republican primary (even without an incumbent), but be a formidable general election contender.

[President Johnson]

Amy Klobuchar will be on ABC's This Week today. Susan Collins will, too, but we know she ain't running while Klobuchar visited Iowa twice last year and has, according to the Washington Post last year, "made no secret" she's considering running (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/democratic-lawmakers-such-as-amy-klobuchar-start-making-2020-moves-and-the-base-starts-making-demands/2017/05/08/2a7da116-31b3-11e7-9534-00e4656c22aa_story.html?utm_term=.0fc7d9655f2a).

Article about Klobuchar and Collins on This Week: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/sunday-week-sen-susan-collins-sen-amy-klobuchar/story?id=56270170

She's a good fit for Iowa what may help her in a crowded field. If the nominee is a man, Klobuchar would be a strong running mate.

[President Johnson]

Fivethirtyeight Article from July 24 on Kamala Harris worth reading:

What The Rise Of Kamala Harris Tells Us About The Democratic Party

[President Johnson]

While in Iowa, Avenatti says he's planning a New Hampshire trip for next month:

https://www.concordmonitor.com/Stormy-Daniels-Lawyer-to-visit-nh-considering-political-future-NHPrimary-19403833

He's a good guy, but we can't play games in 2020. The nominee must beat Trump, and beat him badly.

[President Johnson]

John Kasich again on Meet the Press. He says he may or may not run for president in 2020.

[President Johnson]

https://twitter.com/steinhauserNH1/status/1029731957926768640

Great! It's essentially clear now that Bullock will definitely run for POTUS.

[President Johnson]

https://twitter.com/Robillard/status/1030184901256069120

Bullock is moving fast

Bullock IMO has a shot to win Iowa, getting support from Tom Miller helps and we'll see what the congressional delegation and Governor are like in a couple months. If Biden, Bernie don't run it clears a lane with white rural voters there. Harris, Gillibrand, Patrick, Booker are all exceptionally poor fits in Iowa. Warren is definitely in play too.

This would be huge and Bullock's best bet. Win in Iowa, gain momentum and then win either New Hampshire or Nevada (doubt he has a shot in South Carolina).

[President Johnson]

Dem Rep. Swalwell eyeing presidential run in 2020

#DoubleDigitField

[President Johnson]

I feel like McRaven would be great for someone who Trump would claim is an elitist. Like for Warren, Harris, Gillibrand, etc. Republicans always scream about Vets and the Military, so I'd love to watch them attack McRaven.

Well, maybe the VP spot, although I prefer professionals mostly. McRaven would be a good National Security Advisor, Secretary of Defense or Veteran's Secretary.

[President Johnson]

Bullock (in NH) says he has no timetable for a 2020 decision:

https://twitter.com/steinhauserNH1/status/1033101734292467713

I think the chance Bullock runs is at least 90%. Probably he'll announce somewhere in between; not the first one but not the last one.

[President Johnson]

Bullock moved past the point of no return when he changed his position on gun control he can't just jump back into MT-SEN after having moved left on a dozen different issues.

Yeah, maybe Schweizer should run for senate and Mike Cooney for governor to succeed Bullock. Both are decent candidates.

[President Johnson]

Michael Bloomberg set to run for Democrats against Trump for presidency in 2020

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/world/bloomberg-set-to-run-against-trump-in-2020-qvbfcrswg

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If the Democrats want to lose, they can nominate him.

Yeah, he's a good guy but his time has passed. He would make a fine Commerce Secretary though.

[President Johnson]

McAuliffe to visit Iowa:

http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/406754-former-virginia-gov-mcauliffe-to-visit-iowa-fueling-2020-speculation

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Sanders allies expect him to run:

http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/406594-sanders-allies-expect-him-to-make-second-white-house-bid

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Oh lord, I hope neither of these two will run.

[President Johnson]

Omarosa won't rule out a run for president:

https://www.aol.com/article/entertainment/2018/09/22/omarosa-manigault-newman-says-she-would-consider-running-for-president/23537740/

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Avenatti/Omarosa 2020!

But LOL at all these attention seekers with zero qualifications. It's getting kind of ridiculous.

[President Johnson]

https://twitter.com/HotlineJosh/status/1047800930693992448

If he gets 2% in the end, he can say that he doubled his support from 2016.