The "Who is running?" tea leaves thread (Part 2)

[IceSpear]

Hillary may announce in early spring.

I doubt it now

LOL, you can't be serious.

[IceSpear]

Hillary may announce in early spring.

I doubt it now

LOL, you can't be serious.

Please, PLEASE take off the fanboy glasses for one second. She violated a clear cut State Department rule. She will at least have to reconsider the ramifications of such, especially when non-FOX news stations are covering it.

This isn't the thread to debate the merits of the "scandal". The hilarious part was you suggesting it would cause her to not run when that's obviously not going to happen. She's already in in all but name.

[IceSpear]

April 1 as "operational launch date" for Hillary in IA. She'll hire ~ 40 IA staffers around then, then has 15 days to declare per FEC rules.

Impossible. She's not running! E-mailgate destroyed her!

Some bubbles are going to be popped very soon...

[IceSpear]

I'm pretty sure she'll regret launching this late as she did launching as early as she did last time.

Why? And how is it late? She could very well end up being the first candidate on either side to officially declare.

[IceSpear]

Okay. Since I'm wrong, let me ask. Which of Hillary's policies are you democrats excited for? Or is it the fact that she's your only hope?

Well, I'm pretty sure I PM'd you my answer to this many months ago.

[IceSpear]

Okay. Since I'm wrong, let me ask. Which of Hillary's policies are you democrats excited for? Or is it the fact that she's your only hope?

She supports generic Democratic policies while having an immense wealth of experience, a knowledge of how Washington works, and a generally ballsy, get-things-done persona. There is also, of course, the probable event that a Republican is elected if she is not nominated, but that's certainly not the main reason she has gained so much support.

A Republican is likely to be elected even if she is nominated.

I find it amusing that people continue to attack the strawman that Hillary supporters act like she's guaranteed to win, when in reality it is her opponents that continue to insist she has no chance or "will likely lose". At least the Hillary supporters have some empirical evidence on their side. Granted, early polls are not the end all be all, but at the very least they carry more weight than Republican wet dreams and wishful thinking.

[IceSpear]

Can we move all the "if Hillary doesn't run" threads to Election-What Ifs now?

[IceSpear]

Confirmed: Rand announcing in 3 weeks.

Meh, 24.7% chance he doesn't run.

[IceSpear]

While Gore is visiting Iowa in May, top aides say he's not running:

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/al-gore-allies-hes-not-running-2016

No sh[inks] he's not running. The media's desperation in trying to make "anti-Clintons" appear out of thin air has reached the point of absurdity.

What about Mark Pryor or Joe Lieberman? Surely they could harvest the vast dissatisfaction among  Democrats about Hillary (which every poll shows does not actually exist.)

Wait, even better idea: COULD BILL CLINTON BE THE ANTI HILLARY??!?!?!!?!?!? Mind = blown.

It's time for the media to grow up, end their denial, and start reporting actual reality rather than their wish lists. Just like children have to suck it up and eat their broccoli, it is past time for the media to suck it up and accept Hillary is the nominee.

[IceSpear]

While Gore is visiting Iowa in May, top aides say he's not running:

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/al-gore-allies-hes-not-running-2016

No sh[inks] he's not running. The media's desperation in trying to make "anti-Clintons" appear out of thin air has reached the point of absurdity.

What about Mark Pryor or Joe Lieberman? Surely they could harvest the vast dissatisfaction among  Democrats about Hillary (which every poll shows does not actually exist.)

Wait, even better idea: COULD BILL CLINTON BE THE ANTI HILLARY??!?!?!!?!?!? Mind = blown.

It's time for the media to grow up, end their denial, and start reporting actual reality rather than their wish lists. Just like children have to suck it up and eat their broccoli, it is past time for the media to suck it up and accept Hillary is the nominee.

We should probably just shut down the 2016 board, considering the foregone conclusion of President Hillary.

So you think the Democratic nominee is guaranteed to win the general election? How pessimistic of you.

[IceSpear]

Why would Al Gore go to Iowa without even a Presidential thought in his head? A love of family farms?

To troll the Clintons and/or their supporters?

Is Gore really anti-Hillary?  I know in 2000 there was some tension between him and the Clintons, but now?

I don't think so anymore. The other day I was watching this interview he and Bill gave together talking to Charlie Rose and they seemed really friendly, so I think they've reconciled since then. But no doubt they weren't on good terms around 2000.

I wouldn't go that far, unless there is something I don't know. There was a good bit of distance between them because of the scandal, and Gore wanting to disassociate himself with Clinton, but I don't think there was any problems other than Bill's possibly hurt feelings.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1321720/Gore-blamed-Clinton-for-his-defeat-in-election.html

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/26785.html

I've read these and other articles like these that make me think they weren't on the best of terms around 2000. I could be wrong, of course I don't know them personally, but there seemed to be some tension if nothing else.

Gore, who endorsed Iraq War opponent Howard Dean in 2004, refrained from endorsing Obama until after Hillary had done so, presumably as a courtesy to the Clintons. He also effusively thanked Bill Clinton for negotiating the release of 2 Current employees held hostage by North Korea. He'll endorse Hillary. Unlike Jerry Brown (to combine threads). Or at least, Brown won't endorse her until the general election.

Brown has already endorsed her essentially. He said about a week ago she should run unopposed in the primaries. I'd assume that's equivalent to an endorsement.

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/03/hillary-clinton-primaries-jerry-brown-116066.html

[IceSpear]

Evangelicals trying to unite behind a candidate: Cruz, Huck, Jindal, Perry currently in mix, though Walker also mentioned.

If they couldn't even decide between Gingrich and Santorum in 2012, there's no way they'll be able to unite behind a single person in the clown car.

[IceSpear]

Bush is reportedly vetting Sandoval as potential VP:

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www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/sandoval-said-be-jeb-bush-s-vp-short-list

Isn't it a little presumptuous of Jeb to already begin vetting VPs? Even calling him a weak frontrunner may be too generous. Stories like this could backfire on him.

That said, Sandoval would be a smart pick for Jeb. Everyone talks about how Romney needed a "true conservative" VP to mollify the base, and the same for Jeb. But the reality is that the base is/was going to turn out for them in large numbers regardless due to their fierce hatred of Obama/Hillary.

[IceSpear]

It would be hilarious if Hillary announced on April 7, just to completely overshadow Rand Paul on his big day.

It would be pretty funny if Hillary crashed Paul or Rubio's party by announcing around the same time.

[IceSpear]

WSJ says Clinton will announce her 2016 intention in "mid-April", while O'Malley will announce his "later in the spring":

http://www.wsj.com/articles/marco-rubio-makes-plans-for-2016-run-1427672769

Mid would mean 10th-20th presumably. Would be hilarious to see her crash Rubio's party.

[IceSpear]

Can't help but notice the article says intention.

No.  I used the word "intention" in my one sentence summary, but the actual text from the article says this on Clinton and O'Malley:

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I think it's fairly clear, WSJ...unless you're blind.

[IceSpear]

Another day, another refusal from Warren:

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http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2015/03/30/396383305/elizabeth-warren-on-hillary-clinton-and-running-for-president

Time to give it up people. No Means No.

[IceSpear]

Washington Post: 72% of Americans think Hillary will run, but 58% do not want her to run, and 51% say she does not have "qualifications to be President".

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http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/mar/24/hillary-clinton72-percent-americans-say-shell-run-/

That's the Washington Times, not the Washington Post (big difference.) And unsurprisingly, they are incorrect about the poll's findings. It says 42-41 that people want Hillary to run, with every other candidate deep underwater (ex: Biden is at 27-49, O'Malley is at 9-33.)

Also, I don't think this is relevant to the "who is running" thread.

[IceSpear]

Jeb fundraising in MA.

RINO!

[IceSpear]

Clinton has signed lease for Campaign HQ in Brooklyn; will announce in the next 15 days:

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www.politico.com/story/2015/04/hillary-clinton-campaign-headquarters-brooklyn-116649.html

That office could be for anything. She's obviously still undecided. 75% chance she's not running.

She's going to use the office as a Fuhrerbunker for when the feds come to arrest her over Benghazi.

[IceSpear]

Joe Scarborough rules out running for president in 2016:

http://www.breitbart.com/video/2015/04/03/scarborough-rules-out-2016-presidential-bid-hints-at-2018-senate-run/

Wow. This is a gamechanger.

[IceSpear]

Jindal says he'll wait until the end of this year's legislative session in Louisiana before making a 2016 decision:

http://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/jindal-indiana-businesses-are-being-discriminated-against-n335941

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Poor Louisiana. He has to finish destroying the state first.

[IceSpear]

CNN: Hillary likely to announce within days, spend a lot of time in IA/NH. Emphasis on listening rather than personal victory.

14.6% chance she doesn't run.

[IceSpear]

Politico casually mentions the news that Clinton has acquired Obama's email list in an article about Rand Paul's campaign launch. Surely massive news if true:

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This is effectively an Obama endorsement right? Poor Biden.

The conventional wisdom is that Biden is mainly positioning himself as the backup option in case Hillary implodes/dies or something, so not really a betrayal.

[IceSpear]

Uh oh, Hillary!!!

Lincoln Chaffee considering a run.

End Game.

LOL! Move over Jim Webb!

Will former Republican Lincoln Chafee replace former Republican Jim Webb as the Atlas Forum's progressive savior?