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

[President Johnson]

https://twitter.com/KateNocera/status/1074764504104345600

God help us.

Also, if Buttigieg runs I'd be really torn. On the one hand, I'd prefer he wins higher office like Governor or Congress before running. On the other hand, I think he'd make an amazing President after what he did in South Bend, and considering how hard it'd be for a Democrat to win Indiana, this might just be the right time. I'd probably be torn between Pete, Kirsten Gillibrand and Beto O'Rourke.

Yeah, Buttigieg is screwed when it comes to running for federal/statewide office in Indiana because there is a (D) next to his name. This is why I think he should be considered for the cabinet. HUD, Transporation or Education would be good as a starter. Maybe UN Ambassador if he's interested to earn foreign policy credentials.

[America Needs R'hllor]

https://twitter.com/KateNocera/status/1074764504104345600

God help us.

Also, if Buttigieg runs I'd be really torn. On the one hand, I'd prefer he wins higher office like Governor or Congress before running. On the other hand, I think he'd make an amazing President after what he did in South Bend, and considering how hard it'd be for a Democrat to win Indiana, this might just be the right time. I'd probably be torn between Pete, Kirsten Gillibrand and Beto O'Rourke.

He should run to raise name awareness, and maybe be included in cabinet or as a possible VP candidate. (he would be an excellent pick for Kamala).

This is probably true. There's really nothing to lose if he runs (except if he embarrasses himself, but there's a risk in everything you do), and it's likely the best path for him at this point.

[President Johnson]

https://twitter.com/KateNocera/status/1074764504104345600

God help us.

Also, if Buttigieg runs I'd be really torn. On the one hand, I'd prefer he wins higher office like Governor or Congress before running. On the other hand, I think he'd make an amazing President after what he did in South Bend, and considering how hard it'd be for a Democrat to win Indiana, this might just be the right time. I'd probably be torn between Pete, Kirsten Gillibrand and Beto O'Rourke.

He should run to raise name awareness, and maybe be included in cabinet or as a possible VP candidate. (he would be an excellent pick for Kamala).

This is probably true. There's really nothing to lose if he runs (except if he embarrasses himself, but there's a risk in everything you do), and it's likely the best path for him at this point.

I wonder whether not a handful of Democratic candidates this cycle only run to angle for an administration job. Same with Richard Ojeda, who could make a good Veteran's Secretary.

[henster]

There will be at least 3 vets running if Buttigieg runs which is pretty impressive for the party. Unfortunately all of the likely candidates are lower tier, wish we had more viable vet candidates considering many were part of the success in 2018.

[Joey1996]

There will be at least 3 vets running if Buttigieg runs which is pretty impressive for the party. Unfortunately all of the likely candidates are lower tier, wish we had more viable vet candidates considering many were part of the success in 2018.

Duckworth would be a strong candidate but has shown no signs that she's running.

[Joey1996]

Harris prepares for a campaign launch that may come in mid-to-late January:

https://www.usnews.com/news/the-run/articles/2018-12-17/kamala-harris-expected-to-move-quickly-on-2020-race-in-january

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So Harris will be our first major announcement, this will put pressure on everyone else to declare by April

YES! QUEEN KAMALA, the first female President of the United States!

I have no idea why people love her. At first I just thought she was just overhyped, but she' actually terrible. Her office:

- Defended a prosecutor caught making up a transcript of a fake confession

- Hid massive abuses in the state crime lab

- Argued that a guy ruled not guilty should still be in prison because he didn't prove his innocent fast enough

- Supported a bill that would have locked up poor parents of color for kids' truancy

- Argued that people should be kept in prison longer because of cheap labor

- One of her top advisors was involved in a years-long MeToo scandal involving retaliation

- Started her career with nepotism

- Sent out a tweet purporting to raise money for Stacey Abrams last month, when half the money actually went to herself

That's on top of all the Mnuchin stuff that always gets attention. I mean whatever, if people don't want to care about any of that, that's their choice. But any time Harris becomes really controversial (which WILL happen, especially if she does well) there will be plenty of material to get her with.

Yeah I mean I would vote for her if she's the nominee but she won't even be my 6th choice in the primary. Horrid criminal justice reform record.

[President Johnson]

Harris prepares for a campaign launch that may come in mid-to-late January:

https://www.usnews.com/news/the-run/articles/2018-12-17/kamala-harris-expected-to-move-quickly-on-2020-race-in-january

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So Harris will be our first major announcement, this will put pressure on everyone else to declare by April

YES! QUEEN KAMALA, the first female President of the United States!

I have no idea why people love her. At first I just thought she was just overhyped, but she' actually terrible. Her office:

- Defended a prosecutor caught making up a transcript of a fake confession

- Hid massive abuses in the state crime lab

- Argued that a guy ruled not guilty should still be in prison because he didn't prove his innocent fast enough

- Supported a bill that would have locked up poor parents of color for kids' truancy

- Argued that people should be kept in prison longer because of cheap labor

- One of her top advisors was involved in a years-long MeToo scandal involving retaliation

- Started her career with nepotism

- Sent out a tweet purporting to raise money for Stacey Abrams last month, when half the money actually went to herself

That's on top of all the Mnuchin stuff that always gets attention. I mean whatever, if people don't want to care about any of that, that's their choice. But any time Harris becomes really controversial (which WILL happen, especially if she does well) there will be plenty of material to get her with.

Yeah I mean I would vote for her if she's the nominee but she won't even be my 6th choice in the primary. Horrid criminal justice reform record.

Yeah, part of these is the reason she dropped in my list of preferred candidates. I think Amy Klobuchar is by far the best female candidate and would be the best running mate for a male nominee. I'm also a bit concered Harris would play too much the "identity politics card".

[henster]

There will be at least 3 vets running if Buttigieg runs which is pretty impressive for the party. Unfortunately all of the likely candidates are lower tier, wish we had more viable vet candidates considering many were part of the success in 2018.

Duckworth would be a strong candidate but has shown no signs that she's running.

Duckworth not running is the biggest disappoint for me, she has so much political talent. Literally the best attributes Dems could hope for in a candidate.

[NewYorkExpress]

There will be at least 3 vets running if Buttigieg runs which is pretty impressive for the party. Unfortunately all of the likely candidates are lower tier, wish we had more viable vet candidates considering many were part of the success in 2018.

Duckworth would be a strong candidate but has shown no signs that she's running.

Duckworth not running is the biggest disappoint for me, she has so much political talent. Literally the best attributes Dems could hope for in a candidate.

Duckworth might well be someone's VP nominee (she'd make a good one for almost anyone).

[Mr. Morden]

Harris’s chief of staff is leaving her Senate office to take a “senior adviser role” at her PAC:

https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article223256795.html

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[Mr. Morden]

No timeline for O'Rourke:

http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/texas/story/2018/dec/19/no-timeline-orourke-not-rushing-2020-decision-despite-buzz/757284/

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[Mr. Morden]

Bennet reiterates that he's "thinking about it":

https://news.yahoo.com/colorado-senator-michael-bennet-says-considering-run-democratic-presidential-nomination-100013444.html

WaPo talks about some of the Iowa jockeying:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-ways-subtle-and-loud-the-presidential-contest-is-already-underway-in-iowa/2018/12/18/8553a2d8-ffc6-11e8-862a-b6a6f3ce8199_story.html?utm_term=.827ceac200df

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[aaroncd107]

Dunno if we caught this, but

https://twitter.com/petebuttigieg/status/1075031309632892930?s=21

The Mayor is headed to Iowa!

[beaver2.0]

Dunno if we caught this, but

https://twitter.com/petebuttigieg/status/1075031309632892930?s=21

The Mayor is headed to Iowa!

I don't understand Buttigieg hype.  The guy was mayor of a city of 100,000.  South Bend isn't in the top 10,25,50, or even 100 cities.  According to Wikipedia it's ranked 301 in the US.  And he's not even like Ojeda, who has a message that's especially different from the party mainstream.  Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the guy, but Pete Buttigieg just doesn't seem like Presidential material at this time.

But if this is how we're going to do things, Boulder Mayor Suzanne "Zan" Jones 2020!  She runs the 280th largest city in the US.

[Joey1996]

Dunno if we caught this, but

https://twitter.com/petebuttigieg/status/1075031309632892930?s=21

The Mayor is headed to Iowa!

I don't understand Buttigieg hype.  The guy was mayor of a city of 100,000.  South Bend isn't in the top 10,25,50, or even 100 cities.  According to Wikipedia it's ranked 301 in the US.  And he's not even like Ojeda, who has a message that's especially different from the party mainstream.  Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the guy, but Pete Buttigieg just doesn't seem like Presidential material at this time.

But if this is how we're going to do things, Boulder Mayor Suzanne "Zan" Jones 2020!  She runs the 280th largest city in the US.

I think Trump's win has really eroded the idea that a president needs tons of prior experience.

I'm for Buttigieg running for president if he drops out before Iowa and expands his base heading into a potential 2020 Indiana gubernatorial run. With an enthusiastic campaign and a Libertarian candidate making it a 3 way race he may have a shot.

[beaver2.0]

Dunno if we caught this, but

https://twitter.com/petebuttigieg/status/1075031309632892930?s=21

The Mayor is headed to Iowa!

I don't understand Buttigieg hype.  The guy was mayor of a city of 100,000.  South Bend isn't in the top 10,25,50, or even 100 cities.  According to Wikipedia it's ranked 301 in the US.  And he's not even like Ojeda, who has a message that's especially different from the party mainstream.  Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the guy, but Pete Buttigieg just doesn't seem like Presidential material at this time.

But if this is how we're going to do things, Boulder Mayor Suzanne "Zan" Jones 2020!  She runs the 280th largest city in the US.

I think Trump's win has really eroded the idea that a president needs tons of prior experience.

I'm for Buttigieg running for president if he drops out before Iowa and expands his base heading into a potential 2020 Indiana gubernatorial run. With an enthusiastic campaign and a Libertarian candidate making it a 3 way race he may have a shot.

I do agree Trump's election has given Democrats the idea they don't need to nominate an ultra-experienced politician, but these are the same people that are still complaining Trump doesn't have experience, but are fanboy-ing Michelle Obama and Oprah.

I'd rather have a businessman than a small-town mayor (which, let's be honest, Buttigieg is) If he is working up to a run for Governor, I can understand a run a bit more.

[henster]

Buttigieg is a classic book deal candidate I've put Ojeda in this category too but he seems like more of  grifter than anything. Buttigieg is looking to earn his spot as a commentator on CNN/MSNBC, the alternative is fading into obscurity with no where to go in a red state.

[Da2017]

I'm worried Gillibrand will play too much Identity politics. Out of all the females candidate she is likely to play woman's card. Right now she has a steep hill to climb. I think voters will perceive her is saying what they want to hear rather than what she believes in. It's easy to accuse her of pandering.

[henster]

I'm worried Gillibrand will play too much Identity politics. Out of all the females candidate she is likely to play woman's card. Right now she has a steep hill to climb. I think voters will perceive her is saying what they want to hear rather than what she believes in. It's easy to accuse her of pandering.

It just won't work when there are a bunch of other women running. She needs to distinguish herself, one thing that sets her apart from most of the field is that she's the only young mother. That would be really endearing with women primary voters and parents, she needs to be pushing family issues instead of feminism.

[Dr Oz Lost Party!]

I'm worried Gillibrand will play too much Identity politics. Out of all the females candidate she is likely to play woman's card. Right now she has a steep hill to climb. I think voters will perceive her is saying what they want to hear rather than what she believes in. It's easy to accuse her of pandering.

It just won't work when there are a bunch of other women running. She needs to distinguish herself, one thing that sets her apart from most of the field is that she's the only young mother. That would be really endearing with women primary voters and parents, she needs to be pushing family issues instead of feminism.

As if she doesn't already do that.

[NYSforKennedy2024]

https://twitter.com/KateNocera/status/1074764504104345600

Well, looks like I've gone from Avenatti to Castro to Gabbard, if and when she announces.

If it means anything, Tulsi2020.com requires administrator login, something rare of people who buy the political domains just to troll or never use.

[136or142]

I'm worried Gillibrand will play too much Identity politics. Out of all the females candidate she is likely to play woman's card. Right now she has a steep hill to climb. I think voters will perceive her is saying what they want to hear rather than what she believes in. It's easy to accuse her of pandering.

I agree with this.  It's not hard to think she's insincere.  In addition to what you wrote here there was also,
during the election campaign: Shermanesque "I'm not running for President"
Immediately after being reelected "I'm considering running for President."

[Mr. Morden]

Merkley says he'll decide within the first three months of 2019:

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/sen-jeff-merkley-family-board-2020-presidential-run/story?id=59894938

Also says that his family is already on board if he decides to run, and that he won't defer to any other candidate in making his decision:

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[Grassroots]

If it means anything, Tulsi2020.com requires administrator login, something rare of people who buy the political domains just to troll or never use.

Checked and conformed. Its obvious she's already decided at least on an exploratory committee.

[NYSforKennedy2024]

If it means anything, Tulsi2020.com requires administrator login, something rare of people who buy the political domains just to troll or never use.

Checked and conformed. Its obvious she's already decided at least on an exploratory committee.

Now we wait for Atlas' shredding of someone who, for all intents and purposes, is a generally good candidate.