The “Who is running in 2020?” tea leaves thread, Part 4

[Mr. Morden]

New story on Bullock in The Atlantic.  He’s got support from Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, and has staff training in Iowa:

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/05/steve-bullock-2020/589291/

Bullock is poised to enter this week with a network of top advisers and the clear support of Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, the longest serving Democrat currently elected statewide in the first caucus state.
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His emerging campaign is operating on such a shoestring budget that HQ staff is technically renting only half of a wide room in the former Blue Cross Blue Shield space in downtown Helena, not far from the city’s main drag, named Last Chance Gulch after 19th-century prospectors who found gold. It’s more than enough room, since four employees work out of the space right now. (Another eight, including a state director, spent the past weekend training in Iowa.) “It’s daunting,” Bullock acknowledged.

In fact, he’s planning to campaign almost exclusively in Iowa:

Realistically, Bullock’s run is all about Iowa, and it is the place he has so far invested in. An adviser told me Bullock will barely campaign elsewhere over the next 10 months—save for a few swings through New Hampshire, and perhaps the occasional stop in Nevada because it’s close enough to home. South Carolina is not on the table, nor is trying to mount the long-game operation some of the other campaigns have been building in anticipation of a drawn-out nomination process that could hinge on a rolling brawl for delegates all the way into next summer’s Democratic National Convention. This game plan seems out of sync with an election calendar that will include an intense month of coast-to-coast campaigning between the Iowa caucuses on February 3 and a Super Tuesday with more big primaries than ever before, on March 4.

[brucejoel99]

I had to look up that "we could all be speaking Russian" quotation to believe it. Unreal!

What’s the problem?

Yeah, Trump has done more for Russia over the last 2 years than Putin & the former Soviet Union before him could've ever hoped to do in 100. Let's be clear: that's called being compromised by the enemy. A few more years of this, & we really may all be speaking Russian.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

I had to look up that "we could all be speaking Russian" quotation to believe it. Unreal!

What’s the problem?

Yeah, Trump has done more for Russia over the last 2 years than Putin & the former Soviet Union before him could've ever hoped to do in 100. Let's be clear: that's called being compromised by the enemy. A few more years of this, & we really may all be speaking Russian.

Too late, they're all speaking English because of what Clinton did in 1996.

[PaperKooper]

De Blasio will decide this week.

Responding to a reporter’s question, De Blasio — still straining to be heard — said he was discussing a possible presidential run with his family.

“We will make a final decision this week and we will announce it this week,” he said.

[HarrisonL]

New story on Bullock in The Atlantic.  He’s got support from Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, and has staff training in Iowa:

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/05/steve-bullock-2020/589291/

Bullock is poised to enter this week with a network of top advisers and the clear support of Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, the longest serving Democrat currently elected statewide in the first caucus state.
.
.
.
His emerging campaign is operating on such a shoestring budget that HQ staff is technically renting only half of a wide room in the former Blue Cross Blue Shield space in downtown Helena, not far from the city’s main drag, named Last Chance Gulch after 19th-century prospectors who found gold. It’s more than enough room, since four employees work out of the space right now. (Another eight, including a state director, spent the past weekend training in Iowa.) “It’s daunting,” Bullock acknowledged.

In fact, he’s planning to campaign almost exclusively in Iowa:

Realistically, Bullock’s run is all about Iowa, and it is the place he has so far invested in. An adviser told me Bullock will barely campaign elsewhere over the next 10 months—save for a few swings through New Hampshire, and perhaps the occasional stop in Nevada because it’s close enough to home. South Carolina is not on the table, nor is trying to mount the long-game operation some of the other campaigns have been building in anticipation of a drawn-out nomination process that could hinge on a rolling brawl for delegates all the way into next summer’s Democratic National Convention. This game plan seems out of sync with an election calendar that will include an intense month of coast-to-coast campaigning between the Iowa caucuses on February 3 and a Super Tuesday with more big primaries than ever before, on March 4.

Bullock, like so many others, is just doing this for name recognition. Booker and Bullock will pull a Rubio, drop out of the Presidential race, and enter their Senate races.

[Progressive Pessimist]

New story on Bullock in The Atlantic.  He’s got support from Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, and has staff training in Iowa:

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/05/steve-bullock-2020/589291/

Bullock is poised to enter this week with a network of top advisers and the clear support of Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, the longest serving Democrat currently elected statewide in the first caucus state.
.
.
.
His emerging campaign is operating on such a shoestring budget that HQ staff is technically renting only half of a wide room in the former Blue Cross Blue Shield space in downtown Helena, not far from the city’s main drag, named Last Chance Gulch after 19th-century prospectors who found gold. It’s more than enough room, since four employees work out of the space right now. (Another eight, including a state director, spent the past weekend training in Iowa.) “It’s daunting,” Bullock acknowledged.

In fact, he’s planning to campaign almost exclusively in Iowa:

Realistically, Bullock’s run is all about Iowa, and it is the place he has so far invested in. An adviser told me Bullock will barely campaign elsewhere over the next 10 months—save for a few swings through New Hampshire, and perhaps the occasional stop in Nevada because it’s close enough to home. South Carolina is not on the table, nor is trying to mount the long-game operation some of the other campaigns have been building in anticipation of a drawn-out nomination process that could hinge on a rolling brawl for delegates all the way into next summer’s Democratic National Convention. This game plan seems out of sync with an election calendar that will include an intense month of coast-to-coast campaigning between the Iowa caucuses on February 3 and a Super Tuesday with more big primaries than ever before, on March 4.

Bullock, like so many others, is just doing this for name recognition. Booker and Bullock will pull a Rubio, drop out of the Presidential race, and enter their Senate races.

I hope so. I don't expect Bullock to necessarily win against Daines, but to have even one more Senate pickup be even remotely possible is good news in itself.

[GoTfan]

I had to look up that "we could all be speaking Russian" quotation to believe it. Unreal!

What’s the problem?

Yeah, Trump has done more for Russia over the last 2 years than Putin & the former Soviet Union before him could've ever hoped to do in 100. Let's be clear: that's called being compromised by the enemy. A few more years of this, & we really may all be speaking Russian.

Well aside from the fact it's blatant fearmongering and xenophobic in several ways, it's also untrue.

[Mr. Morden]

Various news outlets are saying that de Blasio is "expected to announce" that he's running tomorrow:

https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2019/05/15/bill-de-blasio-presidential-run-2020-nyc-mayor-democrat

Ending months of speculation, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to announce he will enter the crowded field for president Thursday.

With a skeleton staff and a relatively small amount of campaign cash, De Blasio is planning campaign stops in Iowa and South Carolina that will start on Friday and end Sunday. De Blasio is scheduled to appear with First Lady Chirlane McCray on Good Morning America before heading to Iowa and South Carolina.

Good Morning America says that he and his wife will be on the program tomorrow, so that'll presumably be the venue in which he announces:

https://twitter.com/GMA/status/1128767008907177989

[Mr. Morden]

I believe Good Morning America airs from 7-9am Eastern, so we're just a few hour of away from de Blasio's (presumed) announcement.  How certain are we that he's going to say he's running tomorrow?  Well, his spokeswoman declined to confirm that he's going to announce he running:

http://www.fox35orlando.com/news/mayor-de-blasio-presidential-race

But she did confirm that he's traveling to Iowa later on Thursday, and will hold events there on Thursday and Friday, then head to South Carolina on Saturday.  Maybe he's just going to those states for vacation!

[Mr. Morden]

Mark Cuban on whether he’ll run in 2020:

https://www.newsweek.com/mark-cuban-2020-democratic-candidates-nobody-right-now-can-beat-trump-1426835

“We’ll see what happens. It would take the perfect storm for me to do it,” Cuban declared. “There’s some things that could open the door, but I’m not projecting or predicting it right now.”

Meanwhile, Howard Schultz reportedly delaying his decision:

https://www.foxbusiness.com/business-leaders/howard-schultz-delays-decision-on-2020-biden-the-factor

As a result [of Biden’s candidacy], Schultz has also pushed back the timetable of his decision, which was initially expected sometime in the summer, these people add. People close to the billionaire say his decision may now take months, and he might even wait until early 2020 to decide whether to run as he observes the Democratic primary fight, and how Biden competes against his more leftist rivals.

“His decision will be based on how the Democratic field shakes out and seeing how Biden fares,” said one of the people familiar with Schultz’s decision making. “If Joe Biden remains strong, and remains a moderate, there clearly is a much narrower path.”
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Erin McPike, a spokeswoman for Schultz, confirmed FOX Business’ reporting on the matter. “If Joe Biden were to emerge as the nominee and not a bloodied nominee, still more of a moderate Democrat, I think Howard would probably think twice about (running)” she told Neil Cavuto during a FOX Business appearance Wednesday.

McPike said “We have to see how this race plays out over the summer,” adding “right now” the odds are that Schultz will run as an independent.

[brucejoel99]

Meanwhile, Howard Schultz reportedly delaying his decision:

https://www.foxbusiness.com/business-leaders/howard-schultz-delays-decision-on-2020-biden-the-factor

As a result [of Biden’s candidacy], Schultz has also pushed back the timetable of his decision, which was initially expected sometime in the summer, these people add. People close to the billionaire say his decision may now take months, and he might even wait until early 2020 to decide whether to run as he observes the Democratic primary fight, and how Biden competes against his more leftist rivals.

“His decision will be based on how the Democratic field shakes out and seeing how Biden fares,” said one of the people familiar with Schultz’s decision making. “If Joe Biden remains strong, and remains a moderate, there clearly is a much narrower path.”
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.
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Erin McPike, a spokeswoman for Schultz, confirmed FOX Business’ reporting on the matter. “If Joe Biden were to emerge as the nominee and not a bloodied nominee, still more of a moderate Democrat, I think Howard would probably think twice about (running)” she told Neil Cavuto during a FOX Business appearance Wednesday.

McPike said “We have to see how this race plays out over the summer,” adding “right now” the odds are that Schultz will run as an independent.

Good. Here's hoping this delay leads to not running.

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

https://twitter.com/CATargetBot/status/1129120692769701888

De La Fuente is running as a GOPer

[beaver2.0]

https://twitter.com/CATargetBot/status/1129120692769701888

De La Fuente is running as a GOPer

It's all over for Trump.

[Mr. Morden]

Cuban gave a speech that touched on various national issues yesterday, but didn't give any new ground on his decision on a presidential run:'

https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/elgin-courier-news/ct-ecn-elgin-judson-mark-cuban-visit-st-0517-story.html

Mark Cuban touched on a variety of national issues during his Thursday program at Elgin’s Judson University — income, workforce inequality, health care — and even took a few digs at President Trump, but remained mum on his own presidential aspirations.

“I don’t know who we’re going to draft in the NBA Draft on June 20,” Cuban said, sidestepping the question posed by Mark Vargas, who led the discussion with the billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks before an audience of about 400. “Our legislative priority is to win a playoff game. … I try to keep my priorities straight.”

[Mr. Morden]

This is over a week old now, but Corker says he doesn't see a path for him to challenge Trump for the nomination:

https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/breakingnews/story/2019/may/06/corker-potential-presidential-bid/494105/

Former U.S. Sen. Bob Corker said Monday "I don't really see" a path for himself to challenge President Donald Trump in Republicans' 2020 presidential primaries.

"I think for someone to undertake that, they have to feel there's at least somewhat of an opportunity to actually be elected," the ex-senator and former Chattanooga mayor told reporters after a speech at the Nashville Rotary Club. "I see no point in just doing it to [run], you know, I just don't."

The 66-year-old businessman, who while Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman famously tussled with Trump during the president's first two years, said, "if I thought there was a real opportunity to focus on the kind of things that I'd like to focus on, some of which I mentioned today, I would strongly consider it.

"But I just don't see it today, and I don't see any point in, you know, trying to put effort out towards something that doesn't look realistic. I'd rather focus my energies some other place and try to be productive in that regard."

[Mr. Morden]

Amash says that Trump should be impeached:

https://www.pressherald.com/2019/05/18/republican-rep-justin-amash-says-trump-should-be-impeached/

....which would certainly seem to up the odds that he's looking at ditching his seat in Congress in order to run for president.

[Mr. Morden]

Amash on a primary challenge in his House seat: "I feel very confident in my district", but also doesn't rule out a 2020 presidential run:

https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/20/politics/justin-amash-primary-challenge-impeachment/index.html

[Arson Plus]

Amash should join the Democrats!

[Sir Mohamed]

Amash should join the Democrats!

For what reason? Calling for Trump impeachment? Nah. A broken watch is also right twice a day.

[Mr. Morden]

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/444653-buzz-grows-rep-amash-will-challenge-trump-as-a-libertarian

“There are a lot of Libertarian Party members actively encouraging Rep. Amash to switch parties and seek the Libertarian nomination,” said Nicholas Sarwark, the chairman of the Libertarian National Committee. “This is probably the most organized recruitment effort I’ve seen going back to 2012 when people were trying to recruit [former Texas Rep.] Ron Paul.”

[I'm a prince to the grifters, I turn apostles to pimps]

would be cool if Amash switched parties before leaving his Congressional post so we could have a Libertarian member of Congress just for history's sake

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

would be cool if Amash switched parties before leaving his Congressional post so we could have a Libertarian member of Congress just for history's sake

As a fan of both Amash and Trump, I am rooting for exactly this scenario.

[Mr. Morden]

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/444835-amash-wont-rule-out-libertarian-challenge-to-trump

The Hill asked Amash if he is thinking about leaving the Republican Party to run for president as the Libertarian Party candidate.

“I’m just focused on defending the Constitution, it’s not something I’ve thought about,” Amash said. “I don’t take things off the table like that, but it’s not something at the forefront of my considerations right now. I’m just focused on my job. I wouldn’t take running for governor off the table or Senate or statehouse, I don’t take things off the table.”

[Blue3]

Are there any Democrats who have been speculated about running for President that haven't confirmed or denied, at this point? If so, who?

- All I can think of is Abrams, but I think she said she wasn't interested? But she's changed her answer like a dozen times so I'm not sure. But anyone else?

[beaver2.0]

According to Wikipedia Joe Sanberg.  And weren't there rumors of a couple lower-profile people (some Richard Vague investor)?