Why did so many Democrats run for the nomination in 2020, especially so many who arguably were...
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  Why did so many Democrats run for the nomination in 2020, especially so many who arguably were...
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Author Topic: Why did so many Democrats run for the nomination in 2020, especially so many who arguably were...  (Read 707 times)
West_Midlander
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« on: November 21, 2022, 02:53:30 PM »

Why did so many Democrats run for the nomination in 2020, and especially those who arguably were always a long shot?
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Pres Mike
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« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2022, 06:37:32 PM »

The DNC wanted Hillary to win in 2016. So they scheduled the debates at very weird times to minimze viewership and minimze any attempts at Sanders hurting her. Like Saturday evenings or the day before Thanksgiving.

The DNC was called out for this, rightfully so. In attempt to be 100% in 2020, they did everything they could to avoid anyone calling them out in 2020.

So the first two debates would be two nights, 10 by 10. Random.

So everyone and their grandma had a chance to share the stage with Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. Why not use it? Sure, they'd probably not get the nomination. But a good performance might get you a cabinet job. Or write a book.

Honestly, I think the DNC went too far. I would never allow a 20 person debate. The top 10 polling canidates and thats it. The 2016 RNC did it right. Want to debate? Have a kiddie table debate debate lol
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The Right Honourable Martin Brian Mulroney PC CC GOQ
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« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2022, 09:27:02 PM »

Pres Mike explained the institutional reasons better than I could. But the other element is the weirdness of the Trump presidency, and Democrats' disagreements on how to handle it.

What's important to appreciate is that even though 2020 primaries are now remembered as a Biden vs Sanders race, Biden didn't really solidify himself as the "establishment" choice, really until South Carolina. The Democratic establishment and base were both traumatized by 2016 and there were different theories on how to win back the White House.

What would defeat Trump? Was the key to run someone with decades of experience, someone familiar to just about every American voter and generally acceptable to the broad spectrum of the Democratic coalition? Or was it to run someone new and fresh, without the baggage that comes with DC politics, and inject new energy into the party? Was it to appeal to heartland voters by taking it easy on identity politics? Or was it to double down and energize the parts of the American public that were the most strongly opposed to Trump, like minorities, women, and college-educated voters? Was it to double down on economic populism and make the election about universal healthcare and taking on big business? Or was it to demonstrate moderate positions on pocketbook issues that the American public often has a hard time trusting liberals on? Or was it to just say to hell with politics as usual, let's run our own NYC billionaire, dump cash into the airwaves, and win by drowning out Trump?

You can read into which candidate(s) I'm talking about with each of those rhetorical questions. Point is, it was not at all clear what would work best, so everyone thought they had a good case to make.
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Mr. Smith
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« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2022, 11:50:15 PM »

Why did so many Republicans run for the nomination in 2016?  It's the same answer.

The base reactions were different of course, but I'll note that The South held disproportionate clout either way.
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President Johnson
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« Reply #4 on: November 22, 2022, 02:21:36 PM »

Everyone wanted to be the one that beat Trump, who seemed very vulnerable.
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darklordoftech
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« Reply #5 on: November 22, 2022, 03:07:44 PM »
« Edited: November 22, 2022, 03:14:27 PM by darklordoftech »

Everyone wanted to be the one that beat Trump, who seemed very vulnerable.
This. They knew that whoever defeated Trump would be seen as a hero.
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