And They're Off! The Democratic Candidates for 2020

[Brian]

LBJ?

Todd's answer to LBJ above is that he was cozy with big business, especially oil. Of course, a similar accusation could be made for Obama and finance/consulting. Ditto for both as foreign adventurers in forever wars. For me personally, LBJ still wins the prize.

[71 dB]

One potentially convincing argument could be that the political chart just goes further left now than it used to. (I'm leaving out overt Communism since it's never made it to the presidential office.) The argument would go on to say, if one made it, that Obama being the leftest president ever isn't really saying much at all.

So I guess I'd be okay with that one 

Not really. It just looks that way because the Overton Window has been moving to the right for the last 45 years or so... ...althou for the last 5 years now the left has been moving the Overton Window back a little bit and also Covid-19 is demonstrating Americans how progressive ideas are not fringe at all, but very much needed.

[Florestan]

TR was a progressive in the Progressive era, which means that among other things, that he supported Eugenics. 

The Swedish Social-Democratic Party, which ruled virtually unopposed from mid-1930s until mid-1980s, not only supported, but actively practiced Eugenics until 1976. Ain't that sweet?

[Todd]

Of course, a similar accusation could be made for Obama and finance/consulting.

Similar accusations can be, have been, and will continue to be made against every president.  Correctly.

[Todd]

The Swedish Social-Democratic Party, which ruled virtually unopposed from mid-1930s until mid-1980s, not only supported, but actively practiced Eugenics until 1976. Ain't that sweet?

There are certain elements of society fixated on the notion that they know better than everyone else what is good for everyone, and what is good for society.  To be sure, some left-wing and right-wing types fall into this category.  The difference is that leftists have elevated it to an art form and actually believe it.

[JBS]

Not really. It just looks that way because the Overton Window has been moving to the right for the last 45 years or so... ...althou for the last 5 years now the left has been moving the Overton Window back a little bit and also Covid-19 is demonstrating Americans how progressive ideas are not fringe at all, but very much needed.

Quite the reverse. Trump's complete mismanagement in this crisis is a good example of why government involvement in health care can be a bad thing.  The various financial subsidies and stimuli are another demonstration that, while everyone is equal, some people are more equal than others, and government help is given not according to need but according to who shouts the loudest. (Which happens in all political systems. It's not a result of oligarchy. It's a result of governments not being omniscient and therefore dependent on people bringing problems to the attention of governments.)

If Obama was a true lefty he would have endorsed Bernie on day one. Instead he sabotaged Bernie's campaign. That's nota lefty. That's a corrupt corporate hack.

No, Obama is a pragmatic politician who wants his party's nominee to win in November.

[Florestan]

There are certain elements of society fixated on the notion that they know better than everyone else what is good for everyone, and what is good for society.  To be sure, some left-wing and right-wing types fall into this category.  The difference is that leftists have elevated it to an art form and actually believe it.

[Karl Henning]

Then there's the whackadoodle Right who have debased it to a parody of religion, and who actually believe it.

[Herman]

By all means throw in some misogynism, too.

[Todd]

The DNC will prop up Biden.  Unless he croaks. 

2020 is an intriguing year.  The US faces a possibility, even if remote, that no matter who wins in November, there is a chance that the victor dies before the Electoral College meets.  That would be a hoot.

[Florestan]

Obama is a pragmatic politician who wants his party's nominee to win in November.

Just as I said: the goal of every party and politician, right or left or center, is to get into power and stay there as much as possible. 

[Florestan]

2020 is an intriguing year.  The US faces a possibility, even if remote, that no matter who wins in November, there is a chance that the victor dies before the Electoral College meets.  That would be a hoot.

The USA is already a gerontocracy. Its turning into a necrocracy, though, it's a frightening thought!

[Todd]

The USA is already a gerontocracy. Its turning into a necrocracy, though, it's a frightening thought!

It would be interesting to see how the votes would be tallied and what the outcome would be.  I don't know the laws in place for all 50 states as it pertains to what Electors may do.  (No one else on GMG does, either, so be wary of "informed" opinions on the matter.)

[Ratliff]

The DNC will prop up Biden.  Unless he croaks. 

2020 is an intriguing year.  The US faces a possibility, even if remote, that no matter who wins in November, there is a chance that the victor dies before the Electoral College meets.  That would be a hoot.

That possibilities has alway existed. You don't have to be an old geezer to die unexpectedly. Wasn't I reading various conspiracy-minded commentary that Hilary had some incurable neurological condition and it wouldn't even matter if they should fail to lock her up, since she would be dead before she could take office anyway?

[Todd]

That possibilities has alway existed.

Correct, but with two men in their 70s, one of them pushing 80, running for president, this is a higher probability outcome now than ever before.  Could be fun.

[JBS]

Correct, but with two men in their 70s, one of them pushing 80, running for president, this is a higher probability outcome now than ever before.  Could be fun.

All the more reason to vote for Justin Amash.  He's only 40.

[Todd]

All the more reason to vote for Justin Amash.  He's only 40.

My vote does not matter.  Oregon will go to the Democrat nominee.  Oregon would go to the Democrat nominee even if it was a soggy mop.  See 2016.

[Brian]

All the more reason to vote for Justin Amash.  He's only 40.

One of just two reasons to vote for Amash, the other being he hasn't sexually assaulted anyone.

I'd rather Biden chooses a good VP.

[Todd]

Looks like the veep candidate could be Warren:

Elizabeth Warren is the favored VP pick among Democrats, poll shows

Or not:

Big money donors are pressuring Joe Biden against picking Elizabeth Warren for VP: 'He would lose the election'

[Florestan]

Who's Justin Amash? I'm too lazy to google him.