2020 Presidential Election

[CrazyNotCrazie]

The local news anchors here in NY were making fun of deBlasio. Among other things, he has taken a lot of heat for the fact that he rides a chauffeured SUV to the gym many days, yet there are several scenes in his launch video where he is sitting in the back of the SUV. And many think that his wife's plan for mental health in NYC has been a huge disaster that has cost a fortune and no one knows where the money has actually gone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELEp7HEflDQ

And I love Maggie Haberman's tweet about the video - "Solid Kickoff for a Mayoral Run":

https://twitter.com/maggieNYT/status...74538837037057

I have posted my thoughts on him further up in the thread, attempting to not be biased. I don't think he has much of a chance, though to his credit, he has actually implemented several of the policies that a number of the other candidates are only talking about in theoretical terms.

[Jeffrey]

Have they reached 30 in the race yet?

30 what?

[gus]

And I love Maggie Haberman's tweet about the video - "Solid Kickoff for a Mayoral Run"

Ouch. LOL.

[OldPhiKap]

I hope they get to 31, but that's just because I'm a fan of Baskin-Robbins.

[CameronBornAndBred]

I hope they get to 31, but that's just because I'm a fan of Baskin-Robbins.

What flavor is your candidate? Beto is so bouncy I'd give him bubblebum. Bernie is so nutty I'd go with maybe pistachio. Biden has so many things from his past that he will be answering for, I'd serve up a dish of rocky road. Who is so boring they get vanilla?

[OldPhiKap]

Who is so boring they get vanilla?

Can we get Tim Kaine in the race again?

Warren would be some sort of organic frozen yogurt, no doubt. Folks would like the concept it represents, but pass on it anyway.

[Acymetric]

What flavor is your candidate? Beto is so bouncy I'd give him bubblebum. Bernie is so nutty I'd go with maybe pistachio. Biden has so many things from his past that he will be answering for, I'd serve up a dish of rocky road. Who is so boring they get vanilla?

Gillibrand? Otherwise it probably has to be one of the major undercards. Maybe Klobuchar just for having been a corporate lawyer.

There are a few other obvious ones that, while amusing, are probably in poor taste I guess.

[budwom]

Per Politico this morning, he makes 23 "plus Mike Gravel." (Not sure why the slam on Gravel; at least a dozen of these candidacies are pure folly).



The Derby analogy is apt. And I think the large field here favors the favorites, because with so many choices the known plurality candidates can still stand at the front. It really is pretty silly.

We have our first candidate coming to town this weekend -- Bernie. Georgia's primary is a long way off, so this is really playing long ball.

Thus far not too many real developments...Joltin' Joe has a big lead, Beto seems to have fizzled, Mayor Pete doing surprisingly well...other than that (and Bernie with a sizeable following) not many emerging contenders (yet).
Presumably a few long days in New Hamster will compel some of the field to hit the liquor store and return home with different career aspirations.

[OldPhiKap]

Thus far not too many real developments...Joltin' Joe has a big lead, Beto seems to have fizzled, Mayor Pete doing surprisingly well...other than that (and Bernie with a sizeable following) not many emerging contenders (yet).
Presumably a few long days in New Hamster will compel some of the field to hit the liquor store and return home with different career aspirations.

The first set of debates is in six weeks. One would hope that some will give up after that, at least if you are a Democrat.

If you are a Republican, then the longer the circus goes on the better. Better to have an unmanageable mélange of mediocrity than two or three top-tier contenders targeting you. (No offense to the dozen or so candidates who have no chance and are just taking up space for their own personal vainglory). (Some would say). (By "some" I mean "OPK").

[cato]

I hope they get to 31, but that's just because I'm a fan of Baskin-Robbins.

If we get to 31, Ani DiFranco better get in the race to give it some righteous flavor.

[OldPhiKap]

If we get to 31, Ani DiFranco better get in the race to give it some righteous flavor.

As long as we stop before we get to 99 Luftballons.

[duke79]

30 what?

Is there anyone in the US who has NOT announced that they're running for the Democratic nomination??

[Reilly]

... Who is so boring they get vanilla?

Can we get Tim Kaine in the race again? ...

John Delaney would like to remind everyone that vanilla is a flavor and is not just "plain".

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

Is there anyone in the US who has NOT announced that they're running for the Democratic nomination??

<waves> I have zero interest. If nominated, I shall not run. If elected, I shall not serve. For any party.

[Reilly]

Is there anyone in the US who has NOT announced that they're running for the Democratic nomination??

Martin O'Malley is not the leader you're looking for: https://www.nationalreview.com/corne...ident-in-2020/

Or, maybe he's the leader you're not looking for. Or, possibly, he's not the leader you're not looking for.

[PackMan97]

The first set of debates is in six weeks. One would hope that some will give up after that, at least if you are a Democrat.

If you are a Republican, then the longer the circus goes on the better.

I remember that script being flipped four years ago. Democrats laughing at all the Republicans running including some reality TV star named Trump.

Ami Horowitz is running for the Democratic nomination on a very interesting platform. If enough people donate I'll qualify for the Democrat debates and I'll really stick it to those socialists and liberals in those debates! Not sure that's the best strategy...but hey, this is America!

https://amiforamerica.com/

[Reilly]

I remember that script being flipped four years ago. Democrats laughing at all the Republicans running including some reality TV star named Trump.

Ami Horowitz is running for the Democratic nomination on a very interesting platform. If enough people donate I'll qualify for the Democrat debates and I'll really stick it to those socialists and liberals in those debates! Not sure that's the best strategy...but hey, this is America!

https://amiforamerica.com/

I noticed this on Ami's website:

AMI HOROWITZ IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT

If you want to see me on the Democratic debate stage and speak truth to power, then we need to get to 65,000 unique donors!

DONATE NOW!

CONTRIBUTION RULES

I am a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident (i.e., green card holder).

This contribution is made from my own funds, and funds are not being provided to me by another person or entity for the purpose of making this contribution.

I am making this contribution with my own personal credit card and not with a corporate or business credit card or a card issued to another person.

I am at least eighteen years old.

I am not a federal contractor.

I am not a registered federal lobbyist.

I am not an executive of a fossil fuel company.

By submitting your contribution, you agree that the first $2,800 of a contribution will be designated for the 2020 primary election, and any additional amount up to $2,800 will be designated for the 2020 general election.

I'm curious about some of the rules to donate (or, maybe it's just to have a donation count in the 65K?). The 65K threshhold is just something the Dem Party has come up with, right (that is, not a network or someone)? Where's the age limit come from and the occupation-limitation come from -- also simply Party rules for counting donations for the debate stage counting? I'm guessing someone 17 or younger could donate -- they work; they care -- and some will even be 18 by the time primaries or elections roll around -- does federal election law prohibit someone 17 or younger from donating?

edit: it looks like minors can contribute: https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-...nt-contribute/

Wonder why Ami or the party does not want, or want to count, their contributions.

[OldPhiKap]

^^ my guess is that it is a party rule, and that it is a largely symbolic jab at the Koch Brothers. I don’t know for sure though. It is oddly narrow and specific.

[Acymetric]

People still say "speak truth to power" unironically?

Assuming his goal is to be maximally disruptive to the actual debate, doe the Dems have any kind of out for not inviting him even if he gets the donations? I'm guessing most of his donations will be coming from conservatives.

[OldPhiKap]

People still say "speak truth to power" unironically?

Assuming his goal is to be maximally disruptive to the actual debate, doe the Dems have any kind of out for not inviting him even if he gets the donations? I'm guessing most of his donations will be coming from conservatives.

in front of a theater packed with ardent Democrats, I think this would flop spectacularly. The Soy Bomb of debate moments.

If he is serious about going in and arguing the merits of certain positions though, great. There is nothing wrong with arguing against orthodoxy (and in fact it is healthy to test it periodically). Some would suggest that Bill Weld is trying to do exactly that on the Republican side, if there actually end up being any debates (which I doubt). Alternatively, if he is doing it to be a disruptive force, well -- we need a whole lot less of that across the board IMO and I would not be in favor. Must admit I don't really know anything about the guy.