Is it that time already? Seems like I was just writing about Democrat candidates yesterday and here we are again. I’ve already let out a few glimpses but now it’s time to get organized. First impressions:
Kamala Harris: Somehow, I want to like Kamala as someone experienced in Congress but there’s that whole socialist bent and the tendency to ignore not just details but whole swaths of broad positions. It’s not like she’s even putting off on a position; she shews it away like a pesky kid she can’t be bothered with. Them kids ain’t going away. No presidential material here.
Cory Booker: Cory is a follower, not a leader. He wants to be popular in class and will say whatever it takes. This should suit a politician just fine for people that got-no-time for politics but it doesn’t bid well once he starts to be thrashed by his competitors. He’ll be exposed as having precious little conviction.
Elizabeth Warren: Pocahontas is tainted and is already running a has-been campaign. Baggage. It’s unfortunate that she’s already painted herself as a mindless socialist because she has a few ideas that should receive further consideration from bi-partisan peers and I suspect she’ll get that chance elsewhere because this candidacy is going nowhere.
Bernie Sanders: While Bernie has appeal, I regard him as a whacko and loser. He’ll win some primaries and then flame out big time after the group narrows. I don’t believe the Millennial vote can get him the nomination and that’s his core. I also believe he’ll have a major or semi-major health crisis some months in that will knock him out. Just a gut feeling.
Beto O’Rourke: He centrist – sort of. Looks, check, style, check. He has a very checkered past, but Trump has proved that that’s no impediment. His only liability is or might be, to be forced to apologize to the left base for who he is; that’s already started. If he proves that he’s man enough to not do that, I suspect he’s the candidate. If he caves to his party whacko’s, he’s toast before even out of the gate.
Joe Biden: Joe, Joe, Joe… Hamlet if I ever saw one. Of course, he’s favored by the establishment Dems, but to be honest, just as he didn’t want to run in 16, he doesn’t TRULY want to run now! He will crack, mark my words; and if by some strange accident he becomes the Dem nominee, he will crumble at that stage of the race. Everyone wants him to run but himself. His hand is being forced.
Everyone else: Who are these people? Fine towns people and upright citizens I’m sure. They’re all 2-3 years late to the party, they haven’t raised any hell, and are not tested. Great ideas – I assume they have a couple, are no better than a pretty face. The electorate yawns. Their best bet is 2024.
Since we’re talking candidates, shift gears for a moment and let’s look at Trump. I’ve said he won’t run and basically, I’m already functionally wrong on that. Trump is like your star player that’s been on player suspension, problems with the law, bad mouthing the rest of the team, hated by many, and yet has so far managed to win the team a bunch of games. Do you re-sign him or try to build on the platform of recent wins but with a new hot draft pick? This is what the voters will decide. So far, I know at least one ideologically suited option, our own Governor Hogan, but if he or anyone else steps in, he/she will have to have a gargantuan personality to put up with the relentless omnipotent hate from Trump and from the whole field of Dems that will suddenly have no appreciation whatsoever for any centrism in a Republican. Personally, I think much worse things could happen than four more years of Trump, but I’ll go with the new super-hot draft pick if one manages to emerge. If the Republicans were smart [there is a reason they’re known as the stupid party], they get a young 40-something out there if for no other reason, to lather him/her up for 2024.