2020 Democratic Candidates Tracker

[Delphic Oracle]

We are the country that loves giving money to the poor and hates welfare in roughly equal measures.

Most people like the idea of being lauded, but have little interest in doing anything laudable.

 

[PhantomWolf]

But you forget one thing:Americans are going to insist on a lot of freedom in any UHC, they are going to demand the right to choose their own doctor, and to get another if they don't like the one they got. I don't think a Euro system where you pretty much are stuck with whatever doctor you get assigned will ever fly in the US. Choice is very important to Amereicans.

While I can't speak for any of the systems in Europe, here you can pick your doctor happily (with the proviso that they have room in the clinic for you as they do have clinic limits at most GPs just so the doctors aren't over whelmed.) You certainly don't get a state appointed one assigned to you.

In fact I always thought the US system was broken in that your Insurance Company could decide which Doctors and Hospitals you had a choice of, and if they stopped covering those ones you had to change or pay out of network costs to remain with them.

 

[WilliamSeger]

Axiom, somebody who is as far to the left as you would like could never win a general election.

Regardless of your ideology, your ideal candidate probably has no chance of winning a general election. Ironically enough, that's the proof that democracy works.

 

[varwoche]

<snip candidate list>

Jay Inslee, Governor WA state.

 

[dudalb]

Bloomberg says he will delay his decision on whether to run for the Dem Nomination or not.
The way things are going, it will be quicker to list the Democratic politicians who are NOT running for President rather then list those who are.
A lot of the Dems running are very much a "who the hell are they" deal.
It is going to be really interesting how the debates are going to be handled.
Maybe they need a playoff system like in sports.

 

[JoeMorgue]

Here's the thing.

I've always sort of assumed that the primaries were largely a show, basically drumming up the illusion that all of the candidates could be "the one" in order to draw money in from everyone who supports them. That's why I've always rolled my eyes when people freak out and start shouting conspiracies when whatever dark horse candidate the internet falls in love with doesn't get the nomination.

I'd put folding money in the pot right now that the real movers and shakers of the DNC are already like 80-90% sure who their candidate is gonna be and have a very, very small handful (no more than 2 or 3) even on the broader "might possibly be it" list.

 

[dudalb]

Here's the thing.

I've always sort of assumed that the primaries were largely a show, basically drumming up the illusion that all of the candidates could be "the one" in order to draw money in from everyone who supports them. That's why I've always rolled my eyes when people freak out and start shouting conspiracies when whatever dark horse candidate the internet falls in love with doesn't get the nomination.

I'd put folding money in the pot right now that the real movers and shakers of the DNC are already like 80-90% sure who their candidate is gonna be and have a very, very small handful (no more than 2 or 3) even on the broader "might possibly be it" list.

Yeah, just like the movers and shakers in the GOP kept Trump from getting the nominatin.
I used to think that a few big shots in each party ended up decideing who got the nomination. 2016 shot that idea to hell.

 

[JoeMorgue]

Yeah, just like the movers and shakers in the GOP kept Trump from getting the nominatin.
I used to think that a few big shots in each party ended up decideing who got the nomination. 2016 shot that idea to hell.

I still stand behind my "Trump is almost never a good example of anything" belief and sincerely hope history will prove him the exception and not the rule.

Mainly because if I'm wrong everything is going to be so flustertrucked it won't matter so....

If Trump is a sign of things to come and not a red herring, political primaries aren't exactly high on our list of concerns.

 

[dudalb]

And I see they all are visiting Iowa.
Someone cue that song from "THE Music Man" "You Ought To Give Iowa A Try".

 

[dudalb]

ANd my nomination for the most idiotic issue so far in the Democratic race;Whether Karmela Harris is "Black" enough.
WHo.of any intelligence give a flying f--- about that, so long a she does a good job as Senator.
You have people trying to exploit identity politics on both sides of the political spectrum.

 

[theprestige]

Yeah, just like the movers and shakers in the GOP kept Trump from getting the nominatin.

I used to think that a few big shots in each party ended up decideing who got the nomination. 2016 shot that idea to hell.

It wasn't for lack of trying. And the dems managed to make it work on their side.

This year, the big question on the Dem side is gonna be who can convince the super delegates to commit early.

 

[theprestige]

I still stand behind my "Trump is almost never a good example of anything" belief and sincerely hope history will prove him the exception and not the rule.



Mainly because if I'm wrong everything is going to be so flustertrucked it won't matter so....



If Trump is a sign of things to come and not a red herring, political primaries aren't exactly high on our list of concerns.

"Trump is a sometimes food."

- Cookie Monster, probably

 

[kellyb]

But you forget one thing:Americans are going to insist on a lot of freedom in any UHC, they are going to demand the right to choose their own doctor, and to get another if they don't like the one they got. I don't think a Euro system where you pretty much are stuck with whatever doctor you get assigned will ever fly in the US. Choice is very important to Amereicans.

Is that actually the case in the UK, Canada, and Australia?

 

[kellyb]

In fact I always thought the US system was broken in that your Insurance Company could decide which Doctors and Hospitals you had a choice of, and if they stopped covering those ones you had to change or pay out of network costs to remain with them.

This is correct. Doctors take certain types of insurance and not others.

 

[kellyb]

Here's the thing.

I've always sort of assumed that the primaries were largely a show,

The DNC can tilt the tables, but they can't rig the primaries completely.

 

[Brainster]

Updated with Inslee (thanks Varwoche):

In Or At Least Exploring (By Current or Highest Office Held):

Governors:
Jay Inslee

Senators:
Corey Booker
Kirsten Gillibrand
Kamala Harris
Amy Klobuchar
Elizabeth Warren

US Representatives:
John Delaney
Tulsi Gabbard

Cabinet Members:
Julian Castro

Mayors:
Pete Buttegieg

Unannounced But Considered Likely:

Vice Presidents:
Joe Biden

Senators:
Sherrod Brown
Bernie Sanders

US Representatives:
Beto O'Rourke
Eric Swallwell

Mayors:
Michael Bloomberg
Bill De Blasio

 

[dudalb]

It is going to be fascinating how then handle the debates with that many participating.
Maybe have multiple debates with totally different candidates at the start, and then get a March Madness style bracketing system to see who advances to the next debate....

 

[Brainster]

Meanwhile the Democrats have set some interesting hurdles for being invited to the first debate:

Candidates can qualify either by attracting campaign donations from at least 65,000 people, including at least 200 people from at least 20 states, or by registering at least 1 percent in three state or national polls from a list of surveys approved by the party.

Note that it's either/or rather than both. The fundraising bit seems a nod to the "grassroots" fetishists, but it will probably result in a lot of people qualifying, especially since there seems to be no minimum requirement on the donation. This might be why the Democrats are already talking about splitting the debate in two (as the Republicans did in 2016).

 

[Trebuchet]

Jay Inslee, Governor WA state.

Geez, Louise, who ever heard of an unknown governor from a smallish state becoming President?

I've actually voted for the guy several times -- he used to be my congressman -- but you know who I'd still vote for if he wasn't in his 90's? Dan Evans. A Republican.

 

[Delphic Oracle]

I'll point out that the two largest ideological caucuses in Congress are the Republican Study Committee (uber-conservative) and the Congressional Progressive Caucus (uber-liberal). ETA: CPC is at a historic high and just gained 27 seats. RSC is the largest caucus of all, despite the pummeling the party took (they shed proportionately more moderates).

Don't be so certain that there's no more room on the outer edges of the Overton Window.

Trump and general reactionary-ism is not a U.S. thing nor a just one election thing. It's not just one party or side of the aisle.