Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Second rate reporter says what?

Let’s not be the monsters we hate.

If you’re pissed about Biden’s speech, he was talking about you.

A consequence of cucumbers

Let’s finish the job.

But frankly mr. cole, I’ll be happier when you get back to telling us to go fuck ourselves.

This really is a full service blog.

Despite his magical powers, I don’t think Trump is thinking this through, to be honest.

They’re not red states to be hated; they are voter suppression states to be fixed.

Republicans can’t even be trusted with their own money.

This blog will pay for itself.

Incompetence, fear, or corruption? why not all three?

I wonder if trump will be tried as an adult.

I’m pretty sure there’s only one Jack Smith.

Shallow, uninformed, and lacking identity

A sufficient plurality of insane, greedy people can tank any democratic system ever devised, apparently.

Just because you believe it, that doesn’t make it true.

Following reporting rules is only for the little people, apparently.

Anyone who bans teaching American history has no right to shape America’s future.

Russian mouthpiece, go fuck yourself.

Make the republican party small enough to drown in a bathtub.

It’s the corruption, stupid.

Accountability, motherfuckers.

I’m sure you banged some questionable people yourself.

You are here: Home / Past Elections / 2020 Elections / Election 2020 Open Thread: The Best Knows the Best

Election 2020 Open Thread: The Best Knows the Best

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139Comments

  5. 5.

    Mary G

    She’s a fighter. I like a fighter. ABL endorsed her a while back. Warren/Castro has a good feel to it.

  6. 6.

    WaterGirl

    @debbie: I don’t think so, either, but perhaps giving him the right of first refusal would help.  Joe really needed to be the elder statesman at this point.  Bad decision to run.

    Just imagine what this race would look like if he hadn’t run.

    I listened to Stacey Abrams on Pod Save America this week.  She looked at the field of candidates and saw that there were some really good ones, and she felt they had it covered.

    What she’s doing with her organization right now is just what we need, but she said she is completely open to a VP slot.  I desperately want her to be VP at this point.  For any *Dem.

    *real Dem.  Bernie, Tulsi and rich white men who are republican at heart, not included.

  9. 9.

    Brachiator

    MORE: Warren has said she’d consider tapping Kamala Harris as a running mate. But she also told me today she would be “open” to asking former Vice President Joe Biden to reprise his old job.

    If Biden got the nod again, I could see him quietly retiring after two years.

    How about Sanders as VP pick? Assuming that Sanders doesn’t get absolutely plastered in the primaries.

  14. 14.

    Anne Laurie

    @Brachiator: How about Sanders as VP pick? Assuming that Sanders doesn’t get absolutely plastered in the primaries.

    If you think Sanders would accept the under-slot, especially to a woman… then you have a much more optimistic estimate of Bernie’s temperament than I do.

  17. 17.

    Amir Khalid

    @Brachiator:

    How about Sanders as VP pick?

    I imagine VPOTUS Wilmer would would constantly be trying to upstage a Democratic POTUS and criticising administration policy from the professional left’s POV.

  18. 18.

    spudgun

    Warren has always been my first choice, so glad to see she’s fighting back against the recent crap flung her way. But ultimately, you know, any true* Democrat…

    *Finally getting radio ads from Tom Steyer in my little corner of NorCal, featuring his son basically saying, “Yeah, he’s a billionaire, but he was a good dad and he gives to charity, so VOTE FOR HIM!” :-/

  22. 22.

    kindness

    Please, please, please…..don’t ask any Democratic Senator to be VP.  We are going to need every single one of them once a Democrat wins the presidency in 2020.

  23. 23.

    Jay

    Pete Buttigieg isn’t having a good week, lots of self inflicted injuries,

    Buttigieg: “I trust you to figure out your own health care.”— David Smith (@SmithInAmerica) December 13, 2019

    In other news,

    Now that Bloomberg bought CityLab, they're cutting the staff down from 15 to seven, and current staffers will have to reapply for their jobs https://t.co/3zgczqpR0q— Market Urbanism (@MarketUrbanism) December 13, 2019

  24. 24.

    spudgun

    @Baud:  Maybe, but we’ve already had the billionaire businessman experience and, well…not exactly working out, is it? And I’m not necessarily saying he’s a bad person, but we now know how complicated it is for a businessperson to divest themselves of their interests (like they are required to by the Constitution), or to be able to absorb the idea that they are NOT the CEO of the country, but are a public servant who works FOR the country, among other important concerns.

    But as my RWNJ father has always said, Constitution doesn’t say anything about an experience requirement, just age and citizenship. I mean, hell, you’re running… ;-)

    Anyway, there is something to be said for political/public service experience, even as limited as someone like Mayor Pete.

  25. 25.

    trollhattan

    @Brachiator:

    Jesus, Sanders would seem like poison as running mate. It’s too close to his Precious

    Although it would open up a certain senate seat.

  28. 28.

    Brachiator

    @Anne Laurie:

    If you think Sanders would accept the under-slot, especially to a woman… then you have a much more optimistic estimate of Bernie’s temperament than I do.

    I have seen a number of committed Bernie supporters, including former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, glowingly talk about a Warren/Sanders or Sanders/Warren ticket.

     

    I think it’s a nutty idea.  However, if Sanders does well (but doesn’t prevail) in the primaries, his supporters will be looking for something for their guy.

  31. 31.

    Miss Bianca

    I would have to rethink my high regard for Warren’s judgement if she actually considered picking Sanders. However, since I think there’s zero chance that she would offer, and a less-than-zero chance that he would a). accept, and b). be any kind of asset to the ticket, I’m not too worried about it. I don’t think the prospect of two New Englanders on the ticket is really going to appeal to the rest of the country.

     

    On the Book of Faces the other day I actually saw some Very Concerned Liberal (white guy, of course) posit the idea of a *Bernie-Bloomberg* ticket. All I could say in reponse was, ffs.

  35. 35.

    senyordave

    In case you haven’t seen this (from yahoo News):

    The Supreme Court said Friday it will hear President Donald Trump’s pleas to keep his tax, bank and financial records private, a major confrontation between the president and Congress that also could affect the 2020 presidential campaign.

    Arguments will take place in late March, and the justices are poised to issue decisions in June as Trump is campaigning for a second term. Rulings against the president could result in the quick release of personal financial information that Trump has sought strenuously to keep private. The court also will decide whether the Manhattan district attorney can obtain eight years of Trump’s tax returns as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.

    I had read in a few places that there was a reasonable expectation that the SC would not even take the case up.  This seems like a bad thing, anyone know more?

  36. 36.

    Ruckus

    @Anne Laurie:

    I’m going here with, THIS! 

    I don’t think BS would accept second slot from anyone. And I don’t think that anyone with an ounce of sense would bother picking him.

  37. 37.

    Dan B

    I like Warren / Castro for the Texas & not all white.  Will Warren want to pass the baton to Castro for 2024?  Warren / Harris would be two “coastals” but we’d get a good Senator out of some great options in CA.

    And do I see the carpet at Sea/Tac baggage?  What a day to not be at the airport…

  38. 38.

    NotMax

    @trollhattan

    If I could be granted one wish it would be for a moratorium on including the word vice-president in any discussion of the D election campaign until after Memorial Day.

    That said, as for Grandpa Gunster playing second fiddle? As someone wiser than I put it, pull the other one (it’s got bells on).

  39. 39.

    debbie

    @Baud:

    True, but the people who supported Biden would not have supported Sanders in Biden’s absence. They would have instead raised percentages for other candidates, especially the moderates.

  40. 40.

    Jay

    To sum up Dolt 45’s record number of tweets all in one place, and less than 240 characters;

    Troll polls goes through cave roof in flavors of No Peaching, yes precious yes! Speshally with creatures in realms that swiiiiings! They sees hobbitses fumble in darks, grasping for the Precious! Tricksy hoaxes! Even Nans Losi admits rotten tricks, starts it years past! She dids!— Gollum J. Trump (@realGollumTrump) December 13, 2019

  42. 42.

    Ruckus

    @spudgun:

    I got an email from the carpet bagger republican running for CA governor last go round and sent back a not so nice letter telling him in 4 letter words how I felt. He sent a second. I upped my response. Then got a letter supposedly from his wife telling me how ungrateful all us Californians are, that he was running to tell us all the things we’ve gotten wrong, and fix them. That was the last straw for me. I way upped my game on this reply. Never heard another word.

  43. 43.

    Jay

    @senyordave:

    yes, it’s a bad thing, as it delays Dolt 45’s financials to the point that they will be too late if released for the 2020 Election,

     

    and an unrecoverable loss for Democracy if the SC rules for Dolt 45.

  44. 44.

    Brachiator

    @Baud:

    I didn’t know that about Reich. I think less of him.

    Reich has posted a number of excellent short YouTube videos on economic issues such as the wealth tax, and demolishing Trump’s policies.  The Democrats should be doing more stuff like this.

    And he has a recent short video touting “Warren/Sanders” as the dream ticket to defeat Trump.

    It’s worth a watch whatever you think about Sanders.

  45. 45.

    Kathleen

    More on Bernie’s former endorsee (tweet obviously posted before The Recanting):

    Cenk Uygur in 2013: “I believe that if I were the benevolent dictator of the world, I would legalize bestiality where you are giving … you are pleasuring the animal.”Bernie Sanders endorsed Uygur on Thursday. @ryanobles: http://www.cnn.com/2019/12/13/politics/bernie-sanders-endorse-cenk-uygur/index.html 

  47. 47.

    Chetan Murthy

    Rubin bringin’ the fire: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/12/13/judiciary-committee-votes-impeach-trump-is-his-way-his-one-line-history/

    For the Republican Party, this episode is, we can only hope, the final nail in a party that has become a mouthpiece for foreign propaganda and an anti-democratic enabler of a corrupt president. We arrived at this point because Republicans rejected … ; Republicans attacked and smeared … ; Republicans refused … ; and Republicans refused …. Without a willing and deceitful right-wing media and “useful idiots” in the House Republican caucus, we would not now be facing the ordeal of impeachment.

    I remain still optimistic that a sane, sober, decent and minimally informed majority will send Trump and the GOP packing. The 2018 midterm results give me hope that Trump has awakened a slumbering citizenry that still knows right from wrong and facts from lies. Those who still love democracy, constitutional government, the rule of law and the promise of a multiracial and multiethnic democracy had better choose a Democratic nominee wisely and then work like hell to elect him or her. The alternative is unimaginable.

    She ain’t a Dem, but one does wonder ….

  48. 48.

    Dan B

    @senyordave:  It seems bad.  It’s likely to rule that States can’t sue for information on the president since that would destabilize the executive, or some other acrobatics that would reshape the law of everyone equal under the law, and the law above everyone.  And the subpoena is for info from the accounting firms.  How this could be worthy of review is beyond logic, and through a dark rabbit hole.  (Acknowledgement to Siverman, Adam.)

  51. 51.

    spudgun

    @Ruckus:  Ugh – for personal reasons, I had to move to his district – yup, he’s now my rep. I went from a lovely, lovely Democrat (DeSaulnier) to, well, actually ALL-rethug representation (even state reps!!). I can’t tell you how devastated I am.

    I am now one of those persons I used to pity – someone who has to rag on her rep constantly for being a goddam POS.

    I remember his ridiculous run for governor, and I was red with shame at his performance during the impeachment hearings…he’s an embarrassment of a human being. I’m so glad you gave him what-for.

  53. 53.

    NotMax

    Whoopsie.

    At least 600 Californians, including lifelong Republicans and Democrats, have had their voter registration unexpectedly changed, and several county elections officials are pinning much of the blame on the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. Source

  54. 54.

    spudgun

    @NotMax:  Oof – thanks for the link. I recently had to submit a change of address to the DMV, and I’m pretty sure I chose correctly, but now I will need to double-check.

  55. 55.

    Ruckus

    @spudgun:

    My condolences. I wouldn’t wish his sorry ass on anyone. Even a republican.

    If I had known I would have upped the tone even more. Anything is possible. Of course I figured he could read and understand 4 letter words, being short and to the point, so I used as many as possible. Didn’t want a misunderstanding. The email from his “wife” was a piece of work. I should have posted it here.

  56. 56.

    Ruckus

    Just checked email and have one from the DSCC about Jaime Harrison, running for senator in SC to replace Graham.

    Says they are statistically tied. I don’t have a lot to send, but will send him some. We have to get rid of Graham.

  59. 59.

    Kent

    Yeah, no.  The biggest job of the VP is to be president in waiting.   And the frontrunner for 2028.  Sanders and Biden are out.

    If Warren wants a midwestern centrist then there’s Klobuchar.

    Honestly I think the #1 job of the next Dem VP will be to de-Trumpify the Federal bureaucracy from the EPA to the FBI.  That’s going to take an expert badass bureaucratic knife fighter with no fucks left to give.  The Dem version of John Bolton so to speak.  Who doesn’t give a shit who he/she offends.   Klobuchar might possibly be that person.  Buttigieg most certainly is not

    Here’s a thought.   Adam Schiff

  61. 61.

    spudgun

    @Kent: Actually, Klobuchar is an excellent choice – I’ll admit, I wasn’t fond of her at first, but after my second (Kamala) dropped out I became Klobuchar-curious. She’s growing on me, for sure–

    Kamala, Klobuchar, Booker, Castro…all perfectly suitable VP candidates in my eyes.

  64. 64.

    Ksmiami

    @Brachiator: Warren/sanders would be a nightmare for the Democratic Party so that will be a hell no from this loyal Dem

  65. 65.

    BDR

    @Kent: Klobuchar would be a great VP if the main function of VP was physically assaulting staffers, but otherwise she sucks. She has no accomplishments of note in her very long career in DC.

    As for Warren, who has only won two elections in her life and both were in the bluest state of the country, if you want a Nixon-McGovern redo she’s your gal.

  66. 66.

    Yarrow

    @spudgun:  I’m fine with Klobuchar as VP. She knows how to fight and we need someone who can do that. I think she’d also be an excellent Senate Majority Leader. Or,—sigh—okay, Minority Leader. But let’s win the Senate.

  68. 68.

    Kent

    Adam Schiff.    I’d love to see him debate Pence.

    No matter what, impeachment is going to be all over the 2020 election.  Might as well have someone who can brilliantly communicate the case for tossing Trump out of the White House and why he is unfit to continue.

    It would make all the GOP heads explode.  But they will explode anyway.  Having Adam Schiff in the VP spot would reduce Trump to a puddle of incoherent rage.

  70. 70.

    spudgun

    @Yarrow:  But let’s win the Senate.

    I sometimes forget about the Senate and what an uphill climb we have because, goddam it, I can only take so much stress, but yes, this.

  71. 71.

    PsiFighter37

    @senyordave: I would not be surprised if a number of the liberal justices voted to hear it as well. Perhaps they feel it’s a winnable case and can make a permanent mark from a transparency standpoint.

    My hunch is that we (the good guys) will win the case, ranging from 5-4 to a 7-2 majority. I think Uncle Clarence and Alito will be the only ones who for sure vote for Trump; Gorsuch is likely, and I think Kavanaugh is likely to simply follow Roberts (who I think will definitely vote with the liberals). YMMV, but I just don’t see any reasonable case for why Trump can tell Deutsche Bank and his shitty little accounting firm not to give up the documents.

  72. 72.

    Yarrow

    @spudgun:  House and Senate races will be my focus for any time I have available to volunteer. I want to flip the Senate. If our billionaires in the race decided to spend even half of their vanity-run money on the Senate we’d have a really good shot. Very unhappy with what they’re doing.

  79. 79.

    spudgun

    @Yarrow:  I just moved to one of the reddest congressional districts in CA, so I’m kind of screwed there, and I’m so lucky and grateful to have two Dem senators. So my efforts will have to be on the funding side, but I totally get it.

  80. 80.

    tobie

    @Mary G: @Dan B: There’s no way in heaven Castro could deliver Texas. In the latest poll he was at 3% in the state. That’s the highest he’s ever been in the state. I don’t know a soul from Texas that has kind words to say about him and that includes Latinos. Nationally he’s polled at 0% or 1%. He also hasn’t released his taxes as far as I know. Not a good look for a Dem Presidential candidate. I’m not sure what would recommend him for VP besides the fact that he’s an attack dog, though his attacks in the Dem primary have been so far below the belt that he’s made himself pretty unappealing to anyone but Warren supporters. You want a chance of winning Latinos in Texas and beyond? Think about putting Veronica Escobar on the ticket.

  81. 81.

    Baud

    From LGM

    In related news, it’s appalling how much money that could be used for some progressive cause the two redundant billionaires in the Democratic race are setting on fire for their vanity campaigns:

    TV ad spending by 2020 Democrats, through 12/17:
    Bloomberg – $84.7 million
    Steyer – $79.5 million
    Sanders – $8.4 million
    Buttigieg – $7.1 million
    Yang – $4.2 million
    Biden – $2.1 million
    Warren – $1.9 million
    Klobuchar – $1.8 million
    Bennet – $1.1 million
    Gabbard – $1 million

     

     

    ETA: I didn’t realize how much Bernie was spending.

  82. 82.

    tobie

    @PsiFighter37: Anyone know what’s happening with the House Ways and Means Committee’s request to see Trump’s taxes? Last I heard the case was stuck with a Trump appointed judge in the district court in DC.

  83. 83.

    Yarrow

    @spudgun:  I volunteered for a race in a neighboring district in 2018. We flipped the district. Very gratifying. I plan to do that again either for the same district or another neighboring district. Or maybe both.

  84. 84.

    West of the Rockies

    Michael Moore live on the Chris Hayes show.  Again.  Joy.  Let me guess:  he’ll be wearing a grubby sweatshirt and ballcap.  Is he a sort of in terms of predictable fashion a Democratic Jim Jordan (dress shirt, no jacket, sleeves up)?

  86. 86.

    Dan B

    @PsiFighter37:  I can easily imagine Roberts twisting an excuse that the security and stability of our Republic is jeopardized in the age of the internet if the reign of our highest electeds can be scrutinized during their “lawful” term.  I don’t believe that the leadership of the GOP will give up the White House in Jan. 2021.  They have too much criminal exposure.  All of them.  As a minority they despise the law.  It’s amazing how quickly they have switched to full tilt autocrats now that they feel they can get away with shredding the constitution

    Adam may be abke to game out some scenarios but it would be more valuable to have a discussion of tactics and strategies for at least holding the line.

    I’m off to buy The Atlantic.  The current issue is How America Dies.  Saw the editor on Amanpour last night.  He’s a realist.  We need to look at the possibility if we are to be prepared for what the Cabinet and White House staff may pull off.  Voting may not matter at the Federal level.  Then what?*

    * Seattle is close to Canada.  Can we join, please!

  88. 88.

    Kent

    @tobie: This.

    I lived in TX for a decade and frankly the Castro brothers have no visibility or following outside San Antonio and San Antonio is not a particularly relevant city within TX in terms of politics.

    Honestly there is probably no one who could carry TX if Warren is on the ticket.  I love Warren but she isn’t the right candidate to turn TX blue.   If Warren is the nominee the path towards the White House is frankly not going to go through TX.

  89. 89.

    Baud

    To the surprise of no one.

    Britain’s Ominous Portent for Democrats

    NYT > Top Stories / by Bret Stephens / 4min


    Warren and Sanders supporters should consider the fate of Jeremy Corbyn.

  90. 90.

    Dan B

    @tobie:  Good to know.  I thought he could deliver 30 to 40%.  3% is not likely to get to 30% no matter how.  Hopefully our nominee will have better consultants than me…

  91. 91.

    Mandalay

    @tobie:

    He also hasn’t released his taxes as far as I know. Not a good look for a Dem Presidential candidate.

    Right, and doubly so since he was screaming louder than anyone about Trump not releasing his returns, and he committed to release his own returns back in April.

    My guess is that Castro is on the edge of dropping out, and he doesn’t want to release his tax returns unless he’s staying in the race.

  92. 92.

    Yarrow

    @Kent:  Agreed. Biden is a better bet for moving Texas into the blue column. Keep peeling off those white suburbs and hold onto the AA communities.

    I actually think Joaquin Castro, a sitting Representative, is a better bet than Julian, but neither Castro brother has much visibility in Texas.

  93. 93.

    tobie

    @Kent: I think Democrats are going to have to look beyond the Rust Belt this time to get the electoral college votes they need. Wisconsin and Ohio are likely lost. Florida’s always a struggle for reasons Betty Cracker can probably explain better than any of us. Arizona’s turning blue, which is good, and Democrats can likely win PA back, though it’s frightening that we have to fight so hard for the state again. But where else do we expand? The Electoral College puts us at such a disadvantage.

  95. 95.

    The Dangerman

    All these pardons in Kentucky by Bevin should be a preview for what happens under Trump, who will probably do pardons on a TV game show. Who is the next contestant on the Price is Right, Johnny?

  96. 96.

    spudgun

    @Yarrow:  That is very inspiring! I plan on joining the local Democratic Party organization and see what’s what, and then just take it from there.

    I’m actually excited – I’ve never been politically active before (never really had to be, always been lucky to live in blue zones), and I’m a diehard introvert, so this is really outside my comfort zone. But the stakes are too high to sit on the sidelines.

  97. 97.

    VFX Lurker

    @Kent: Here’s a thought.   Adam Schiff

    As someone who lives in Schiff’s district, I would prefer to keep him here if possible. He’s SUCH a good Rep for this district.

  99. 99.

    Kent

    If Warren is the nominee I would expect her to pick a solid establishment type pick.  Maybe some western governor type to make a play at states like Arizona.   Or maybe an upper midwest type like Tim Walz.  Retired master sergeant and football coach.  Very midwestern salt of the earth type.

    She ain’t gonna pick Sanders or some other edgy lefty type.

  101. 101.

    Yarrow

    @spudgun:  I started just writing postcards. I waited until after the primary because it wasn’t my district and I just wanted to work for the eventual candidate. I went and wrote postcards several times and then moved on to knocking on doors. I don’t like the phone call thing. Now you can text. If you’re not comfortable doing it in your own state you can always do Postcards to Voters and target people in other states in close races.

  102. 102.

    Sab

    Why is everyone wanting to pull good people out of the House or Senate to run for VP? There are a lot of qualified former politicians out there who would be happy to run and be good as VP.

  105. 105.

    tobie

    @Baud: Maybe I’m wrong but I just feel like a lot of the vote in the state is in exurban areas and runs very conservative. Michigan also has exurban areas but a good part of the population is still in midsized cities and you also have a strong union presence thanks to the auto industry. I hope my gut sense is wrong.

  107. 107.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    @Ruckus:

    Wait, really? It wasn’t just an automated letter? And then his wife sent an email to defend him and call you an ingrate? That’s hilarious! And sad.

  108. 108.

    spudgun

    @Sab:  Like who? I don’t mean that in a snarky way at all, I honestly don’t know and can’t think of anyone – I mean, ok, Beto is the only one that immediately comes to mind. Or Stacey Adams. Who else has the cachet to attract/inspire voters

    ETA: Hickenlooper’s currently “unemployed”…

    Keeping in mind that VP is technically back-up prez…

  111. 111.

    Steeplejack

    @Baud:

    I didn’t realize how much Bernie was spending.

    Plus, where’s it all going? I don’t remember seeing any Sanders ads in a long time (NoVA).

  112. 112.

    trnc

    @Brachiator: However, if Sanders does well (but doesn’t prevail) in the primaries, his supporters will be looking for something for their guy.

    Secretary of the Curmudgeonly.

  113. 113.

    J R in WV

    @Ruckus:

    I got an email from the carpet bagger republican running for CA governor last go round and sent back a not so nice letter telling him in 4 letter words how I felt. He sent a second. I upped my response. Then got a letter supposedly from his wife telling me how ungrateful all us Californians are, that he was running to tell us all the things we’ve gotten wrong, and fix them. That was the last straw for me. I way upped my game on this reply. Never heard another word.

    OK, likely story. But if you really want us to believe these details, we need to see the actual text you sent to the carpetbagger that made him quit harrasing you! Please?!?!

    Would make a fine post for any front pager!!

  115. 115.

    Mnemosyne

    @tobie:

    The problem with both Michigan and Wisconsin is that they have ridiculously draconian voter ID laws that they use to prevent Black people from voting.

    No one wants to talk about it, but that’s what happened in 2016 — Black people in WI and MI were denied their right to vote.

  116. 116.

    tobie

    @Baud: Yes and they reelected Tammy Baldwin, too, so there have been some important electoral successes in recent years. Maybe with Scott Walker gone there won’t be as much voter disenfranchisement. Hard to tell how much power Gov. Evers has with a Republican state senate. Still having Walker gone is a big deal.

  119. 119.

    NotMax

    @Baud

    The streak of Robert La Follette reform-oriented progressivism in Wisconsin (he won the state in the 1924 presidential election) runs deep. It may be dormant but is not extinct. The pendulum is not stilled.

  120. 120.

    Sab

    @spudgun:Stacey Abrams. Martin O’Malley. I havent given it a lot of detailed thought.

    Obama really weakened his presidency by staffing his cabinet almost entirely from the Senate, because he personally knew  and admired and trusted them. But that pulled them out of the Senate. They weren’t all replaced by Democrats, and the ones that were Democrats were newbies, not experienced.

  121. 121.

    Ruckus

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka):

    I meant emails and I’d bet they were generic sent to a lot of people. His campaign was going absolutely no where and I’d bet good money that I wasn’t the most obnoxious reply. He got more votes than I expected but it was a blow out. CA has some real red areas, but the trumpers are waking up a number of people about how bad it could be with them running anything.

  122. 122.

    Ruckus

    @J R in WV:

    I went and checked sent emails about an hour ago and the replies aren’t there because I deleted the originals.

    I would have posted them because it was fun writing them. That guy was so smarmy.

  123. 123.

    Sab

    @NotMax: My great-grandfather’s brother was a Republican governor of Wisconsin. He signed Wisconsin’s first child labor law, workers compensation law, and income tax law.

  125. 125.

    mrmoshpotato

    @Brachiator:

    How about Sanders as VP pick? 

    No.  July 2016 (DNC) or before (May) is when he should’ve started investigating hiking paths in Vermont forests.

  126. 126.

    David ??Booooooo?? Koch

    @Sab: ??

     

    Out of a 15 member cabinet, he appointed a grand total of 2 senators in his first term and 1 in his 2nd term.

  127. 127.

    spudgun

    @Sab:  Ooh, forgot about Martin O’Malley…he’s good.

    Will have to ponder this – I agree that there is a danger to pulling somebody from house/senate, but there’s a benefit to that kind of experience in the White House, also. It’s a tough call-

    ETA: oop, I said Stacey “Adams”, didn’t I? I meant “Abrams”…

  130. 130.

    Sab

    @David ??Booooooo?? Koch: You are right on this. I was wrong. But, in my defense, he had a razor thin majority in the Senate, which he blew.

    I do think taking Biden out of the Senate was a major public service. Got the guy off Judiciary Committee.

  132. 132.

    mrmoshpotato

    @Sab: It doesn’t. I never said they were mutually exclusive. Kavanaugh can also be a blackout drunk, college rapist.

  133. 133.

    mrmoshpotato

    @Sab: Sorry, clarifying.  What I should’ve commented about that tweet is that Kavanaugh isn’t just very conservative, but also a blackout drunk, college rapist.

  135. 135.

    David ??Booooooo?? Koch

    @Sab: Not true.

    He had 59 senators in his first term and 55 in the 2nd term.

    The senators he appointed were Clinton, Salazar, and Kerry, who were replaced by Gilibrand, Bennett, and Markey.  All who still retain their seats.

  136. 136.

    Gvg

    @?BillinGlendaleCA: we have to make sacrifices to save our country. Some Congress people will probably lose jobs over votes to do the right things and we thank them for their courage because we need them. Bluntly, AG is going to be really really important and necessary when we take back the Presidency. It must be filled by someone really good. Losing a California Congress person who will be replaced with a Democrat to get a really good AG is acceptable and it doesn’t matter that the person’s future prospects might be curtailed. That assumption might not even be true in the current upheaval.

    there may be other great choices out there, but we political watchers are mostly getting shown Congresspeople so that is who we think of.

  137. 137.

    Anne Laurie

    @Steeplejack: Plus, where’s it all going? I don’t remember seeing any Sanders ads in a long time (NoVA).

    Maybe I’m just a cynic, but during the 2016 campaign, some millions went to an otherwise invisible ‘marketing firm’ (Olde Towne Media) that happened to be owned by Jane O’Meara Sanders’ business partner.  Which is totes legal, of course, but people not working for the Sanders campaign got all snarky about it, at the time…

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