11-19-2019, 08:34 PM
(11-19-2019, 03:26 PM)David Horn Wrote:(11-19-2019, 01:12 PM)Eric the Green Wrote:(11-19-2019, 11:20 AM)David Horn Wrote: Obama got healthcare noticed, though he failed to get real, fundamental reform. He also got the diversity box checked, to what end we'll see over time. Those are both notable results, but neither is transformational. Transformation is what's needed now, so who and how is still an open question. As much as I like and admire Biden as a person, he doesn't fit the bill. The most Progressive voices are older Boomers, at a time we need to see rising youth leadership. That leaves marginal players who can't get traction, as good as they may be, and Pete Buttigieg, who is simply too young.
At that, I doubt we'll be forced through Trump 2.0. He's fading. What needs to happen in parallel is a general fading of GOP influence at all levels: Reaganism has lived on too long. Time for a real change.
It's time; past time. But in your other post you didn't seem too optimistic that it could happen. I have my cosmic crystal ball telling me that it will, but Americans will need to live up to what the "stars" are telling us to do. There will still be lots of resistance, because it's built in. The new progressive regeneracy will need to reach flood tide. It will have to move whoever the left-over leaders are after 2020. It will have to come from the people.
Millennials are still too young, as you suggest, to provide 4T leadership, though they can supply shock troops and rising stars; this is still the 4T, and so Boomers will still be the leaders. Their younger tier with such folks as Mitch Landrieu and Terry McAuliffe will be the ones who are potential presidents in the last 4T years. Generation X just is not providing any progressive leaders yet; their best potential leaders were too cynical about government to take part. But after the 4T, they may supply the next Ikes to keep things running smoothly after some consensus is achieved. Gavin Newsom would be a good choice for 2028.
Democratic Presidential Nomination
Biden27.0
Warren20.3
Sanders18.8
Buttigieg8.3
Harris4.8
Bloomberg3.0
Yang3.0
Booker1.8
Klobuchar1.8
Gabbard1.3
Castro1.3
Steyer1.0
Delaney1.0
Bullock0.5
Bennet0.5
Williamson0.3
Biden +6.7
I'm not sure Biden is that strong, and he'll fade fast if he gets hammered in Iowa and New Hampshire. Right now, there is a general malaise and wandering about, as the primary electorate looks for someone-- anyone -- who can move the needle towards certain victory. The default candidate (Biden) will only hold that honor until he loses once. That's a bad way to choose a candidate, but Trump has people more concerned about his potential reelection than they are about finding a great opposing candidate. Then there is the piling-on by everyone who ever gave running a second thought. It's not pretty and it's likely to get worse.
Can we at least agree that Billionaires should not apply? Talk about neoliberals ...
Yes please to that.
The reality remains that there are not other such "someones" to find. Not a single one. Those who could achieve that certain victory have bowed out. We are stuck with old geezers, one of whom is often out of touch with younger and more-liberal Democrats and is a bit dottering. But so is the fool incumbent, so I don't think it matters. Polls still show he's the strongest candidate to run against Trump, and that hasn't changed at all for many months now.
It is uncertain whether Biden will win in New Hampshire and Iowa. But if he is close, it looks like he will go on to South Carolina and Nevada and win there, and do well on Super Tuesday. After that it will be tough to stop him. But if Sanders and Warren continue to do well up into the convention, it could be a controversial affair. Warren and Sanders could agree to let one continue with the other's support, and that might outnumber Biden's delegates. Then if will be up to the superdelegates who could decide the nominee on the second ballot, which could further divide the party if Biden gets enough of them to get nominated. A divided party would have less chance to win in what may well be a crap-shoot election, with Trump able to win with 45% of the vote. But even if the superdelegates were to choose Warren, a Democratic loss would be more likely because she is a weak candidate.