Capitol Hill Blue Forums Political Issues Politics In General Is it too soon to be talking 2020?

My wife actually watched Bernie on CNN yesterday. She said somebody asked him why he has not actually joined the Democratic part. His response, she said, was somewhat confused but boiled down to the fact that he ran and won as an independent in his state so he couldn't possible become a Democrat. She went on to say that he claimed he was a Democrat in all but name.

So, if he actually won he would also be an almost Democrat and 80 year old who seems a bit confused as to exactly who, or what, he is. Seems a bit sketchy to me. At least, if Biden ran and won he wouldn't be confused about who and what he is (I like biden a LOT more - except for the 80 year old thing) In either case who is vice president becomes a LOT more important as well.

As far as what the Dems will do. Basically, not a damn thing. They got so beat up last time for not 'fully' supporting the guy who wasn't a Democrat, without, incidentally, telling anybody, that I fear they just won't have the gumption which somehow doesn't really surprise me.

Of course, in the fullness of time, all will become apparent. <G>

Sanders supporters don't really care so much about party brand loyaly. They are fired up about his policy positions. After the last 30 years, who wouldn't be? That's why practically every other Democratic candidate has adopted at least some of his policy as their own positions. Funny how that worked. Not bad for an old geezer.... His age isn't ideal but he seems spry enough for 1 million volunteers. Maybe once they hear he's not a member of club DEM they'll mutiny?
If all you got on the guy is 'he's not a true democrat' I think that's going to fall on a lot of deaf ears. May even help with independents.

Y'know...I just happen to be a card carrying Independent and you're right about that.
I love Uncle Joe as much as anybody but he never once showed me that he had what it took to be president.
The Democratic sea of candidates is wide but it's shallow.
All of the candidates support some of Bernie's policies.
One of them supports them all.
One of the big hurdles candidates face is name recognition. Everybody knew Trumps name. He had been in their living rooms countless times firing poor hapless individuals who failed to be the ideal lickspittle. Everybody knows Bernie.

jgw, I think there is little doubt that, as a democrat, you are a bit on the conservative side. So if Biden and Bernie are the top contenders and Bernie ultimately wins...

Do you vote blue no matter who? And pull the lever for Bernie?

Or do you vote for Le Barristo Grande Howard Shultz? The centrist billionaire who will only run if the socialist Bernie Sanders wins the nomination.

These are truly exciting times we live in!

Can Democrats find and entirely new way to shoot themselves in the feet? Or will they stick to the tried and true? Stay tuned folks and you'll find out!

Hey guys, I did not write the rules for how POTUS elections work.
Or, to put it another way, I did not design the track at Indianapolis.
All I know is, if you bring an NHRA top fuel dragster to the Indy 500, it will be done after 1320 feet and the race is 500 miles long.

80 is certainly getting up there. Maybe he'll stroke out and clear the field. Maybe he'll win and be a great President for 8 years. My 91 year old neighbor was still sharp as a tack and would climb up on his roof to oil the muffin fans. Lifespan and activity level at age 80 are very widely variable.

Four years.
Then Republicans will take it back and begin undoing everything he did...

What if a car comes on the track and laps the pack at least 4x in the early heat?

Yep, you are, again, right! I too know a few that are alert. However, when you are around 80 your physical self starts to fail as well as the mental.

I suspect my problem with an 80 year old president is that 80 years old, in that office, doesn't just call for mental but physical wellness too. There are stats on all of this stuff and when you hit 80, unless you are an exception, you are also on the downward path. Or, I guess, one could take the Jackass path and work less than 3 hours a day/

My hope is that the Dems can get themselves a real winner that is less than 80 and less than 75 would even be better! (I am not suggesting any teenagers! <g>

I've never been much of a Bernie fan. Love his policies...but have doubts about his executive abilities. He remains my pick to win for now because the rest of the field is boring beyond words. How he would actually perform as president worries me a bit.

I like Hillary Clinton. I wish it was possible for her to run again and beat Trump. But that ship has sailed and there aint nobody standing on shore who I consider to be qualified for the job and able to defeat Trump.

In fact, I suspect the 2016 election spelled the end of civilization as we know it, there may be a slight chance of redemption with a democratic sweep in 2020 but I'm not counting on it.

Whoever creates the most excitement will get the nomination. Bernie stirs things up wherever he goes.

I'm gonna ignore Bernie's age for now and treat him like a regular human being. Albeit one whom I'd rather was younger...

Jay Inslee - I think I like him.