Cutting the Democratic Presidential Field—Sunday Political Brunch - August 4, 2019
Sunday, August 04, 2019
Mark Curtis
“The Final Curtain Call” – I predict these are the ten who will get cut: author Marianne Williamson, former Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) Colorado, Sen. Michael Bennet (D) Colorado, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D) Hawaii, Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) New York City, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) New York, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) Minnesota, former HUD Secretary Julian Castro, Rep. Tim Ryan (D) Ohio, and Governor Steve Bullock (D) Montana.
“You're Safe, For Now!” – Former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Kamala Harris (D) California, Sen. Cory Booker (D) New Jersey, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D) Massachusetts, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) Vermont, Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D) South Bend, former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D) Texas, former Rep. John Delaney (D) Maryland, businessman Andrew Yang, and Gov. Jay Inslee (D) Washington.
“The Next Debate” – Democrats will gather again on September 12 (and possibly September 13), for the next debate in Houston. To qualify, a candidate must have at least 2 percent support in four separate polls. They must also have 130,000 individual donors. As of now seven candidates are in: Biden, Booker, Buttigieg, Harris, O’Rourke, Sanders and Warren. The deadline to qualify is August 28. If ten or fewer candidates qualify, there will be only one night of debate.
“The Elimination Round” – Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Rep. Tim Ryan both had memorable moments in this week’s debates. Gabbard excoriated Senator Harris about her record as District Attorney and then Attorney General in California. It was as bad as Harris’s schooling of Joe Biden in the first debate. Harris was caught off-guard and knocked off-balance. But Gabbard’s polling numbers are in the weeds. Plus, she and Ryan have a big decision to make. They have safe seats in Congress, and they may just opt out of the presidential race to keep their day jobs.
“The Ying and Yang of It” – I predict businessman Andrew Yang stays in the race. He is independently wealthy, and he is a novelty candidate. His idea of giving many Americans $1,000 a month is quirky and unique. He’s polled as high as 2 percent in numerous polls so he may indeed qualify for the next debate. Like Godfather’s Pizza executive Herman Cain in 2012, Yang has caught the fancy of enough people to remain on the stage.
“The Fight for the Party’s Soul” – These four initial debates proved one thing. There is a fight for the soul of the Democratic party with progressive liberals such as Warren, Sanders and Harris on one side, with moderate-centrists Delaney, Ryan, and Bullock saying the liberals may win the nomination, but can’t beat Trump. The one moderate who can stay in the race is Delaney. He amassed a fortune in business, and since he’s no longer in Congress he has the time and money to fight an ideological battle. His big issue is the potential negative impact of Medicare-for-all proposals. He’s feisty, combative and knowledgeable. I say he stays in as his party’s foil.
“The One-Trick Pony” – He may come across as a single-issue candidate but Gov. Jay Inslee has picked an issue with legs – climate change. In fact, he’s the most passionate and vocal candidate on the issue. Some nights he’s the only one bringing it up. In truth he has other issues, such as leading the lawsuit that blocked Trump’s travel ban from seven predominately Muslim countries. Inslee won’t be the nominee, but he will be the party’s loudest environmental voice and that may win him a promised cabinet spot with the eventual nominee.
“Here’s One to Watch” – Sen. Amy Klobuchar had a more vocal debate voice on CNN than she did in her meek MSNBC debate where she hardly got a word in edgewise (which I blame more on the moderators than the candidates). I see Klobuchar as a very serious vice-presidential contender. She could help the party win back her neighboring state of Wisconsin, which the Democrats must do to win the White House.
“A Better Biden” – The former vice president had a much better showing than the first debate, when he was pummeled by Senator Harris. In fact, as he walked out on the stage and greeted her Wednesday night he said, “Go easy on me, kid!” He was better prepared, and was more measured, although he still could be a bit more combative. My guess is he is trying to stay above the fray by portraying himself as a wise party elder. We’ll see if it works!
Who are you liking for the Democratic nomination and why? Weigh in by clicking the comment button!
Related Articles
- “Come See About Me” - The Supreme Court Picks—Sunday Political Brunch July 8, 2018
- “Is the Trump Political Bubble About to Burst?”—Sunday Political Brunch—October 7, 2018
- “Race to the Primary Finish Line” - Sunday Political Brunch September 16, 2018
- “Sunday Political Brunch: Will This Ever End?” – May 21, 2017
- “A Summer of Political Drama Heads to Fall” - Sunday Political Brunch - September 9, 2018
- Will May’s Primary Political Colors be Red or Blue?—Sunday Political Brunch May 6
- When the White House Becomes a Prison—Sunday Political Brunch January 13, 2019
- Where’s the “Blue Wave?” – Sunday Political Brunch May 27, 2018
- White House Politics: Chaos, Crisis, or Calm? – Sunday Political Brunch - December 16, 2018
- Why Trump Won the White House - Sunday Political Brunch May 26, 2019
- “The 100 Day Dash to Election Day”—The Sunday Political Brunch August 5, 2018
- “The Red Tide vs The Blue Wave”—Sunday Political Brunch August 12, 2018
- “The Sunday Political Brunch”—April 2, 2017
- “The Sunday Political Brunch”—April 3
- “The Sunday Political Brunch”—August 14, 2016
- “The Sunday Political Brunch”—August 21, 2016
- “The Sunday Political Brunch”—April 17, 2016
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It