The Democrats have almost as many candidates positioning themselves for 2020 as the RepubliCONs did at the corresponding point in the 2016 cycle, when establishment Jeb Bush (counterpart to the Democrats’ Joe Biden) was the odds-on favorite for the nomination and then-Congressman Keith Ellison (D-Minn) was ridiculed for warning that Trump, who everyone else was calling a joke who had no chance, should be taken seriously.
At this point in the 2016 cycle, (April of 2015, when eventually nomination winner Trump had not yet even announced, just as Biden has not officially announced yet), the total number of declared and likely candidates was 25:
Donald Trump, Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, Jim Gilmore, Lindsey Graham, Mike Huckabee, Bobby Jindal, John Kasich, George Pataki, Rand Paul, Rick Perry, Marco Rubio, Rick Santorum, Scott Walker, Kelly Ayotte, Nikki Haley, Peter King, Susana Martinez, Mike Pence, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan and Brian Sandoval
If one of the Democratic candidates is admired and respected by the general public then the number of candidates is irrelevant. Capitalism as we know it is failing. Corporations are automating and displacing workers at an alarming pace. While there may be better jobs ultimately, currently there is a skills gap and no affordable means of acquiring those skills. The right-wing propaganda machine has convinced large swaths of the population that progressivism, democratic socialism, and even democracy are dysfunctional and there is no effective, appealing defense from the left’s propaganda machine. While this may amuse the right the general population is alarmed at the lack of confident, becalming, intelligent leadership and afraid that in 2020 they may again be reduced to selecting the lesser evil.
Or hogging it up at the public trough because a pot just isn’t big enough.
Tangentially: Joe Biden announced today and it made me sad to see it. The press and the trolls have been waiting for this and they are going to tear up and smear every part of his life for the next 18 months. Won’t be pretty.
Did we learn nothing from the Republican Clown Cars of elections past? Nothing at all? Primaries do nothing more than pander to an already fanatical base who is going to vote for whatever candidate the party props up. Both parties need to open up their primaries to anyone not already registered, in order to capture the independents who are the most important ones to grab for attention.
The GOP started with 17 and picked the worst possible candidate, and won. So far, the Democrats can’t possibly to that bad, even if we may need a wheelchair and O2 supply for the elders, and political diapers for the younger. (Okay, “Depends” may play a role.)
Among all those potted candidates, there are bound to be a few who resonate well and show a good chance of winning. I’m basically in favor, though it could go bad if they start flinging mud at each other, thus giving ammunition to the GOPists.
sipsienwa Premium Member over 4 years ago
Unfortunately too true.
DD Wiz Premium Member over 4 years ago
The Democrats have almost as many candidates positioning themselves for 2020 as the RepubliCONs did at the corresponding point in the 2016 cycle, when establishment Jeb Bush (counterpart to the Democrats’ Joe Biden) was the odds-on favorite for the nomination and then-Congressman Keith Ellison (D-Minn) was ridiculed for warning that Trump, who everyone else was calling a joke who had no chance, should be taken seriously.
At this point in the 2016 cycle, (April of 2015, when eventually nomination winner Trump had not yet even announced, just as Biden has not officially announced yet), the total number of declared and likely candidates was 25:
Donald Trump, Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, Jim Gilmore, Lindsey Graham, Mike Huckabee, Bobby Jindal, John Kasich, George Pataki, Rand Paul, Rick Perry, Marco Rubio, Rick Santorum, Scott Walker, Kelly Ayotte, Nikki Haley, Peter King, Susana Martinez, Mike Pence, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan and Brian Sandoval
Say What Now‽ Premium Member over 4 years ago
The poor conserves are getting nervous. Maybe one of those candidates can beat the Rump.
brit-ed over 4 years ago
There’s almost as many candidates as Trump associate indictments.
cdward over 4 years ago
And every single one of them is a vast improvement over our current disaster.
brwydave Premium Member over 4 years ago
It would have been a good campaign slogan, except that it has been used before.
superposition over 4 years ago
If one of the Democratic candidates is admired and respected by the general public then the number of candidates is irrelevant. Capitalism as we know it is failing. Corporations are automating and displacing workers at an alarming pace. While there may be better jobs ultimately, currently there is a skills gap and no affordable means of acquiring those skills. The right-wing propaganda machine has convinced large swaths of the population that progressivism, democratic socialism, and even democracy are dysfunctional and there is no effective, appealing defense from the left’s propaganda machine. While this may amuse the right the general population is alarmed at the lack of confident, becalming, intelligent leadership and afraid that in 2020 they may again be reduced to selecting the lesser evil.
DaBoogadie over 4 years ago
I think that pot in every candidate would be very telling. And fun to watch.
DanFlak over 4 years ago
Last time out it didn’t matter how many candidates the Democrats had, by this time Hillary had already won.
Librarylady over 4 years ago
An odd comic. Is he trying to make a point?
sandpiper over 4 years ago
Or hogging it up at the public trough because a pot just isn’t big enough.
Tangentially: Joe Biden announced today and it made me sad to see it. The press and the trolls have been waiting for this and they are going to tear up and smear every part of his life for the next 18 months. Won’t be pretty.
Zen-of-Zinfandel over 4 years ago
And I promise to exploit my opponents’ youth and inexperience!
lobo1939 over 4 years ago
I believe that the “chicken pot” thing was said first by Hoover.
ideations over 4 years ago
Really now….! Most are just trying to get national exposure…
Rauderi over 4 years ago
Did we learn nothing from the Republican Clown Cars of elections past? Nothing at all? Primaries do nothing more than pander to an already fanatical base who is going to vote for whatever candidate the party props up. Both parties need to open up their primaries to anyone not already registered, in order to capture the independents who are the most important ones to grab for attention.
gammaguy over 4 years ago
Why does Jeff Stahler keep drawing cartoons with Republicans dressing in donkey costumes to tell what they wish the Democrats were saying?
Dtroutma over 4 years ago
The GOP started with 17 and picked the worst possible candidate, and won. So far, the Democrats can’t possibly to that bad, even if we may need a wheelchair and O2 supply for the elders, and political diapers for the younger. (Okay, “Depends” may play a role.)
montessoriteacher over 4 years ago
Every time Democrats attack each other, Donald Trump gets an erection. Stop giving Donald Trump erections.
Concretionist over 4 years ago
Among all those potted candidates, there are bound to be a few who resonate well and show a good chance of winning. I’m basically in favor, though it could go bad if they start flinging mud at each other, thus giving ammunition to the GOPists.