The inevitable presidential campaign 2016 thrad

[The Man]

It has to happen sooner or later, so we might as well get it over with.

Charlie Pierce points out what a well-disciplined populist campaign Al Franken ran and suggests that, since Elizabeth Warren doesn't want to run, he would be a good alternative.

I could see myself getting on board with a Franken presidency. Certainly would be more enthusiastic about him than Hillary. The question of course is whether the country is willing to elect a Jewish president, but hey, we elected a black president

[BrotherMan]

Goddammit. This fucking thrad was living in its own damn grave for two years and then you had to go and necromantize it. I can never forgive you for this The Man.

[Dingfod]

[erimir]

I've come to dislike Hillary more over the past year.

It's become clear that she would be worse than Obama on most issues. I don't trust her on economic issues. With foreign policy in particular she would be much worse.

Given her record with Hillarycare, however, I do think she would be strong on protecting the ACA (or improving upon it). I think she would really, really want to avoid being associated both with the failure of reform in the 90s and with allowing it to be dismembered in the 2010s. So that's the only issue I feel I can probably trust her on.

On the other hand, it might be that a more liberal candidate can't be elected, especially since the GOP (if they're smart) will probably nominate someone who at least appears moderate. And having another Democrat to protect the ACA and the Supreme Court might be worth it, even if it has to be Hillary.

Still hoping we could get Warren to run. Also wondering whether Warren as VP would be better than Warren as senator...

As for Franken, I like him as well, but I wonder whether he can win. If he's even close to as electable as Hillary, he's probably a better choice though. Much better expected value (45% chance of Franken much better value than 54% chance of Hillary, say).

[Dingfod]

I've been unable to get myself to "Like" Hillary posts that other "Friends" have on Facebook quite simply because I didn't want to see more of them in my "Feed". But, secondarily, I too have come to dislike Hillary as a Presidential hopeful, and despite polls to the contrary think she might be a liability to Democrats in the main election cycle. Republicans know how to wallow in the 20+ year old muck. I'd rather see Bernie Sanders team up with a moderate Republican than that. Al Franken, I could support him. Could he win? I don't know.

[erimir]

Originally Posted by Dingfod

I'd rather see Bernie Sanders team up with a moderate Republican than that.

First, you'll need to find a moderate Republican.

Then you'll need to find one that's willing to team up with a socialist.

[Dingfod]

I didn't say it would be easy.