run.

There are no "transitional presidents." He might as well not run if that's his message.

I think Joe is a great guy and would be a fine president, but he would be a horrible candidate.

His high standing in the polls says otherwise. Without a doubt, Joe would've CRUSHED The Dotard had he run in 2016... would not have even been close. While Joe would not be my first choice for the Democratic nominee for President, he's certainly high up on the list as a viable candidate.

Was sitting next to Bill Clinton at the Bush funeral today.

HINT: It wasn't Michelle Obama.

and serving 37 years in the U.S. Senate, including serving as Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, sets Joe apart from any potential Presidential candidate... it's just a fact.

He speaks truth clearly.

He has accomplished many things.

He's A TERRIBLE contrast with trump!

If elaborate on them? I don't mean this in hostile way, but rather in an information gathering way so we can all have clear picture of where different candidates are and possible issues that may come up if they do run.

With plagiarism

Quick question, though. Based on what you know of it, does it seem like a real issue? I was like 4 or 5 in '88 so I have no first hand impressions of it.

I love Biden and I think he was fantastic with Obama. But I don't think he will contrast well with Trump. I can see some real dark scenarios if he runs. Running a 78 year old hardly says "future." His age might alienate younger voters. It's possible that anyone can win the popular vote in 2020, so maybe we should get someone we want.

are the ones that get out of the vote on their side.

Is Joe the most charismatic candidate on the Side of Light?

I don't see him being a capable candidate.

Isn't that what Biden said about Barack Obama in 2007?

http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1895156_1894977_1644536,00.html

Seriously, I can't believe we once ridiculed Bob Dole's age considering all the geezers we have on our side now. That really came back to bite us hard.

Hillary was called too old and she's 10 years younger than Joe. I guess a penis between your legs takes 20 years off your viability for office.

I knew that. I was going by Hillary was 68 when she ran and Joe will be 78 if he runs in 2020. I just put it all in a bowl and combined them into one.

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For everyone else, he only exists in footage and photographs. He's respected as someone who was once president, but most people do not have any sort of emotional attachment to him.

this is where I'm currently. Could change my mind but right now Biden in the lead with a young, charismatic candidate in the VP slot sounds like a winning ticket. Biden's a scrappy fighter and he has more experience & knowledge in his pinkie than Trump could ever dream of.

But . . . it's early in the game. We need to see who else will step up and if Joe decides absolutely to run. Then there's the primary gauntlet where many fine-looking candidates have fizzled and faltered.

But for now? I hope Joe Biden takes a shot at it.

n/t

In addition to pushing 80, Biden has baggage and a penchant for gaffes.

And this idea that Biden's our best bet is predicated upon the notion that we can't win without appealing to so-called "independents" (the vast majority of whom are, based on numerous studies, highly partisan and unreliable) or Trump voters. I simply do not agree with that notion.

Harris-O'Rourke and we'll see record-breaking Democratic turnout. The Obama coalition and then some.

unless you buy into baseless Rethug attacks.

There's also his long-running ties to the financial industry. He dropped out in 1988 after facing a charge of plagiarism.

Folks need to remember that Biden has run more than once before. And, like Clinton, he's been in the public eye for decades.

that, together with Joe's steadfast loyalty to President Obama, I think gives him a new lease on life politically.

If Obama hadn't selected Biden as his running mate, Biden would be a distant memory.

But it doesn't negate his age (he'd be as old as Reagan when Reagan *left* office), his baggage, etc.

Obama won those elections, not Biden. And Biden has not been successful in his attempts to win the nomination. I don't think 2020 will be any different if he even decides to run.

Biden is an awesome debater and advocate... he would have absolutely crushed the tRumpster Fire had he decided to run in 2016. His experience FAR outweighs his biological age as a factor in his favor.

Anyway, it's laughable that anti-Clinton people are supportive of Biden. All I can figure is that it's pure sexism.

I was wondering about this. No more establishment status quo? Puzzling.

It's not like they don't both have baggage (Biden more so, arguably). It's not like they have much different policy positions. Yet you have these anti-Clinton people who are wild about Biden.

candidate. Sure there are always flaws. But there’s not much there to inspire young people or minorities and big vision and bold ideas are needed to combat Trumpmania.

I like Joe. But not as a candidate. Not in 2020. Not in these times.

I agree that we will need voters from the middle of the country. I just don't agree that we need tRump voters. There are plenty of folks that are not engaged that can be won over to our side. Just the number of 3rd party defectors was enough in those 3 critical states to make a difference in the last electoral outcome.
There's no need to reach out to those that want to bring back coal, think that climate change is a hoax, diversity is a 4-letter word, and all Mexicans are rapists. You know, #45 voters.
Joe is great but he's not the best for this time. Our nominee needs to be someone that represents the nation (as it is and will be), presents a clear vision for our nation (domestically and internationally) and can fearlessly answer #45 in their own terms.

Any link to his being crappy raising money?

Pure crap.

Reagan was beginning to lose a few marbles in his 2nd term, don’t know he would have gone along with axing the Fairness Doctrine had he been all there upstairs.

The young are great. But Joe has the experience and global diplomacy. Not only do Americans love him, other leaders do as well.

I saw him recently and feel he is so presidential we, we NEED him.

But I took a bashing myself for posting a similar thread. We need to keep posting for Joe, because the bashing will get less and less the more folks who step forward for Joe.


Great list of popular VP's, too. Beto and Amy in the lead for me.

but, he also ran twice with Obama, contributing mightily to a winning ticket in 2008 and 2012. That and his loyalty to the Obamas, unlike no other, has earned him another shot at the presidency, should he wish to take it.

his campaign would generate any excitement, and I HATE that he has recently attempted to distance himself from any more progressive direction that the Democratic party has taken in favor of distinguishing himself as the centrist in the foreseeable race. That puts him way down my personal list.

but Joe is smart and knows how to navigate the "political winds."

many talented Democrats to help him on all the daunting tasks he has. He has the experience, the gravitas and the personality to lead the type of team effort that would be needed. In an interview that his friend, John Kerry gave, Kerry credited some of his success from trying to hire people smarter than he is. Forget, that in either Kerry's or Biden's case, that is not an easy thing to do. However, having the self confidence to WANT people who know more on their niche is absolutely what will be needed. I could see Biden putting together a great, intelligent team together and fostering creativity and better ideas through their interactions.

I also look at 2020 from the vantage of 1976. In 1976, the American people, more naive than now, saw just how corrupt the Nixon administration was. Jimmy Carter, with his extreme non corruptability, was what the country was looking for and implausibly, the little known governor of Georgia became the person who could be trusted.

I think we really are in that position now. I would be happier if Biden (or John Kerry for that matter) were 20 years younger, but with some of their experience, credibility, honor and integrity. Given that I thing being able to be seen as having integrity - even KNOWING the Republicans will try to smear any Democrat - and have the self assurance to know that the most important thing might be to know how to create and then to empower a great team to work to repair the damage done, I think it might be better to have the well know Joe Biden, with a charismatic young VP than someone who might not immediately see what problems need to be addressed.

In past transitions, it has taken a while for a president to get on his feet -- it is not clear we can afford that now.

The Dotard is SO easily beatable, being such an incompetent and incredibly weak candidate... no doubt a steady hand at the till, like Joe Biden, would make mincemeat of him.

To make a sharp contrast with the dotard and because he or she would draw some of the spotlight off of Trump.

He looks younger than he is and has energy.

The age of bye bye Mr. American Pie is upon us. The near future is going to be like England facing the Europe of 1938 and we are going to come out of it either in a dead world or a radically changed new world.

One thing for sure is that we are not yet ready to meet that future and we may as well throw away the old "he's presidential!" playbooks and new ones being written on the old models. Pretty boys or old favorites mean nothing anymore.

Focus on the 4 year election is something we can no longer afford. Democracy cannot survive that old habit.

And the last thing we need is for the first woman POTUS to be a Republican, such as Haley.

to have a woman as President or Vice President.

And that will NOT be good for us, long term. (And I agree with you -- it would probably be Haley, who is also a person of color.)

...I will once again recommend this article: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-cohen-why-women-should-elect-women-20160406-story.html#.

It's gotten very little response, in spite of (or because of) it being so popular around here for people to poo-poo the importance of identity.

Like: "Do women legislators represent women better than men do?"

Or "Women and POC are the majority of Dems. So how do we get more into office?"

We have so many potentially good candidates. A "deep bench" as they say.

A lot will happen between now and then. No need to choose my champion now.

I have some favorites, going in. But I'm more than happy to take a fresh look with the full group in place before making a decision.

Peace to you!

so we have Trump.

the best candidate will emerge. If Joe runs, he would be a tough one to beat. Too bad he missed a golden opportunity to be elected President... but, it was understandable, given the death of his son.

2020 baby!!

Joe tries too hard to be the jovial nice guy who can get along with everyone. And when he isn't doing the genial thing, he's opening his mouth with a gaffe.

No thanks. Obama's reflected glory shouldn't be the basis for choosing our next nominee.

But if you want Middle America -- meaning "white America" -- what about Sherrod Brown or Amy Klobuchar?

Contrary to what some seem to believe, it's the Obama coalition that we need to focus on turning out in a big way.

he'd have won.

That stuck in my craw, and I'm sure I'm not alone. He should be ranting about the election interference, not implying that he'd have been a better choice. That was obnoxious and unnecessary. He should have fully supported his own party's nominee.

...much of the Biden love is coming from those who think our nominee must be a white male.

As I wrote in post #23, candidate Joe Biden is not the same as lovable Uncle Joe. In addition to pushing 80, Biden has baggage and a penchant for gaffes.

And this idea that Biden's our best bet is predicated upon the notion that we can't win without appealing to Trump voters or so-called "independents" (the vast majority of whom are, based on numerous studies, highly partisan and unreliable). I simply do not agree with that notion. MI, PA and WI were blue for a long stretch prior to 2016, and they will be again without Joe Biden as our nominee.

With Harris-O'Rourke, we would see record-breaking Democratic turnout. The Obama coalition and then some.

that his administration chose not to make an issue of it, while Hillary was gamely winging it on her own in the debates.

Running as Obama's veep protected him.

Remember the constant harping on Biden remarking favorably on Obama's articulateness before Obama was chosen??

And M$M will resurrect story of Biden's 'plagerism' that wrecked his earlier run for the dem nomination. Note--I never understood exactly what he supposedly did or why it was such a big deal, but the media were on it 24/7.

AND he'll be TOO OLD!! (I'm 78)

which is what makes him so relatable to regular folks.

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He should have made it clear after he and Obama were reelected in 2012 that he would be a candidate in 2016. I'm 66 and I must say that I don't want anyone in their 70s as the Democratic candidate.
Biden is the most qualified to be president? Certain in respect to experience, but that was also said of Hillary.
Clearly with the election of Trump, America has indicated that experience and the length and amount of experience to be president are not the most important qualities in a candidate.

Above all we need a candidate who can unite the party and keep all of them motivated to get out and vote because that's what Democrats need in order to vote while Republicans look at voting as their duty.

Of all the possible candidates, Biden has a large spectrum of voters who like him. He's very likeable.

to undo the damage trump has done around the world.

That would be Joe Biden.

Assemble a team that calls on as many capable people as he can. Imagine he uses special envoys such as Biden, Kerry, Rice, and Obama himself to deal with people with whom they have long term credibility. Think of all the countries we need to repair relations with.

For instance, climate change is a huge issue and in 2015 and 2016 had huge successes with the Paris Accord, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal protocol, the airline agreement and the various marine protected areas, could be an administration's point person on the international work on the environment. Obviously, all these people would represent a president they agree with.

Someone 3 decades older than that is supposed to be the favorite? I don't think so. Right now, it's all about name recognition and only remembering Biden as Obama's running mate.

I like Inslee but age works against him.

As someone posted above, there are no transitional presidents.

This 4 years then handoff baloney needs to be spit out and thrown up.

We need to lessen Trump's incumbency advantage, not maximize it. Older error prone non-charismatic nominee maximizes it.

Old Wise Experienced Candidate is not want the younger voters will see. They'll see an old white man. Period.

I'm 70 and I do not want anyone who is older than me running. If we want to hang on to and increase the youth ane women vote, Joe Biden is NOT the way to go.

I have watched presidential elections for a very long time. I have seen the good guys and the evil ones. All types with complicated personalities and histories. When I was 14, my dad stayed up all night to see if Kennedy won. I watched, but didn't fully understand why...Now I do.

..In retrospect, it was Kennedy the good guy, vs Nixon the evil guy. Nixon's history. if one goes back to the late 1940s. was questionable. People thought that he improved and came around after years of being VP. That he had matured and grown. They were wrong... He was and always will be "a crook" Trump is the same, probably worse.....

..That being said, I want to win for the good of the U.S.A. We need a democratic president who will change the course we are now pointed in. so here is the "truth" to me............................................
.....Any Democrat would be better than the fool we have in, or anyone that might be in if that fool must resign or leaves for ANY reason..

...Certainly our base and those dedicated to our ideals can choose the individual ..Who has the best chance to win. In a year or so, it will become clear who is running and what the story is. We will see if it is Biden, or Beto, or Sanders or Hillary or whoever you can name.. Whoever has the best chance to win is who I want. We must win to save this nation and all it stands for.

Although he apologized, Biden still sold out Anita Hill. I believe this precludes his ever being elected President. I could be wrong, probably not.

...lovable Uncle Joe. When, in fact, his history with the Thomas-Hill hearing would become a big issue in this Me Too era. His ties to the financial industry would become a big issue. His penchant for gaffes would become an issue. His previous failures (plural) to win the nomination would not go unnoticed. His age (he'll be the age Reagan was when Reagan *left* office) is a factor.

There is this notion, though few Biden proponents would admit this, that our nominee must be a white male in order to win back MI, WI and PA. That we must appeal to Trump voters or so-called "independents" (even though studies show "independents" to be highly partisan - i.e., not independent - and unreliable voters).

Instead, we should recognize the moment we're in (Me Too and Black Lives Matter), and recognize the significance of the diversity (and youthfulness) of our electorate as well as that of the incoming class of Democratic members of Congress.

That person would be our best bet

If it's Biden, I'd like to see the ticket offset with an heir apparent like Kamala or Beto.

I promise they exist.