Democratic Primaries

TexasTowelie

(112,217 posts) Sun Apr 21, 2019, 06:03 PM Apr 2019

Diversity among Democratic presidential hopefuls shows progress

by Eric Black, Minnesota Post

I’ll eventually get around to saying something (something amazing and historic) about the developing campaign for the 2020 Democratic nomination, but indulge me first, if you have the time and inclination, in a little ancient history.

I’m so old that 1960 doesn’t strike me as ancient history. I turned 9 that year, and, growing up in Massachusetts in a liberal, Democratic FDR-worshipping Jewish family, we were very excited about the presidential prospects of our young senator, John F. Kennedy.

One of the big political/cultural questions that year was whether the country was ready to elect a Catholic as president. It had never happened. In fact, every president up to then was a full-on WASP (white, Anglo-Saxon Protestant) except for a few who were predominantly Dutch (the two Roosevelts for example) and then-incumbent, Dwight D. Eisenhower, whose ancestry was mostly German. Herbert Hoover was a Quaker, which might or might not be considered exactly “Protestant” by some people, for reasons I don’t understand.

But a Catholic? That would be a big diversity move to the America of 1960. Only one Catholic had ever been nominated: New York’s Democratic Gov. Al Smith in 1928. He had to overcome substantial anti-Catholic resistance to get the nomination, but he was crushed in the general election.

Read more: https://www.minnpost.com/eric-black-ink/2019/04/diversity-among-dem-presidential-hopefuls-shows-progress/

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

10 replies

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Diversity among Democratic presidential hopefuls shows progress (Original Post) TexasTowelie Apr 2019 OP

It will be most likely be Biden or may be Bernie at140 Apr 2019 #1

I'm proud as hell of the diversity... PeeJ52 Apr 2019 #2

One doesn't 'run' for VP, elleng Apr 2019 #3

Although I wish Warren be the nominee, my bet is on at140 Apr 2019 #5

As I'm so fond of our field, elleng Apr 2019 #6

I am shocked I tell you as how at140 Apr 2019 #9

Yes it is diverse artislife Apr 2019 #4

There will always be unhappy people but this is a deep and diverse field BannonsLiver Apr 2019 #7

As opposed to the Republicans TexasTowelie Apr 2019 #8

Sure, I also remember when electing a Catholic was controversial. Hortensis Apr 2019 #10

at140

(6,110 posts)

1. It will be most likely be Biden or may be Bernie

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Sun Apr 21, 2019, 06:06 PM

Apr 2019

No one else is polling close to those 2. All others are probably running for VP.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided

PeeJ52

(1,588 posts)

2. I'm proud as hell of the diversity...

Reply to at140 (Reply #1)

Sun Apr 21, 2019, 06:19 PM

Apr 2019

and I don't think it will be Biden or Bernie. It's way too early. Look at the jump Warren took just by stating her views on impeachment. All it takes is a firm stand on issues that people care about and any candidate can shoot to the top.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided

elleng

(130,942 posts)

3. One doesn't 'run' for VP,

Reply to at140 (Reply #1)

Sun Apr 21, 2019, 06:19 PM

Apr 2019

and it is quite early to say firmly 'it will be most likely . . .' imo.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided

at140

(6,110 posts)

5. Although I wish Warren be the nominee, my bet is on

Reply to elleng (Reply #3)

Sun Apr 21, 2019, 06:47 PM

Apr 2019

Biden. Oh yes, those bringing up the rear, especially if they are not too old, will accept VP in a NY minute.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided

elleng

(130,942 posts)

6. As I'm so fond of our field,

Reply to at140 (Reply #5)

Sun Apr 21, 2019, 06:50 PM

Apr 2019

I hope you're right that they will accept VP in a NY minute.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided

at140

(6,110 posts)

9. I am shocked I tell you as how

Reply to elleng (Reply #6)

Sun Apr 21, 2019, 07:00 PM

Apr 2019

right I have been on predictions...but I am just a nobody posting anonymously and do not wish to cash in on my uncanny skill. And yes, I am for anyone of the declared ones selected for VP. But Biden is unlikely to pick Elizabeth Warren. He will pick someone younger.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided

artislife

(9,497 posts)

4. Yes it is diverse

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Sun Apr 21, 2019, 06:21 PM

Apr 2019

Warren- woman
Harris - woman and POC
Klobuchar woman
Two G women one not a Christian either
Sanders-nonChristian
Buttigieg- gay
Castro-Latino
Booker- POC
Yang- Asian

This is pretty amazing!

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided

BannonsLiver

(16,387 posts)

7. There will always be unhappy people but this is a deep and diverse field

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Sun Apr 21, 2019, 06:51 PM

Apr 2019

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided

TexasTowelie

(112,217 posts)

8. As opposed to the Republicans

Reply to BannonsLiver (Reply #7)

Sun Apr 21, 2019, 06:55 PM

Apr 2019

who ran mostly white guys with the exceptions of Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)

10. Sure, I also remember when electing a Catholic was controversial.

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Mon Apr 22, 2019, 11:12 AM

Apr 2019

I was a child, but those opposed made sure everyone heard their noise. In those days most Irish, even their conservatives, voted Democrat to protect themselves from discrimination through the Republican Party.

No one guessed then that in 2019 we'd have already elected a black president twice by large majority and would do it again. The current blacklash against too much progress unfortunately cost us the election of our much-delayed first woman president. It wouldn't be half as big on its own, though, if it hadn't been augmented and weaponized by insidious forces using modern technology.

But the knuckledraggers, including the misogynists in our own party, are on the wrong side of a juggernaut of equality they can't stop.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

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