Democratic Primaries
In reply to the discussion: We're not voting for Bernie [View all]Being able deliver on promises made is everything. For some perspective, consider Obama's 2008 election mandate, to include having both houses of Congress with a 60-seat "filibuster proof" Dem majority in the U.S.Senate. Even so, Obama was barely able to achieve a very modest ACA package with no public option (thanks to Lieberman), along with increased infrastructure funding, and the auto industry rescue (the latter paid back). All of this had universal GOP opposition despite a pressing need to prevent the U.S. economy from going over a cliff. After all, McConnell's highest priority was holding Obama to one term, damn the consequences. At this point, the GOP is even more partisan, and we will be lucky to get a slim Senate majority come January. Aspiring to provide Medicare for all, free college, and massive financial shifts to cover cost of these and other goals are commendable in principle but little more than pipe dreams from a practical standpoint. Building on what we have in place is the best bet at this point, and not losing what we have gained is arguably even more important. If Sanders is somehow elected, his lofty proposals will crash and burn right out of the gate, rendering him as a "failed" president and tarnishing the Democratic brand from that point forward. Amy, Liz, and Pete are worthy candidates, but I don't see any of them gathering enough momentum to secure the nomination. Bloomberg has already hit a ceiling, proving that massive TV ads alone aren't likely to close the deal. That leaves Joe. Hopefully the other candidates will recognize the writing on the wall, and will agree to coalesce around Biden sooner rather than later.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden