If you think late 2017 is much too early to already begin considering the 2020 presidential election, think again. The 2020 Democrats are already off and running!
Politics
Don’t look now, but prominent 2020 Democrats are prepping and positioning themselves to unseat Donald Trump (or Mike Pence if Trump is kicked out before then) to run for president in 3 years. Of course all bids are on the DL and no one has made an official announcement, but if you look closely it’s easy to see a few horses have already left the starting gate. Let’s take a look at the potential class of 2020 Democrats:
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JOE BIDEN
Still kicking himself for bypassing the 2016 presidential contest after the death of his son, Beau, (and for yielding to Hillary Clinton, who played nice when Barack Obama ran away with the nomination in 2008), the former vice-president is virtually certain to make a run for The White House.
Recently, Biden made a series of strategic appearances in key states, and his daughter, Ashley, has all but acknowledged that her dad is planning to run in 2020.
“Right now, his focus is on the (Biden) Foundation and Cancer Moonshot, as well as getting other Democrats elected. He’s not there. He’s taking it day by day after the loss of my dear beloved brother (Beau),” Ashley Biden said. “He’ll make a decision when that time comes. A lot can happen in 4 years and we know this as a family. If he is in good health, knock on wood, and seeing what the landscape is at the time, yeah, I think he is considering it.”
If he were to run and be elected, Joe Biden would be 78 in 2021, making him the oldest candidate ever to assume the presidency. Needless to say, his window of opportunity may have already passed.
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SEN. KAMALA HARRIS
After taking the political world by storm with an “Obama-esque” charisma and style, the stars could align for the junior senator from California to make double history should she throw her hat into the 2020 ring.
If Sen. Harris were to run and win, not only would she become the first female President of the United States, but she’d also be the first African-American female to hold the office. Additionally, she’d be only the second black person to hold the office since Barack Obama.
According to participants at this year’s Congressional Black Caucus Foundation policy forum in Washington, Sen. Harris is already generating substantial excitement among the black political elite. In fact, political insiders and CBC members say Harris’ outreach to other political leaders, her attention to issues of importance to voters of color, her perceived ferocity, and even her status as a graduate of the HBC (historically black college) Howard University, are all reasons why she has emerged as an early favorite.
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SEN. CORY BOOKER
The former Newark, NJ mayor turned US Senator seems to have spent years building up to what many expect to be a sure run for the presidency in 2020. However, like every other potential candidate, he’s playing coy and refusing to rule anything out.
“I don’t know what the future’s going to bring,” Booker said in an interview. “I’m not making predictions, but I want to unleash the fullness of who I am right now, and I want to call out injustice where I see it.”
In case you’re keeping score, that’s code for YES! and is a great sign for African-Americans.
“You’re hearing Kamala, and Cory’s a distant second,” said James Williams, director of federal relations for Wayne State University and a former longtime congressional aide. Translation: 2 black politicians leading the list of potential 2020 candidates is powerful.
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2020 DEMOCRATS HONORABLE MENTIONS:
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Sen. Bernie Sanders – He still hasn’t gotten over being railroaded by the Democratic Party in favor of Hillary Clinton. He also still enjoys a huge following, particularly among younger voters. A Round 2 from Bernie is an almost certainty.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren – Despite claiming “I’m With Hillary” she never really was with her all the way. A powerful leader among the liberal and New England wing of the party, Sen. Warren has always seen herself as the candidate worthy of being the first female president. She has also launched an early fundraising operation. Keep an eye out for her in 2020.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo – For reasons still unknown, his father, the late Mario Cuomo, never made a bid for The White House. Don’t expect the junior Cuomo to follow in those footsteps. Additionally, Gov. Cuomo used his own funds to be a first responder and deliver supplies to the people of Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. If that’s not a sign that he’s already making nice with the powerful Hispanic electorate, nothing is.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand – She’s a long-term US Senator representing upstate New York who’s not a household name, which means a bid from the underdog Sen. Gillibrand would be a long shot.
LA Mayor Eric Garcetti – He is the charismatic Mayor of Los Angeles who is well-known in the State of California and points west. Any serious bid from Mr. Mayor could be a pitch for the VP slot or to better set himself up for 2024.
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2020 DEMOCRATS HOPEFUL LATE ADDITION:
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MICHELLE OBAMA
Her 8-year stint as First Lady combined with her stirring speeches, Ivy League education, and personable persona as just a regular and loving wife and mother has many in the Democratic Party salivating for Mrs. Obama to take the leap into politics.
According to a January 2017 USA Today/Gallup poll, Michelle Obama left the White House with a 68% favorability rating, compared with 58% for President Obama and 61% for Vice-President Biden. Those numbers are nothing to sneeze at.
Douglas Schoen of The Hill had this to say in a recent op-ed piece:
“As I’ve said before, the Democrats need an alternative plan to rebuild and unite the party if they have any hope in winning back seats in Congress in the 2018 midterms, nonetheless the White House in 2020. This alternative plan requires a new, united opposition, led by a political leader with widespread popularity. The only person I can see accomplishing this would be none other than the party’s most popular political figure: Michelle Obama.”
Mrs. Obama has consistently said she has no interest in politics or in running for president. Could a desperate Democratic Party possibly convince her otherwise?
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Politics
Although it’s still early, which 2020 Democrat do you predict has the best chance of uniting the party and mounting the best presidential candidacy against the GOP?
TAKE OUR POLL:
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I really wish Michelle would run. She is leaps and bounds above everybody and would plow through the whole bunch. But if she doesn’t I would really like to see Kamala Harris or Corey Booker. We could see another black president again.