Today in Atrios (a new site founded by Politico alums), Mike Allen wrote about the beginning stages of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.
https://www.axios.com/dems-begin-lining-up-2020-staff-cash-2480249930.html
A quiet but consequential battle for staff and cash has begun among ambitious Democrats with their eyes on the 2020 presidential race. The party is likely to start with a bigger field — perhaps much bigger — than the unwieldy Republican batch that produced Donald Trump as the nominee.
…
Several have begun to actively talk to potential staff members, and a few more have put out feelers, according to Democrats familiar with the conversations.
Allen groups these actual and potential candidates as follows:
Watched most closely: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.), Sen. Cory Booker (N.J.), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Sen. Kamala Harris (Calif.), New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The classics: Joe Biden, John Kerry, Al Gore, former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley.
Outsiders: New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, Colorado Gov. (John) Hickenlooper.
Has begun seeking staff: Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, Sen. Chris Murphy (Conn.), Rep. Tim Ryan (Ohio).
Many in Obamaworld like: former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, Rep. Seth Moulton (Mass), former Missouri SecState Jason Kander.
Many in Clintonworld like: Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, former Ag Secretary and Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, former HUD Secretary Julian Castro.
Possible if wins reelection: Sen. Sherrod Brown (Ohio).
Wants to be mentioned: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (Minn.).
Wild cards: Sen. Al Franken (Minn.), Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, Rep. John Delaney (Md.).
Non-politicians: Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, Mark Cuban, The Rock, Starbucks Executive Chairman Howard Schultz, Disney CEO Bob Iger, Oprah, George Clooney.
Someone Trump would have no idea what to do with, and who'd win women with authenticity and Southern charm: Sally Yates, the acting attorney general fired by Trump.
I would add two more possibilities (and another grouping):
If they win in 2018: “Gov.” Richard Cordray (OH) and “Gov.” Gavin Newsom (CA).
Here is my brief take on each of these names, in alphabetical order. The ages are as of inauguration day, January 20, 2021.
- Joe Biden, 78
- Cory Booker, 51
- Fair or unfair, a never-married person can’t win.
- Sherrod Brown, 68
- Great guy. The unions love him. From the swing state.
- Steve Bullock, 54
- Candidate from central casting: handsome, smart, good on TV—and he would be the first Democratic nominee from the West.
- Julián Castro, 46
- Definitely someone with potential, but is he there yet?
- George Clooney, 59
- Richard Cordray, 61
- An intriguing possibility—if he wins in ‘18.
- Mark Cuban, 62
- Andrew Cuomo, 62
- He’s an asshole, but he’s our asshole (usually).
- Bill de Blasio, 59
- John Delaney, 57
- Al Franken, 69
- At least he would drive Trump nuts.
- Eric Garcetti, 49
- I’m sure he’ll do better than Sam Yorty in ’72.
- Kirsten Gillibrand, 54
- Perhaps the most ambitious person on this list—and that’s saying a lot.
- Al Gore, 72
- I liked Al better before he had $500 million.
- Kamala Harris, 56
- John Hickenlooper, 68
- The talk of a Kasich-Hickenlooper “unity ticket” killed his (slim) chances.
- Bob Iger, 69
- Jay Inslee, 69
- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, 48
- Jason Kander, 39
- It’s a long way from being Missouri Secretary of State to the Oval Office.
- John Kerry, 77
- Amy Klobuchar, 60
- Mitch Landrieu, 60
- His dad was Carter’s HUD Secretary. He’d be good at that, too.
- Terry McAuliffe, 63
- Sure, he’s a hustler, a salesman, a bullshit artist. But he’s been a good Governor.
- Seth Moulton, 42
- Very impressive guy. At 42, he would provide a nice contrast to Trump, 74.
- Chris Murphy, 47
- Martin O'Malley, 58
- He made a fool of himself in ’16.
- Gavin Newsom, 53
- There’s just something about shtupping your campaign manager’s wife.
- Deval Patrick, 64
- Why did he have to join Bain Capital?
- Gina Raimondo, 49
- Could be an interesting VP.
- Tim Ryan, 47
- Not smart enough to be president.
- Sheryl Sandberg, 51
- My favorite of the would-be first-time candidates. But that’s not saying much.
- Bernie Sanders, 79
- He was already too old in 2016.
- Howard Schultz, 67
- If a failed businessman could be elected, why not a successful one?
- Tom Vilsack, 70
- His presidential campaign in 2007-08 only lasted a few months. Ditto this time.
- Elizabeth Warren, 71
- Oprah Winfrey, 66
- Sally Yates, 60
- She should’ve run for Governor of Georgia.
Any I’ve missed?
