In the last month I've seen more than a little speculation around here on the potential Democratic candidates for 2016. It is after all why we're all here (more and better Democrats and all that) and I readily admit that you're all much better at this than I am. Anyway, in addition to the inevitable Hillary Clinton, I've seen discussion of Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Russ Feingold, and Jim Webb as potential candidates. I'm sure there are plenty I've missed and I expect you'll let me know all about it in the comments. (Please do, that's one of the reasons I'm writing this.) Moving along...
Now, perhaps this was all hashed out and settled in the two years I was absent from this site, or maybe I missed it while I was reading other things since my return. (Alright, I'll admit it. I've been clowning around, bashing republicans, and just generally enjoying arguing for the last month... Where was I?) Oh...
One name I haven't seen floated seriously is that of Secretary of State John Kerry and I'm curious as to why.
Absent Hillary Clinton, John Kerry seems like he would be the natural establishment choice for 2016, and it just strikes me as odd that no one's talking about him.
Although he wasn't included in the NH Poll last month, he did have this to say on the February 8, 2015 edition of Meet The Press when questioned on the subject:
"Nobody ever says never..."
Sounds like he seems at least open to the possibility. Why aren't we at the very least considering it? I highly doubt anyone here would dare say he isn't qualified. Some might argue he had his shot in '04, but a case can be made that he got robbed (Ohio?). Some might argue it's Hillary's turn, but we heard that same argument back in '08. If we're going to go by playground rules; why don't we just have them play rock, paper scissors for it? Seriously. Okay, so he's an old, connected, white, man... If that's a deal breaker in this day and age I guess Biden's out too, huh?
I don't need to tell any of you what Hillary's flaws are. I've learned more about them in the last month hanging around here again than I honestly care to know. I would rather not debate them to tell you the truth. I think we should focus on the positives of our candidates. It's just I get the strange feeling that maybe the right wants her to be nominated so they can destroy her once and for all or something. Hillary Clinton's inevitability is all I hear about here and in the news. Even Fox News reports that her nomination is practically a foregone conclusion. It just feels very weird to me, as if the future is already laid out... Why do I feel like I'm being set up?
With all due respect to Hillary and her supporters, John Kerry is (in my very, VERY humble opinion) simply a stronger candidate.... Vietnam Vet and a vocal war protester, 2 years as Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts under Michael Dukakis, 28 years as U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, the last 4 as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and by Election Day 2016 almost 4 years as Secretary of State. Impressive resume. What's not to like? Oh yeah, he's an old white guy who's been in Washington for 30 years.
Having said all that, I'd personally prefer to see a Warren/Feingold or Feingold/Warren ticket next year, but it looks like to get that we'll have to practically drag them in. I definitely want to see Bernie throw his hat in the ring to keep them all honest, but I really can't see him winning the whole show. Jim Webb seems like such a long shot he'd have to put on a better campaign than Obama did in '08 to get the nomination. I'm not saying it can't happen, but it sure seems unlikely at this point in time. But hey, what do I know...
I'd like to leave you all with this thought. We didn't elect Barack Obama to be the 44th President of the United States in 2008 because it was time for a black president. I don't care what anyone says, we elected him because he was the best candidate and most qualified for the job. We need to do the same thing in 2016 regardless of race, color, creed, gender, or sexual orientation. This whole inevitability meme that's running rampant around here doesn't do anybody any good. Including Hillary Clinton. It doesn't make a good campaign slogan. It sounds too much like "resistance is futile." If you want to sell Hillary or any other candidate to me and the rest of America you had better do it on the merits. Because the only thing inevitable about our 2016 candidate is that they'll have a (D) after their name.
I'll say it again...
The best candidate and most qualified for the job.
Say it with me now...
THE BEST CANDIDATE AND MOST QUALIFIED FOR THE JOB.
One more time with feeling...
THE BEST CANDIDATE AND MOST QUALIFIED FOR THE JOB.
7:05 AM PT: This diary was briefly published before dawn this morning but pulled due to reasons explained in an apology in the comments.