Too soon, I know. But I’m curious what people’s thoughts are on who should run for president in 2020. I offer 9 candidates below and then a poll. Please vote for someone and if you choose “someone else,” please tell us whom in the comments.
As an initial matter, I’m not listing Michelle Obama (who has said she doesn’t want to run for office) or Bernie Sanders (given his age in 4 years). Please don’t complain to me! Also, because I was limited in the number of options I can put in the poll, I should add that I can also imagine Montana Gov. Steve Bullock running. I am including Mark Cuban as a candidate only because: a) I wanted a non-traditional candidate option; and b) he probably has the ambition.
In alphabetical order:
Cory Booker, New Jersey senator. Pros: charisma, talented pol. Con: connections to financial industry.
Sherrod Brown, Ohio senator. Pros: union ties, important state. Con: has to get through the 2018 election first.
Mark Cuban, billionaire. Pros: Voters like a businessman. Cons: lack of experience, discipline.
Kirsten Gillibrand, New York senator. Pros: hard-working, media-savvy. Cons: we may want a candidate who comes from west of the Hudson.
John Hickenlooper, Colorado governor. Pros: businessman back story, successful gov. Con: quirky.
Tim Kaine, Virginia senator. Pros: name recognition, swing state. Con: introduction to America was awkward VP debate.
Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota senator. Pros: charisma, Midwestern. Con: lack of name ID.
Mark Warner, Virginia senator. Pros: businessman back story, swing state. Con: may be too conservative for primary electorate.
Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts senator. Pros: passionate national following, populist appeal. Cons: Will be tagged as “Massachusetts liberal,” age.