We’re all embroiled in the coverage of and debate about the contest for this year’s Democratic nominee for President, but l’ve also been thinking about the future. You look at our two candidates’ ages, they’re 68 and 74. I am no ageist, but if all of our potential presidential talent was in that age group, we’d be screwed going forward, so it does make me wonder if we have enough younger talent in the pipeline for the future. Young is, of course, relative in this context as you have to be at least 35 to run for President and almost no one would have the resume for it until they’re 8-10 years older than that. Still, you’d want to think we’ll have good presidential prospects for the next cycles who aren’t senior citizens. I’ve put together a list of some names that I like(younger ones — I love Elizabeth Warren and all but I’m specifically looking for younger people, at least relatively speaking), in no particular order, with some brief un-detailed thoughts and I encourage you all to give your feedback, maybe expound on them, and offer some of your own names. I think this is a discussion that should be had.
1. California Lieutenant Governor and former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom
Lieutenant Governor Newsom, 48, has been on my radar ever since the first time I saw him on Real Time with Bill Maher years ago when he was still the Mayor of San Francisco.
The guy seems like a real liberal, on the right side of most of the issues I care about, very intelligent and well-spoken. But what made him memorable for me back then, and what makes him continue to be memorable for me, is that I think he’s about the most charismatic politician I’ve seen in a long time. He’s got movie star looks and is extremely smooth in his oratory. He’s what you’d call a natural politician, I think.
He’s running for Governor in 2018, so it seems like he has the ambition. I hope he wins and is still around a couple cycles from now.
2. Connecticut Senator and Former Connecticut Congressman Chris Murphy
I first became aware of Senator Murphy, 42, when he was doing the cable news rounds in the aftermath of the horrific Sandy Hook shooting in his state in December 2012. Despite the tragic circumstances, I liked what I heard from him and still do — He’s been on MSNBC all the time ever since then, or at least it seems that way.
He is strongly pro gun-control and appears to be fairly dovish on foreign policy, as he didn’t support ground troops in Syria(back when President Obama was considering that for a week) and doesn’t seem to be a fan of big anti-ISIS military action. Every time I hear him talk about foreign policy, he comes across as knowledgeable and thoughtful(he sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee), of a firm (progressive) opinion without hitting you over the head with it. I like the guy.
3. New Jersey Senator and Former Newark Mayor Cory Booker
Senator Booker, 46, has been a well-liked personality for years now, going back to his mayoralty of Newark. Everyone seems to like the guy, given his seemingly campaign-ready stories about rescuing freezing dogs and carrying ladies out of burning buildings, and inviting people over to his house during the power outages during Superstorm Sandy, among others.
He’s an energetic and enthusiastic personality who seems genuine, like he’s the real deal.
4. The Castro Brothers — Secretary Of HUD and Former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro
There has been much buzz about these twins, 41, especially Julian, who has been mentioned as a possible running mate for Hillary this year.
To be honest, I don’t know if I’m as enthused about them as some. I’m not well-versed on their policy positions, but it seems like they might be more center-left than I’d like. Then again, maybe they’d have to be to get where they did in Texas politics as Democrats.
They’re different from the rest of my list; where the others on my list are all from the Northeast or California or Hawaii, liberal strongholds, the Castros are from the Republican south. The constituencies and culture that likely inform their policies are probably very different from those of the others on this list. So while I’m not sold on them yet, I’m open to learning more and having my mind changed. You never just write of potentially great talent for the future.
5. Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard
Congresswoman Gabbard, 34, is probably too young to be on this list, probably a long way from being presidential material, but she seems to have many things in her favor — her military service, her intelligence, the fact that her breaking ranks with DWS to endorse Bernie scored her major points with the progressive wing of the party, the fact that she already has the resume she has at only 34, and yes, her looks, which matter in politics even though they shouldn’t. So I thought I’d give her a shout-out.