2016 Democratic US Presidential Candidates

**Storekeeper** · 15-06-2015, 01:06 PM

It would prove, Hillary is NOT the only viable candidate. Because her viability is in of itself debatable.

Why Jim Webb and Bernie Sanders should have a presidential debate ? without Hillary Clinton

"The Republican presidential contest increasingly resembles a three-ring circus. There is such an overabundance of candidates that — unless the powers that be adopt something like this modest proposal from yours truly — the first debates may end up excluding credible contenders (such as Ohio Gov. John Kasich) before they've had a chance to introduce themselves to the voters. On the Democratic side, the situation is reversed: Instead of too many candidates, there are too few. Hillary Clinton maintains such a commanding lead in polls, money, and institutional support that most of her opposition is best understood as a form of protest. And the Democratic National Committee is doing its best to limit the potency of that protest by scheduling only six debates and requiring all participants to only debate one another in DNC-approved venues and formats.
In fact, it is probably too late for Democrats to have a debate about who should represent them in the presidential contest. While I've argued in the past that the Democrats' bench is stronger than is usually assumed, it's nonetheless true that, in the unlikely event that Hillary Clinton implodes on the campaign trail — or gets struck by a piece of falling masonry — there's no other candidate manifestly willing and able to quickly unite the party and lead it to victory. The DNC knows this, and the other announced and potential candidates know this. Which is why, if the DNC gets its way, the Democratic primary debates will have the inhibited quality of contests in which most contenders know they aren't allowed to win.
Let's hope the DNC doesn't get its way.

Rather than participate in a kabuki version of candidate selection, the party — and the country — would be best served if the most serious challengers to Hillary Clinton abandoned the DNC process, and debated each other.

More Perspectives With Clinton off the stage, no longer sucking up the oxygen and turning every debate into a discussion about how well she handled it and what it means for her candidacy, the other candidates would be liberated to have a no-holds-barred argument about what the heck the next president should actually do. I'd particularly like to see a series of one-on-one debates between Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former Sen. James Webb of Virginia. Neither candidate has a very plausible shot at the nomination, Webb because of his Coriolanus-like aversion to actual politics, and Sanders because, well, he's a self-proclaimed socialist. But for that very reason, both should be free to speak their minds — something both are able to do very articulately.

Moreover, while they appear to hail from opposite ends of the party ideologically speaking, their critiques of the dominant neoliberal center have some elements in common. Both are deeply concerned about the rise of inequality and the alienation of working-class Americans from political life. Both have expressed skepticism of an overly corporate-focused approach to domestic policy and a foreign policy consensus that is overly belligerent. And both are implicitly critical of a party that makes a shibboleth of identity politics, while being far less full-throated in support of measures that would benefit a wide swathe of Americans, but would challenge powerful, entrenched interests. While I'd expect to see a lot of disagreement in any debate between them, it might be even more educational to see how often they turn out to agree.

Educational — and politically important. One major challenge the Democratic Party has today is how to satisfy an increasingly restive, educated liberal base, while also reaching out to recapture downscale white voters. From a cultural perspective, Sanders represents the former while Webb represents the latter. If they turn out to agree on some large questions of policy — and disagree with the party establishment on those same questions — might the establishment actually take notice? Might Hillary Clinton herself?
Abraham Lincoln was not running for president when he debated Stephen Douglas on the question of slavery — he was running for Senate, which is to say, campaigning for Republican control of the Illinois state legislature. But those debates laid the foundation for his presidential campaign, and for a reorientation of American politics and ultimately of American history. A series of Webb-Sanders debates would be unlikely to propel either man toward the White House. But they might be our best hope this season for an honest and open debate about the future of their party. And, for that matter, of our country".

**Storekeeper** · 15-06-2015, 01:15 PM

**ltnt** · 15-06-2015, 02:49 PM

Says it all...

**Cujo** · 15-06-2015, 03:08 PM

It'd be a mistake to run her. Right or wrong there are controversies surrounding her and she has the charisma of a housebrick.

**Boon Mee** · 15-06-2015, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by Koojo

It'd be a mistake to run her. Right or wrong there are controversies surrounding her and she has the charisma of a housebrick.

Controversies? You mention Controversies?

Hell man, they're full-blown Scandals with a capitol "S"

**harrybarracuda** · 15-06-2015, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Originally Posted by Koojo

It'd be a mistake to run her. Right or wrong there are controversies surrounding her and she has the charisma of a housebrick.

Controversies? You mention Controversies?

Hell man, they're full-blown Scandals with a capitol "S"

Only to koch suckers and that doesn't matter a jot.

Like I said, when they go to vote, they'll have forgotten what they were doing before they get out of the door.

**bsnub** · 15-06-2015, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Only to koch suckers and that doesn't matter a jot.

Manufactured dribble from the right wing alternate reality.

**MrG** · 15-06-2015, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by ltnt

Says it all...

Sure does. Because a cartoon kid pissing ink is all you guys have got.
And you know it, don't you.

**sabang** · 15-06-2015, 08:39 PM

Hail to the Chef.

**Boon Mee** · 16-06-2015, 04:57 AM

"Clinton Boasts: I ´Stood Up´ to Putin and ´Was in the Situation Room´ When Bin Laden Was Killed"

HRC's supporters have had a real hard time identifying a single significant achievement during her tenure as secretary of state, but during her 45-minute speech on Saturday, Clinton tried to name a few. "I’ve stood up to adversaries like Putin and reinforced allies like Israel," Clinton said. "I was in the Situation Room on the day we got bin Laden."

Hillary Clinton Transcript: Read Full Text of Clinton Campaign Launch

But what exactly does that mean? I stood up to Putin & happened to be in the Situation Room...blah, blah, blah.

This woman is an even emptier empty suit that Obama if that's possible.

**ltnt** · 16-06-2015, 08:13 AM

HRC's clarification: When Putin entered the room, I stood up.

I was in the room when bin whats his name was killed, but in no way must you interpret this as anti-Islam. I'm a full bag of apologist dogma.

Please direct all your questions regarding my qualifications to Mr.G, my staunchest supporter and my personal boy toy.

**Storekeeper** · 16-06-2015, 10:26 AM

45 times Clinton pushed the trade bill she now opposes - CNNPolitics.com

**Boon Mee** · 16-06-2015, 12:42 PM

45 times Secretary Clinton pushed the trade bill she now opposes

And you wonder why people don't trust her...

Washington (CNN)Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, seems reluctant to take a firm position on an issue dividing her party: whether President Obama should have fast-track trading authority for the immense trade deal he has been negotiating, the Trans-Pacific Partnership. With some progressive voters eyeing her with some skepticism, and facing a challenge (such as it is) from candidates on her left, she is being advised to tack in that direction.

President Obama has been pushing hard for the deal, while Democrats in the House of Representatives on Friday revolted and voted against a key part of the legislation. One told me, "there was a very strong concern about the lost jobs and growing income inequality," adding, pointedly: "Ms. Clinton should take notice."

She clearly did. After first dodging the issue, on Sunday in Iowa, Clinton said that "the President should listen to and work with his allies in Congress, starting with (House Minority Leader) Nancy Pelosi, who have expressed their concerns about the impact that a weak agreement would have on our workers, to make sure we get the best, strongest deal possible. And if we don't get it, there should be no deal."

45 times Clinton pushed the trade bill she now opposes - CNNPolitics.com

**harrybarracuda** · 16-06-2015, 02:08 PM

All too easy...

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epo...tial_race.html

**Storekeeper** · 17-06-2015, 09:39 AM

Remains absolutely silent until the battle is over and then announces that she was really always on the side of the people who won it. What could be more typical of a cheap politician ...

Hillary Clinton calls on Obama to negotiate a better trade deal - The Washington Post

“In order to get a deal that meets these high standards, the president should listen to and work with his allies in Congress, starting with Nancy Pelosi, who had expressed their concerns about the impact that a weak agreement would have on our workers, to make sure we get the best, strongest deal possible," Clinton said. "And if we don’t get it, there should be no deal.”

I think she'd get a perm and say she was black if she thought it would help her get elected.

**MrG** · 17-06-2015, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by Storekeeper

I think she'd get a perm and say she was black if she thought it would help her get elected.

She very well may, but you won't see here denying evolution, Obama's birth certificate, 97% of the scientists who support research that says global warming is man made and real, etc.

**ltnt** · 17-06-2015, 10:33 AM

^or for that matter her husbands blow job in the oval office? Great credentials G.

**Storekeeper** · 17-06-2015, 10:36 AM

Jim Webb to decide on presidential campaign in next two weeks

"On the same day Jeb Bush announced the launch of a presidential campaign that has been all-but-official for months, Jim Webb made clear that he is openly wrestling with whether to run in the Democratic primaries next year.

"We're going to make a decision within the next two weeks," the former senator from Virginia told an Iowa radio host on Monday morning. "The decision point is — can we put together a viable campaign without having to fall into this financial campaign funding process, which I think is damaging to the country?"

Webb was back in Iowa on a two-day swing that included a tour of a wind farm and several events around the Des Moines area.

Since launching an exploratory committee last fall with a low-budget Internet video, Webb has acknowledged that he might not be able to raise the funds to compete on the national stage. He has been dipping in and out of early states while retreating from the trail for long stretches. He has gone through two Iowa operatives since he began considering a bid.

But he told Des Moines' WHO Radio that the huge audience that turned out to see Vermont's independent Sen. Bernie Sanders in Iowa this past weekend was a sign that some Democratic voters are "looking for a different form of leadership."
Unlike Sanders, who went after Hillary Rodham Clinton for avoiding a clear position on a major free-trade deal with Asia, Webb has avoided directly criticizing the former secretary of state. However, he said he agrees with Sanders and fellow Clinton opponent Martin O'Malley that the plan should not be fast-tracked through Congress.

"We need to see in writing what it is that the country is supposed to be approving," he said of the Trans-Pacific Partnership".

**Davis Knowlton** · 17-06-2015, 11:00 AM

I like Webb. I'd vote for him. Sorry Donald...............

**Storekeeper** · 17-06-2015, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

I like Webb. I'd vote for him. Sorry Donald...............

I wonder if Hillary would consider making him her VP? If not, would she make a deal behind the scenes to make him Secretary of State?

**harrybarracuda** · 17-06-2015, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by ltnt

^or for that matter her husbands blow job in the oval office? Great credentials G.

Well at least he didn't pay millions to her to keep quiet about it - and she was adult, too.

**Storekeeper** · 17-06-2015, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by MrG

Originally Posted by Storekeeper

I think she'd get a perm and say she was black if she thought it would help her get elected.

She very well may, but you won't see here denying evolution, Obama's birth certificate, 97% of the scientists who support research that says global warming is man made and real, etc.

I may have already said I won't vote for her ... but that could change depending on who her VP is.

**Boon Mee** · 17-06-2015, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by Storekeeper

Originally Posted by MrG

Originally Posted by Storekeeper

I think she'd get a perm and say she was black if she thought it would help her get elected.

She very well may, but you won't see here denying evolution, Obama's birth certificate, 97% of the scientists who support research that says global warming is man made and real, etc.

I may have already said I won't vote for her ... but that could change depending on who her VP is.

Heard Oliver North was on her short list...

**Davis Knowlton** · 17-06-2015, 01:18 PM

War hero. Senator. Secretary of the Navy. Assistant Secretary of Defense. Author. College Professor. Emmy Award. Law Degree from Georgetown.

Certainly different from the scrapings from the bottom of the barrel who are running - on either side.

**Storekeeper** · 17-06-2015, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

War hero. Senator. Secretary of the Navy. Assistant Secretary of Defense. Author. College Professor. Emmy Award. Law Degree from Georgetown.

Certainly different from the scrapings from the bottom of the barrel who are running - on either side.

And he's the author and guy who pushed through the upgraded Post 9/11 GI Bill. And ... His son served in Iraq unlike those scrapings on the either side.

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