Dems need a young(er) nominee in 2020

[BluegrassDem]

There is an obvious youth movement going on across the world. We are seeing leaders like Trudeau and Macron being elected. The Dems don't need anymore geriatric nominees in 2020. We need a nominee that is telegenic and has a great appeal (like Obama in 2008). This not bashing our older Dems, but I'm just saying that if we want to actually WIN an election, youth is where it's at. People don't care about someone having 30 years of public service anymore.

[elleng]

1. Please let it go, and do NOT refer to those older than you as 'geriatric.'

It IS bashing older Dems, and we don't take it lightly.

As to 'where it's at,' it's at doing the RIGHT THINGS, and those are done by people of ANY age.

[BluegrassDem]

3. Let what go?

We need young leaders. Why do you think Obama keeps talking about grooming young people for public service. Sanders, Clinton, Biden...I love them all, but not in 2020. No more 70-80 yr old nominees. I guess it's not politically correct, but I care more about winning at this moment.

[bathroommonkey76]

31. I like people who are honest.

Don't be afraid to speak your mind- Btw I agree with you 1000%.

[delisen]

33. Hitler and Mussolini were the fresh faces. of their time. Old Life magazines

are great for getting the sense of the era. So young, so fresh, so decisive, such great speeches, so charismatic, so inspiring......people fell for it....young people really connected...and then....in one brief decade........millions of dead bodies, maimed people, burned babies, destroyed cities, starvation...imagine that! what a surprise! and in the middle of what had been though to be a civilized and cultured part of the world.

Of course,I don't see any potential Democratic candidate that could turn into a Hitler or Mussolini but I think some just don't have the foreign policy experience that is very much needed today.

The party let party building slide during the past 6-8 years and that is always a mistake but I think there are a number of people prepared to run. There won't be a shortage.

Wisdom unfortunately is usually in short supply. Of course, maybe Gandhi would have been more successful and influential if he had been younger as a leader?

[bathroommonkey76]

36. Teddy Roosevelt was 42

JFK was 43.

Bill Clinton was 46.

Barack Obama was 47.

All of them were great US Presidents.

Fresh faces are needed in the Dem Party- And I hope 2020 is the year for them.

[delisen]

41. You don't think Jimmy Carter was a great president?

[bathroommonkey76]

42. Where did I say that in my comment?

[delisen]

53. You didn't but you didn't include him.What did you think of him?

He was 53, a few years older than the ones you cited but still relatively young.

[bathroommonkey76]

54. He was 52.

I was naming the youngest presidents, and canceling out your argument about Mussolini and Hitler. I don't think the US has elected a young tyrant, have they?

[pangaia]

43. Looks to me like the trend is getting older...

[bathroommonkey76]

46. The current trend with Trump is older- He's 70. lol

[pangaia]

60. :))))))))))))))))))) NT EOM.. over and out 10-4 sayonara

[Warren DeMontague]

93. Baby Boomers are having a little trouble letting go, I think.

They should study their Zen.

[Jim Beard]

102. I have no problems letting go. I am 70 and know that we slow down although it

varies with each individual.

[Warren DeMontague]

103. I mean more on the general political scene, at least domestically.

By most measures, I'm at least middle-aged, but DU skews older, I've noticed.

Obviously generational generalizations should be taken with a grain of salt, but it does make a bit of sense to me that boomers, by and large, are used to having been the biggest demographic kids on the block their whole lives.

Now Millennials have arrived, into adulthood and voting age, and there are even more of them than there are boomers- I'd imagine it's a fairly big shock.

For my generation it's maybe not as big of a deal because, due to the fact that we're sort of a demographic divot, we're already used to being discounted, ignored and not taken all that seriously.

[DrDan]

113. I don't think you are correct - Boomers supported Obama - and (anecdotally) supported Macron

I think boomers do consider experience to be an important positive trait, unlike the OP.

[Warren DeMontague]

118. Like I said up there-

boomers are used to being the biggest generational demographic, and now they just aren't anymore. C'est La Vie. But I do think that's tough for some people used to seeing themselves at the center of the national psyche for much of their lives, and to interpreting political reality through their own timelines, to deal with.

DU is a great example. You see a lot of people pretty wrought out of shape at any suggestion that what happened in 1968, or in 1972, might not be the most absolute relevant set of data points -or even the only set- for understanding 2016. Fuck, whatever you do don't point out that there were as many years between 1972 and 2016 as between 1928 and 1972. Or that people old enough to vote in the next Presidential election will have been born the year the IWR was passed.


Experience is important, but again, like I also said in the thread, it's not like there's been some massive shortage of boomers-- or East Coast-centric political insiders, for that matter- in our national political life, now, has there?

Honestly, we need some younger voices, some west coast voices, people who actually understand issues like the technological drivers of 21st century rapid change and dislocation.

[DrDan]

120. sure we need younger voices - did someone say otherwise? - I am just saying I think voters

in general, will support good candidates - those with a vision and have shown they can get results. I do not think, again speaking in general, that these candidates are being ignored simply because of their age.

[Warren DeMontague]

123. Well, there's two things.

One, I wouldnt discount anyone due to their age but I dont personally think anyone who ran this last time, should run again. And I would include Biden in that as well.

I think it'd be great for Senator Warren to run if she's interested, but I also want a big and vigorous field. No "inevitable", "preordained" candidates.

I also think that issues like cannabis legalization which the majority of Americans support, and which millions of people take very seriously once you get past the rockies, still too often are treated like a fringe joke or distraction by the eastern, beltway establishment.

I would like to see leaders like Gov. Inslee and Gavin Newsom play a role in pushing our national party to catch a long overdue clue on that one.

[DrDan]

125. don't discount the east when it comes to legalization - a bill passed in Florida with 70 in support

I recognize Florida is not part of the beltway - but we do represent a significant number of voters.

And I would not personally rule out anyone simply because they ran in 2016. That seems to smack of some unspeakable reason to not support a particular candidate.

[Warren DeMontague]

137. I don't discount the voters in the East- it's the leadership where the disconnect is.

Florida is actually a perfect example. Amendment 2 passed with, as you point out, over 70% support- a pretty clear message of the will of the electorate, no?

And how has the legislature worked in regards to implementation? By making it as difficult as humanly possible for patients to actually obtain marijuana, in reality. At first they wanted to push it through in such a way that would effectively eliminate any reasonable availability of said marijuana- not just smokeable form but also edibles and vapable extracts, leaving... what?

Massachusetts is another example. Here you have a state that voted for recreational legalization, as numerous other states have done. Compare the behavior of the Mass. legislature - who have done everything they can to delay implementation of that initiative and otherwise thrown up as many roadblocks as possible, to what transpired in Oregon after Measure 91 passed in 2014. In Oregon, the legislature and the governor recognized immediately that "hey, this is what the citizenry want" and began on day one to work on implementing early limited recreational sales through existing medical dispensaries, in the process starting the tax revenue stream flowing as well. Oregon had little or no trouble meeting the deadline for full implementation of regulation, testing, licensing at all, so "we just need more time" is bullshit and stalling.

It's like night and day. And unfortunately it's not limited to one party.

[DrDan]

138. I understand John Morgan will be pushing Scott for a special legislative session to

deal with the legislators failure to make any progress. Apparently the only rules agreed to to-date state smokeable will not be allowed.

He can be quite forceful - lets hope he succeeds. Perhaps our future Governor.

[Warren DeMontague]

139. Yeah, I know he's not pleased by the way it has been handled.

I find it astounding- I mean, over 70%! ... and then making patients wait 90 days or whatever.. ridiculous.

The whole thing is so effin' stupid. I mean, it's not like every 20something in Miami Beach doesn't already know where to find weed. But you know, lets make Granny jump through an endless series of hoops so she can legally obtain some relief for her arthritis or whatnot.

[brush]

71. It's pretty apparent that a youthful candidate will do well against a 74-year-old trump...

but no need to alienate older voters with adjectives like "geriatric".

We need all the votes we can get.

[Samantha]

74. Not only is it politically incorrect, it is an out and out prejudice

Last edited Tue May 9, 2017, 12:25 AM - Edit history (1)

which is very unbecoming for anyone to express regardless of the arena: age, gender, nationality -- you name it. Prejudice in any form cannot be justified.

As far as 2020, I want the best qualified person to be our nominee -- that is it in a nutshell.

Sam

[DrDan]

99. bingo

[JudyM]

143. +1. The only thing getting old are these repetitive posts clamoring for younger candidates.

Age matters FAR less than ideas, and only matters at all if the person is unlikely to fulfill their responsibilities.

Denial of being ageist doesn't change the plain fact of ageism.

[joet67]

152. +1.

[bathroommonkey76]

25. Bernie Sanders said a few weeks ago that the Democratic Party

was turning into the Geritol generation. His words, not mine.

[democratisphere]

28. Pot call kettle black.

[bathroommonkey76]

30. Yes, he was talking about himself along with Nancy Pelosi, and the older boomers in the party.

[Demsrule86]

109. Nancy is an example of how effective an older experienced person can be...she is terrific and has

led the fight against Trump in the House...no one could do better.

[Me.]

45. Yet It's Said He's Running Again

[Kentonio]

56. I don't think he will

I get the feeling no one would be happier than him to find a new young standard bearer of similar ideals to run.

[Me.]

59. I Believe We Shall Have To

Agree to disagree. BS is already testing the waters.

“Mr. Sanders, the runner-up in the 2016 primaries, may loom largest over the next Democratic race. He is already planning his first return trip to early-voting Iowa in July, and plans to be the keynote speaker at the convention of a social justice organization that works closely with his political group, Our Revolution.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/30/us/politics/democrats-2020.html?_r=0

“Bernie Sanders. Just after Trump was elected, the self-described “democratic socialist” from Vermont was asked if he’d run in 2020. "We'll take one thing at a time,” he responded. “But I'm not ruling out anything.” Sanders’ unlikely 2016 surge won him national recognition and popularity across party lines, especially with young voters. But Bernie will be 79 in 2020, older than any major party nominee in America's history. This obviously presents concern; though at 70, Donald Trump is already older than any other President beginning his first term.”

http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7573677/democrat-president-2020-election-bernie-sanders-elizabeth-warren

[Beartracks]

65. I suspect he'd toss his hat in the ring if...

... no one runs that he feels pursues the priorities he would like to see emphasized in the Dem party platform.

I do think he'd like to see some up-and-comer pick up that torch, though.

===================

[Demsrule86]

110. We he shouldn't. That would elect Trump.

Sen. Sanders will not win the 2020 primary in my opinion. But he could cause whoever is the candidate to lose to Trump in the general...so he should consider if Trump pursues his priorities.

[StevieM]

79. I am not inclined to support him, but I think he will run. And he has every right to.

His age is not an issue IMO.

[Demsrule86]

111. He can run as an independent...but I think a Sander's run guarantees a Democratic loss in 2020

It would another divisive election where the victors are the Republicans.

[Kentonio]

115. I don't think there should ever be an actual age cap

But I'd be extremely worried for the health of anyone in their late 70's in that job. When you see the drastic physical effects the presidency has on people, it's very clear that it's a hugely stressful and grueling job. who knows though, maybe the older you are the most experience you have at dealing with pressure. Who knows.

[fun n serious]

70. I guess that means he won't be running in 2020 nt

[Kahuna7]

101. Oh brother. That figures. I keep waiting for him to use the term, 'generation gap.'

He apparently doesn't realize how old he himself is.

[Cha]

62. Yes, doing the RIGHT THINGS.. and younger leaders

are doing the RIGHT THINGS.. So much more so the RIGHT THINGS.

[NurseJackie]

64. LOL

[blm]

2. Why? You think Crosscheck purges of Dem voters in swing states care how old the Dem nominee is?

.

[DrDan]

4. "Youth is where it's at"? And how old is the

One elected?

How did the younger candidates do running against the older candidate?

Do you have any actual evidence that suggests folks do not want experienced candidates?

[bathroommonkey76]

26. Macron is 39. n/t

[DrDan]

29. was not referring to Macron

[delisen]

35. and a billionaire investment banker.Let's get a Goldman Sachs

billionaire.

[bathroommonkey76]

37. Le Pen would have been better?

Sounds like a Jill Stein quote.

[delisen]

63. well I don't think think LePen would have been better

but I note that some in US think that it was better for Trump to win

I am delighted that French voters have rejected that option.

[bathroommonkey76]

98. Maher spoke of those voters the other night.

[loyalsister]

148. In the US the measurably younger candidate usually wins

JFK vs. Nixon
Carter vs Ford - Carter was 10 yrs. younger
Reagan won against a president who had had unusually rotten luck and was the victim of Reagan's dirty dealing.
Bill Clinton and Obama both won against men old enough to be their fathers

[DrDan]

149. Nixon, Ford, McPalin, read-my-lips Bush

perhaps something other than age at work with these elections

[loyalsister]

150. Who did Ford beat in a presidential election?

We're talking about presidential candidates - not VP. Bush 1 was only 10 yrs older than Dukakis, who also hapened to be a lackluster candidate running against a candidate who had served in a popular administration.

Bill Clinton is young enough to be Bush's son and he beat him.

[DrDan]

154. I am referring to them as losers - and my point is those that I mentioned had

foibles other than age that contributed to their losing

younger candidates may win based on something other than "youth"

[loyalsister]

155. So it's completely erroneous to believe it is a factor?

To believe that voters are not sensible and experienced enough to comprehend and be influenced by the fact that the presidency requires considerable stamina which also happens to decrease with age?

[DrDan]

156. did I say that?

[loyalsister]

157. You seem to be arguing that it should not be a consideration

..

[DrDan]

159. I am saying there are other factors - some perhaps more important than age - that have impacted

past elections - and rightfully so

[Cattledog]

5. I agree. A new generation needs to heed the call like JFK did.

And I first voted for Jimmy Carter in 1976.

[crazycatlady]

6. We need a bench of younger candidates

We have a few young up and comers in the Senate but for the most part they and the Democratic governors are older.

4 years before being elected POTUS, Barack Obama was a state senator (elected to the US Senate). We need to find and groom those state senators (and state assembly members/representatives, etc) to run successfully for statewide office.

[kentuck]

7. Is Joe Kennedy old enough?

[spartan61]

58. I like the young

Joe Kennedy and I like Gavin Newsome, the Lt. Governor of CA.

[zanana1]

100. Yes. He's 36.

You have to be 35 to become POTUS.

[fun n serious]

8. Pete Buttigieg nt

[crazycatlady]

18. Yes

I like Jon Ossoff (if elected, will be the youngest congressman) but he will be ineligible for POTUS in 2020 due to age. However, he's young and can be groomed for statewide office.

[fun n serious]

21. I like Jon Ossoff a lot too.

[greymattermom]

127. I've met him

He's very personable and has that Justin Trudeau combination of cute and geeky. He finally proposed to his girlfriend too. She''s a medical student, so he will have first hand access to the real life consequences of medical policy.

[samnsara]

9. I agree! I dont want anymore Presidents older than me!!!!

...get the young ones with the stamina, brain cells and fire in the belly!!!! we older ones can provide the wisdom and the history.

[delisen]

12. I think a young Wall St Banker is fine

So many French voters gave up their antipathy toward rapacious banking and the global elite in order to stop LePen and fascism.

They compromised.

[grossproffit]

15. No, they chose Macron. They didn't compromise. He beat out many others for his place on the ballot.

[delisen]

38. exactly and then the fans of the ones he beat out

said they would hold their noses and vote for Macron, the international banking global elitist, in order to defeat the fascist, Le Pen.

Macron is no leftist. the left compromised and voted for him in order to win against Le Pen.

[grossproffit]

55. Melenchon as a finalist would have led to a LePen presidency. Rational, not compromise won.

[fun n serious]

23. I don't understand all this hatred to globalism

Globalization is already here. Our economy would tank under nationalism. What is wrong with globalism? What is wrong with caring about the whole world and working with nations to secure our own economy? Why is globalism a bad word? I don't get it.

[grossproffit]

32. Many use the words "Globalism" and "Rothschild" as code words for Jews.

[delisen]

39. Do you think the is true in US re Globalism & Goldman Sachs?

[grossproffit]

44. Uh huh.

[fun n serious]

48. I have no idea what you're talking about

We have been " globalist" for decades now. The opposite of a globalist is a nationalist... Nationalism is ugly. I don't think the anti globalism people know what they're talking about.

[delisen]

50. You are correct we are already globalists.I don't

see any difference between the little Syrian boy who drowned trying to emigrate to a safe place and American children in need.

After the first pictures came back of earth taken from space, people predicted a positive sort of global consciousness would emerge.

we don't seem to be there yet but I do have faith in all the people who are trying to make that happen.

[Lotusflower70]

61. It's that traditional values mindset

There is a large group in the United States that want to go backwards with things such as women and minorities not having rights and that romantic ideal of the 1950's. This election showed how present that idea is. That includes globalization. Because to some, globalization is taking away our culture. And those people that say our culture, it is code for whiteness. These people don't like the EU. They hate collaboration with other countries. They see globalization as a threat. It's all about Nationalism to them.

[fun n serious]

68. Yeah.. It's creepy to see such ideas on the left.

We have been globalist.. I would say since the world war. This sudden anti globalism puzzled me. It makes sense the way you put it. It's like Bannon's ideas are fomenting on the left and the right.

[Lotusflower70]

72. I know right

But it's mind games and manipulation. It's that whole war on Christmas garbage they use to rile up their base. The nationalism is to fight against diversity and mixing. There is no denying there is work to do.

[fun n serious]

73. Yes, more work than I originally thought.

Putin once said Hillary wanted a color revolution.. Maybe the Hillary haters here in USA saw her the same way.

[Lotusflower70]

75. More than most of us thought

But we were in the bubble of goodness for a while. And then the Voting Rights Act was torn to shreds. Good point. Maybe that touched a nerve for the backwards people. It's a wake up call. I hope people learn from the mistakes of 2016.

[HughBeaumont]

128. Offshore Outsourcing is part of globalism.

Corporations are claiming "SKILLS GAP" as an excuse to hire cheaper workers.

Are we the party that cheerleads American job losses?

[fun n serious]

135. I know many in the tech industry.. it happens but not as much as you think...

There really is a skills gap. In my opinion, it's an excuse

[grossproffit]

14. Macron Campaign Office Vandalized With Rothschild Anti-Semitic Graffiti

Among the epithets written in red marker on the entrance to the campaign office were “Israel=Mossad de Rothschild,” referring to the wealthy Jewish family as well as Macron’s work as an investment banker at the French Banque Rotschild; ”Sioniste,” French for Zionist; and “the 20 most shocking extracts of the Talmud.”

It is not the first anti-Semitic attack on Macron during the campaign.

http://forward.com/fast-forward/371177/macron-campaign-office-vandalized-with-rothschild-anti-semitic-graffiti/

[BainsBane]

96. You haz a sad?

That the fascist lost?

[Xipe Totec]

11. Pitt the Younger: I intend to put my own brother up as a candidate against you.

Blackadder: And which Pitt would this be? Pitt the Toddler? Pitt the Embryo? Pitt the Glint in the Milkman's Eye?

[JI7]

13. Macron victory had nothing to do with age or youth movement

Marine le pen is only 3 years older than trudeau.

[bathroommonkey76]

27. Macron is the first major political party win for Generation X- He is 39. n/t

[JI7]

16. Macron is like Al Gore in 1992

[StevieM]

80. Or maybe like Al Gore when he first ran in 1988. (eom)

[left-of-center2012]

17. Agreed

I had a twenty-something guy tell me 2016 was like choosing between his grandparents.
New people, new ideas would help.

[JI7]

19. if that was his comment it's unlikely he cares about issues

Trump had ideas to destroy lives and his complaint was the age of candidates.

[delisen]

20. I prefer that the wise govern-might be young or old

the problem seems to be developing a wise electorate that is not so susceptible to propaganda.

German electorate seems to have gained wisdom; US not there yet.

[riversedge]

22. The term geriatric is basically used in Medicine/nursing/health care caretories. We do not need it

used when talking of our potential Dem. nominee IMHO

[LAS14]

24. I'm 72 and couldn't agree more. It's just a fact of life. We have to get...

... beyond "They oughta wanna."

[yuiyoshida]

34. Gavin Newsom !

n/t

[StevieM]

81. If Newsome wins the governorship in 2018 I don't think he will be able to turn around the next year

and run for president.

I like Jay Inslee, the governor of Washington.

[LOL Lib]

40. May I introduce...

[img][/img]

[Warren DeMontague]

51. Well, now we know what he looks like at 4K resolution.

[Jane Austin]

47. Hear! Hear!

Says this septuagenarian.

[Warren DeMontague]

49. I agree, fact of the matter is we need to expand our bench geographically and demographically.

I like Gavin Newsom. Pete Buttigeig too.

[Warren DeMontague]

52. Gavin Newsom.

West Coast, Technology Savvy, Pro-Cannabis, Gen X.

[dlk]

57. Experience Matters

More ageist garbage. For a country as complicated as the U. S., a highly experienced president is preferable to someone younger and hotter. Get serious!

[Warren DeMontague]

85. it's not about "hot".

It's about recognizing that the world doesn't pivot on the fulcrum of 1972's political arguments and Frampton Comes Alive, anymore.

We need forward-thinking 21st century leadership capable of dealing with everything from cannabis legalization to understanding the technology behind things like encryption and robotics.

[smirkymonkey]

133. This!

[KTM]

140. +1

[TheFrenchRazor]

97. word. nt

[shenmue]

106. Yep

[Bleacher Creature]

66. Can I offer a suggestion?

Focus on 2017 (VA and NJ) and the 2018 midterms. There's absolutely no sense in looking ahead, since the midterms always set the tone for the Presidential races. That's why people don't even bother declaring their candidacies until after they're over.

Look, people may finally decide that an erratic, crazy, reality tv star is unacceptable, and decide they want a steady, experienced hand at the wheel. Or, they may turn on Trump, but still want to kick out the "establishment." We just don't know.

Rather than making a broad-brushed claim - especially one that comes across as slightly ageist - I'm just asking that we take the time to think clearly. We've got to get it right in 2020 - there's no other option.

[bettyellen]

69. Agree it's way too early right now... things change.

[lovemydogs]

67. I told my daughter the same, new blood

We need a new generation. New ideas and new ways to lead.
I told my daughter that my generation really messed things up....I am a boomer but, I realize how badly my generation messed things up when it became our turn to lead.
Its time for a new generation to inject new ideas and values - new energy

[bobGandolf]

76. WE NEED a COHESIVE PLAN, AND MESSAGE.

Younger, or new, faces are a good idea, but our message needs to be in the news daily....be cohesive....just like the republicans. Trump never veered far from the message. How the hell we let Trump manage to tag himself as the populist candidate. If our message had been clear, and focused, Sanders should have that label.

[LAS14]

124. Yes, we need a message. Let's start thinking now. See message text.

May I re-introduce my post about a new slogan? One that the MSM will repeat as often as they did "Make America Great Again?" I suggest revisiting this post so we can keep the previous suggestions together with new ones.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10029023044

[TDale313]

77. We need a message and candidate that inspires young voters

Doesn't have to be someone particularly young. Bernie's not young, but he spoke to issues younger voters care about and connected with them. That said, young blood at all levels would be an incredibly good thing.

[DonCoquixote]

78. Sanders disproves this theory

because regradless of what people think of him, he got the Millennial vote out. What we need is a clear, consistent message that is said over and over and over, regardless of what Fox spews out.

[loyalsister]

147. It might if Martin O'Malley was his main competition

But he was competing with someone who was not meaningfully younger.

[StevieM]

82. The guy I plan on supporting will be 69. Jay Inslee, the governor of Washington.

I think he will make a great president. His age is not an issue.

[BigBearJohn]

83. Need I remind you all that age discrimination is against the law?

[Warren DeMontague]

87. So you're going to prosecute people for not voting for the old guy?

Good luck.

[BigBearJohn]

90. Not what I meant, but if your group advertises that you want a "young"

candidate, it sure won't look good.

What's next? Some group of people saying the
country is not ready for a woman candidate?

[Warren DeMontague]

91. People make statements like that all the time.

What's the "group"? The voters?

Personally, I think we desperately need to expand our bench. I'm not going to write anyone off due to age- I actually agree with you about Liz Warren- but I also think it's beyond facile to imagine that we've somehow been underrepresented by baby boomers, or East Coast political insiders, what-have-you.

We sure as hell need some younger voices, we need some west coast voices, etc. We are in a new century (not even that new, anymore) and we have a ton of issues that can use the perspective of people Gen X or younger, and people from the tech-immersed west coast.

When we have a debate for president and there's a question about strong encryption and every damn candidate shuffles around the stage with no fucking actual idea as to the specifics of what is being talked about, it's a problem.

[Lunabell]

84. My wife and I were just saying that tonight.

Old ideas need some revamping.

[BigBearJohn]

86. I don't care what anybody says. If Elizabeth Warren runs for POTUS in 2020 she has

my vote. And she will be 70 years old in 2020.

[Warren DeMontague]

89. I would certainly be inclined to support Senator Warren. But I want a big field.

I don't think we do ourselves any favors coming into the thing with some pre-ordained "inevitable" nominee, except when we have an incumbent.

[StevieM]

92. I believe she will be 71. I agree that her age should in no way be an issue.

I like Warren and would consider supporting her.

Right now my favorite possible candidate is Jay Inslee, the governor of Washington.

[Warren DeMontague]

94. I do think it may be extra challenging for people who grew up using slide rules

to really understand the issues facing 21st Century America.

[justhanginon]

132. An amazing instrument for it's time. I seriously doubt if I could

still use one or even remember how. My abacus was much easier to use but the slide rule was a great upgrade and much more convenient to carry.

[Warren DeMontague]

146. I remember my dad bringing home a texas instruments calculator in the early/mid 70s

I swear, you would have thought that thing was HAL. He was ready for it to open the pod bay doors.

[OnDoutside]

95. Dems need the best nominee in 2020.

[underthematrix]

104. I want to keep this simple

Rep. Joe Kennedy III is 36 years old, married, Harvard Law, smart, old money, strong sense of public service. All he has to do is say he's running and game on.


Then John Kennedy Schlossberg can run. He reminds me of both JFK and JFK Jr. he 24 and headed to law school and plans a career in politics.

[zanana1]

158. YES!

[rogerashton]

105. I wouldn't want to vote for a geezer as old as I am.

Not to say I wouldn't vote for Bernie (Hillary is a little younger than I am, and I did of course vote for herr) but the position as president is damned physically demanding. Look at what it is doing to tRump. Experience IS useful, but so is stamina. Balance needed.

[Demsrule86]

107. Well they should care...we need a competent president.

[Littlered9560]

108. How old was the republican again?

You know, the one that won.....

Your short sightedness and prejudice toward your elders is noted.

Ps. It's tactics. We need to change our tactics.

[Freedomofspeech]

112. I agree...

We baby boomers have done enough damage already.

[vi5]

114. More so than age my fear is...

..that the extremity of Trump is going to continue the pattern of:

Republicans elect someone who pushes the country 10 steps to the right.
Democrats elect someone who pushes the country 5 steps back to the left.
Whether we only go 5 steps to the left because that's all we CAN do or by design I'll leave up to individual readers of this post to come to their own conclusions and argue elsewhere.

But the point is that this is the pattern since Reagan was elected and it's how we've gotten to a place where the agreed upon (by everyone in DC it seems) "center" is much farther right than it should or needs to be.

This issue goes beyond age.

[hamsterjill]

116. Oh, good grief. Just stop this shit.

Does divide and conquer not mean anything any more?

Dems need the BEST candidate without age discrimination of any kind. Young, old, male, female - who gives a rat's ass as long as the candidate stays true to our values and can win.

I'm seeing a lot of age related posts on DU and I wonder if this is yet another way to fracture Democrats. Age is not something that someone can control.

Stop! Just stop it!!!!

[BlueCaliDem]

117. Younger, yes, but above all else, TALL. Admit it or not, taller people get noticed and admired.

What stood out to me during the Republican primaries was, Trumputin was just about the tallest on the stage among all Republicans, except for Jeb Bush who is 1-inch taller. Unfortunately, Jeb came across disingenuous about his family name that Trumputin expertly exploited.

But good rule of thumb, the American people subconsciously go for the 'daddy' thing in men when looking for a leader.

All Democratic men you've mentioned in your post were tall and successful in their presidential bid.

Then next Democrat to run against Trumputin must be, above all else, TALLER or equally tall as Trumputin. Since he's 6'2", we need someone of equal or taller stature and we will win. Anyone who 'appears' shorter, no matter how articulate he is or how good his policy ideas are, will be overlooked and lose.

Edited to add: Cory Booker is 6'3", btw. Not sure he'll be a good candidate, but he's got the height and stature.

As Eddy Izzard said during his stand-up (paraphrasing), "{Human perception is} 70% how you look, 20% how you sound, and only 10% what you say."

[LAS14]

121. I've heard the stat repeatedly that the tallest person always wins.

I hope that only holds true when the sexes are the same.

[BlueCaliDem]

129. Taller people also win in the income field.

I hope that only holds true when the sexes are the same.

I'm afraid, no. When the woman is physically shorter, she needs to be mentally three times 'taller' than her male opponent - and it's still iffy if she can win.

Remember: it's 70% how you look, 20% how you say something, and only 10% what you say.

So a woman of shorter height should be charismatic and smart as heck just to stand out and be heard since all attention will automatically be on the taller guy.

Hillary Clinton was able to overcome this some. But - and I say this as a staunch Hillary supporter - she wasn't charismatic (bombastic?) enough to keep the attention during the debates. Her knowledge is unquestionable. Her delivery needed work. In an age of reality teevee, that 70% is a vital part of succeeding.

[rogerashton]

151. Since taller people make more money, why not tax away the difference?

https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/mankiw/files/optimal_taxation_of_height.pdf

While Greg Mankiw and his collaborator attribute this idea to utilitarians, it would make sense for any tax policy that tries to avoid "distorting" the market economy.

[BlueCaliDem]

153. I guess they *are* being taxed more than 'shorter' people since they make more money.

The more you make, the more you're taxed. No need for additional taxes.

[rogerashton]

160. But that creates a disincentive to work --

Distorts market incentives. The tax on height would not, since they could not avoid it -- paying no more tax, would work harder, actually make more money on net. Or, anyway, somebody would.

[BlueCaliDem]

162. It doesn't now, does it? So I don't believe that. But if taller people get taxed more merely because

they're tall, that would most likely be seen as discrimination against tall people. ACLU will be all up in that.

[rogerashton]

163. Well, as for incentives,

I would say that the income tax does now discourage work. It is hard to argue that a positive marginal tax rate on wage income doesn't discourage work TO SOME EXTENT. And that is definitely part of the theory Mankiw and collaborator draw on in their discussion. Standard modern economic theory -- take it or leave it as you will. With a height tax, the marginal rate would be less (probably not quite zero) so less discouragement.

[smirkymonkey]

134. Unfortunately you have a point. Looks matter to the general public in their perception of a

candidate. Hopefully we can find a strong democrat with a good message who also has an impressive physical presence.

[Blue_Tires]

119. Dems need to focus on 2018 first, or there won't even be a 2020

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

126. I agree. n/t

[LanternWaste]

130. Given your knowledge of this alleged concern...

Given your astute and keen knowledge of this alleged concern, what then is the precise upper and lower age limits you have, on what objective measure are those arbitrary ages based on, and what is the objective evidence you offer to support your premise?

Or (and I find this much more likely), yours is simply a wee opinion, unsupported by any objective evidence, illustrating your own bias more than it does anything else.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

131. I do not like talk like this

We need to avoid ruling out anybody- regardless of age- for 2020 IMHO. We just need a good candidate whom can keep Trump from winning a second term. At this point, how much worse can we do?

[Orsino]

136. We need good leaders with progressive messages. Young and old. n/t

[tammywammy]

141. Like O'Malley who was significantly younger than Bernie or Hillary?

[DesertRat]

142. I could support O'Malley in 2020

[JudyM]

144. The obvious youth movement here had no trouble getting on board with a 74 year old.

[HughBeaumont]

161. The ideas are larger than Bernie.

Economic pain is happening to just about everybody.

I think these ideas, messaged in a way reasonable conservatives (do they exist?) can get on board with, could turn the country's narrative on it's ear. I think it's already happening . . . but younger voices ARE needed to carry it on.

[Jamaal510]

145. IDK about the presidency

since Trump squeaked a victory despite being no spring chicken, but for sure we need more Gen X Democrats in particular to step up to the plate at least for other offices. They could build their political resumes, gain name recognition, and help the party to connect more with Americans who are in their generation or younger.