My new* litmus test for 2020 - the will AND the chops to crack down on international crime

[MH1]

And by "international crime" I mean of the kind perpetrated in 2016 and Brexit, i.e. heavy involvement of hacking and money laundering to change political outcomes around the globe, to the detriment of democracy.

If this problem is not successfully addressed very soon, none of the rest has a chance of being solved ... not that it would matter to most people anyway.

John Kerry wrote a book a long time ago - published 1997 - called "The New War". Long before hacking was the thing it is today ... but addressing the issues of international crime raised in The New War would have put us in a far better place to protect this country. And it strikes me that what put Trump in power and caused the Brexit debacle is just the next phase in the "New War" that Kerry spoke of.

Kerry isn't going to be running - but I wonder if he will make an endorsement ... and if the international crime aspect will influence that endorsement? If so, that's who I will support. Otherwise, I will be evaluating the candidates based on whatever info I can gather about their will and ability to confront this issue, and bring these international crime families to justice. And yes, at this point I expect there will still be Trumps to be prosecuted in 2021.

OTOH, who am I kidding, I'm in a "my primary vote hardly matters" state (late primary). By the time I get to vote, my choice will be between frick and frack. I only hope that one or both of them meet my test. Regardless, of course I will vote for the Dem nominee in November. But let's not blow this, Dems.

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* not really "new" actually ... just the apparent letdown of the Mueller report (which I expected), has brought it into laser focus for me.

[marylandblue]

1. Shameless plug for Buttigieg.

He was a naval intelligence officer in Afghanistan. Seems like this would understand your concerns well.

[MH1]

2. Thank you for the info. I will read up

on his stated policy priorities and any concrete accomplishments he has in this area.

Feel free to provide links to aid my research.

[bigtree]

3. you'll need a prosecutor

...

[Andy823]

4. Yes we will

One who can stand up and take on trump to win the election. One who can face off with him in a debate and not back down. One who can connect with the people, all the people.

I think that will be Harris. I still like Inslee, but she is now on the top of my list.

[Amimnoch]

5. Not really a litmus test for me at all at this point.

None of our candidates will actually do any of those things as a POTUS.

BUT, each will appoint a better Secretary of State, better Attorney General, and appoint a strong CIA director to carry these out.

For me, each of our candidates will make good appointment judgements. I'd like to think all of our candidates are fully aware of the critical need to put the best persons in those positions possible to attack this ongoing issue.

I'm also hoping each will focus on education more than ever before. Really need university level critical thinking courses moved to the high school level, and make it a requirement. That's the BEST way, imo, to tackle these issues. A population armed with critical thinking skills that questions sources, and seeks facts is a population that can't be manipulated by propaganda.

For me, the only litmus test is the electoral college map, and which candidate has the best chance of flipping enough to reach 270.