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ProSense

(116,464 posts)
6. That may be true, but he
Fri Mar 21, 2014, 02:04 AM
Mar 2014

basically endorsed Hillary

The real primary fight of 2016 (and it's not an alternative to Hillary)

by kos

Some people have to come to terms. And I'm looking at you, people desperate to find an alternative to Hillary Clinton in 2016.

If Hillary runs, she's the nominee. I know it's in vogue to talk about how "inevitable" Hillary was in 2008. But it was a different world. I remember it because I was in the midst of that battle. People wanted an alternative, and alternatives existed. At her best, Hillary's poll numbers were in the 40s with Obama in the strong 20s. Look for yourself. Yes, she was the frontrunner, but there was a strong primary field within striking distance.

There is no alternative to Hillary this cycle. The last time anyone polled the Democratic primary field, Clinton had 73 percent of the vote, Biden 11, and Elizabeth Warren nine. That tells us a couple of things. One, 73 percent is A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE. She is the consensus nominee, and if you disagree, you are objectively in the deep minority. Second of all, there is no one to provide even nominal challenge. Clinton (again, assuming she runs) will have some "challengers", but it'll be a bunch of people auditioning for her VP slot.

To reiterate, leads like 45-25 in 2007 didn't make Hillary "inevitable". Numbers like 73-11 in 2014 absolutely do. And you know what? Those are not irrational numbers. Hillary will be a great president.

Elizabeth Warren isn't running. I get why people persist with this fantasy, but it's nothing more than a fantasy. Warren had to be dragged in kicking and screaming into the Massachusetts Senate race, a geographically small state in which she could sleep in her own bed every night. If you barely have the fire to run for Senate, then you absolutely don't have the fire to mount a brutal presidential campaign. And even if she did, all she'd have to do is look at the polling (73-9!) to realize she'd have a million better things to do with her time and her donors' money. SHE. AIN'T. RUNNING.

But hey, we've had plenty of primary pie wars over the years, so who cares if there's another one? I'll tell you why.

It's a distraction. With Clinton's commanding general election trial heats, not to mention demographic shifts shoring up our electoral picture, we'll have the luxury to look beyond the presidential and take a more holistic approach to the cycle. And we've got a lot of work ahead of us:

- more -

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/02/17/1278315/-The-real-primary-fight-of-2016-and-it-s-not-an-alternative-to-Hillary

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

One of my main gripes with DFA... madfloridian Mar 2014 #1
At last. A Democratic board takes a stand. Luminous Animal Mar 2014 #2
Yes. I have noticed that quite often... madfloridian Mar 2014 #3
Ironic, ain't it? jsr Mar 2014 #5
Right? truebrit71 Mar 2014 #26
Hmmmm hootinholler Mar 2014 #25
Per Politico Markos is practicing "purity politics". madfloridian Mar 2014 #71
I am a member there, but left about six years ago because Kos had the exact opposite opinion of The sabrina 1 Mar 2014 #100
Have to make them face consequences for going that route. BlueStreak Mar 2014 #7
Yes, it does. madfloridian Mar 2014 #10
The banksters behind the Third Way Trojan jsr Mar 2014 #4
My severely addled alzheimers mom sez what? Luminous Animal Mar 2014 #9
That may be true, but he ProSense Mar 2014 #6
Good grief. madfloridian Mar 2014 #8
Huh? ProSense Mar 2014 #12
Since the choice was between 2 New Dems (Third way)...it doesn't seem relevant. madfloridian Mar 2014 #13
In 2016? ProSense Mar 2014 #14
"There is no alternative to Hillary this cycle" madfloridian Mar 2014 #21
No, ProSense Mar 2014 #31
Submit citizen. Luminous Animal Mar 2014 #11
...... madfloridian Mar 2014 #68
If only Hillary runs, the message is that only the DLC crowd have ideas, offer solutions to our JDPriestly Mar 2014 #19
Good point dreamnightwind Mar 2014 #20
his read is correct. quaker bill Mar 2014 #22
That's endorsing? Iggo Mar 2014 #28
Yes. n/t ProSense Mar 2014 #32
Except, No. Iggo Mar 2014 #33
Your opinion. n/t ProSense Mar 2014 #34
Change the subject much? AgingAmerican Mar 2014 #37
How does pointing to support for a "Third Way" enabler "change the subject"? n/t ProSense Mar 2014 #39
Is Barack Obama a 'Third Way' enabler? AgingAmerican Mar 2014 #40
Here's a clear and recent example of the difference ProSense Mar 2014 #44
Is that a yes AgingAmerican Mar 2014 #93
"There is no alternative to Hillary this cycle.". Gee I guess if she doesn't run the Democrats won't PoliticAverse Mar 2014 #76
Markos post from the 18th of March. Another wow. madfloridian Mar 2014 #15
Our elected officials don't like it when we tell them what to do. [n/t] Maedhros Mar 2014 #16
So "pleased"--but not surprised--to see truebluegreen Mar 2014 #17
What great news tht KOS is taking a stand against them. Rec n/t Catherina Mar 2014 #18
+1 truebrit71 Mar 2014 #29
Agreed. madfloridian Mar 2014 #47
Kudos to Moulitsas and the folks at Daily Kos. idendoit Mar 2014 #23
Care for a Pretzel? Oilwellian Mar 2014 #24
Sorta like the one at FDL? AgingAmerican Mar 2014 #36
Maybe "freak" refers to any who question powers that be and policy. madfloridian Mar 2014 #41
Lyrics from If Six Was Nine by Hendrix. idendoit Mar 2014 #74
I thought you were quoting 'Almost Cut My Hair' FiveGoodMen Mar 2014 #77
Another great tune that fits the sentiment! idendoit Mar 2014 #80
Good to see someone finally stand up... truebrit71 Mar 2014 #27
'zactly! n/t Catherina Mar 2014 #79
Per WillyT's post. Is it an honor for Markos when Jon Cowan 3rd way attacks him in Politico? madfloridian Mar 2014 #30
Kick and nominate Ichingcarpenter Mar 2014 #35
Now guess who will be blamed for any losses. That's right...Kos will be the fall guy. madfloridian Mar 2014 #42
Third Way Tim Kaine gave us the 2010 results Ichingcarpenter Mar 2014 #46
"No. It's been scientifically proven that only RW corporatist pseudo-Dems can win elections!" Zorra Mar 2014 #45
That's because often liberal challengers kept out of primaries. madfloridian Mar 2014 #53
So true. nt Zorra Mar 2014 #60
Given the prominence Bennet & Kessler give the issue in their piece, Eleanors38 Mar 2014 #96
Dingell's retiring but... JNelson6563 Mar 2014 #38
Not very familiar with Dingell, Julie. madfloridian Mar 2014 #67
From what I heard a few years back JNelson6563 Mar 2014 #89
Same to you, Julie. madfloridian Mar 2014 #90
Thank you for the info. (nt) proverbialwisdom Mar 2014 #43
Another crack in the facade. woo me with science Mar 2014 #48
Too cynical for hope nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 #49
Damn it, nadine. woo me with science Mar 2014 #50
I will try to do better nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 #54
I understand. woo me with science Mar 2014 #56
Tiny rays of hope. madfloridian Mar 2014 #55
Straining toward them woo me with science Mar 2014 #57
Let's replace McCaskill and Coons with Akin and O'Donnell theboss Mar 2014 #51
STOP comparing liberals who speak out to the Tea Party. That is destructive. madfloridian Mar 2014 #58
I will not when they behave the same theboss Mar 2014 #65
Refusing to enable is NOT "purging" That's baloney. This is NOT Free Republic. madfloridian Mar 2014 #66
Good to see you mad! tnlefty Mar 2014 #88
That makes you one of a very few... madfloridian Mar 2014 #91
Same here. Good to see mad posting again Glitterati Mar 2014 #97
Politics is the art of making the impossible possible. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Mar 2014 #78
Ironically, Kos is likely helping these people establish their centrist cred ConservativeDemocrat Mar 2014 #85
What does what the morons on FR do have to do with US? Here's what you need to know, we don't care sabrina 1 Mar 2014 #102
Third Way Is No Way To Go colsohlibgal Mar 2014 #52
"no good for the middle and lower classes." madfloridian Mar 2014 #59
Hillary Clinton, Mar 2014: 'Let's Be Clear,' Military Option for Iran 'on the Table' Catherina Mar 2014 #81
Good. Tierra_y_Libertad Mar 2014 #61
Yes. madfloridian Mar 2014 #69
Third Way was invented by Clintons prommie Mar 2014 #62
Bankers and war criminals basically ignored. madfloridian Mar 2014 #63
du rec. xchrom Mar 2014 #64
From the Third Way website...the latest negative term toward "liberals" madfloridian Mar 2014 #70
K&R woo me with science Mar 2014 #72
K&R n/t FloriTexan Mar 2014 #73
We need to rid ourselves of this contagion MannyGoldstein Mar 2014 #75
I am all about a New Progressive Party .. why don't we just do it !! YOHABLO Mar 2014 #82
Let's. Let's elect people tea and oranges Mar 2014 #83
Let the conservatives go vote for their Republican brothers instead of taking refuge pragmatic_dem Mar 2014 #84
So your name is, like, ironic then theboss Mar 2014 #86
conservative shills abuse the word pragmatic to cover their misdeeds, pragmatic_dem Mar 2014 #99
Yes. blackspade Mar 2014 #87
I will not vote for Hillary bl968 Mar 2014 #92
From the Republic of Boulder locks Mar 2014 #94
K&R n/t Aerows Mar 2014 #95
Kick for good news woo me with science Mar 2014 #98
Isn't part of any democratic process the formation of a new party when the one you brung to djean111 Mar 2014 #101
kick woo me with science Mar 2014 #103
Interesting. Quantess Mar 2014 #104
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