The First Democratc Candidate has entered the Race. Who will be the next & who should s/he/they be?

[H2O Man]

17. Recommended.

It is interesting to consider who, if anyone else, enters the Democratic Party’s primaries. There is unfortunately a very good chance that no serious challenge will be made, now that Hillary Clinton has announced her candidacy. That’s not good for the Democratic Party, for Hillary Clinton, or for the grass roots.

Our party deserves to have a choice between, at very least, two candidates who represent different views on important issues. It would be foolish to imagine that any one person could possibly represent everyone’s values and beliefs. Having the opportunity to identify the candidate that most closely represents our individual values and beliefs is important.

Even if, for example, Ms. Clinton were to get 75% of the primary votes -- or even more -- it still gives voice to the others. In a healthy primary contest, those in the minority will feel connected to the eventual winner’s campaign. This gives roots to their being part of the general election. (In an example of unhealthy dynamics, we saw numerous supporters of a losing primary candidate refuse to support the 2008 candidate.)

Being the lone candidate in the primaries will obviously assure Ms. Clinton the nomination, but it will deny her the opportunity to engage in an important part of a good campaign: the debates. While she is a capable debater, like literally everyone else, she does better when she is engaged in a series of on-going debates.

It is that type of competition, in which people have choices, that would increase the possibility and likelihood of those who are not already firmly in her camp, to be active in the campaign for the general election. A robust Democratic Party depends upon more than people pulling the lever on Election Day -- much more. And while Hillary Clinton might well win the election without the active support of most of the base, she would be in a superior position with that wider support.

It may be that the machine tosses in a punching bag, to create the illusion of a contest. Or, some who hope Clinton will stumble may make an opportunist’s run. But, hopefully, a serious choice will step up to the plate. If not, I hope that various grass roots folks will run “write in” campaigns in their area during the primaries, so that the liberal-progressive wing has at least a whisper, if not a voice.

It’s a giggle to see some in the DU community posting that Clinton is a liberal. On social issues, she is -- and these are definitely important. But on economic issue and foreign policy -- both equally important -- she is in no sense “liberal.” It just goes to show how people tend to project their own being upon a public figure.