NYT ltte: Run a governor, not a Senator, for president in 2020

[Awsi Dooger]

22. Decline in governorship numbers really damaged our bench

Our bench is touted here but it is not nearly as strong as it should be or needs to be. Naturally nobody will want to accept that. It is the same thing on sports sites where everybody cherishes their own players and has an inflated value of them. Above average players are touted as Pro Bowl caliber.

The reason Hillary was able to cruise from 2008 to 2016 and have few challengers in 2016 was that our bench had dwindled to such pathetic degree, due to losing so many governors. You could already see the weak bench in 2008, which is why I was arguing that if Hillary and Obama were going to be nominated back to back then Hillary had to go first and not second.

If our governorship numbers and prospects had been strong, I never would have assumed that the 2008 loser would automatically elevate in 2016. But given our realities it seemed inevitable.

Losing the Florida governorship so frequently has been the greatest jolt. That job should be ideal to groom a presidential nominee. The state is only 1-2 points red at instinct so a favorite son/daughter would easily put it over the top.

Given a choice I would prefer governor over senator far more often than not. The reference point among 100 is simply too easy for the opposition. The votes are identical, unlike governors from state to state. Video clips everywhere. If we nominate from among the most liberal among 100 then it's going to quickly enter the national dialog and stay there. When Beto is labeled a socialist by Cruz and Gillum/Nelson labeled socialists by DeSantis and Scott then you can just imagine how a "most liberal senator" will be twisted and placed on defense throughout.

Charisma tops job titles. When somebody stands well above there it is necessary to adjust. But that is rare. I love helpful strategic systems to provide a needed boost. The New York Times is correct to spotlight this one. Happy Adjusters who flaunt subjectivity everywhere and denounce systems will own the most inept record of all.