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Democratic hopefuls slowly lift veil on challenging Trump in 2020
WASHINGTON, Dec 2, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – As US President Donald Trump faces
intensifying scrutiny about possible connections to Russia, opposition
Democrats are looking to 2020, and who might challenge the controversial
leader for his job.
They have published new books and made repeat visits to early-voting states
— traditional steps towards a White House bid.
Several have publicly expressed interest in running. “I’m considering it,”
goes the refrain.
Others are keeping mum for now. But with the first primary votes 14 months
away, time is of the essence, and deciding late risks the best potential
advisors — and donors — aligning elsewhere.
Trump is clearly eager to take on challengers. “I dream about them,” he
said recently.
The potential 2020 Democratic field is vast — too vast, some strategists
worry. Meanwhile, some see it as a sign of party strength before waging
campaign war.
– The old guard –
Joe Biden: Riding his fame and gaining sympathy over his son’s death from
cancer, the former vice president handily leads 2020 polls. But after eight
years in the White House and a lengthy Senate career, Biden, 76, acknowledges
that age is a “legitimate” election issue.
Bernie Sanders: Hillary Clinton’s unexpectedly strong 2016 challenger has
signaled his 2020 interest. The 77-year-old liberal US senator said he is
studying whether he is the “best candidate” to beat Trump before launching a
campaign.
Clinton and John Kerry: Both former secretaries of state lost their
presidential bids, but they have delivered barely-cryptic messages about
possible returns to politics.
– The star of the moment –
Beto O’Rourke: This 46-year-old progressive Texas congressman is suddenly
the talk of the trail. While he lost his Senate race this month, O’Rourke
gained an intangible asset: name recognition.
He built a national grassroots structure that reached millions, inspired an
army of volunteers and won over independent voters — all critical for a
modern-day successful campaign.
The wave of enthusiasm for the former punk rocker did not crash with his
Senate defeat. Instead, he is routinely mentioned in 2020 analysis, and this
week O’Rourke opened the door by acknowledging he is thinking about a
presidential bid.
Some are not waiting for him to decide. A group called Draft Beto 2020,
founded by Democratic strategists, launched this week to draw support.
– The senators –
Sherrod Brown: Often removed from the political spotlight, Brown
acknowledged his presidential interest after the November 6 midterms.
MORE/MSY/0834 hrs
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His left-leaning policies on workers’ rights and international trade played
well in his Ohio, the quintessential Midwestern swing state where he
resoundingly won re-election. Trump took notice, accusing Brown of failing to
prevent the job cuts recently announced by General Motors.
Elizabeth Warren: The senator from Massachusetts still dodges questions
about 2020 but the mystery is fading. On Thursday she outlined her foreign
policy vision, and she regularly clashes with Trump on Twitter.
Cory Booker and Kamala Harris: The first-term Senate Democrats are popular
progressives. Each this year has visited Iowa, the state that votes first in
the nominations process, and other early voting states.
Harris and Booker, both of whom are black, are from California and New
Jersey respectively, coastal states often associated with progressive elites,
putting them at risk of a poor showing in heartland and southern states.
Senator Amy Klobuchar overwhelmingly won re-election in the Midwestern
state of Minnesota, placing her in good standing should she announce a run.
Other senators mulling bids include Oregon’s Jeff Merkley, New York’s
Kirsten Gillibrand, and Mark Warner of Virginia.
– The billionaires –
Michael Bloomberg: Like Trump, Bloomberg is a confident New York
billionaire. The ex-mayor has spent millions helping Democrats win in the
midterms.
But Trump brushed him aside as a serious 2020 candidate this week, saying
he would “love to run against Little Michael.”
Oprah Winfrey: The television queen has denied interest in running, but her
name keeps appearing on 2020 lists.
Financier-turned-environmental activist Tom Steyer, who has called for
Trump’s impeachment, is a potential candidate, as is Howard Schultz, the
former chief executive of Starbucks.
– The outsiders –
With no heir apparent, the Democratic nomination fight will be sprawling.
It could include governors like Montana’s Steve Bullock, congressmen such as
40-year-old Seth Moulton, and Obama-era officials like ex-housing secretary
Julian Castro — among others:
Michael Avenatti: The brash anti-Trump lawyer for porn star Stormy Daniels
is “seriously” interested in a White House bid.
Richard Ojeda: The West Virginia military veteran who pumps iron, supports
coal and once voted for Trump recently declared his candidacy.
John Delaney: The Maryland congressman became the first to announce his
presidential campaign, in 2017, and has visited all 99 Iowa counties. He
remains relatively unknown.
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