Who cares about merit? Voters don't He's a face of the operation guy like Obama , the question is will democrats allow someone competent like warren to call shots behind the scenes. that will be the difference between success and mediocrity
There's zero chance the Dems end up with a ticket with 2 white men on it - not after women and minorities supplied all the energy and were the face of the resistance the last few years. Not saying it's right or wrong, but that's just how it is.
I think they'd be a good ticket as well, but I don't think we'll see it. I'll be shocked if there isn't a woman at the top or as VP. We may end up with a Biden/Harris ticket, or Harris/Beto. There's an excellent chance someone unexpected will win the nod, though. Have no idea who might, but I like John Delaney. He doesn't look the part at all, but he has some good ideas. I saw him do a CNN town hall and was impressed. Beto could go all the way. We'll see.
I get it, and you may be right. But, I wonder whether the energy and very progressive views of some of the freshman Congresswomen will push some voters away who want to be done with Trump but don't want to embrace social democracy or however it is being branded/portrayed. Biden will be comforting for those who view themselves as moderate and still be considered a big improvement over Trump to the more progressive. Beto could also help with the more progressive voters who may view him as the next one up after Biden. But, who knows?
I found it notable that in the first week, Beto has finally come out and said that he is not for Medicare or good national healthcare for all. He has been extremely slippery on the subject. Apparently emphasizing welfare like medicaid plans for the poor or minor adjustments to Obamacare, which only those who don't have it truly love, is the new litmus test for corporate Dems.
True but at least he’s talking about the reality vs aspiration. There’s no way there are or will be the votes in the next 8 years for Medicare for all. However there are the votes to secure the ACA, expand Medicare, and potentially add the public option that Beto talks about. Republicans are weird and like climate change, they can make health partisan issue like they have with science. Then nothing gets done. And FYI... if a Corey Booker or Kamala Harris wins they’d likely take the same route even though they are campaigning for Medicare for all. Only one I can think of who is stubborn enough to lose the opportunity to expand healthcare might be Bernie, but I do find Bernie himself can be practical when he needs to be. His online hard core followers though.... that’s another story which I’m sure you know all about. But the truth is without a supermajority the Dems can’t pass Medicare for all. They can however get the Beto public option super quick and shore up the ACA market for years to come so at least that system is functioning the way where it will be much harder for a Republican in the future to gut our healthcare system.
I like both Bernie and Biden but they are so old. Assuming a 2nd presidency, they will be 85 to 87 years old by the end of their second term, way over the average life span for a male. Another thing, why the insistency by some dems that the potus must be a female or person of color? If that end up being the choice, good for party, but the insistence by some progressives that the next potus must be a female or person of color will definitely give an opening for a 2nd Trump victory. That kinda of talk causes fissures within the party. Let the best person win!
We have a lot of progressive democrats making headlines, but I don't really think the bulk of the Democratic voters are quite there that they want to take these socialist measures. Thus the high polls for a guy like Biden. The usual formula is to go left in the primary and run back to the middle for the general election. But I really wonder if we have some candidates who are going too far left for the primary. Democratic primary voters might get uncomfortable with the socialist solutions and/or be concerned about the electability of someone too far left. If I'm right on that, Beto might be occupying the right space to be nominally progressive but conservative enough (and, frankly, white and male enough) to make the bulk of voters feel safe. Kinda agree. One, you'd like it to be a meritocracy. Two, running as a female in a general election is a handicap and being a minority is another. But, elections are not meritocracies. And, better or worse, the Democrat identity is wrapped up in America's diversity. If they don't bear fruit for diversity, they look like a sham. They can run white males sometimes, but only 30% of the party and the country is white male. (At the same time, after the conservatives lost their minds over a black president and elected a white nationalist president, I worry what the reaction will be if we foist a Kamala Harris on them next. Things may be more peaceful with a toothless white male liberal in office for a bit. Conservatives in turn should be worried about all the socialists they unleashed among the Democrats by electing Trump and should maybe be more careful next time too.)
Some good and interesting points; and a very good post. But I had to comment on this: The left is opposed to the philosophy of meritocracy.
I bet ol Beto has plenty of skeletons in the closet that will start coming out, regardless if he is elected the right can start endless investigations and accusations and even make **** up if need be. The precedent has been set, it’s going to be great. Oh and don’t think other world leaders aren’t licking their chops thinking about the cake walk in store with this big ol puss in charge.
One of my wife's best friends went to high school with him in El Paso. She told her that (back then at least) he was a "total idiot" and she thought it was hilarious that he was doing so well in the congressional race. (She's a democrat btw). He is an amazing speaker and ran a super energetic campaign and won over a lot of smart folks and a lot of young voters (but he was running against a very unlikable human...wait he would be in the presidential election) but if what she says is true then it may be a stretch making it to the White House (unless your last name was Bush)
Google news feed headlines that stand out: The Unbearable Male Privilege of Beto O’Rourke In Beto O’Rourke’s Announcement, His Wife’s Silence Stands Out Want to learn a liberal dog whistle? Mediocre White Male
This is nonsensical. Everything from support for public education vs private school, to state-funded universities, to an estate tax is about trying to create equal opportunities as opposed to rewarding privilege and successful parents. You may disagree with their methods, but it's the very definition of pushing a meritocracy. Both parties have policies that are pro- and anti- meritocracy. And of course, this ignores that being a meritocracy has it's own pitfalls for society: http://time.com/magazine/us/5280431/may-28th-2018-vol-191-no-20-u-s Basically, the US was one of the world's greatest meritocracies over the last century - with a lot of unintended consequences.
