I was wondering why every other democrat just let Hilary run. I was petitioning Elizabeth Warren. I like Bernie and am glad he is running. Is the party just letting Hilary have it, or are they waiting for Bernie to actually change the conversation about socialism? I know it is more complicated than that, but I am more radical than a democrat. NPR has not touched on this, while I was listening.
Prior to the invention of the Internet, no one gave the first fuck about the presidential race until January of the election year. Yeah, there was all sorts of bullshit but the only people who cared were the political operatives. Then you hit the New Hampshire primary and all of a sudden there's a race. Then shit got expensive. Bill Clinton and Bob Dole spent less than $100m combined in the 1996 election. Meg Whitman spent $178m not becoming the governor of California in 2012. And while the Koch brothers and their ilk are sort of spending money all over (and all the Republican field is busy courting them), nobody is piling gazillions of dollars into a democratic run. Also keep in mind: run for president on the Republican ticket, get to be a Fox News commentator. Think of it as an investment. MSNBC? Yeah, the coattails don't count for nearly as much. Seriously, though - don't pay any attention to any of this shit until after New Year's at the earliest. It just don't fuckin' matter. Herman Cain? Seriously?
I loved him. There were commentators at the time yelling at the top of their lungs that he was on a book tour; he wasn't actually running for president, as evidenced by the fact that he hadn't set up campaign offices almost anywhere. But the media machine kept eating it up, and 999 became a thing of glory.Herman Cain? Seriously?
I think one of the biggest fears (for the party) after the 2008 Democratic primary was that Democrats would be worn from the primary debates and not show up for the general election. Maybe the party feels it's better to let Hillary take the nomination instead of making a big fight that draws out candidates' worst qualities.
Since that's how it happened in 2012 when it seemed as if every eligible Republican was running, I wouldn't be surprised if it happened again next year.
There are a few other minor democrats running - Martin O'Malley and Jim somethingortheother but it seems like the Democrats are wary of the party splitting more than it has, I think - we're seeing a major revolt from the progressive wing against the more centrist Dems, and I think people are willing to just let Hilary and Bernie have the conversation as opposed to having an all out brawl during the primaries.
So there is still tons of time for new people to run. I have never liked Hilary. I would love for Bernie to win, but the general election might much harder. I am signed up to volunteer for Bernie, just to change the conversation. Hopefully someone comes in from the middle later on. What I worry about with that, is I don't know what kind of motivations and backing they have. We could be offered up someone worse than Hilary, who just says a few Bernie like lines. This just makes me want to help Bernie more.
I don't mind Hilary. She has improved - it has meant inconsistencies, but I can forgive inconsistencies because I'd like to think all of us change our opinions. It is clear that she is doing so in some respect because of the way the winds are blowing but to be honest I'll take any Democrat over any Republican that is in the field at the moment just because they'll get to appoint a Supreme Court Justice (or maybe even 2-3 depending on who retires/dies) and that will be very, very critical - we need liberal judges, as far as I see it.
It's possible the other potential runners are waiting it out to see what Hilary and Bernie get burned or praised for, as well as seeing how much of a mess the republican candidates become.