The 2016 Democratic Candidates

[souvlaki]

Trump will not run as a third party.

He may act crazy but he's not stupid.

He'll be one of the most hated people in the country if he hands the white house to Hillary.

We are talking about Donald Trump, right? I don't think he gives a damn about his reputation or what the Republican establishment. I wouldn't be surprised if running third party was always his end game.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Trump is attention ****e but I think he's bluffing about being a spoiler.

That's not just a controversial sound biet, that's changing the course of American history.

 

[Destructus86]

I will vote for whoever can prevent this:

http://bigthink.com/21st-century-spirituality/college-liberalism-and-the-destruction-of-free-speech

 

[childeroland]

How is a president supposed to do that?

 

[Mechanix]

I will vote for whoever can prevent this:

http://bigthink.com/21st-century-spirituality/college-liberalism-and-the-destruction-of-free-speech

I think you need to read the comments below that story.

Free speech does not equal freedom from backlash. It just means you won't get arrested. Man, I have no idea how often this needs to be pointed out before people understand.

 

[DeadPresident]

I think you need to read the comments below that story.

Free speech does not equal freedom from backlash. It just means you won't get arrested. Man, I have no idea how often this needs to be pointed out before people understand.

Using human history as an example, forever.

"Freedom of Speech means absolution from consequence" isn't ever going to go away, at least not in the minds of laymen.

 

[Marvolo]

Well the laymen need to actually read our first ammendment. It takes all of five seconds.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

It says nothing about being able to say whatever wherever without consequences.

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

This is 'Merica damn it, and I can do and say whatever the hells I want!

 

[summerteeth]

This is 'Merica damn it, and I can do and say whatever the hells I want!

I do think it's often confused, that being said...it is an important value to this country that makes it what it is and it seems the respect for that value seems to be eroding.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

I do think it's often confused, that being said...it is an important value to this country that makes it what it is and it seems the respect for that value seems to be eroding.

What value?

Free speech?

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Is it true that Bernie has no chance in the general?

 

[SV Fan]

Is it true that Bernie has no chance in the general?

Probably not. In order to win you need money and in order to get big money you need to not stand for What Bernie Sanders stands for.

 

[TheBat812]

His chances are low based on the way our system works, but I hate the attitude people have that they think he has no chance to win, so they vote for the 'safe vote' instead of the one they actually believe in. If millions are doing this, then yes it is having an impact and their conformity is perpetuating the problem.

 

[souvlaki]

He doesn't have a chance right now. His support mainly comes from progressive younger white men. Women, minorities and older democrats all overwhelmingly support Clinton. Many may back Sanders if he gets the nomination but his grassroots support is such a small percentage of the likely voter base he would lose in a landslide in the general election. If Democrats wanted to push a progressive candidate that not only stood a chance against Clinton but against a Republican challenger then Warren was the candidate. I'm not going to start with the "what could have been" b.s. but the second Warren decided not to run was the second Clinton basically won the primary. Warren was basically the Obama of this election cycle.

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

I do think it's often confused, that being said...it is an important value to this country that makes it what it is and it seems the respect for that value seems to be eroding.

As has already been pointed out the only thing that the constitution provides regarding free speech is that the Gov will not stop you from doing it. Not that anyone can say anything at any time free of consequence

 

[DeadPresident]

He doesn't have a chance right now. His support mainly comes from progressive younger white men. Women, minorities and older democrats all overwhelmingly support Clinton. Many may back Sanders if he gets the nomination but his grassroots support is such a small percentage of the likely voter base he would lose in a landslide in the general election. If Democrats wanted to push a progressive candidate that not only stood a chance against Clinton but against a Republican challenger then Warren was the candidate. I'm not going to start with the "what could have been" b.s. but the second Warren decided not to run was the second Clinton basically won the primary. Warren was basically the Obama of this election cycle.

That awkward moment when Bernie Sanders is talking about global sustainability and Clinton just ticks convenient demographic markers.

 

[BoredGuy]

Is it true that Bernie has no chance in the general?

If he somehow beats Clinton,
And Trump is somehow the Republican candidate,
then Bernie Sanders could easily win the Presidency

That said, the "socialism" thing hurts him among people who are less informed on politics; and like others have said, the money factor would be a huge disadvantage; Oh, and he looks like a cranky High School english teacher.

I don't entirely agree with Souvlaki, I think his popularity amongst other demographics can only go up due to his low exposure currently, and when people see them debate he could get a large boost over Ms. Wall-Street. Plus, he's currently drawing the largest crowds out of any candidate. However, he did fumble that #BLM thing pretty bad.

Idk, starting to wish O'Malley had more visibilty
He's closer to Bernie's progressive views than Hilary's corporatism, but he's much more electable
but that dude's got no chance

 

[Legendver2]

So I'm guessing Biden decided not to run huh. Been some time since we heard anything.

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

Still way to early to rule anyone out yet. Quite some time before Nov 2016

 

[OcStat]

He doesn't have a chance right now. His support mainly comes from progressive younger white men. Women, minorities and older democrats all overwhelmingly support Clinton. Many may back Sanders if he gets the nomination but his grassroots support is such a small percentage of the likely voter base he would lose in a landslide in the general election. If Democrats wanted to push a progressive candidate that not only stood a chance against Clinton but against a Republican challenger then Warren was the candidate. I'm not going to start with the "what could have been" b.s. but the second Warren decided not to run was the second Clinton basically won the primary. Warren was basically the Obama of this election cycle.

I was at Bernie's rally in Phoenix and the audience (10,000+) was not just young white men. Men and women from nearly every age group and ethnicity turning out in a primarily red state. I'm sure that is the case for his last several rallies that had more than twice that number, unless you have some demographic tally they put up that I missed. I believe the issue right now will be making sure all of those people actually turn out to vote as voter turnout is abysmal, especially here. I'm a Sanders supporter, so of course my point of view is a already shaped a bit, but I find it funny that people still believe he has no shot.

 

[TheBat812]

I was at Bernie's rally in Phoenix and the audience (10,000+) was not just young white men. Men and women from nearly every age group and ethnicity turning out in a primarily red state. I'm sure that is the case for his last several rallies that had more than twice that number, unless you have some demographic tally they put up that I missed. I believe the issue right now will be making sure all of those people actually turn out to vote as voter turnout is abysmal, especially here. I'm a Sanders supporter, so of course my point of view is a already shaped a bit, but I find it funny that people still believe he has no shot.

Pretty much. I think the perception that he must have no shot is just old school thinking. When people truly believe in a candidate rather than picking the 'best of two evils' as is usually the case, it can really make a difference, I just hope people put their money where their mouth is.

 

[Legendver2]

Pretty much. I think the perception that he must have no shot is just old school thinking. When people truly believe in a candidate rather than picking the 'best of two evils' as is usually the case, it can really make a difference, I just hope people put their money where their mouth is.

People thought Trump had no shot, look whats happening now, so it's still to soon to declare anyone out.

 

[hippie_hunter]

I think you need to read the comments below that story.

Free speech does not equal freedom from backlash. It just means you won't get arrested. Man, I have no idea how often this needs to be pointed out before people understand.

I fall on both sides of the fence on this. On one hand, you're absolutely right. Freedom of speech does not equal freedom from backlash. And when people like Phil Robertson or Paula Deen make outright hateful comments, they deserve all of the backlash they get.

But on the other hand, it's frustrating that a comedian such as George Carlin or television shows like All in the Family would not succeed in today's day and age due to hyper-sensitivity. Or just look at the recent controversy that comic book writer Fabian Nicieza got into because of the argument he got over Deadpool's sexuality even though he supports LGBT rights. Or how media companies are so afraid of backlash that they try to forget about racially insensitive portrayals in old media like Dukes of Hazzard or old cartoons.

Pushing the boundaries is a good thing. It allows us to see the issues at hand more clearly by making us feel a bit uncomfortable. Even though old media portrayals such as black face are totally wrong and racist, you can't just sweep them under the rug and pretend that they never happened. You look at it, you learn from it, and you absorb the lessons from it to move on.

 

[hippie_hunter]

I was at Bernie's rally in Phoenix and the audience (10,000+) was not just young white men. Men and women from nearly every age group and ethnicity turning out in a primarily red state. I'm sure that is the case for his last several rallies that had more than twice that number, unless you have some demographic tally they put up that I missed. I believe the issue right now will be making sure all of those people actually turn out to vote as voter turnout is abysmal, especially here. I'm a Sanders supporter, so of course my point of view is a already shaped a bit, but I find it funny that people still believe he has no shot.

Using your personal point of view is a terrible barometer to use to judge a political situation. If we used my personal point of view, Mitt Romney would have won 2012 in the biggest landslide ever.

Polls are showing that despite Sanders being the best candidate for blacks, Hillary still has a commanding lead over that particular demographic. For some reason that I cannot comprehend. And Biden sees blacks as his key to victory if he decides to run for the nomination. For some weird reason, Bernie just isn't gaining traction among blacks.

 

[hippie_hunter]

He doesn't have a chance right now. His support mainly comes from progressive younger white men. Women, minorities and older democrats all overwhelmingly support Clinton. Many may back Sanders if he gets the nomination but his grassroots support is such a small percentage of the likely voter base he would lose in a landslide in the general election. If Democrats wanted to push a progressive candidate that not only stood a chance against Clinton but against a Republican challenger then Warren was the candidate. I'm not going to start with the "what could have been" b.s. but the second Warren decided not to run was the second Clinton basically won the primary. Warren was basically the Obama of this election cycle.

Warren is not Obama. Obama is cool, charismatic, and most of all pragmatic. He may have terrible political skills, but he was a great campaigner and while he is clearly left, he still tries to find a pragmatic route to his goals.

Warren on the other hand, is the total opposite. She's consistently angry, spews out facts like she's a left-wing Ted Cruz, and the corporate world will do anything to stop her because she's alienated them waaaaaay too much. Even those who would support her policies say that she needs to tone down on the rhetoric because she hurts her own cause in the long run.

Warren would have been destroyed in the general election. Obama's rhetoric allowed him to win the purple states. Warren's rhetoric on the other hand, would not have.

And the funny thing is, I really think that Obama outright regrets and hates himself for jumpstarting Warren's political career. She's been a huge thorn in her side due to her baseless "I hate big corporations just because they're corporations" rhetoric and often holds the Democratic Party hostage the way Ted Cruz has done for the Republicans.