RAINY DAY NIGHTMARE
WHERE ARE THE DEMOCRATS WHO'LL RUN AGAINST TRUMP IN 2020?
July 24, 2017
IT'S BEEN ONE of those rainy summer days when all you want to do is curl into a tight little ball on the couch and wait out the storm, which is something that probably only Cat and I can do, given how we don’t have regular jobs.
It’s only nice up to a point, speaking for myself, since Cat doesn’t say much about what he's thinking.
And thinking is the bigger problem on a day with nothing to do, because I inevitably end up ruminating about Trump.
Predictable, you say. But if you are reading this blog, predictable is kind of your own fault. I mean, it is called On Trump’s Trail – where do you expect it to lead?
But lately, that’s not where my mind has been. The majority of my brain, given its limits since it's that of a simple, sweet dog, is about 86.7 percent occupied by Democrats.
Democrats are not only keeping me awake at night, they are doing it as well as on a rainy day.
IT'S BEEN ONE of those rainy summer days when all you want to do is curl into a tight little ball on the couch and wait out the storm, which is something that probably only Cat and I can do, given how we don’t have regular jobs.
It’s only nice up to a point, speaking for myself, since Cat doesn’t say much about what he's thinking.
And thinking is the bigger problem on a day with nothing to do, because I inevitably end up ruminating about Trump.
Predictable, you say. But if you are reading this blog, predictable is kind of your own fault. I mean, it is called On Trump’s Trail – where do you expect it to lead?
But lately, that’s not where my mind has been. The majority of my brain, given its limits since it's that of a simple, sweet dog, is about 86.7 percent occupied by Democrats.
Democrats are not only keeping me awake at night, they are doing it as well as on a rainy day.
YOU SAY: Which ones, Phoebe? Which Democrats are you talking about?
And I say: Great question.
You persist: Who, Phoebe? Who are you talking about?
Indeed, I say to you: Who are the Democrats? Who are the leading contenders to run against Donald Trump in 2020?
Have you seen any lists of leading candidates? In normal times, there's an entire wing of the political press dedicated to who’s running for president, a process that starts, if not on Election Day, at least the day after.
But so far, I haven’t seen any lists.
Correction, I did see one. It was compiled for an opinion poll for the purpose of finding out how many potential voters had heard of the names on the list. Result: Not many.
So I turn the question to you: Can you name any Democrat who will make one heck of a candidate to run against Trump, and, once elected, will turn out to be a great president?
Stumped, or Trumped?
And I say: Great question.
You persist: Who, Phoebe? Who are you talking about?
Indeed, I say to you: Who are the Democrats? Who are the leading contenders to run against Donald Trump in 2020?
Have you seen any lists of leading candidates? In normal times, there's an entire wing of the political press dedicated to who’s running for president, a process that starts, if not on Election Day, at least the day after.
But so far, I haven’t seen any lists.
Correction, I did see one. It was compiled for an opinion poll for the purpose of finding out how many potential voters had heard of the names on the list. Result: Not many.
So I turn the question to you: Can you name any Democrat who will make one heck of a candidate to run against Trump, and, once elected, will turn out to be a great president?
Stumped, or Trumped?
WAIT, YOU'RE telling me: Bernie Sanders hasn’t ruled himself out. Same with Joe Biden. Those are guys, who in hindsight probably could have beaten Trump before the New Dark Ages began Nov. 8, 2016.
But in election year 2020, Bernie will be 79, and by the end of his first term, running for reelection, he’ll be 83. Joe is a year younger, as in 78, when the next election rolls around and 82 when the second term election would be scheduled.
But Phoebe, you say, that kind of talk makes me think you’re nothing but a disgusting ageist. Bad dog.
Wrong, Pal. I’m a realist. By the time those guys end their second term, Cat and I are likely to be reincarnated (Hopefully, not as Republicans).
And let’s take the case of Joe-the-Younger.
Joe’s abut the same age as the Nice One and the Grouchy One, two Humans whom Cat and I love dearly. But they go to bed at 10 o’clock, sometimes even 9 and then sleep ‘til god knows how long in the morning, and these days, the Grouchy One barely can get his kayak onto a car’s roof rack.
You say: the Grouchy One still goes kayaking, and he’s 75? Amazing.
I say: You think it’s wonderful that someone who’s 75 can barely paddle a kayak? Trust me, you don't want someone like that steering the Ship of State.
But in election year 2020, Bernie will be 79, and by the end of his first term, running for reelection, he’ll be 83. Joe is a year younger, as in 78, when the next election rolls around and 82 when the second term election would be scheduled.
But Phoebe, you say, that kind of talk makes me think you’re nothing but a disgusting ageist. Bad dog.
Wrong, Pal. I’m a realist. By the time those guys end their second term, Cat and I are likely to be reincarnated (Hopefully, not as Republicans).
And let’s take the case of Joe-the-Younger.
Joe’s abut the same age as the Nice One and the Grouchy One, two Humans whom Cat and I love dearly. But they go to bed at 10 o’clock, sometimes even 9 and then sleep ‘til god knows how long in the morning, and these days, the Grouchy One barely can get his kayak onto a car’s roof rack.
You say: the Grouchy One still goes kayaking, and he’s 75? Amazing.
I say: You think it’s wonderful that someone who’s 75 can barely paddle a kayak? Trust me, you don't want someone like that steering the Ship of State.
WHICH LEADS US back to the nightmare: Who are leading Democrats for 2020?
Who are household names? Who are the men, the women with genuine charisma?
Which ones have been mayors, governors, attorneys general or vice presidents, served in the House of Representatives or the Senate and otherwise demonstrated that they’ve learned a thing or two about how government works?
Who are the ones with enough relentless, over-the-top ambition and stamina to make it through the primaries and the general elections? Who are the Democrats beloved by both camera and microphone?
Which Democrats capable of rounding up the best ideas to save the environment, energize the economy, do battle with job-stealing robots, prevent nuclear war, fight bigotry, promote universal health care, champion democracy and choose right over wrong?
The Democrats on that list are?
Present your list of names, please. Any names? One name?
SO, YES IT'S a rainy day, the kind of day that makes a girl want to stretch out on her couch and forget about the bad weather and the terrible president.
But, instead, she lies awake, terrified by the more frightening nightmare, the recurring one about the Democrats falling, falling and falling, with no one to run against Donald Trump, no one in sight who will be a great president, the kind of president a country deserves and truly needs.
At least I can’t think of one.
Can you?
Who are household names? Who are the men, the women with genuine charisma?
Which ones have been mayors, governors, attorneys general or vice presidents, served in the House of Representatives or the Senate and otherwise demonstrated that they’ve learned a thing or two about how government works?
Who are the ones with enough relentless, over-the-top ambition and stamina to make it through the primaries and the general elections? Who are the Democrats beloved by both camera and microphone?
Which Democrats capable of rounding up the best ideas to save the environment, energize the economy, do battle with job-stealing robots, prevent nuclear war, fight bigotry, promote universal health care, champion democracy and choose right over wrong?
The Democrats on that list are?
Present your list of names, please. Any names? One name?
SO, YES IT'S a rainy day, the kind of day that makes a girl want to stretch out on her couch and forget about the bad weather and the terrible president.
But, instead, she lies awake, terrified by the more frightening nightmare, the recurring one about the Democrats falling, falling and falling, with no one to run against Donald Trump, no one in sight who will be a great president, the kind of president a country deserves and truly needs.
At least I can’t think of one.
Can you?
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