Hypothetical 2016 primaries: Hillary Clinton vs. Julian Castro...who would you vote for?

[Ashleyshubby]

Clinton is very popular among Americans as Secretary of State. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57429515-503544/hillary-clinton-from-divisive-to-mostly-beloved/

Castro is the young mayor of the #1 local economy in the U.S. (San Antonio). http://bestcities.milkeninstitute.org/

If these two politicians decide to run for Democratic presidential candidates, who would you vote for, if any?

[trumad]

1. Hillary

Next question please.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Since Clinton has said repeatedly that she's not interested

in pursuing elected office again, this is a meaningless question. And she'll be pushing 70 by then anyhow.

[Ashleyshubby]

5. She will be a few months younger than Reagan

...Reagan was almost 70 when first elected. He was even re-elected.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

11. I'm not sure I'd use Reagan as a good example...

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

13. Yup. And Reagan had Alzheimers

long before anybody knew about it. Reagan is not a good example.

I'm not saying 70 is necessarily too old in all cases. But it's a tough, stressful job, and (speaking as an oldish person myself) you need a lot of stamina for it. I know I couldn't hold up at my age.

[Ashleyshubby]

19. Your Alzheimers claim is debatable

One Reagan son (Ron) said his dad had signs of Alzheimer, while the other did not believe Ron's claim.

More importantly, even the son that believes Reagan showed signs of Alzheimer is against your view that candidates who do have Alzheimer's should be judged based on their disease:

Ron said:

"Does this delegitimize his presidency? Only to the extent that President Kennedy's Addison's disease or Lincoln's clinical depression undermine theirs. Better, it seems to me, to judge our presidents by what they actually accomplish than what hidden factors may be weighing on them."

Plus...Reagan's doctors "have maintained that he developed the disease after his presidency?

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/01/reagan-sons-argue-over-alzheimers-disease/1#.UEPcYyKs-3Y

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

21. Do you *want* a President who's suffering from Alzheimer's?

I just don't think that would be a good idea. And it's not at all comparable to Kennedy's Addison's disease, which does not involve cognitive impairment - something I guess I'd prefer my president to not have. That's not to say that anyone over 70 should be presumed to have Alzheimers, but the older you get the more likely that (and other cognitive difficulty) becomes, unfortunately.

[Ashleyshubby]

25. Clinical Depression undermines cognitive skills

Please talk about Lincoln.

Note that your Alzheimer's assertion has now turned into a hypothetical, since the evidence is scant.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

30. We were talking about Hillary Clinton, who isn't going to run in 2016.

So the whole discussion is kind of pointless, and I'm not going to waste any more time on it.

[loyalsister]

35. Why would anyone, other than someone with serious narcissitic issues, run for office at 68?

I think someone running for office beyond an age most look toward as a satisfying retirement age must think they are specially selected for the purpose by God or something.

Most people want to retire by their early 60s. I would think with her record she is probably pretty tired and ready to spend some time without the kind of obligations the presidency demands. She has already said she doesn't want to be SOS during Obama's 2nd term.

Whomever the nominee is, I think it should be someone who can be president and fulfill a post presidential self defined public service role similar to Clinton and Carter.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

45. Konrad Adenauer Ran Post War Germany At 87

.

[OregonBlue]

36. Why in the hell are we even talking out this and why is Ahsleyshabby defending Reagan?

We have an election to win. Why would we debating whether we'd rather have a candidate with Alzheimer's or clinical depression.

Gosh folks, Reagan was a nightmare. Who cares what he had or didn't have.

[hedgehog]

3. Julian

[Drunken Irishman]

4. Unless Castro can seek a higher office than mayor between now & 2016, I'd go with Hillary...

Nominating a mayor, even of a sizable city as SA (though, in terms of importance, one that is probably behind Austin, Houston & Dallas in its own state), would almost certainly hand the Republicans the White House. He needs to be governor or senator, or at least a congressperson - not a mayor.

[Ashleyshubby]

7. Let's distinguish a mayor vs. a kick-ass mayor.

It makes a difference.

[WooWooWoo]

10. could Castro

win the governorship in texas?

[Drunken Irishman]

12. I don't think it does, tho...

He might be awesome, and he probably is, but a mayor is still a mayor. On experience, he would be at a serious disadvantage.

[nolabear]

6. Hillary. w/o a doubt. I supported her before.

[graham4anything]

8. Hillary for President, Deval Patrick or Charlie Crist for veep

Castro would make a great choice for Governor to oust Perry

A woman has got to be the 45th.It is due time

and Hillary has now earned it. (those that know me, know I was NOT a fan of her being president in 2008, but with her loyalty came experience and respect and now my complete devotion.

I do think a ticket of Hillary/Crist would be electoral vote wise, a good winning ticket

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

17. Hillary. Doesn't. Want. It.

She's said so over and over. She will not be running for anything in 2016, no matter how badly her fans want her to do it.

I'm not dissing her; I think she's been a good secretary of state, and I guess I'd pick her over some obscure young mayor. If she were to run. Which she won't.

[graham4anything]

43. either you are being funny or not realistic-OF COURSE she wants it and is running

she is legally NOT allowed to say or do anything to endorse or be a candidate while SOS

it would be unseemly while she is on "active duty"
(same holds for anyone in either party).

And why would she announce in 2012 her intentions.
If you recall she had no desire to be senator either before she ran.

As for those that say she is tired and old, well, that is pure sexism

Hillary is the only sure candidate who can win, as she would have won using almost the exact same strategy in 2008 Obama did, had he not been in the race.

In scheme of things, it is better she is after his 8 years, because her terms will be easier.

She has said she is leaving SOS after the term is up, and does not have to officially announce til 2014 and there really is NO competition, and if Obama strongly supports her, she can easily win with the same voters he wins with in 2016 and 2020.

And why do you think Bill Clinton is working so hard for Obama? It is in his interest to now, so Obama supports her in 2016(which he most likely would do anyhow. Biden is not a serious choice, but he may keep some others out.

The MD governor lost my vote with his anti-Obama words the other day.
And I am not a fan of Andrew Cuomo, because of his "vote for Mario Cuomo not the homo" whisper campaign when his father ran vs. Ed Koch for governor years ago, and also because something kept Mario from running (something in the closet??? That same something will appear if Andrew runs, and Andrew has done some things I do not agree with.)

So my vote is with a winner, Hillary (and I say winner even though 2008). Hillary is the single most qualified candidate for 2016 in either party male or female.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

44. Just curious... Why is referring to someone pushing 70

as possibly "tired and old," sexism? Men get tired and old, too. Speaking as a woman who is almost exactly Hillary Clinton's age, I am not as sharp or as energetic as I was 20 years ago, or even 10 years ago. When you get to a certain age you start to wear out a bit; that's just reality. And it applies to both men and women.

Hillary won't run. I would be willing to bet on it.

[graham4anything]

46. remember Golda Meir?

70 is yesterdays 40
and she comes from good genes, her mom was still strong near the end.

what counts is qualifications, and Hillary passes every test now (and again, I was NOT a fan of hers in 2008 as anyone who knows my posts elsewhere can attest to).

(now, Ron Paul looks and acts senile or smoking too much funny cigs, but that is another story.)
She won me over being the best SOS ever.

and I would rather her than say Paul Ryan who is in his 40s and acts like he is 200 years old wanting to go back to the 1800s and the wild wild west

and as Dick Cheney proved, age and health really no longer matter as long is one is upfront about their health. (NOT a fan of his politics by any means, but do admire his overcoming his handicaps healthwise throughout his whole life)

and Golda Meir died at age 80 (and today might have lived longer with new technology and all), and was I think 71 when she took broke all barriers and took office, and I think Golda is the #1 analogy to Hillary
and an highly effective and admired world leader still thought of kindly to this day.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

52. The exception that proves the rule.

Some people do quite well as they age. Many do not. There's a reason airline pilots are required to retire at age 65.

[graham4anything]

53. and there is one Sully ..experience and age is not a bad thing

and as I am getting older and older, this tossing out the old is not a good thing.

age isn't everything and well, we are just talking about Hillary here.

For the record book, Hillary should be President 45. It really would not be fair if she wasn't the first woman president, and well, Elizabeth Warren is not any younger and she can't prove to win Mass. at this point(the most liberal state), let alone the 270 needed.
And if one lets the republicans nominate a woman first, it would lose many votes, and quite honestly, the democrats do not have any stronger candidate who can definitely beat, say Jeb Bush in 2016.
Joe Biden IMHO is NOT a serious candidate to win, and it has nothing to do with his age, I would say Hillary/Biden would be acceptable to me.
And there really is not an eligible male candidate 1/2 as strong as Hillary in 2016 (unless say michelle Obama runs, or Barack Obama can run a third term.)

If there is a question of age after 4 years, then another Democrat can run and win in 2020.

But look at how many miles Hillary went as SOS, and then at night she still goes out and all. She makes it seem like she is 40 not in her 60s.

What was the #1 thing the repubs have used against Obama(wrongly of course, but its been done)
and that is that he is too young.
Therefore, being a little older and with a vast resume could only help Hillary not hurt her.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

54. Hillary won't run.

Whether it has to do with her age or a desire to get out of public office - maybe she'd just like to kick back and enjoy life. But she won't run, no matter how badly her disappointed fans and PUMAs from '08 want that to happen. Count on it.

[graham4anything]

56. yes she will, being President makes you immortal

take it to the bank.
the best thing she can do for Chelsea is have herself have the title Mrs. President

one other thing-
being president makes you immortal throughout time in the USA and the world.
(from 1st to the 44th, from the best to the worst, all 43(one went twice) different presidents are name wise, immortal.

being vice president makes you just a step underneath

being first lady or SOS and decades from now, one is forgotten.

Being the FIRST at anything makes you doubly remembered
(Just ask the family of Jackie Robinson, whom President Obama is much alike).

Thousands came after, but every single person knows who Jackie Robinson is

don't think Hillary does not want to be in the history books President Hillary Rodham Clinton 45

It would be in tribute to her mother let alone herself and her daughter and everyone else.

(again, in 2008 I wrote some very anti-Hillary stuff, but she won my vote and loyalty since then.)

[NYC Liberal]

63. Though I disagree that her running is a sure thing, I agree that her denial means little.

Nobody is going to announce their candidacy 4 years before the next election, before the current one has even happened. That's silly.

She will step down as SoS in 2013 (whether Obama wins or not). Then there's about a year and a half until she'd have to make a decision. I'm sure running for president is not even on her mind now given how busy she is in her current job. However, a year and a half is a long time to rest. A year and a half of being idle with nothing to do (compared to 20 continuous years of being first lady, senator, and SoS of course) will get her thinking about it. She will consider it. Maybe in the end she won't do it, but she will think about it. And I think there's a good possibility she will.

[Kahuna]

9. Hillary. nt

[Whisp]

14. Fidel Castro

[Ashleyshubby]

16. Well, no lack-of-experience disadvantage there lol n/t

[madinmaryland]

15. I plan on voting for Martin O'Malley in 2016. nt

[Ashleyshubby]

18. Just looked into O'malley's background

I like what I read.

[DURHAM D]

20. Yawn

We need to concentrate on 2012.

[WI_DEM]

22. being mayor is not enough experience to run for president (I felt that same away about Rudy)

He should use the visability of the DNC to run for Governor or Senator and then we'll talk.

[marmar]

23. This Hillary 2016 chimera needs to be let go......

....... it's not going to happen.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

55. I second the motion.

I am really tired of the unending resurrection of Hillary '08. She's been a good SoS; if Obama keeps her on for his second term that would be fine with me. But she is NOT going to be the nominee in '12.

[Ishoutandscream2]

24. I like Hillary, and confess I don't know much about Castro

By the way, are there some DUers who would back a Texan? I thought ya'll hated us.

[Walk away]

32. I confess that Texas is not my cup of tea but....

anyone who can manage to be a Progressive Democrat and have a political career in Texas must be pretty special. The same goes for any Texas liberal although it seems like a difficult place to live unless you think that the Founding Fathers were the guys who dreamed up the NRA.

[Ishoutandscream2]

38. You figured it out. It is very difficult

But we're trying!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

26. One Clinton as prez was too many.

[kenny blankenship]

27. In 2008 I chose an unknown over Hillary Clinton

Just because it hasn't worked out well doesn't mean I wouldn't do it again.

[MrSlayer]

28. Hillary. Being mayor isn't enough qualification.

Particularly next to Hillary Clinton who could be President right now, could have been President ten years ago.

[CK_John]

29. Sen Gillibrand NY will be running and Hillary not. Is Castro old enough.

[SheilaT]

31. Who in the world is Julian Castro?

Although I suppose the fact that I do not already know who he is simply underscores what I keep on having to say here frequently that four years out we almost NEVER can guess who is going to be running, let alone who will be nominated, especially on the Democratic side.

[PragmaticLiberal]

33. Julian Castro is projected by many to be next star of the Democratic Party.

And possibly a presidential candidate in the future.



I'm biased but personally, I believe Martin O'Malley will be the next Democratic President.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

37. Dunno - never heard of him.

But then, before 2004 I'd never heard of Barack Obama, either.

[SheilaT]

40. Bingo.

On both counts (never heard of Castro, hadn't heard of Obama either).

In any case, I am totally driven crazy by this DU obsession with figuring out who is going to run four or even eight years down the road.

Relax, everyone. Let's work on getting Obama re-elected, a Democratic House and Senate, strengthening Medicare, Social Security, and getting universal health care like every other civilized nation on this planet. Then, in about three years we'll start thinking about who should run next.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

41. My sentiments exactly.

And I am especially tired of hearing all this silliness about Hillary '16. She's NOT going to run.

[Doctor_J]

34. I would choose HRC between those two, but hoping for O'Malley/Castro

Lib/con, White/Hispanic, NE/SW, Seasoned/young, Blue State/Red State...

[Motown_Johnny]

39. I'm not sure but I still have a problem with Snipergate

You can't tell a lie like that and expect to ever become Commander-In-Chief.

I would support her if it was our best chance of holding the White House but I would not be enthusiastic about it.

[tnvoter]

42. if jeb is on the GOP ticket,

then, I'd vote for Clinton.

if the bushes don't run, then i don't think the clintons should either.

[davidpdx]

47. Neither, it's too damn early to think about that

[avebury]

48. Martin O'Malley with Julian Castro has VP nod

[Orangepeel]

49. I'd like to at least hear the man talk before I consider him for president

I really don't think Hillary will run. But I think Martin O'Malley will, so he's my choice.

[sufrommich]

50. If Hillary runs in 2016, I'll be voting for her

no matter who else is running in the primaries.

[ananda]

51. Julian Castro

nt

[LynneSin]

57. I would go with Clinton and hope she picks Castro as her VP

He's still a bit young and lack of experience to be President but I think he would make an amazing president.

His biggest issue is living in a state where it will be very tough for him to win a statewide election (Senator or Governor) but hopefully he can get a representative seat.

[IcyPeas]

58. never heard of Julian Castro until this week.

so my vote would go to Hillary Clinton

[craigmatic]

59. Castro wouldn't get enough support statewide but I could see him in cabinet or on ticket.

I'd vote for Hillary if nobody better runs.

[JNelson6563]

60. Hillary.

Experience matters.

[AtomicKitten]

61. Forward ---> Julian Castro.

[NYC Liberal]

62. Hillary with Castro as VP. This would be perfect and would set us up potentially for 16 years.

Castro is 37. He's young. He'd be a lock for the nomination after 8 years as VP under Hillary.

If not Hillary than perhaps Deval Patrick. Same scenario.