If not Obama, then what kind of Democrat does this nation need?

[kentuck]

I am not asking what kind of Democrat can "win", I am asking what kind of Democrat does this nation need? How would his/her message be different from Obama? Would he/she be more of a class warrior? Would he/she just come out and demand more from the wealthiest? What kind of solutions would he/she propose that could win the support of the majority of Americans? Can a populist never win? Should they always be looking for "compromise" with the extremists on the right? What kind of leader does this nation need?

[KoKo]

1. Anyone who can get vetted by "The System" as it is these days

in both parties is probably not anyone who could be considered a "Populist." By the time they get to be considered a candidate they have compromised away anything that could be Populist. And, they have to be attractive and charismatic to charm the electorate. If you don't look and sound good on TV you aren't going to get very far.

Don't know about you Kentuck...but I thought it was the Humble Peanut Farmer from Georgia. Then I thought it was "The Man From Hope, Arkansas. Then I had some hope for "OBAMA from HOPE & CHANGE."

Along the way, I've liked Mondale, Gary Hart, George McGovern, Al Gore, Howard Dean and Dennis Kucinich. I never liked LBJ...because of the WAR...but on Social Programs he was incredible...in hindsight. (and especially compared to those who came after him)

So...you see. Not likely.

[Cleita]

4. That's why I like our California Lt. Governor, Gavin Newsom, for this reason,

yet he is far more populist than what passes muster these days. His charisma and good looks, I'm sure, can overcome that little flaw. Also as mayor of San Francisco and present day second banana to the Governor he has acquired executive skills and experience that Senators don't have because everything they do is political.

[KoKo]

12. Well...sounds good.

As an East Coaster don't know much about him. But, hopefully he will get a shot in 2016. Lt. Governor sounds good.

[Cleita]

13. I don't know if anyone in our party would consider running him.

But they should. He would win.

[gaspee]

2. Elizabeth Warren n/t

[Cleita]

3. Seconded. n/t

[KoKo]

8. We are looking for Spine and Guts. But, we don't know everything

about her that we would need to know for her to be a candidate that would pass through "THE SYSTEM." She needs WAR CREDS....given the times we live in. We see her Fire and Guts and Intelligence. But, for 2016 it would be too soon to know, imho. I'm so glad to have her in the Senate that I'd hate to see her have to start campaigning in two years. We'd lose her voice and she'd have to start collecting money...and we all know by now...where that money is likely to come from. I'd like to see her replace Harry Reid for sure. When is he ever going to leave!

[AndyA]

11. Agreed--team up with Alan Grayson for VP

Or Bernie Sanders.

[Whisp]

15. I think she is the only one capable of carrying Obama's good work forward.

Until I hear of others who share her passions, of course, (I can't think of anyone even close, but there is lots of time to discover treasures that were overlooked before) but right now she is keeping the warrior stance that is so needed.

[Benton D Struckcheon]

17. Like, yesterday n/t

[quinnox]

5. How about a liberal Democrat who instead of wanting to cut social security, wants to increase it?

I guess I must be a "professional leftist" or on the extreme fringe or something, because I don't think social security and other programs for the poor and vulnerable should be cut, but that they should be increased instead.

[Cleita]

20. Unfortunately, look what they do to Dennis Kucinich.

They also did a great disservice to Jerry Brown when he ran and Howard Dean. We need a really wily campaign organization that can meet the Rovian style machine an eye for an eye, in order to do that. Where are our stars in campaign strategy?

[Raven]

6. I'll take somebody who keeps their word. n/t

[Raven]

9. Let me explain. I don't think the CCPI

will do me irreparable damage but the fact that POB gave his word he wouldn't touch that aspect of SS and then went back on his word really bothers me. I am really tired of getting emails from all of these Obama/Dem organizations looking for $ and giving no explanation of why this President broke his promise. No more $ from me and I have no faith that anything POB says is worth the breath.

[Cleita]

21. It will do a lot of seniors irreparable damage though.

I wish it weren't so.

[KoKo]

10. Nailed It...that would be a good start. Still we don't know

until they get in the White House, unless there's a good fact checking record of them before they get in there. That hasn't been the case for awhile now. MSM and PTB seem to keep that kind of thing under the desk.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. One who knows how to say "No" to Repugs and can find his veto pen.

[Aristus]

14. Good start. But let's give him/her a Congress that won't specialize in obstruction for its own sake.

No more staying home on Election Day in off-years in a paroxysm of pout-rage refusing to elect progressive leaders.

Turnout is a must.

[kentuck]

16. You can't force people to the polls...

You have to inspire them to the polls. Oh, if we could just get all the Democrats to vote....

[Cleita]

18. There is some country, Australia I believe, that fines you if you don't vote.

I never liked the idea but now I'm starting to warm to thinking about something like that. It would also stop this rush to disenfranchise voters that the Republicans started like long lines, and other jumping through hoops in poor and democratic neighborhoods.

[HughBeaumont]

19. Sherrod Brown.

While not 100% perfect, he's always been a champion for labor and the social safety net. If you can win your elections by wide margins twice in generally conservative Ohio, you must be doing something right.