Long-shot Dems see little downside in running for president

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Tim Ryan. John Delaney. Eric Swalwell.

Their names don't spark the same nods of recognition as former Vice President Joe Biden or Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), but these are three of the 24 Democrats running for president. Each is polling at less than 1 percent — and they're hardly alone.

Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock and Sen. Michael Bennet (Colo.) also have national polling averages under 1 percent, according to RealClearPolitics.

So do two candidates with arguably more national name recognition. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio's polling average is 0.3 percent, just behind Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's (N.Y.) 0.4 percent.

All of these candidates, along with a few others in the crowded race, are decided long shots to win the nomination. But all stand to benefit from a race that will bring attention even to those candidates pulling in relatively few votes.

“There are candidates who are running to win, and there are candidates who are running to raise their profile,” said Chris Kofinis, who served as a senior adviser to the presidential campaigns of Wesley Clarke in 2004 and John Edwards in 2008.

The long-shot candidates say they don’t see themselves that way. They see a wide-open race for the Democratic nomination, arguing that if the front-runners falter, they have as good a shot as anyone at catching fire. With the unpredictability of Trump-era politics, they say it can pay just to have your name in the mix.

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/446219-longshot-dems-see-little-downside-running-for-president

[Salviati]

1. I see little downside...

... as long as they don't complain when they inevitably get eliminated from the debates. You'll get a chance to have your voice heard, to make an impression on people, and if you don't strike a chord with people after a reasonable amount of time, you should bow out with grace and dignity. I don't think that should happen until the 3rd debate, but by that point the field should start to be culled a little bit.

[murielm99]

2. I can agree with that.

It is fine for long shot candidates to be in it. Mayor Pete was never supposed to stand a chance. Look at all the support he is getting!

It is nice for us to have a chance to get to know all of them. Many will have a good future in our party.

[mtnsnake]

3. Intersting article although once the "long shots" get a chance in the debates, everything can change

For example, I think someone like Swalwell could catch fire once people get to know more of him. I also think Mayor Pete, even though he is no longer a "long shot," could challenge for the lead. Once we're heavily into the debates, the polls might change drastically from what they are now. I think most of the candidates are in it to win simply because they think they can beat Trump better than than anyone else. I enjoyed the article, though. Thanks for posting it.

[TeamPooka]

4. They are selfishly wasting their party's voter's time.