OK, I'm switching to Warren.

[LAS14]

My main criterion for choosing a primary candidate is that they are capable of inspiring people to action (namely voting). I have sometimes called this "charisma," but that's a little bit of a stretch with Warren. What she does have in spades* is passion combined with intelligence. The passion inspires, but the intelligence may be what draws centrists to her where Sanders never could. Her command of her very well thought out plans is, for me anyway, inspiring on its own.

Every time I hear her speak I think, "Yeah, we could actually do that!" A great answer to the question of how we calculate wealth in he interview after the debate. "They have teams of money managers. They figure this out all the time for loans." (Or words to that effect.)

So what tipped me to switch was the positive media response. Maybe she can keep her momentum. Until she doesn't, she's my pick.

[gibraltar72]

1. Welcome aboard.

I just say she's a fighter and whip smart.

[ehrnst]

2. She has the plans. She has the respect of her peers. (nt)

[KPN]

21. And she is a teacher ... she has a great ability to actually explain problems and solutions in a way

that makes good sense and reaches people. She relates the problems and solutions to people.

[ehrnst]

22. Indeed. I think that's why she has so much influence.

from 2015:

Warren's real power lies in her outsized influence, not just for a freshman senator, but for virtually any elected official in Washington. Her pen may not have touched many pieces of legislation that made their way to Obama's desk since her election in 2012, but her fingerprints are all over them.

Warren would be a strong spokeswoman for the party in Congress or outside of it; she spurred creation of a federal agency—the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau— without the title of "senator" in front of her name. But allies say Warren's best tool is her seat at the committee table in the Senate. Through hearings on the Senate Banking Committee in particular, Warren's questioning and persistence has lead to rules changes at various federal agencies without needing to get legislation through a Republican-controlled Congress. Most notably, Warren successfully pushed the SEC to require banks to admit wrongdoing in negotiating many settlements.

Even critics acknowledge that Warren's influence, particularly over federal agencies and her Democratic colleagues, goes beyond her fairly brief record of legislative accomplishment.

"She's both at the same time highly ineffective and influential—and I know that sounds inconsistent but it's not," one senior financial services executive, a Warren critic, said. "She has no legislative accomplishment other than to derail a few [nominees], which is easy to do. But to her credit, she is highly influential. Members of the House Democratic Caucus and Senate Democratic Caucus "¦ are really looking over their shoulders."

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/05/is-elizabeth-warren-an-effective-senator/449349/

[KPN]

24. Yup. She's my front-runner right now. Though I'm still open to several others.

[blm]

29. That is why I see her winning over the working class voter - plain, honest

explanations of economic policy. Financial industry has always counted on working class NOT understanding economic policy debates. Warren cuts through all that like hot knife in butter, and the financial elites know it.

[Doreen]

37. I like the fact that she does not talk to everyone like they

all understand all of those legal words and at the same time does not talk like everyone is stupid.

[KPN]

45. Well put -- exactly.

[gldstwmn]

41. President Clinton was also excellent at this.

It's part of what made him connect with people so well.

[jcgoldie]

3. Yeah her post debate interview with Tweetie...

She nailed it. She needs more than 45 second bites to discuss her plans on just about anything so a "debate" with 9 other bickering candidates is definitely not her best situation. Nonetheless she played the game and communicated her enthusiasm. Her wealth tax answer after the debate with Tweety was awesome vintage Warren.

[ehrnst]

8. You will never hear, "I'm not going to speculate on that now," or "Well, that's a problem

and it's something that should be dealt with, but let me just say (changes topic)" from Liz.

[DarthDem]

51. Great Point

I think you're right; she doesn't use that age-old pivot.

[CanonRay]

4. Talked to a guy at the dog park

whose son is a VP for Wells Fargo. He said the son is scared shitless of Warren wining. I told him if I worked for Wells Fargo I'd be scared shitless too.

[theaocp]

6. I want to relish in the fear of the finance industry, but can't.

I'm just over the fear of our populace. Everybody is afraid of something. This guy doesn't want to lose ANY power. It's possible to actually live peacefully when we share better. Hell, he'd even feel better instead of cowering all the time in his bubble.

[lagomorph777]

16. I would imagine a Wells Fargo VP is unemployable anywhere else.

But probably has a giant stack of cash so, I'm not shedding any tears for him.

[oldsoftie]

53. I dont know; banks have VPs like Trump has bad hair days. A TON of them.

Sometimes people are "promoted" to a VP slot, but no pay raise comes with it. But you get a title!
I dont know of any other industry that pulls this like the banks do

[yardwork]

18. Shame on him for raising his son with such lousy values.

[KPN]

46. Ouch!

[Funtatlaguy]

31. This actually worries me. I love Warren but fear that

the banking industry would do ANYTHING to stop her.

[DENVERPOPS]

33. I don't know why he would be worried.

The top 100 Execs at Wells Fargo should be in Prison for life for committing one major fraud after another. The get fined 1/100th of the profits they made, no jail time and then go right out and do it over and over. A lot of them were done when Obama was in office.
Same with Walgreens, over and over again massive frauds. The make profits of like 6 Billion on fraud, fined 60 million. They laugh that the fine is even tax deductible and go right out and do it over and over. No longer the USA, it's been the UFA for some time and massively getting worse Under Trump and Republican Senate.......(United Fascists of America)

[gldstwmn]

42. They get sued about every other day and have very deep pockets.

As a former employee I once received a settlement from them for a suit I didn't know I was involved in in the first place. Everyone from that time that I worked there seemed to have gotten one. John Stumpf conducted some very shady business and the threat of being fired if you didn't open up account s was very real. Fortunately I didn't work for that division but I can't say my experience was great. They're big on intimidation and don't mind discrimination either. They have people from all walks of life working for them and if they suddenly become a target for any reason they are happy to discriminate. They paid well and the benefits were good but the stress was simply not worth it.
EW saw Stump for exactly who/what he was and she went right after him.

[sugarmommom]

5. debate : "2 of 10 Democrats raised their hands to say they'd abolish private insurance

Democratic Primary debate 6/26/19: "2 of 10 Democrats raised their hands to say they’d abolish private insurance" for Medicare for All

[rurallib]

7. Welcome to DU , sugarmommom. Which two raised their hands?

Thanks in advance.
Hope you enjoy DU.

[jcgoldie]

9. Warren and de Blasio

[DENVERPOPS]

34. People are truly ignorant on Medicare in it's reality.

Sure you paid in and get Medicare A for free. But then you get hammered in the cost of part B, then you really really get hammered for part C, and throw in the ludicrous price for part D. You buy BCD from private insurance companies so they make out like bandits.
I pay nearly 400 a month for BCD. and ABC & D don't even cover all the medical bills........

[KPN]

47. Part B is actually a great deal -- $135 per month

to cover 80% of all medical service/care costs not incurred as an in-patient at a hospital. That’s pretty darned reasonable given what those costs can add up to. And we’ll eventually — hopefully soon, rope in prescription drug costs which should ultimately lead to lower premiumsp on Part D.

Also, why would you even participate in Part C if you already pay a premium for Part B? Part C is the alternative to Parts A and B; it’s the Medicare Advantage program provided completely through private insurance companies. It’s redundant to pay for Part B and Medicare Advantage. Can a person even do that?

I’ d suggest you take a look at Part B, Part D and supplemental insurance to cover deductibles and out-of-pocket copays, etc.

In sum, Medicare is a great deal financially unless you’re used to paying no premiums for high quality health insurance whatsoever, I.e., your employer paid 100% of the premium and you had very low deductibles, coinsurance, copays (i.e., out of pockets).

[LovingA2andMI]

10. YAY!!! Welcome Aboard!

A great group to be within.

[Amimnoch]

11. I've switched to undecided.

I still think that Beto is tactically the best choice we could make given the strong Senate candidate we have in MJ Hegar, and I do still think that him on the national ticket with her Senate run could very well Texas two-step us into flipping Texas for a clear shot at the POTUS without even worrying about flipping the traditional battleground states AND give us a Senate seat.. BUT his performance last night really left me questioning if he can go the distance in this national race.

[FakeNoose]

26. I like Beto, and I think he's the future

... along with Mayor Pete, Amy K., Kamala and a few others.

Beto is an extreme long shot for this/next year though. He needs to tighten his delivery and work on a few things but I believe he'll be ready in a few years.

[marylandblue]

12. I count her passion as a form of charisma. People pay attention to it.

I'm not big on Medicare for All though. Other than that, I like her, I may reluctantly switch from Buttigieg because I don't think he can win any AAs.

[RKP5637]

13. Yep, I think she's very inspiring too!!! "Passion combined with intelligence." n/t

[Irishxs]

14. She's spent a lot of time figuring out her plans. She gives loads more

specifics, than the other contenders. I’m all in for Warren!

[lagomorph777]

15. Welcome aboard!

I like her firm moral foundation. I also like how she always goes straight to the numbers and crucial "how-to" details, short-circuiting BS such as a "Free Stuff" meme that the right likes to trot out.

[B Stieg]

17. Hear you!

and welcome!

[llmart]

19. Don't forget she has the experience in how government operates.

We've seen what a debacle no political experience can be.

[zentrum]

20. Love Warren but

....must say that Castro and Inslee grew in my estimation too.

Beto fell.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

25. I still lean towards Warren, but I do like Sanders.

And Castro has now caught my attention.
Thought these debates would help me decide, but I'm still not sure. Whoever wins will have my vote. This yellow dog will always be Blue!

[watoos]

23. Warren and Bernie

should have stuck with the term Single payer health care instead of shifting to Medicare for all. They thought that Medicare for all would be better to understand and be more popular. Changing the name was a mistake.

If we push for single payer health care people with employer provided health plans won't lose anything, everyone gains, including them.

Also I feel the public option plan pushed by some will be too easy to dump which will leave us in the same situation we are in now.

Warren and Bernie should have stuck with the argument that the US is the only industrialized nation to not have some form of single payer health care.

[Politicub]

27. "I've got a plan!" - Warren/Harris 2020!!

Harris and Warren together will be an unbeatable ticket. Under no circumstance can I picture them losing.

I'm more than ready to see the patriarchy start to fall away. Why not start now... in the wake of the King of Misogynists failed term?

There are pockets of sexism in our country (and other places where I would not expect to see sexism, I'm sad to say). But there's more fairness among our base than not.

[musette_sf]

32. I'm thinking this is a good ticket too

[warmfeet]

38. I would love to see that ticket.

[DarthDem]

28. From Whom?

Who'd you switch away from?

[LAS14]

36. Well, Buttigieg, but really Inslee. I want Inslee because I think...

... he's got gravitas AND the right focus. I proclaimed Buttigieg because I really, really like his intelligence and straightforwardness, and I wanted him to make a showing, at least on DU. But, as I said in my OP, the main criterion is the ability to inspire people to action. I'd hoped Inslee would catch on better, but I am way reassured by the way Warren has been putting climate change right at the top of her list of things that need to be addressed.

[DarthDem]

50. Nice. Thanks for Responding

I agree with you that Warren is really, really tackling climate change in an incredibly positive way. Glad you're impressed by her. She's doing a great job with her campaign so far.

[debsy]

30. I'm for Warren. I'm for Harris.

I've been back and forth as my choice here. I don't really care which way they wind up on the ticket but my dream ticket is for both of them to be on it in either position.

[mwb970]

35. There is going to be a lot of this.

[LeftTurn3623]

39. I switched to Warren also!

There are several other candidates I like also (actually all of them in some way) but every time I hear her talk the more I like her. You can hear the passion in her voice. I believe her when she says she will fight for us.

[gldstwmn]

40. She's a great candidate.

[TryLogic]

43. Elizabeth is one of the candidates I trust the most.

[betsuni]

44. Me too.

[Capt. America]

48. I would be more than happy with Warren or Pete.

[Ferrets are Cool]

49. My first choice all along. nt

[JenniferJuniper]

52. I've not been able to shake the feeling she'll be the nominee

And it's not just because I've always been a supporter.