I don't care about plans, policies, or who can beat Trump...

[TreasonousBastard]

All of that is important, but the President's job isn't simply to get elected or come up with great plans.

The President's primary job is to set the tone and then listen to all the bluster, waves and currents and talking heads and find a path through all of the disagreements and foolishness to get something done. Successful Presidents had some sort of a vision, and knew how to get it to work.

Not one "plan" from any of the candidates has the snowball's chance in hell to make it out alive. If presented as proposed now, the cud will be bounced around through a lot more than four stomachs as it makes its way through Congress, the press, and the public. Odds are half of these great plans won't even get that far.

And, I still say fuck the polls and the "base"-- Trump can be beaten by roadkill. That dead possum has a damn good chance with a decent campaign.

Forget the side arguments-- who can best move the nation forward and out of these dark times?

[left-of-center2012]

1. "Trump can be beaten by roadkill"

I think that attitude will lose us the election.

Of course,
in my humble opinion.

[Cha]

15. I think you're right.. and I want

the candidate who Can Beat the squatter.

[Demsrule86]

2. Trump will not be easy to beat. And assuming otherwise is a mistake

[Turin_C3PO]

3. I think he'll be easier to beat this time

as opposed to 2016. For instance, here in New Mexico, he’s less popular than before and will likely continue to lose ground. If that happens in other swing states, he’s toast. Plus we might win Arizona, North Carolina, Georgia, and even Texas if the stars align right (for instance, if the economy goes south).

That’s not to say we should take him lightly. Every Democrat needs to work hard, donate, bring others to the polls to ensure a win.

[Demsrule86]

4. Hillary won New Mexico...and I think it depends on the candidate...Biden can win...not so sure

anyone else can. Immigration is a big issue in Ohio where I live and in other states as well...Some of the other candidates who support decriminalization of border crossings will have a tough time in the general...and all of them said provide health care for undocumented folks which I agree with but will not play well here in Ohio. Biden said later he feels everyone should have access to care but not be able to enroll in the ACA or Medicaid...so I don't know what that means exactly...there are people in states who have no insurance ...so this will hurt those who support this in a general...primary has been terrible in terms of the general election and some of the extreme positions taken by our candidates which will not be easy to walk back.

[Turin_C3PO]

5. Right now, Biden is our best bet.

I think other candidates will poll well against Trump also as they become more widely known. Like I said, it’s not so much policy that wins over voters but broad themes and personal connection/empathy. That’s where Joe shines. I think Elizabeth would do well in this regard also. And there still is plenty of time for them to walk back some of those answers to the gotcha questions that the moderator asked.

[dsc]

6. Ohio is a dead letter at this point

I grew up and lived in Ohio through my 30's. I am now in NC. We have a vastly better chance of winning here than there, I think we are at best 40/60 here in terms of chance to win. It breaks my heart but Ohio's rural voters have gone full out racist and I don't them ever coming back.

[Demsrule86]

13. Actually Trump policies have hurt us...and Obama was popular here...if anyone can do it Biden can.

[Indygram]

14. Trump will only lose Texas if Beto is the nominee

If Beto is the nominee then not only does he beat Trump but he helps MJ Hegar beat Cornyn and expands on all the gains he delivered in 2018.

Beto already has a statewide ARMY of volunteers who have already been out canvassing and working hard since the day he announced. They will work their tails off if Beto is the nominee and they will be able to expand support and bring in even more new voters because they believe in and trust Beto. They aren't going to do that for anyone else.

Republicans know this too. Trump's worst nightmare is Beto being the nominee because he will have to pump so much money into trying to hold Texas that it will leave other areas vulnerable.

[Act_of_Reparation]

7. You're kidding, right?

This is like the FBI of tone policing.

[oasis]

8. Biden/Klobuchar would work for me. nt

[mtnsnake]

9. "Trump can be beaten by roadkill"

I couldn't agree more, and I'm sure that's the reason why we have over 20 candidates running. Everyone and their brother knows that whoever wins the Democratic Primary is all but guaranteed to beat this asshole who has already proven in his first couple years to be the worst president in history.

The only reason so many people think Trump will be hard to beat is because the media is trying to brainwash everyone into thinking this will be a horse race. It won't even be close in 2020. Hell, if we can't beat Trump in 2020 then we are totally fucked as a Party because there will never again be as easy an election to win as this one. I'm not saying we should be overconfident or any of that, but my god, the only way we could lose this one is we'd practically have to try to lose it.

[wyldwolf]

10. who is this base you speak of?

[peggysue2]

11. Sorry, this ain't going to be a cakewalk

As despicable as Donald Trump is he will be an incumbent with all the advantages that incumbents possess--staggering resources, the ability to flood the airways and social media with his disinformation and a base (and supine party) who seems to enjoy the never-ending chaos and most certainly hungers for the never-ending power. Consequently, we need to WIN first to get anything moving forward and second REPAIR what's been broken, which is the basic machinery of government.

Yes, I would like to believe that Trump could be defeated by roadkill or a ham sandwich. But we shouldn't kid ourselves. 2020 is going to be an ugly, ugly fight. We need the best candidate who can win, repair and right the Ship of State before we plan any pleasure cruises. And once our nominee is in place? We need all hands on deck. No pouting or whining or threatening 3rd party support/staying home. We don't have the luxury for any of that. Because we'll either get this right or we'll sink to the bottom of the deep, blue sea. All of us. No second chances.

[ooky]

12. I understand what you are saying, but I care very much about who can beat Trump.

Its my number one concern, by a lot, because if we don't beat Trump everything else is out the window.