The early potential challengers to incumbent Donald Trump in 2020 appear less exciting than you’d expect from the Democratic Party. There are the usual retreads who have been down this path before; former three-time presidential hopeful Joe Biden and once-around-the-block socialist Bernie Sanders.
These two former wannabes are joined in July 2018 by first-time hopefuls: rookie Sen. Kamala Harris of California, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.
And then there are a handful of Democratic governors wading into the early stages of the 2020 presidential contest. They may not be nationally recognizable, but that is more reason to start early.
It is not the sort of lineup that will bring the enthusiasm the party desperately seeks. Should these people become the standard five vying for the nomination, it is not inconceivable that three-time presidential challenger Hillary Clinton could win the standard-bearer prize at the Democratic National Convention two years from next month.
And why not? With a field of five candidates all vying for limited campaign dollars, Clinton already has a sizable war chest of cash, important connections and her beloved Clinton charitable foundation to work from. No other candidate mentioned, or possible ones to come, have anywhere near the political and financial resources of the former secretary of state.
There are possible new challengers waiting in the wings with their fingers testing the political winds. They include popular state governors Steve Bullock of Montana, John Hickenlooper of Colorado, and Jay Inslee of Washington. All three expressed mild interest at the idea at the National Governors Association meeting in New Mexico last week.
But declaring one’s candidacy and having the massive monetary resources to be a serious contender are two very different issues. Each of these potential nominees must promote a national following outside their home state notoriety. All three have visited Iowa where the first real caucus vote takes place in early 2020.
The shadow of Donald Trump and his growing popularity are never far from the minds of these governors. Two of the three govern states where the president lost in the general election. Only Montana’s Bullock is running where Trump overwhelmingly won. Bullock promotes it publicly as a badge of honor telling reporters at the New Mexico meeting, “I'm the only Democrat that got re-elected in a statewide race where the President won."
Colorado Governor Hickenlooper has sought out the advice of none other than former presidential candidate and Colorado Senator Gary Hart. He uses the regal “we” in discussing “their” strategy explaining, "We haven't come to any conclusions. It is obviously a unique time in America …”
Meanwhile, Governor Inslee of Washington State has the most ambitious plan. That includes a visit to the four states that have primaries first: Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada. He’ll do so before the midterms this November. Inslee is the chairman of the Democratic Governors Association.
No doubt many scenarios are possible between July 2018 and the convention two years away. But these three relatively unknown governors understand the uphill struggle. They face better known politicians including Hillary Clinton. They are well aware that the seed of all presidential campaigns is the almighty dollar.
For these three candidates, the prize may realistically be the slot of vice-presidential candidate with their higher aspirations possible in the year 2028. They are young enough to wait for their day in the sun. But along with the monetary aspect comes the urgent need for name recognition outside of your state — the faster the better.
Dwight L. Schwab, Jr. is an award-winning national political and foreign affairs columnist and published author. He has spent over 35 years in the publishing industry. His long-running articles include many years at Examiner.com and currently Newsblaze.com. Dwight is an author of two highly acclaimed books, "Redistribution of Common Sense - Selected Commentaries on the Obama Administration 2009-2014" and "The Game Changer - America's Most Stunning Election in History." He is a native of Portland, Oregon, a journalism graduate from the University of Oregon, and a resident of the SF Bay Area. To read more of his reports — Click Here Now.
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