Iowa’s primary caucus showed the way toward a smaller field of Democrat presidential candidates. Clearly Biden is in trouble. Arguably Warren is in trouble. Too early to tell, but the signs may be there.
New Hampshire’s primary offers more signals. Warren and Biden polled poorly. To say it was expected for Biden, and maybe Warren, is putting too soft a face on the facts. Both Biden and Warren are slipping away from the prize.
Stepping forward however, are Buttigieg and Klobuchar. Sanders was expected to win both Iowa and New Hampshire. Buttigieg was not expected to win Iowa, but he did, and he came in a close second in New Hampshire. Mayor Pete has earned the spotlight and now we watch for what comes by the end of March.
Meanwhile, Amy Klobuchar surprised everyone in New Hampshire as she surged forward following Buttigieg. Going into South Carolina we have Sanders, Buttigieg, Klobuchar, Warren and Biden. And pretty much in that order. If they come out of South Carolina with some jockeying of position but still in that five candidate grouping, I think we may have our final five going to the convention.
A lot of time remains before then, however, and we still have to calculate Bloomberg’s position in all of this. He may be the eight ball that opens the race among the remaining candidates.
Already Yang, Bennet and Duval Patrick have withdrawn from the race. The number of candidates is smaller and more focused.
My consistent position is that party elders need to form a ‘kitchen cabinet’ during the primaries to curry and mentor emerging leaders of the party. They should help the younger folk step forward to represent all of us but especially those under the age of 50.
Accordingly, I think Biden, Warren, Sanders, and yes, Bloomberg, should step aside to help Buttigieg and Klubuchar win strong positions prior to the nominating convention.
The face of America is changing. We are younger, less white, much more diverse, and a healthy mix of diverse opinions and values. Elected representatives should represent that diversity and fresh ideas for the future. We cannot do that with a gaggle of elders running the show, all white, and mostly male. It is time for new postures and personalities to match the times.
The elders have long experience in government, institutions and corporate life getting things accomplished. They ought to help make more accomplishments under the leadership of the younger generation coming into their own.
This is not ageism. Rather, it is wise use of our collective wisdom and know-how.
The phenomenon of trump is just that – a unique and limited anomalous interruption of history.
Democrats must be focused on defeating trump and help the nation find its new footing.
February 14, 2020
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