Only senators?

[question everything]

Until 2008, the last senator elected president was JFK.

The ideas has been that a governor, an executive would be the best to get on the new job. And these were the ones - from both parties - that were elected. Also two former V.P.s: Nixon and papa Bush.

Now, as I am looking at the wish list on these pages, they are all sitting senators. And Biden.

Have our criteria changed? Taking into account, of course, that our pool of Democratic governors have shrunk..

Just wondering.

[brush]

1. The pool of Dem govs just increased by 7 in the election.

Certain senators get more national exposure than governors so they have that advantage.

[unblock]

2. Lbj was a senator and although he became president when jfk died, he was elected outright in 1964.

The senate has often been described as a chamber of 100 presidential hopefuls. One of the reasons it can be difficult to get anything done there is because every senator frets about how everything will play for or against a future presidential run.

An exaggeration, of course, but enough truth in it to be informative.

These days it seems more about image than anything. That can come through the senate, a governorship, or other celebrity.

[question everything]

4. Indeed. And this was one reason why Kennedy and Daschle urged Obama to run

the other reason was to block Hillary. And, as it happened, as soon as Obama entered the Senate he realize that this was not what he wanted to do. And, yes, after Kerry's "voted for it before voting against it" they were looking for a card blanche.

And... welcome to DU. What a wonderful addition you will be.

[rurallib]

5. I am not following the horse race on the media yet. One governor I like is Jay Inslee

of Washington. Geez, his state just passed gun restrictions!

[question everything]

6. Yes, he has been a good leader. Was the first, I think, to challenge travel ban

and other farts from Whiny Donny. The question will be whether he is interested.

[rurallib]

7. His record on climate is among the best

That is where I started hearing of him.
Believe he was once a congress critter.

[oberliner]

8. Perhaps because almost all of the Democratic governors are white men?

[question everything]

9. Groan. Back to identiy politics?

Is this how we now select our representatives?

Not white? - check

Not man? - check

Not Christian? - check

Gay? - check

Well run state or business, honesty and integrity, knowledge of issues, respect for others - no, no, no.

We want someone off the street, who can spout one liners with no knowledge or understanding of the meaning. Oh, but it gets headlines, even gets votes, and adoration on sites like this one.

With this approach, I have my doubts about retaining the House in 2020, or the White House.

[oberliner]

11. No, back to at least making an effort to find a qualified candidate who isn't a white man

I promise that some exist.

[marylandblue]

10. Following the Obama example are two short term Senators

Harris and Booker. With relatively short Senate careers, there are fewer points of attack. Long stays in Washington are bad for Presidential aspirations, as Kerry, McCain and Clinton found out.