I think there's some truth to the "Democrats are worried" meme.

[DanTex]

I don't think it's a panic, but I don't think Clinton's campaign is going as well as some people hoped. The email thing, while substantively it amounts to nothing, seems like it's lingering. Personally I don't think the emails are going to become the next swift boat, but there's always a chance of some unforeseen problems in the future. On the other hand, one shouldn't make too much out of this. She's still beating all the Republicans in the polls, and Trump is making life more difficult for the GOP by the day. So, at this point, things are good for HRC.

The other thing is, the far left has it wrong about what the party insiders are worried about. They aren't worried about losing the primary, they're worried about losing the GE. And that's a good thing to be worried about, because the consequences would be disastrous (also, unlike the primary, losing the GE is a serious risk).

I think it would be a good thing to have some kind of legitimate backup candidate if Clinton somehow falters down the road, and I do think this is why we're starting to hear rumors of Gore and Biden. Right now, if Hillary falters in say 3-6 months, either we nominate Bernie and then lose to the GOP, or else there will be some scramble to find someone else who can win at a late date.

The problem is, what we don't want is for Gore and Hillary to beat each other up over the next 6 months. And if someone like Biden or Gore were to enter, they'd be doing it basically knowing that their role is that of a backup QB. I'm not sure they are interested in that.

I'd say wait for a few months, and see if the Clinton campaign hits any serious roadblocks. If not, then it's all eggs in the Hillary basket until the GE. And if there is a collapse, then sure it will be a little late, but not too late for someone else to step up. I think Gore could get up and running pretty quickly, based on his stature in the party.

[onehandle]

1. The 'email thing' is lingering because as insignificant as it is, it's all the Right has.

The Right in an alliance with Clinton haters on the left, that is.

Republicans are worried. That's why Hillary was mentioned 38 times during the Republican debate, and not a single other Democrat or potential Democrat.

Also, the campaign doesn't really start until late Fall. This is silly season.

[DanTex]

4. I agree with you. But still, I would feel better with a legitimate back-up for Hillary.

One of the reasons Hillary's profile is a bit low is that she's doing a lot of is fundraising. And that's a great thing to be doing right now. Like you say, it's early in the campaign. And also, she's got a huge lead in the primary, so she doesn't need to be out there doing rallies. The GE is going to require a lot of money, so doing a lot of fundraisers is a wise choice.

[onehandle]

10. Biden is the backup. You said it yourself yesterday, perfectly.

'At this point, for her to lose, it would probably have to be something cataclysmic, either a major scandal (which, despite the hopes of Bernistas, the email thing is definitely not), a health thing, or something like that. If that happens, I think that Biden would probably enter and win.'

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=515791

Maybe the 'rumor' about Biden is a wink to those with concerns such as you have stated.

I'm going to just come out and say this...

Obama made a deal with Hillary that she would be the Presidential nominee after him.

She isn't going anywhere, except the White House.

[DanTex]

19. Yes, I think Biden is currently the backup.

I would probably feel better with Gore than Biden, but I like both of them, and I guess it would be trickier for Gore to make a late entry than Biden, given that Gore has been out of the game for 15 years.

Obama made a deal with Hillary that she would be the Presidential nominee after him.

She isn't going anywhere, except the White House.

You're probably right about that. And Hillary with the Obama machine behind her is going to be formidable.

[Agschmid]

6. If the campaign doesn't start until the fall...

What have we been doing this entire time on DU?

[onehandle]

14. Gossiping and complaining.

It's what DU does best.

[Agschmid]

15. Yup.

[Agschmid]

2. If Trump runs 3rd party... Does it matter WHO we run?

It's an interesting dynamic to watch play out.

[DanTex]

5. If Trump runs as 3rd party, then I think we win no matter what.

Please, Trump, run. Do it for your country!

[Agschmid]

8. So if that happens does it make sense to run the most liberal candidate?

I think we can agree that candidate is *most* likely Bernie.

That's the real question.

Obviously considering my posting history here on DU my question has baggage, but I'm not even sure I have the answer. Even though I know what I would want to happen.

[DanTex]

16. Yes, and yes.

If Trump runs third party, or even if Trump wins the GOP nomination, at that point the calculus changes, and it makes sense to run the most liberal candidate. I've made it clear in my posts that I don't think Bernie can beat the GOP, but one exception to that is if Trump is the candidate. I think Bernie beats Trump.

Problem is, we won't know about Trump until it's probably too late to make a choice.

[Agschmid]

18. For me... It's yes and maybe.

Not sure I can explain it in a way that makes sense, but I think there is a chance it wouldn't work out the way we think it would, especially with him as a 3rd party.

It's still so early.

[DanTex]

23. I dunno, I hate to be overconfident, but I don't see any way that we lose to Trump.

He's basically offended every group of people out there, and he's just getting started. And as a third party, I don't see him taking many Dem votes.

Maybe I'm wrong, but if Trump either win the nomination or runs 3rd party, I'll be celebrating.

[DonCoquixote]

3. The problem is

That Hillary would normally be able to come out clear voiced and swinging, but once again, she is trying to go back to her old habit of trying to avoid giving clear, honest answers when the time comes for it. In this day and age, with the media setting Rome on fire for ratings, you cannot do a bit like Bill did and simply charm people into forgetting things. Whether it is the TPP, or email, or Ferguson, silence is every bit as Telling as the loudest scream.

What I am angry at is that 2008 should have taught her better.

[DanTex]

9. Well, there's a flip side to that.

Hillary can't afford to go all-out competing with Bernie for the left wing of the party during the primary, because doing so would cost her in the GE. I think laying low and doing fundraisers for now is a reasonable strategy. Despite the NH poll, she's still a huge favorite in the primaries, so her efforts should be focused on what is best for the GE. And winning the GE, among other things, requires money.

[DonCoquixote]

11. a flip side to THAT

It would be on thing is Jeb was still the front runner, but frankly, when you have Donald Trump as your main adversary, you can afford to throw a few blows.

[DanTex]

13. That's true. If Trump wins the Republican nomination, then I think the Dems win period, no matter

who we run. And if Trump runs third party, even more so.

I give Trump more of a chance than most pundits, but I still think in the end it's gonna be Jeb or Walker.

[Agschmid]

17. He won't win it, it's still so early.

But he will have a MAJOR impact on this election and the type of media questions that are asked.

[ericson00]

7. I think the "worries" are a foil for a Democratic establishment which has always been

tepid on the Clintons. They did throw them to the Whitewater sharks you know and ditched them in 2008, well enough of them. Did they not learn anything from the fact Clinton won twice? Oh yes they did, that it would be harder for them to run because the Clintons would be, bc they win.

[DanTex]

12. In 2008, Obama was the better candidate. The establishment stuck with Clinton in 2008 longer than

it should have in my opinion. Well after it was clear that Obama was going to end up with more delegates, there was still all that stuff about superdelegates, and whether they should count FL and MI, and so on.

What the establishment cares about most is winning.

[artislife]

25. The last days of her hanging on

Why don't people remember that, either?

It was a sad nail in the coffin.

[DanTex]

27. It was sad. The superdelegate drama. Trying to count FL and MI even though those

were officially excluded and Obama wasn't even on the ballot.

And boy, people were angry.

[Dawgs]

20. No.

And when he wins the nomination you'll find out how bad the GOP loses to him. It's going to happen and there's nothing you can do about it.

[ibegurpard]

21. I worry about Bernie in the General too

Not because I don't believe that he can't appeal to the general electorate but because people like you will be working actively to oppose him.

[DanTex]

22. You're kidding, right? I'm supporting whoever the Dem nominee is.

Not sure where you got any other idea. Maybe you've confused someone else for me.

[ibegurpard]

26. see the post below yours

[DanTex]

28. You said I would work against Bernie if he got the nomination. Where did you get that idea?

[NorthCarolina]

24. I'm not worried about him at all even though I am fully aware

that the establishment will be doing everything in their power to derail his campaign. Bernie connects with peoples hearts and minds and has an uplifting message based in truth and honesty. That is precisely the combination of factors that will win the election. The Democrats would do well to embrace him and his message as their own and run with it; of course that's not the direction the Dem establishment wants to go because it's counter to the cash for favors mentality that currently grips DC politics.

[rock]

29. As usual Dan, I think you're dead on

[RobertEarl]

30. It shows some reality, finally

This consideration that Hillary can fail and plan B needs to be considered is good to see coming from Dan.

But then a sharp departure from reality persists in the ignorance of the huge uprising of Bernie People. Even going so far as to dis the majority of DU which is all in for Bernie.

Such flopping around and blah blah blogging really is getting ugly.

Hillary should cash in and save us all a lot of grief.