For Jay Inslee, a methodical buildup to a long 2020 campaign

[Skidmore]

https://www.columbian.com/news/2019/apr/17/for-jay-inslee-a-methodical-buildup-to-a-long-2020-campaign/

By BILL BARROW, Associated Press

Published: April 17, 2019, 3:57 PM

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. — Sit down in New Hampshire for a leading liberal podcast. Tour flood damage in Iowa. Feed some sheep, shoot some hoops, drink local beer in South Carolina. And along the way, hammer home a pledge to combat climate change and “make Donald Trump a blip in history.”

That’s the deliberate, sometimes understated approach for Washington Gov. Jay Inslee as the 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful navigates the shadows of rivals who have bigger crowds, better name identification and heftier campaign accounts. But the 68-year-old Inslee, who boasts decades of electoral success, doesn’t apologize for his methodical plan with climate action as his calling card. He insists it’s both an existential necessity for the nation and a political necessity for him.

“We have the right strategy, which is to identify a unique mission statement first,” Inslee told The Associated Press at the conclusion of his recent three-state campaign swing, his first extended trip since his March 1 campaign launch. “We wanted to do that and get that flag firmly planted. We’re still planting it.”

The political calculus is simple enough. Despite more than a decade in Congress and six years in the governor’s mansion, Inslee remains a little-known politician from the Pacific Northwest, away from the media glare and donor base of the East Coast. So he needs something more to get attention alongside the likes of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an icon of the progressive movement; Kamala Harris, a California senator with 40 million constituents; or even another underdog like Pete Buttigieg, the 37-year-old mayor of South Bend, Indiana, who’s become a sensation in the early months of the campaign....

[KT2000]

1. that is one reason

I like him. He is a long range thinker. He and Ferguson have protected Washington from some of the worst of trump. That was not done with rhetoric but knowledge of how to use the system to work for change. No bombast - just work.

Russia, China, and others are long range planners. The US has been operating by the seat of the pants, i.e., corporate profits on a 30 day schedule meant to enrich shareholders only. Meanwhile even our roads and bridges are falling apart. Inslee gets it.

[pnwmom]

2. I can see Kamala and Jay as a good team, in either order.

We are lucky to have several excellent candidates this time around.

[Skidmore]

5. Good possible match up.

I can see her as half of several tickets.

[pnwmom]

6. Me, too! n/t

[Hortensis]

3. Gov. Inslee WILL be on the debate stages.

I'm very happy about that.

He's a good, competent liberal governor with a critically important message and I believe would make a good president. Ball will be in his court, but if he can rouse the nation to demand climate action of its government, that alone could be almost as effective a contribution as going on to become president himself.

[LAS14]

9. Is this loyal conviction or has he actually gathered his 65,000 donations from 20 states? nt

[Cha]

4. Kick for Gov Inslee!

[BlueWI]

7. Go Inslee!

The combination of a strong administrative record on many issues, an ability to speak plainly and passionately, and his climate stance will stand out in the debates.

[sprinkleeninow]

8. Deliberate and steady as he goes! 😍 eom

[BlueStater]

10. I'm very relieved he was able to make the cut for the debates.

No one knows who he is now, but that will change. He's a successful, progressive governor with a message that will resonate with voters.

[LAS14]

11. Thanks for this article! I've been waiting for Inslee...

... to have another bump. He gained a DU percentage point after (what I think was) his first national appearance. I think it was on Rachel. I had hoped he'd get another point after his CNN town hall, but it didn't happen. I figured we'd have to wait for the debates. Does anyone know if he's met the 65,000 donors from 20 states bench mark?

[Persondem]

13. Inslee will be in the debates thanks to his polling numbers but near as

... I can tell he has not made the donor threshold ...

The article below is a couple of weeks old and seems to say as much ... but it is a couple of weeks old.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-do-democratic-candidates-need-to-make-the-first-2020-debates


I am hoping he does well in the debates and starts to gain some momentum. Still a long way to go.

[LAS14]

14. It looks like he's crossed the donor threshold as well.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/128770687

[LAS14]

12. Kicking for visibility. nt