In the latest Political WorldView podcast, regulars Adam Quinn and Scott Lucas of the University of Birmingham look over a crowded field of Democrats running for the US Presidency in 2020.
We consider the 11 hopefuls who have already declared, and those likely to join them. We consider the issues in play, amid the wild card of an erratic Donald Trump in office, and whether it is time to get beyond the superficial presentation of “left” v. “center”.
Once you have Trump who on his best days approaches “batshit crazy”, and when he’s on his very bad days has everything in turmoil, that’s an opportunity.
Just as Trump has introduced ideas that would have been beyond the frame of Republican politics only a few years ago, initiatives such as “Medicare for All”, meaningful gun control law, or taxing the very wealthy are here for consideration.
Scott, Your assessment of presidential candidate runner Tulsi Gabbard, please.
Rich,
Thanks. Gabbard is marginal at this point and likely to remain so. While she has some social media — both “anti-imperialist” Left and hard-right activists push her (as do Russian State outlets) — she has little resonance on domestic issues.
Her strongest points in debates, such as US withdrawal from Afghanistan, are likely to be low on priority list for voters. In unlikely event that foreign policy takes precedence (say, with a US-Iran war), she is divisive because of her backing of Assad regime in Syria.
S.