This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/cheer-up-democrats-you-have-a-good-field-of-candidates/2020/02/14/2a1a5a60-4f52-11ea-b721-9f4cdc90bc1c_story.html
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Democrats haven’t winnowed their field. So what? | |
| (1 day later) | |
| THE NEW HAMPSHIRE primary is supposed to narrow a party’s nominee roster. This year, it widened the field — and sparked much anxiety among Democrats about the persistent crowd of candidates. But there’s a bright side to all these shades of blue. | THE NEW HAMPSHIRE primary is supposed to narrow a party’s nominee roster. This year, it widened the field — and sparked much anxiety among Democrats about the persistent crowd of candidates. But there’s a bright side to all these shades of blue. |
| In reality, a year-long campaign has winnowed the field considerably. Some thoughtful and well-qualified candidates, such as Sen. Michael F. Bennet of Colorado or Maryland’s former congressman John Delaney, just didn’t catch on. Some, such as Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, may have been too upbeat for the party’s mood this cycle. Some (former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick) started too late. Others (Andrew Yang) managed to elevate issues that otherwise would have been overlooked. | In reality, a year-long campaign has winnowed the field considerably. Some thoughtful and well-qualified candidates, such as Sen. Michael F. Bennet of Colorado or Maryland’s former congressman John Delaney, just didn’t catch on. Some, such as Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, may have been too upbeat for the party’s mood this cycle. Some (former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick) started too late. Others (Andrew Yang) managed to elevate issues that otherwise would have been overlooked. |
| But Democratic Party supporters ought to be more cheered than dismayed at the surviving, robust slate of promising hopefuls, some of whom have confounded the experts by emerging from relative obscurity. Having more good choices than voters may have expected at this date isn’t a bad thing. Those eager for a nominee who is both progressive and pragmatic, who pairs bold policy with realistic politics, now have an opportunity to pick the woman or man they think is best suited to do the job of defeating President Trump — and then the job of governing. | But Democratic Party supporters ought to be more cheered than dismayed at the surviving, robust slate of promising hopefuls, some of whom have confounded the experts by emerging from relative obscurity. Having more good choices than voters may have expected at this date isn’t a bad thing. Those eager for a nominee who is both progressive and pragmatic, who pairs bold policy with realistic politics, now have an opportunity to pick the woman or man they think is best suited to do the job of defeating President Trump — and then the job of governing. |
| Former South Bend, Ind., mayor Pete Buttigieg looks toward ambitious ends such as affordable college and affordable health care for all but outlines thoughtful means for getting there. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) eschews ideological flash points in favor of focusing on the areas she thinks everyday Americans care about, such as stronger infrastructure and lower prescription-drug costs. Mr. Buttigieg was barely even a recognizable name (much less a pronounceable one) when this race began, and Ms. Klobuchar was considered a long shot until voters finally got a chance to weigh in. Both have risen through hard work and substantive, mostly positive, campaigning. | Former South Bend, Ind., mayor Pete Buttigieg looks toward ambitious ends such as affordable college and affordable health care for all but outlines thoughtful means for getting there. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) eschews ideological flash points in favor of focusing on the areas she thinks everyday Americans care about, such as stronger infrastructure and lower prescription-drug costs. Mr. Buttigieg was barely even a recognizable name (much less a pronounceable one) when this race began, and Ms. Klobuchar was considered a long shot until voters finally got a chance to weigh in. Both have risen through hard work and substantive, mostly positive, campaigning. |
| Former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg, a billionaire, brings with him a get-it-done attitude paired with a record that suggests he has as much bite as bark. Former vice president Joe Biden continues to make a constructive case for consensus rather than settling on an us-vs.-them mentality. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts offers voters somewhat further to the left an argument for reforming the system from within instead of dreaming of an improbable “revolution.” | Former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg, a billionaire, brings with him a get-it-done attitude paired with a record that suggests he has as much bite as bark. Former vice president Joe Biden continues to make a constructive case for consensus rather than settling on an us-vs.-them mentality. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts offers voters somewhat further to the left an argument for reforming the system from within instead of dreaming of an improbable “revolution.” |
| Voters’ frustration at not yet having reached consensus on a nominee is understandable. Many may also fear that a pile-up of the more pragmatic candidates could yield a slim and polarizing victory for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). But the race so far evinces the value in not knowing: Pundits insisted that Mr. Biden was the front-runner until pundits were no longer in charge, and Mr. Biden carried the mantle of the most electable candidate until comparatively few chose to elect him. | Voters’ frustration at not yet having reached consensus on a nominee is understandable. Many may also fear that a pile-up of the more pragmatic candidates could yield a slim and polarizing victory for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). But the race so far evinces the value in not knowing: Pundits insisted that Mr. Biden was the front-runner until pundits were no longer in charge, and Mr. Biden carried the mantle of the most electable candidate until comparatively few chose to elect him. |
| Only two states have voted so far, both of them relatively small and white. Now a broader swath of Americans has a chance to choose from a broad field of candidates — and to tell the party and prognosticators alike what they want, rather than the other way around. | Only two states have voted so far, both of them relatively small and white. Now a broader swath of Americans has a chance to choose from a broad field of candidates — and to tell the party and prognosticators alike what they want, rather than the other way around. |
| Read more: | Read more: |
| Henry Olsen: Hold on to your hats. The Democratic race could get very messy. | Henry Olsen: Hold on to your hats. The Democratic race could get very messy. |
| Ruth Marcus: The Democratic race isn’t going to be pretty | Ruth Marcus: The Democratic race isn’t going to be pretty |
| Paul Waldman: Don’t despair, Democrats. You aren’t doomed. | Paul Waldman: Don’t despair, Democrats. You aren’t doomed. |
| George F. Will: It’s looking like Democrats might have a chance to beat Trump after all | George F. Will: It’s looking like Democrats might have a chance to beat Trump after all |
| The Ranking Committee: Bernie is at No. 1. And in second place? A tie. | The Ranking Committee: Bernie is at No. 1. And in second place? A tie. |
Previous version
1
Next version