It's early, I know, but what is your "dream team" for 2016?

[CTyankee]

Oh, of course, I know lots can change between now and then but let's have some fun!

My dream team is Elizabeth Warren for President and Brian Schweitzer for VP.

What's yours?

[Lint Head]

1. Elizabeth Warren Prez and Al Franken VP

[rurallib]

3. This one has a nice ring.

[CTyankee]

6. Franken would be great and he's midwest. That works!

Except that Brian Schweitzer has been (so far) a fine governor in a far west state, proving that the Mountain West can do well under progressive government.

[dmallind]

10. I'm a Schweitzer fan too from what I have seen. Warren VP after Senate win? nt

[CTyankee]

12. No. It's time for a woman president. And she's the woman as I see it right now.

[dmallind]

29. There's no such thing as a guaranteed" time" for a president of attribute X

It's been perfectly reasonable to elect a female president for many decades but that doesn't mean one should automatically get given the nod unless she is the best candidate. It's not t-ball - everybody doesn't get their turn out of "fairness".

[CTyankee]

36. I'm suggesting that we've got the talent right here so she should be

strongly considered. I think it's a plus that Warren is a woman. Just as I think Obama's background of cultural and racial diversity was a plus. And just as the paradigm for a president should not necessarily default to a white person, it should not necessarily default to a male. A talented woman like Warren can bring excellence to our country's leadership.

[DCKit]

8. Heads explode, on both sides.

But I can't disagree... unless you don't include Alan Grayson as SoS.

[mikekohr]

64. Elizabeth Warren, Brian Schweitzer top my list

[Autumn Colors]

2. Elizabeth Warren and Alan Grayson (nt)

[JoePhilly]

4. Its not too early ... in fact, I wish the folks who were screaming "Primary Obama"

for the last 2 years had been working on THIS EXACT QUESTION.

I hope your thread gets LOTS of suggestions ...

And I hope DU1 or DU3 sets up a Democratic Presidency 2016 forum!!!!

Because that is where this discussion really needs to take place ... if folks are serious.

IMHO

[CTyankee]

7. Oh, I think this is on LOTS of people's minds...

Obama is right, this is a crucial turning point for the middle class, if not for the entire world...

[JoePhilly]

11. I agree ... but beyond your OP ... where is that discussion?

When the first "primary Obama" OPs popped up, I said ... "look, too late ... if you want some one more progressive, you need to think 2016 ... and then get BUSY working on those candidates!!!!"

I recall watching Obama at the Dem convention for Kerry. I told my son ... that guy is going to be the next VP. Why did I say that?

Because I was pretty sure that (a) Hillary would be the Prez candidate in 2008, and (b) Obama would be her VP selection. This combination worked on so many levels, that from what I could see, the Dems would win 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020.

Two things, I think derailed that "dream ticket" ....

1) Clinton fatigue. Not that Bill was a bad President, no no. It was just that the GOP had already tried to impeach him for a consensual blow job with another adult. The right wing when Bill was President argued that Hillary had Vince Foster killed. And so you know that a GOP congress, which has no interest in legislation, would spend all its time trying to prove Hillary killed Vince, mainly so she'd be unable to work on anything else. The GOP could shut down the government this way.

2) We'd just had the idiot, Bush II, who got in on name only. So Hillary getting in, even if deserved, seemed like a repeat. Not fair, but that's it what it is.

My point is that an Clinton / Obama ticket would have been a strategic ticket. I stayed with Hill for a long time just on that point. I don't want 4 years, or 8 years, or 12 years, I want 16 years!!!!

And so ... Obama will have at least 4. We need to get him 4 more. And strategically, we need to find the ticket that gets us 8 more.

If we do this ... the far right wing dies off. Both literally and figuratively.

We on the left tend to fall into the immediate gratification zone.

If we think long term ... our goal is to keep right wing nuts out of power where they can make things far worse, which is their goal.

[CTyankee]

14. I thinkyou ar eright re Clinton.

And I believe that Obama needs to step up his game even more as a populist. No more "I'll go half way with you guys." You know, as much as I totally despise John Edwards, he said one thing that is absolutely true: You can't sit down at the table with these guys. They'll take all of the food.

And that's exactly what happened when Obama tried to deal with the pukes.

It's amazing how far the country has come since Obama was elected. People are fed up with being personally blamed for their own misfortunes. The "fairness" issue is resonating. It totally works. This is how you bring progressivism and populism back...

[JoePhilly]

19. Speaking only for me ...

I voted for Gore and against Bush.

After Bush "won" I hoped he would be a good president. I think we should always do that.

When 9/11 occurred, on the DAY it occurred, I told a co-worker that some country or group and mad a huge error. And that my main fear was that our response would be out of line with events. I said I worried that there would be a large yet ineffective reaction.

We went into Afghanistan, that made sense.

Then we shifted to Iraq ... made no sense.

And then, across the board, GW dismantled as much of the government as he could. If he could not weaken laws directly, he simply removed the funding.

His entire Presidency was an effort to dismantle our government.

And the only parts that he tried to keep, where those who funded rich cronies.

There is no way ANY President fixes that kind of negligence in one term ... or even 2 terms ... we NEED 4 terms!!

[CTyankee]

27. we certainly need enlightened government!

Hell, I don't know what we can expect even in the rest of Obama's first term. So 4 terms is a bit far for me to even think about! Hopefully, we'll have reform governments from here on, only improving on each successive one. I hope I am not being unrealistic...

[themaguffin]

18. primary Obama = Republican President. That's reality, not hyperbole

[JoePhilly]

20. No disagreement.

I actually think much of it as an attempt to reduce Dem turn out.

Fox News is focused on increasing GOP turn out ...

And the GOP Governors, legislatures, and parts of the media are focused on decreasing Dem turn out ... increase the one 3%, decrease the other by 3%, and a right wing nut job has a shot at being President.

[lame54]

5. 2 people we haven't heard of yet

[CTyankee]

9. Could be. Just look at Obama.

That's why these predictions are fun to pull out 4 years later and think back to what we were thinking at the time...

[WI_DEM]

13. It's too early, but I like "Biden/Warren"

[CTyankee]

15. Again, it's time for a woman president. The right woman for the job is Elizabeth Warren.

[WI_DEM]

37. you give your opinion of who you would want and I'll give mine.

I didn't know you started this thread so people would back up who you want--you said in your OP for us to give our opinions. If Biden runs I'd support him and I like the thought of Elizabeth Warren as VP.

[CTyankee]

55. That's fine but may I ask why not the other way, with Warren on top?

Just wondering...

[Robbins]

17. I like that

I have always liked Biden.Even though I haven't always agreed with him.I disagreed with him on the bankruptcy bill,and he voted to go to war In Iraq.However out of all those who voted die It who late ran he did the best In admitting he was wrong to do so.Biden from all reports Is one who has supported getting out of Afghanstain while
others In the admanistain wanted to spend more troops he wanted to laregly pull out.If Elizabeth Warren beats Scott Brown she will be a star In the party.

[bornskeptic]

16. How about Martin O'Malley and Brian Schweitzer?

It's way too early for me to be dreaming about 2016, but this sounds like a reasonable possibility to me.

[Texas Lawyer]

21. In the real world or the world I hope (but doubt) we'll live in in 2016? Hands down: Warren-Sanders

[Hutzpa]

22. I see few options

Elizabeth Warren and Al Franken as VP

Elizabeth Warren and Alan Grayson as VP

Elizabeth Warren and Beau Biden as VP

Enough for now.

[musiclawyer]

23. I said the same thing a few weeks ago

Warren and Schweitzer; Maybe Schweitzer and Tammy Baldwin if Elizabeth is happy in the Senate.

Cant go wrong either way

[StevieM]

24. O'Malley/Gillibrand (eom)

[Mass]

26. +1

[PragmaticLiberal]

33. From what I've heard/read....

O'Malley is definitely running.

[Ter]

25. We're not gonna win three presidential elections in a row

Rand Paul will likely be our next president, I'm afraid.

[totodeinhere]

42. The GOP won in 1980, 1984, and 1988. It is our job to see that the Democrats can duplicate that.

It can be done. If not, whatever puke gets in in 2016 will undo most of what President Obama has accomplished. We can't let that happen.

[Ter]

57. The GOP also won 49 states in 1984

That would never happen by a "D" or an "R" today.The 80's are gone. There is more division now. However, maybe three can be done. Hell we almost (actually we did) did 2000, that would have been three. But it was close, so if we win, expect 2016 to be close. What about 2020? Can we do four? I doubt it.

[totodeinhere]

60. Our two party system is inherently cyclical. We can say with almost a certainly that the GOP will

win the White House again someday. I just hope that we can put it off as long as possible. The Democrats had a good run during the FDR era. Let's try to duplicate that.

[krawhitham]

28. Elizabeth Warren is too old

She will be 70 on election day 2016

[progressoid]

45. How about 67, not 70.

Ronnie Raygun was 70. :shrug:

[polichick]

53. That's not too old.

[musicblind]

30. I would like to see Hillary run in 2016. It probably won't happen, but I would like to see it. n/t

[totodeinhere]

44. I would love to see Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Warren fighting it out for the nomination.

Having those two wonderful intelligent mature women running would be great for this country.

[laugle]

65. Clinton/Clark nt.

[Awsi Dooger]

31. General Discussion and General Discussion Politics

And I hope they start running 3 years early

[Mac1949]

32. Biden/Grayson? NT

[Cigar11]

34. Colin Powel and Elizabeth Warren would frost to Tea-Party Azz …

… and I would Love-It

I don’t care about her age, good ideas and great Leadership don’t get Old

[Hell Hath No Fury]

38. A fucking GOPer war criminal has no business on a ticket --

with Elizabeth Warren.

Just sayin'. :eyes:

[Cigar11]

39. Quote from Colin Powell

At the 2007 Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado, Powell revealed that he had spent two and a half hours explaining to President Bush "the consequences of going into an Arab country and becoming the occupiers." During this discussion, he insisted that the US appeal to the United Nations first, but if diplomacy failed, he would support the invasion: "I also had to say to him that you are the President, you will have to make the ultimate judgment, and if the judgment is this isn't working and we don't think it is going to solve the problem, then if military action is undertaken I'm with you, I support you.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

40. You made my point for me with that quote.

"I'm with you, I support you."

He supported and participated in an illegal invasion into a country that had not attacked us. On his watch people were assassinated, tortured, imprisoned and held without charge or counsel -- all crimes that should have landed him and the rest of the Bush Administration in the Hague.

[Cigar11]

49. Here’s my Point

He’s a Soldier through and through, first, second and last.

A four (4) Star General, Chairman of The Joint chiefs of Staff , National Security Advisor and United States Secretary of State.

As National Security Adviser and Secretary of State; he ADVISED The President of The United States … NOT TO GO TO WAR!

Then he followed orders from the Commander In Chief of The United States Armed Forces according to Article II, Section 2, Clause I of The United States Constitution ... just like hundreds of thousands of the US Military and Civilian Ranks.

NOT A WAR CRIMINAL!

Out of ANYONE who EVER ran for President of The United States … Colin Powell would be qualified by a country mile and then some. If the decisions was his … and his alone; I’d trust Colin Powell over any Previous United States President. Remember, if Mr. Powell was in charge, we would have never invaded Iraq.

That’s my opinion and I’m sticking with it. 

[madinmaryland]

35. Martin O'Malley 2016.

[totodeinhere]

41. Hillary Clinton and Alan Grayson. n/t

[AtomicKitten]

46. wow that's like night and day on the political spectrum

[totodeinhere]

48. Yes, that's the way tickets are often drawn up. But here's the deal.

Clinton due to her age agrees to top off her career with a one term presidency. Then guess who is in line in 2020? We would have a chance to have a bona fide progressive. I know it's a long way off and a lot of things can happen to derail my plan, but I'm loving it already.

[ieoeja]

43. Me and Halle Berry.

I don't even care which order. She can have top if she wants.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

50. They asked about an eLection.

[ieoeja]

52. Bad form on my part.

Replacing "L" with "R" on a leftwing website.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

63. Well played.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TylvUGJIi_w

[AtomicKitten]

47. Joe Biden might throw his hat in the ring in which case Biden/Warren for me please.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

51. I'd love to see Martin O'Malley run.

As a Maryland native now living in Florida, I'm jealous of my home state having an actual governor that they can be proud of.

[polichick]

54. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders - or vice versa.

[center rising]

56. Hillary Clinton/Bill Clinton

[Bake]

58. Before we crown Warren, why not wait and see if she can win a STATEWIDE election

And see what kind of Senator she proves to be.

Bake

[CTyankee]

59. I know and I agree...I was just trying to have a little fun....we can look back

in 2016 and say "What were we thinking?" or "Boy, were we right!"

[66 dmhlt]

61. Elizabeth Warren & whomever she chooses

[JoePhilly]

62. So ... after you first posted this, I responded that "its not too early" ...

and that given all the "Primary Obama" noise we've heard on DU ... there should be a very rich list of 2016 candidates.

There should be some really good arguments for who and why.

Personally, I think this thread should be on fire ... with strong cases being made for some strong candidates.

And yet ... I don't really see that yet.

My fear is that many saw in Obama what they wanted to see, assumed he'd fix it all, and then when he didn't fix it all FAST, they screamed PRIMARY OBAMA.

And now that its become clear that there will be no primary of Obama ... they've gone back to sleep.

The work of finding, and grooming candidates for 2016, is going to be hard. You have to look past the obvious. You have to make an argument that can last longer then 3 months.

I think Hillary, Biden, Kerry will all be too old. Of the three, Hillary could still win, if Obama's second term goes fairly well ... Hill could step in to "continue" moving us forwad, and so her selection of a VP would be key.

If Obama's 2nd term is a mess, it will be tough for any Dem to win in 2016.

At this point, we don't have a "next leader" ... for 2016 ... if there is one waiting in the wings, they better be a speaker at the next DNC convention.