She doesn't need my congratulations, but, Elizabeth Warren is like the cream that rises to the top of the bottle. She has worked very hard for the American people, including Massachusetts for over a decade now at the federal level. She is ready and willing. She succeeds where others have tried to mimic her style in the past. I think Elizabeth is a unique candidate. She is not from the same cookie-cutter as past nominees have been.
Bernie Sanders looked very strong tonight. At one point I was thinking to take it easy, Bernie, but he was himself and pulling for all Americans and their health care.
I am a bit disappointed Kamala Harris' poll numbers aren't better. She stated during the week in an interview that Russia is heavily targeting her campaign. I hope the FBI is involved. I am also not surprised. Kamala Harris believes deeply in the rule of law and Putin doesn't want that.
Joe Biden looked good. He is a strong candidate and I believe Hunter needed to come out and take an interview clearing up any idea that he would be seeking work at the White House if his father was elected. I think he needed to make that stipulation to prove the difference between Trump and Joe Biden, his father. Besides being against the law that no one will enforce with the Trump kids, Trump's complaint about Hunter is laughable. It is like throwing stones when you live in a glasshouse. Trump has absolutely no reason to be picking a fight over Hunter Biden's employment, his children are deeply involved in Trump's politics and his administration. So, the entire idea Trump has a right to complain about ANYONE else and the relationship they have with their children is ridiculous.
Cory Booker is still a rock-solid Congressman with a lot of good insight and answers. I always like to hear from him.
Tulsi Gabbard needs to write a book to explain her world view of the USA military. Seriously. It is difficult to follow any comprehensive picture she paints.
Amy Klobuchar is a strong midwestern candidate. She lacks insight into what liberals and progressives bring to the table. Instead, she is trying to convince Democrats she can win where no one else can. Fine. I am sure she feels that way, but, where is the proof that as the nominee she can carry all the states needed, including the midwest. She is more right of center than I like.
Beto O'Rouke had a strong showing tonight, especially on the gun issue. He definitely began to look at gun ownership differently after the attacks in El Paso. I think he right. Those weapons are sitting in the country and ultimately they could be used for heinous outcomes. I think that has to be taken seriously.
I remember owning a couple of hunting rifles, but, when my sons were born and as they became toddlers and older I was very nervous about the guns. I had read about the nightmare scenarios of so many other children in accidents that killed them. Eventually, before the oldest was four we got rid of them. Some people are uneasy about the guns in their house and sometimes just don't know what to do. Our guns went to a gun store. Basically, he took them off our hands because we didn't want the responsibility of selling them privately. I think a gun buyback program would result in a surprisingly large number of gun owners basically getting rid of them. He is brave to bring all that up and make it an agenda. If I can akin it to anything it would be the Cash for Clunkers' idea of President Obama.
Andrew Yang clearly has a world view for the future different than any other. It has merit. Automation has definitely changed the face of employment in the USA and not necessarily for the better. I don't have a fully automated home and that is okay with me. I am not a gadget person unless it relates to science and accuracy, then you can peak my interest. But, there are Americans being left behind. I like his experiments. I think he likes to make his insight clear to people and that is saying something. He cares and he wants everyone to know he cares.
Pete Buttigieg was his usual self. I think he a good candidate with a lot of great ideas. I get stuck when he favors a year of mandatory service to the country. We have a volunteer military. He knows that. He was part of that volunteer military. It has been the USA military better than ever. I just think it is a paradigm shift that will be a disservice to the country. If he thinks young Americans need direction and discipline, then say that. There are other ways of reaching young people than mandatory to the country. That is a little to threatening to me. It means the military takes on a status that rises to more or less a draft. Every year young Americans are going to be assigned a place to serve for a year. It is too convenient to launch into war with a fresh batch of recruits every year. When reviewing what Trump is doing, to have mandatory service of our young people would be a disaster. Chow line would be donations from all the fast-food restaurants in the country. It isn't' a good idea.
Julian Castro is another Texan with very clear ideas. He is highly moral. He certainly doesn't look to be 45 years old either. He is pulling some criticism from Politifact about the job losses in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan. It nearly doesn't matter, they were a clear illustration he was concerned for the people and points clearly to the failures of the Trump administration.
And last but hardly the least of the contenders is Tom Steyer. It was a good first appearance. His reputation precedes him and he reminded everyone of this dedication to the country and it's people. He has always supported noble causes that are primarily Democratic causes, but, it is pandering. Tom Steyer is a dyed in the wool American. It is a characteristic rarely seen in business people. His roll in the past has been more passive, but, times are different in the 2020 elections. He is worried about and for the country and it is not a profit motive.
We have a great slate of magnificent candidates and I hope the people choose wisely.
