The “Who is running in 2020?” tea leaves thread, Part 4

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cnn.com/2019/03/27/politics/terry-mcauliffe-potential-2020-bid/

(CNN)Terry McAuliffe is moving closer to a 2020 presidential run, Democrats close to the former Virginia governor tell CNN.

McAuliffe has been telling Democratic allies that he is leaning toward jumping into the Democratic presidential race next month, according to three people who have spoken to him. The former governor has long said he would make a decision by the end of March, with a potential announcement later in April.

There's so much wrong with this, but thankfully he has zero chance of getting the nomination.


He's less electable than Hillary was in 2016, and that's really saying something.

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Is it just me or is Weld squandering his chance?  If he's serious about beating Trump he should be out there giving interviews daily and getting his name recognition up.

If he's serious about beating Trump, he should just do everything he can to support the eventual Democratic nominee for President, rather than launch a longshot bid to unseat him in the primary which is going nowhere.

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Bloomberg says the Wednesday launch date isn't set in stone:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-04-19/biden-is-said-to-prepare-possible-2020-announcement-next-week

One of the people cautioned that the plans could change, given the former Delaware senator’s fits and starts around previous presidential campaigns. Biden, 76, is tentatively aiming to get into the race next week with the release of a video announcing his candidacy.

Watch him not announce until freaking June or something.

But regardless of when he announces, it's basically set in stone that he's going to run - especially since he's been a pretty consistent frontrunner in the polls.

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Nikki Haley heading to Iowa:

Brianne Pfannenstiel  - Des Moines Register
Published 5:54 PM EDT May 30, 2019

Former South Carolina governor and former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley will headline U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst's annual Roast and Ride fundraiser next month.

"I'm so excited to be supporting Joni, and I can't wait to see all the Harley riders and go see everybody in Iowa," Haley said in an announcement video with Ernst. "We're going to have a blast."

Ernst, a Republican, is seeking re-election to her second term in 2020. Haley announced Thursday her book "With All Due Respect" will be released Nov. 12.

The fundraiser begins with a 49-mile motorcycle ride from Des Moines to Boone. In Boone, the event features barbecue, entertainment and a lineup of speakers that includes Gov. Kim Reynolds, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley and Haley. The program begins at 1 p.m. June 15 at the Central Iowa Expo in Boone.

Past Roast and Ride speakers have included U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy, President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. In 2015, seven Republican presidential candidates attended.

https://eu.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2019/05/30/nikki-haley-headline-joni-ernst-2019-roast-and-ride-fundraiser-harley-motorcycle-republican/1291331001/

She's definitely running...

In 2024.

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https://twitter.com/markzbarabak/status/1148262537252757506

F

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Re-sticky this thread, another speculative target inbound!

Mark Sanford, SC Republican, former US Rep considers presidential run against Trump

Sanford, in an exclusive interview Tuesday with The Post and Courier, confirmed he will take the next month to formulate whether he will mount a potential run against Trump as a way of pushing a national debate about America’s mounting debt, deficit and government spending.

He would run as a Republican.

“Sometimes in life you’ve got to say what you’ve got to say, whether there’s an audience or not for that message,” Sanford said. “I feel convicted.”

...

“I’m a Republican. I think the Republican Party has lost its way on debt, spending and financial matters,” he said.

Sanford conceded he had been waiting to see if any other high-profile Republicans, such as former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, would primary the president.

If he finds a presidential run is not viable, Sanford said he might pursue setting up a think tank aimed at addressing the deficit.

now that's Joe Sestak energy

Needless to say, he would not be a serious contender.