Three to Watch

I was talking with a friend yesterday about Democrats who might run for President in 2020.  And though some very good names came up, I mentioned that I had very recently read an interesting article in the Des Moines Register by Jason Noble about some under-the-wire (and young) liberal Democrats who’ve been traveling Iowa already and who had gone to the big Iowa Wing Ding political event.  I like all three mentioned, though I don’t think any of them are actually eyeing 2020.  The three explain they're trying to build support for the party, which I'm sure is the case, although I agree with the article in suggesting that they are also probably looking ahead to the 2024 Presidential race (or even beyond) and creating a foundation of support in the state.  Not mentioned in the article is something else I also think – that they’re creating support for VP consideration in 2020.

One is Rep. Eric Swalwell who’s been on Rachel Maddow’s show a lot as a member of the House Judiciary Committee and the Intelligence Committee.  He's a very smart guy.  Another is Rep. Tim Ryan who you may recall challenged Nancy Pelosi for minority leadership.  And though he lost, he presented a very good progressive perspective for the party The third is former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander, who’s the nephew of my friend dating back from my days at Camp Nebagamon, John Kander II – which is enough for me to like him, though he's terrific all on his own merits.  He ran for the Senate this year against conservative incumbent Roy Bount and came close in a mostly-Red state, barely edging ahead with a week to go, but lost.

As I said, I like all three, but especially Swalwell and Kander.  They’re both quite impressive.  Among other things, Swalwell is a former DA in northern California, and Kander is a former Army captain who served in the Afghanistan War.  Both are especially well-spoken, focused and very thoughtful.

You can read the full article here.

By the way, when Kander ran this past fall, I wrote a piece about him that included an excellent five-minute video of him effectively presenting himself and his positions.  And I've seen other pointed videos of him, as well, And he's been all over the media, too.  But it was one other off-beat, yet substantive video that got him the most attention during the race.  You may have seen it, but if not, I think you'll appreciate it. And as unique as it is -- combining something so rare for a political ad with a strong, actual message -- it's the last line that makes the whole thing meaningful.