Top Five

[HALL85]

Interested to see perspectives of others on this board. Name five politicians that resonate with your views and vision of what a politician should be:

Mine
1-Nikki Haley: Smart and she has the guts to take on unpopular issues (Confederate flag on SC statehouse). Her Clemson degree aside, Haley as first female President would be a proud moment for this country.
2- Ben Sasse: Strong leadership qualities and I like his positions.
3- Tim Ryan: Gets the need to have a strong middle class and where Dems need to go. He should be someone the Dems push for 2020 to win back middle America.
4- Rand Paul: He has by far the best path and ideas to fix healthcare.
5- Pat Toomey: Have had the chance to meet him on several occasions; good values and cares.

Who's next?

 

[Section112]

Don't have time to answer fully but I love Nikki Haley - she is my top choice for President for so many reasons. Smart, sensible, respects others and has run a state and did some great things.

Jim Webb on the Dem side but I'm not sure he has the "it factor" but he is full of common sense. Here is an opinion piece on him - the guy is a Viet Nam vet and has multiple purple hearts. More importantly he seems to get it. He's a champion for the working class and says stuff that makes sense that most people would agree with. Wants campaign finance reform. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/democrats-pushed-out-webb-and-millions-like-him

Love Rand Paul's ideas - brilliant guy but could never be Pres even though it would be great for America - he is too boring when he speaks. He could figure out health care for sure.

 

[HALL85]

Don't have time to answer fully but I love Nikki Haley - she is my top choice for President for so many reasons. Smart, sensible, respects others and has run a state and did some great things.

Jim Webb on the Dem side but I'm not sure he has the "it factor" but he is full of common sense. Here is an opinion piece on him - the guy is a Viet Nam vet and has multiple purple hearts. More importantly he seems to get it. He's a champion for the working class and says stuff that makes sense that most people would agree with. Wants campaign finance reform. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/democrats-pushed-out-webb-and-millions-like-him

Love Rand Paul's ideas - brilliant guy but could never be Pres even though it would be great for America - he is too boring when he speaks. He could figure out health care for sure.

Good stuff. Just to be clear, not asking specifically about Presidential candidates but rather those that resonate from a policy and leadership standpoint.

 

[SPK145]

In no particular order:

John Kasich - I think he'd make a very good president, right of center but willing to listen and proven to work with the other side. Could probably never win the primaries though.

Nikki Haley - Wonderful woman, strong leader.

Rand Paul

Justin Amash

Thomas Massie

The last 3 are libertarians who actually uphold their oath to protect the Constitution.

 

[SPK145]

1-Nikki Haley: Smart and she has the guts to take on unpopular issues (Confederate flag on SC statehouse). Her Clemson degree aside, Haley as first female President would be a proud moment for this country.

Don't think for one minute that I missed what you said here, you just made the list buddy, LOL!!!

 

[shu09]

Senators:

Rand Paul
Jeff Flake
Amy Klobuchar
Chris Coons
Rob Portman

I really don't have anyone else. I agree with others on Haley and Kasich.

 

[knowknow456]

In no particular order and limited to Senators only

1. Chuck Schumer - A legend who will still reach across the aisle even in these partisan times. I predict a McCain type sendoff when the time comes
2. Elizabeth Warren - Ladies and gentleman your 2020 President. Will control the regular party while keeping at least part of the far left Progressives in the tent. The free publicity from President Trump helped to increase her profile
3. Bernie Sanders - May well have won the 2016 nomination if the DNC hadn't stacked the deck against him. He has single handedly pulled the party two giant steps to the left. I predict when historians write the books his name will be prominently mentioned.
4. Cory Booker - Charismatic and a fearless leader who is just getting his feet settled in the Senate. Will be setting the agenda for the party for the next 30 years.
5. Kamala Gillibrand - or is it Kirsten Harris? I couldn't bear to leave off either one. I predict they will run and win as President/VP in less than 20 years.

 

[Setonwestern]

Tim Ryan; Joe Sestak, Sherrod Brown, Elizabeth Warren; Bob Casey.
It was not easy coming up with 5.

 

[donnie_baseball]

In no particular order and limited to Senators only

1. Chuck Schumer - A legend who will still reach across the aisle even in these partisan times. I predict a McCain type sendoff when the time comes
2. Elizabeth Warren - Ladies and gentleman your 2020 President. Will control the regular party while keeping at least part of the far left Progressives in the tent. The free publicity from President Trump helped to increase her profile
3. Bernie Sanders - May well have won the 2016 nomination if the DNC hadn't stacked the deck against him. He has single handedly pulled the party two giant steps to the left. I predict when historians write the books his name will be prominently mentioned.
4. Cory Booker - Charismatic and a fearless leader who is just getting his feet settled in the Senate. Will be setting the agenda for the party for the next 30 years.
5. Kamala Gillibrand - or is it Kirsten Harris? I couldn't bear to leave off either one. I predict they will run and win as President/VP in less than 20 years.

You're fairly sarcastic, many times. Hopefully this is one of them. Cory Booker - LOL!

 

[cernjSHU]

Sorry to say but there is a dearth of leadership on both sides of the aisle. I will tell you the Sasse has really raised his profile on the republican side.

On the Dems, Biden is the one guy that could do it. His age is a factor. No one else seems to excite me.

Here is the guy to look out for. Phil Bederen of Tennessee. Former Mayor of Nashville and Govenor of TN. If he wins the seat to the US Senate in red state Tennessee, he is the up and comer that Dems should be looking to promote.

 

[HALL85]

Sorry to say but there is a dearth of leadership on both sides of the aisle. I will tell you the Sasse has really raised his profile on the republican side.

On the Dems, Biden is the one guy that could do it. His age is a factor. No one else seems to excite me.

Here is the guy to look out for. Phil Bederen of Tennessee. Former Mayor of Nashville and Govenor of TN. If he wins the seat to the US Senate in red state Tennessee, he is the up and comer that Dems should be looking to promote.

Did a little reading on Berersen...interesting. Has a good track record of cutting cost vs raising taxes and responsible health care management at state level. Also gets that it’s about jobs!

 

[shupat08]

Angus King (I - ME) - really intrigued by Maine voters in state and federal level. Like his demeanor.

Sherrod Brown (D - OH) - can connect with working class voters. Truly think there is something to that. Love me a good ole working class firebrand.

John Kasich (R - OH) - may have voted for him in 2016. He'd be a very good president.

Lisa Murkowski (R - AK) - like Maine I'm always intrigued with Alaska voters. State and federal. If you can win a write in campaign against the extreme right. You got something working for you.

Beto O'Rourke (D - TX) - love his charisma and demeanor. Like Brown has no problem calling himself a progressive and discussing issues.

Wildcards:
Bredesen (D - TN) - I've read some interesting things about him. Would like to see him in the Senate.

Rand Paul (R - KY) - don't always agree with him. Sometimes I do. Always enjoy listening to his ideas and opinions.

Biden (D - DE) He's my A+ in the current Dem party. Was my #1 in 2008 and 2016. Age is his issue.

Tim Ryan (D - OH) - I like the idea of Tim Ryan. Have heard him a few times. Don't know enough about him.

 

[shuvrp]

I'm going to do a different approach here. I'm going to take different aspects of politicians and try to combine them into my ideal politician.

Ingredient 1: Trump's spontaneity - He doesn't focus group what he says and doesn't give a damn about offending anyone and it makes him seem more human.
Ingredient 2: Obama's educated thoughtfulness - While Obama may have been too politically correct for some he certainly was educated about what he was talking about and tried to be thoughtful about the other side when he was explaining his positions.
Ingredient 3: Bernie Sander's abhorrence of corporate power over the government - I think this speaks for itself.
Ingredient 4: Haley's strength and experience on the foreign stage - Every time I hear her speak I know I am listening to a smart, motivated and serious politician who clearly has - if not like minded goals - Respect from leaders around the world.
Ingredient 5: Ron Paul(not Rand) - always good to add a little libertarian spice into the mix.

 

[knowknow456]

I'm going to do a different approach here. I'm going to take different aspects of politicians and try to combine them into my ideal politician.

Ingredient 1: Trump's spontaneity - He doesn't focus group what he says and doesn't give a damn about offending anyone and it makes him seem more human.
Ingredient 2: Obama's educated thoughtfulness - While Obama may have been too politically correct for some he certainly was educated about what he was talking about and tried to be thoughtful about the other side when he was explaining his positions.
Ingredient 3: Bernie Sander's abhorrence of corporate power over the government - I think this speaks for itself.
Ingredient 4: Haley's strength and experience on the foreign stage - Every time I hear her speak I know I am listening to a smart, motivated and serious politician who clearly has - if not like minded goals - Respect from leaders around the world.
Ingredient 5: Ron Paul(not Rand) - always good to add a little libertarian spice into the mix.

This post didn't get the lovin' it deserved. I thought it was both cleverly conceived and well done.

As a practical matter - if we could in theory build such a politician, he would be paralyzed by his conflicting ingredients. The guy/girl would be a hot mess of a human.

On a practical note - if would could in theory build this functioning politician, he wouldn't get elected for dog catcher. People talk a good game but no one is interested in a politician who is looking to reclaim the middle ground.

 

[shuvrp]

This post didn't get the lovin' it deserved. I thought it was both cleverly conceived and well done.

As a practical matter - if we could in theory build such a politician, he would be paralyzed by his conflicting ingredients. The guy/girl would be a hot mess of a human.

On a practical note - if would could in theory build this functioning politician, he wouldn't get elected for dog catcher. People talk a good game but no one is interested in a politician who is looking to reclaim the middle ground.

Good points.

Yeah this person would be a mutant from Mars. Being spontaneous like Trump but speaking with care like Obama would test the limits of genetic code. Lol

 

[HALL85]

Yeah, how about we just start with competent, fiscally responsible and thoughtful.Hopefully there is a few people out there that fits that criteria.

 

[SnakeTom]

For me #1 is John Kasich. He's probably more conservative than I am but I like him because he is very practical and not an ideologue. I think he would make the best President.

The others that I trust as being honest and truthful regardless of party whether I agree with all their positions or not would be Joe Biden, Lindsey Graham, Bernie Sanders, Nikki Haley, Lisa Murkowski. I also trust both Senators from Maine: Moderate Republican Susan Collins and Independent Dem Angus King. Maine is a very independent state as are it's two senators. I may not agree with either on any particular issue but I think their votes are well thought out & are their honest views not just those of their political party.

The biggest problem facing our country in my opinion is strident polarization. We need people who are both practical and not scared to cross party lines.

Tom K

 

[Section112]

Good points Tom. The problem is the primary system is flawed as compared to the general election. Both parties seem to choose candidates that aren't practical or representative of the middle. They push the far right or left candidates when those candidates don't always do so well in the general election. And then I say before my vote again I can't relate to either candidate and I feel like I can't get behind either one.

 

[SnakeTom]

Good points Tom. The problem is the primary system is flawed as compared to the general election. Both parties seem to choose candidates that aren't practical or representative of the middle. They push the far right or left candidates when those candidates don't always do so well in the general election. And then I say before my vote again I can't relate to either candidate and I feel like I can't get behind either one.

In theory the Primary system is very good and takes the selection process out of the hands of back room career politicians. But in reality it has failed because the only ones who vote in the primaries are either professional pols or ideologues with extremist views. All too often come general election day we get two candidates who do not represent our viewpoints. We also get candidates who think that they were elected to represent their political party rather than their constituents.

Tom K

 

[HALL85]

In theory the Primary system is very good and takes the selection process out of the hands of back room career politicians. But in reality it has failed because the only ones who vote in the primaries are either professional pols or ideologues with extremist views. All too often come general election day we get two candidates who do not represent our viewpoints. We also get candidates who think that they were elected to represent their political party rather than their constituents.

Tom K

Agree and hopefully the electorate learned a valuable lesson from 2016. Primaries matter. I still think the bigger issue is campaign finance reform. The wealth on either side controls too much and the amount of money that is spent on these campaigns now is insane and counterproductive. Add to that the amount of time politicians devote to raising money while on the job that could be better served on helping their constituents.

 

[Section112]

Campaign finance reform is a huge problem but it does not get you elected. Look no further than a few races in NJ where the candidates said they would not take superpac money but now are taking it from multiple sources (e.g., Mikie Sherrell). In the end they are all full of it.