President Biden continues to assure the American people that he is running for a second term in 2024, the majority of Democratic voters do not want to see him as the nominee. As RedState’s Bob Hoge recently reported, Biden is “irritated” by the lack of respect from the media and Democrats.
Now, CNN’s Chris Cillizza has created a list of Democratic nominees whom he thinks would likely represent the party in the 2024 Presidential race. Cillizza notes that the list could change as the Democratic primary nears, but let’s take a look at his current rankings.
At number 10, he has Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy. He mentioned that Murphy played a big part in the bi-partisan gun reform bill. Cillizza added:
“Murphy isn’t receiving much attention as a potential 2024 candidate, but I think he would be an intriguing one if he did decide to run.”
At number nine, he put North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. Cillizza noted that Cooper’s most significant challenge could be that he is not well known nationally. He did praise the Governor for getting elected in North Carolina:
“Getting elected – and re-elected – as a Democrat in North Carolina is no simple thing to do. But that’s exactly what Cooper has done. And there is a template for a southern governor (Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter) to run for and win the White House.”
Cillizza ranked Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) at number eight. He noted that Booker is a “charismatic politician with a healthy dose of star power.”
Senator Amy Klobuchar ranked seventh. Cillizza praised Klobuchar for coming in third place in New Hampshire behind Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and now-Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
Cillizza ranked Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren at number six, citing that Warren could tell Democrats, “I told you so” if Democrats lose badly in November, which could lead to her launching a 2024 White House bid.
Ranked at number five, Cillizza listed California Governor Gavin Newsom. Cillizza said:
“A funny thing happened when Republicans in California tried to recall Newsom as governor: it made him much, much stronger.”
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg was ranked number four; Cillizza noted:
“Buttigieg is among the most natural politicians in the Democratic Party and, at age 40, can afford to wait if the 2024 or even 2028 field doesn’t look promising for him.”
At number three, Cillizza lists Senator Bernie Sanders, who finished second place in 2016 and 2020. The chances of Sanders running in 2024 are slim, but Cillizza said:
“Sanders remains the best-known – and most well-liked – candidate among liberals in the country.”
Vice President Kamala Harris was ranked number two, as Cillizza points out that the VP had “steadied the ship somewhat after a decidedly rocky first year-plus in office.” He added:
“While she would start as the favorite, it’s still hard to see Harris clearing the field after her struggles, so far, as Biden’s second-in-command.”
At number one, of course, Cillizza lists President Joe Biden. He noted that although his approval rating is in the high 30s, inflation is at a 40-year high, and gas is at five dollars per gallon, if Biden decides to run for a second term, he will “almost certainly be the party’s nominee.” Cillizza added:
“It’s an open question as to whether that is the best thing for Democrats nationally.”
It’s worth noting that when Cillizza created this list, he left off Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.
If the Democrats want to hand the GOP a victory in 2024, they would go with any of the candidates except one of them, who would win the primary, and likely the general election, and that person is Governor Roy Cooper (D-NC). But since Cillizza listed him at number nine, Democrats might think he is not the right person for the job. The GOP should welcome that because Cooper would arguably be the most formidable Democrat to defeat in 2024.
Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris, and Cory Booker could all run again in 2024. Times change, but none of those candidates performed at a high level when Democrats were well-positioned to win. So, at a time when Republicans are expected to take back the White House, depending on the candidate, the candidates who ran in 2020 will perform the same, if not worse, in 2024 than they did in 2020.
Seeing ineffective California Governor Newsom on this list is laughable because, as residents of California and GOP members like Assemblyman Kevin Kiley are warning the nation of Newsom’s job as Governor and how his incompetence is destroying the beautiful state, CNN and MSNBC have been propping up Newsom to be the Democratic nominee. The GOP should welcome that.
California is not a "model for the nation." It is a warning to the nation.
— Kevin Kiley (@KevinKileyCA) March 26, 2022
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper seems like the best option for the Democratic party because he is a common-sense, centrist candidate, and he can win in North Carolina, as he’s proven time and time again. He can also run on his record as Governor, unlike Newsom or Pritzker. Cooper also has a moderate approach on policies that appeal to Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.
Ultimately, if Biden decides not to run in 2024, there will be a similar field of candidates for the Democrats as we saw in 2020.
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