President:
Amash: A story in The Atlantic points out that Rep. Justin Amash (I) is not the anti-Trump person some people think he is or want him to be. Despite leaving the GOP and voting to impeach President Trump, he did not seem to be concerned about the possibility that his potential run as the Libertarian presidential nominee would help to re-elect Trump, and seemed to suggest that he didn’t think a second Trump term would be the worst thing that could happen. While pointing out that he didn’t vote for Trump and not liking the way he conducts himself in office, he says that he never described himself as a Never Trumper. He also says that he thinks the problems go beyond Trump and the main underlying problem is the dysfunctional state of Congress, and that Joe Biden wouldn’t really provide any kind of an antidote to the problem. Interestingly, he also says that he may not have run if Bernie Sanders had been the Democratic nominee because Sanders’s supporters have energy and dedication that would make a 3rd party run less likely to break through and that Biden is a weak candidate who lacks voter enthusiasm and new ideas, which make a 3rd party candidacy more appealing.
Biden running mate: One name that has not got much attention as a potential running mate pick is Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D). A profile from CBS News looks at the possibility of her being chosen, pointing out her positive attributes as an Hispanic, albeit one that understands, but does not speak Spanish, and her time as Nevada AG in which she worked with Biden’s son Beau, then Delaware AG. Biden reportedly told former Sen. Harry Reid (D) last month that she was one of his “top three” contenders. On the downside, she is not well-known-a poll this week of Democratic voters listed her 11th among possible contenders named, although ahead of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D), another Hispanic who has garnered more attention as a possible VP pick. Cortez Masto has said in the past she was not interested in the job and would turn it down if offered-she did not respond to a request to see if her position had changed.
Senate:
IA-Sen: Retired Admiral Mike Franken (D) has received the Des Moines Register endorsement for the Democratic primary. Franken also received the endorsement of former candidate Cal Woods (D), who dropped out last week. He has emerged as the strongest challenger to business owner Theresa Greenfield (D), who is the favorite of national Democrats. Also running are businessman Eddie Mauro (D), and attorney Kimberly Graham (D)….
Amash–” also says that he may not have run if Bernie Sanders had been the Democratic nominee”
Yeah I call bullshit on that. Just a ploy to get disaffected Bernie Sanders supporters. I trust this dude as far as I can throw him.
It will be of little importance anyway. As I have been saying and as Larry Sabato pointed out the demand for third party candidates this year is close to non-existent.
Good….