Winnowing the Candidates – Summer Vacation Edition

So far, we have made progress in winnowing the candidates. Here’s who we have winnowed so far:

• Bernie Sanders
• Tulsi Gabbard
• John Delaney
• Seth Moulton
• Tim Ryan
• Mike Gravel
• John Hickenlooper
• Wayne Messam
• Andrew Yang
• Eric Swalwell

Needs reasons? Just search this blog for winnowing to find all the posts. That leaves us with this field remaining.

Except, I wasn’t quite sure who this guy is … 

Reverse Google Image Search suggested Dr. Dorociak, a dentist from Sarasota or the deceased Daniel Judd of Gloucester, MA. I wouldn’t doubt that either of them may be running. I narrowed it down to an already-winnowed Tim Ryan or new-to-the-race NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio. Not quite sure, but it won’t matter by the end of this article. Spoiler alert!

Not pictured is former Alaskan Senator and current old man Mike Gravel, responsible for the coolest meme of the 2020 campaign so far.

There he is dispatching alleged “centrist” candidate Beto O’Rourke with laser eyes and forefinger. Although why is Beto still smiling? Maybe it is just a pleasant, warm red ray and Beto likes it.

Google and I also had trouble identifying this guy …

I think it is Washington Governor Jay Inslee. He yells a lot about climate change, which is why he has not yet been winnowed. I’d like to see more Dems yelling about climate change.

And why has spiritual guru Marianne Williamson not yet been winnowed?

Well, she has qualified for the first debate this month. I have not heard much from or about her in the mainstream media, so I’d like to see and hear her in action. And finally, if she was good enough for Oprah, she’s good enough for me.

With the first debate looming, I think it is time for me to take a summer vacation from all this winnowing. Do you have any idea how difficult and time-consuming all this winnowing is? Can you honestly say that you have seriously winnowed before? Well, let me tell you, winnowing is exhausting. I think now is a good time to take a break, watch the debates this summer, and see what kind of field is left in September. But not before we have some adjustments and more winnowing to do.

As for an adjustment that I feel I must make, in light of the Virginia mass shooting this past weekend, I am unwinnowing Rep. Eric Swalwell. He is the only candidate with a ban and buy-back plan for assault weapons as part of his platform. He’s officially dewinnowed. Welcome back Rep. Swalwell, and state your case at the first debate.

Maybe not at the first debate will be Colorado Senator Michael Bennet. He has not yet qualified. He seems like a nice guy, a good Senator, and had a great moment ripping Ted Cruz a new one on the Senate floor. But why is he running for President? Give me a reason to vote for him … waiting … just as I thought. You can’t. He’s winnowed.

Also surprisingly not yet qualified for the debates is NY Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. I like her, but if I am going to vote for a woman in the primary, it will be Kamala Harris or Elizabeth Warren, with Amy Klobuchar making her case from the outside. I’m afraid that Senator Gillibrand’s campaign also is haunted by the ghost of former Senator Al Franken who Gillibrand ran out of the Senate. Gillibrand has been officially winnowed.

Here’s how I rank the top candidates:

1. Elizabeth Warren – she’s got a policy for EVERYTHING
2. Kamala Harris – she wows me
3. Uncle Joe Biden – I would accept a Biden/Harris ticket, although prefer Harris/Biden
4. Beto O’Rourke – he needs to wow me once again
5. Amy Klobuchar – I want to see if she can leapfrog Harris and Warren in the debates
6. Mayor Pete – former flavor of the month & possible VP choice for Harris or Warren
7. Corey Booker – he will shine in the debates and rise accordingly in polls
8. Julian Castro – better candidate for the Senate

Now back to winnowing. I don’t want another rich NYC white guy as President, especially one who is an unpopular mayor. NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio is officially winnowed. And that is why, regardless of whether this guy is Rep Tim Ryan or Mayor Bill de Blasio …

he is winnowed. That leaves us with this field.

Sorry about that white line across the face, Rep. Swalwell. Better than being winnowed!

I’ll leave you with this campaign ad from Mike Gravel.

Although that ad certainly rocks, I don’t think he cane win.