I took the New York Times Democratic candidate quiz, and for me it showed Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren tied at the top, followed by Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar. In a normal election I would agree with those results, but this is not a normal election. What the quiz did not ask was, “How important is it to you that your candidate defeat Donald Trump?” For me that’s all that matters.
While I’m right there with Sanders and Warren on the issues, they will get hammered on socialism, and let’s face it: a significant number of Americans aren’t smart enough to differentiate Democratic socialism from communism or Venezuela.
Some may think that Joe Biden has the best shot in the general election, but his recent spats in forums with everyday people scare the hell out of me. Recently he called a woman who asked him a simple question a “lying dog-faced pony soldier.” Quite obviously the pressure and lack of sleep of campaigning has given Biden “cranky old man syndrome,” and I fear it will only get worse.
I could really get behind Pete Buttigieg, but even saying “get behind Pete Buttigieg” will be controversial in the general election. It’s pathetic and sad, but if Buttigieg were the Democratic nominee, the internet, the airwaves, and letters-to-the-editor would be filled with nothing but graphic reminders that “there will be anal sex in the White House.” While my first instinct is to say “fuck those people,” this is not a normal election.
Therefore, with my first concern being defeating Donald Trump, I’m pulling for Amy Klobuchar. I don’t agree with her on all the issues, but agreeing with her even 80 percent of the time beats the prospect of a second Trump term 100 percent of the time. Amy, more than any other candidate, has improved her on-camera presence. She’s now personable and funny, which I didn’t see at the beginning of her campaign. Independents and blue color voters in swing states will be able to relate to her. So with the New Hampshire primary today, I will close my commentary with this: “Amy! Amy! Amy!”