Less than a day after launching a presidential exploratory committee, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand told Stephen Colbert she will be running for President in 2020.
I'm just not seeing it. I can think of at least four reasons Gillibrand won't earn the Democratic Party's nomination.
1. She's a Typical Politician
When Gillibrand was in the House of Representatives, she took a hardline against gun control and illegal immigration. Now not so much. Today, Gillibrand is now alright with issuing drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants. Her Democratic opponents will have a field day on these issues.
Gillibrand is a typical politician running against an atypical President. She cannot play Trump's game and if she tries she will crushed into obscurity.
2. She Will Have Trouble Stopping The Media From Paying Attention to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez...Never Mind Kamala Harris or Elizabeth Warren
It would be one thing if Gillibrand was the most popular politician in New York state. But her presidential announcement on Colbert was quickly overshadowed by AOC's search for Mitch McConnell. If Gillibrand struggles to grab attention away from a rookie Congresswoman then it is difficult to see a viable presidential campaign. I haven't even mentioned her Senate colleagues Kamala Harris or Elizabeth Warren.
3. Her Treatment of Al Franken
Even in the era of #MeToo, Democratic Party donors have never forgiven Gillibrand for her role in orchestrating Al Franken's resignation from the Senate in 2017 amid sexual misconduct allegations. This would likely have been the case even if the allegations had been substantiated. But Gillibrand saw to it that Franken never got a hearing from his Senate colleagues (something her Republican colleagues were only too happy to go along with and let her to their dirty work).
4. Stating Bill Clinton Should Have Resigned During The Lewinsky Scandal
An argument could be made that Democrats have looked the other way with Bill Clinton when going after Donald Trump's tawdry behavior. Gillibrand could have been viewed as a profile in courage. But given how she benefitted from the Clinton political machine this was viewed as opportunism. It must also be remembered that many Democrats believe that Hillary Clinton was robbed of the presidency. Criticizing the former President (and by extension criticizing Herself) won't take Gillibrand very far at all.
President Trump has very little to worry about where it concerns Kirsten Gillibrand.
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