Robert F Kennedy for President?

[Jon Miller]

According to https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA...L/nmopagnqapa/ the strongest motivation for a primary is that the young voters (Gen Z and Millennials) strongly disapprove of him. So really the questions is, would they stay home or vote (for a younger) Republican if it wasn't Biden versus Trump? I don't think so, but I agree that it might be chancy (and I am a Gen X, so ... ).

JM

[Berzerker]

are we still funding these labs and scientists looking to make deadlier diseases?

[Jon Miller]

I don't think congress has passed a law about that. Has there been an executive order?

Scientists are going to do science. To me as a scientist, the research makes sense (they aren't trying to make deadlier diseases, they are trying to understand biological processes).

JM

[Berzerker]

gain of function means deadlier diseases

[PLATO]

A sitting president usually only has a primary if he is very weak.

Most Democrats don't consider Biden to be very weak, even if they would prefer someone else. The reason they would prefer someone else is primarily because of his age. I think it is a real weakness against someone like DeSantis (DeSantis might have the problems though... ), but not against Trump probably.

If you were to ask Democrats about a primary to select the VP, I think there would be broad support from Democrats for such a primary.

JM

Both Political parties hold primaries every election cycle. It is how they select delegates to their conventions...and the delegates are the one's that select the party's candidate. This is as true for sitting Presidents as anyone else. Most sitting Presidents run unopposed and therefore no one notices the primaries...but they are always there

[Jon Miller]

Both Political parties hold primaries every election cycle. It is how they select delegates to their conventions...and the delegates are the one's that select the party's candidate. This is as true for sitting Presidents as anyone else. Most sitting Presidents run unopposed and therefore no one notices the primaries...but they are always there

In 2004, there was a Republican primary in some states, not all. Many states only had Bush on the ballot. There was no primary debates.

In 2012, there was a Democratic primary in all states, however, many states only had Obama on the ballot. There was no primary debates.

in 2020, there was a Republican primary in all states. There was no primary debates.

In 1996, there was a Democratic primary in some states. Clinton even lost in North Dakota, where he didn't appear on the ballot. There was no primary debates.

In 1992, there was a Republican primary in all states I think. Buchanan even got a significant number of votes (23%). There was no primary debates.

In 1984, there was a Republican primary in all states. There was no primary debates.

JM

[PLATO]

In 2004, there was a Republican primary in some states, not all. Many states only had Bush on the ballot. There was no primary debates.

In 2012, there was a Democratic primary in all states, however, many states only had Obama on the ballot. There was no primary debates.

in 2020, there was a Republican primary in all states. There was no primary debates.

In 1996, there was a Democratic primary in some states. Clinton even lost in North Dakota, where he didn't appear on the ballot. There was no primary debates.

In 1992, there was a Republican primary in all states I think. Buchanan even got a significant number of votes (23%). There was no primary debates.

In 1984, there was a Republican primary in all states. There was no primary debates.

JM

Thanks Jon. 1996 and 2004 seems to be the anomalies, but I imagine that they had enough primaries to get the required amount of delegates to nominate. Good info...much appreciated.

Debates, of course, are a different animal. Totally agree that primary debates for an incumbent are pretty darn rare.

[Jon Miller]

I think there should be a primary in all states.

At this point I am fine with no Democratic primary debates, although if Biden falls ill in the next 10 months I would like to be able to have a real primary.

I would like Republican debates, because I would like Trump to be off the table. I would really like Republicans to make a step towards sanity, and I think that means making a decision away from Trump (even if it is towards DeSantis, which is not the direction I want Republicans to go, but at least it is a step away from Trump). On the table though, I am unable to vote for even a Republican I like at this point, because of who would be in his/her administration. I hope that changes in 6 years.

JM
(I would consider voting in a unity ticket of Manchin+Hogan or something, as long as there was an agreement that kept far right Republicans from serving in the administration.)