Everywhere, USA- Fresh of the heels of the first round of debates among Democratic Presidential hopefuls, and the “official” launch of President Donald Trumps re-election campaign, it appears the 2020 Presidential Campaign is in full swing.
On the Democratic side, over twenty candidates have assembled to challenge the President. This group is comprised of Mayors, Governors, Senators, Representatives, and even a former Vice President.
Energized by the politics of a divisive President, many view the Democratic field as one of the most talented groups of candidates ever assembled on a single stage. For many liberals there is a sense of optimism as they look forward to 2020; bolstered by a renewed activism from the party base, and significant congressional gains after the 2018 mid-term elections, Democrats see a clear path towards reclaiming the White House in 2020.
While recent polling does grant merit to this optimism (President Donald Trump has never exceeded a 46% approval rating, and over 1/3 of the Democratic field polls significantly higher than the President in a head to head match-up), there are some significant concerns being expressed from the ranks of highly coveted swing voters…
With the election cycle beginning more than a year and a half ahead of the 2020 Election, I do wonder how much time these officials are dedicating to the jobs they already have…
Iowa resident and registered Independent, Deborah Klassen asked during a telephone interview. She went on to add.
I know it’s not entirely their fault, but these officials weren’t exactly knocking it out of the park prior (to the campaign). Is there any reason to believe their performance will improve as they gallivant across the country trying to win support?
Meanwhile:
Is it unrealistic to expect these officials to spend less time on the campaign trail, and more time in their offices actually doing their jobs?
Wondered Johnson Betwin, from Des Moines, IA.
Because after all:
Some of these candidates are members of the House [of Representatives], and that is a two year term. Spending 18 months of a 24 month term, 75% of their time in office campaigning… for an entirely different job doesn’t seem right! It seems pretty excessive to me.
Similar sentiments were voiced elsewhere.
Our current President has been focused on his re-election, ever since he was elected,” Cedar Rapids, IA resident Wilma Barnes pointed out.
Not happy! Indeed:
Although I do agree with some of his policies, it has been apparent that he [Trump] is not primarily focused on his duties. I have the same concern with the Democratic field. There is definitely a glut of qualified candidates on the left, but what about the offices they currently hold. How focused are they on doing their jobs?
Is the current expansion of the election cycle simply a one off by product of an exceptionally divisive leader in excessively partisan times, or is this the new norm?
Should Americans expect to see longer and longer campaigns as we move forward in the 21st Century? Should we look forward to our elected officials spending more time focused on making promises, and less time trying to fulfil them?
If so, are we not better off? Our politicians have consistently disappointed us in the past… Is it reasonable to expect that will ever change? Perhaps this is simply a case of addition by by subtraction… Perhaps, maybe…
Let’s see how things pan out.
Image from Pixabay.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay