The Democratic party’s biggest structural problem, in one ‘Senator vs. Governor’ chart.

It boils down to this: the American people are rapidly coming to the conclusion that you probably should be a governor of something before you become President.

It is… instructive… that the polling on this went from 55/24 in 2007 in favor of Senators over governors to 44/44 now. That this shift tracks the Presidency of Barack Obama – who, of course, had no executive experience prior to taking office, and who seems almost grimly determined to not acquire any now – should surprise no-one, and hopefully will not worry many Democrats. But it very much should. The top two Democratic candidates are former Senators with no direct executive experience, although we’ll certainly hear all sorts of novel excuses as to why First Lady/Vice President* counts. After that, the talent pool more or less dries up. It’s not that there aren’t plenty of governors out there with good job creation records and a proven ability to campaign and win; it’s just that they’re all Republicans. Guess the Democrats should have taken the 2010 midterms a lot more seriously, huh?

Ach, well, not my problem.

Moe Lane (crosspost)

*Dick Cheney or Al Gore could make that argument, mind you. Joe Biden… well, I suspect that he’ll try, but the howls of laughter in response will probably through him off his stride.

8 thoughts on “The Democratic party’s biggest structural problem, in one ‘Senator vs. Governor’ chart.”

  1. And we should hopefully wipe out more down ballot this year to stifle their bench even more.

  2. Hmmm. But the selection among Republican governors becomes somewhat limited. If only Cruz was a former/current governor.

    But that’s OK. I like him better as the Senate Majority Leader. (while we’re wishing)

    1. Well, depending on how 2014 ends up we could have up to eight or so sitting governors who have won re-election and who have a record that would appeal to at least part of the GOP. Mind you, the online base wouldn’t like at least two of the people on my private list.

      1. Just so we’re clear, I don’t have access to your list .. but I will not be voting for Christie. Period.
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        Mew

      2. Most of the online base should like Walker ( they are starting to hate Pence for whatever reason but he’s good too)

        1. Pence has one big and one small problem.
          .
          The small problem is that he is not a forceful person, he used to – when on radio – refer to himself as “decaf”.
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          The large problem is this means he isn’t the one *defining* himself, Pence lets others define him.
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          Until he or his handlers (hello? McFly?) decide to switch to half-caf or au lait*, they will continue to be seen as “good, but”.
          .
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          Mew
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          * Classical reference: http://www.cafedumonde.com/coffee

          1. And the big problem is that Michelle Malkin and others are going to go out of their way to define him as a “big government” Republican “like Bush” the same way they did to Perry.

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