i also pledge to donate, but it would be more if there were puppies.

Puppies!? Puppies!!!

Pay no attention to the indisputable fact that "pies" are conveniently included. :)

Totally blindsided her campaign staff by doing so too, as I understand it.

So, with the most diverse Democratic party in history, all the front runners are now white, and with only one exception, all male. They are also all over 70, again with one exception.

How about a Biden / Buttigieg ticket???

Moderate? Well, yes, I guess one might call Biden a moderate which is precisely where America is and will be in November 2020.

Is accomplishing a ban on assault weapons in America being 'moderate'? Is devising an effective strategy for US policy in Iraq when Iraq was circling the drain circa 2005 and onward?

Yeah, I suppose one might call those sorts of actions moderate and in line with the thinking of most Americans. One might also call it exuding competence and can-do attitude.

Senator Biden has never been satisfied with the status quo.

Financially speaking, there is no one in the Democratic field who understands what can be done to narrow the gap between rich and poor. Frankly, I wouldn't trust Elizabeth Warren on how to mitigate the next financial downturn or crisis - which I believe is coming soon to a main street near you - further than I can throw her as she still thinks the AIG bailout could have been handled as a bankruptcy!!!!!!!

And,

2- gaffes aside, I'm afraid that Joe doesn't have the debate chops to avoid Trump making him look like a befuddled old man.

Actually, you haven't yet seen Senator Biden perform in a debate this year because, well, there hasn't been a 'debate' yet. Ahem.

Too bad that Mayor Pete wasn't invited to speak ...

Those votes are in several unexpected places.

That's not very much even on a bad day around here. :)

You missed my decidedly unclear point.

good President stocks his administration with good advisors and relies on them to fill in the gaps of his/her knowledge. There is simply too much to know for one person.

That is certainly true, generally speaking. But, I was talking about foreign affairs and comparing Biden with Buttigieg.

"His people keep ressigning in disgrace or in jail . ." or in DISGUST, I would add.

Mike may be overlooking the possibility that many Trump votes were not even cast for Trump, they were cast AGAINST Hillary!

Perhaps I'm imputing my own feelings to others, but it may turn out to be a factor in 2020.

I think I've got a touch of whatever Michale has! (smh)

Here we are at Point A. Trump has never broken even 50% job approval rating, his people keep ending up resigning in disgrace or in jail and recent poll shows 50% of us want Trump not only Impeached but Removed from office versus the same 43% who'll support Cheetogod no matter what.

So where are the votes to reelect Trump, with or without a landslide? How do we get from Point A to Point B?

C'mon Michale help me out here!

I disagree. A good President stocks his administration with good advisors and relies on them to fill in the gaps of his/her knowledge. There is simply too much to know for one person.

I'm highly sceptical of Joe Biden, for two main reasons:

(1) He's waaay too moderate - America has been suffering under Reaganism ("lower taxes on the rich and somehow it will trickle down") for four decades. The only cure is to jack the top marginal rate back up to 91% ("...that's one for you and ten for me"**,) treat capital gains as ordinary income & to reinstate environmental protections. I had to hold my nose to vote for Hillary in 2016, and if Joe wins the nomination I'll have to get a grip on my schnazolla to vote for him. In many ways Hillary losing was the best thing to happen to the Progressive movement. INCREMENTALISM WON'T GET IT DONE -- only Bernie or Elizabeth can get us where we need to go.
(**sung to the Beatles "Taxman")

2- gaffes aside, I'm afraid that Joe doesn't have the debate chops to avoid Trump making him look like a befuddled old man.

A quick look at Wikipedia shows the following spoke at the 2012 Democratic convention:

Joe, of course
Julian Castro (Keynote)
Cory Booker
Elizabeth Warren
Tulsi Gabbard (candidate for HI-2)
Deval Patrick
Tom Steyer
Kamala Harris
Elizabeth Warren

First off, his military service record would be a top reason. Secondly, I think it would be great if the POTUS was a gay man.

His presentation is a good one for a newcomer to the national political scene, though it is wearing a bit thin on me. Mostly because of his lack of experience in international affairs, despite having served in the military.

The next president had better be comfortable in his own skin and knowledge of how the world works at its best and not have to rely on advisors to make up his own mind.

There is only one candidate in the field who brings this most critical attribute to the table. Other than, you know, the ability to trump Trump.