| | | | What does Stacey Abrams do next? |  | | The news that 2018 Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams would give the Democratic response to President Donald Trump's State of the Union address next Tuesday cements her as a national figure and one of the brightest young stars within the party.
But Abrams' stardom is a tenuous thing. Yes, she came very, very close to winning the governor's race and, in the process, becoming the first black woman to be elected governor anywhere in the country. But she fell short. (Some Democrats still insist the race was taken from Abrams by former secretary of state and now governor Brian Kemp; Abrams refused to concede the race but acknowledged that the law didn't allow her any viable alternatives.)
That loss, no matter how narrow and no matter the extenuating circumstances, goes down on Abrams' electoral record. That will make her and her team very, very careful about the next race she chooses to run -- knowing that a second loss could turn her from star to somebody Democrats used to know.
"Yes, I will run again," Abrams said at a post-election event in California in December. "What it is I'm going to run for I haven't decided yet -- stay tuned."
So, what will Abrams run for next? And when? Here are the three options:
1. Senate 2020: Senate Democrats are recruiting Abrams to run against Republican freshman Sen. David Perdue in 2020. Perdue is potentially vulnerable -- he's not terribly well known in the state -- and Georgia demographics are moving in Democrats' direction. But does Trump on the top of the ticket help or hurt Abrams' chances?
2. Governor 2022: There's a part of Abrams that likely wants to run again against Kemp to avenge the 2018 loss that many Democrats don't even think was a loss. But four years is a long time in politics. And if Democrats win the White House in 2020, that could make it harder for her to win.
3. Vice president 2020: OK, you don't exactly run for VP. But Abrams seems likely to be a short-lister for almost any of the potential Democratic nominees, given the strength of her 2018 campaign in a Republican-leaning Southern state.
The Point: Like Beto O'Rourke, Abrams was elevated by a narrow loss in 2018. And, like O'Rourke, she needs to make a very careful choice about her next race, or run the risk of losing that ever-elusive buzz and momentum.
-- Chris | | "That's not correct. That's not American. What's next? What industry are we going to abolish next, the coffee industry?"
-- Former Starbucks CEO and potential independent presidential candidate Howard Schultz criticizing Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris for her support of Medicare-for-all, which would include an end to private health insurance as we know it. | | | Big welcome to CNN's newest fact checker, Holmes Lybrand, who takes an only-in-The-Point look at President Trump's claims about the US steel industry. Take it away, Holmes:
Starting off a Twitter dustheap Monday morning, Trump insisted that the steel industry had been saved and was "totally revived," all thanks to the tariffs he slammed on foreign importers last year.
"New and expanded plants are happening all over the U.S." he wrote. "We have not only saved this important industry, but created many jobs. Also, billions paid to our treasury. A BIG WIN FOR U.S."
Is that true?
Since Trump has taken office, a few new plants and mills have popped up around the United States, along with renovations and expansions to pre-existing plants. But it's important to note that the vast majority of these new plants were in the works years before Trump sat behind the 'ol Resolute Desk, according to industry analysts.
Last year about 11,000 jobs were added to the steel industry, but the total number is still lower than it was four years ago. It's unclear, too, how many jobs will continue to be added, given the efficiency of automation and the continued progress of current tech.
Oh, and that "billions" being paid to the US treasury? That's coming from the US companies who import steel products from foreign companies, a cost they often pass down to American consumers.
Big win for the United States? Totally revived? Maybe not. | | | It's Lauren's birthday, and her favorite gift has been the newly released Vampire Weekend track "Harmony Hall." | | AN INDEPENDENT COFFEE RUN | |  | The case against Howard Schultz 2020 | | Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is mulling a run for president as a "centrist independent." Is there any chance the billionaire turned politician can win?
Want Chris to spill more political coffee beans? Subscribe to The Point on YouTube. | | Jeff Flake: The Republican former Arizona senator is passing on a 2020 challenge to Donald Trump. He said this morning that "there really isn't a path right now" to victory.
Elizabeth Warren, who happened to recently propose a so-called ultra-millionaire tax, is now trading barbs with billionaire would-be presidential candidates Michael Bloomberg and Howard Schultz, saying they are trying to "buy the presidency."
Joe Biden: Says he's closer to deciding whether to run for president than he was over Christmas, but is in no hurry to decide.
Michael Bloomberg: Is in New Hampshire and considering a presidential bid, though he joked today that his visit is "nothing political. I always come to New Hampshire when it snows."
Tulsi Gabbard: The Hawaii senator's campaign is barely off the ground and already in disarray, Politico reports. | |
MAKE AMERICA OKURR AGAIN? | | The Bronx-born rapper who's generated buzz for her criticism of Donald Trump, a feud with Tomi Lahren and praise from Bernie Sanders has Iowa Democrats excited!
So much so, the influential Polk County Democrats have invited her to "a reception of her choice" while she's in Des Moines in May.
Cardi B, who is 26, is not in town for a campaign stop -- just another leg of her latest cross-country concert tour. She hasn't yet responded to the Polk County Dems' invite. | |  | | From Brenna: "How's actress Patricia Arquette following up winning some of her industry's most prestigious awards? By channeling some of her excitement into trying to get people jazzed about the Equal Rights Amendment. Award your friends with The Point!" | | | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment