I predicted that Biden would lose in Iowa and NH, but I never imagined that it would be by that much. His campaign is on life support. And so, the question needs to be addressed in more detail: as between Bloomberg, Buttigieg, and Klobuchar, who is the best hope for the realos?
Here are four extremely important questions you can use to answer that question, with rankings for the three candidates:
- WHO IS BEST QUALIFIED TO BE PRESIDENT? Your choices are a former consultant and small town mayor; a senator; and the former mayor of an enormous and diverse American city. This one isn’t close; Bloomberg has the most relevant experience. BUTTIGIEG: 1 point; KLOBUCHAR: 2 points; BLOOMBERG: 3 points.
- WHO CAN RAISE THE FUNDS NECESSARY TO BEAT TRUMP IN NOVEMBER? This one isn’t close, either. KLOBUCHAR: 1 point; BUTTIGIEG: 2 points; BLOOMBERG: 3 points.
- WHO CARRIES THE MOST BAGGAGE THAT TRUMP CAN EXPLOIT? While Bloomberg has the most relevant experience, it comes with the most baggage, too. Unbelievable as this may sound, the corrupt billionaire from New York will have a field day tying Bloomberg to the evils of the big city. Mayor Pete has the gay thing, and he sounds like a charter member of the snooty liberal elite. The worst thing people say about Klobuchar is that she’s hard on her staff. BLOOMBERG: 1 point; BUTTIGIEG: 2 points; KLOBUCHAR: 3 points.
- WHO CAN KEEP THE BERNIE BROS ON BOARD? All three will be acceptable to moderate swing voters, but the danger is that the Bernie Bros will jump ship in November. Their votes are necessary to beat Trump. Bloomberg, the billionaire, will make them run for the hills; Buttigieg famously takes money from billionaires; Klobuchar has no connection to billionaires at all. BLOOMBERG: 1 point; BUTTIGIEG: 2 points; KLOBUCHAR: 3 points.
The totals are: Buttigieg–7 points; Bloomberg–8 points; Klobuchar–9 points. It’s close, which is why the realos are going to struggle with this decision, but I personally think Klobuchar is the best choice.