5569

Warren’s my candidate, too. She is a little too progressive for me in some areas, but she’s the best combination we have of “Can Beat Trump” and “Will Make A Great POTUS.”

5570

I was surprised seeing this article come out now instead of, say, two months ago, but Shapiro seems to think Pete still has a shot.

I would be more than content with Warren but if somehow ‘Pocahontas’ becomes her ‘emails’ and the country buys it, I will probably just bang my head against a wall until only a bloody stump remains.

5571

I think that at this stage, Pete would make a very competent VP, which would then groom him to become president in 8 years.

5572

Agreed. He is a smart and well spoken individual. And while I would be glad to vote for him as the nominee, so would I for Warren or most of the others who are viable.

The exception being Biden. I wouldn’t be happy, but I would vote for him.

5573

I think a cabinet position or a run at Governor or Senator (in 2022 or even 2024) is a better idea. I think he’s a strong candidate and wouldn’t be disappointed if he won the nomination this time around, but I don’t think he adds enough to the ticket to be a good VP choice for Biden or Warren. Perhaps if Bernie or Harris wins, but otherwise I think the nominee would be better off going for a lower-tier candidate or a non-candidate that really shores up their weaknesses. Biden reaching for Gilibrand or Tammy Duckworth or some other younger woman (even Harris if she would do it, hopefully not Gabbard), Warren choosing Booker or Holder or perhaps Castro, anyone at all choosing Abrams.

5574

Could he win a race for Governor of Indiana if he had the right resources? That’s a nice step up.

5575

I don’t know enough about the local politics to know how popular the current governor is, what the primary competition is like, or how Pete polls there in general. He’s charismatic and centrist in some ways, and energizingly progressive in others, but even Evan Bayh lost by 10 points there last year (for the Senate). With Trump on the ticket, though, maybe he can get a boost from depressed republican turnout?

5576

And Warren likes The Rock and his show Ballers. Another point in her favor.

Having The Rock on your side is probably pretty good. He has a TON of crossover appeal.

5577

Warren / Johnson 2020. I’m in.

“Can you smell what the VP is cookin’?!”

5578

I think you found her perfect VP!

5579

I’d love to see that VP debate.

5580

He goes on stage, does this,

And watch Pence squirm and call for ‘Mother’

5581

Not to be a downer and overly serious (sorry), but I feel like if there is a Democratic president again, there’s a decent chance that person will be the target of an assassination, given how radicalized right-wing media has become. Normally the VP doesn’t really have anything to do but given her age and the environment, I want a qualified professional as the VP.

No more celebrity Presidents in my lifetime, please. Reagan and Trump have done enough damage.

5582

I would assume most of us are joking. As great of a guy as Dwayne Johnson appears to be in the plethora of media stories available on him, he doesn’t have a single day of political and government administration experience. If he set aside acting and was serious about pursuing a political career, starting at say the city government level (mayor?), and working his way up…then I’d happily vote for him as long as he was doing a decent job of it.

5583

Exactly this.

I just thought the mental image of homophobe politician (and because GOP probably secretly into that) getting the sweats from a flexing Rock amusing.

I also get the same amusement from the thought of him having to be on state with Pete, however that is a serious consideration as I think he would make a good VP.

5584

I think that boat has sailed. Being a celebrity is the primary qualification for President these days. You also need some seriousness from a policy standpoint, but not much, if you are popular enough in the right places.

Besides, Reagan was Governor first - gaining a bit of experience doesn’t make you good for the country. Having your heart in the right places and the right people around you makes you good for the country (along with the aptitude and work ethic to do what it takes to get things right).

That said, I don’t think The Rock meets that standard at the moment. I just think that if he wanted to meet it, he could get there by engaging with policy and with campaigns, rather than needing to “work his way up” in some Cursus Honorum sense.

5585

Dwayne Johnson is a smart guy and realizes that any political stance will diminish his box office potential. I dare you to find a single political statement from him.

Though it would be fun, I can’t even imagine him campaigning for Warren, were she to become the nominee, though I don’t know how strong his feelings are about Trump.

EDIT: Hm, appears he’s not a fan.

Not to say he’d never run. Like Arnold, perhaps he’s just waiting until his Hollywood career starts winding down to make the move into politics.

5586

When I first ran across Dwayne Johnson, when he first left wrestling for acting, my initial reaction was “oh jeez, another wrestler trying to break out.” Pretty much complete dismissal.

I am happy to admit I was wrong. The man seems genuinely intelligent, has amazing charisma, has shown great judgement in his choice of acting roles, comes across as genuine and humane and real. He’s a good actor, and I wouldn’t at all mind voting for him for a political position, assuming he advanced the goals and positions I would appreciate. I wouldn’t want or expect him to start at President, but as said, mayor, something like that, would be a great start for him.

5587

Understood. That’s why I was apologizing for being overly serious, it got my brain off on a tangent about celebrity and politics and how so many people voted for Trump thinking he’s what his character was made out to be on TV. I didn’t really want to derail the fun but that’s where my train of thought took me. :)

5588

The only wrestler I’d want representing me is Zack Sabre Jr, and unfortunately he can never become US president.