Dems don't seem ready to take 2020 election

As a Muhammad Ali fan, it hurt to watch him struggle against a good but not great contender in Jimmy Young. Overconfident and out-of-shape, Ali fought on fumes to a head-scratching decision win. A newspaper reporter described it best saying that Ali was willing to give his title away; Young just didn't have the heart to take it.

The same thing is happening today in politics. As mostly Democrats announce their run for the 2020 presidential campaign, Republicans are trying to hand the White House to the Democrats on a silver platter. The Democrats, however, fresh off impressive midterm gains last November, seem too out of sync to take it.

Ali was coming off an impressive title defense when he fought Young, and Young entered the match on a four-fight win streak. Maybe they were both feeling a little too good about themselves.

There's a feel-good energy among Democrats with newcomers like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ayanna Pressley. They're bent on turning election victory into legislative success. There's just one problem. Some Democrats are (still) feeling the Bern - as in Bernie Sanders. Dare I mention Joe Biden? Who's going to take the Green New Deal and gun control debates forward for the Dems in 2020?

Millennials would like to know. They'll be left with the generational fallout from baby boomers and others.

Republicans hope that Democratic missteps will outweigh Mueller Report findings while Democrats pray for a nominee who can win more than the popular vote.

Not to take the boxing analogy too far, but Ali knocked out his next opponent and Jimmy Young became a major heavyweight contender. People can learn.

The last thing either political party wants is to lose by default.

James H. Newton

Itasca