Jay Inslee announces climate-focused 2020 presidential run. Does he stand a chance?

[brooklynite]

Seattle Times

The determination to tackle climate change is nothing new for Inslee, as his video conveys with TV clips of him speaking on the issue over decades. He championed clean energy as a member of Congress and co-authored a 2007 book calling for a national campaign of research and deployment on the level of the U.S. Apollo program, which sent people to the moon, to push the nation’s economy away from dependence on fossil fuels.

Inslee’s national ambitions have been evident for more than a year. He spent 2018 as chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, traveling the country to help elect fellow Democrats while making valuable connections with national political donors and operatives.

His rhetoric has turned increasingly toward national concerns, including vocal opposition to President Donald Trump’s environmental-regulation rollbacks and efforts to ban refugees from mostly Muslim nations. In a televised visit to the White House last year, Inslee garnered attention by standing and telling Trump, who favored a plan to arm schoolteachers, to consider “a little less tweeting … and a little more listening.”

While pursuing the nation’s highest office, Inslee has signaled that he does not intend to give up his current job, for which he is paid $177,000 a year. He has left open the option of seeking re-election to a third term if the White House bid flops.

[Sherman A1]

1. Does he stand a chance?

Sure, as to how much of one remains to be seen.

[crazycatlady]

2. (As of right now) he is the only governor in the race

Historically, presidents have been governors.

[brooklynite]

3. Two more Govs will be in by April

[namahage]

6. Governorship does not necessarily equal a nomination,

let alone a victory.

See, for instance, Chafee and O'Malley 2016, Romney 2012 and Richardson 2008.

[crazycatlady]

8. This is true

But (as of right now), it does set him apart from the rest of the field. We have 6 senators in right now, it sets him apart.

[marylandblue]

4. I likehim, but it bothers me that he couldn't implement his climate program in Washington

If he can't get liberal Washington to vote for climate change, how will he get the whole country to do it?

[Evergreen Emerald]

5. Gov. Inslee stops pushing carbon fee. Potential presidential candidate Inslee should keep the faith

It is difficult to change hearts and minds--but he is pushing forward and has made strides. Look at what the Legislature has done recently.

"Last month a half dozen U.S. House Democrats and Republicans signed on as co-sponsors of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R. 7173). At the very least, it’s a good conversation starter."

https://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/article223214980.html


This is due to Inslee. And his continued focus on addressing climate change.

[The empressof all]

7. The state legislature is far more Conservative than you would think

Remember half the state is pretty Red though that may be slowly changing. They have done a good job in labeling Inslee as a tax and spend liberal and if you see the local boards and facebook groups one could think we are the highest taxed state in the country. We actually fall somewhere in the middle. The east vs west divide in the state is strong, and although the Seattle/Olympia/Bellingham Corridor supports the rest of the state tax wise there remains lots of bickering about Seattle sucking up tax dollars and the latte liberals. Washington has one of the strongest economies in the country and Inslee has done a great job in cultivating business which also has been seen as a mixed blessing due to an ever increasing Amazonation of Seattle and our affordable housing and transportation crisis.

If you believe what the locals write on line, Inslee is a close second to the devil...

IMO there is a lot to like about Inslee and quite a few notable failures which in all fairness he inherited. Our state mental health system is a total mess and plans for improvement seem half hearted and piecemeal. In addition Inslee lacks a bit of charisma that would benefit a candidate on the national stage. He comes across as a nice guy but lacks an internal fire in his delivery that will work to his disadvantage.

So I think it's unlikely he will thrive in a Presidential Run, he will make a great Energy Secretary.

[Garrett78]

9. No, but he'll draw more attention to climate change, so that's good.

[comradebillyboy]

10. I like Inslee but a single issue candidacy is problematic

especially since people are more concerned with the economy, medical care and jobs.

[MineralMan]

11. Probably not. There are already too many standouts

running, really. Inslee is not well-enough known, I think, to overcome that. I think he'll get lost in the crowd for 2020.

[RobertDevereaux]

12. I watched his video today...

And found him coming across as not genuine, almost slick. At the very least, he needs to get a far better producer of such ads.

[WeekiWater]

13. No.

What he will get is my praise and I'm glad we have someone making this a single issue.

[TeamPooka]

14. The right question to determine his chances would be: Anyone here going to donate to his campaign?