Eric Holder Won't Run For President But Vows to 'Elect the Right Democrat'

Beth Baumann | March 05, 2019 5:15 AM

Former Attorney General Eric Holder on Monday ruled out the possibility of running for president in 2020, according to an opinion piece he wrote for The Washington Post.

“Though I will not run for president in 2020, I will continue to fight for the future of our country through the National Democratic Redistricting Committee and its affiliates,” Holder wrote.

The former Attorney General plans to work on local races, especially with districts being redrawn in the near future.

"For too long, Democrats have lost sight of the state and local races that shape the day-to-day lives of the people we serve. With state legislatures set to begin drawing new voting districts in 2021, what happens in those races over the next two years will shape the next decade of our politics," Holder explained.

Specifically, he plans to target gerrymandering, which is part of his effort "to ensure that the next Democratic president is not hobbled by a House of Representatives pulled to the extremes by members from gerrymandered districts."

What's interesting is he didn't say who his pick is but he did give some insight into who he think would be a good fit. And it might give us an idea of who has yet to announce.

I believe we should pick our nominee based on the following criteria. Does this person have a clear vision for the nation that meets the challenges of today and the uncertainties of the future? Is this a candidate of integrity whose honesty will help rebuild trust in our institutions? Does the person have the capacity — both mental and physical — to handle the rigors of the Oval Office? Does the candidate have the experience to revitalize a federal government that has been mismanaged at home and diminished abroad? Will this person have the ability to inspire the American people and bring us together?
In evaluating potential nominees, we should remember that creativity is not limited to the young, nor wisdom to those who are older. We must measure our candidates not by their age, but by the vitality of their ideas.

Let the Democratic in-fighting commence.