Since the moment President Trump took office, Democrats have been touting names for potential presidential bids and gearing up for the 2020 election. Just six months into Donald Trump's presidency, a Democratic congressman has announced his 2020 bid. John Delaney represents Maryland's 6th district. In an op-ed in the Washington Post, Delaney explained his urge to throw his name into the presidential ring:
The American people are far greater than the sum of our political parties. It is time for us to rise above our broken politics and renew the spirit that enabled us to achieve the seemingly impossible. This is why I am running for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States.
The Democratic Party cherishes opportunity over birthright; wants people to earn a good living; offers a helping hand to the poor, the immigrant and those left behind; wants all Americans to have health care; embraces diversity, equality and justice; understands the importance of global engagements; believes that government can do transformative things; and stands ready to provide for our common defense. This is why I’m a Democrat. But we have a lot of work to do, given our recent electoral failures, and we need a different approach — one that’s focused on the facts and the future...My approach goes beyond party and partisanship; I am first and foremost an American. I believe in a common national identity..." (Washington Post)
The congressman's sentiments allude to frustration with not only the current state of hyper-partisanship, but also the state of the current Democratic Party. Delaney is not alone, many die-hard Democrats are at odds with the party leadership's inability to send a strong economic message to the American people, or firmly define what exactly the party stands for.
This unanticipated announcement from a not-well-known congressman had Twitter confused, and America Rising PAC's Executive Director, Alexandra Smith, issued short, yet blistering statement on the news:
America Rising's official statement on @RepJohnDelaney's 2020 presidential run announcement: pic.twitter.com/oFw0NLqQJw
— America Rising PAC (@AmericaRising) July 28, 2017
With 2018 midterm elections on the horizon, it is very unclear why Democrats would even be thinking about 2020 presidential bids. This move is a testimony to the current disarray that is the Democratic Party.