General Discussion

Many factors determine whether someone is or is not electable as President. Pete aces many of them, absolutely, Potentially he is electable. Whether he is likely to be elected is a different standard however. And that standard too needs to be honestly evaluated. The stakes are incredibly high.

Here is a relevant hypothetical for you. In 2028 how likely do you think it would be for the American electorate to elect a brilliant, likable, qualified, openly trans woman as President were one to run? I would say it would be extremely unlikely, even if the chances might otherwise be good for a strong generic Democratic candidate to win.

The same question could have been and indeed was raised in 2008 when Obama ran and won. That time it was; would the American electorate elect a brilliant, likable, qualified African American as President? For some voters I believe that Obama being Black was an advantage for them when they considered him. However I believe that Obama being Black was a disadvantage for more voters than it was an advantage. Still, he won. It IS possible for a great candidate to overcome a disadvantage. However, I believe had Obama literally identified himself with being a devout Muslim rather than as a practicing Christian, he would not have become president. Not in 2008.

We can't allow ourselves to be dictated to by prejudices. But we also can't afford to allow another horrific person be elected in 2028 who would destroy what is left of our democracy. Much as it shames me to admit it, the American electorate is closely divided. It likely won't take that much in either direction to sway the 2028 election one way or the other. I would not support either a Muslim, or an avowed Atheist for President in 2028, because I believe being either would doom their chances to win that year. That might not be the case in 2032, or 2036, depending on the make up of the electorate at that time.

Granted, I find it unlikely in the foreseeable future that it would be advantageous for a Presidential candidate to be Muslim, or Trans, but perhaps it will reach the point that, like with Obama in 2008, such a "disadvantage" can still be overcome.

If the stakes were a little bit less high, or if the perceived disadvantage a gay man might face attempting to win a presidential election were a little less daunting, I could easily support Pete for President in 2008. The way it stands, the way i see it, right now I can not.