Let’s cut to it. Every modern two term President is exciting, and every one term President is boring. I’m talking charisma. That certain je ne sais quoi. It’s a feeling. A tickle. You know what I’m talking about.
Sure, that may be hyper-generalizing, but let’s just go through it, shall we? Let’s get ourselves out of WW2 and Vietnam and start post-Nixon. Our two-termers colorfied.
Ford: So lame, Chevy Chase made a career out of him.
Carter: Nice guy. Not exciting one iota. People liked him if he were their neighbor. But not as President.
Reagan: Carter had no chance against this Captain of Schmooze. A literal actor. Charisma City.
HW Bush: Super qualified. Nice guy. Boring as all hell.
Clinton: Dude could work a room like no one else. Terrible husband. Exciting guy. Two terms, baby.
W Bush: The guy everyone would have a beer with. Terrible President. Excellent charisma. Smiled and winked his way to Mission Accomplished: two terms.
Obama: The epitome of cool in post-Creed America. Swaggered his way to two terms.
Trump: Say what you will, but the guy has managed to Bankrupt and sexually assault his way to the most powerful job in the country. Twice. It’s charisma of a certain ilk, but charisma nonetheless.
Biden: Like HW, well qualified. Nice guy. But couldn’t charisma his way out of a debate.
Based on the theory that a President really needs two terms to get anything to stick, and that regardless of the side you are on, we are at an undeniable turning point politically in this country, who should each party run? Who’s got the it factor? We know it when we see it, even if we don’t like it.
Let’s go with six (because why not) early frontrunners for each side, with my hot take on not necessarily who will be nominated, but SHOULD be nominated if the party prioritizes squeezing two terms out of them. Because history doesn’t lie.
Democrats:
Nopes
Kamala Harris: As qualifed and energetic as she may be, she doesn’t have the x-factor. I don’t see it.
Gavin Newsome: Slick as a base-stealing Ricky Henderson, but I think his personality is too contrived. His swagger too hardened by hair gel. Looks the part, but I don’t think he’s it.
Josh Shapiro: I stick him right in between the former two. Qualified, energetic, but also wants it too much. No.
Closer
Jon Ossoff: I just don’t think we have enough data yet on him. He can give a speech, but can he smile? Definitely has some it in him.
Pete Buttigieg: He’s got his own brand of it, but is it the two term kind? Is he not new enough? I’m conflicted.
Winner
AOC: Love her or hate her, she is the undeniable winner. Hell, her name is an acronym. She oozes swagger and certainly has the highest floor of anyone. Currently the clear two-term frontrunner in my book.
Republicans:
Nopes
JD Vance: Sure, he may be the betting favorite. But he’s as charismatic as a cinderblock. No way.
Marco Rubio: Sure, he may be the second betting favorite. Remember the water thing? Yep, he’s still that. Nada.
Ron DeSantis: Oh how the mighty quickly fall. Like Icarus on a hot Florida day: no chance.
Closer
Donald Trump Jr: Only charisma he has is by proxy. That may count for something, but not enough.
Ted Cruz: Something about Texas just marks a guy for some it. Cruz doesn’t have swagger by any stretch, but he’s got enough “goofy uncle” to give him a little something.
Winner
Tucker Carlson: The dude may have worn a bowtie most of his career, but it’s the fact that he could that marks a man. He may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but let’s be real: he wants it. Let’s also be real: it won’t be as a third party spoiler. He also has the most base, and is the clear winner in my book.
Game on!