- What we text is often personal and off the cuff. If we were to look back at what we said, particularly if we knew other people were going to read it, we would often choose not to say it or would say it differently. I am including this one conversation that Daniel and I had. I have hundreds of pages of them. Many of them had to do with some political thing we had heard about that day. Though texting is generally private, I am including one here because I think it will be fun for people who knew Daniel to remember how he sounded. I think he would have been okay with me sharing this. This text was written on November 16th, 2018. We had never discussed Ojeda before this occasion and Daniel died a week after it. Daniel may have changed his mind about Ojeda, who no one has most likely heard of, and who ended up having a very short presidential run.
- Dan: Did you watch Chuck Todd’s show? Richard Ojeda (D-WV) announced he is running for president in 2020 this week. He almost won a house seat in a West Virginia area that is usually +23%R. He out raised and under spent the incumbent Republican and came within a few percent of winning. I just read his Wikipedia page and watched an interview. He’s the best rival that I know of so far. Not that he has exactly my issue profile. Trump would have a tough time beating him at his tough guy routine. He has genuine attachment /concern for Trump’s base, working class/military.
- Me: The only bad thing I saw is that he supported Trump. He didn’t support him after he was elected but still he should’ve read more about him before he voted for him. He does look like he has the right kind of background to beat Trump.
- Dan: He has a great story. What can Trump say about someone who has two bronze stars? He is a community organizer, in the military, obviously, and he was an effective state legislator who got medical marijuana approved which is pretty crazy for that state and did a lot of work on the opioid crisis in the state house.
- Me: It says he never voted for a Democrat for president. It does say he’s a Democrat so that’s a little confusing. He liked Bernie Sanders.
- Dan: Like I said, I don’t agree with his issue profile entirely, but I like it enough – and he’s the first Democrat I’ve heard, in 2020 context, that I think would stymie Trump.
- Me: I agree.
- Dan: I donated 10 bucks.
- Me: I will too.
- Dan: Cool. Matt can’t get past him voting for Trump. Him=Ojeda
- Me: Also, unless I misread it, I can’t figure out why he never voted for a Democrat for president.
- Dan: He’s my age so he would’ve voted for Dole in 96, then Bush, then McCain, then the guy from Utah.
- Me: I like Amy Klobuchar and Kamala Harris a lot. I have no idea what Trump would do with them. Kamala Harris is very articulate and strong.
- Dan: I think the rules of the game are still going to be dictated by Trump since he is the one who will go further out there. This guy just seems cooler than Trump and he also has an anger-based style of communication. Ojeda comes off tougher than Trump’s bluster. I think that changes how much Trump will pick on him. They communicate in a similar angry style. When Ojeda was asked about immigration, he gave a great answer to Chuck Todd. Maybe I underestimate Trump, but this guy would be able to play Trump’s game and win.
- Postscript to this Sept. 25, 2021 I just heard Ojeda on Bill Maher’s show. Maybe he still has a chance.
I love hearing Daniel’s voice again. What a gift. Thank you for sharing.