Julian Castro

I think it's interesting that when I searched for a photo of Julian Castro, who has thrown his hat in the ring for the Democratic nomination for president, I couldn't find him doing anything interesting. No eating a corn dog at a fair, no holding a baby, no walking around a construction site in a hard hat. Just him in a suit, looking very serious. I think the picture at right is the one he would like to fantasize about.

Castro is the former mayor of San Antonio and was Secretary of H.U.D. under President Obama. Since he gave the key-note speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, he's been on the radar of those looking for new Democratic leaders (Obama first gained attention given the 2004 key-note address). He was a hot topic in 2016 as a possible winner in Hillary Clinton's VP sweepstakes, but that ultimately went to Tim Kaine.

Castro will certainly be the most prominent Latino in the race, and one has to wonder what that will gain him. If he doesn't do well in the primaries/caucuses of Florida, Texas, Arizona, or Nevada, he can probably fold up his tent. I wonder if he isn't secretly running for vice-president, as he would be the first person of Latin heritage on a national ticket.

What are Castro's views on the issues?  He's very friendly to LGBT issues. But on ontheissues.org many categories are left blank, including gun control, foreign policy, and health care (there's a vague statement about "people should not be on their own"). A big issue this election will be on the Medicare for all proposition, which will divide the progressive Dems from the more moderate. There's also nothing on taxes--is he on board with Ocasio-Cortez, who has suddenly become the mouthpiece for progressives, on taxing the shit out of the rich?

Clinton probably passed on Castro because of his lack of experience. San Antonio is a big city but there are a lot of things, like foreign policy, that aren't germane to the job. Same with Housing secretary. And since he left that job he hasn't had a position. He did write a book, which is almost required of anyone running for president.

Again, any of these Democrats would be better than Trump by a hundredfold, but Castro needs more seasoning in the political arena. One benefit is that he has a twin brother, so they could pull something like what happened in the move Dave.