Seth Moulton Drops Out, Sees a Danger for Democrats

He warns that a too-liberal candidate might lose to Trump
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 23, 2019 10:01 AM CDT
Another Democrat Drops Out
Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., speaks during a candidate forum on labor issues on Aug. 3, 2019, in Las Vegas.   (AP Photo/John Locher)

Another dark horse is out. Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton is withdrawing his 2020 presidential bid after the centrist candidate failed to gain any traction with voters, reports New York Times. Moulton, who did not qualify for any debates, said in an interview that only Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders have any real shot at the Democratic nomination. And though he praised his "mentor" and friend Biden, the 40-year-old said he would not be endorsing anyone just yet. He warned, however, that Trump could defeat a too-liberal candidate. "Really it's a debate about how far left the party should go," he said.

The Iraq War veteran will instead seek a fourth House term, reports Politico. He tells the Times that entering the presidential race late, days before Biden, was "a bigger handicap than I expected." But he also said issues close to his heart—veterans and national defense—were not "getting the attention they deserve" in the race. He added a hope that his infant daughter would know he did "everything I could to defeat Donald Trump." NBC News reports that Moulton clearly hopes to join a Democratic president's administration. His exit leaves 21 Democrats in the running. (Another candidate announced his departure this week.)

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