Thread by @ChuckDeVore

Thoughts on the state of the race for President. Running for a major office is an exhausting endeavor. In my own experience, I had two intense campaigns: my first primary win for California State Assembly in 2004 and my run for the U.S. Senate in 2010. 1/9

In 2004, I was up against 5 other opponents, including a self-funded candidate who had about $1 million spent on her behalf. Each day was a contest: raising money, giving speeches, seeking endorsements, meeting voters. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_DeV… 2/9

I flew up to Sacramento to seek support from lawmakers and various trade associations. At the end of the day, I flew back to Orange County. I was in the airport, having dinner, when I saw my main opponent. I was exhausted. 3/9

But on seeing her, I put on a huge smile and sat erect. Months later, after winning, I had lunch with my former opponent. She told me about that evening in the airport. She was exhausted, she said. When she saw me looking so upbeat, it devastated her. 4/9

Running for the U.S. Senate in California was even more of a challenge, physically and mentally. I raised about $2.6 million. In the end, Carly Fiorina won the Republican nomination, putting about $5.5 million of her own money into the race. 5/9

Running for President is more than 10 times as difficult as running for Senate in California. It's not just the population, the distances covered, and the media scrutiny. It's a marathon grind. In time, the mental and physical toll will cause unforced errors. 6/9

That until last week, @JoeBiden was expected to remain safely in his basement, essentially running a remote campaign, indicated that he and his team thought that the risks of campaigning around the nation outweighed the benefits. Likely a correct call. 7/9

Now, however, #Biden will get out and campaign, going to 4 battleground states. As the polls with @realDonaldTrump tighten, Biden will be compelled to do more. Biden is 77-years-old. The rigors of the campaign will rapidly wear him down. 8/9

In time, the likelihood of making gaffs - high with Biden - will increase. The media will try to cover for him, but 2020 isn't 1980. Voters will see. Biden's only hope was to stay comfortably ahead. A tight race ended that hope. It's a real campaign. 9/9