WaPo: How would you narrow the 2020 Democratic field?

[Algernon Moncrieff]

Democratic voters have no shortage of choices as the 2020 presidential primaries draw nearer. More than three dozen politicians, former officials and political outsiders have considered throwing their hats into the ring, with at least 20 likely to commit by the first primary debate in 2019.

They all bring different visions of what the party needs. Is it generational change, a history-making barrier breaker, a centrist with a proven ability to win Trump voters or a military veteran?

But the decision is not up to them. For the voters who will decide, here is a quick guide to help with understanding the choices ahead.

Article includes fun interactive chart

[spanone]

1. Almost two years out, I won't.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

10. I get that. I thought the interactive chart was fun.

I think most of our focus needs to return to resistance at least through summer.

That said, John Delaney just made a stop in Omaha and is opening six field offices in Iowa. Elizabeth Warren was just in Council Bluffs and looks to be opening offices soon. It's starting now, whether we like it or not. And the reality is that the shutdown/border wall argument is really just the first round of Trump's 2020 campaign.

[sellitman]

2. Not that he would necessarily get my vote but

I didn't see Joe Kennedy lll on that list?

[Algernon Moncrieff]

7. That is surprising

I don't think he will run, but you never know.

[TSheehan]

11. Why should he be on that list? Other than his surname.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

15. He's young, the rep for Mass 4, and voters seem to like him

The name doesn't hurt.

[Squinch]

3. We have one declared candidate and more pressing matters to worry about.

[panader0]

4. I know this is wishful thinking, but I would like to see

all potential candidates have a convention and decide who has the best
road to be elected. It would sure save a lot of energy and money.
The Democrats have a surplus of very good choices.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

12. We will really appreciate your reasoning when 20 people are getting up on a stage to debate

I'd like to narrow it to 5 prior to the primaries. As you say - wishful thinking.

[Iggo]

5. By voting in the primary.

That's how I'd do it.

I know how WaPo's gonna do it.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

8. They have a fun, interactive chart

Some people will go to caucuses.

[Iggo]

19. Yeah, I'm just not interested in their trying to split us up into rival camps.

All Dems are good Dems.

I'm for all of them.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

20. I agree on that

But we have primaries to pick a nominee. We will all have different preferences. This time around, my hope is that we all approach it from the point of view of "I may like my candidate more than yours, but either is a huge improvement over Trump."

[Hortensis]

6. Narrow???! How about examining our choices first? As they present?

For instance, how many of us have taken a good look at WA governor Jay Inslee or CO senator Michael Bennett yet? Gov. Jay Inslee is running; and watchers say Bennett, whom Obama described as one of our rising, gifted Democrats, is apparently showing signs.

I was surprised at just how much I was heartened when Elizabeth Warren announced, but we have a bunch of people to listen to and carefully inspect before even thinking of narrowing the field (or allowing the press, Repubs and Russians to do it for us!).

And then, as Iggo says.

The Atlantic: Jay Inslee Is Betting He Can Win the Presidency on Climate Change

“When you’ve been working on something for over a decade, and now seeing people awakening to that, it’s just really gratifying and heartening,” the Washington governor recently told me...

Other Democrats ... Inslee is the only one who has actually run a government that has made climate-change policy central."
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/01/washington-governor-jay-inslee-running-president/579217/

[TSheehan]

9. Only one offers a real choice, has inspired so many, and has been on the right side for decades.

He ran last time around, and did impressively well as an underdog in the primaries.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

13. Martin O'Malley???

[TSheehan]

16. Who?

[Squinch]

21. "Democratic choice." Keep up.

[lagomorph777]

14. I would use a type of election called "Primaries."

[Hekate]

17. Why not celebrate the fact that we have so many excellent Dems willing to take on an incumbent?

Trump is a monster, and he may well still be in office next year. If he runs again, the RNC will throw its weight behind him.

I really appreciate our Dems. There will be a natural thinning process over the next year -- I am not in any hurry to hasten anyone's departure, unless they are divisive and/or not a Democrat (but I repeat myself).

[Maru Kitteh]

18. ixnay the ernie sandersbay

Hopefully he will decline to run, but I have no faith.