Top 10 Dems
The top 10 Democratic presidential contenders for 2020, as ranked by The Telegraph:
1. Kamala Harris (Ranking steady at No. 1) — We are not surprised to see Harris emerge as the early frontrunner. If one were to pick the main qualities of someone who embodies the modern Democratic Party, it would be a 50-something, African-American, female professional from California. Harris checks each of these boxes.
Harris is further bolstered because California will play an increased role in determining the nominee compared to prior elections.
2. Joe Biden (Previously ranked No. 4) — Seemingly the total opposite of Harris within the demographics of the Democratic Party, Biden has one major factor in his favor — the electability argument. He would be favored to defeat President Donald Trump in the general election … IF the Democratic Party were to unite behind the former vice president.
3. Beto O’Rourke (Previously ranked No. 2) — We’ve cooled a bit on the former Texas Congressman during the last month, largely because Harris has been so impressive in racking up support in her first month as an official candidate. O’Rourke is now promoting the removal of existing physical barriers from the U.S.-Mexico border. “Walls end lives,” O’Rourke proclaimed.
4. Bernie Sanders (Previously ranked No. 6) — We moved Sanders up because he is reportedly making more moves to announce a run — and because he still has plenty of core supporters from his 2016 campaign. His problem is that some Democrats are going to do whatever they can to keep the independent Sanders from earning their party’s nomination.
5. Cory Booker (Ranking steady at No. 5) — Booker drew an audience of more than 200 people to his Monday “house party” in Nashua. He continues to make inroads with voters in early primary states, specifically New Hampshire and South Carolina.
6. Elizabeth Warren (Previously ranked No. 3) — Recent polling from the New Hampshire Institute of Politics should, in our opinion, be alarming to the Warren campaign. The fact that first-time candidates Harris and Booker already score higher favorable ratings among the polled Granite State Democrats does not seem to bode well for Warren.
7. Kirsten Gillibrand (Ranking steady at No. 7) — An unabashed feminist with connections to New York campaign donors, Gillibrand is holding steady.
8. Amy Klobuchar (Previously unranked) — Klobuchar, of Minnesota, certainly has a strong record. However, she may struggle for attention with fellow female members of the U.S. Senate (Harris, Warren and Gillibrand) also in the race.
9. Sherrod Brown (Previously ranked No. 8) — Brown’s best opportunity may be to be picked as the eventual nominee’s running mate.
10. Julian Castro (Previously ranked No. 9) — The 44-year-old Latino formerly served as the secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as mayor of San Antonio.