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brooklynite

(94,974 posts) Tue Feb 5, 2019, 02:59 PM Feb 2019

Dem presidential field looks smaller than expected

The Hill

The Democratic field in the 2020 election is shaping up to be much smaller than originally anticipated.

While more than half a dozen Democrats have declared they are running for president or launched exploratory committees, it’s a significantly smaller crowd than the estimated two or three dozen that were once mentioned as would-be contenders.

It’s still early in the cycle, and there’s time for more people to decide to get into the race.

But Democrats now say they expect their primary season to include a dozen or so candidates, most of whom fall in the progressive lane that more and more appears to align with the party’s mood.

“The invisible primary separated the wheat from the chaff,” said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon, who thinks that if there is a smaller number of candidates, it will be good for the party.

6 replies

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Dem presidential field looks smaller than expected (Original Post) brooklynite Feb 2019 OP

I like having choices, but I hope the field stays manageable. redstatebluegirl Feb 2019 #1

Think the strength of some of the early ones has deterred some lesser lights bigbrother05 Feb 2019 #2

I think it's different this time customerserviceguy Feb 2019 #3

Agreed, I think many of the people who would run just to get their name out there might stay away... Salviati Feb 2019 #6

It's a year until the first primary... Wounded Bear Feb 2019 #4

IKR?! Proud Liberal Dem Feb 2019 #5

redstatebluegirl

(12,265 posts)

1. I like having choices, but I hope the field stays manageable.

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Tue Feb 5, 2019, 03:27 PM

Feb 2019

This will be the most important election of my lifetime and I am 64 years old.

bigbrother05

(5,995 posts)

2. Think the strength of some of the early ones has deterred some lesser lights

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Tue Feb 5, 2019, 03:37 PM

Feb 2019

By declaring early, better known candidates have set the bar higher for attracting backers. With a smaller window to gain traction, staff and donors will be harder for the lower tier wannabes.

Not saying they didn't have important things to say, but many that might have entered the race will now try to back a candidate that shares their agenda instead of tilting at windmills.

customerserviceguy

(25,183 posts)

3. I think it's different this time

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Tue Feb 5, 2019, 03:43 PM

Feb 2019

Throughout my life, I have seen times when a particular major party Presidential nomination contest attracts a large number of applicants. In all of those cases, there are usually only two or three people who have a shot at actually getting the nomination, with the rest of them being in the 0-3% range, and they quickly drop out after Iowa or New Hampshire, if they even made it that far.

This time around, I don't see anybody getting a clear advantage over perhaps 6 or 7 others who have more than a minimal share of support. We may well not see anybody come to the convention with a clear first ballot victory. And with the focus shifting to small-dollar donations and away from big money donors who are out after a candidate's poor performance, we might not see as many dropouts after Iowa or New Hampshire as we used to.