The 2020 presidential campaign begins in earnest Wednesday and Thursday nights, with the first of two rounds of “debates” by 20 Democratic candidates, 10 each night on NBC, from 9 to 11 p.m. EDT.
Though cast as debates, the events are usually more round-robin presentations of policy positions and “getting to know you” remarks aimed at voters than direct confrontations.
The best-known candidates for the first round are Elizabeth Warren, Beto O’Rourke, Cory Booker and Amy Klobuchar. On Thursday night the list includes Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg.
The main goal of the rest of those on stage will be to establish themselves among those leading groups. It won’t be easy, since they’re all currently polling at around 1% support.
Many observers believe Warren got a break when she was assigned to the Wednesday group; she’s currently ranked third overall in the polls and the two “old white men” ahead of her are both scheduled for Thursday.
“There’s no way to know whether that’s the way it’ll play out, of course,” writes Aaron Blake for the Washington Post. “Warren will still have to contend with nine other candidates who know that the best way to break through may be to mix it up with her.”
Biden remains firmly in the polling lead, although that likely reflects his name-recognition advantage over the rest.
“The former vice president has led nearly every national and early state poll so far this year, and he’s currently ahead by 15 percentage points in the RealClearPolitics national poll average,” Vox reports.
Axios advises all the Democrats “to ignore the desire to create a viral moment” — and instead “make sure voters know who you really are and find an opportunity to take on President Trump.”
A recent Daily Beast/Ipsos poll found that 82% of both Democrats and independents want — before all else — a nominee who convinces them he or she can beat Trump.