I agree with Michelle Goldberg of The New York Times that "the Democratic primary doesn't have to be a nightmare." In theory anyway. Nothing has to be a nightmare. But the 2020 presidential nominating contest is going to be one anyway. Why? Because by my count at least 32 people have either declared their candidacy formally, expressed a serious interest in running, or made coy no-comment responses when asked.
Everyone knows the big names — the two-term senators, the vice president, the guy who couldn't beat Ted Cruz. Here are seven lesser known possible contenders who might be headed to one of roughly 517 televised debates scheduled for this year.
1. John Delaney
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Background: Three-term Maryland congressman, founder of various dodgy-sounding financial corporations.
Pluses: Already has a website where you see pictures of him as a child and read accolades from such esteemed progressive opinion-makers as George Will in TheWashington Post. Made a lot of noise about "gerrymandering" — i.e., trying to win at politics, a subject that liberal activists love to moan about — during his time in the House.
Minuses: Was in fact elected in 2012 thanks to, yes, gerrymandering under the authority of Gov. Martin O'Malley. Hard to avoid the try-hard image when you jump in this early. Would have to summon up the ghost of James Garfield, the last person to jump straight from the House to the presidency — and do so without the benefit of actually being in the House at the time.
Breakout Potential:
2. John Hickenlooper
Background: Two-term governor of Colorado, former mayor of Denver, geologist, craft beer pioneer, avid squash player.
Pluses: The public face of the alliance between Big Dope and Wall Street that will come to define the Democratic Party in the next decade. Had the guts to open a microbrewery in the middle of Coors Country. Very popular in a purple state.
Minuses: Has the last name of a Dr. Seuss character. Has subsequently admitted that legalizing dope was "a bad idea."
Breakout Potential:
3. Eric Garcetti
Background: Two-term mayor of Los Angeles, former member of the Los Angeles City Council, Rhodes scholar, amateur actor.
Pluses: No one on earth is smart enough to understand California politics, much less L.A. politics, so his actual record in office will be mostly ignored. Supported allowing citizens of Los Angeles to water their lawns an extra day every week, which in Golden State terms puts him slightly to the right of Pat Buchanan on the populist scale.
Minuses: Has no apparent views or agenda that would translate to a national stage, unless hiring "entrepreneurs in residence" to create policy on your behalf is something that would appeal to the Democratic base and the wider American electorate these days. The fact that his father, Gil, oversaw the failed prosecution of O.J. Simpson would probably inspire some goofy think pieces.
Breakout Potential:
4. Bob Casey Jr
Background: Three-term senator from Pennsylvania, former state treasurer and auditor, son of popular governor.
Pluses: More experience in office than others in the field. Almost certainly the only 2020 Democratic hopeful who publicly opposed abortion, which would give him some crossover appeal in red and purple states. Well known and widely respected on both sides of the aisle for his moderate views on most economic issues and his sober approach to debate. Also pro-gun and pro-coal. One of the first senators to endorse Barack Obama in 2008.
Minuses: See his position on abortion above, which would be a death sentence in a primary contest.
Breakout Potential:
5. Marianne Williamson
Background: Founder of various nonprofits and activist groups, failed House candidate, fitness guru, mystic, author of numerous books with titles like Enchanted Love: The Mystical Power of Intimate Relationships and A Course in Weight Loss: 21 Spiritual Lessons for Surrendering Your Weight Forever.
Pluses: Chose her lane early by declaring her interest in the 2020 Democratic race to TheGuardian. Showed in her 2014 House race that she is capable of putting together a broad and diverse coalition of support. Name another candidate who has been endorsed by Jesse Ventura, Alan Grayson, Dennis Kucinich, Van Jones, and Jennifer Granholm? Also: Alanis wrote a song for her.
Minuses: Has never been elected to office. Operates a website that sells the organic cage-free version of Trump University seminars. Probably believes in magic.
Breakout potential:
6. Oscar De La Hoya
Background:
Pluses: Massive name recognition. Won't have to work hard to pull off a tough-guy image. Has produced more evidence of actual collusion involving Trump than the special counsel investigation ever will. The celebrity path to the White House has already been opened and is unlikely ever to remain closed.
Minuses: A long record of legal controversies. Appears to hold no discernible views about any political question.
Breakout potential:
7. Steve Bullock
Background: Two-term governor of Montana, former attorney general, lawyer, adjunct professor.
Pluses: A strong moderate record in one of the nation's most conservative states. Cool cowboy name. Strong record on conservation. The greater sage grouse has no more eloquent living defender. Won the hearts of liberals with his ingenious legal challenge to the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United, which cited a century-old Montana law restricting corporate political expenditures. Mild-mannered, a good speaker. Supports abortion but rarely discusses social issues. Made headlines when he refused to deploy National Guard troops at his state's border "based simply on the whim of the president's morning Twitter habit."
Minuses: He lost the Citizens challenge. His support for coal will alienate both hardcore progressives and green-biz neoliberal types.
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Matthew Walther is a national correspondent at The Week. His work has also appeared in First Things, The Spectator of London, The Catholic Herald, National Review, and other publications. He is currently writing a biography of the Rev. Montague Summers. He is also a Robert Novak Journalism Fellow.
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