2020 Democratic Presidential Nominee Weekly Power Rankings - August 1, 2019

This list looks at who I believe currently has the best chance of winning the 2020 Democratic Party nomination for President. Only notable individuals who have announced they are running or have formed an exploratory committee are included. I am not a political expert, so don’t take this too seriously. Feel free to provide feedback.


Notes for This Week:

This week's rankings are delayed by one day to take into account the second round of Democratic debates on Tuesday and Wednesday night. CNN is drawing a lot of criticism for how it handled hosting duties, and rightfully so. They were more focused on getting candidates to attack each other instead of talking about the real issues.

1. Joe Biden

Previous Ranking: 1 (-)
Credentials: Vice President of the United States (2009–2017); U.S. Senator from Delaware (1973–2009)
Note: Biden was the focus of attacks for Night 2 of the debates, and he mostly deflected them well. He even gave back a little to Harris and Booker. However, he did stumble on some of his words, and focused a lot on his connection to Obama when convenient.

2. Elizabeth Warren

Previous Ranking: 2 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from Massachusetts (2013–Current); Assistant to the President for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2010–2011); Congressional Oversight Panel Chair for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (2008–2010)
Notes: It was pretty clear that CNN wanted the two most progressive leading candidates (Warren and Sanders) to duke it out, but they didn't take the bait. Warren stayed on message and made her claim to be America's Mom.

3. Kamala Harris

Previous Ranking: 3 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from California (2017–Current); Attorney General of California (2011–2017); District Attorney of San Francisco (2004–2011)
Notes: Harris took it on the chin in the second debate, getting hit by De Blasio on healthcare, Biden on bussing and healthcare, and Gabbard on her prosecution record. She pretty much either avoided the topics completely or just said her opponents were wrong.

4. Bernie Sanders

Previous Ranking: 4 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from Vermont (2007–Current); U.S. Representative from Vermont (1991–2007); Mayor of Burlington, Vermont (1981–1989)
Notes: I thought Sanders just coasted during his first debate performance, but on Tuesday, he seemed to settle in. Him and Warren probably won the night by staying true to themselves, yet still able to jab back when necessary.

5. Pete Buttigieg

Previous Ranking: 5 (-)
Credentials: Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012 — Current)
Notes: Buttigieg handled a difficult question about race issues in the first night of debates. He also didn't take CNN's bait when they basically asked him if Sanders was too old to be President. His calm, intelligent demeanor cut through the anger and excitement seen in most candidates on both nights.

6. Cory Booker

Previous Ranking: 7 (+1)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from New Jersey (2013-Present); Mayor of Newark, NJ (2006-2013); Newark City Council (1998-2002)
Notes: Booker performed well last night, showing his passion, experience, and willingness to call out some of the real issues facing the candidates.

7. Beto O'Rourke

Previous Ranking: 6 (-1)
Credentials: U.S. Representative from Texas (2013–2019); El Paso City Council (2005-2011)
Notes: O'Rourke didn't technically do anything wrong in his debate performance Tuesday night, but somehow he felt left behind.

8. Julian Castro

Previous Ranking: 8 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2014-2017); Mayor of San Antonio (2009-2014)
Notes: Castro had another stand-out debate performance last night, continuing to focus on immigration. This time, he battled Biden and won, leaving behind some nice quotes.

9. Amy Klobuchar

Previous Ranking: 9 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from Minnesota (2007-Present)
Notes: Did she participate in this week's debates? I don't remember.

10. Andrew Yang

Previous Ranking: 10 (-)
Credentials: Entrepreneur
Notes: Yang probably had my favorite performance of these debates (not withstanding Marianne "Dark Psychic Forces" Williamson). He was, to steal his phrase, "laser-focused" in his few chances to speak, mostly talking about the real issues of the future. 

Honorable Mentions

Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator from Colorado
Steve Bullock, Governor of Montana
Bill De Blasio, Mayor of New York
John Delaney, Former U.S. Representative from Maryland
Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. Representative from Hawaii
Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator from New York
Mike Gravel, Former U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative from Alaska
John Hickenlooper, Former Governor of Colorado
Jay Inslee, Governor of Washington
Seth Moulton, U.S. Representative from Massachusetts
Tim Ryan, U.S. Representative from Ohio
Joe Sestak, Former U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania
Tom Steyer, Billionaire
Marianne Williamson, Motivational Speaker & Self Help Author

Let me know what you think about my rankings! Leave a comment below.