2020 Democratic Presidential Nominee Weekly Power Rankings

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:

The 3rd Democratic Primary Debates didn't really move the needle in polls taken right after, but it looks like Warren probably did the best. My notes below will be mostly about each candidate's performance. Here are the FiveThirtyEight articles that go over the data from the debate:

1. Joe Biden

Previous Ranking: 1 (-)
Credentials: Vice President of the United States (2009–2017); U.S. Senator from Delaware (1973–2009)
Notes: Biden looked more frustrated during this debate. Warren didn't come for him as hard as many expected, but as the frontrunner, he has to be expecting everyone to come after him. Biden also has be careful about looking too old. He gave a bit of a rambling answer to a question about slavery that involved record players, and he let Castro use rapid fire speech to twist his words on healthcare.

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: Warren didn't need to go after Biden, despite it being their first debate together. She came out and looked strong and earnest as usual. Warren is known for her domestic issues, but she even showcased her foreign policy knowledge in the few chances that were given. I personally believed she won the debate, and the data seems to support it.

3. Bernie Sanders

Previous Ranking: 3 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from Vermont (2007–Current); U.S. Representative from Vermont (1991–2007); Mayor of Burlington, Vermont (1981–1989)
Notes: Sanders was Sanders, but unfortunately he sounded rather hoarse after losing his voice from a recent rally. Like Biden, he has to worry about looking old and weak, and I don't think that helped him.

4. Kamala Harris

Previous Ranking: 4 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from California (2017–Current); Attorney General of California (2011–2017); District Attorney of San Francisco (2004–2011)
Notes: Harris is looking worse and worse with each debate. She doesn't have much energy on stage, though she enjoys laughing at her own jokes.

5. Pete Buttigieg

Previous Ranking: 5 (-)
Credentials: Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012 — Current)
Notes: Speaking of energy, Mayor Pete needs to find a way to interject himself more into these debates. He's always solid and clear, but it's not interesting. His main bright spot was talking about coming out during his closing statement.

6. Andrew Yang

Previous Ranking: 6 (-)
Credentials:
Notes: Yang is finally being seen as a major candidate (he got 7% in a recent California poll), but he tried to throw that all away during the debate for a publicity stunt. Fortunately, he stuck to his message, and his giveaway is attracting a lot of contestants.

7. Cory Booker

Previous Ranking: 7 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from New Jersey (2013-Present); Mayor of Newark, NJ (2006-2013); Newark City Council (1998-2002)
Notes: Booker is always good in these debates, and I think he came in second place this time. He speaks eloquently and with a passion.

8. Beto O'Rourke

Previous Ranking: 8 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Representative from Texas (2013–2019); El Paso City Council (2005-2011)
Notes: O'Rourke has struggled in the debates, but he did a little better this time. It helps that he got a lot of praise on stage from the other candidates on how he has talked about the mass shootings in El Paso and beyond.

9. Julian Castro

Previous Ranking: 9 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2014-2017); Mayor of San Antonio (2009-2014)
Notes: The biggest whiff of the night came from Castro. Since the first debate, Castro has found a niche by attacking other candidates' positions, but it didn't work this time. He tried to catch Biden in a slip-up, and it ended up just looking like a kid teasing an old man.

10. Amy Klobuchar

Previous Ranking: 10 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from Minnesota (2007-Present)
Notes: Like Sanders, Klobuchar was herself in the debate. Unfortunately, that doesn't really work for her.

Honorable Mentions, Tier 1

Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. Representative from Hawaii
Tom Steyer, Billionaire
Marianne Williamson, Motivational Speaker & Self Help Author

Honorable Mentions, Tier 2

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
Tim Ryan, U.S. Representative from Ohio
Joe Sestak, Former U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania

General Reference Links

Primary Polls - https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-primaries/democratic/
Party Endorsements - https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-endorsements/democratic-primary/
Candidate Media Coverage - https://fivethirtyeight.com/tag/media/

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

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