PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP – THE INCUMBENT
Who is he?
The President of the United States and former New York real estate mogul and reality show TV show host.
How he can win.
Make the election a choice. Capitalism vs Socialism or Populists vs Elites.
Biggest challenge.
Trump has low job approval ratings among women, young voters and minority voters.
What to look for.
Economic job approval. If people are bullish on their economic prospects, Trump will be re-elected.
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN – THE ESTABLISHMENT CANDIDATE
Who is he?
Served as Vice President under President Barack Obama. Previously served in the US Senate for 36 years.
How he can win.
If he wins the nomination by presenting himself as the only person who can beat Trump. He wins the presidency by rebuilding the Obama coalition to win back Midwestern states.
Biggest challenge.
His age. Biden isn’t a strong campaigner and hasn’t looked sharp in the debates.
What to look for.
If he maintains his polling lead, he has a good chance to win the first four nominating contests. A quick primary process will put him in a strong position to take on Trump.
VERMONT SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS – THE SOCIALIST
Who is he?
America’s best known socialist and independent Senator.
How he can win.
Turning out young voters inspired by his message of a political revolution.
Biggest challenge.
America’s long-standing fear of socialism.
What to look for.
Young people will vote for Sanders, but that alone won’t win him the nomination. He is courting the Latino vote but would need this group – that typically show up in low numbers – to turn up at the polls to have a shot at the nomination.
MASSACHUSETTS SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN – THE POLICY WONK
Who is she?
Former Harvard Law Professor who rose to fame for grilling bankers and treasury officials following the 2008 financial crisis.
How she can win.
Using her big policy ideas to win over voters hungry for change without the fear of socialism.
Biggest challenge.
Moving beyond her base of progressives and college educated voters on the East coast.
What to look for.
Her performance relative to Senator Sanders. If she can beat him, his support will fall in line behind her and she can secure the nomination.
SOUTH BEND MAYOR PETE BUTTIGIEG – THE NEXT GENERATION
Who is he?
Former mayor of South Bend, Indiana and naval intelligence officer.
How he can win.
Combining his youth and fresh appeal, with his moderated views and intellect to attract educated voters and older voters.
Biggest challenge.
Winning over black and other minority voters to support his candidacy – the most reliable voting bloc in the Democratic party. Buttigieg’s struggles with black voters have been well documented and he doesn’t appear to have an answer to the problem.
What to look for.
If he wins Iowa or does very strongly, it could propel him to victory in New Hampshire and Nevada. This will set him up for a strong performance on Super Tuesday as he will ignore South Carolina to focus on the big states like California and Texas.
MINNESOTA SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR – THE MODERATE
Who is she?
A former corporate lawyer, county attorney and Minnesota Senator since 2007
How she can win.
By convincing Democrats that the best person to take on Trump is a centrist woman who has a proven record of winning in the Midwest, where Trump’s re-election hopes hinge.
Biggest challenge.
Breaking through the centrist lane against the better-known Biden and the better-resourced Buttigieg.
What to look for.
She’s outlasted flashier, higher profile candidates and could perform well in the Midwestern states. It’s Iowa or bust for Klobuchar.
FORMER NEW YORK CITY MAYOR MIKE BLOOMBERG – THE BILLIONAIRE
Who is he?
Billionaire businessman and former mayor of New York City.
How he can win.
Using his wealth to boost name recognition and support and collect delegates in counties that other candidates can’t afford to campaign. If the field stays large, he could emerge as a front runner at a brokered convention.
Biggest challenge.
Overcoming Democrats’ aversion to a billionaire businessman and his stop-and-frisk policies while mayor.
What to look for.
How he performs on Super Tuesday. A strong performance could see Bloomberg take delegates from big states and push on for the rest of the nominating contest.