Which democrat has the best chance of defeating Donald Trump in 2020?

[Progressive Pessimist]

I have absolutely no idea. It all depends on how effectively the GOP and Trump could characterize the candidate. So really this means that any of them can beat or lose to him. This will be Schrodinger's election. 

[scutosaurus]

Write in: Michael Bennet. Out of the options presented, probably Klobuchar or Buttigieg.

LOL, Michael Bennet? Bennet is a boring white guy fromma state (CO) Democrats have already locked up. Not to mention that Bennet is not running. What does Bennet bring to the table that John Hickenlooper hasn't already?

Bennet is a pragmatic policy machine with a history of electoral success and very likable to boot, and has no known scandals. Not to mention that he is running - he just hasn't announced yet because of his prostate cancer surgery yesterday. There's no reason to think he wouldn't have a much higher chance at beating Trump than just about any other candidate.

[coloradocowboi]

Likely D: Sanders, Buttigieg, Klobuchar, Booker, Inslee, Tulsi

Leans D: Warren, Biden, Hickenlooper, Beto

Tossup: Harris, Castro, Gillibrand

Not gonna rate anybody else because literally no way they'd ever be nominated

By what metric do you include Inslee and Klobuchar in the top-tier of candidates likely to beat Trump ("likely D"), while Warren and O"Rourke are just "likely D"?

So, to explain, I think that Warren suffers from both sexism on the right and perceived insensitivity to racism on the left. She's been faring a bit better lately, but if she is running as a further left female Bernie, kinda the vibe I'm getting now, I don't know how that plays with suburban whites.

Beto and Biden (and Hickenlooper who is purely hypothetical unless Biden dies or is incarcerated) make me nervous because of their inability to inspire the base and susceptibility to demotivation campaigns. They lack a lot of substance and authenticity and will wither when the internet spotlight hits them hard. Biden is closer to Likely than the others I would say.

[MillennialModerate]

I feel like this board and the far left in general is being over reactionary to the 2016 election.

It’s like people are picking candidates to be anti-conformist.

Dont over think this, it’s Biden.

[President Johnson]

Steve Bullock. 85% chance he trounces Trump.

[S019]

Write in: Steve Bullock. Michael Bloomberg 85% 95% chance he trounces Trump.

FTFY

[Da2017]

I,a say Harris and Buttigieg. Harris would offer the greatest contrast. O Rourke is a possibility.

Warren has moved up,but I,m still concerned about how she will fare. I think the whole Native American thing has damaged her. I cannot help,but think that voters might perceive her as being too smart.

I had Hope for Klobuchar ,but she has disappointed me. Her stage presence is lacking. That recent town hall did not help.

[Xing]

Bloomberg would lose very badly to Trump, lol.

[Mr. Smith]

I feel like this board and the far left in general is being over reactionary to the 2016 04 election.

It’s like people are picking candidates to be anti-conformist.

Dont over think this, it’s Biden Hillary.

This is what the general consensus was after Kerry lost.

Oops.

[FalloutBoy97]

I honestly don't know. If I did, I would be behind that individual for the nomination already. I feel like there are a number of winning "formulas" that could bring down Trump but I don't know which one is the magic pill. Someone like Harris or Booker could successfully unite the party's various wings, but they could also be cast as pandering empty suits who can't be trusted. Someone like Sanders or Warren could energize progressives and steal some of Trump's populist thunder, but they also could be cast as extreme rather than authentic. A relative moderate like Biden or Klobuchar could win over independents, but independent =/ moderate and they could fail to inspire young democrats. Currently leaning towards the Warren/Buttigieg camp, but I guess I'll have to wait and see how this all unfolds.

[John Dule]

Sanders vs Trump would look something like this:

Sanders would lose New Hampshire while Clinton won it? Yeah, ok...

[izixs]

I would have the best chance of defeating Donald Trump in 2020! Because if I were to be nominated I'd make sure to bring a broadsword to the debate competition, thus insuring I can defend myself when he attacks me after I toss out my various deep cutting insults in his general direction, thus insuring both the sympathy vote and the 'this guy knows how to use a cool sword when someone throws a podium at him' vote.

But more seriously, this is a kind of ridiculous question on several levels. Especially as we lack so much knowledge about the various candidate's strengths and weaknesses. Incomplete knowledge will lead us astray more often than not.