Sixteen of the 20 declared Democratic 2020 hopefuls have already qualified for the first debates set for June 26 and 27. But to walk away with the nomination, making the debate is only the first hurdle. The real challenge is standing out in an increasingly crowded field.
That means that even Democrats bent on badmouthing President Trump (and, of course, there’s plenty to be critical of) will have to take a page from his book.
In 2016, Donald Trump won the nomination not on policy or even appeal to a now heavily mythologized version of white, working-class America. Instead, a key ingredient to his success was talking more often and louder than anyone else in the race.
That narcissism meant that Trump was always in front of a camera, always the subject of media coverage, and always at the forefront of conversations on the election. This strategy, or more simply personality, turned an election that could have been about so many things (e.g. healthcare, women, climate change, marijuana legalization, or forever wars) into a spectacle of Trump.
Although none of the Democrats exhibit Trump’s penchant for bombastic headline-grabbing conduct, the path to the nomination likely hinges on producing a similarly captivating performance of personality.
Already, candidates seem to be trying out for that critical role of media darling. Beto O’Rourke got a head start with his Senate race in Texas. Sen. Amy Klobuchar launched her candidacy in a snowstorm. Sen. Elizabeth Warren distinguished herself by focusing on hard-hitting policy. Mayor Pete Buttigieg picked up steam after a breakout town hall performance and has kept it going with talk of ideas. And the current front-runners, former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders — well, they’ve both spent enough time in the public eye already to a have a solid foundation of personality to stand on.
But in a large field, a likable personality or a strong history isn’t going to be enough to stay out in front. And by the time the end of June rolls around, those who are still in the race will have plenty to prove on stage. Then, fundraising and poll numbers, the two ways to qualify for a podium, won’t matter as much as who spurs a popular frenzy and dominates the discussion.
Trump shoved his way into a crowded Republican primary and pantsed all of his rivals, emerging as the center of attention. He called the shots in debate, and he was quite literally the talk of the country. In the end, all that attention would give him the nomination and the presidency.
In 2020, his challenger will have done the same to break out of the crowded Democratic primary. That sets the stage not for a clash of policy but a contest of celebrity and personality. After all, what else would matter when the primary qualification is standing out?
