Given that Donald Trump is unmistakably an Eagle, the Democratic nominee will need to be an Eagle or an Eagle/Parrot. None of the other styles or combination styles are likely to topple the intensity of Donald Trump's Eagle style. In the 2016 Republican primary, we watched as Trump out-Eagled Chris Christie, Marco Rubio, and others.
Joe Biden is driven by the Parrot style. This can be seen in his optimistic, toothy grin and personal approach to his candidacy. As Parrots are known to do, Biden speaks first and thinks second. The resulting gaffs have plagued him throughout his career. Trump's Eagle style will overwhelm Biden's Parrot, just as Kamala Harris's Eagle won the day in the first 2020 Democratic debate.
Bernie Sanders has a unique style that is only present in about 1% of the population. As an Eagle/Dove, he can be assertive and direct but also conveys emotion and can be teary-eyed in sensitive moments. His Dove style softens his Eagle approach, which will give Trump the advantage.
Like Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker also displays the elusive Eagle/Dove style. He has intensity in his eyes and a dominant edge to his voice, but he has been described as amiable. In fact, people criticize his nice-guy persona as fake because it doesn't jive with his tough language and self-adulation. His take-charge Eagle approach would serve him well, but the Dove aspects of his personality will decrease his chances of success against Trump.
Elizabeth Warren typifies the Owl/Eagle. She provides Owl-level data and speaks with the conviction of an Eagle. She's a big-picture thinker who challenges power and corruption as she makes her case with surgical precision. Her Owl focus on policy will be overpowered by Trump's aggressiveness.
Kirsten Gillibrand's Owl/Eagle style conveys conviction with a plan, which can be heard in statements like, "I will take on the systems of power." She possesses both of the task-oriented styles (Owl and Eagle) and neither of the people-oriented styles (Parrot and Dove). This seriously diminishes her ability to connect with people emotionally, as we learned with Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.
Like Kirsten Gillibrand, Amy Klobuchar possesses both the Eagle and Owl styles, though her Eagle is more prominent. Could she take on Donald Trump? Not likely. Her Owl is demonstrated by her 137-point plan. Yes, she has 137 ideas she wants to put forward in her first 100 days as president. Her elaborate ideas will be overpowered by Trump's Twitter-like approach to conveying policy.
Pete Buttigieg is the Dove/Parrot combination. By possessing both people-oriented styles, he speaks from a personal space that is calming and reassuring. He makes data personal through his stories. He's vague on issues and spends much time talking about his values. He has the likability factor but lacks a commanding presence. People describe him as calm and polite, but calm and polite are not much use in the ring with Donald Trump.
There are many more Owls in the Democratic field: Beto O'Rourke, Julian Castro, Tulsi Gabbert, Tim Ryan, John Hickenlooper, Michael Bennet, Andrew Yang, and John Delaney. They live in the land of data, statistics, and plans. There are also a group of Eagles: Bill de Blasio, Jay Inslee, Eric Swalwell, and Marianne Williamson who, like Chris Christie in 2016, will be out-Eagled by the bombastic Donald Trump.
Who Can Beat Donald Trump?
There is only one Democratic candidate with the personality to take on Donald Trump. As the only Eagle/Parrot in the bunch, Kamala Harris is well-disposed to take the presidency in 2020. Combining an Eagle's candid, results-orientation approach with the Parrot's inspirational, hopeful tone, Kamala Harris is the only individual likely to beat Donald Trump.
Like other presidents before her who displayed strong Eagle and Parrot energy, Bill Clinton, John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Ronald Reagan, Kamala Harris has the "It" factor, a palpable presence and magnetism that makes her likable and electable.
Like her predecessors, Kamala speaks with a rhythm that invites thunderous applause. Her big smile is contagious, and she makes you believe whatever she says. She balances the task-oriented details and command of the situation with the people-oriented ability to create connection. If the Democrats want to beat Donald Trump, Kamala Harris is the person to do it.
One thing is for certain: personality has played a major role in presidential politics for 84 years and will continue to do so. Democrats would be wise to heed the Eagle-Parrot pattern and put forward a candidate with the personality to take down Trump.
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