The billionaires: Bloomberg and Steyer. The big news this past weekend is that former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has jumped into the race for the Democratic nomination. (He's the sixth richest person in the U.S.; one of our 2153 billionaires.) Bloomberg has good liberal credentials -- for example, his positions on climate change and gun control -- but he isn't an exciting candidate.
For months San Franciscan Tom Steyer has been pushing for the impeachment of Donald Trump. (And for taking action on climate change.) HIs hearts in the right place but I don't see Steyer becoming a frontrunner -- the latest California Democratic primary poll shows Elizabeth Warren in 1st place with 27 percent of the vote and Steyer in ninth place with 1 percent.
The "outsiders": Yang, Booker, and Castro. Andrew Yang is another "maverick" candidate -- who has gotten more traction than Tulsi Gabbard. Nonetheless, his national support continues to languish in the single digits. If Biden or Sanders falter, will Yang get more support? I don't think so.
What's the story with Cory Booker? He does well in the debates but it doesn't seem to translate into more voter support. I expect Booker to drop out before Iowa.
Several months ago, Julian Castro surged and then faltered. He's a candidate who looks better on paper than he does in person. I expect him to drop out before Iowa.
(As this was being written, former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick entered the New Hampshire primary. It's another indication that "moderate" Democrats aren't happy with Biden.)
Summary: The competition for the Democratic nomination will come down to Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg.
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