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By my count, I see about 16 Democrats who officially have declared runs toward the White House -- give or take a few. That's not including the dozen or so others still testing the water.
Among those remaining undecided are a couple close to home -- U.S. Rep. Timothy J. Ryan, D-Howland, and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. Both would have strong liberal platforms, and each would focus on things like jobs, inequality, trade and immigration.
Brown, like some of the other favorites for the nomination, I believe, could have a real shot at the Democratic nomination.
Brown is among few of the major Democratic candidates (perhaps the only one) who has not signed onto the ridiculous liberal Green New Deal agenda. He also has kept his name off the expensive plan for single-payer health care for all. Both proposals have been described as litmus tests for those who want the Democratic Party to embrace sweeping progressive ideas. I'm not so sure mainstream America is ready for that, so Brown's decision to stay off those bandwagons likely will make him more favorable.
While the prospect of a president from Howland certainly sounds exciting, I suspect Ryan would face significant challenges attempting to compete against not only the 15-plus other Democratic hopefuls but especially against his friend Brown's great popularity and overlapping concerns.
Ryan's strengths may come, though, in his big support of labor and manufacturing. He also has not shied away from speaking out against his party's leadership, and he gained national attention when he challenged Nancy Pelosi for her House minority leadership two years ago.
Both Brown and Ryan carry solidly liberal agendas, which might give voters pause, should either win the nomination and head on to face (I presume) Donald Trump in the general election.
Just to help you keep score, here's a checklist of all the Dems who are running -- so far.
Amy Klobuchar, senator from Minnesota announced this month, with some saying she's among the most electable choices; Elizabeth Warren, senator from Massachusetts; Kamala Harris, first-term senator from California; Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Indiana; Julian Castro, former secretary of housing and urban development under Barack Obama; John Delaney, former congressman from Maryland; Tulsi Gabbard, congresswoman from Hawaii; Kirsten Gillibrand, senator from New York; Andrew Yang, a tech entrepreneur from New York; Marianne Williamson, author and speaker; Cory Booker, senator from New Jersey; Bernie Sanders, senator form Vermont; John Hickenlooper, former Colorado governor; Jay Inslee, Washington governor; Mike Bloomberg, billionaire former mayor of New York; and Steve Bullock, Montana governor.
Whew! That's 16. But wait! There's more.
The list goes on with these undeclared, possible Democratic candidates: Eric Swalwell, U.S. Representative from California's Bay Area, who experts say he's very likely to declare; Terry McAuliffe, longtime friend of Bill Clinton, fundraiser and former governor of Virginia; Seth Moulton, congressman from Massachusetts, who says he's thinking about a run; Beto O'Rourke, U.S. Rep. from Texas; Michael Bennet, senator from Colorado; Stacey Abrams, former Democratic leader in Georgia statehouse, who delivered the Democratic response to President Trump's recent State of the Union address; Bill DeBlasio, NYC mayor; Eric Holder, former U.S. attorney general, who says he'll decide next month; Mitch Landrieu former mayor of New Orleans, who says a run is possible but doubtful; and Andrew Cuomo, New York governor, who considered a run, but now says no (some aren't so convinced).
Of course, former VP Joe Biden from Delaware still is kicking around the idea. No official word yet, but a decision is expected soon.
And, if you're wondering, Hillary says she's done, but those rumors just won't go away.