Last week, I suggested that the Democratic Party candidate for President in 2020 must be smart, likable, and hard-working. That person must also have an unblemished record of past achievement.

Since Hillary ran a horrendous campaign, losing three key rust-belt states by a total of approximately 77,000 votes (she never even visited Wisconsin during the months leading to the election), a winning candidate must—minimally—be able to navigate the electoral map as well as the Republicans did. If Donald Trump is their candidate in 2020, identity politics will remain the name of the game. The Democrats should therefore nominate someone who can appeal to the Republican base, their own traditional voters, independents, and those who voted for Obama in the past but supported Trump in 2016. That is a tall, but manageable, order. To secure these diverse constituencies real people, not algorithms, must guide electoral strategy. That’s why an excellent campaign staff must work together with an excellent candidate. Let the handicapping begin. The current crop of declared and presumed candidates include:

Former Congressman John Delaney, a centrist businessman from Maryland who is, quite frankly, dull. There is little in his past to indicate he can beat Trump, and that must be the key determinant for everyone’s sake. The other former Congressman, Beto O’Rourke, is a charismatic Texan, obviously smart, and politically astute. But, he couldn’t defeat one of America’s most disliked politicians (even among Republicans), Ted Cruz. O’Rourke is young and has plenty of time to demonstrate why he should be nominated. 2020 is too important to gamble with inexperience.

Senator Kirstin Gillibrand became a New York Senator when Hillary Clinton was chosen Secretary-of-State.  She has never run a national campaign nor offers much in the way of having a stand-out, unique career. Elizabeth Warren is charismatic, an excellent speaker, and offers innovative ideas. Unfortunately, before the campaign even began, she made major mistakes that allowed Trump to bait her.

New Jersey Senator Corey Booker has also not had much national exposure beyond his relatively unimpressive performance at the Kavanaugh hearings. He is, too, a potential candidate down the line, someone whose service in a Cabinet position could demonstrate sufficient gravitas for a Presidential run.

Julian Castro was an Obama Cabinet Secretary and Mayor of San Antonio, Texas. He is the only Hispanic currently in the Presidential discussion. He is extremely articulate, and has sufficient national experience. He could and should be considered for the number two position on any Democratic ticket. Once campaigning really begins he will surely be tested by the voters.

Senator Sherrod Brown from Ohio,  has consistently been winning elections in a state where Democrats have not been doing well. His appeal to traditional Democrats (including the working class), as well as Independents, is a given, demonstrated by success at the ballot box. He is, at this point, sort of the Democratic leadership’s second choice to lead the ticket should others falter.

Down to two. This week, Senator Kamala Harris announced her candidacy for President. She should be regarded as the obvious choice for the number two position alongside former Vice-President Joe Biden. Why?

Senator Harris is highly intelligent, personable, from a major state, and won’t take crap from anyone. As California’s Attorney General, she built a record of accomplishment. Her recent Judiciary Committee appearances demonstrate leadership and strength. She also made it obvious that she knows how to ask questions and demand answers from recalcitrant witnesses. She is an excellent politician who has the demeanor and presence to stand the test of a long campaign. As a person of color,  it is likely she can attract and secure increased turnout from those ethnic communities that abandoned Hillary.

For President, who is a better candidate than Joe Biden? A working-class background, legislative and executive experience and extremely likable, even Republicans are complimentary. Remember, the key and necessary goal for the sake of the country is to defeat Trump. Yes, Biden is in his mid-seventies, but so is our fool-in-chief. While the latter shows his age, especially by way of what comes out of his mouth, Biden seems unaffected by the usual age-related ailments.

In sum, a ticket of Biden-Harris has the best chance of winning, and again making America a welcoming, safe and secure country that we can all be proud of.