The Guardian view on the Democratic race: real debate should be welcomed | Editorial

The contest for the presidential nomination is wide open, and the political differences are stark

For a long time, the prospect of a Trump presidency was unthinkable. For many, even when the votes were counted, it was so appalling and implausible that it took a while to sink in. Now the prospect of a second term is very possible indeed. The stakes in 2020 could not be higher for Americans and the rest of the world: another four years of a man who should never have claimed the Oval Office and has used it to wreak damage at home and abroad – or a second chance.

The Democrats are now beginning to determine who might best grab that second chance. The race to become Donald Trump’s challenger is under way in earnest. It is the largest in modern political history, with 20 declared contenders and others hovering in the wings – even if some know their chances are vanishingly slim. Though Joe Biden was hailed as a frontrunner when he formally declared his bid on Thursday, Bernie Sanders is close on his heels and there is no clear favourite. The benefits of name recognition will be whittled as others become better known. There is a long way to go till Iowa, and still further to winning the nomination.

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from US news | The Guardian http://bit.ly/2PCnKda