海角大神

Although the spotlight鈥檚 been on the midterms in recent months, under the radar the 2020 presidential race has been getting into gear. Which makes this as good a time as any for a quick look at what鈥檚 been happening with possible Democratic contenders 鈥� a list that seems to be growing longer by the day.

The midterms elevated (at least briefly) a few hopefuls. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, whose unflashy demeanor drew positive reviews during the Kavanaugh hearings, cruised handily to reelection and got the聽. Likewise, rumpled liberal Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio was heralded after his easy victory as聽聽in a key Rust Belt state that looks increasingly challenging for Democrats.

Even some 2018 losers have seen their stock go up. Outgoing Rep. Beto O鈥橰ourke, whose bid to unseat Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) ultimately failed but got surprisingly close, is聽聽about a possible presidential run.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren posted a convincing win (albeit in a solidly blue state), but her聽聽in the general election was mixed 鈥� and she鈥檚 still working to recover from October鈥檚聽. More than half the candidates聽聽independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders 鈥� who has been publicly聽聽for the White House while promoting a new book 鈥� also wound up losing their bids in the general election this cycle. And Republican gains in the Senate could lead to California Sen. Kamala Harris聽聽on the Judiciary Committee (and the spotlight that goes with it) due to lack of seniority.聽

The midterms also brought some elder statesmen back onto the campaign trail 鈥� like former Vice President Joe Biden, whose perpetual聽聽was recently dubbed聽聽by The Atlantic鈥檚 Dick Polman. Former Secretary of State John Kerry is also reportedly聽聽(though it should be noted he is also promoting a book). And of course, Hillary Clinton is currently on a 13-city speaking tour with her husband, former President Bill Clinton.聽聽if she was getting ready to run again, she joked: 鈥淎ctually, I鈥檓 thinking of standing for Parliament here in Canada.鈥�

This is only the tip of the iceberg 鈥� other possible contenders include New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and many, many more (don鈥檛 forget聽!).

Here鈥檚 a dark horse to watch: former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, who drew national attention last year for a聽聽on confederate monuments. He was a guest at last year鈥檚 Gridiron dinner and, as this audience member can attest, was seriously funny. Humor can go a long way in this business.

Let us know what you鈥檙e thinking at csmpolitics@csmonitor.com.