The five leading Democrat US presidential candidates

The US presidential elections come November 3 will be a longshot for Democrats, but if ongoing impeachment proceedings in the US Senate “mortally wound” President Donald Trump, (even if he is acquitted by the Republican majority), then Democrats might gain a fighting chance in the polls.

There are too many wannabees, but I am picking the top five, based on surveys and chances of winning. First is Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, 78. He is a very passionate campaigner and effective speaker, but his age is his number one enemy. He is also an excellent fund-raiser and a good crowd-drawer. But many Americans see him as too liberal and have marked him a Democratic socialist. The US may not be ready for his brand of politics. In 2016, Sanders made a respectable showing prior to the ultimate choice of Hillary Clinton. The rest is history, not her story. Women don’t like him due to some sexist remarks. Senator Warren abhors him and Hillary Clinton hates his guts.

Second is Senator Elizabeth Warren, 70. This former Harvard University Law professor is quite old but too progressive in her political theories and ideas. This Massachusetts senator is planning to introduce legislation to write off millions in unpaid student loans, and break giant farming monopolies. She is for more and better consumer protection, and for the imposition of wealth tax for exceedingly wealthy Americans. The big businesses hate her and the labor sector is strongly pushing for her victory. Her weakness is the perception of her ultra-liberalism and her being too cerebral rather than being sensitive to feelings.

The third one is Joe Biden, 77, Barack Obama's vice president and political trustee. He is a former Delaware senator, and is very strong in such states as Wisconsin, Michigan, and his birthplace Pennsylvania. If ever, he will beat Sanders and Warren, and if he wins in November, he will be the oldest to ascend to the White House, older than Trump and Ronald Reagan. But rumors of his alleged sexual advances may not sit well with the conservatives and the women sector. Like Sanders, Biden has problem with the women voters.

The two wildcards are in the hands of a very young mayor from South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttiegieg, and a very rich billionaire who owns the Bloomberg global TV network, the former three-term New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. Between the two, Trump laughs at Buttiegieg but is quite concerned with Bloomberg. Buttigieg is the complete opposite of Trump, while Bloomberg has many similarities with him. Buttiegieg, just 38, is only a mayor of a distant and isolated town. This may not be his time yet, but he is a terrific crowd drawer and excellent speaker, very charismatic and passionate. Bloomberg is the image of Trump but he has a more pleasant aura and doesn’t curse.

If I were an American voter, I would vote for Warren as president and Buttiegieg as vice president. I will nominate Sanders as Secretary of State and Biden as Ambassador to Ukraine or Russia. Bloomberg will make a fine Secretary of Treasury. I hope any of the five can put an end to the Trump presidency, one of the most controversial among 45 US presidents ever.