Until now, there were, by my count, 44 Democrats who have either expressed interest in a 2020 presidential run, traveled to Iowa or New Hampshire, or otherwise managed to get themselves mentioned.
But we can now stop the bidding. Because a 45th candidate has just emerged, and he is about to clear the field. Yes, the man Democrats have been waiting for, Sen. Robert Casey of Pennsylvania, says he has “an obligation to consider” running for president — and tacks on a Trumpian tease: “We’ll see what happens.”
Casey is the total package — assuming the Democrats’ idea of a total package is mild, earnest and quite possibly the most boring person in politics.
This is why they should instead go with New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker — unless Democrats are concerned about their standard-bearer being a showboat who declares, with straight face, “I am Spartacus.”
In this case, I say: Go with everyman Joe Biden — as long as they won’t mind putting a 77-year-old former vice president up against a 74-year-old incumbent.
Otherwise, the best choice would be youthful California Rep. Eric Swalwell though the 38-year-old’s main qualification is cable news overexposure.
Hence, the need for a candidate of substance: Minnesota’s Sen. Amy Klobuchar — as long as her perceived lack of toughness isn’t a problem.
If it is, combative Sen. Kamala Harris, Calif., is the best option. But she’s not the person you’d want to have a beer with. No, that person is Gov. John Hickenlooper of Colorado, who once ran a brewery. Except his name makes everybody giggle.
Better, then, to go with another white guy from Colorado, Sen. Michael Bennet — assuming the electorate is as excited as he is by filibuster reform.
If not, the fiery populist Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Mass., is top choice — unless Democrats think her DNA-test adventure means President Trump has her number with “Pocahontas.”
If genuineness is the essential quality, Rep. Beto O’Rourke of Texas is the man, though he is a failed Senate candidate, which also probably knocks out West Virginia’s Richard Ojeda, a failed House candidate.
Therefore, may I suggest Sen. Sherrod Brown or Rep. Tim Ryan, who win among Ohio steelworkers? Except there aren’t that many workers left.
The Latino population, by contrast, is large and growing, making former Housing and Urban Development secretary Julian Castro ideal. If only Latinos turned out to vote.
This is why I would suggest an outsider, such as billionaires Howard Schultz (except he’s not ready to mix it up with Trump); or Mark Cuban (except he’s another reality TV guy), or Tom Steyer (except he, like Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, is a one-trick pony on climate change).
Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., or Tim Kaine, D-Va., or former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley would be perfect — if they weren’t 2016 retreads.
Hillary Clinton herself would be ideal — if she weren’t a 2016 and a 2008 retread. John Kerry would be the logical pick — if he weren’t a 2004 retread.
And California Gov. Jerry Brown would be the man — if he weren’t a 1976, 1980 and 1992 retread.
I therefore nominate former attorney general Eric Holder — though he’s an Obama administration retread. My fallbacks, then, are former governors Deval Patrick, Mass., and Terry McAuliffe, Va. — though they’re both Clinton retreads.
May I propose, then, that Democrats go with a storied name, such as Rep. Joe Kennedy, Mass., or Gov. Andrew Cuomo, N.Y.? Although, the Clintons may have killed dynastic politics.
Hence, my first choice: Montana Gov. Steve Bullock. Except he’s unlikely to turn out the 99 percent of Democrats who don’t live on farms.
This leads us to former New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu, or Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti — except Democrats need to appeal to people who live beyond city lines.
The ultimate pick, therefore, is Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind., a gay Democrat in a conservative area. Or, he would be the ultimate pick if he weren’t utterly unknown.
No one is better known than Oprah Winfrey, who would be terrific — if only she’d run. Otherwise, Democrats can have Oprah’s friend, spiritual guru Marianne Williamson, who just announced that she’s running.
Which is why the Democrats need somebody sober, predictable and even boring — such as Bob Casey.
Follow Dana Milbank on Twitter, @Milbank.
