Sanders v. Biden v. Everyone Else in the Dems and finally v. Trump
I think Sanders might be the most likely Democrat nominee at this point. He is probably the least affiliated with the Culture Club Dems (eco-pagans, feminists, homosexuals, ‘multiculturalists’ (read that as those who identify primarily by race or ethnicity), post-structuralists of all sorts) and actually tackles Trump head on with his economic platform that is more comprehensive, systematic and fully fleshed out in comparison with Trump’s tendency to wing it with no compass or chart.
Still Sanders has not drawn any lines between himself the tribes and cults of the Dems. He does not have that political maneuverability. But most of those factions are deeply objectionable to conservative, suburban, small town and rural voters which includes the rust belt. The final election might come down to a contest between the urbanized New Agers and traditional Outlanders.
And Trump’s sheer spontaneity, dynamics and flexibility might be as appealing as Sander’s systematic methods at this point in presaging an oncoming reformed economic order. The situation still calls for an iconoclast, not a fabricator ..yet.. imho.
The only other Dem. candidate who has focussed on economics is Elizabeth Warren in providing a detailed economic platform. But Warren’s a bit of a train wreck as a candidate. I’m sure potential supporters are loathe to the prospect of months of Trump’s ‘Pocahontas’ taunts.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this came down to Sanders (the old, white, rich, male in the field) v. someone with ethnic/gender/victim credentials. Preferably someone who is a female ‘of colour’ ..like Kamala Harris (daughter on Indian and Jamaican immigrants). I can’t believe even the Dems would opt for Buttigieg. But who would win the nomination between those economic or cultural polarities is completely unpredictable at this point.
As for the so called front runner Biden. My sense is he’s in this for the ‘good of the party’ He really doesn’t want to be President, not at this stage his life. If it is handed to him he’ll take it. But as far as putting up some kind of desperate, bare knuckled brawl for the nomination, it's not going to be there. That is going to affect both the energy and enthusiasm he brings to the campaign and that which it generates. He presents no vision, nothing original, just a dull reflection of an amorphous Demcratic centre.
Either way the ultimate nominee is going to be dealing with a bitterly divided Party. And they will have their hands full with Trump, who has unified the Republican grass roots under him. To the extent that they have become an extension of his persona.