The first Democratic candidate for president who says “what my party did before and after the last election was wrong. We should be ashamed” might have a chance to beat Donald Trump in 2020.

But that person will only have a chance if the most important issue for the 2020 race goes the Democrat’s way — namely, the US economy craps out and Trump is unable to pin the blame on the Federal Reserve or someone else.

The Mueller report, which went in Trump’s favor, was devastating to the Democratic Party’s chances.

The indictments of Democrats and intelligence officials that are likely to follow will all but hand the election to Trump.

The economy is weakening but maybe not enough yet to do real damage to Trump’s chances.

It’ll take awhile. But before long the posse of Democrats chasing the White House job will have to apologize. And anyone connected with the last Democratic administration — raise your hand Mr. Biden — is going to be automatically eliminated from contention.