It’s started way, way too early, but there’s nothing we can do about it. The 2020 presidential campaign is well underway. And, of course, with no serious Republican having the guts to challenge President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE – Where are you, Jeff Flake Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeJeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Republican former Michigan governor says he's voting for Biden Maybe they just don't like cowboys: The president is successful, some just don't like his style MORE, when the country needs you? — all the excitement is on the Democratic side.

For Democrats, there are two big questions: Who’s running? And what’s the Democratic message? Or: Will the Democratic Party blow it by veering too far left?

The list of Democratic candidates changes almost daily, as new contenders jump in and some anticipated contenders opt out. Just last week, four potential candidates announced their decision not to run: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Senate GOP sees early Supreme Court vote as political booster shot Poll: 51 percent of voters want to abolish the electoral college MORE, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former Attorney General Eric Holder Eric Himpton HolderThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump's rally risk | Biden ramps up legal team | Biden hits Trump over climate policy Biden campaign forming 'special litigation' team ahead of possible voting battle Pompeo, Engel poised for battle in contempt proceedings MORE, and Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown Sherrod Campbell BrownSenate Democrats release report alleging Trump admin undermined fair housing policies Bipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death Emboldened Democrats haggle over 2021 agenda MORE. Still waiting in the wings are Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke, Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet Michael Farrand BennetOVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week | EPA reappoints controversial leader to air quality advisory committee | Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' Senate Democrats demand White House fire controversial head of public lands agency Next crisis, keep people working and give them raises MORE, and former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' MORE.

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But that still leaves, as of this writing, 14 announced candidates off and running. Granted, this early in the game it’s impossible to predict who will end up on top. But we can break the list of those already announced into three categories. Immediately serious candidates: Sens. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Bernie Sanders warns of 'nightmare scenario' if Trump refuses election results Harris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda MORE (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenHarris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda Judd Gregg: The Kamala threat — the Californiaization of America GOP set to release controversial Biden report MORE (Mass.), and Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice First presidential debate to cover coronavirus, Supreme Court Harris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda MORE (Calif.). Potentially serious candidates: Sens. Amy Klobuchar Amy KlobucharSocial media platforms put muscle into National Voter Registration Day Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight Sunday shows - Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death dominates MORE (Minn.), Cory Booker Cory Anthony BookerBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility Democratic lawmakers call for an investigation into allegations of medical neglect at Georgia ICE facility MORE (N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten GillibrandSunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Suburban moms are going to decide the 2020 election Jon Stewart urges Congress to help veterans exposed to burn pits MORE (N.Y.), former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro, South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. Not a prayer: Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, former Rep. John Delaney John DelaneyCoronavirus Report: The Hill's Steve Clemons interviews Rep. Rodney Davis Eurasia Group founder Ian Bremmer says Trump right on China but wrong on WHO; CDC issues new guidance for large gatherings The Hill's Coronavirus Report: Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says country needs to rethink what 'policing' means; US cases surpass 2 million with no end to pandemic in sight MORE (Md.), Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Tulsi GabbardRepublicans call on DOJ to investigate Netflix over 'Cuties' film Hispanic Caucus campaign arm endorses slate of non-Hispanic candidates Gabbard says she 'was not invited to participate in any way' in Democratic convention MORE (Hawaii), author Marianne Williamson and entrepreneur Andrew Yang.

Which raises the second question, with which both The Washington Post and The New York Times seem obsessed: Will the Democratic Party tilt so far left it will lose its appeal to Middle American swing voters? To which, I believe, the answer is a resounding no!

First, don’t forget, the party rejected the populist message of Sanders in 2016 in favor of the centrist message of Clinton. How’d that work out? By running to the mushy middle, do they really want to make the same mistake again? Second, in 2018, Democratic candidates nationwide ran on a strong progressive platform — and won 40 seats in the House in both reliably blue and swing districts. Why run away from what’s proven to work?

One other important consideration. As Sanders delights in pointing out on the campaign trail, three years ago everybody said his ideas were too extreme. No longer. Today, they’re mainstream and, with some variations on a theme, proposed by all Democratic candidates: “Medicare for all,” lower prescription drug prices, $15 minimum wage, universal child care, action on climate change, higher tax rate for the wealthiest Americans, sensible gun safety legislation.

Socialist? Hardly. Too far left? That’s not what the majority of Americans say. Most of those so-called extreme policies are, in fact, “extremely” popular. As reaffirmed in a recent Politico/Morning Consult poll, 90 percent of Americans support background checks on all gun sales. According to Reuters, 70 percent of voters now back Medicare for all and a majority support free college tuition. Even a Fox News poll found 70 percent of overall voters — 85 percent of Democrats, 54 percent of Republicans — are in favor of higher taxes on the wealthy.

Final reason not to worry: That’s what primaries are all about. It’s up to voters to decide which big ideas are best and which candidate is best equipped to deliver them. And in making that decision, Democratic primary voters will be driven by one consideration above all others: Not by which candidate is far-left, mid-left, or center left, but by who’s the strongest candidate against Trump. Period.

Press is host of “The Bill Press Show” on Free Speech TV and author of “From the Left: A Life in the Crossfire.”