We're over a year away from the election, but the 2020 campaign is already ruff. Fur is flying in the dog-eat-dog world of contemporary politics, as the barrage of candidates try to convince the American public to throw them a bone. It all seems a little much, which is why it's important to pause for a moment and recognize what's really important here. Yes, you should research the positions of the candidates and review their tax returns and read a thousand tepid hot takes about the way they move through the world, but the most important criteria for a potential future president is "Do you like their dog?"

Like most modern presidents before them, many of the 2020 candidates have prominent pets who are stealing the spotlight. Notably, the current president, Cruella de Vil, does not have a dog because he does not like anything that diverts focus from him. So, while this guide may seem paw-tisan (I'll stop; I promise), we're actually just reporting the facts about who has a dog and whether we would vote for that dog and if that dog would win an MSNBC Dog Debate, sort of like the Puppy Bowl but with Sarah McLaughlan singing while a bunch of excellent puppers ran around podiums.

Bailey!

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Candidate: Elizabeth Warren

Breed: Golden retriever

Social media handle: @FirstDogBailey

Fun fact: Bailey is named after the Jimmy Stewart character in It's a Wonderful Life, which is a very Elizabeth Warren thing to do. It also appears that Bailey is the only 2020 dog that joined the candidate on stage during the initial announcement. Bailey is angling for a prime position in the Department of Boneland Security.

Could Bailey beat Trump: Yes.

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sometimes I just can’t stand alone time or MAGA people on Twitter pic.twitter.com/ZsCLa1C7Pb — Bailey Warren (@FirstDogBailey) March 29, 2019

Truman and Buddy Buttigieg!

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Are you ready for the newest #SouthBend dog park at Rum Village? Mayor @PeteButtigieg and his pup Truman are! pic.twitter.com/AsSqI1AQb1 — Venues Parks & Arts (@sbvpa) June 21, 2018

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Buddy is very excited his shirt arrived pic.twitter.com/3mUTyJ8hlm — Chasten Buttigieg (@Chasten) March 31, 2019

Candidate: Pete Buttigieg



Breeds: A puggle (Buddy) and a beagle/lab (Truman)

Social media handle: @firstdogsSB

Fun fact: Both Truman and Buddy are rescue dogs with a ton of personality. They've become so popular that Buzzfeed made a "Which Buttigieg Dog Are You?" quiz. Truman is presumably named after the former president and Buddy, I'm guessing, is named after the Elf from Elf. Another fun fact, I would fight an army to protect the honor of these dogs.

Could Truman and Buddy beat Trump: Without a doubt.

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We were told that Buddy might be a challenge. Especially in a home with another dog. They were right... as you can see here, he is very demanding (of scratches). pic.twitter.com/vfMqhAVQVq — Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) December 19, 2018

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our new album THE SNUGGLE drops soon pic.twitter.com/voYwc8SvLM — truman and buddy buttigieg (@firstdogsSB) March 20, 2019

Artemis O'Rourke!

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Candidate: Beto O'Rourke



Breed: Black lab

Social media handle: None! A SCANDAL

Fun fact: I am obsessed with Artemis! Also, Beto has another dog named Rosie and a cat named Silver, but like Angelina Jolie's brother, they're not as interested in the spotlight as their sibling. Another fun fact: Artemis has perfected the art of looking haunted by a serious psychic premonition about the future.

Could Artemis beat Trump: Totally.

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Kids and I agree that Artemis is best in show. #NationalDogShow pic.twitter.com/LahNLojca0 — Rep. Beto O'Rourke (@RepBetoORourke) November 23, 2017

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Major and Champ!

Former first lady Michelle Obama, former second lady Jill Biden, and Champ Getty Images

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Candidate: Joe Biden



Breeds: German shepherd

Social media handle: Shockingly none.

Fun fact: Major is a relatively new addition to the Biden family, while Champ was around during the Obama presidency. Another fun fact: Major is actually Joe Biden in dog form.

Could Major and Champ beat Trump: They're major champs, of course.

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Joe Biden adopted a German shepherd named Major from the Delaware Humane Association and now everything in the world feels a little bit better. https://t.co/eVF6Rs2nrr pic.twitter.com/IKkyFr2tVY — Sophie Vershbow (@svershbow) November 17, 2018

Maple!

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Meet Maple, the newest member of the Gillibrand family! pic.twitter.com/mCpVz8sGsb — Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) July 17, 2017

Candidate: Kirsten Gillibrand



Breeds: Labradoodle

Social media handle: None :-(

Fun fact: Maple is a relatively new addition to the Gillibrand family and hasn't taken as readily to fame as some of these other fine doggos. But she's slowly inching into the spotlight and when she's ready to break out, the world is going to be her oyster.

Could Maple beat Trump: Without a doubt.

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Maple isn’t usually so camera-shy. (Also pictured: my handsome boys!) pic.twitter.com/QoYM9BJaUK — Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) September 15, 2018

Skye!

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Skye kept a watchful eye to insure our Long Bill was signed in the most timely & efficient manner. #StateOfCO #coleg pic.twitter.com/5DjVwaBvtz — John Hickenlooper (@Hickenlooper) May 3, 2016

Candidate: John Hickenlooper



Breeds: Akita-bulldog-chow-chow mix

Social media handle: Grrrr. None.

Fun fact: Skye is an old-pro at the political game, having hung out in the Colorado governor's office for years and shown up in multiple photoshoots with Hickenlooper.

Could Skye beat Trump: Yes. Skye could potentially even beat Hickenlooper.



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Skye Hickenlooper has a very important message for you: Last chance to donate any amount for a free bumper sticker! It's our way of saying thanks for being a founding member of this team. We couldn't do it without you. https://t.co/S8HIt1VcdC pic.twitter.com/CkF3rtBCer — John Hickenlooper (@Hickenlooper) March 31, 2019

This post will be updated as more candidates come to their senses and get a dog.

R. Eric Thomas R Eric Thomas is a Senior Staff Writer at ELLE.com, home of his daily humor column "Eric Reads the News," which skewers politics, pop culture, celebrity shade, and schadenfreude.

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