AMES, Iowa \u2014 Democratic voters fear their party is on the brink of repeating the mistakes that sent President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE to the White House as they consider their choices weeks before the state\u2019s first-in-the-nation caucuses.<\/p>\n
The four front-running contenders are all battling to prove they are the most likely to defeat Trump, a reflection both of the president\u2019s looming presence over the race and the anxiety felt by Democratic voters, who fear fatal flaws with each candidate could doom their hopes of winning back the White House.<\/p>\n
In conversations with nearly two dozen Iowa Democrats before and after Tuesday\u2019s debate, many analyzed the unsettled Democratic primary through the lens of a television pundit.<\/p>\n
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They weighed the relative strengths and weaknesses of former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE, Sens. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters \u2014 who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.) and former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPete ButtigiegScaled-back Pride Month poses challenges for fundraising, outreach Biden hopes to pick VP by Aug. 1 It’s as if a Trump operative infiltrated the Democratic primary process MORE (D) and more often than not expressed concerns about what they are certain will be a tough general election fight in November.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur country can\u2019t afford to have a candidate or a president like we currently have. We\u2019ve got to pick someone who can get elected,\u201d said Sarah Binder, a retiree in Ames who is waffling between supporting Buttigieg and entrepreneur Andrew YangAndrew YangGeorge Floyd protests show corporations must support racial and economic equality Andrew Yang discusses his universal basic income pilot program Andrew Yang on the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis MORE. \u201cI\u2019m very anxious that … all the fake news and the ugliness that the current president will employ to try to win will sway this American public that voted him in to begin with.\u201d<\/p>\n
Each of the front-runners have carved out their own niches among Iowa caucusgoers. Recent polls show the four tightly packed together at the top of the heap, with either Biden or Sanders narrowly leading.<\/p>\n
But voters are acutely aware of their respective weaknesses, too.<\/p>\n
Sanders, the most liberal candidate in the field, concerns some voters who worry he will frighten independents and moderates who helped Democrats reclaim control of Congress in the midterm elections. Warren said this week that Sanders told her in a 2018 conversation that he did not believe a woman could beat Trump \u2014 a comment Sanders denied, but one that is echoed by both male and female Iowa Democrats who think pivotal swing voters might privately harbor sexist attitudes.<\/p>\n