So many Dems, but who can win?

And then there were 24. In the Middle Ages, it was the classic theological debate: How many angels could dance on the head of a pin? Today, in preparing for the first debates of the 2020 Democratic primary, June 26 and 27, the DNC faces a similar challenge: How many candidates can fit on the same stage?

There are, in fact, so many Democrats running for president you can’t tell the players without a program. By my count, with the entry of Montana Governor Steve Bullock and Mayor Bill de Blasio this week, there are now a total of 24. Stacey Abrams, who’s still flirting with jumping in, would make it 25.

Which has a lot of Democrats nervous. But, I believe, needlessly so. The sheer number of candidates is not something to fear, but to celebrate. It shows, for one thing, that a lot of people realize that becoming president’s not as impossible as we once thought. Looking back on 2016, it’s clear you don’t really need experience or expertise to make it to the Oval Office. If that clown could win, anybody can win.

More significantly, so many candidates are evidence of something else, too: the tremendous political energy on the left — thanks again to Donald Trump — which propelled Democrats to win 40 House seats in 2018 and is now channeled into winning the Senate and White House. That energy translates into more volunteers, more grassroots donors, more candidates running for more seats at every level, and, ultimately, more people turning out to vote for Democrats.

What I find more impressive than the quantity of presidential candidates is the quality. We’ve never had more or better choices. Some will soon drop out. But, for now, look the whole slate over. There’s something for everybody: male or female; gay or straight; older or younger; black, white, Asian, or Latino; far left or center left; Washington insider or outsider. There are 24 extremely talented candidates to choose from, any one of whom would make a better president than Donald Trump. The question is: Which one can beat him?

Everywhere I go, people want to know: Who are you supporting for president? And the answer is: Nobody. Nobody — yet! Indeed, my advice to everybody is: Take your time. It’s still early. Seven and a half months before the Iowa caucuses. Nine months before Super Tuesday and the all-important California primary. Six months before the first Democratic primary debate. Let’s see how they do, squaring off on the issues and against each other.

Meanwhile, I think the field can be broken down into four categories: first, second, third, and also-ran. Others may rate them differently, but, as of today, in terms of resources, message, visibility, and standing in the polls, the first tier candidates are Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, and Pete Buttigieg. The most likely Democratic nominee will be one of them.

But that could change. There’s also a strong bench of second-tier candidates who, with a lucky break — like a strong debate performance — could break into the first tier. Among those I would include: Amy Klobuchar, Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand, Beto O’Rourke and Julian Castro.

In the third tier, I list those candidates who, despite strong qualifications and a good message, will most likely never get enough traction to stand out. Any other year, they’d be a star. This year, they’ll have a hard time getting noticed: Tim Ryan, Steve Bullock, Jay Inslee and Bill de Blasio.

And that leaves 10 who shouldn’t even waste their money buying a plane ticket to Iowa: Eric Swalwell, Seth Moulton, John Hickenlooper, Michael Bennet, Andrew Yang, Mike Gravel, Wayne Messam, John Delaney, Tulsi Gabbard and Marianne Williamson.

In such a fractured field, what’s surprising so far is the strength of Joe Biden. In many ways, he’s the antithesis of where the Democratic Party is moving: an older, white male, consummate Washington insider. Yet he’s led every poll before and after getting in. Why? Because, rightly or wrongly, he’s perceived by many Democrats, as perhaps the strongest candidate against Donald Trump.

In my judgment, that one issue trumps all others. I think it’s too early to know who that candidate is. But I don’t care if it’s male, female, white, black, far left, or moderate. Who has the best chance of beating Donald Trump? That’s the candidate I want, and am still looking for.

Bill Press is syndicated by Tribune Media Services.