Presidential resumes: We asked voters the qualities they want most in a president, and these are the 2020 Democratic candidates who look best on paper
18. Democratic voters would likely appreciate Tom Steyer's environmental activism, but not his hedge fund ties.
17. Andrew Yang's age and immigrant background are traits that Democratic voters profess to like. His corporate past and lack of time in public office are likely to be seen as a liability.
Attributes perceived positively by Democratic voters:
- Multi-lingual (+25.3%)
- Age 50 or younger (+23.2%)
- Child of immigrants (+20.8%)
- Ivy League educated (+6.7%)
- Lawyer (+2.9%)
Attributes perceived negatively by Democratic voters:
- Business owner (-11.4%)
- Little time in government (-22.2%)
- Corporate lawyer (-33%)
- Grew up rich (-41.8%)
16. Marianne Williamson's activism may win support, while her lack of political experience likely pushes some contingents away.
Attributes perceived positively by Democratic voters:
- Grew up middle class (+36.3%)
- Activist (+28.3%)
Attributes perceived negatively by Democratic voters:
- Large social media following (-7.3%)
- Little time in government (-22.2%)
15. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard's military experience helps distinguish her candidacy, but her privileged upbringing could be a turn-off to voters.
Attributes perceived positively by Democratic voters:
- Member of House of Representatives (+29.7%)
- Age 50 or younger (+23.2%)
- Armed forces veteran (+17.1%)
- Won office in a blue state (+16.7%)
Attributes perceived negatively by Democratic voters:
- Grew up rich (-41.8%)
14. Sen. Michael Bennet's mother emigrated from Poland — an attribute Democratic voters say they view favorably. The same can't be said for his affluent Washington upbringing.
Attributes perceived positively by Democratic voters:
- Member of Senate (+40.3%)
- Child of immigrants (+20.8%)
- Won office in a blue state (+16.7%)
- Ivy League educated (+6.7%)
- Lawyer (+2.9%)
Attributes perceived negatively by Democratic voters:
- Grew up rich (-41.8%)
13. Rep. John Delaney might get a bad rap for his past life as a the co-founder of two lending companies prior to his political career.
Attributes perceived positively by Democratic voters:
- Grew up middle class (+36.3%)
- Member of House of Representatives (+29.7%)
- Ivy League educated (+6.7%)
Attributes perceived negatively by Democratic voters:
- Business owner (-11.4%)
- Little time in government (-22.2%)
12. South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg has a litany of accomplishments, from his US Navy service, to his Rhodes Scholarship. He also has attributes seen as negative by Democratic voters, such as his stint at top consulting firm McKinsey & Company.
Attributes perceived positively by Democratic voters:
- Has released tax returns (+42.6%)
- Multi-lingual (25.3%)
- Age 50 or younger (+23.2%)
- Child of immigrants (+20.8%)
- Armed forces veteran (+17.1%)
- Mayor (+14.5%)
- Rhodes Scholar (+11.8%)
- Ivy League educated (+6.7%)
Attributes perceived negatively by Democratic voters:
- Won office in a red state (-1.6%)
- Large social media following (-7.3%)
- Management consultant (-18.1%)
- Little time in government (-22.2%)
- Grew up rich (-41.8%)
11. Fmr. Rep. Beto O’Rourke's youthful charisma could be eclipsed by his upbringing in a political family in Texas, which primary voters might perceive with a critical eye.
Attributes perceived positively by Democratic voters:
- Has released tax returns (+42.6%)
- Member of House of Representatives (+29.7%)
- Multi-lingual (+25.3%)
- Age 50 or younger (+23.2%)
- Ivy League educated (+6.7%)
Attributes perceived negatively by Democratic voters:
- Won office in a red state (-1.6%)
- Business owner (-11.4%)
- Grew up rich (-41.8%)
10. Former Vice President Joe Biden has held the highest office of all the 2020 contenders — but past political decisions, such as voting for the war in Iraq and the controversial 1994 crime bill, could alienate modern voters.
Attributes perceived positively by Democratic voters:
- Has released tax returns (+42.6%)
- Vice President (+38.5%)
- Grew up middle class (+36.3%)
- 20+ years of government service (+20.8%)
- Won office in a blue state (+16.7%)
- Lawyer (+2.9%)
Attributes perceived negatively by Democratic voters:
- Foundation owner (-3.5%)
- Large social media following (-7.3%)
- Voted for Iraq War (-29.7%)
- Age 70 or older (-24.4%)
- Voted for 1994 crime bill (-7.7%)
9. Sen. Kamala Harris has a long resume as a litigator: generally a plus for voters. Democrats polled say they favor those who have been an attorney general or a district attorney, but not a prosecutor in general.
Attributes perceived positively by Democratic voters:
- Has released tax returns (+42.6%)
- Member of Senate (+40.3%)
- Won office in a blue state (+16.7%)
- Child of immigrants (+20.8%)
- Attorney General (+13%)
- District Attorney (+6.9%)
- Lawyer (+2.9%)
Attributes perceived negatively by Democratic voters:
- Prosecutor (-0.8%)
- Large social media following (-7.3%)
- Grew up rich (-41.8%)
8. Of the traits polled by Insider, former HUD Secretary Julian Castro's background had nothing survey-takers perceived as negative. His middle-class background and cabinet experience would be seen as positives.
Attributes perceived positively by Democratic voters:
- Grew up middle class (+36.3%)
- Multi-lingual (+25.3%)
- Age 50 or younger (+23.2%)
- Cabinet-level official (+15.5%)
- Ivy League educated (+6.7%)
- Lawyer (+2.9%)
Attributes perceived negatively by Democratic voters:
- None
7. Sen. Amy Klobuchar has a reliably strong political resume in the eyes of voters, save for her work early in her career as a corporate lawyer.
Attributes perceived positively by Democratic voters:
- Has released tax returns (+42.6%)
- Member of Senate (+40.3%)
- Grew up middle class (+36.3%)
- Won office in a blue state (+16.7%)
- Ivy League educated (+6.7%)
- Lawyer (+2.9%)
Attributes perceived negatively by Democratic voters:
- Prosecutor (-0.8%)
- Corporate lawyer (-33%)
6. Like Castro, Rep. Tim Ryan's resume is free from what voters typically consider to be blemishes. His release of a decade of tax returns, along with his congressional experience, might give him more clout with voters.
Attributes perceived positively by Democratic voters:
- Has released tax returns (+42.6%)
- Member of House of Representatives (+29.7%)
- Grew up poor (+28.3%)
- Age 50 or younger (+23.2%)
Attributes perceived negatively by Democratic voters:
- None
5. Despite poor performance in polls, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio's resume would be considered robust on its own by voting Democrats, who appreciate mayoral experience, activism, and having released tax returns.
Attributes perceived positively by Democratic voters:
- Has released tax returns (+42.6%)
- Grew up middle class (+36.3%)
- Activist (+28.3%)
- Multi-lingual (25.3%)
- Won office in a blue state (+16.7%)
- Mayor (+14.5%)
- Won office in a blue state (+16.7%)
- Ivy League educated (+6.7%)
Attributes perceived negatively by Democratic voters:
- Large social media following (-7.3%)
- Landlord (-32%)
3. Sen. Cory Booker's record contains a history of activism, a big pro for voters, but his upbringing as the son of IBM executives could affect the way he's perceived by voters.
Attributes perceived positively by Democratic voters:
- Has released tax returns (+42.6%)
- Activist (+28.3%)
- Multi-lingual (25.3%)
- Age 50 or younger (+23.2%)
- Won office in a blue state (+16.7%)
- Rhodes Scholar (+11.8%)
- Ivy League educated (+6.7%)
Attributes perceived negatively by Democratic voters:
- Large social media following (-7.3%)
- Landlord (-32%)
- Grew up rich (-41.8%)
4. Gov. Steve Bullock has gubernatorial experience, as well as professorial experience teaching law at George Washington University. The Montana governor won office in a red state, which Democrats polled say they don't typically like.
Attributes perceived positively by Democratic voters:
- Has released tax returns (+42.6%)
- Grew up middle class (+36.3%)
- Governor (+39.5%)
- College professor (+14.7%)
- Attorney General (+13%)
- Ivy League educated (+6.7%)
- Lawyer (+2.9%)
Attributes perceived negatively by Democratic voters:
- Won office in a red state (-1.6%)
2. Sen. Elizabeth Warren's resume has far more positives than negatives, including Senate experience and professorships at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard. Warren's prior work as a consumer advocate help give her candidacy an extra edge.
Attributes perceived positively by Democratic voters:
- Has released tax returns (+42.6%)
- Member of Senate (+40.3%)
- Grew up poor (+28.3%)
- Activist (+28.3%)
- Consumer advocate (+17.9%)
- Won office in a blue state (+16.7%)
- College professor (+14.7%)
- Lawyer (+2.9%)
Attributes perceived negatively by Democratic voters:
- Large social media following (-7.3%)
- Age 70 or older (-24.4%)
1. Sen. Bernie Sanders is the only candidate who identifies as a democratic socialist, an attribute survey-takers said they value. Judged by the curriculum vitae voters consider ideal, Sanders would come out on top.
Attributes perceived positively by Democratic voters:
- Has released tax returns (+42.6%)
- Member of Senate (+40.3%)
- Grew up poor (+28.3%)
- Activist (+28.3%)
- 20+ years of government service (+20.8%)
- Child of immigrants (+20.8%)
- Democratic socialist (+17.5%)
- Won office in a blue state (+16.7%)
- 20+ years of government service (+20.8%)
Attributes perceived negatively by Democratic voters:
- Large social media following (-7.3%)
- Voted for 1994 crime bill (-7.7%)
- Age 70 or older (-24.4%)
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