The Point: This Democratic electorate is perfect for Joe Biden

View this email in your browser   January 23, 2020  | by Chris Cillizza and Lauren Dezenski This Democratic electorate is perfect for Joe Biden There are two data points in CNN's new 2020 poll that have to make former Vice President Joe Biden and his presidential campaign feel very, very good.   1) Almost 6 in 10 Democrats (57%) said they wanted the "Democratic Party [to] nominate a presidential candidate with a strong chance of beating Donald Trump," while just 35% said they preferred a candidate show "shared" their views on major issues. (Back in December, only 47% prioritized a nominee who could beat Trump.)   2) Almost 6 in 10 (58%) said they would rather a presidential nominee "advocate for policies that have a good chance of becoming law, even if the changes they make aren't as big," while just 36% said they would opt for a nominee who would "advocate for policies that would result in big changes, even if they have a lower chance of becoming law."   If you believe that the fight in the Democratic race is, at the moment, between pragmatic, centrist solutions and radical change, then the desire of the electorate for a winner and its desire for more incremental change with the best chance of becoming law suggests that Biden is sitting pretty. Which is, admittedly, at odds with the horserace findings in this same poll: Sen. Bernie Sanders 27%, Biden 24%, Sen. Elizabeth Warren 14%, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg 11%. That marks the first time in CNN polling on the 2020 Democratic race that Biden did not hold a solo lead.   So, what gives? Honest answer: I'm not totally sure. Educated guess: What the CNN poll shows is a statistical dead heat between Sanders and Biden.    But projecting forward -- assuming the Democratic electorate stays this pragmatic -- it appears as though the Biden message will ultimately resonate more strongly than the Sanders one.   The Point: With less than two weeks left before the first votes of the 2020 nomination fight, voters are still sending mixed message. What else is new? -- Chris QUOTE OF THE DAY "It's like sitting on a tractor, man." -- Montana Democratic Sen. Jon Tester on the Senate trial's first day, which lasted 12 hours into early Wednesday morning. IMPEACHMENT TRIAL UPDATE What happened last night? The Senate approved rules for the Senate impeachment trial on a party-line vote that delayed whether the Senate should subpoena witnesses and documents until later in the trial. Things became testy late at night between House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler, White House counsel Pat Cipollone and Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow.   What's up next? The House impeachment managers began their opening arguments today.    Some more context from Phil Mattingly: "It marks the first sustained opportunity to both make their broad case that the President should be removed from office, but also highlight what they believe is missing from the record -- an effort crucial to convincing senators, who have the sole power to make it happen, that subpoenas for witnesses and testimony are essential to their case."   Tonight will likely be another late night (last night's session stretched until 2 a.m.).   Follow our ongoing special coverage live on CNN and CNN.com. CHRIS' GOOD READS Ivanka goes to Davos   Bolton for Biden?   Why no Republican senator will stand up to Donald Trump   This Capitol Hill barbershop may be the last nonpartisan place in Washington   A fascinating look into the making of "1917"   RIP, Terry Jones   The authoritative rankings of Hot Pockets MUSICAL INTERLUDE Sam Cooke was born on this day in 1931. Here's "Bring It Home To Me," which a damn work of genius.     Today's episode: Impeachment's very late night. LAUREN'S CAMPAIGN TRAIL LATEST     Bernie Sanders: Has joined Joe Biden in the two-person top tier of the Democratic presidential field, according to a new CNN national poll.   Amy Klobuchar: May be in Washington for the impeachment trial, but she's still holding an Iowa event tonight -- hosting a statewide tele-town hall.   Tulsi Gabbard: Sued Hillary Clinton for defamation, alleging she "lied" about the Hawaii congresswoman's ties to Russia during a 2019 interview.   ONE BIG BILL $1 million The amount of charitable funds overpaid by President Trump's inaugural committee for event space at Trump International Hotel, according to a new lawsuit from the DC Attorney General. You are receiving this message because you subscribed to CNN's The Point with Chris Cillizza newsletter. Unsubscribe from this list Check out other CNN Newsletters Share the Point Newsletter Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get The Point in your inbox. Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris Cillizza and Lauren Dezenski. You can follow Chris and Lauren on Twitter and connect with The Point on: Our mailing address is: One CNN Center Atlanta, GA 30303 Copyright © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., All rights reserved.