The Point: Welcome to the election year!

View this email in your browser   January 2, 2020  | by Lauren Dezenski and Chris Cillizza Welcome to the election year! 2020 is here! The election year is (finally) upon us.   Despite the change in decade, not a whole lot has changed among the current Democratic field.   Sure, another candidate has dropped out -- Julian Castro's departure on Thursday brings the field to 14. But standing-wise, things are remarkably similar to this time last month... or even since things kicked off in 2018. Chris and Harry Enten's latest ranking of the 2020 Democrats shows that, too.   Joe Biden comes out on top in their ranking released today. Compare that to December's pair of rankings, which found Biden leading both times.    Biden also sat on top in the very first set of rankings in July 2018. Of course, Biden hasn't held the lead the entire time -- he's been replaced by candidates like Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren, but he's largely remained in the top three.    There may not be much movement, but the the Iowa caucuses are now just 32 days away. There'll be a debate before then (hosted by CNN, ahem) and then we're sprinting through the early states and on to Super Tuesday.    The Point: At last, 2020 is here. And it's almost time to start voting.   -- Lauren QUOTE OF THE DAY "The only place this guy's comfortable is in a mosh pit." -- Joe Biden on President Donald Trump during a campaign event in Iowa. WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH IMPEACHMENT It's a new year but the same story -- and questions -- with the ongoing impeachment process. Here's where things stand:   The Senate: Returns to Washington from recess on Friday, and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to address the chamber about this year's session that same day. We still don't know when the Senate trial will start (if it does at all) but it COULD begin as soon as next Wednesday. McConnell could give more details from the Senate floor on Friday.  The House: Will be back from recess on Tuesday. That is the soonest House Speaker Nancy Pelosi could send the articles of impeachment to the Senate (which still hasn't happened yet).  President Trump: Continues to tweet his unhappiness with Democrats and the impeachment process: "Their partisan Witch Hunt is hurting our Country do badly, & only bringing more division than ever!"   LAUREN'S GOOD READS All eyes on McConnell    You can call her Chancellor Clinton   Newseum is gone but its daily front pages collection will live on   Carlos Ghosn's plot twist   2020: Big for space!    Is THIS why HGTV features so many open floorplans?! MUSICAL INTERLUDE Tiny Desk featuring Spanglish Fly! WHAT'S IN A NAME President Trump constantly uses the phrase "Never Trumper" to describe his political enemies, and during the impeachment hearings, he has used name-calling to make his case on Twitter. Chris explains what's behind the nickname.   It's a new year -- stay in the loop with The Point on YouTube!  💰FUNDRAISING ROUNDUP 💰 The new year brings a new fundraising quarter, which means campaigns have begun to release data on how fruitful the final three months of the year were for their candidates' war chests. Here's what we know so far:   Among the Dems:    Bernie Sanders: Raised $34.5 million Pete Buttigieg: Raised $24.7 million  Joe Biden: Raised $22.7 million Andrew Yang: Raised $16.5 million Tulsi Gabbard: Raised $3.4 million   That pales in comparison with President Donald Trump: His campaign committee raised $46 million -- outpacing even the strongest Democrat's fundraising (that we know of).  LAUREN'S CAMPAIGN TRAIL LATEST     Julián Castro: Dropped out of the presidential race, saying, "I've determined it simply isn't our time."   Marianne Williamson: Laid off her entire campaign staff, citing financial issues.   Bernie Sanders: Unveiled a new campaign bus on the road Thursday in Iowa.   Michael Bloomberg: Plans to open a campaign field office in the US Virgin Islands.   ONE BIG SWING 1 in 5 President Donald Trump's frequency of days spent golfing in 2019, according to CNN's tally.     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.