The Democrats' presidential keg stand

There is no magic potion for turning a presidential hopeful into a formidable contender. But almost every 2020 Democrat seems to think they've found one in a pint glass.

Elizabeth Warren.

The perceived ability to enjoy a beer with a candidate might be the biggest political cliché in all of American politics. It's also not to be taken literally. After all, neither President Trump nor former President George W. Bush drink, and former President Barack Obama's second term was marred by a particularly disastrous "beer summit."

But no one apparently told this to the 2020 Democrats. From Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) to former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro, the announced presidential contenders are positioning their ability to enjoy beer as a major selling point.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.