2020 race poised to claim its first two victims, with at least one announcement imminent

It seems as though at least one democratic candidate for 2020 has seen the writing on the wall, and another is not far off themselves.

The enormous, unwieldy beast of a primary field sits today at twenty four candidates.  That’s two dozen democrats who are attempting to antagonize one another enough during their fifteen minutes of fame to garner attention and votes.

It’s not really working.  The previous frontrunners are still the frontrunners, and everyone else is swiftly fading into obscurity – despite what they might be telling themselves and their constituents.

Now it appears that at least one candidate has had enough.

With Rep. Eric Swalwell announcing Monday that he will be the first 2020 Democratic presidential contender to drop out, the race for the White House is entering a new phase: The culling of the herd.

Swalwell made the announcement he’s dropping out of the race at his campaign headquarter in Dublin, Calif., and will instead focus on getting reelected to the U.S. House and helping other Democrats win election.

The end of Swalwell’s campaign came as questions about the health of his campaign swirled after he abruptly canceled campaign events last week in the early-voting state of New Hampshire.

But Swalwell may not be the only one on the chopping block this week.

After a shaky debate performance—the first opportunity the crowded field of Democratic candidates had to introduce themselves on a national stage—the former Texas congressman made his sixth trip to Iowa for Fourth of July week, driving 540 miles in an RV with his wife and three children. At carnivals, house parties, a baseball game and an Independence Day parade here, Mr. O’Rourke, who tried more national media appearances in May after stagnant early poll numbers, returned to the loosely structured, grassroots campaigning style he is known for.