Crowded Democrat Field Already Draws First Blood [OPINION]

If you thought the 2016 Republican field of candidates for president was crowded, wait until the list is complete for "viable" candidates in the Democrat Party by June 1st of this year.

Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Amy Klobochar of Minnesota, Corey Booker of New Jersey, Kamala Harris of California and Kirsten Gillibrand New York are in so far. So there's five.

Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro of Texas, who served under President Obama is in, so there's six.

A spiritual advisor and a couple of businessmen, as well as a mayor, have announced. Up to nine.

Failed senatorial candidate from Texas Beto O'Rourke seems to think that losing a recent race for the Senate is a strong indicator that he should run for a bigger seat. Ten.

Former Vice President Joe Biden is "kicking the tires," and of course, Madam Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton is hinting that she, once again, has the right stuff. Twelve.

So far, no members from the House of Representatives have announced, nor have any governors, but that will most certainly change and soon.

I also seem to remember former New York City Mayor (and billionaire) Michael Bloomberg thinking seriously about running. So that would be 13.

Judging by the way Elizabeth Warren's nose was instantly bloodied just days before her planned announcement, this will be a "prison rules" primary over there on the left.

Just days before all the plans were made for Warren to launch from Lawrence, Massachusetts on Saturday, the Washington Post suddenly reported on an embarrassing form Warren filled out in 1986 for a Texas state bar registration card. On the form, she had declared herself as a Native American.

She has repeatedly insisted that she never checked a box or identified as a Native  American for any personal gain. Forked tongue.

This will be a gunfight in a rowboat, and the survivor will have the Heckler-in-Chief waiting for her or him on the campaign trail, in the debates, the ads, the media.

Here we go again.

Advantage: Trump.

Ken Pittman is the host of The Ken Pittman Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Contact him at ken.pittman@townsquaremedia.com and follow him on Twitter @RadioKenPittman. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.