Walter Shapiro: “These Democrats-in-disarray columns invariably point out that only with sensible moderation can Donald Trump be defeated in 2020. As for Democratic congressional candidates, particularly first-term House members elected in the 2018 Democratic sweep, their political futures are jeopardized by the extreme antics of ‘the squad’ and the unreasonable demands of these left-wing activists with safe seats.”

“These are fine arguments — and I would probably accept them in a normal political climate. I remember the wipeout years for the Democrats, like 1972 and 1984, when the party was crushed by veering too far from the center in an increasingly conservative political environment.”

“But that was a different era when objective facts still mattered and hyperbole rather than outright lies still ruled political discourse… Trump’s contempt for anything resembling truth has erased this traditional political equation.”

New York Magazine: “So we have a pretty clear idea of which states will be winners and losers in congressional reapportionment, based on Census estimates and projections.”

“According to a late-December 2018 analysis from Election Data Services, Texas will pick up three House seats and Florida two; while Arizona, Colorado, Montana, North Carolina, and Oregon will gain one each. New York is projected to lose two seats, while Alabama, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia are expected to lose one. California and Minnesota are thought to be on the bubble for possibly losing one seat.”

Here’s the 2024 map based on 2016 election results.

President Trump tweeted that he thinks Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), a vocal critic and target of his attacks, will help him win Minnesota in 2020.

Said Trump: “In 2020, because of America hating anti-Semite Rep. Omar, & the fact that Minnesota is having its best economic year ever, I will win the State!”

Washington Post: “More than a year out from the 2020 elections, the Democratic Party is in a fight for its identity. Meanwhile Trump and the GOP have landed on how they want to identify its members: as socialists.”

“But nuance in this debate won’t matter to Trump and Republicans, argues Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg. It might be tempting for Democrats to focus on pushing back against Trump, but the South Bend, Ind., mayor believes that the best approach is to move forward without taking that into consideration. For Democrats, that will mean spending less time responding to Trump and more time addressing the issues voters that are discussing most; and socialism isn’t one of them.”

The two Democratic presidential contenders with the boldest plans – Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders – share this potential situation: If they win the White House, their party loses a Senate seat, NBC News reports.

At least in the short run.

Detroit Free Press: “With a winning message, strong fundraising and a powerful ground game, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said she plans to scare off credible challengers, secure a victorious 2020 election cycle and maintain the Democratic majority in the U.S. House of Representatives by November, a year before voters cast their ballots.”

“By November, sitting and potential members of Congress will make the decision on whether they’ll run for Congress in the 2020 cycle, Pelosi told the Detroit Free Press editorial board Monday. And Democratic candidates will have the edge.”