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The Full Breakdown of the 2020 Candidates’ Dance Moves

Because the American people deserve to know

Keith Baldwin
Keith Baldwin

Jan 08 | 2020

With less than a month left until the Iowa caucuses officially kick off primary season, it seems like we’ve spent the last decade slowly whittling away at an endless list of candidates.

Many voters have already seen their favorite contenders drop out of the race. Others have yet to figure out which person on a crowded debate stage best represents their interests. Obviously there are a number of axes on which you can compare the candidates, and countless articles that can help you navigate their differing economic policies, their stances on health care, or their various approaches to foreign policy. If those are the factors by which you judge a candidate, you should have no problem finding what you need to make up your mind. People like me are not so lucky.

Obama Dance with Ellen Degeneres

I have always been a single issue voter—consistently casting my ballot for the best dancer. In 2008 and 2012, I had an easy time of it. Barack Obama’s blend of smooth and corny dance moves struck a perfect balance for my sensibilities, easily winning out over Mitt Romney’s “Gangnam Style” convulsions, or John McCain’s high-intensity robot. 2016 presented a more difficult choice. I nearly didn’t vote at all, but ultimately decided that Hillary Clinton’s stiff Whip and Nae Nae represented the lesser of two evils when considered against Donald Trump’s apocalyptic rendition of “Hotline Bling.”

Trump Dance SNL

Sadly, some 60 million voters didn’t see what I did, and made the wrong call. I won’t let that happen again. The American people deserve to see every candidate dance before they go to the polls. Until the DNC finally listens to wisdom and converts one of their debates to a dance off, I’ve compiled this list so that you can make an informed decision.

Elizabeth Warren

We’ll get the top-tier candidates out of the way first. Senator Elizabeth Warren has nothing to hide. She has been the most upfront, transparent candidate when it comes to her big, structural dancing. And while it may not be everyone’s first choice in style, you can not fault her fun-aunt-at-a-wedding energy. The latest example of her eclectic blend of fist pumping and hula dancing comes from last night’s Brooklyn rally with—recent dropout and competent dancer in his own right—Julian Castro. She probably just needs a couple more glasses of zinfendel from the open bar before she really loosens up.

Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders is surprisingly spry. You might not expect a man in his 70s with heart problems to cut a rug, but Bernie is not your average senior citizen. He has the energy of a man half his age, and the timeless consistency of his dancing allows him to keep up with his young supporters.

Joe Biden

Former vice president Joe Biden dances exactly as you’d expect—slow, old fashioned, and “sweet” in a way that’s uncomfortably intimate.

Andrew Yang

Silicon Valley entrepreneur Andrew Yang has more than enough spring in his step to keep up with any roomful of middle-aged women on the dance floor. His universal basic dance moves aim to remind us that we all share one dance floor.

Tulsi Gabbard

Congressional representative for Hawaii Tulsi Gabbard doesn’t exactly dance—she dance-fights. Just as with her approach to debates or to the war on terror, her Capoeira moves may be a bit more aggressive than some voters want.

Amy Klobuchar

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar is known for her no-nonsense pragmatism. She strives not to make any promises she can’t keep, so she will appear to be the adult in the room…but her dancing tells a different story. Klobuchar dances with the energy of a happy toddler who could enter full-blown tantrum mode at any moment.

Marianne Williamson

Marianne dancing

You may be surprised to find that spiritual guru Marianne Williamson is still in the race, but once you see her dance moves, you’ll be surprised she isn’t the front runner. She is as one with the music as she is with the vibrations of the universe.

Cory Booker

New Jersey Senator Cory Booker hasn’t done much dancing lately, but we can look back at his record as Mayor of Newark to see where he stands on the issue of Salsa dancing. As in politics, Booker is competent, but not dazzling.

Pete Buttigieg

Buttigieg dancing

Does Mayor of South Bend, Pete Buttigieg, dance at all? His campaign has a now-infamous official dance to the song “High Hopes,” but I’ve been unable to uncover any evidence of Pete participating. His youth and energy are vaguely suggestive of someone with dance moves, but as long as his actual record remains cloaked in shadows, many voters will be hesitant to support him. Until that time, the above simulation is the best we can do. What are you hiding, Mayor Pete?!

Michael Bloomberg

Is Michael Bloomberg actually running for president, or is he just trying to spoil everyone’s fun? His “dancing” with Lady Gaga at 2011’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve suggests the latter.

Deval Patrick

Deval dancing

Former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick is not well known to most voters, but images of him sweetly dancing with his wife are a touching endorsement.

Tom Steyer

Steyer gif

Who?

John Delaney

Delaney lifting

The only dance that Maryland’s former congressional representative John Delaney knows is the iron dance of getting swole.

Michael Bennet

Michael Bennett dancing

Michael Bennett is a defensive lineman in the NFL. As far as I can tell, the rumors that he’s running for president are completely baseless, but based on his moves… maybe he should.

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