Hillary Clinton's defeat was stunning enough. But the fact that she lost to Donald Trump led Democrats to question whether they had fundamentally misread the American public, and whether their party and its message needed a total overhaul.

"Presidential buzz seems to be building around an unusually large and varied group of Democrats and famous names from outside of politics -- a parlor game that includes pretty much every current Democratic senator and governor, mayors and House members, barons of the business world and, of course, the occasional wild-card celebrity. The Hill newspaper recently tallied 43 people who might run against Donald Trump."

Now, simply because lots and lots of candidates are considering the race doesn't mean Democrats have solved all of the problems the 2016 campaign exposed. Democrats still have to litigate out whether it's Joe Biden's party or Elizabeth Warren's party going forward. And there are lots and lots voices who want to have a say in that debate.

Don't see your favorite candidate? Never fear! There's still (lots of) time!

1st Tier (If they run, they have a real chance to win the nomination)

"He hasn't made up his mind," former Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver told Tumulty of the Vermont independent. "He's open to it." Got it.

Warren, more so -- to my mind -- than Sanders, is the face of liberals nationally. I don't think that means Sanders would stand down for Warren, but it's hard to see how the top tier could fit both of them.

2nd Tier (Have potential to be a major contender but not there ... yet)

It remains to be seen whether Democrats in 2020 want to totally and completely move on from what happened in 2016. If they do, Kaine, who shared the ticket with Clinton, will have a hard time. If not, however, lots of the things that made him attractive as a VP -- governor and senator of a swing state, bilingual, etc. -- would also make him an appealing presidential candidate.

The Connecticut Senator won't have room to run if Sanders and/or Warren do. But, if they don't -- and neither is a sure thing -- he could well slot into the leading liberal role, given his outspokenness on gun control in the wake of Newtown and, more recently, his vocal opposition to the Trump presidency.

3rd Tier (It's not IM-possible)

Moulton is one of the young up-and-coming Democrats in the House. But, that's probably where he'll stay for now.

Tier-less (Rich businesspeople who've never run for anything before)

More:

Donald Trump is the best 2020 recruiter Democrats could hope for - CNN