Axios-NewsWhip 2020 attention tracker: Dominant storyline for each candidate

[brooklynite]

Axios

Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders' plans for student debt cancellation have by far generated the most online attention from among policies proposed by 2020 Democratic candidates, according to data from NewsWhip provided exclusively to Axios.

Why it matters: Each candidate is vying to separate themselves from a crowded field with bold, new ideas. This data shows which have captivated readers, as well the ideas being associated with top-tier candidates — a key insight into how the average voter might view the candidates.

By the numbers: The list below identifies the policy stance or storyline that has resulted in the most combined interactions for articles written about the top 8 Democratic candidates, according to an analysis of the 50 biggest stories for each hopeful since March 1.

Interactions include reactions, comments and shares on Facebook and likes and retweets on Twitter.

The candidates are ranked by polling and linked items direct to the top story on that topic. The interactions number represents the combined total for those stories.

Joe Biden — Strong polling numbers vs. Trump — 993k interactions
Elizabeth Warren — Student debt cancellation and tuition-free college plan — 2.0 million
Bernie Sanders — Student debt cancellation — 1.7 million
Kamala Harris — Black homeownership plan — 522k
Pete Buttigieg — Attacks on the religious right — 1.1 million
Andrew Yang — Universal basic income — 140k
Beto O'Rourke — Abortion rights stance (largely used as an attack by conservative media) — 404k
Cory Booker — Gun control plan, attacks on NRA — 1.1 million