Despite the circus in Washington, we must not ignore the Democrat race to challenge Trump

Eventually one of these candidates will have to face the president so it must be clear they can stand up to scrutiny

Pete Buttigieg is out in front in the Democratic race (Reuters)

The Democratic Party debates can feel like a game of musical chairs. When the music stops, whoever has the lead in the latest polls is heralded with frontrunner status and faces a barrage of attacks from the other candidates for the presidency.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg, of South Bend, Indiana, is the latest to take his turn at the fifth debate in Atlanta. Before him came Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden. The reason? Buttigieg has converted a healthy investment in the early states that will pick the nominee into some great poll numbers. According to the latest surveys in Iowa, the first state to make their pick, he is out in front on his own with a lead over the other frontrunners of well above the margin of error.

Buttigieg has an issue in other states, particularly in South Carolina, the fourth of the early states, and first where white voters do not make up the majority of the electorate. Joe Biden has a commanding lead in the state, mostly thanks to more than solid support from black voters.