By STEVE PEOPLES, BILL BARROW and WILL WEISSERT
Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - Democrats are hitting fast forward.

The first major presidential campaign announcements could come before year's end. The Democratic National Committee plans to announce a debate framework by then featuring as many as 20 candidates - with the first debate as soon as six months away. And long-rumored White House hopefuls are already bowing out.

The 2020 presidential season has arrived.

For some contenders, there's an increasing sense of urgency to be in the first wave of declared candidates in what will likely be a large, unwieldy field. And for the party as a whole, there's a desire to move forward with what's expected to be a nasty fight - and wrap it up quickly to give the eventual nominee strong footing to take on President Donald Trump.

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