When you think of presidential election, you think of 2016. But the time has come to start scouting out some potential candidates for the 2020 election. While Republicans are focused on getting Trump re-elected, Democrats need to find a strong candidate, and fast. There has been a distinct lack in forerunners for the Democratic nominee, but there are many options. Take a look and decide for yourself the best candidate for the primary.
Beto O’ Rourke:
Beto O’Rourke was a Democratic nominee for the senate and ran against Ted Cruz. O’Rourke was beloved by the public, and many media outlets. His campaign was built on him being real and relatable. With him running his campaign out of his car, to skateboarding into rallies, Beto O’Rourke is the candidate Americans want. But is he the one we need? While he is so popular, is he serious enough to run for president? Hillary Clinton showed us in 2016 that winning the popular vote is not always enough. Could skateboarding, former punk rocker Beto O’Rourke be the candidate strong enough to beat Trump, who has a extremely strong and devout base?
Bernie Sanders:
Bernie Sanders lost the Democratic Primary Nomination to Hillary Clinton back in 2016, but that does not mean he has stopped fighting. Ever since he lost, he has kept campaigning, which has given him an edge over his potential opponents. Sanders is considered one of the primary movers for Democrats, and would likely set the boundaries for many opponents in 2020. He would set the guidelines for what candidates should or shouldn’t support and be a leader for many of them. The question becomes, does America want another Bernie? He lost to Clinton by 3.6 million votes in the primary, and his supporters vowed he would come back. Some think that the ‘blue wave’, or the surge of Democratic candidates after Trump’s election, will help him, but is that enough to surmount a 3.6 million vote deficit from last primary?
Joe Biden:
Joe Biden, Obama’s VP and an influential Democrat as well as a liked person is thought to be the primary candidate for the 2020 election. Even in Sanders’ home state of Vermont, where Sanders destroyed Clinton, Biden leads 35% to 24% in a survey done at the University of New Hampshire. Biden has ran for president many times, never polling above 12% because of major obstacles, including Hillary Clinton. Now, with her out of the way, Biden is one of the top contenders for the Democratic nomination. His staunchly liberal views also give him an advantage among core supporters, as well as his faithfulness to the Obama administration. Biden is currently the strongest candidate, but if he does not run his campaign well from the start, he could easily give his seat to someone else. Biden has had experience campaigning with the Obama’s, but he has never run a successful campaign by himself. Could this be a game changer for him?
Elizabeth Warren:
Elizabeth Warren, a Democratic senator from Massachusetts is also a strong candidate for 2020. Her anti-corruption and reliably liberal views make her a solid candidate, especially after Brett Kavanaugh’s hearing. With this election, a woman nominee may be favored because Democrats want to separate themselves from Kavanaugh. While Warren is a reliable choice, she may be too reliable. Except for her fight with Trump over her ancestry, Warren has not made headlines very much. While that does not make her a bad candidate, it shows that she is not as remarkable as her opponents, which may cause issues for her later. A memorable candidate is usually the one that wins elections, unfortunately for Warren.
Kamala Harris:
Kamala Harris is a Democratic senator from California and a former attorney. She is new on the national stage, but is already voted number 3 for the hypothetical primary race, just 1 percent above Warren. Because Harris is so new to the national stage, she has quickly tried to define herself before her opponents could do it. A strong opponent of the Trump administration, Harris blends optimism with activism as she campaigns for voters, especially women. She is a fresh voice in Washington, but with that comes the struggle of others trying to take her down. Her newness is a weapon that can, and will, be used against her unless she takes action first. One wrong move and she is out of the ballgame.
Cory Booker:
Cory Booker, a Democratic senator from New Jersey, is known for having a sharp sense of where the Democratic party is going. He is reliably liberal, and has since shaken his nickname of being a ‘neo-liberal’. He drew lots of positive press during the Kavanaugh hearing, for having his ‘spartacus moment’ and demanding answers. And while he is rather well known, he does not have an original feature or branding that will separate him from the 2.6 million Democrats running in 2020. To even have a chance at winning the nomination, Booker needs to set himself apart before he blends into the masses.
Disclaimer: These are the opinions of the author and do not reflect the opinions of the Paw Print or Greenwood.
Comentários