Thoughts on Presidential Candidates
Once again, election season has descended upon us. Presidential candidates from all sides of the political spectrum are vying for the ultimate political position in the country and arguably, four to eight years of hell. So far, well-known politicians like Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris, as well as lesser-known ones like Julian Castro, have announced their desire to run. However, to be a candidate for president is just a demanding a job as the presidency itself, and requires many characteristics which few of the current candidates have. For example, Elizabeth Warren’s weakness has shown to be her failure to relate to all members of the Democratic Party, which may ultimately lead to her downfall. While she is a competent politician, most Americans still vote for their own affiliated party unless the candidate’s platform is especially relatable to them.
I hope Democrats nominate Harris. The difference between her and Clinton is that Harris has something that Clinton never did—likability.
Replacing Warren, Kamala Harris is now one of the biggest names in the Democratic Party. Due to her status as an African-American woman, she holds a very special place in the roster of presidential nominees. If she does well in the race and gains the support of the Democratic Party (who must now prove their supposed commitment to inclusivity), then she will be regarded as the Democrats’ best chance to break the glass ceiling, expounding off of Clinton’s ill-fated attempt in 2016.
I hope Democrats nominate Harris. The difference between her and Clinton is that Harris has something that Clinton never did—likeability. Unlike Clinton, who comes off as the stereotypical “politician” and manipulator, Harris’ relatively uncheckered past affords her public likability. As for the Republican Party, its members must finally find their self-esteem in order to prevent Trump’s reelection. However, it is likely that Trump will be re-elected because he panders to the Republican base extremely effectively.
Yet, Harris is not the only politician that has a fighting chance against Trump. Pete Buttigieg, the gay mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has also chosen to run. He is a veteran of Afghanistan and served during his term as mayor, which benefits his public image. Although Buttigeg fits the Democratic bill, one of his main challenges will be his lack of name recognition. If he can overcome the challenge of obscurity, then it’s quite possible that he will do very well in the race as well.
Buttigieg’s problem is exactly the opposite of Beto O’Rourke’s, who has the popularity to run but is unsure of whether he actually wants to. He has been roaming the country lately, trying to answer that same question. Assuming he wants to run, he would have a good chance in the race. He is well-liked, and his pro-LGBT, pro-immigrant, pro-choice stances allow him to garner support from across the Democratic voter base. However, the biggest question regarding O’Rourke is whether the time is right—he lost the Senate race in 2018, and while some might argue that it is best for him to capitalize off his success, he may find a greater chance of success through another Senate race in a few years. O’Rourke is young, at least in politicians’ terms, and he has a lot of time. If he can base his reputation off of more than just “getting really close to beating Ted Cruz” and make a name for himself, then he might have a better shot at the presidency with more experience and knowledge.
Finally, there is Joe Biden. If Biden ran for president, Democrats would come out in droves to support him, and rightfully so. The ex-Vice President is very popular among Democrats, and after Obama, his ratings in the party have not decreased much. He would be an excellent choice for president. The only problem with Biden is that he is an old, white, Catholic man in a time when old, white, Catholic men are being driven out of Congress by young minorities. If he ran for president, Republicans would argue that Biden does not accurately represent his Democratic voter base. This hypocritical argument would also serve to further separate the Democrats and Republicans, making the existence of bipartisanship even more difficult.
I’d love to see Biden run. However, he came of age in a political world when to be white, male, and Catholic was to have your Congressional seat assured. The world is changing, and Biden should not run for President solely based on his popularity within the Democratic Party—not because he’s too old or because he might lose, but because of how his candidacy might reflect upon the rest of the party. It’s time for Biden to take his winnings and leave the candidacy in the hands of candidates like Harris, Buttigieg, and O’Rourke.