Democratic Candidate Crash Course
February 1, 2020
As the Iowa caucuses and Super Tuesday approach, many voters have still not decided who they will give their vote to. It is easy to get sucked into the media on both sides and campaign advertisements, but here is a quick and simple guide to the core elements of each notable campaign (those polling over 1%*):
Joe Biden, 77
Bernie Sanders, 78
Elizabeth Warren, 70
Michael Bloomberg, 77
Pete Buttigieg, 38
Andrew Yang, 45
- The Basics: Entrepreneur, Former corporate lawyer.
- Why people like him: The freedom dividend (his plan to give every American $1,000 a month), his call for better regulation of big tech such as Amazon, his humanistic view on capitalism.
- Why people dislike him: The freedom dividend, lack of government experience, concerns that he’s not for real.
- Where he’s polling: 4.8%
Amy Klobuchar, 59
- The Basics: Senator from Minnesota (2007-present), County Attorney (1999-2007)
- Why people like her: Rated most effective Senator (by a Vanderbilt study), framing herself as a moderate candidate who can bring the party and the nation together, detailed plans for issues such as mental health and drug addiction.
- Why people dislike her: Lack of conversation around intersectionality issues, history as a “tough on crime” prosecutor, treatment of her staff.
- Where she’s polling: 4.3%
Tom Steyer, 62
- The Basics: Environmentalist, Liberal activist, Philanthropist, Hedge fund manager.
- Why people like him: Funded political groups such as Need to Impeach and NextGen America, top priority is fighting climate change and has spent over $100 million to do so, took the giving pledge to give away half of his wealth.
- Why people dislike him: No political experience, his hedge fund supported coal mines and coal-fired power plants despite his environmentalist claims, anti-billionaire sentiment in the party.
- Where he’s polling: 1.8%
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To learn more about each candidate, check out reputable news sites such as the New York Times, Politico, FiveThirtyEight, The Washington Post, etc., or look at each candidate’s policy platforms listed on his or her website. You can also check out this quiz which will help you find the candidate you agree with the most. And, most importantly, don’t forget to register to vote!
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Upcoming primary related events on campus:
- Vanderbilt College Democrats’ Primary Primer: Wednesday, February 5 at 5 p.m. in Buttrick 306, GME & free food
- Vandy Loves Voting Day: free rides to the polls on February 15 and 20 for early voting days (contact [email protected] for more information)
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