Democratic Candidate Crash Course

Kate Weaver
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

The Basics: Former Vice President (2009-2017), Former Senator from Delaware (1973-2009).

Why people like him: His persistence as a Senator after his wife and one-year-old daughter died in a car crash, his moderate and not too revolutionary policies, his commitment to end malarkey.

Why people dislike him: His role in the testimony that destroyed Anita Hill’s reputation in 1991 and his delayed apology for it, his clinging to Obama’s legacy, his past positions on race issues, his age and mental fitness.

Where he’s polling: 28.1%

Bernie Sanders, 78

The Basics: Senator from Vermont (2007-present), Former U.S. Representative from Vermont (1991-2007), Former Mayor of Burlington (1981-1989).

Why people like him: Long history of progressive activism (see arrest photo from a civil rights demonstration in 1963), notable legislative history including voting against the Iraq war and writing the bill for Medicare for All, strong opposition to money in politics.

Why people dislike him: Concern that his ideas are too radical, apprehension over his socialist label, his polarizing fan base, his relationship with the democratic party, his age and health.

Where he’s polling: 23.8%

Elizabeth Warren, 70

The Basics: Senator from Massachusetts (2013-present), Former Special Advisor for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2010-2011), Former Chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel (2008-2010).

Why people like her: She has a plan for everything, won every election she’s ever run in, tough on big business, fighting for working-class families for decades, progressive.

Why people dislike her: Her proposed wealth tax, the high cost of her plans, represented big business while teaching at Harvard Law, her claim of Native American heritage.

Where she’s polling: 14.8%

Michael Bloomberg, 77

The Basics: Former mayor of NYC (2002-2013), Philanthropist, Businessman.

Why people like him: Self-made billionaire who took the giving pledge to give away half of his wealth, says he’s unwilling to be bought, his work in NYC as mayor after 9/11.

Why people dislike him: Pushed stop-and-frisk policies which disproportionately affected people of color in NYC, his ties to the Republican party, anti-billionaire sentiment in the party, his age.

Where he’s polling: 7.8%

Pete Buttigieg, 38

The Basics: Former Mayor of South Bend (2012-2020)

Why people like him: Would be the first openly gay presidential nominee, Rhodes scholar who can speak 8 languages, veteran, moderate and relatively non-divisive stances on issues such as medicare (“medicare for all who want it”).

Why people dislike him: The policing problems which occurred under his watch in South Bend, his history consulting at McKinsey, flip-flopping on Medicare for All, no national political experience, exclusive campaign events with rich donors.

Where he’s polling: 6.8%

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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