Almost any citizen can run for President!
The 2020 Presidential Election is no exception as host to a slew of interesting new and well-known Democrats. Presidential candidates who have previously graced the political scene and relative unknowns are employing both social and traditional media communication in branding themselves and their campaigns.
Photo Courtesy of Monroe County Democratic Party
Among the two dozen Democratic candidates currently running in 2020, here are a few who are competing for a spot on the debate stage and struggling to break through a crowded field:
Joseph Biden
Delaware native Joseph Biden boasts a political background as the state’s longest-serving senator. Mr. Biden ran alongside Democrat nominee Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election and served two terms as his Vice President. Currently, he is reentering the political limelight bringing with him his past experience.
Mr. Biden has long held the image of friendly “Uncle Joe” in the media, branding himself using his trademark, “warm and upbeat persona.” However, history brings baggage and apology, with the Democratic candidate noting his regret that he “did not give Anita Hill the hearing she deserved.” Ms. Hill had shared her story of sexual harassment in the Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas three decades ago. Most recently, Mr. Biden has apologized again, promising “I will be more respectful of people’s personal space.”
Kamala Harris
A a former California Attorney General, now Senator Kamala Harris is the first woman of both African- and Asian-American descent to become a major-party nominee.
Ms. Harris has an extensive background in public policy and has made her political campaign a “fight for the soul of our country.” In winning back the White House for Democrats, Ms. Harris plans to make the biggest federal investment in the department of education in U.S history. Furthermore, her campaign is all about the people. Therefore, she proposes to cut down taxes for the working class as well raise salaries for teachers.
Amy Klobuchar
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar has assumed the title as the “senator next door” as a way to relate to voters through her 12 years in the Senate. Her reputation for “reaching across the aisle” is well documented.
Since 2002, Ms. Klobuchar has been the target of allegations about staff mistreatment. However, she claims these false statements are confused with the high work expectations she holds for members of her staff.
Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders, a past candidate in the 2016 presidential campaign, has re-entered as a Democratic candidate for the current election. Mr. Sanders has currently raised the most campaign money: $18 million in the first quarter of his presidential campaign. Interestingly, his pool of contributors includes mostly online donors who are younger than 39.
His 2016 campaign gained significant traction and resulted in many supporters “feeling the bern.” However, Mr. Sanders’ unexpected success as an unknown candidate in the 2016 campaign has created his competition!
Elizabeth Warren
Among other achievements, Elizabeth Warren served as a previous assistant and special advisor to President Obama. Additionally, she was the first Democratic candidate to announce her presidential campaign for the 2020 election. Ms. Warren’s campaign focuses on the working class and eliminating inequality. One example includes her proposed “ultra-millionaire tax” on people worth more than $50 million.
Ms. Warren also employs other methods of relating to the average American. For example, the Democratic candidate was recently seen on Instagram drinking beer while cooking with her husband. Earlier last year, she was targeted for making false claims of possessing Native American ancestry. However, Ms. Warren released her DNA tests and disproved the allegation, further strengthening her presidential campaign.
Andrew Yang
Asian-American entrepreneur Andrew Yang has emerged from the pool of unknowns into the Internet spotlight. Among the Taiwanese-American candidate’s most interesting campaign promises is the “Freedom Dividend.” The proposed policy aims to give every American adult $1000 per month, by taxing tech companies. According to Mr. Yang’s campaign website, this policy would “permanently grow the economy” and “support job growth.”
This 2020 presidential candidate has branded himself as a technocrat and businessman. As a result of his unique views on job automation, Mr. Yang has rapidly gained popularity with users on social media platforms on Reddit and 4Chan who proclaim themselves as members of the “Yang Gang.” Mr. Yang himself has personally answered questions posed by users on Reddit. To further bolster his Internet fame, he has appeared on multiple popular interview podcasts, including one run by Joe Rogan.
May the best candidate win!