2016 Democratic Party presidential nomination

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[edit] Confirmed running

Hillary Clinton official Secretary of State portrait crop.jpg
Hillary Clinton
Age: 67
Former senator and Secretary of State
Advantages: Tons of money, massive publicity machine, ruthless towards opponents, a ton of experience in politics, and possesses hundreds of connections throughout the establishment. Can shore up female voters by virtue of being the only well-known female presidential candidate, and may make a break for other minority voters.
Disadvantages: Everything else. She is over 65, which is a bad omen for presidents. Very low-key in terms of her platform and current opinions on issues, which makes her appear rather bland and in cruise-control. Her wealthiness leads to her seeming detached from the people and unconcerned with the poor, much like Mitt Romney. Bragged about her husband's successful crusade to end aid to the poor (especially poor children) in Arkansas as well as nationally. Grew close to Robert Rubin, Larry Summers, Timothy Geithner, and many other Wall Street executives or lobbyists who deregulated the markets under Bill. Too much of a hawk for many peoples' tastes, as she voted for the war against Iraq, wanted war with Iran, pushed for intervention in Libya, facilitated the CIA drone strikes under Obama, and advocated for boots on the ground in Syria. Even though many regard Bill positively for raising taxes on the rich, the idea of another Clinton-Bush election does not make American democracy seem incredibly healthy.

[edit] Not yet confirmed as running/Minor candidates

[edit] May run

Joe Biden official portrait crop.jpg
Joe Biden
Age: 72
Current Vice President, former senator
Advantages: He's entertaining, if gaffe prone. Is the vice president, which can be a springboard to future presidential success.
Disadvantages: Over 65, which is a bad omen for presidents. He's kinda insane (on a personal level, not on a policy level), and arguably too old for the job. Is the Vice President to Obama, which may make a run difficult for people who have become disillusioned with him.
Andrew Cuomo by Pat Arnow cropped.jpeg
Andrew Cuomo[wp]
Age: 57
Governor of New York
Advantages: Banned fracking in New York, but only to score political points.
Disadvantages: His penchant for corruption is unbelievably transparent. He set up an anti-corruption committee that would investigate and report all forms of conflicts of interest, like an actual anti-corruption committee... but when they started investigating his actions, he promptly disbanded the committee.
O'Malley-Portrait-2013.jpg
Martin O'Malley[wp]
Age: 52
Former Maryland Governor
Advantages: Said to be Obama's pick for successor. [1] Recognizes climate change and advocates for renewable energy over fossil fuels. Prefers a "cooperative" foreign policy, essentially letting other countries handle their business with tepid American support as opposed to unilateralism or humanitarian intervention. Wants Glass-Steagall reinstated.
Disadvantages: Compared budget cuts to terrorist attacks. Not much of a change from Obama on most matters of policy, sans the distaste for private monopolies.
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Bernie Sanders[wp]
Age: 73
Vermont Senator
Advantages: Makes Hillary look young, fresh, and centrist. Can force her to move to the left on many issues in the debate, and will force her into several uncomfortable spots as she tries to defend her less than stellar record on civil liberties and foreign policy.
Disadvantages: Worked closely with Ron Paul on legislation promoting and exposing the Federal Reserve conspiracy theory.
JimWebbColor.jpg
Jim Webb
Age: 69
Former senator from Virginia
Advantages: Has fought for reform on drug sentencing, doesn't like Wall Street, prefers a non-interventionist foreign policy, and actually left the Republicans due to the Iraq War. He has already formed an exploratory committee (early bird gets the worm or something?)
Disadvantages: Besides trying to bring a loaded gun into the U.S. Senate? He has more conservative opinions on gun control, affirmative action, immigration, and environmental issues, none of which are likely to garner admirers in a Democratic primary.

[edit] Perennial candidates

Jeff Boss.jpg
Jeff Boss[wp]
Age: ???
Perennial candidate and crank
Advantages: Beats me, unless crank magnetism can also attract votes.[1]
Disadvantages: Even Wikipedia calls him a conspiracy theorist (he's a truther)...
Vermin Supreme 2012.jpg
Vermin Supreme[wp]
Age: ???
Performance artist and perennial candidate
Advantages: Another perennial candidate. Would create the interesting situation of having a "President Supreme", which does sound rather cool. Has glitter bombed[wp] Randall Terry. If he gets elected he has promised free ponies for all Americans.[2]
Disadvantages: Another perennial candidate, but wearing a rubber boot on his head. Basically a sort of U.S. parallel to these British guys.[3]
Robby Wells.PNG
Robby Wells[wp]
Age: 47
Former college football coach
Advantages: Presumably knows something about American football, I guess.
Disadvantages: Robby who? Also, switching from trying to run as an independent to taking a shot at the Democratic nomination might not be the ideal start on ingratiating yourself to the party faithful. Not to mention his history of "party shopping" in 2012 where he bounced around from initially wanting to run as an independent, then shacking up with the Reform Party, before jumping ship and trying for the Constitution Party nomination (which he lost to some other guy you've probably never heard of either[wp]). If you're bereft of some interesting reading you can always look at his Eaglenomics "plan".[4]

[edit] Democratic primary polls

[edit] See also

[edit] Footnotes

  1. If you can be bothered, you could check out his platform, a rather, shall we say "mixed bag"...
  2. Granted, that was one of four planks in his 2012 platform, but we assume the offer still stands. The three other planks were zombie preparedness, funding for time travel research, and mandatory and strictly enforced tooth brushing laws.
  3. You could check out his political courage test from 2012 on Project Vote Smart. Not that you'd be much the wiser.
  4. Eaglenomics is Wells' term for his rather eclectic (to say the least) plan for a U.S. economic miracle - pretty short on detail (and coherence), though.
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