Your guide to the
Top Democratic Candidates By Ella T. Lifset
Joe Biden
Age: 77
“One of the things I’ve never been accused of is not caring about people.”
Policies that Biden supports include a substantial increase in federal funding for low-income public schools, the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), and a firmer stance on climate control that mirrors the Green New Deal. Biden’s primary campaign strategy revolves around his promise to return to an era that mirrors the Obama administration. Biden initially led the polls, although his polling numbers have since experienced a decline, largely due to voter uncertainty regarding his age and potentially antiquated political views.
Michael Bloomberg
Age: 78
“We will go forward... we will never go back.”
Bloomberg has consistently supported abortion rights, gun control, and environmentalist legislation--topics that would be considered socially liberal. However, in regards to foreign and economic issues, Bloomberg generally backs more conservative viewpoints. These include support for the Iraq War as well as balancing the national budget. Early polls show Bloomberg as an unpopular candidate in comparison to the other Democratic candidates. Additionally, as the eighth richest man in America and mogul of Bloomberg News, he has an obvious advantage in terms of advertisements and campaign funding.
Pete Buttigieg
Age: 38
“Greatness will come by looking forward--untethered from the politics of the past and anchored by our shared values--and by changing our nation’s future.“
The Mayor of South Bend, Indiana has supported several policies, including stronger climate change legislation and criminal justice system reform. However, Buttigieg’s most prominent proposition is his more moderate healthcare plan, or “Medicare for All Who Want It,” which gives citizens a choice to opt-in for a public program. As the only openly gay candidate running for the presidency, Buttigieg has risen considerably in popularity throughout his campaign. However, he still polls less than 1% with African American voters.
All photos credited to Gage Skidmore
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