While Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton are the clear front runners of this Democratic race, the other three presidential hopefuls are making waves in their own right.
Former Governor of Lincoln Chafee: “The Peacemaker” – Overall Chafee attempted to present himself as the most honest and ethical candidate. (Millennials need to know that politics and ethics are known as oxymoron). Twice he referred to his stance on issues as akin to a “granite block” despite moderator Anderson Cooper pointing out diverse shifts in his ideology. Chafee has had some good times, like when he pointed out that the gun lobby is helping with gun control issues. He disagreed with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the Iraq War and even said his famous e-mail did nothing to create a powerful idea of, “American credibility.” But he faltered, when discussing his decision to pass a bill that made banks bigger, making several excuses: “I just arrived in the United States Senate. I was once the mayor of my city. My father has died. I have been appointed by the governor. It was the first vote and it was 90-5, because it was a conference report.” He ended the night saying he wanted to end the war and that he was a proven peacemaker.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton:
”The Woman”- Major news media reported that Clinton was the clear winner of the debate, but according to millennials watching at home, Governor Sanders had more of a presence in the first place. On social media like Twitter, criticism of Clinton pointed out her exaggerated references to being a lady, and referring to herself as an “outsider” could not be farther from the reality. Throughout the night he outlined his plan that would raise the minimum wage, embrace a fairer tax system, get equal pay and paid family leave, help America’s kids and fix the problem of the rich (does he include himself?) paying too little and middle class pay too much. He hinted at being pro-capitalism and anti-Putin. Clinton appears to have exercised her political clout when responding to questions about her involvement in the Iraq War with “After the election, she [Obama] asked me to become Secretary of State.” He wasn’t evasive when answering questions about his personal e-mail, but really, he did not have to because Sanders’ comment became a highlight of the debate: “The American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn e-mail.” Regarding college affordability, Clinton proposed there could be free tuition for public colleges, but stipulated that students should work about 10 hours a week to help reduce the price of their education.
Former Governor Martin O’Malley:
image: government.com
“Solid Candidate” – O’Malley presents himself as a family man who cares about middle class American families. He often spoke about the exact issues facing the rapidly shrinking middle working class. As a former governor of Maryland, O’Malley’s ability to handle riots was called into question when Cooper brought up the rioting and civil unrest that occurred there last April. O’Malley’s answers to these questions were weak and didn’t allay fears that it could occur again. With respect to banking, he wanted, “to separate the casino gambling, the speculative, the mega-banks that we have to insure our money with, from commercial banking – that is, restore Glass-Steagall.” (Glass-Steagall was a repealed act for restricting major banks). With regards to a greener environment, O’Malley said his first order as President was to create a 100% clean electricity grid by 2050. Overall, he appears to be a well-informed and headstrong Democrat who eventually seems very happy to be a part of civilized debate.
Senator Bernie Sanders:
“The Crowd-Favorite” – Sanders went straight to telling the American people what he stood for. And it seems that what he stands for are millennials. He didn’t flinch when Anderson Cooper called him a democratic socialist, but instead defined him for everybody listening, “What democratic socialism means is to say that it’s immoral and wrong that the top tenth of the top 1 percent in this country own almost 90 percent — virtually – has virtually as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent. It’s wrong, today, in a rigged economy, that 57 percent of all new revenue goes to the top 1 percent. What that means for us millennials is that almost all of our parents were part of the middle class and we are Possible being a part of not getting a fair proportion of wealth and being deprived. He literally flounders when Cooper reminds him of his downvote on the Brady Bill, a bill that would require background checks and a waiting period for firearms. Throughout the debate, however, Sanders remained concise and remained passionate (particularly about college education and climate change.)
Former Governor Jim Webb:
“The Odd One Out”- Webb started with the hope of presenting a comprehensive approach to being multi-faceted; he was a writer, journalist, and owner, in addition to being a revered Vietnam war hero. With a mile long list of accomplishments, one would think he would have done better. But instead, Webb gave half the idea between his complaints about time and not having an opportunity to speak. What the viewer manages to squeeze out is his attitude to climate change; he pointed the finger at India and China. About Affirmative Action; African Americans had to be the only race to benefit from it or it stymied the struggling white population. Gun control; maintain second amendment rights but keep guns away from those who would use them for violence.
When it comes to the Black Lives Matter Movement, every candidate — with the odd exception of Webb, and Chafee who did not get an opportunity to respond — said that yes, even although black life in America is full of harm inherent through racist establishments, they’re valued and important. .
This Democratic debate is for young people. The problems faced by millennials are widely discussed and questioned by all candidates.
As young millennials who are just starting to discover our own political identities and generate our own opinions, it is important that we ask questions, raise our voices, and learn more about not only the issues that matter to us, but issues as well. which is also important to others. We must strive now, so that one day, we inhabit a nation we truly look forward to building. Someday, one of us will run for president, and then run the country. To get there we must take the first step by becoming more politically aware and more invested in the growth and intelligence of the world.
