With Donald Trump’s presidential term coming to an end, both old and new faces are gaining a media presence by announcing their campaign for 2020.
Recently, many have announced they are running for the Democratic Party, most notably former VP Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren. Other newer faces are also quickly gaining the public’s attention, such as Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, Jay Inslee, and Beto O’Rourke.
Many lesser known candidates have also recently confirmed they are running including Cory Booker, Tulsi Gabbard, and Andrew Yang.
In total, there are 23 confirmed candidates running for the democratic party.
As for the Republican party, Donald Trump only has one verified contestant for the primaries: William Weld, a conservative leaning moderate. However, there has been speculation of others who might run, such as Larry Hogan and John Kasich.
“Currently no candidate has my 100 percent support. Both major parties are pro-business parties who are focused on the growth of the economy, national security, the cost of healthcare, and immigration,” said Brett Anderson, Sedro-Woolley High School social studies teacher. “Neither party has expressed interest in protecting the rights of the people. Therefore, I am once again forced to choose between two parties that don’t really represent what I care about, or voting for a third party that won’t receive enough votes to win.”
As people begin to announce their candidacy, the public considers the policies they stand for, and what they plan to do about important issues.
Anna Melnick, a social studies teacher at SWHS, said “Most politicians are just that, politicians. They say what they want to get the office they desire. I like a candidate who isn’t the popular choice, who will stand behind what they say and promise, even if it loses the vote in the end.”
This has been an ongoing trend for campaigning, Candidates rely on hot button issues, popularity, and media presence to gain attention and eventual votes. The campaigning season is filled with the tension of who is running and why, as well as the things candidates do to get elected.
“The number one problem with our current election system is the corrupting influence of money. From campaigning to lobbying, the decisions of most politicians are too heavily influenced by their donors. Elected officials are supposed to work to represent their constituencies – but many of them are too focused on financing their next campaign so they can get re-elected. “This needs to change,” said Aimee Gustafson, SWHS social studies teacher.
After getting past the ongoing popularity contests, both candidates and voters debate important and controversial issues going on, in hopes to win others over to their side.
“Of course I have topics that are more personal to me, but for a candidate to be successful I believe there are three major issues to attack head-on. They are: costly health coverage, a warming climate and growing economic inequality. I believe that all other issues connect to these (either directly or indirectly).” said Amy Gregory, the head of the SWHS drama department.
Healthcare is a universal need, with multiple different plans for execution, as is the economy and other controversial, front page issues that are being debated by politicians.
“How long will business owners tolerate a trade war with China? Are we changing our image? We don’t want open borders, but America has a reputation to protect. Are we cutting a deal with the Taliban? Who else is a threat besides ISIS? Is Iran the true enemy?” said Anderson.
The recurring concern of the public is the ability to pass these laws and make change happen. While these candidates and politicians cover and debate solutions to these policies and problems, citizens wonder if they will follow through.
“No candidate has an actual plan to solve problems. If they did, they would have executed it while they were still lawmakers.
The president doesn’t make laws, congress does. So if Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders had great ideas on reform, why can’t they get their laws passed while they are still lawmakers?” said Anderson. “Look at how much trouble Trump is having on getting his agenda passed. He’s using executive orders, this means the next president will most likely also use executive orders. How long until USA has a dictator?”
Considering that these people will possibly be our president, their political platforms consist of issues not only they want to reform and focus on, but what the public finds important to do so as well.
“There are always really great issues that are prevalent for candidates to take a stand on. I believe the ones that are important to our country and to our nation as a whole are the ones that should be addressed, but more importantly actually taken on by whoever wins,” said Melnick. “A good candidate will present his platform and will follow through on that after they win.”
There is a lot of speculation on who will win the nominations for their parties. As of right now, Trump is running without any mainstream opposition, meaning he is currently likely to represent the republican party in the primaries. The democrats, however, have a large and diverse range of candidates all fighting for their chance at the presidency.
“All of the Democrats running pretty much are in agreement that these are the main issues, but they none are in agreement as to how to prioritize these issues,” said Gregory. “When Joe Biden, former Vice President of the United States, announced that he was running for president, I realized that he would probably be the Democrats best chance at defeating the Republican party. He has both the political acumen needed and the ‘people’ skills necessary to connect with a diverse populous.”
There is a lot of controversy still over who will win the nomination though, considering the other widely known democratic candidates.
“Elizabeth Warren is experienced, female, and has better a reputation than Hillary. She might be the front runner for Democrats. She needs to resonate with young voters, and young voters need to turn out to support her. I believe young democrats support Bernie though,” said Anderson. “Bernie is a popular favorite with leftists. Democrat voters wanted him to be the candidate last year. Bernie wants to reform healthcare, which will resonate with old voters.”
As the campaign season continues, Trump continues both his responsibilities as current President as well as focusing on another potential win in 2020. Currently, he has the advantage of running nearly uncontested, and can use his past achievements as president to appeal to voters.
Trump has reached out to Russia and North Korea. This is a rarity for presidents to have dialogue with traditional ‘enemies.’ That being said, the North Koreans are now negotiating with the Russians to help get sanctions removed.
Trump is talking to China- “GREAT!” Said Anderson. “However, now we are in a trade war with the second largest economy on earth and local businesses are feeling the effects. Trump is willing to reach out. If he can close the deal America will be better off. If he plays hardball and the other players don’t budge, it could ruin the economy. He has one year to win this bet.”
Between Trump running for a second term, and the large range of democrats running for office, voting in the elections is important, and being informed is the best way to make these decisions. Here is the advice given by SWHS social studies teachers to those voting in the 2020 elections.
“Being too busy, too apathetic, or not taking the time to become informed are no excuses for failing to vote,” said Gustafson. “Attend local candidate forums, read the voters pamphlet and visit candidate’s websites to learn specifics about platforms, stances and the like.”
Anderson noted the importance of voting, and knowing your candidates.
“READ your voters pamphlet. There are at least 15 people running for President. Half of all Americans don’t vote, so imagine if people READ the pamphlet and discovered an amazing candidate out there that nobody knew about. Also, there’s more to voting than choosing a president. There are congress people, local government people, local laws that affect you. Try READING the law instead of letting someone sum it up for you. If you don’t READ, all you’re getting is the advertisement and the hype.” said Anderson.
Melnick is on the same page as the other teachers when it comes to being informed.
“Read. Study. Stand by on what YOU believe in, not what you think others want you to believe. Make an informed decision, and know that ultimately whoever becomes president, your vote or not, will be your president.” said Melnick.