JOE BIDEN
Joe Biden is a graduate of Syracuse Law School. He was elected to the U.S. Senate at the exceptionally young age of 29, and currently serves as a Senator from Delaware and adjunct at the Widener University School of Law.
According to the Washington Post, Biden's area of expertise is foreign policy. In a recent interview he warned that "Pakistan is a potentially bigger threat than Iran," and has been an outspoken critic of the Bush Administration's stance on the Middle East.
Regarding the Iraq War, Biden co-authored the Biden-Levin Amendment, which set forth a proposal to bring the majority of U.S. troops stationed in Iraq home by March 2008. Biden said that if no political settlement has been reached to curb civil violence in Iraq by the time he is elected, then he would not hesitate to withdraw troops from the region.
Biden has been an outspoken advocate for the U.S. signing of the Kyoto Treaty. "It is critical we re-engage the world and reclaim America's position as a leader in our climate change talks," Biden said. According to Grist.org, Biden is a "primary cosponsor of a 'Sense of the Senate' resolution calling on the U.S. to participate in U.N. climate negotiations." Perhaps Biden's most passionate efforts as a Senator have been aimed towards women's rights. He sponsored the Violence Against Women Act and introduced an International Violence Against Women Act to the Senate.
Many have applauded Biden's plan to confront domestic violence head-on. Still, there are others – including feminist leaders – who believe that the Violence Against Women Act is unfair to men and seeks to give women an effortless path towards winning profitable divorce settlements.
On the topic of health care, Biden has proposed a plan based on individual income, which he says would resemble the health care plan offered to federal employees. He has also verbalized the need to reform the insurance industry by eliminating discrimination based on pre-existing illnesses and genetic dispositions.
Biden, who is Catholic, sides with the view of the Catholic Church that life begins with conception, yet he has shown no support for the undoing of Roe vs. Wade. He believes that abortion should remain a legal procedure, but does not support late-term or public-funded abortion.
Biden also advocates for the expansion of embryonic stem cell research, and even goes so far as to support human cloning. Biden's support of human cloning, however, contradicts what most advocates of stem-cell research believe to be ethical or necessary for medical progress.
Biden's campaign has incurred two major drawbacks, both of which revolve around accusations of racism.
The first drawback came when Biden released statements regarding the U.S. education system. His comments stressed that the percent minority population has a lot to do with how schools rank overall. His spokespeople say that Biden’s comments were not focused on race but rather socio-economic status. Nevertheless, many others interpreted his message differently.
Then, in what probably amounts to Biden's greatest snag thus far, he commented that Barak Obama was ''the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.'' Needless to say, that comment unleashed a wildfire of responses claiming racial bigotry.
His resume is impressive, especially concerning foreign policy experience; however, Biden will have to cover a lot of ground to catch up with Clinton and Obama as the deadline for the primaries approaches.
HILLARY CLINTON
Sixty-year-old Hillary Clinton is a former First Lady and currently a Senator from the state of New York.
She graduated from Yale Law School in 1973, and has worked as an attorney at the Rose Law Firm, a faculty member at the University of Arkansas Law School, and was a board member at Wal-Mart and TCBY Yogurt from 1985 to 1992.
If elected, Clinton plans to lift the federal ban on stem cell research, and is firmly committed to keeping Roe vs. Wade intact. “One reason I continue to oppose efforts to criminalize abortion is that I do not believe any government should have the power to dictate, through law or police action, a woman's most personal decision,” she has said.
An outspoken advocate of early education, Clinton seeks a huge overhaul of the No Child Left Behind Act, saying: "We need to make sure that when we look at our children, we don't just see a little walking test."
Regarding troop withdrawal in Iraq, Clinton has made no official commitment as to the number of troops or a timeframe for withdrawal. The Senator’s statements thus far have shown that she is unwilling to withdraw troops while much of Iraq remains in a state of chaos.
As President, Clinton says she would resume her push for universal health care, which began during her position as First Lady. "I want to have universal health care coverage by the end of my second term," she said in a primary debate on February 21. However, the specifics of her plan have often been criticized for being too vague and for failing to cover all Americans.
As a Senator, Clinton has adamantly rejected the ban on same-sex marriages. She has also shown wary opposition to the expansion of nuclear energy.
Republican candidates and the media have focused more attention on Clinton than any other Democratic candidate. Most of those attacks have focused on Clinton's indecisive positions on Iraq, Iran, and Social Security.
Clinton had a strong showing in the November 15 Democratic debates in Las Vegas, putting forth several memorable lines about womanhood and her position as the frontrunner for the Democrats. Her positive showing in the Las Vegas debates was important after a turbulent outing in the previous debate at Drexel University. There, she found herself fighting off a barrage of attacks by both Obama and Edwards, who say her political efforts have been less progressive than she herself has claimed.
Still, the biggest issue with Clinton is not whether Americans are ready for a female president, but whether Americans are willing to elect a president whose spouse is an ex-president. Because of this, some have stated that Bill Clinton is at once Hillary's greatest asset as well as her greatest liability. If elected, it would be the first time that an ex-president re-entered the White House as a presidential spouse.
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/
Chris Dodd is a five-term U.S. Senator from Connecticut, and Democratic candidate for President. He is the son of former U.S. Senator Thomas Dodd.
Originally elected as a U.S Representative in the “class of ’74,” (Democrats elected following the Watergate scandal that surrounded the Republican Party that year), Dodd won a Senate seat in 1980, and has served more consecutive terms than any other Senator from Connecticut.
Dodd was born in Connecticut in 1944. He attended Georgetown Prep, and graduated from Providence College in 1966. He then joined the Peace Corps, and was stationed in a small town in the Dominican Republic, where he learned to speak fluent Spanish. From 1968-72, he attended the University of Louisville where he served as the Vice President of the student body, and eventually earned his law degree. He was also an Army Reservist until 1975.
Dodd is best known for his advocacy for children. His most memorable legislation is the Family Medical Leave Act, yet he has championed many causes over the years, including gun control, tax breaks for the working poor, and immigration reform.
One issue that could hurt him is his "yes" vote on the Iraq War Resolution. Opponents also note that he took the most campaign contributions in the Democratic Party from Arthur Anderson, the accounting firm that hid the business practices of Enron before their collapse.
Dodd has raised a very small amount compared to his Senatorial counterparts, Clinton and Obama. His support seems to match his fundraising, and he's only done better than Kucinich. Dodd is highly unlikely to win the party nomination, and probably has a better chance of being a running mate for the eventual nominee.
JOHN EDWARDS
Edwards earned a law degree with honors in 1977 from the UNC. He is the former Director of the Center on Poverty, Work, and Opportunity at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and was John Kerry's running mate in the 2004 general election.
During his time as a North Carolina Senator, he was a member of the Select Committee on Intelligence, and helped to author legislation regarding national security issues.
Edwards has based his campaign on the idea of Two Americas - a separation between the haves and the have-nots. He has been an outspoken critic over the role that Wall Street investors and corporate executives play in Washington politics. He has claimed that he is the candidate who is most willing "shake things up" in Washington.
"Our economy is designed to benefit the wealthy and the powerful because it was designed by the wealthy and the powerful…. Politicians in Washington have forgotten who they're fighting for. They shouldn't be fighting for Wall Street – they should be fighting for Main Street," Edwards proclaimed in a November 27 press release.
Edwards also claims that he is the only candidate with a truly universal health care plan. According to Edwards' plan, proof of insurance would be required when income taxes are paid and when health care is provided. Families without insurance would be enrolled in "Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP or another targeted plan or be assigned a plan within new Health Care Markets."
The major criticism with Edwards' health care plan is that every American would be required to sign up any time they came into contact with the health care system. When asked what would happen if an individual decides that they don't want to sign up for the national health care plan, Edwards replied, "You don't get that choice."
Paul Krugman, an economist and op-ed columnist for the New York Times has praised Edwards' plan for a health care mandate, calling it a "terrific idea" and has implied that, as of now, it is the only candidate-proposed universal health plan that would work.
Referring to his vote to go to war in Iraq, Edwards wrote in the Washington Post, "It was a mistake to vote for this war in 2002. I take responsibility for that mistake." Edwards told Iowa voters that he would take every step possible to avoid another war in the Middle East, this time referring to Iran.
In a recent Economist/YouGov poll, Edwards ranked very low in the area of "strong leadership" and somewhat low on the quality of "intelligence." His highest rankings were in the categories of "morality" and "good judgment."
Edwards' low rankings in the areas of leadership and intelligence are likely due to the fact that he has spent a lot of time telling voters why they should not vote for Clinton rather than explaining his own position on the issues. During the Democratic debate in Las Vegas on November 15, Edwards received loud "boos" from the audience because he spent much of his time criticizing Clinton rather than promoting his own policies.
As of this printing, Edwards trails Clinton and Obama in every popularity poll. Edwards would do well to spend less time attacking Clinton – a tactic that reinforces the idea that she is the candidate most likely to win – and spend more time explaining how his plans will spell relief for Americans who are disgruntled with the current system.
A former two-term US Senator from Alaska, Mike Gravel declared personal bankruptcy in 2004, and hopped public transportation to the National Press Club in April of 2006, where he was the first to declare his candidacy for the 2008 Presidential election.
Gravel has had problems being considered a viable candidate by the media, who have excluded him from - or mostly ignored him during - some debate forums. So far, he has been unable to raise even a half million dollars in campaign funds.
Gravel is an outspoken supporter of gay rights, even claiming that ancient Sparta used to train soldiers to be homosexual because it increases their loyalty to one another - thus making them better soldiers.
Still he wants the US out of Iraq within 4 months. He would give federal vouchers to citizens to use for health care at the provider of their choice. All drugs would be legalized but regulated, and drug abuse would be considered a medical, not legal issue.
Gravel would seek to replace the IRS with a national sales tax, and tax all carbon-releasing energy use. He's pro-choice, and strangest of all, he believes in direct democracy, the bizarre idea that voters don't need middlemen like electoral colleges or other distorting representatives to re-vote for them.
With such outrageous progressive ideas, he may not get much farther, but at least Gravel would have no shame taking the bus home.
Before you even think of supporting Dennis Kucinich, check out his red-haired English wife Elizabeth Jane, who's been socially active - as in helping out humanity - since age 14.
Her husband Dennis may be running for President or some shit, but the thing to keep in mind is LizJ, one of the hottest and most spiritually attractive babes ever to accompany a short vegan in a bid for the White House. She's smart, has a sophisticated sense of humor, and stands a bit taller than her husband, all of which suggest she's probably madly in love with the little guy.
Kucinich himself, a Congressman from Ohio who is much too left of the mainstream to stand a chance of being elected President, appears to be fond of his wife as well.
This is the second time Kucinich has run for President, and again he appears to have what amounts to only symbolic support. In 2004 Ralph Nader called him "a true progressive," though of course neither man went anywhere electorally.
If it's liberal, Kucinich is usually for it. Pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, pro-single-payer universal health care, pro-gun control and pro-renewable energy; anti-Iraq war, anti-war on drugs and in favor of impeaching Dick Cheney, Kucinich is also a friend of Shirley MacLaine, and confirms her report that he once saw a UFO while they were partying at her place.
Please vote for Dennis Kucinich. Regardless of moral fiber or integrity or wit, we need a wife like his in the White House.
http://www.dennis4president.com/
Barak Obama is a U.S. Senator from Illinois, and a fresh new face of the Democratic Party. He proclaims himself “the voice of change in Washington.” He is only the fifth ever African American elected to the U.S. Senate, and the first ever to have a legitimate chance to win the nomination of a major political party.
He has raised as much money as Hillary Clinton, and has energized the left wing of the party. He is credited with the highest number of small-dollar campaign donors, and has utilized the Internet to build a following among younger voters. Current polls of Iowa voters show Obama to be ahead or tied with Senator Clinton.
Obama was born in Hawaii in 1961. His father is a Kenyan immigrant and his mother is from Kansas, near Wichita. In his youth he lived in Hawaii, Indonesia, and New York. He attended Columbia University, graduating in 1983. Following his graduation he became a community activist in Chicago, speaking for those in poverty-stricken areas on issues of unemployment and crime. Later he was accepted to Harvard Law School and became President of the Harvard Law Review. He earned his law degree in 1991.
After graduation, he returned to Chicago to become a civil rights attorney and professor of constitutional law. This work led to his election twice as an Illinois State Senator. Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004, he was instantly a star in the Democratic Party.
Obama has been an outspoken opponent of the war in Iraq, and that has fueled his popularity with the left. He has spoken out against many Bush policies, especially regarding the genocide in Darfur, and the Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts. Obama’s oratory skills have proven that he can quickly swing a crowd in his favor.
Critics of Obama cite his short political resume. Obama has also stirred up controversy in a few debates, such as whether he would meet unconditionally with leaders of countries that are unfriendly to the U.S. (he said yes), and if illegal aliens should be issued drivers licenses (he dodged the question).
Supporters of Obama are drawn to his likability as well as his position on social issues; he's in favor of civil unions for homosexual couples as well as national health care reform. He also offers an alternative to any Democrat who thinks that Hillary Clinton is unelectable in the general election.
Bill Richardson is presently Governor of New Mexico, but he has also been US Secretary of Energy, US Ambassador to the UN, a US Congressman, and occasional international hostage negotiator. Unlike George Bush, he actually understands and speaks Spanish.
Richardson would like to see all American troops out of Iraq by the end of this month. He doesn't like the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy and he's pro-choice, but he supports the death penalty and gun rights.
He wants universal health care, and even recently signed a law permitting the use of medical marijuana in New Mexico. He's opposed to global warming, and has worked to make New Mexico what he calls "the Clean Energy State."
His banner issue is immigration, and he supports accommodating illegals already here by issuing them drivers licenses and offering education for their children; not exactly popular ideas with the rest of Latinophobic America.
Despite his impressive public service record, Richardson has trailed the Democratic frontrunners from the start. It's unlikely he'll steal the nomination, but like Chris Dodd, he's got tremendous potential as a vice presidental hopeful.
http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/
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