Putin vs Trump: How Are They Different?

Posted on by Ben Carron

Few members of the world stage are talked about quite as much as American president Donald Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin. Both leaders preside over some of the largest countries on earth and hold tremendous power on the world stage. It’s easy to see ways in which they are similar, and lump them together, but there are many ways in which they differ. Both leaders are at the forefront of global politics. With the United States being the world’s sole superpower, it makes sense that Trump’s name is brought up constantly, whether in talks about China, the European Union or the Middle East, the United States is heavily integrated into global politics. Putin and his Russia also play a major role on the world stage, oftentimes in opposition to US interests.

Vladimir Putin has a long history of political experience in Russia. After a career as an officer in the KGB, he got into local politics in his home of Saint Petersburg. He was picked as prime minister to Boris Yeltsin in 1999 and later became acting president after Yeltsin resigned. He ran for president after and won, remaining in power ever since, currently serving his fourth term as president with one term as prime minister.  As president, Putin was charged with bringing a post-Soviet Union Russia back to global relevance. One of the world’s most polarizing leaders, many praise Putin for stabilizing Russia and bringing it back to global relevance after a tumultuous period following the fall of the Soviet Union. Many others have criticized his rule as autocratic and have referred to him as a dictator.

Donald Trump did not have the kind of military or political experience that someone like Putin had before he became president. Trump’s experience was in business and real estate, inheriting the family business and expanding it into a multinational real estate empire with the “Trump” name appearing on buildings throughout the world. While Donald Trump did not have the political experience that Putin had, he nevertheless was able to win the presidency in 2016, defeating Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. He is currently running for reelection, with the November 2020 election determining if his term as president will end or be extended for four more years.

Though it is difficult to compare two countries with vastly different political systems, cultures and histories, there are clear differences between the two styles of leadership from the American and Russian leaders, starting with their personalities. Putin is typically more reserved and calm, more calculated than his American counterpart who often comes across as bombastic, with many instances of him resorting to name calling and inflammatory remarks over social media. This may be a result of Putin’s many years in politics on the world stage, as opposed to Trump who had never held office until his election in 2016.

Their Foreign Policy Differences

One of the key differences between the two lies in their foreign policy. US interests often find themselves in opposition to Russian interests. While the US ramps up its trade war with China, Russia and China continue to increase their cooperation as members of the BRICS alliance. Military involvement in Syria has nearly caused confrontation between the two countries as the USA supports the rebels operating in the country while Russia supports President Bashar al-Assad. In regards to their political alliances, the US remains a member of NATO, despite President Trump’s calls to remove the US from the organization due to what he perceives as lack of effort and funding by other member countries. Putin has repeatedly criticized NATO for creeping toward Russia as more members join the organization. As the US continues its cooperation with the European Union, Russia works with the Eurasian Economic Union, comprised of many former Soviet states. While Trump’s USA increases sanctions on Russia and its partners, Russia continually finds itself allying closer and closer with countries the US sees as problematic such as Syria, Iran, China, North Korea and Venezuela.

Trump made it clear since before he was even elected that he intended to follow an “America First” policy, and as a result has withdrawn the United States from several international organizations and treaties that he felt were not beneficial or taking advantage of the United States. During his presidency, the US has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the UN Human Rights Council, the World Health Organization, the Iran Nuclear Agreement as well as others. Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO and expressed interest in removing the US from the organization. Putin’s Russia knows the importance of international cooperation, especially as a result of sanctions by the United States, the European Union and others. While the US sees China as an opponent, Russia sees them as a partner.

While both countries have long histories of foreign military involvement, Trump’s approach has been different from his predecessor, Obama. Trump has ordered the withdrawal of troops from Syria and Afghanistan, as well as expressing interest in removing US military bases in Germany. Putin is no stranger to Russian military involvement in other countries. Most notably, Russia was involved in the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine as well as its role in the Ukrainian civil war which drew the ire of the international community. Russian military involvement in Georgia and Syria also occurred while Putin was either president or prime minister of Russia. Trump’s stances on military intervention have won him the praise of many as well as the condemnation of others.

Dealing with the Press

One of the major differences between the two leaders is how both Trump and Putin have dealt with the press and media. Trump lashing out at media outlets is a common occurrence, with news outlets such as CNN receiving the most ire. Trump has expressed his disdain with mainstream media, which he has often referred to as “Lame Stream Media”. Accusations of being “fake news” have been common during his time in office. Despite his attacks on media outlets, the United States does not have a state run media outlet and is ranked as a “free” country when it comes to freedom of speech. Putin’s Russia has tight control over the media, with numerous state run media outlets. Russia has repeatedly been accused of being unfree with censorship of journalists and the internet. Accusations of Putin silencing and even having journalists assassinated have occurred throughout his years in power. Among the most notable is the death of journalist Alexander Litvinenko. Litvinenko, who was extremely critical of Putin, was poisoned while residing in the United Kingdom. Numerous investigations have accused Putin and those close to him of ordering the assassination. Censorship in Russia has been a hotly debated topic during Putin’s many years in power.

Both Trump and Putin hold great power when it comes to international politics, but similarities beyond being the elected officials of their country are far fewer than the differences between the two and their leadership styles. While Trump may have no issue being loud and even abrasive as he calls out a political opponent, Putin would be calm and controlled, as he has been dating back decades to his time as a member of the KGB. What is certain is that both are at the forefront of global politics. With 2020 being an election year in the US, it remains to be seen if we’re seeing the end of Trump’s time in power, or if we’re only halfway through.

 

 

Libertarianism and Conservatism: Understanding the Difference

Posted on by Ben Carron

Despite the dominance of the two party system in American politics, a majority of American voters neither identify as Republicans or Democrats. In a country as large and diverse as the US, it makes sense that things are in reality much more complicated than the liberal/conservative divide. An increasing number of voters identify as libertarians, with the Libertarian Party being the third largest and fastest growing party in the country. Despite the increasing number of individuals identifying as libertarians, there is still some confusion as to how libertarianism differs and overlaps with conservatism.

Understanding the Differences

While many tenets of libertarianism and conservatism appear to share similarities, they are different ideologies. According to the Libertarian Party, libertarians are neither liberal nor conservative, but have many stances that could fall in either party, however, it is more complicated than that.

Libertarians value personal as well as economic freedom, believing that individual liberty is the key to society. The freer the people, the better the society. Economic freedom by lowering or eliminating taxes, shrinking the central government to a minimal state, isolationist tendencies, fair trade, drastically removing smothering bureaucracy and regulations for businesses as well as charitable welfare, rather than government welfare, are some of the biggest platforms libertarians believe in. Socially, they are inclusive and believe that individuals should be free to choose their own way of living as long as they do not infringe on others’ rights. Libertarians are against all laws that attempt to control someone’s personal lives such as restrictions on same-sex marriage, abortion, gun control and the criminalization of drugs and victimless crimes that do not infringe upon the rights of others. Libertarians are fiscally conservative and socially liberal, with the idea that the individual should possess as much freedom as possible, with little, if any, interference from the government. Libertarian principles are based around the cooperation and consent of the individual, and want to leave the government out of their lives as much as possible.

This is in contrast to conservatism, which may appear similar to libertarianism on the surface, but upon closer inspection has many differences.  Conservatives seek to preserve or conserve, hence their name, the institutions that made the country what is it today. Traditional values, personal responsibility, limited government and strong national defense are some of the tenets of conservatism. Conservatives feel that the role of the government is to empower the individual to solve their own problems. While these may appear to be many of the same beliefs held by libertarians, conservatives have shown to be much more likely to support interfering in other country’s affairs, restricting personal freedom such as opposition to social issues such as same-sex marriage, the abortion issue as well as being against illegal immigration. Conservatives are also more likely to support increased military spending, which libertarians oppose.

Why the Difference Matters

While it is easy to say that liberals are Democrats and conservatives are Republican, in reality it is more complicated than that. There are many members of Congress who identify as conservative Democrats, such as Joe Manchin, senator from West Virginia, and Ben McAdams, representative from Utah, as well as members of the Republican party who hold many strong libertarian views, such as Rand Paul, senator from Kentucky and Mike Lee, senator from Utah. Because political parties in the US are so large and diverse, it is important to understand the individual candidate’s stances and beliefs, and not to simply vote based on party.

Particularly in election years such as this one, it is important to understand where each party stands on the key issues and how they affect the average voter. Many people may find themselves holding strong libertarian views but feeling they must choose between Republicans or Democrats. Likewise, someone may feel very strongly on certain social issues, but feel there is a need for a fiscally conservative government, and that neither Democrat nor Republican is the right choice. In that case, the Libertarian party and its 2020 presidential candidate Jo Jorgensen might be the candidate they are looking for. Understanding the difference when someone claims to be conservative or libertarian could help undecided voters make up their mind when choosing who to vote for.

 

Obama, Before, During and After Presidency

Posted on by Connor Haugen

President Barack Obama was one of the first in many positions to be African American. Many criticized as well as praised his time in office. He was the president that helped give LGBT people the right to marry and the one to create Obamacare. He was a man of peace and has accomplished a lot during his life before and after his time in office.

Early Life

Barack Hussein Obama II had a fruitful and well-traveled childhood. Born August 4, 1961 from Ann Dunhamm, a white American, and Barack Obama Sr., a black Kenyan, met at the University of Hawaii. His father left and divorced his mother when Obama Jr. was two. Obama later in his presidency had to prove his citizenship by releasing his birth certificate.

His mother remarried Lolo Soetoro. When Obama was six his family moved to his stepfather’s origin country, Indonesia, where he attended religious schools for both Catholics and Muslims.

Obama was sent back to the United States after his mother’s concern for his education grew. He lived with his mother’s parents and stayed in Hawaii until he went off to college in Los Angeles California. This was also shortly after his mother passed in 1995.

After his Graduation from Columbia with a B.A. in Political science with a minor in English literature, He worked at International Business Cooperation and New York Public Interest Group.

He lived and worked in New York four years until deciding to move to Chicago in 1985 to work as a community advisor for Altgeld Gardens to improve the public housing in the city. He did this for three years before realizing that a law degree would help him, and he enrolled in Harvard Law School in 1988.

After graduation in 1991, he was the first African-America to be elected to the Harvard Law Review board.

Early Politics

During his internship at Sidley and Austin law during his first year at Harvard, he met his future wife Michelle Robinson. After graduation, they married and settled in Chicago where they had their first child.

Obama’s first taste in politics was his involvement in marrying his wife who had political ties. He was put on Project Vote and helped get into office the first African-American senator, Carol Braun.

He had his first run for office as Illinois state senator. Beating his predecessor, Alice Palmer, in 1996 after her failed attempt to run for congress, he was both a minority in color and political view. In a predominantly republican legislator, Obama had a rough time passing bills and making allies.

After some time, he began to gain a foothold in his state and was able to pass 300 bills, and in 2000 Obama was eyeing a seat in the US senate. The election would take place in 2004 and he would take the state by a record-breaking margin of 70 percent to 27 percent.

Holding a US senate seat for 5 years, Obama then set his eyes to the top as President of the United States.

First term Presidency

Obama was elected to the presidency in 2009 at the back-end of the 2007 recession from President Bush’s time in office. His major focuses during his first term were fixing the American economy and dealing with the now unpopular war in the middle east.

Addressing the Recession Obama proposed and got congress to approve a $787 million stimulus. This helped extend unemployment benefits and cut taxes. After the economy stabilized in 2009 there was another $179 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment act to further solidify the economic condition.

Though Obama did help with this issue, the middle class was still suffering heavy taxation and income inequality was at its highest point according to pew research.

The war on terror was another issue altogether. The twin towers were still fresh in the minds of many Americans, but they were also tired of the lack of results this war was having. Osama Bin Laden had been labeled as the one in charge of the attack on 9/11 and the US had been hunting him for years.

It was not until 2011 that his whereabouts had been discovered. This was also during the time Obama had ordered most US troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan. In April of that year the order was given to take out Bin Laden. The operation was successful, and the leader of Al Qaeda was gone.

Obama also reduced the nuclear stockpile of atomic weapons by 24% owned by the US, earning him a Nobel Peace Prize. He also enacted the Affordable care act or Obama care in 2010.

Second Term Presidency

During Obama’s 2nd term after reelection in 2012, he started focusing on the other major issue plaguing American politics and the world, global climate change.

Obama pushed incentives for businesses, citizens and homeowners, incentivizing tax free or paying, to put solar and other renewable sources on or around their homes and businesses. He also restricted and blocked many efforts to expand oil drilling and fracking. Though not entirely opposed, these efforts forced many to see the implications of emissions and benefits of new and inexpensive energy sources.

Obama enacted the Clean Power Plan which required power plants to reduce carbon emission by 30% by implementing renewable energies or other sources. Obama helped modernize the automotive industry with a bailout in 2009, later requiring higher standards for cars that produced less emissions. He also signed the Paris agreement, setting the standard around the world for reducing carbon emissions.

Obama had controversial views on gun control, and after the shooting of Sandy Hook Elementary school in 2012 shortly after his election he used this to propose banning “assault weapons.” Though he was outspoken against he saw to the signing of concealed carry on Ametrax for checked baggage and allowed concealed carry in national parks. In fact, no major gun control bill passed during Obama’s presidency.

Close to the end of his presidency Obama also signed the largest trade agreement, The Trans-Pacific Partnership. He got the nuclear peace agreement with Iran signed to reduce the production of enriched uranium, limiting nuclear armament but enough to produce for power plants.

During Obama’s time as president issues like Gay Marriage became legal, and according to PEW many say there was higher equality and brought to light many issues of inequality during his presidency.

One of his final acts as president was to modernize the federal government and fix major technical issues with healthcare.gov. This helped solidify his health care system for his final term in office.

Post Presidency

After running out his second term and unable to rerun for the presidency, Obama took to speaking at major financial conferences in Wall Street and has earned millions from his memoirs in office. He still runs the Obama Foundation and the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance which was founded in 2014.

He has largely stayed out of the political spotlight, only criticizing his successor, Donald Trump, on issues like the Paris Agreement and the Iran nuclear deal. Even with his former VP, Joe Biden, running for the 2020 presidential election, he has had little hand in this.

The Morality Behind Rioting

Posted on by Arundhati Oommen

On May 30th, Salt Lake City faced one of the first violent protests seen in the history of the city. An empty police car was flipped and incinerated, the windows of the local 7-11 shattered, completed with a mob-style beat down on a man wielding a crossbow with intent to harm.

The aftermath of the protest garnered more outcry against the violence of the riots than support for the larger Black Lives Matter movement.

Rioting draws the attention of the media, and consequently serves as a focal point for those who speak louder about “unnecessary violent actions” but not when the same unnecessary violence is executed by the police. In America, violent protests means shattered glass, but violent police means death. One is a sentence, the other is not.

Before the incineration of the police vehicle, an officer had shoved an elderly man to the ground, in almost every case of violence in the Salt Lake City protest, acts of violence were preceded by violent police actions.

The intent behind rioting is unity in doing so; it is not like black Friday, where patrons fight over who will receive the next i-pad mini, rioting is united. Seemingly meaningless destruction may not help to propel the Black Lives Matter movement – but jarring images symbolic of Black pain will.

One such example is the bloodied palms of the Serve and Protect sculpture at Salt Lake City’s Public Safety building (see above). The image has garnered national acclaim and serves as a symbol of the greater movement ahead. Vandalism is a crime, but without the crime, we would not have been able to see the symbolism in what lies ahead.  

Many have come to question whether or not violence is warranted within protests, it comes down to effectiveness. Rioting has always been a valid form of protest. Since the dawn of American time, democracy has always been defended through violence. There is precedent, and thus far, protests seem to be garnering renewed support and changes are slowly being made with new laws against no-knock warrants and charges against the police officers.

White entitlement to the bodies of People of Color has gone on long enough. It is only in the last few decades that People of Color have had autonomy over their own bodies. Consider Colin Kaepernick – one of the most visual instances of a trigger to white fragility. A Black man, silently, and respectfully, going down on one knee, and the immediate uproar of anger and criminalization he faced.

It is not your place, nor mine, to speak as to how the oppressed should respond to their oppressors. The Black community is exhausted, rightfully so. They have protested peacefully, silently, politically, and are still being met with the same outrage as they have from the beginning.  Four hundred years of Black pain and anger, and they are still being killed like dogs in the streets.

If history is any indication, it takes a true spark, or in this case, it may take a bonfire, to truly ignite change. The least we can give is our solidarity in doing so.

 

How Covid-19 and Black Lives Matter will Affect the 2020 Presidential Election

Posted on by Claudia Morales

The country has experienced a rocky start to the year with the pandemic and is currently dealing with massive protests and riots regarding racial inequality. These two events are among several other factors that will influence the presidential election of 2020.

The COVID-19 Pandemic

When COVID-19 was officially confirmed to have reached the U.S in January, the virus gradually began taking a toll on the country. President Trump then implemented social restrictions in March and people’s daily routine became disrupted as the new norm of daily life emerged. Social distancing is being practiced nationwide. As a result businesses across the nation closed temporarily, while others permanently closed, and schools transferred to an online system. As the virus started spreading the economy began to dwindle. Many companies and businesses hit a financial crisis. Therefore, the loss of revenue has led to the furlough and reduced hours of employees. According to The Daily Wire, the employment rate in the U.S dropped 13.3% for the month of May. In addition, the stock market has fallen, oil prices have crashed, and traveling has significantly decreased since travel bans have been placed globally.

However, after several months of practicing social distancing many states are now reopening under the direction of President Trump. The CDC is also providing guidelines on how to safely do so. The race for a vaccine continues and there is pending hope that a vaccine might be developed and ready to be distributed to the public by the end of this year.

The Black Lives Matter Movement

On March 25th, the death of an unarmed black man named George Floyd sparked the nation in an outrage. A police officer was taking him into custody and eventually kneeled on his neck to detain him, but Floyd stopped breathing. Hundreds and thousands of individuals are now protesting for him, equality, and against police brutality. The Black Lives Matter movement has resurfaced since 2014. States like Minnesota, California, New York, and Pennsylvania are currently grasping the media’s attention as protests are becoming violent and resulting in riots. Many states are now implementing curfews to attempt to maintain civilians safe and prevent riots from reoccurring. Since March 25th, CNBC reported that there have been over 100 protests, rallies, and vigils, and hundreds of protesters have been arrested.

The Presidential Election of 2020

The presidential election will be proceeding in the fall, but how will these external factors play a role in voting? Currently, the presidential nominees are not able to campaign as before due to the risk of contracting the virus when meeting hundreds of people. There is also still uncertainty regarding how voting will be conducted. The effects of the virus are already being witnessed as the primaries are resulting in challenges for those overseas to vote or even cancelled party fund-raisers. Furthermore, how the president has responded to the pandemic is up for debate while some praise him and others critique him. Former President Obama publicly criticized Trump’s administration while participating in virtual graduation speeches for high school students. He expressed how Trump’s administration has been mishandling the pandemic. On the other hand, as Trump encourages governors and states to reopen during the pandemic, he received support from protesters demanding that the economy open again.

Moreover, the Black Lives Matter movement is influencing the presidential candidates and how they will respond to racial inequality. President Trump recently mentioned how he is an ally of peaceful protesters and explained how George Floyd’s death is tragic. Joe Biden visited a Black Lives Matter Protests site where he delivered a speech in support of the movement. According to the Politician Compare, the poll ranking of Trump and Biden display a gap. Biden is leading with a poll ranking of 47% compared to Trump who is at 44%. Only time will tell how the pandemic and the movement will affect the presidential election this year.

Democrats vs. Republicans on the Second Amendment

Posted on by Aditya Utturkar

Gun control is a major source of policy debates for the Presidential elections of 2020. One side advocates support for stricter gun control, while the other side favors less regulation for personal liberty. The Second Amendment implies that ownership of ammunition is a basic right that cannot be infringed on by federal laws, but in recent years there has been a growing call to revisit this amendment.

The Changing Context of the Second Amendment

This amendment has been worded as follows: “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” When it was first implemented in the 18th century, it was a different time. Civilian Militias like the Minutemen of Concord and Lexington fame were quite common and favorably looked upon by the general populace. In addition, events like continental wars, civil wars, Westward expansion and even the unknown wildlife made owning guns and ammunition a necessity for survival.

Fast forward to the present day. We are in the post Cold-War era, when cowboys have relegated even on the big screen; when the US is a global superpower with more military spending than the next few countries combined; but more importantly when our children are being targeted in schools, the discussion on gun laws as a policy has taken center stage during the last decade or so.

The debate on gun control has two points of view which draw from these contexts: is gun control really needed for personal protection or is easy access to guns a genuine public health concern?

Democrats vs Republicans on the issue

Generally speaking, Democrats and Republicans stand on opposite ends of the political spectrum when it comes to gun control. However, there are several common key points on this issue which have agreements with both parties. Amidst several high profile mass shootings in 2019, stringent background checks have been deemed necessary by a majority on both sides to prevent weapons from falling into the wrong hands. While this is true, there are still quite a few aspects that the two sides differ on.

Republicans’ stance on gun control stems from a deep-held belief in personal liberty and individual responsibility, and gun ownership being an extension of the right to self-defense.  Republicans claim it is their right to protect themselves, family and private property from criminals, corrupt government, and war-time invasions. While some republicans do support gun control laws such as mandatory background checks, others are mostly against gun manufacturer liabilities and federal licensing. In addition, the National Rifle Association supports and funds several Republican lawmakers while also having a political lobby of their own. This adds a distinct dimension to Republican lawmaking that does not exist with the Democrats.

Democrats treat gun violence as a legitimate public health concern. They believe better gun control will distribute gun ownership rights to more responsible people while discouraging antagonistic individuals. This is best demonstrated by Elizabeth Warren’s gun control plan that she presented in August last year, which involved creating federal licensing, having a firearm cap per person, increasing the minimum age for gun ownership, and more importantly holding gun manufacturers accountable.

Second Amendment in the Presidential Election of 2020

Shooting past the primaries, the target moves towards 2020 Presidential elections and makes it necessary to know what the candidates support, especially in the gun control arena. Like a cowboy face-off, we have two heavy gunners who have a wide range of influence.

On one corner we have Joe Biden, the former Vice-President during the Obama administration. At 77 years of age and having served in different eras, he has seen the relaxed nature of gun control in his prime to the relatively divided and emotional nature of politics today. He was the architect of the assault weapons ban in 1994, helped push the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act a year before and was also Obama’s main choice when it came to handling gun-related issues during his administration. He actually had a pro-gun stance early in his career, which makes his anti-gun stance in recent decades more interesting. He unveiled his plan for gun control late last year in October which includes assault weapon bans, federal licensing and more interestingly the development of smart guns, which would only be activated by the registered owner’s fingerprint. This plan clearly builds up on his previous experience in this area.

As opposed to Biden, Trump has occupied a public office for just a few years and his exact stance on gun control is not as clear. He is committed to the implementation of the Second Amendment as a constitutional right of law-abiding citizens which should not be transgressed, and some of his policies are reflective of this priority. For example, his policy in 2018 has addressed improving school safety by offering to train school personnel in weapons as well as encouraging military men to take up careers in education, in addition to background checks, establishing commissions, and improving mental health. He again showed interest in stricter background checks after the mass shootings in 2019. A bipartisan bill (H.R.8) which makes background checks on all gun sales mandatory passed the House of Representatives last year, but has not made it past the Senate currently headed by Mitch McConnel, a Republican from Kentucky. If passed, it will be in tune with the Second Amendment and not infringe on the ability of able people to carry weapons.

In closing

In a democratic institution, the Constitution is considered sacred and rightfully so. However, defending and implementing the laws that it contains is also equally critical to the democratic process. This gives rise to different interpretations of the law under scrutiny, with the Second Amendment being no different from any other law in this regard. While there are differing interpretations, both sides agree that something needs to be done for the public health crisis of mass shootings to be contained. It is critical to find a powerful solution to this lingering problem as soon as possible.

What Happened in the Primaries Last Night

Posted on by Charles Bonkowsky

Last night saw primaries in nine states and DC for the congressional, (in some cases) gubernatorial, and presidential elections. Some of the biggest takeaways from each state, keeping in mind that, due to the prevalence of mail-in ballots, many races cannot be called yet:

Iowa

In Iowa’s Fourth Congressional District, nine-term representative Steve King lost his primary to state senator Randy Feenstra. King had become controversial in recent years, even among his own party, after questioning why white supremacy was considered offensive and being stripped of his committee assignments. Many Republicans also believed that he was endangering their chances in a district Trump carried by 27 points in 2016, and that a less polarizing candidate would allow them to hold onto the seat.

The Democratic House primaries were all uncontested, so the story of the night was the Senate primary to run against Republican Senator Joni Ernst. Theresa Greenfield was the choice of the DSCC and Emily’s List (an organization that aims to elect Democratic female legislators), though faced strong opposition in retired Admiral Michael Franken. She ended up taking 47.7% of the vote, more than enough to avoid a runoff, to Franken’s 25%.

Montana

With current governor Steve Bullock term-limited (and now running for Senate), the governor’s race in Montana is open this year. The Democratic primary was a contest between current Lieutenant Governor Mike Cooney, who Bullock endorsed, and businesswoman Whitney Williams, who had the support of Emily’s List and various conservation organizations. Cooney won the primary by about ten points, and will now face off against Montana’s lone House member, Greg Gianforte. Gianforte defeated Tim Fox, the Attorney General of Montana, after having previously run for governor in 2016 and lost narrowly to Bullock.

The primary for Senate saw Bullock handily win the Democratic nomination, and the incumbent Republican Steve Daines saw little challenge in his own primary, setting up the race for November. Kathleen Williams, a former state lawmaker endorsed by the DCCC, won the Democratic nomination for the at-large House seat; she will be running against Auditor Matt Rosendale, who ran unsuccessfully for Senate in 2018 against Jon Tester.

Indiana

Two House seats in Indiana are open in 2020: the Fifth Congressional District, a competitive suburban seat held by a retiring Republican, saw a large field of candidates on both sides of the aisle. Christian Hale, a former state representative, won the Democratic nomination for the seat, while state senator Victoria Spartz took the Republican nomination for what’s likely to be a close race. In the First Congressional District, a safely Democratic seat, Frank Mrvan won the Democratic primary with the endorsement of retiring Rep. Peter Visclosky. All other districts saw current incumbents win their primaries.

Maryland

All of Maryland’s House incumbents easily won their seats — Kweisi Mfume, who won a special election in April after the death of Rep. Elijah Cummings, held onto his seat by a 3-1 margin, and other incumbents won theirs by even larger margins. Steny Hoyer, the current House Majority Leader, was challenged by a progressive candidate endorsed by the same group which supported Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in 2018, but Hoyer easily won with around 75% of the vote counted thus far.

New Mexico

In the Second District, Republicans are hoping to take back a district that Trump carried by 10 points but nevertheless voted for Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small in 2018. Yvette Herrell, the former representative who lost the seat in 2018, won the primary to challenge Torres Small again, after backing by the House Freedom Caucus and even an outside Democratic group, in the belief that Herrell would be the easier candidate to face in November. And in the Third District, Teresa Legar Fernandez defeated the former CIA operative Valerie Plame for the safely Democratic seat, despite Plame’s splashy announcement video and high fundraising.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island featured only the Democratic presidential primary on Tuesday. Joe Biden carried the state with 62% of the vote, with Bernie Sanders receiving 30% despite having dropped out at the beginning of April (though this represents less than half of all ballots cast, as most mail ballots are still being counted over the course of the week)

Idaho

Idaho featured a primary that was only vote-by-mail, delayed from May 19th after an order from Governor Little. Paulette Jordan won the Democratic Senate primary to run against Jim Risch, who was uncontested, in the safely Republican Senate seat. The two Republican House members from Idaho, Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson, both faced primaries, and both incumbents won with over 70% of the vote. Fulcher will run against Rudy Soto in the First District and Simpson against Aaron Swisher in the Second District.

South Dakota

With the presidential primary all but decided, only congressional Republicans faced primary challenges in South Dakota. Current Senator Mike Rounds was challenged by state representative Scyller Borglum, but easily won re-nomination, as did the state’s lone House member Dusty Johnson, whose November election will be unopposed. (Rounds will face Dan Ahlers in the Senate race—Ahlers was uncontested in the Democratic primary for the seat).

Pennsylvania

Many of Pennsylvania’s races cannot be called yet — Governor Wolf released an order saying that mail-in ballots can be received and counted until the 9th of June, and though the order is facing legal challenges, it means that close races can still swing one way or the other.

Among the House races facing the most competition is Pennsylvania’s First District, currently represented by moderate Republican Brian Fitzpatrick. He is on track to win his primary despite a challenge from Andy Meehan, and appears likely to be challenged by Democrat Christina Finello. The district is named as a target by the DCCC, but Fitzpatrick has strong crossover appeal: in 2018, he won his House race even as the Democratic Governor and Senator carried the district by double digits. A similar district, though one with a very different candidate, is Pennsylvania’s Tenth: its current Republican representative, Scott Perry, has the most conservative voting record of Pennsylvania’s delegation and looks to be facing Eugene DePasquale, the Democratic auditor general who carried the district in 2016. But Republicans have their own pickup opportunities as well. In the Seventh, Lisa Scheller is leading a close race to take on Representative Susan Wild, and in the Eighth, less than a percentage point separates the Republican candidates to run against Matt Cartwright, a Democratic candidate in a district Trump carried by 9 points in 2016.

Statewide, the closest primary is the Democratic one for auditor general: with DePasquale not running again, six candidates are vying for the seat. Michael Lamb, the Pittsburgh city controller, currently leads his closest opponent, former Philadelphia deputy mayor Nina Ahmed, by about eight points.

Washington D.C.

Like other states, any ballots postmarked by June 2 can be counted through June 12th, so the close elections for the city’s Council can’t be called yet (most notably the Democratic race in Ward 2, in which the candidates are separated by single digits). The races for DC Senate, the US Delegate, and the US representative were all uncontested.

Another complication facing voters in DC and Philadelphia were the curfews enacted after days of protests. Though the city leaders made statements to reassure voters that they were exempt from the curfew, many voting-rights advocates worried that the lack of specific information and clear-cut guidelines would serve to discourage potential voters. As ballots are still being counted and tallied, it cannot be said yet whether the curfews affected turnout or not.

Why Your Vote Matters

Posted on by Ben Carron

Your Vote Counts

It’s easy to get discouraged when thinking about politics. Candidates come and go, parties take and then lose power, laws can be passed and repealed and in some people’s minds, the wrong person stays in power way too long. Thinking that your vote doesn’t matter is a common thought for many, and a reason many skip going to the polling stations. For many, the only elections they bother with are presidential elections, forgetting how important state and local elections are when it comes to issues that can directly impact them. It’s often when the polls are closed and the decisions have been called that people regret not voting and getting involved sooner.

2020 is an important year as not only will current president Donald Trump be up against his Democratic contender, but all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 out of 100 seats in the Senate will be in contention . That’s not including numerous gubernatorial and state legislature elections. If someone thinks their voice and their vote doesn’t count, think again.

Getting Informed

With so much happening in the world, being informed and up to date with current events and happenings in the political world can seem daunting, especially for someone who has never gotten involved in politics before. Things like the economy, foreign policy, social issues, climate change and more can seem overwhelming, to the point of discouragement. However, the internet has made it easier than ever to find out not just what is happening in the world and our country, but what our political leaders have to say and where they stand on the issues. Politician Compare allows anyone, regardless of home state or political affiliation to find out who’s running, and what their stances are on key issues.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed by what the media tells you, especially with so many news outlets offering seemingly contradictory views of the same facts. Factoring in all the different races that are happening, news and political fatigue becomes real. Politician Compare allows you to search specific candidates and compare them and see where their views align or clash.

Getting Involved

With election day still several months away, there is still plenty of time for people to get involved in issues that they feel strongly about. Candidates are still campaigning and need hard working individuals to support them. Campaigns need donations to keep them running and allow candidates to reach as many people as possible. Getting out there and getting involved connects you to the campaign and helps you feel like more than just a casual observer, simply waiting for the day of the election to cast your ballot and hope for the best.

Even at the local levels, there are ways to let your voice be heard and let local leaders know what the people they represent are feeling. Local town hall meetings and larger city council meetings are a great way to get informed as to what is happening in your community. They allow you to voice your opinion and ask questions. Those wanting to get involved politically have several options of getting informed and getting involved.

Your Vote Matters

Those who think their vote doesn’t matter need only look back to the 2000 presidential election and remember that the race for president came down to the state of Florida’s 25 electoral college votes, a state George Bush won by just 537 votes, making it the closest presidential race in US history. In that same election, New Mexico, though not as strategically important as Florida, was decided by just 366 votes. Several hundred votes in a country of over 300 million. Consider that next time you think your voice doesn’t matter.

Looking To The Past as We Vote For The Future

Posted on by Ben Carron

It’s hard to imagine a time when the United States was more divided than it is today. The Civil War, of course, happened, and the 1960s, with protests over the Vietnam War and civil rights. The United States of today is experiencing its own divide, with the Democratic and Republican parties seeming almost like warring factions rather than political parties. And with 2020 being an election year, the divide will only grow larger, especially after the presidential election when the future of our nation becomes more clear.

For many Americans who have grown up in the past two decades, this will be their first chance to vote in an election, and there are plenty of topics  such as immigration, abortion, foreign policy and many others will be at the forefront of their minds when they cast their ballots. Others may have seen this many times already in their lives. But what is certain, is that this election cycle in our current political climate has both sides worked up. It’s helpful to look to the past and revisit those who have influenced politics in positive ways and look to their examples.

One figure from America’s past who can be looked back on for their positive actions is Robert F. Kennedy. To this day, people who lived during the same time as him still remember him and his efforts to bring equality and fairness to a divided nation. If Robert F. Kennedy was a part of our current political landscape, maybe there would be less division and more unity.

Who Was Robert Kennedy?

Born in 1925 to the Kennedy family, Robert was the younger brother of President John F. Kennedy. After service in the Navy in WWII, Robert would go on to serve on the committees for his brother’s Senate and presidential campaigns. After helping his older brother win the presidency, Robert Kennedy would be appointed as United States Attorney General and advisor to his older brother. As Attorney General, Robert Kennedy fought relentlessly against organized crime and the Mafia. Kennedy was passionate about civil rights and worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez. In 1968, after the assassination of King, Robert Kennedy, in what has come to be considered one of history’s greatest speeches, spoke to a crowd in Indianapolis asking for calm, love and compassion and understanding when it came to racial tensions dividing the nation at that time. Riots broke out in cities across the nation after King’s death, but not in Indianapolis, a fact attributed to Kennedy’s speech.

After the assassination of his brother, Robert Kennedy successfully ran for Senate and in 1968 was a presidential candidate. Unfortunately, he met his demise in the same way as his older brother: assassination. Kennedy was shot on June 5, 1968 by Sirhan Sirhan, and died the next day. One can only speculate how history may have played out had Kennedy not been assassinated. His legacy of fighting for the disenfranchised, fighting crime and corruption and calling for unity and peace throughout the United States, however, lives on.

Why He Matters Today

It’s now been over 50 years since Kennedy’s death, but many of the issues he dedicated his life to fighting still exist. The United States is as divided as ever on issues related to race, immigration, healthcare, abortion and others. Some support building a wall along the southern border, others want to accept immigrants and refugees. The issue of equality for all and fair treatment is still a hot topic in the US, as issues regarding race are still being discussed and fought over, more than 50 years after Robert Kennedy made it one of the main focuses of his presidential campaign. Corruption by those in power is still an issue, sometimes one that many people aren’t even aware of. Robert Kennedy worked tirelessly as Attorney General to fight corruption and crime by those in power. The issues of today are not so different from issues of the past.

Regardless of where one stands politically, left, right or anywhere in-between, there are countless figures from America’s past that can continue to inspire and influence people today. Politician Compare makes it easier than ever to see where a candidate stands on the issues.  Rather than be divided by the issues, many of them the very same issues that have been prevalent for more than 50 years, people should look to those who strove to fight injustice and inequality and promote peace in the United States and abroad, figures such as Robert Kennedy and others.

Trump vs. Biden in 2020

Posted on by Claudia Morales

Amidst the dramatic changes that the U.S has undergone in the last couple months, the 2020 presidential election remains ongoing. Only two presidential candidates remain standing: President Donald Trump and Mr. Joe Biden, but how these candidates plan on handling pressing issues will ultimately determine who will settle in the White House.

 

Trump

Immigration

Since his campaign in 2016, Trump has made multiple promises to reduce illegal immigration. He incorporated a “zero-tolerance” policy that enabled the criminal prosecution of suspected illegal border-crossers that resulted in family separations. It is reported that “Nearly 3,000 children were separated from their parents”according to HRW.com. Trump took the measures of declaring a national emergency to obtain funding for a wall on the southern border between Mexico and the U.S. In his efforts to decrease illegal immigration, the statistics support that in the past several years there has been an overall decrease according to PEW Research.  

The president has also proposed incorporating a “merit-based” system that would only allow migrants with certain expertise in the job market to enter the U.S. This would dramatically reform the immigration policy since it would no longer allow those with family ties to come.

Economy

Improving the economy has been a focal point for Trump. In effort to decrease the trade gap, Trump emphasizes the importance of creating more deals with leading trading partners. Through this implementation there are also tariffs on Chinese imports. Also, the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico has been contracted again.

Under Trump’s administration, the economy has gradually grown. In the last couple of years the economy has grown around 2-3 percent and job growth has matched how it was under President Obama, according to MarketsInsdier . In particular, manufacturing jobs have increased. The coal industry has also seen significant improvement. The stock market has also benefited. Trump claims that the economy is the “best” in U.S history.

Health Care

The reform on healthcare has been broad and centered on a few key points. The goal to eliminate the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a new health care system is still in place. Some modifications include eradicating individual mandates and subsidies. This in turn will help those with low-income afford health insurance. The new system that would replace Obama-care would restrict the government’s role and give more choice for healthcare. To further counteract the Affordable Care Act, states now have the authority to place work requirements on those with Medicaid. This is done in hopes of reducing Medicaid spending.

Foreign Policy

In his pledge to “Make America Great Again,” Trump believes the country should only be involved in global affairs that would benefit America’s economic interests. He also believes the U.S. should play a leadership role in global affairs. He advocates for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to spend more on defense instead of relying on the U.S to provide it financially. About 70% of defense spending is contributed by the U.S according to BBC. Trump did fulfill his promise to withdraw the U.S from the Iran nuclear deal in order for Iran to suspend its program in uranium enrichment. This also meant that economic sanctions were lifted, but it created tensions between America’s allies and Tehran. However, Trump did change his view about not being an active participant in wars in the Middle East. Instead of turning away from being involved in the Syrian Civil War, he actually ordered strikes on Syria. After withdrawing troops from Syria, he decided to keep several troops there for peacekeeping.

Social Issues

Trump holds conservative views in regards to abortion. Under his administration, the Department of Health and Human Services banned federally funded clinics from making referrals for abortion. Also, there have been restrictions placed for federal research that uses fetal tissue. In efforts to reduce abortion, Trump has replaced pro-choice Supreme Court Justices, like Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, with conservative ones. He hopes to overturn Roe v. Wade to make abortion an illegal practice.

There has been a specific shift of focus to religious freedom in place of civil rights. This only adds to the critiques about his lack of support for minorities. During his presidential campaign, Trump promised that he would protect LGBTQ citizens. However, since taking office he has reversed President Obama’s transgender student guidance. This protected transgender students from discrimination. Also, the transgender Plaintiff Gavin Grimm’s case was removed from the Supreme Court’s schedule according to npr.

Energy and Climate Change

The U.S withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement shortly after Trump took office. The agreement is based on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change. However, the withdrawal will not occur until the following presidential election. He also plans on eliminating the Clean Power Plan, which proposes shifting states to use renewable energy. On the other hand, he is a promoter for oil, gas, and coal production. He recently finalized plans for opening public land to oil and gas drilling.

 

Biden

Immigration

Being a strong opponent of Trump’s reformed immigration policy, Mr. Biden will reverse it. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program will be reestablished along with a program to help undocumented immigrants receive citizenship. In place of Trump’s criminal prosecution for all illegal border crossings, Mr. Biden will implement a 100-day moratorium on deportations. Only those who are charged with a serious crime will be deported. However, to accomplish a comprehensive immigration reform would require that Democrats would have to hold the House. Immigration would have to become an immediate legislative priority and many lawmakers feel it is best to diverge from a comprehensive reform to more bipartisan actions.

Economy

During his campaign, Mr. Biden has emphasized helping the middle class. He mentioned how  “This country . . . was built by the American middle class.” Countries with an advanced economy consist of a larger and stable middle class, which is what Mr. Biden envisions the U.S having. He pledges to reduce spending in the next decade by $1 trillion and wants to raise the tax code by $600 billion according to the White House.

Health Care

Mr. Biden, on the contrary of the popular view of the Democratic Party, does not support a universal government-run program. In place of “Medicare for all,” he believes that the U.S should have a private insurance system. This new system would include the option of Medicare for all individuals that need it so it is not completely eliminated from the system. In addition, an increase in tax credits would be awarded for those who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. However, the effect that the public plan would have on employer-based health insurance causes limits. Large employers cannot buy into the public option and employees cannot use the income from their employers to buy into the public option.

Foreign Policy

Mr. Biden speaks out against China for its abusive trade practices and claims that Trump’s current approach of imposing tariffs is not efficient. He plans on expanding the defense budget and increasing U.S. naval presence in the Asia-Pacific, paving the way for the U.S to be known as a Pacific Power. He will also deepen relationships with countries like Japan, Australia, and Indonesia to show China that the U.S. will not retreat.

Social Issues

Naming the Equality Act as a “Top legislative priority”, Mr. Biden pledges to protect the LGBTQ community. The Equality Act will ensure that LGBTQ individuals are not discriminated specifically within employment, housing, education, public spaces and federally funded programs, etc. However, he did vote for the Defense Against Marriage Act in 1996. His history has been inconsistent in regards to supporting the LGBTQ community. He has also switched sides multiple times when it comes to abortion. Last year he expressed support of the Hyde Amendment, which bans the use of federal funds for abortions unless it is to save the life of a woman, but then opposed it. He also mentioned how a woman does not have a “Sole right to say what should happen to her body” after Roe v. Wade was enacted according to the New York Times. 

Climate Change

The battle against climate change is a priority for Mr. Biden. He advocates for a plan that endorses 100 percent carbon-free energy and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.  Fossil fuels would not be eliminated immediately, but instead gradually declining in usage. Fossil fuels subsidies would end and clean energy would replace it. Mr. Biden also envisions supporting federal funding for carbon capture and sequestration programs to reduce carbon gas emissions.

2020 Presidential Election Calendar: Primaries, Debates, Caucuses, Conventions and more.

Posted on by Arundhati Oommen

(Updated March 1, 2020)

With the presidential election process happening now, you can follow along till the general election with our guide to all the presidential events in 2020 listed below.

February 2020

February 3 (Monday)

  • Iowa caucuses (D- Buttigieg Winner, closely followed, R-President Trump Wins)

February 7 (Friday)

  • Eighth democratic primary debate in New Hampshire

February 11 (Tuesday)

  • New Hampshire primaries (D- Sanders Winner, closely followed by Buttigieg , R-President Trump Wins)

February 19 (Wednesday)

  • Ninth Democratic primary debate in Las Vegas (5pm Pacific, aired live on ABC)

February 22 (Saturday)

  • Nevada caucus (D)

February 25 (Tuesday)

  • 10th Democratic primary debate in Charleston, South Carolina

February 29 (Saturday)

  • South Carolina primary (D)

March 2020

March 3 (Super Tuesday):

  • Alabama primaries (D, R)
  • American Samoa caucus (D)
  • Arkansas primaries (D, R)
  • California primaries (D, R)
  • Colorado primaries (D, R)
  • Maine primaries (D, R)
  • Massachusetts primaries (D, R)
  • Minnesota primaries (D, R)
  • North Carolina primaries (D, R)
  • Oklahoma primaries (D, R)
  • Tennessee primaries (D, R)
  • Texas primaries (D, R)
  • Utah primaries (D, R)
  • Vermont primaries (D, R)
  • Virginia primary (D)
  • Democrats Abroad primary (through March 10)

March 8 (Sunday)

  • Puerto Rico primary (R)

March 10 (Tuesday)

  • Idaho primaries (D, R)
  • Michigan primaries (D, R)
  • Mississippi primaries (D, R)
  • Missouri primaries (D, R)
  • North Dakota caucus (D)
  • Washington primaries (D, R)

March 12 (Thursday)

  • Virgin Islands caucus (R)

March 14 (Saturday)

  • Guam caucus (R)
  • Northern Mariana convention (D)
  • Wyoming convention (R)

March 17 (Tuesday)

  • Arizona primaries (D)
  • Florida primaries (D, R)
  • Illinois primaries (D, R)
  • Northern Mariana convention (R)
  • Ohio primaries (D, R)

March 21 (Saturday)

  • Kentucky caucus (R)

March 24 (Tuesday)

  • American Samoa caucus (R)
  • Georgia primaries (D, R)

March 29 (Sunday)

  • Puerto Rico primary (D)

April 2020

April 3-5 (Friday-Sunday)

  • North Dakota state convention (R)

April 4 (Saturday)

  • Alaska primary (D)
  • Hawaii primary (D)
  • Louisiana primaries (D, R)
  • Wyoming caucus (D)

April 7 (Tuesday)

  • Wisconsin primaries (D, R)

April 28 (Tuesday)

  • Connecticut primaries (D, R)
  • Delaware primaries (D, R)
  • Maryland primaries (D, R)
  • New York primaries (D, R)
  • Pennsylvania primaries (D, R)
  • Rhode Island primaries (D, R)

May 2020

May 2 (Saturday)

  • Kansas primary (D)
  • Guam caucus (D)

May 5 (Tuesday)

  • Indiana primaries (D, R)

May 12 (Tuesday)

  • Nebraska primaries (D, R)
  • West Virginia primaries (D, R)

May 19 (Tuesday)

  • Kentucky primary (D)
  • Oregon primaries (D, R)

June 2020

June 2 (Tuesday)

  • District of Columbia primaries (D, R)
  • Montana primaries (D, R)
  • New Jersey primaries (D, R)
  • New Mexico primaries (D, R)
  • South Dakota primaries (D, R)

June 6 (Saturday)

  • Virgin Islands caucus (D)

June 7 (Sunday)

  • Puerto Rico primary (R)

July 2020

July 13-16 (Monday-Thursday)

  • Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

August 2020

August 24-27 (Monday-Thursday)

  • Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina

September 2020

September 29

  • First presidential debate, University of Notre Dame, Indiana

October 2020

October 7

  • Vice presidential debate, University of Utah

October 15

  • Second presidential debate, University of Michigan

October 22

  • Third presidential debate, Belmont University, Tennessee

November 2020

November 3

  • Election Day

How do Voters Relate to Each of the Top 3 Democratic Candidates?

Posted on by Arundhati Oommen

With the upcoming Iowa Caucus taking place February 3rd of 2020, voters will be able to make their first decisions regarding the democratic presidential primary. Below is a political comparison of the top three democratic candidates, Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren, as well as the aspects that American voters resonate with: the socialist movement/policies, views on campaign fundraising, and candidates’ personal lives.

Personal Life:

Joe Biden has thus far retained his position as the head of the pack (though by a somewhat slim margin) ever since he announced his candidacy. Voters resonate with the emotional trauma Biden has suffered with the loss of his son Beau Biden. Biden cited his reason for not having participated in the 2016 election being that he needed time to grieve with his family. This particular sentiment of the importance of family was shared with voters. Voters tend to view Biden as the most seasoned politician with the greatest amount of experience with a presidency. Biden tends to be a very well thought out candidate, taking longer periods of time to establish his priorities as well as how to deal with the continuous waves of upcoming conflicts. Though many Americans seem to appreciate his maturity, it also lends to the idea of Biden not being as mentally agile or sharp in comparison to others.

In contrast to Biden’s emotional resonation with voters, Bernie Sanders is able to take hold of the anger and desire for change that much of the democratic population holds. Sanders is a self-proclaimed socialist and many of his supporters are the same. Sanders is thus able to appeal to a vast age range. Both Gen Z and Millennials support lower college tuition fees and Sanders’ stance on climate change. Sanders’ socialistic views have started to engage with a large portion of the growing democratic socialist party.

In distinction to Sanders’ wide fan base, Elizabeth Warren runs her candidacy on her own populist economic platform. Warren speaks to the “ordinary citizens of America”, those who work 9-5 jobs and sometimes struggle to make ends meet: a life Warren knew well herself. [DC1] Warren has particularly managed to resonate with voters over the staggering income disparity between America’s upper echelon and its middle class. Voters empathize with her own struggles of being both a working mom and the pressures of living paycheck to paycheck.

Campaign Fundraising:

A contentious issue in the upcoming Presidential Primary has been the use of PAC funding. Earlier in Biden’s candidacy, he had made clear his lack of support for Pac financing, but as he has continued to drop in the polls his campaign has continued to receive super Pac support.

Similarly, since the 2016 election, Sanders has continued to disavow Pac funding, but also receives support from his own foundation as well as a nurse backed super Pac.

Elizabeth Warren has made it a core point of her campaign to not accept monetary funds from any PACs of any kind, rather believing that her own presidential hopes lie in the pockets of the working class. Regardless, Warren has made strides throughout her candidacy so far and continues to represent America’s lower and middle-income classes

Movements/Policies:

All three candidates have differing priorities when it comes to their presidency. Biden hopes to expand the affordable care act to create more catered insurance opportunities for Americans, as well as reducing the amount of offshore oil rigs. Sharing that he also wants to pull out of “unnecessary warfare” such as the Saudi backed war in Yemen.

Bernie Sanders promises to enact policies to address every front that hurts potential supporters: be it eliminating the high costs of college tuition or increasing the minimum wage. However much of Bernie Sanders policies rely on the trust that Americans would be able to accept the trade-offs that come with his widely socialistic laws and policies. Such trade-offs include high taxes and unemployment paired with open trade and slow growth, whether the benefits outweigh the costs is a choice voters will have to make themselves.

Similarly, in a socialistic perspective, Warren’s main hopes for her possible presidency is to increase the minimum wage to $15.00 an hour as well as to attack big corruption and to break up tech conglomerates.