Democratic Candidates: Digging Into the Issues, and Each Other
The Democratic Party is looking determined as the candidates debate in the specified venues. The Democratic National Committee is sponsoring six debates among the Democratic presidential candidates between September and December. With the quitting of Senator Bob Graham of Florida, there are nine candidates left who are trying to win the votes of the American people. The candidates from all over the country, representing a diverse range of backgrounds and views, are in the race for the Democratic Party's nomination for President in the 2004 election. The candidates are as follows: Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun, General Wesley Clark (retired), Governor Howard Dean, Senator John Edwards, Congressman Dick Gephardt, Senator John Kerry, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Senator Joe Lieberman, and Reverend Al Sharpton.
Their views on the issues in America vary widely, with the exception of the current President. All nine candidates disapprove of President George W. Bush and the way he has been running the country.
The first debate was held in Albuquerque, NM on Sept. 4, the next was in New York on Sept. 25, the third held in Phoenix, AZ on Oct. 9, the fourth will be in Detroit MI on Oct. 25, and the last two will be held in Iowa and New Hampshire. At every venue, the candidates have been asked their opinions on the war with Iraq, the rebuilding process of Iraq, health care, and the economy. While all have their views on each issue, some candidates have stronger opinions on certain issues than others. Ambassador Braun, the only female candidate, emphasizes the problems of the economy in her campaign. Congressman Gephardt feels that health care is the most important issue. General Clark reiterates the importance of foreign policy and national security. Revered Sharpton stresses the importance of education and minority rights.
There have been some heated moments in the debates. General Clark has taken fire from fellow party members such as Senator Lieberman, Senator Kerry, and Senator Edwards over differing statements he has made on the war with Iraq. Senator Lieberman accused Clark of supporting the unaided war with Iraq, praising President Bush and Tony Blair for their resolve, and then changing his opinion on the war when his statements caused an uproar among Democrats.
"The American people have lost confidence in George Bush because he hasn't leveled with them," Lieberman said. "We need a candidate who will meet the test of reaching a conclusion and having the courage to stick with it." Clark defended himself by saying he never made differing statements, he supported a U.N. supported war with Iraq. He also fired back at Lieberman saying, “It's really embarrassing that a group of candidates up here are working on changing the leadership in this country and can't get their own story straight.” According to national polls, General Clark is the current front-runner for the Democratic Party.
By Jimmy Pride, Class of 05’
