Relatively few Democrats are lining up for the chance to succeed President Obama — at least when compared to the 16 candidates who could compete for the Republican nomination. In alphabetical order, here’s what seven potential Democratic candidates might push on the campaign trail, in terms of policy.
Joe Biden
One of the main reasons Obama selected Biden as his running mate was Biden’s foreign policy credentials. Biden served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and was either Chairman or Ranking Member every year from 1997 through 2008. As Vice President, Biden spent a lot of time traveling around the world and meeting with heads of state, and would probably tout his experience in international relations.
Hillary Clinton
Although Clinton claims foreign policy credentials as former Secretary of State, mounting world crises have also raised questions about her performance. In a telling move, John Podesta just left the White House to advise Clinton’s campaign. Podesta has been “overseeing climate change and energy policy” in the White House. Clinton spent her entire Senate career serving on the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Since leaving the State Department, Clinton has remained engaged on climate issues, although she has declined to comment on the Keystone XL pipeline.
Andrew Cuomo
Despite serving as governor of deep-blue New York, Cuomo could run on a record of tax cuts. The nonpartisan Tax Foundation gave Cuomo an award for “Outstanding Achievement in State Tax Reform” after he simplified and cut its corporate tax rate. The libertarian Cato Institute graded Cuomo with a “B” for his fiscal policies, scoring second-best among Democratic governors. Cuomo’s Start-Up NY program lets businesses who locate in certain zones pay no state or local taxes for 10 years.
Martin O’Malley
The lame duck governor of Maryland is well-known for his tax increases and environmental initiatives, but his education record would make for an easy campaign issue. Maryland has increased K-12 education spending every year under O’Malley, and public universities in Maryland went four years in a row without raising tuition. His administration spent $2.7 billion on school construction during his tenure, a number that conservatives balk at but liberals applaud. Even in the Democratic primary, O’Malley could be attacked for his tax increases, but he has investment in schools to show for it.
Bernie Sanders
Sen. Sanders describes himself as a democratic socialist, so it’s possible he’ll attack Obamacare for not going far enough. Sanders is a strong advocate of single-payer healthcare. He has introduced bills in the Senate to establish healthcare as a human right, with services provided through a state-administered, single-payer system. His home state of Vermont had wanted to implement single-payer at the state-level, but Governor Shumlin dropped the plan due to high costs. Sanders will almost certainly be the most-liberal person running for the Democratic nomination.
Elizabeth Warren
Sen. Warren’s main platform would be numerous anti-corporate policies and initiatives aimed at lower-income Americans. The minimum wage alone cannot form an entire campaign message, but it will likely be her greatest focus. Warren will also spread that focus to tax hikes on the rich, opposition against free trade agreements, and stricter regulation of banks. The former Harvard Law School professor had a hand in the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Warren is also a friend of labor unions: the AFL-CIO gave more money to her than any other candidate, including Obama, in 2012.
Jim Webb
The former Senator from Virginia served in Vietnam with the Navy. He was eventually named Secretary of the Navy under President Reagan, but Webb resigned after less than a year. Despite this, Webb was an outspoken critic of the Iraq War. He spent his entire time in the Senate assigned to the committees on Foreign Relations, Veterans’ Affairs, and Armed Services. Webb has criticized Obama and President George W. Bush’s policy in the Middle East. Expect him to continue that criticism in a field that may include Obama’s Vice President and former Secretary of State.
