December's Democratic Primary Debate

After the November debate, several democratic candidates stand out. On December 19, we will see the seven candidates that have qualified for this debate in Los Angeles up on stage. To qualify for the December Primary Debate, the candidates had to meet specific requirements. Each one had to have at least 200,000 individual donors, and one of two polling requirements — two polls at 6% in two of the early nominating states, or 4% in first nominating states or national surveys. Kamala Harris qualified for the debate, which would have made her the eighth candidate, but has since dropped out. This debate is the smallest and least diverse group yet, in the 2020 campaigns. (Taylor) 

Here's what I think stands out for each candidate:

Bernie Sanders: He's known for wanting billionaires and corporations to pay, what he says, is their fair share. He talks about increasing wealth equality, otherwise known as equal pay for all. Bernie would like to see the country have a federal minimum wage of $15/hour. He views global warming as a serious problem. His viewpoints have piqued my interests, and Bernie is one I will be watching closely in this next debate. I think he is affirmative, but soft-hearted, even though others believe him to be yelling during his debate performances.

Joe Biden: Like many others, I am bothered by the way Joe Biden presents himself. Although my opinion could shift after this debate because while he was the Vice President, he worked more behind-the-scenes while President Obama was the center of attention, there are policies I do agree with, such as the opposition of drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and supporting governmental funding for new energy sources. However, he has yet to draw me into his political camp.

Andrew Yang: Andrew Yang intrigues me because of his background as an entrepreneur and the fact that his parents immigrated to the United States as graduate students from Taiwan. His values are high on my list of what's important to me in thinking of how we can care for everyone. He is best known for the Freedom Dividend, Medicare For All, and Human-Centered Capitalism. His belief that humans are more important than money is vital to me. 

Pete Buttigieg: Pete Buttigieg is known for wanting to abolish the electoral college and supporting public health insurance options. I am watching him more intently because of his position on creating pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. He is outspoken on wanting universal background checks for gun purchases. He's exceeded his fundraising goals and has been driven to meet other goals that he has logically laid out. Watching him work towards those goals keeps me interested in watching how far he will go in this race.

Amy Klobuchar: Although she supports pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, her support of Obamacare may hurt her chances of gaining the nomination, in my opinion. I haven't researched all she has accomplished in her Senate career, but I am impressed with her record so far. She is one I will listen to more closely, now that I am getting to know what can do.

Tom Steyer: Tom Steyer has caught my attention by appearing to be focused on his goals. He is in support of term limits, which is a good idea because, with more people having the chance to represent the country, different backgrounds and beliefs will give a more diverse outlook on how to solve problems. His financial resources are a benefit to him and can help him go up against Donald Trump if he remains in office.

Elizabeth Warren: Elizabeth Warren matches my viewpoints most closely, and I think she comes across as a genuinely nice person who would also be able to be tough when needed. She is one who would be able to work with foreign leaders and could represent the United States well. I appreciate her viewpoint on equal justice under law. She fights for those whose rights have been taken away and holds the wealthy accountable for wrongdoing. If she continues to explain herself well, and continues to do what she's been doing, she'll remain a top candidate for the presidency.

I am hoping this debate will narrow down the field to pick a clear front runner for the democratic party. Choosing a candidate and vice presidential candidate early on would help the party's chances of gaining back the White House in 2020.

Citations:

Anderson, Dylan. "Higher education policy a focus of Democratic presidential

     primary." Minnesota Daily, MNDaily, 9 Sept. 2019, www.mndaily.com/article/

     2019/07/n-higher-education-policy-a-focus-of-democratic-presidential-primary.

     Accessed 18 Dec. 2019

Democratic Presidential Candidates Take The Stage In First Debate." Boston

     University Radio, WBUR, 27 June 2019, www.wbur.org/onpoint/2019/06/27/

     democratic-presidential-debate-night-one. Accessed 18 Dec. 2019

Taylor, Jessica. "7 Democrats Qualify For December Primary Debate." National

     Public Radio, NPR, 13 Dec. 2019, www.npr.org/2019/12/13/787476198/

     7-democrats-qualify-for-december-primary-debate. Accessed 18 Dec. 2019