A New Era: Democratic Presidential Primaries
Background: As President Lewis reaches the end of his second term, the Democratic Party is now on red alert as they must begin their 2000 plans in order to hold control of the White House. Initially, the common expectation was that Vice President Bob Kerrey would run to succeed President Lewis, but he would be forced to resign from office due to a shocking revelation was made that Kerrey had committed several war crimes during his time in the Vietnam War. The global outrage over this would effectively end Kerrey's political career, leaving the Democrats without their star candidate.
With the party's prospects of retaining White House control in the air, the Democratic Party must look to a new roster of candidates to continue the Lewis Administration's work. Few candidates would enter the ring, as many would abstain due to fears of entering a doomed race. The top candidates in the race would be Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, former Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell, and House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt. Lesser-known Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber would enter the fray in order to take advantage of the small field, but has struggled to make major waves as a presidential candidate.
Candidates:
George Mitchell: Acting as one of President Lewis' strongest advocates throughout the eight years he has been in office, the former Democratic powerhouse would announce his return to the political world in order to succeed the outgoing president. Touting his work on global trade agreements, peace negotiations, and success in getting the Clean Air and Americans With Disabilities Acts passed. Mitchell has stated that while he did respect the president's work in improving America's security, he would seek to curb crime through the implementation of stricter punishments against violent and repeat offenders while allowing easier paths to redemption for nonviolent and first-time convicts.
The former senator has faced some concern over his ability to win a national election after having lost a high-profile reelection bid during the Republican Revolution and remaining out national politics for the past six years. This is an issue that Mitchell has generally disregarded, stating that he has learned from this failure and believes that he better understands the work that he needs to do to unite the country.
Endorsements: Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (SD), Senate Minority Whip Harry Reid (NV), Senator Barbara Mikulski (MD), Senator Paul Sarbanes (MD), Senator Robert Torricelli (NJ), Senator Frank Lautenberg (NJ), Senator Daniel Akaka (HI), Senator Daniel Inouye (HI), Senator Dick Durbin (IL), Senator Chris Dodd (CT), Governor Gray Davis (CA), Governor Ben Cayetano (HI), Governor Gary Locke (WA), Governor Tom Carper (DE).
John Kerry: Considered a top contender thanks to his strong political presence and well-funded campaign, Senator Kerry has campaigned on a progressive platform centered around continuing the Lewis Administration's domestic policies while working to better avoid military conflict in the Middle East. On the matter of domestic issues, the liberal senator has called to use the budget surplus for improved healthcare and environmental policies. Despite having been a vocal supporter of spending cuts to the defense budget, Kerry has supported using more tactical measures to stop terrorist groups in the Middle East while avoiding full-on conflicts with regional governments.
With the lingering controversy around Bob Kerrey's war crimes, Kerry has attempted to differentiate his own service in the Vietnam War promoting his activist roots as a staunch anti-war Democrat. This, in spite of his record as a decorated veteran, was used to paint him as an honest man who detested the violence committed in Vietnam. He has also been a vocal supporter of President Lewis' decision to rekindle normal relations with the Asian country in 1995.
Endorsements: Frmr Senator Ted Kennedy (MA), Senator John Edwards (NC), Senator Joe Biden (DE), Senator Diane Feinstein (CA), Senator Max Cleland (GA), Representative Richard Neal (MA), Representative Jim McGovern (MA), Governor Parris Glendening (MD), Governor Howard Dean (VT), Governor Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Governor Jesse Ventura (MN-R), Boston Mayor Thomas Menino (MA), Billy Crystal (CA), Bruce Springsteen (NJ).
Dick Gephardt: After more than a decade after his previous presidential campaign, Representative Gephardt has come back to run for the party's nomination at a time of total disarray. The populist Democrat has touted his support for unions and free trade as key parts of an economically progressive agenda. With years of leadership of the House Democrats, Gephardt has tried to brand himself as a unifying figure who can work with Republicans and Democrats alike to improve the country's education and national security. Gephardt has also expressed strong support for increasing efforts to capture Osama bin Laden and potential al Qaeda allies in the U.S..
While Gephardt had originally considered himself a social conservative, he has since taken a shift to the left with his views on abortion and gay rights taking a more liberal turn. With liberal voters already being unenthusiastic by his hawkish views towards the Middle East, Gephardt's slow political shift and lack of presence compared to candidates like John Kerry and George Mitchell will be the key issues for him to tackle if he wants to win the nomination.
Endorsements: Senator Evan Bayh (IN), Frmr House Speaker Tom Foley (WA), House Minority Whip David Bonior (MI), Representative Nancy Pelosi (CA), Representative Steny Hoyer (MD), Representative Patrick J. Kennedy (RI) Representative Karen McCarthy (MO), Representative Jim Clyburn (SC), Representative Lane Evans (IL), Representative Sherrod Brown (OH), Representative Harold Ford Jr. (TN), Representative Ben Cardin (MD), Governor Jim Hodges (SC), Governor Frank O'Bannon (IN), Governor Jim Hunt (NC), Governor Paul E. Patton (KY), Governor Ronnie Musgrove (MS).
John Kitzhaber: The progressive Democrat has made small, but consistent, waves in the race as he seeks to establish himself as the leading candidate in a race of political heavyweights. During his two terms as governor, Kitzhaber has used his position to create programs protecting the state's natural resources, restore the population of threatened salmon species, and assist at-risk children and their families.
While progressives have generally held positive views towards the governor, he has struggled with fundraising efforts and generally lacked a large enough presence in polls to steer many voters his way.
Endorsements: Senator Ron Wyden (OR), Representative Earl Blumenauer (OR), Representative Peter DeFazio (OR), Representative David Wu (OR), Representative Dennis Kucinich (OH), Representative Jay Inslee (WA), Governor Terry Knowles (AK), Governor Angus King (ME-I), Portland Mayor Vera Katz (OR), Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell (PA).