ARTICLE
WOMEN IN
2020
T
he 2020 Presidential race has only just begun and a crowded field of 23 candidates are attempting to differentiate themselves from the rest to make history as the Democratic candidate who took down Trump. While we will have to wait another year to find out who that will be, another historical first has occurred. Six women have stepped forward and are running for president.It’s not yet clear if Americans are quite ready for their first female President; this historic race will no doubt continue to inspire young women to step up and run.
committee on New Year’s day, Warren was arguably the most prepared to launch a presidential campaign. Her first major scandal came swiftly after when her ancestry claims were questioned by President Trump and she released DNA tests showing her Native American ancestry with an apology for previously identifying as Native American. Since the scandal and the emergence of strong candidates in Harris and Biden, Warren’s popularity has wavered. Since then Warren has tried to rebuild and has fired back at the current White House administration by making the case for impeachment against President Trump more forcefully than any of her 2020 rivals. Commonly making note of having read the entirety of Special Counsel Mueller’s investigative report, Warren has argued that impeachment is the only responsible path forward. While most Democratic candidates are reluctant to stand by her, Warren’s forceful approach is helping differentiate her in such a crowded field.
Kamala Harris Senator from California, 54 As a freshman senator and the second black woman ever elected to the US senate, Kamala Harris has made a name for herself through her tough stance on Trump’s administration policies and her questioning of cabinet members and Supreme Court nominee Brett M. Kavanaugh. Harris embodies the modern post-Obama Democratic party appealing to both party loyalist factions as well as new millennial voters. Differentiating herself from the vast Democratic field, Harris’s signature issue is not a single policy idea but rather a campaign about the people.
Warren’s signature issues include rebuilding the middle class and ending Washington corruption. Her campaign is calling for a new era of strong antitrust enforcement, so the giant corporations can no longer stifle any competition. Warren has a plan and wants to make America work again.
While some have argued not having a single policy issue for voters to connect to will hurt her campaign, Harris’s campaign is instead focusing on building her brand to be the perfect candidate who can take on Trump. Her goal is to connect with the people through her integrity and past professional experiences as district attorney and in the Senate.
Kirsten Gillibrand Senator from New York, 52 After replacing Hillary Clinton’s senate seat in 2009 Kirsten Gillibrand has transformed her brand changing her politics in tandem with the ever-liberalising democratic base. Her shift from a conservative democrat to a progressive champion has opened her campaign to staunch criticism that such a move is opportunistic.
Harris is a strong candidate but often places between 3rd and 5th in most national polls. Unlike the other women running for president, Harris has a second path to the White House emerging as a Vice President option to Biden. While there is still over a year to go until the Democratic nominee is chosen, Harris’s popularity is growing. Only time will tell if America is ready for mixed race woman to win the Presidency.
Gillibrand’s signature issue is to restore the government to the hands of the people, by fighting for America’s values and embracing her slogan Brave Wins. In such a crowded field her messaging has yet to stand her apart from similar campaigns, still Gillibrand is slowly breaking out of the crowded field and remaining a contender due to her reputation for being a tireless campaigner and fundraiser.
Elizabeth Warren Senator from Massachusetts, 69 Former law professor Elizabeth Warren started of her 2020 campaign strong as a front runner among Democratic candidates. Announcing the creation of an exploratory
Her recent Fox News town hall in Iowa has expanded her momentum after Gillibrand was asked ‘what about men?’
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