As the 2004 election approaches, the fates of most candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination may be decided in the critical electoral contests of January and February—the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries. This collection of presidential hopefuls is the most diverse ever. In the running are a retired general, three senators, two congressmen, a former governor who is a trained physician, and two African Americans—one a preacher and the other a former senator who is also the only woman in the race. They vary in their approaches to governance and differ in their positions on job creation, healthcare, education, and economic growth.
The candidates will seek the black vote at the polls to advance through the primary elections. Without it, the Democratic nominee cannot prevail against President Bush. As part of our ongoing coverage of Campaign 2004, BLACK ENTERPRISE takes a look at the nine democratic presidential candidates.
CAROL MOSELEY BRAUN
Most Recent Position: U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand, 1999 — 2001
Born: Aug. 16, 1947, Chicago
Education: University of Illinois, B.A., 1969; University of Chicago, J.D., 1972
On Jobs and the Economy: Moseley Braun plans to raise the minimum wage, eliminate pay inequities, and create jobs by rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure (schools, roads, and bridges).
On Education: Moseley Braun advocates public education and opposes school vouchers.
On Healthcare: Moseley Braun supports universal healthcare coverage through a single-payer system that is de-coupled from employment so it’s not a burden on job creation or small businesses.
On War: Moseley Braun opposed invading Iraq.
On Rights and Justice: Moseley Braun backs affirmative action and would appoint more women and minorities to federal judgeships.
WESLEY K. CLARK
Most Recent Position: General, U.S. Army, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, 1997 — 2000
Born: Dec. 23, 1944, Chicago
Education: United States Military Academy, 1966; Rhodes Scholar; Oxford University, M.A., 1968; National War College; Command and General Staff College.
On Jobs and the Economy: Clark seeks to establish a two-year, $100 billion economic stimulus package to create jobs by improving port security and investing in infrastructure projects; providing a Tax Rebate Fund to states to avoid raising property taxes and university tuition; and providing a tax credit of up to $5,000 for every new employee hired.
On Education: Clark supports reserving $20 billion for states’ college tuition and to train workers for new jobs.
On Healthcare: Clark wants to expand states’ Child Health Insurance Program and raise the limits on Medicaid.
On War: Clark opposed the invasion of Iraq.
On Rights and Justice: Clark supports affirmative action.
HOWARD DEAN
Most Recent Position: Governor of Vermont, 1991 — 2002
Born: Nov. 17, 1948, East Hampton, New York
Education: Yale University, B.A., 1971; Albert Einstein College of Medicine, M.D., 1978
On Jobs and the Economy: Dean seeks to repeal Bush’s tax cuts and use those funds to pay for universal healthcare, homeland security, and jobs.
On Education: Dean supports professional development to help non-performing teachers in public schools.
On Healthcare: Dean wants to establish a Family and Children’s Health Insurance Program (FCHIP) covering all children and young adults (up to age 25), and older adults with low incomes.
On War: Dean opposed the invasion of Iraq.
On Rights and Justice: Dean opposes expansion of the Patriot Act, proposes federal legislation to restore the right to vote in any federal election for ex-felons, and seeks full voting representation in Congress for District of Columbia residents.
JOHN EDWARDS
Most Recent Position: U.S. Senator from North Carolina, 1999 — present
Born: June 10, 1953, Seneca, South Carolina
Education: North Carolina State University, B.S., 1974; University of North Carolina, J.D., 1977.
On Jobs and the Economy: Edwards would postpone additional Bush tax breaks for families making more than $200,000, negotiate fair trade agreements, and provide a 10% tax cut to corporations that produce goods in the United States.
On Education: Edwards supports increased pay for teachers. He proposes providing states with funds to make the first year of tuition free at every public university and community college.
On Healthcare: Edwards proposes building a healthcare program where parents could use tax credits to help pay for private insurance.
On War: Edwards supported invading Iraq.
On Rights and Justice: Edwards supports a ban on racial profiling, backs affirmative action, and would safeguard organized labor.
RICHARD A. GEPHARDT
Most Recent Position: U.S. Representative from Missouri, 1977 — present
Born: Jan. 31, 1941, St. Louis
Education: Northwestern University, B.S., 1962; University of Michigan, J.D., 1965
On Jobs and the Economy: Gephardt wants to implement the Apollo 21 energy plan, which would provide incentives to have passenger cars run on hybrid and fuel cell technologies. He wants a mandate calling for 10% of the nation’s energy to come from renewable sources in 10 years.
On Education: Gephardt will pursue a teacher corps based on the ROTC program to pay college loans for students who agree to serve as teachers for five years. He would make the first $10,000 of higher education
On Healthcare: Gephardt supports health insurance coverage through the current employer-based system, with a targeted and refundable employer tax credit for employers.
On War: Gephardt supported invading Iraq.
On Rights and Justice: Gephardt backs affirmative action in college admissions.
JOHN KERRY
Most Recent Position: U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, 1985 — present
Born: Dec. 11, 1943, Denver
Education: Yale University, B.A., 1966; Boston College, J.D., 1976
On Jobs and the Economy: Kerry opposes Bush’s tax breaks for Americans who earn more than $200,000. He wants to create jobs through infrastructure projects and expand the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) federal contracting program.
On Education: Kerry supports Head Start, school modernization bonds, full funding of special education programs, and increasing the maximum Pell Grant award. He opposes private school vouchers.
On Healthcare: Kerry supports a program that would allow Americans to buy into the same healthcare plan as the president and members of Congress while providing subsidies for those who can’t afford insurance.
On War: Kerry supported invading Iraq.
On Rights and Justice: Kerry opposes racial profiling and supports organized labor.
DENNIS J. KUCINICH
Most Recent Position: U.S. Representative from Ohio, 1997 — present
Born: Oct. 8, 1946, Cleveland
Education: Case Western Reserve University, B.A., M.A., 1973
On Jobs and the Economy: Kucinich opposes Bush’s tax cuts that benefit the wealthy and looks to retain an estate tax. He would use $500 billion of the revenues to rebuild schools, roads and bridges, ports, sewage, water, and environmental systems. Kucinich supports living wages.
On Education: Kucinich supports establishing universal pre-kindergarten programs that build on existing federal and state pre-kindergarten initiatives.
On Healthcare: Kucinich supports a universal healthcare program
On War: Kucinich opposed the war in Iraq.
On Rights and Justice: Kucinich backs affirmative action, would repeal the Patriot Act, opposes capital punishment, and supports organized labor and collective bargaining.
JOSEPH I. LIEBERMAN
Most Recent Position: U.S. Senator from Connecticut, 1989 — present
Born: Feb. 24, 1942, Stamford, Connecticut
Education: Yale University, B.A., 1964; Yale University, L.L.B., 1967
On Jobs and the Economy: Lieberman proposes tax credits
to spur private research and development.
On Education: Lieberman supports funding to expand the national pool of math and science teachers and the number of American engineering graduates.
On Healthcare: Lieberman seeks to implement a MediKids plan of comprehensive care with low premiums and MediChoice, which would subsidize healthcare for low-income workers.
On War: Lieberman supported invading Iraq.
On Rights and Justice: Lieberman opposes racial profiling and supports access to the voting booth for everyone.
AL SHARPTON
Most Recent Position: Founder and president, National Action Network, 1991 — present
Born: Oct. 3, 1954, New York
Education: Brooklyn College, 1973 — 1975
On Jobs and the Economy: Sharpton seeks to repeal Bush’s tax cuts except for those that would benefit the poor and middle-income families and to invest the tax savings in education, healthcare, housing, and infrastructure projects.
On Education: Sharpton seeks amendments guaranteeing all American citizens the right to high-quality public education.
On Healthcare: Sharpton seeks amendments to guarantee all American citizens the right to high-quality healthcare.
On War: Sharpton opposed invading Iraq.
On Rights and Justice: Sharpton backs affirmative action, opposes the death penalty, and supports voting rights or statehood for the District of Columbia.