A female president feels more and more likely

With 20 Democrats running for president for the 2020 election, the pool can seem overwhelming. Despite the information overload, one thing seems abundantly clear: the female candidates are determined, eloquent, and unphased by backlash. During debates and out on the campaign trail, the female candidates often are better at capturing the attention of the American people and at supporting one another along the way.

The support and camaraderie between these women is not only unprecedented but inspirational. In a time when disagreeing viewpoints can be polarizing and society seems apt to characterize women as natural competitive enemies, these women are showing poise and professionalism rarely seen by political opponents. 

Every day it seems like Biden and other male hopefuls make hapless blunders (think of Biden’s ‘Poor kids are just as smart as White kids’ quote) as the women in the field seem to continually perform well and hold strong to their beliefs.

Here is a breakdown of each of the candidate’s general policies and beliefs:

Elizabeth Warren

Warren is a senator from Massachusetts and she is a woman with a plan. Her policies hold steadfast to her beliefs with much less wiggle room than other candidates. Warren’s claim to fame has been her takedown of Wall Street and her plans to tax the ultra-wealthy for the benefit students, families, workers and future generations. 

In a time when disagreeing viewpoints can be polarizing and society seems apt to characterize women as natural competitive enemies, these women are showing poise and professionalism rarely seen by political opponents. 

Warren’s plans do not bow to the will of her opponents, which sets her apart from many Democrats who have not shied away from reaching across the aisle to negotiate. She supports a free college education for all students and up to $50,000 of debt relief to those who have borrowed $100,000 or more. Warren supports the banning of assault weapons and all fracking, as well as an immediate block to border-wall funding. 

Along with candidates Cory Booker and Bernie Sanders, Warren supports raising taxes on the wealthy to support social programs. For Warren, the focus would be on promoting universal childcare, using federal funds to provide more affordable housing, and allowing for major student loan debt relief.

Often criticized for the handling of her ancestry, Warren has since come out and apologized to Native Americans for the mishandling of their culture. In doing so, Warren proved not only is she a political powerhouse, but she is also capable of admitting when she is wrong, a quality seriously lacking in the current president.

Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris is a senator from California as well as a former district attorney and state attorney general. Harris is known for her policy on universal healthcare, having stated: “Public health should be an issue that is not a political issue. We should know that access to health care should be a right.” 

When it comes to income inequality, Harris supports increasing tax-benefits for middle-class and lower-income Americans. Her plan is to provide an additional $6,000 a year to households earning $100,000 or less. 

A large portion of Harris’ policies focus on discrepancies related to race. Harris has plans to make changes to the cash bail system, cocaine sentencing and maternal healthcare; all issues that disproportionately and negatively affect Black Americans.

Certainly some of the female candidates shine brighter than others, but the takeaway should be this: of the 20 candidates running for president, the women leave a far more lasting impression than most of the men. 

Overall, Harris is a force to be reckoned with. She is one of the most powerful speakers in the field and is not afraid to put both opponents and reporters on the spot. Recall her comments in regard to whether or not she would make a good running-mate to candidate Joe Biden: “I think Joe Biden would make a great running mate. As vice president, he’s proven that he knows how to do the job.”

Kristen Gillibrand

Gillibrand is a senator from New York who was formerly known to toe the line between Democrat and Republican much more closely. Today, she has come out as the most female-focused candidate introducing a Family Bill of Rights, criticizing strict abortion laws and publically advocating for programs to fight sexual assault. In fact, Gillibrand has criticized her own party members, such as Bill Clinton and Al Franken, for inappropriate behavior. Gillibrand has thus shown party lines do not define what makes an action right.

The senator’s policies are less cut and dry than some of Harris’, and certainly less than Warren’s. She believes students shouldn’t have to take on debt but does not support free college education. Along with a ban on assault rifles, she supports a federal buyback program. Additionally, she is open to tearing down sections of the border wall.

Gillibrand has yet to break ahead in the race, though her support of women-centric policies has set her apart as an advocate in the field.

Amy Klobuchar

Senator Amy Klobuchar calls Minnesota her home. She is certainly a local favorite and her policies tend to lean on the more conservative side of the democratic field. 

Policy-wise Klobuchar is supportive of 2 years of free college education for students. She supports additional wall funding coupled with a program to back citizenship for immigrants. Klobuchar has recommended some limitations on abortion with an exception for the mother’s health in the third trimester. 

A common critique of the senator is the difficulty her staff has working with her. However, it is doubtful the same criticism would be heard about a male candidate as they are usually praised for being tough and making hard and fast decisions.

Tulsi Gabbard

Gabbard is a congresswoman from Hawaii and an army veteran. Despite facing a lot of backlash from online trolls, Gabbard’s policies in support of sexual assault survivors in the military beg for her to be taken more seriously.

Gabbard supports free college education, the closing of nuclear plants and using military funds to pay for infrastructure.

Marianne Williamson

Marianne Williamson has become something of human-meme. The self-help author seems to be the least impressive and most flippant of the female candidates. While she certainly has some interesting ideas, such as her plans to provide between $200 to $500 billion in reparations to descendants of slaves, Williamson is far better known for her unusual quips, such as saying she was a “B*tch for God”

Final Thoughts

Certainly, some of the female candidates shine brighter than others, but the takeaway should be this: of the 20 candidates running for president, the women leave a far more lasting impression than most of the men. More than this, individuals such as Warren and Harris provide hope for the future of this country by continually fighting for the rights and privileges of every citizen. 

While it is easy to accept that America has become an inalterable hate-ridden place, these women are making it seem more difficult for that notion to continue.