2008 Presidential Candidates
From dKosopedia
2008 Presidential Candidates
Many 2008 Presidential candidates have already thrown their hats into the ring. Here is a list of some of the top contenders, along with whether they have announced that they are liberal or progressive candidates. (Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name within their category.)
Historical Note: In 1960, John F. Kennedy had this to say, in accepting the nomination of the New York Liberal Party:
If by "Liberal" they mean, as they want people to believe, someone who is soft in his policies abroad, who is against local government, and who is unconcerned with the taxpayer's dollar, then the record of this party and its members demonstrate that we are not that kind of "Liberal." But if by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal."
(See Turn Left.)
Each candidate is described with their highest government office in the title line, followed by information of interest to the DailyKos community. This includes liberal causes they’ve worked on, notable work for the party (including service with the DNC), and any military service. It also includes links to the DLC, where known (because the DLC is centrist and protective of major corporations).
Declared candidates
Joe Biden, Senator (DE)
Democratic candidate for President in 1988. Teaches constitutional law at Widener University School of Law as an adjunct professor. Advocate for Amtrak.
(Formally announced candidacy on January 7, 2007)
Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator (NY)
Worked for the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives during the Watergate scandal.
(Formally announced candidacy on January 20, 2007)
Christopher Dodd, Senator (CT)
Former general chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Served in the Army and the reserves, 1969-1975. Former volunteer for the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic.
(Announced candidacy on Jan. 11, 2007)
John Edwards, Former Senator (NC)
Democratic candidate for President in 2004. Former Director of the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at UNC School of Law.
(Formally announced candidacy on Dec. 28, 2006)
Mike Gravel, Former Senator (AK)
President and founder of Philadelphia II and Direct Democracy. Served in the United States Army, Counter Intelligence Corps, 1951-54. Currently resides in Virginia.
(Formally announced candidacy on April 17, 2006)
Dennis Kucinich, Representative (OH)
Democratic candidate for President in 2004. Former mayor of Cleveland.
(Formally announced candidacy on Dec. 12, 2006)
Barack Obama, Senator (IL)
Former civil rights attorney and senior lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School, specializing in constitutional law. Former executive director of Illinois Project Vote.
(Formally announced candidacy on Jan. 16, 2007.)
Bill Richardson, Governor (NM)
Former chairman of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). Served as U.S. Secretary of Energy and as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
(Formally announced candidacy on Jan. 20, 2007.)
Potential candidates
Wesley Clark, Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander
Democratic candidate for President in 2004. Graduated West Point in 1966. Served 34 years in the U.S. Army. Statements:
- “I am a liberal.”
- “There’s nothing wrong with being a liberal.”
- “We live in a liberal democracy.”
(Not officially announced.)
John F. Kerry, Senator (MA)
Democratic candidate for President in 2004. Served in U.S. Navy, 1966-1970.
(Not officially announced.)
Al Gore, Former Vice President
Democratic candidate for President in 2000. Former U.S. Senator (TN). Tireless promoter of the fight against global warming. Served in U.S. Army, 1969-1971.
(Not officially announced.)
Rev. Al Sharpton
Democratic candidate for President in 2004. President and founder of the National Action Network. Founded the National Youth Movement in 1971.
(Not officially announced.)
Disclaimed interest in running
- Evan Bayh, Senator (IN)
- Tom Daschle, Former Senator (SD)
- Howard Dean, Former Governor (VT)
- Russ Feingold, Senator (WI)
- Tom Vilsack, Former Governor (IA) - formally announced candidate on Nov. 30, 2006, dropped out of race Feb. 2007.
- Mark Warner, Former Governor (VA)
References
- P2008 by Democracy in Action at George Washington University.
- Presidential Candidates listed in Wikipedia.
- Democratic Presidential Candidate Websites, Issue Lists, and Global Warming by Patrick Kennedy surveys the candidates as of 14 February 2007.
