Hey, did you know there are Democrats who arenât Hillary who are running for president this election? No, Iâm not talking about those weird mole people who run every election with slogans like â9-11 was a hoaxâ and âWho killed Tupac?â Iâm talking about respected, experienced politicians. Adorable, isnât it? Letâs take a look at the other announced âcontenders.â
Lincoln Chaffee is a former two-time senator and governor from Rhode Island. If you arenât familiar with him in Dem circles, itâs because he used to be a Republican, then an Independent, now a Democrat. Is he the flip-flopper that George W. Bush-era Republicans dream of? Not exactly. As a Republican senator, Chaffee was the president of pain in George W. Bushâs ass. He consistently voted against the administration, including the Iraq War (an invasion which Hillz supported) and tax cuts for the wealthy. Heâs also a dedicated environmentalist. After six years or so of voting like a human instead of a party hack, and the Republican party being like, âDo you even go here?,â Chaffee branched out to do his own thing. Can Chaffee win the nomination? I dunnoâpolls have him slightly behind Hillary at 69-1.
Jim Webb is a former senator from Virginia. Webb is a decorated former Marine and war hero who is now firmly anti-interventionist. He is also reported to be a political outsider with no strong ties to the party machine. Webb is known for his sharp critiques of Wall Street and his undying love of guns. Webbâs campaign website says he is a âPublic Servant. Warrior. Author. Film Maker.â Basically, heâs Ramboâthatâs what Iâm going with. Can he win? He seems like a candidate who would actually do well in the general election with his moderate stance and combat experience, but itâs really hard to get past a Democratic primary when you make love to the Second Amendment and argue that affirmative action is unfair to white people.
There are other potentials who are considering throwing their hats in the ring, like Martin OâMalley (almost definitely going to run) and Bernie Sanders (currently checking his bank account to see if he can afford it), but so far these two are the only official alternatives weâve got. Ugh. Why wonât Elizabeth Warren run? Sheâs already president OF MY HEART.