The 2020 presidential election is quickly approaching, and TABC students have a variety of opinions about each candidate and prospective nominee, reflecting a diversity of perspectives on politics in the student body of TABC.
For this article, I interviewed 13 TABC students and uncovered a wide array of opinions and disagreements between classmates over political issues pertaining to the Democratic primary and general election.
Regarding the general election, most respondents agreed that either incumbent President Trump or former Vice President Joe Biden would most likely win.
Still, respondents had various opinions as to who would win the Democratic nomination, though they mainly fell into two camps. About half the students chose Biden as the nominee, while the other half chose Warren.
Students’ views were not set, though. Junior Yehuda Mazin said, “I think… Biden or Klobuchar will win the Democratic [primary].” Junior Harry Meister speculated, “I think it will be a mix up of Sanders and Biden in [the] primary.”
Students offered intriguing points of view on third-party candidates and unannounced nominees. “I’ll always be a Ron Paul guy, but I don’t know [yet if] he’s running,” said Junior Efraim Ginsberg.
In a similar vein, an anonymous Senior half-jokingly supported a Libertarian favorite, saying that “Gary Johnson is the real MVP.” Other respondents noted their general lack of enthusiasm for third-party candidates and mainly focused on candidates from one of the two major parties.
Regarding the three front-runners in the Democratic primary, responses were similarly mixed and varied. Many students noted allegations of impropriety and harassment surrounding Biden, while others referred to him in more positive terms. Some called him “sensible” and “moderate.” “Biden… is an honorable candidate willing to speak with others,” said Mazin.
Views on Senator Elizabeth Warren, the current front-runner in Iowa, were somewhat negative. Many called her a “liar,” though some respondents said they had no opinion on her. Senior Justin Eichel remarked that while she is “a smart person, her effect on the economy would be detrimental.”
However, others thoroughly liked Warren, noting her commitment to solving important issues. “I think Warren is probably my favorite candidate currently,” said Senior Yoni Weinreich. “She seems to have legitimately well thought out and impactful ideas.”
Junior Liev Markovich concurred, saying that “it’s important that [Warren] is recognizing the issue that many Americans don’t have healthcare and the top Americans have a ton of money” while lower-class Americans “are barely surviving trying to live in this world.”
Many respondents expressed dislike for Senator Bernie Sanders, with some describing his views as “communistic.” Junior Zalman Rusanov had a unique take on Sanders’ candidacy: “Bernie is Bernie. But at least he's somewhat honest. He says that taxes WILL go up.”
As with Warren, there were students who offered a positive assessment of Sanders. “Sanders has good ideas,” said Weinreich. “[It’s a] shame [that] most of his unique ones from 2016 became the bog standard for Democrats in 2020, such as socialized healthcare, free college, and other changes.”
Respondents admired some of the second and third-tier candidates, though some took issue with their policies.
Students either liked or did not know much about Representative Tulsi Gabbard, an isolationist candidate with a left-centre domestic policy. Those who admired her candidacy generally commended her foreign policy views as well as her perceived role as a moderate in a field of mostly left-wing Democratic politicians.
Businessman Andrew Yang fared even better among students, though opinions were still mixed. Many applauded his moderate positions, though many disliked his signature policy, Universal Basic Income, which would guarantee $1000 a month to every household in the United States.
However, Yang did have at least one fan at TABC. “Yang is the best,” said Junior Levi Langer. “Smart solutions to the right questions.”
Regarding the recent opening of an impeachment inquiry into President Trump’s phone call to the Ukraine, most students questioned its impact on the general election, believing it to be a combination of a positive boost for the Democrats and a relief for Trump if he is not convicted for crimes in the Senate.
Junior Eli Rubin said, “It’ll have a big affect on people in the middle… I'm not concerned that the election will be any different though, in the grand scheme of it.”
Markovich disagreed, noting that “impeachment has a connotation of someone who is untrustworthy, who isn't qualified to reside in the oval office… [if impeached], Americans will think [Trump] is a bad candidate and can’t be trusted.” Markovick felt sure that impeachment would impact the election profoundly.
Despite these strong opinions for one candidate or another, many students showed open disdain for the upcoming election. Few respondents bothered to watch the Democratic primary debates at all, with Rubin joking, “I watched [them] at double speed.”
Ginsberg noted that “this year's Democratic side is like last year's Republican side: overcrowded and filled with overzealous groupthink. Two wings, but one bird.”
But there were others who followed the election more carefully and less disdainfully. “I believe I watched two debates and followed the rest loosely on Twitter,” said Weinreich.
Similarly, an anonymous Sophomore said, “I don't listen to that many debates; however, I will read about them afterward.” This student’s experience demonstrates that some at TABC do not overtly hate the current election process and follow the Democratic debates with interest.
With numerous similarities and differences existing between these students’ opinions on politics and the upcoming presidential election, these results showed the degree to which TABC students, while sometimes reaching a consensus on a given issue, often find their own voices and form their own opinions by their principles in politics.