Meet the candidates: 2016 presidential elections

Despite being over a year away, the presidential elections have already caused quite a stir. From email scandals to accusations of misogyny, presidential campaigns for the 2016 elections are well under way. Meet the leading candidates:

 

The Democrats

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Clinton, the favorite to win the Democratic nomination, leads the democratic poll with a 46.1 percent (according to Huffington Post as of Sept. 4th). Former Secretary of State and New York senator, Clinton describes herself as a modern progressive. Some key points to Clinton’s policies: she is against  No Child Left Behind, believes in NSA transparency, supports the Affordable Care act,  supports the legalization of abortion, supports gay marriage, and wants to cut middle class taxes.

Bernard “Bernie” Sanders

Sanders comes in second to Clinton with 23.9 percent of the poll. Current Vermont senator, Sanders is a self professed socialist. Far-left Democrats support Sanders over Clinton, whom they believe would be too “friendly” to the wealthy. Sander’s policies: charge companies for carbon emissions, cut tuition at state colleges by 55 percent, raise taxes on wealthy and cut middle class taxes, and promote anti-war sentiments

 

The Republicans

Donald John Trump

Trump leads the Republican poll with 32.1 percent. The real estate developer and billionaire graduated from the Wharton School of business at UPenn. Trump has made several controversial comments regarding hispanics, and women in general, that have attracted much criticism. Trump’s stances: cut government spending, climate change is a hoax, do not cut social security, limit gun restrictions,  repeal the Affordable Care act, and end corporate taxes.

Ben Carson

Carson comes in at a far second to Trump with 13.8 percent of the Republican poll. The retired Johns Hopkins neurosurgeon receives support from grass root conservatives, who admire his  personal story (poverty to neurosurgery ) and his purity of political taint. Carson’s views: debate over climate change is “irrelevant”, few limits on gun ownership, medical marijuana has some benefits  (recreational poses problems), disagrees with gay marriage, ban abortions after 20 weeks, establish a flat tax, and eliminate the IRS.

As the year goes on, only time will tell who comes out on top. Sanders is closing the gap on Clinton and despite criticisms, Trump continues to hold a sizeable lead among the Republicans.