Well folks, September is almost up and you know what that means: We’re that much closer to sending in our votes for the next Commander in Chief (among other government leaders) of our nation.
By now, you’ve most likely registered to vote (hint #1: If not, here’s how) and you’ve undoubtedly seen questionably factual arguments about the candidates go back and forth on social media. But have you decided whose name you’ll be putting a check next to come November?
In preparation for the first presidential debate tonight, below is a run-down on who’s running and where they stand (hint #2: Going to miss the debate? The Beacon will be covering it and sharing info on social media). Each week, The Beacon will be reporting on at least one varying aspect of the lead-up to the election.
2016 Presidential Election Fast Facts:
Who’s running?
Hillary Clinton – Democratic Nominee
Donald Trump – GOP Nominee
Jill Stein – Green Party Nominee
Gary Johnson – Libertarian Party Nominee
*Note: Stein and Johnson will both be present on the ballots in at least 40 states, but did not receive enough polling support to participate in the debates. The Beacon will be focusing coverage on the two major party candidates.
What kind of experience do they have?
Hillary Clinton:
U.S. Secretary of State (2009-2013)
Senator from New York (2001-2009)
First Lady (1993-2001)
First Lady of Arkansas (1979-1992)
Practicing Lawyer
Donald Trump:
Real Estate Mogul
Chairman and President of the Trump Organization (1971-present)
Reality Star (“The Apprentice” and “Celebrity Apprentice”)
What promises are they running on?
Hillary Clinton
Democratic Party Platform: The Democratic Party Platform, which is being called the most progressive in history thanks to former democratic candidate Bernie Sanders, is broken down into 13 main priorities:
- “Raise Incomes and Restore Economic Security for the Middle Class”: Raising workers wages, expanding access to affordable housing, expanding social security.
- “Create Good-Paying Jobs”: Supporting small businesses, creating new jobs in clean energy, jobs for young people.
- “Fight for Economic Fairness and Against Inequality”: Reining in Wall Street, ensuring that the wealthy pay their share of taxes, promoting fair trade.
- “Bring Americans Together and Remove Barriers to Opportunities”: Ending systematic racism, fixing criminal justice and immigration systems, guaranteeing civil rights.
- “Protect Voting Rights, Fix Our Campaign Finance System, and Restore Our Democracy”: Protecting voting rights, fixing campaign finance system, appointing Supreme Court justices.
- “Combat Climate Change, Build a Clean Energy Economy, and Secure Environmental Justice”: Building a clean energy economy, promoting environmental and climate justice.
- “Provide Quality and Affordable Education”: Make debt-free college a reality, support historically black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions, guaranteeing universal preschool.
- “Ensure the Health and Safety of All Americans”: Universal health care, reducing prescription drug costs, treating mental illness.
- “Principled Leadership”
- “Support Our Troops and Keep Faith With Our Veterans”: Defense spending, support for military families.
- “Confront Global Threats”: Terrorism, Syria, cybersecurity.
- “Protect Our Values”: Supporting women, girls and LGBTQ communities, assisting refugees.
- “A Leader in the World”: Global economy and institutions, Asia-Pacific, Middle East.
Clinton has also vowed to propose a plan for comprehensive immigration reform within the first 100 days of her presidency if elected. Additionally, the former U.S. Secretary of State has said she plans to take a more aggressive stance on fighting ISIS and stopping “lone wolf” terrorists.
Donald Trump
Republican Party Platform: The GOP platform is made up of six main priorities:
- “Restoring the American Dream”: Lowering tax rates, negotiating international trade deals, limiting market restrictions.
- “A Rebirth of Constitutional Government”: Nominating Republican Supreme Court justices, reversing ruling on same-sex marriage, avoiding gun regulations.
- “America’s Natural Resources”: Making use of oil for energy, asserts that environment is “constantly improving”.
- “Government Reform”: Balancing the budget, preserving Medicare and Medicaid, building a wall on the U.S.-Mexican border.
- “Great American Families, Education, Health Care and Criminal Justice”: Defines marriage as only between one man and one woman, wants to reduce access to welfare, rejects Common Core in education, says college loans should be offered only by the private sector.
- “America Resurgent”: Wants to “rebuild” the American military, create a special operations force on national security, screen refugees and other immigrants, support for Israel.
Donald Trump has spoken often about the wall he plans to construct on the U.S.-Mexico border, which he has said he will make Mexico pay for.
