What the Democratic Candidates Think of Themselves

To be precise, how they present themselves when they only have two minutes to do so.

By The Stream Published on October 14, 2015

The five Democratic candidates had two minutes for their opening statements and plenty of time to prepare them. So what did each of the five want to tell the county about himself? And what did each tell us about himself without meaning to?

Lincoln Chafee

His reason to take him seriously: Lots of political experience, claims success therein.

Veiled attack on other candidate (meaning Clinton): “I have had no scandals. I’ve always been honest….I have high ethical standards.”

Claim to be a progressive: Against inequality, climate change, and war.

Specific class appeal: None.

What looks like a possible slogan: “I believe in prosperity through peace.”

Tough guy moment: Be serious. None.

Personal touch: None.

Unique bit: None.

Best part: It was short.

Summary judgment: To the point, well-constructed, uninspiring.

Jim Webb

His reason to take him seriously: Lots of political experience.

Veiled attack on other candidates: 1) Has been a success in the real world. 2) “I know where my loyalties are.”

Claim to be a progressive: Not fond of the rich, wants “economic fairness and social justice,” concerned first for “working people.”

Specific class appeal: Working people.

What looks like a possible slogan: “The working people who every day go out and make this country stronger at home, and who give us the right reputation and security overseas under a common sense foreign policy.”

Tough guy moment: “I’ve fought and bled for our country in Vietnam as a Marine.”

Personal touch: Mother grew up poor, wife a refugee from Viet Nam who succeeded in America, six kids all cool.

Unique bit: Claimed proven ability to work with Republicans.

Best part: A liberal who isn’t a leftist.

Summary judgment: Heavily personal, with Sanders’ the most sincere-sounding.

Martin O’Malley

His reason to take him seriously: Lots of political experience, claims to be an effective leader.

Veiled attack on other candidate (meaning Clinton): “I am very clear about my principles.”

Claim to be a progressive: Supports higher minimum wage, “marriage equality,” gun control, against climate change and economic inequality.

Specific class appeal: Middle class.

What looks like a possible slogan: “Our poor families are becoming poorer, and 70 percent of us are earning the same, or less than we were 12 years ago.” “Our economy isn’t money, it’s people.” “The future is what we make of it.” “We are all in this together.” Several others.

Tough guy moment: None.

Personal touch: Has great kids. Tells us he is, “most importantly, a husband, and a father.”

Unique bit: Only one to mention Obama, also only one to mention gun control.

Best part: Short.

Summary judgment: Good example of comfort food rhetoric.

Bernie Sanders

His reason to take him seriously: Doesn’t seem to have thought to give one.

Veiled attack on other candidate (meaning Clinton): None.

Claim to be a progressive: Condemns 1% and their corrupting effect on democracy, concerned for racial minorities, against climate change.

Specific class appeal: Middle class.

What looks like a possible slogan: We must “take back our government from a handful of billionaires and create the vibrant democracy we know we can and should have.”

Tough guy moment: None. But was the most enthusiastic of the five.

Personal touch: Offered no personal references whatsoever.

Unique bit: Offered no personal references whatsoever.

Best part: Offered no personal references whatsoever.

Summary judgment: With Jim Webb’s, the most sincere-sounding, also old-fashioned in its unbroken focus on the issues.

Hillary Clinton

Her reason to take her seriously: Lots of political experience.

Veiled attack on other candidates: None.

Claim to be a progressive: Wants to tax the rich more, against “the continuing discrimination against the LGBT community,” wants equal pay for women.

Specific class appeal: None.

What looks like a possible slogan: The whole thing.

Tough guy moment: Had soft, caring, listening moments instead. See next item.

Personal touch: She is “the grandmother of a wonderful one-year-old child.” Did not mention her husband, though.

Unique bit: Gave the only talk that sounded like it was written by a speechwriter, with every sentence calculated for effect.

Best part: She eventually stopped.

Summary judgment: A speech for her supporters, otherwise too obviously calculated.

 

The quotes are taken from the Washington Post‘s transcript.

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