Democratic candidates show democracy in a melting pot
In the ever-changing news cycle, it almost feels like a distant memory, but a short few months ago, 20 racially and ideologically different candidates were on the Democratic debate stage in Miami.
Democracy, and politics in general, can be a complicated and messy process.
After starting with five candidates representing the African-American, Latino and Asian-American communities, not one remains, with the exception of Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.
As Florida’s turn to vote approaches, the slate of candidates looks vastly different than it did a month ago.
1. Former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg has [done] surprisingly well, winning the top spot in the Iowa and New Hampshire contests, while Senator Bernie Sanders is the current front-runner.
2. Vice President Joe Biden and his centrist coalition lost the first two contests spectacularly and they hope to turn this around in South Carolina.
3. Billionaire and former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, sensing the weakness in the political field, has launched the largest, most expensive political effort in history. He will not even be on the ballot in South Carolina or Nevada, but his spending is upending months of constant debate even as voters cast their ballot.
This is what Democracy looks like.
If you are a registered Democrat or someone who wishes to see a change in 2020, don’t moan, groan, and grumble — vote. Vote because people died fighting for your right to vote. Vote as if your own life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness depended on it and, actually, it just might. Vote because every ballot cast matters.
*Opinion piece for the Miami Herald, published 02/20/2020
