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Who should be the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee? Who should be the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee?
Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth Warren
Bernie Sanders Bernie Sanders
Joe Biden Joe Biden
Pete Buttigieg Pete Buttigieg
Amy Klobuchar Amy Klobuchar
Tom Steyer Tom Steyer
Andrew Yang Andrew Yang
Michael Bloomberg Michael Bloomberg
Elizabeth Warren has "a plan for that". Elizabeth Warren has "a plan for that".
Elizabeth Warren offers big, structural change Elizabeth Warren offers big, structural change
Elizabeth Warren is our best bet for a woman President Elizabeth Warren is our best bet for a woman President
Bernie Sanders will introduce Medicare for All Bernie Sanders will introduce Medicare for All
Bernie Sanders addresses climate change in the Green New Deal Bernie Sanders addresses climate change in the Green New Deal
Bernie Sanders has inspired a movement Bernie Sanders has inspired a movement
Joe Biden offers "a return to normalcy" Joe Biden offers "a return to normalcy"
Joe Biden can reach across the aisle Joe Biden can reach across the aisle
Joe Biden offers the most experience Joe Biden offers the most experience
Buttigieg represents a combination of the old and new Buttigieg represents a combination of the old and new
Pete Buttigieg is an excellent fundraiser Pete Buttigieg is an excellent fundraiser
Pete Buttigieg will get the rural vote. Pete Buttigieg will get the rural vote.
Amy Klobuchar can reclaim the Midwest Amy Klobuchar can reclaim the Midwest
Amy Klobuchar will tackle the opioid crisis and mental health Amy Klobuchar will tackle the opioid crisis and mental health
Tom Steyer puts his money where his mouth is Tom Steyer puts his money where his mouth is
Tom Steyer is a political outsider Tom Steyer is a political outsider
Andrew Yang will introduce Universal Basic Income Andrew Yang will introduce Universal Basic Income
Andrew Yang understands the importance of tech Andrew Yang understands the importance of tech
Michael Bloomberg gives to positive causes Michael Bloomberg gives to positive causes
Michael Bloomberg has led America's largest city Michael Bloomberg has led America's largest city
Debate Mini Map

Who should be the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee?
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Joe Biden

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Joe Biden offers "a return to normalcy"

Biden promises a return to the Obama era, a time many Democrats dearly miss in the age of Trump.
2020 US Election Joe Biden
John Garamendi
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Context

In uncertain times, people crave stable government. Biden was previously Vice President to Barack Obama, meaning that to many he symbolises the Democratic politics of the Obama era.

The Argument

Biden was the Vice President in one of the most popular administrations of all time.[1] An "Obama-Biden era Democrat", he faithfully sticks to the ethos of the Obama administration. This speaks to voters, as evidenced in polls where he is consistently the first-place Democratic candidate.[2] Voters yearn to go back to a time before the madness of the Trump Presidency, with a candidate that has a sense of decorum, as both Obama and Biden do.[3]

Counter arguments

More to the point, Biden is not Obama. As an old, white man he does not inspire the same hope that Obama did in 2008.[4] Electing Biden as the Democratic candidate does not, and cannot, replicate the Obama administration. Additionally, Biden is not even endorsed by the former President.[1] Biden portrays a nostalgic idea of the Obama administration that does not actually exist. Post-Trump, Americans do not need "business as usual" from the Obama era; they need large scale change.[3] The Obama era failed to the make broad change that many voters see as necessary, such as introducing single-payer healthcare or adequate climate change legislation.

Proponents

Premises

[P1] Biden symbolises the Democratic party of the Obama era. [P2] Biden, as President, would bring about the return to the Obama era that America needs.

Rejecting the premises

[P2] A return to Obama-era politics is not what America needs. It needs reform with innovative policies.

References

  1. http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/04/report-joe-biden-to-run-obama-nostalgia-campaign.html
  2. https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2020/president/us/2020_democratic_presidential_nomination-6730.html
  3. https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/01/biden-fans-optimism-trump/604432/
  4. https://www.politico.com/story/2019/04/25/biden-obama-2020-relationship-1287353

In the Wild

This page was last edited on Wednesday, 27 May 2020 at 21:30 UTC

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