Super Tuesday : The rundown of candidates
The wife of former president Bill Clinton is looking to make a name for herself by becoming the United States’ first female commander-in-chief. The Yale law-school graduate first came onto the scene as one of two female lawyers on the House Committee on the Judiciary considering the impeachment of Richard Nixon.
In 2000, Clinton entered into the realm of politics when she was elected to the U.S. Senate out of New York. Ever since, the former first-lady has been a mainstay in contemporary American politics.
So far this primary season, Clinton is clinging to a 74-delegate lead over chief opponent Barack Obama after silencing critics with a surprise win in New Hampshire. She is running on a platform that features a stern national healthcare plan as well as a prompt end to the Iraq war. Also, she’s received an endorsement from Hollywood superstar Jack Nicholson, according to The New York Daily News.
Place – 3rd
Voter Percentage – 29
Delegates – 15
Place – 1st
Voter Percentage – 39
Delegates – 9
Place – 1st
Voter Percentage – 51
Delegates – 12
Place – 2nd
Voter Percentage – 27
Delegates – 12
The experienced Democrat from Alaska has been a familiar face in American politics since 1963 when he was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives. However, he is most well known for releasing the Pentagon Papers, a series of information that discussed the government’s follies leading into the Vietnam War.
Running on his platform as the ultimate anti-war candidate, Gravel cites his involvement in effectively ending the military draft as well as exposing information about the war in Vietnam. For those who are unfamiliar, Gravel can be easily recognized as the outspoken white-haired candidate who promises to bring an abrupt end to the occupation in Iraq.
Gravel remains in third among the active campaigning Democrats, although he has not finished high enough to earn any delegates.
Place – 6th (Tied)
Voter Percentage – 0
Delegates – 0
Place – 6th (Tied)
Voter Percentage – 0
Delegates – 0
Place – DNP
Voter Percentage – 0
Delegates – 0
Place – DNP
Voter Percentage – 0
Delegates – 0
The senator from Illinois, who came into the national spotlight after a rousing speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, is riding his new found popularity into today’s Super Tuesday contests.
After an 8 percent victory in the initial Iowa caucus, Obama’s celebrity status escalated. He’s received endorsements from television icon Oprah Winfrey, movie stars George Clooney and Will Smith and members of the Kennedy family, a group ripe with American political tradition.
Obama is now campaigning on his bipartisan platform, trying to break down what he refers to as ‘divisive ideological politics’ while bringing both Republicans and Democrats together to work on the issues.
Place – 1st
Voter Percentage – 38
Delegates – 16
Place – 2nd
Voter Percentage – 37
Delegates – 9
Place – 2nd
Voter Percentage – 45
Delegates – 13
Place – 1st
Voter Percentage – 55
Delegates – 25
The Republican senator from Arizona holds a long-standing reputation as an American war hero. His campaign has emerged from a slow start, picking up many key endorsements, such as California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
In 1982, McCain entered the House of Representatives and eventually was elected to the Senate in 1986. As the current Republican frontrunner, McCain holds a narrow 5-delegate lead over the former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
Some may remember McCain for his unsuccessful run against George W. Bush in the 2000 Republican primary and the rumors swirling that he would become John Kerry’s running mate for the Democratic ticket in 2004. Currently, the Republican senator, who remains a favorite among independent and moderate voters, is running on a platform of his tax cut plan and victory strategy in Iraq.
Place – 3rd (Tied)
Voter Percentage – 13
Delegates – 3
Place – 4th (Tied)
Voter Percentage – 0
Delegates – 0
Place – 1st
Voter Percentage – 37
Delegates – 7
Place – 2nd
Voter Percentage – 30
Delegates – 5
Place – 3rd
Voter percentage – 13
Delegates – 4
Place – 1st
Voter Percentage – 33
Delegates – 19
Place – 1st
Voter Percentage – 36
Delegates – 57
Place – 2nd
Voter Percentage – 21
Delegates – 0
The former Massachusetts governor was elected in 2002 and earned a reputation throughout his business and public service career. While closing a $3 billion budget gap in office on top of resurrecting the winter Olympics from financial crisis, the former managing consultant burst onto the campaign scene boasting his economic know-how.
In the early stages of the campaign, Romney also made a splash due to his Mormon faith. During a few campaign stops, Romney addressed the fundamentals of his Mormon religion in order to warm up to potential voters, according to NPR.
Currently, Romney is in second place, trailing Senator McCain by five delegates heading into today’s contest. Billing himself as the Republican party’s ‘true conservative,’ Mitt hopes to ride endorsements from Robert Jones University Dean Robert Taylor and conservative talk-show host Sean Hannity to the White House.
Place – 2nd
Voter Percentage – 25
Delegates – 12
Place – 1st
Voter Percentage – 67
Delegates – 9
Place – 2nd
Voter Percentage – 32
Delegates – 4
Place – 1st
Voter Percentage – 39
Delegates – 24
Place – 1st
Voter percentage – 51
Delegates – 18
Place – 4th
Voter Percentage – 15
Delegates – 0
Place – 2nd
Voter Percentage – 31
Delegates – 0
Place – 1st
Voter Percentage – 52
Delegates – 18
The Baptist pastor shocked the political world when he went from relative unknown to winning the Iowa caucus on Jan. 3. Huckabee first stepped into the public light in 1996, taking over the reigns of governor in his home state of Arkansas, a position he held until 2007.
While earning votes largely from the evangelical Christian population (45 percent of his votes in Iowa victory), Huckabee has been entertaining potential voters with his alternative campaign style and celebrity endorsements from Hollywood action-star Chuck Norris.
Huckabee now boasts 29 delegates, good enough to earn him third place in the Republican primary race. The former Arkansas governor continues to campaign on his platform of national security and immigration reform while also supporting traditional conservative values like the pro-life movement.
Place – 1st
Voter Percentage – 34
Delegates – 17
Place – 4th (Tied)
Voter Percentage – 0
Delegates – 0
Place – 3rd
Voter Percentage – 11
Delegates – 1
Place – 3rd
Voter Percentage – 16
Delegates – 1
Place – 4th
Voter percentage – 8
Delegates – 2
Place – 2nd
Voter Percentage – 30
Delegates – 5
Place – 4th
Voter Percentage – 14
Delegates – 0
Place – 4th
Voter Percentage – 6
Delegates – 0
The candidate who advocates ‘hope for America,’ started his professional career as a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology in Texas. Paul served in Congress in the late 1970s through the early 1980s and was one of the original supporters for the Ronald Regan campaign.
Paul returned to Congress in 1997 and now serves in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Running on a platform of limited government, tax reduction and an immediate troop withdrawal from Iraq, Paul finished as high as second place in the Republican caucus in Nevada.
Paul now sits in fourth going into Super Tuesday, amassing a total of six delegates. Although the Pittsburgh native’s outlook is grim, Paul surprised many by raising more than 28 million dollars for his campaign, fifth among active campaigners (CNN).
Place – 5th
Voter Percentage – 10
Delegates – 2
Place – 4th (Tied)
Voter Percentage – 0
Delegates – 0
Place – 5th
Voter Percentage – 8
Delegates – 0
Place – 4th
Voter Percentage – 6
Delegates – 0
Place – 2nd
Voter percentage – 14
Delegates – 4
Place – 5th
Voter Percentage – 4
Delegates – 0
Place – 5th
Voter Percentage – 3
Delegates – 0
Place – 3rd
Voter Percentage – 19
Delegates – 0
Published on February 4, 2008 at 12:00 pm
