Bernie Sanders Calls Democratic Presidential Debate Format 'Demeaning'

“What they are is a reality TV show in which you have to come up with a soundbite and all that stuff,” the candidate says in Tuesday interview

There are still over 16 months to go until the 2020 presidential election, but the competition to *maybe* replace Donald Trump in the White House is already stiff. 

It’s a lot to keep track of, but we’re here to help. Here’s TheWrap’s list of everyone who is running for president so far.

  • Joe Biden – Democratic Party 

    Entered Race: April 25, 2019

    The former Obama VP was a late entry to the race, formally declaring his run for the presidency on April 25. But he’s long been a presumed frontrunner, leading many early polls. This is his third presidential run, and for months he’s been telling anyone who’ll listen that he’d be the most qualified candidate for the job. He’s also already been under scrutiny over criticism about his behavior with women, prompting him to post a video promising he’d be “more mindful and respectful” of a woman’s “personal space.”

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  • Beto O’Rourke  – Democratic Party

    Entered Race: March 14, 2019

    The former congressman from El Paso, Texas, announced he is running for president on March 14, saying: “This is a defining moment of truth for this country and for every single one of us,” and that the challenges have never been greater. “They will either consume us, or they will afford us the greatest opportunity to unleash the genius of the United States of America,” he added. O’Rourke has already made a name for himself as a record-breaking fundraiser, the subject of an HBO documentary and a favorite among Hollywood elite.

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  • Bernie Sanders – Democratic Party

    Entered Race: Feb. 19, 2019

    Bernie Sanders, the runner-up in the 2016 contest for the Democratic nomination, has recorded a campaign video in which he says he is running for president in 2020, according to a report in Politico.

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  • Elizabeth Warren – Democratic Party

    Entered Race: Feb. 9, 2019

    The Massachusetts Senator formally announced her candidacy on Feb. 9 at a rally in her home state, and shortly after followed up with a tweet that read: “I believe in an America of opportunity. My daddy ended up as a janitor, but his little girl got the chance to be a public school teacher, a college professor, a United States Senator – and a candidate for President of the United States. #Warren2020.”

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  • Tulsi Gabbard – Democratic Party

    Entered Race: Jan. 11, 2019

    Gabbard, a U.S. Representative for Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district, endorsed Bernie Sanders in 2016, but in 2020 she’s all-in on herself. Gabbard is running on immigration and criminal justice reform. 

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  • Julián Castro – Democratic Party

    Entered Race: Jan. 12, 2019

    The former mayor of San Antonio — and former Obama cabinet member — supports immigration reform and eliminating lead poisoning. 

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  • Kirsten Gillibrand – Democratic Party

    Entered Race: Jan. 15, 2019

    The Senator from New York announced her bid Tuesday, Jan. 15 on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.” Gillibrand, whose campaign slogan is “Brave Wins,” supports paid family leave and protecting women’s rights. 

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  • Kamala Harris – Democratic Party

    Entered Race: Jan. 21, 2019

    The California senator announced her bid for the presidency on Martin Luther King Jr. Day,  Jan. 21, while appearing on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” As a possible indication of her chances, her January CNN town hall was the network’s highest rated single presidential candidate town hall ever. Harris is pro Medicare-for-all and raising teacher pay. 

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  • Pete Buttegieg – Democratic Party

    Entered Race: April 14, 2019

    The 37-year-old mayor of South Bend, Indiana would become the first openly gay presidential nominee from a major political party. Buttigieg’s platform includes a plan to further empower Black America and economic reform. 

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  • Cory Booker – Democratic Party

    Entered Race: Feb. 1, 2019

    The New Jersey senator and former mayor of Newark formally tossed his name into the presidential hat on Feb. 1, the first day of Black History Month. Booker plans to end mass incarceration if he were to be elected president. 

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  • Marianne Williamson – Democratic Party

    Entered Race: Jan. 28, 2019

    The “Healing the Soul of America” author and founder of Project Angel Food announced her candidacy during a political rally at the Saban Theater in Los Angeles on Jan. 28. If elected president, Williamson would be in favor of reparations and “economic justice for women and children.”

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  • Andrew Yang – Democratic Party

    Entered Race: Nov. 6, 2017

    The entrepreneur and son of immigrant parents from Taiwan became a contender a year ago, telling The New York Times that he will advocate for a universal basic income. 

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  • John Delaney – Democratic Party

    Entered Race: July 28, 2017

    The U.S. Representative for Maryland’s 6th district declared back in July 2017. He says he’ll “end reckless trade wars and expand trade,” “create a universal health care system” and “launch a national AI strategy.”  

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  • Amy Klobuchar – Democratic Party

    Entered Race: Feb. 10, 2019

    The Minnesota Democrat, first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006, announced her bid on Feb. 10, 2019, saying that she wanted to work for “everyone who wanted their work recognized.”  Klobuchar’s key issues she wants to tackle if elected president include revising voting rights protections and prioritizing cybersecurity. 

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  • Jay Inslee – Democratic Party 

    Entered Race: March 1, 2019

    The Governor of Washington is running on a platform focused on climate change, proposing a “100% Clean Energy for America Plan” that would see emissions drop to zero by 2035. 

  • John Hickenlooper

    Entered Race: March 4, 2019

    The former Colorado governor supports stricter gun control laws and free trade.  

  • Michael Bennet –  Democratic Party

    Entered Race: May 2, 2019

    The Colorado senator has been a vocal supporter on advancing the field of artificial intelligence and expanding the Child Tax Credit. 

  • Wayne Messam – Democratic Candidate

    Entered Race: March 28, 2019

    The mayor of Miramar, Florida, a city near Miami, is a first-generation American who  has called for end the filibuster and erasing student debt.

  • Tom Steyer – Democratic Party 

    Entered Race: July 9, 2019

    The billionaire and climate change activist entered the race in July, saying in a video “if you think that there’s something absolutely critical, try as hard as you can and let the chips fall where they may. And that’s exactly what I’m doing. My name’s Tom Steyer, and I’m running for president.”

  • Joe Sestak – Democratic Party

    Entered Race: June 23, 2019

    The former Pennsylvania Congressman has a plan for America that includes investing in American manufacturing and strengthening antitrust laws. 

  • Bill De Blasio – Democratic Party 

    Entered Race: May 16, 2019

    The New York City mayor is looking for more taxes for the wealthy and regulating “gig jobs” under his proposed Universal Labor Standards if he were to be presdient. 

     

     

     

  • Steve Bullock – Democratic Party 

    Entered Race: May 14, 2019

    The Montana governor supports universal health care and immigration reform. 

  • Tim Ryan – Democratic Party 

    Entered Race: April 4, 2019

    The Ohio congressman is running a platform that includes education reform and promoting renewable energy. 

     

  • Seth Moulton – Democratic Party  

    Entered Race: April 22, 2019

    The Massachusetts congressman and Iraq War veteran is a proponent of promoting mental health, investing in cyber weapons in wartime efforts and the Green New Deal. 

  • Eric Swalwell 

    Entered Race: April 8, 2019

    Dropped Out: July 8, 2019

    The California congressman’s wrote in a statement on his campaign’s website on his decision to bow out of the 2020 presidential race: ” I’ll never forget the people I met and lessons I learned while travelling [sic] around our great nation – especially in the communities most affected by gun violence.”

  • Honorable Mention:  Howard Schultz  –
    Independent 

    Like Biden, the former Starbucks CEO hasn’t formally declared, but he’s teased a possible run as an independent on the book tour for his autobiography. Given widespread fears that a third party candidate could help ensure a Trump victory, so far Schultz’s hypothetical candidacy isn’t going over well, according to a recent poll.

    On June 12, Shultz reportedly suspended his campaigning until after Labor Day, citing medical issues. 

    Schultz is a co-founder of the venture capital firm Maveron, which is an investor in TheWrap.

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  • The crop of candidates includes Joe Biden, Beto O’Rourke, Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Kamala Harris and more

    There are still over 16 months to go until the 2020 presidential election, but the competition to *maybe* replace Donald Trump in the White House is already stiff. 

    It’s a lot to keep track of, but we’re here to help. Here’s TheWrap’s list of everyone who is running for president so far.

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