The 2004 presidential election may be more than a year away, but there is already much discussion regarding the impending political battle. With Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman announcing his candidacy on Monday, the race has only become more heated.
Lieberman joins seven other Democratic hopefuls who have expressed interest in representing the party in the 2004 presidential election. The list includes Missouri Representative Richard Gephardt, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, North Carolina Senator John Edwards, and activist Reverend Al Sharpton.
While the list is long, Assistant Professor of American Politics Mark Hurwitz says that it will eventually dwindle down to a select few.
"It's hard to say at this point (who is going to win). But right now, I'd say that the top three candidates are Kerry, Lieberman and Edwards. The reason I'd pick those three is because they would be able to fundraise more than some of the others," he said.
Lieberman, who was Al Gore's running mate in the 2000 presidential election, holds views that are not traditionally democratic. He is a self-described "New Democrat," meaning he combines democratic policies with a conservative view of community values. For example, Lieberman supports gun control and protecting the environment, but also believes in limiting violence and sex in the entertainment industry.
Monday's announcement has given Lieberman a lot of press throughout the political environment. A main focus of Lieberman's campaign is to make sure he gains his own recognition, instead of simply being known as a would've-been vice president.
"I think that Lieberman is very different from Gore," said Hurwitz. "He is conservative on some issues, which may be his biggest problem. From a policy perspective, that might not help. He's one of the most conservative democrats to run in the past 20 years."
While the Democratic Party faces many different choices for their candidate, there is not much competition for President George W. Bush in 2004.
"Bush is still the prime candidate," said Hurwitz. "It's his election to lose. The big questions will be about whatever wars are fought in the next two years. If there is a war, if there are any oil problems ... that will be a factor."
Bush is focused on continuing America's War on Terrorism and dealing with nuclear weapons in countries like Iraq and North Korea. Lieberman has been a vocal critic of Bush's policies, stating in an address to his old high school in Stamford, Conn., "Two years ago, we were promised a better America, but that promise has not been kept."
Some students find it difficult and unimportant to become interested in elections, regardless of who is running. Junior communication major Jacob Willman is wary of the entire political system.
"I don't vote because I feel like I don't have any power. The government is going to make happen what they want, so I feel it doesn't matter if I vote or not," said Willman. "Everyone has their complaints, but what's the point of complaining? I figure you should make the best with what you have."
Even though the press has focused much of its attention on Bush and Lieberman, senior English and psychology major Justin Cuviello thinks that there is more to the election than just Republicans and Democrats.
"In the last election, Ralph Nader made a big difference. It's sad that most people in America are divided between Democrat and Republican. I might have voted for Nader, but I wanted Gore in the White House, and it wasn't very likely that Nader was going to win," said Cuviello.
Cuviello also has concerns for America that he does not think Bush has addressed.
"My main concerns would be about social security, the national debt, things like that. You know, making sure that we can support our future. Clinton had so many plans and ideas. Bush doesn't seem to do that. Since he's focused on Iraq, it seems harder for him to set those kind of goals," he said.
