By Corey Krajewski
Staff Writer
With 2016 Presidential candidates beginning to officially announce their campaigns, the current race for the Republican presidential bid seems to be anyone’s game. There are many candidates running, and not a single one seems to be clearly ahead. In such a wide-open race, for one to win, they must actively distinguish themselves from their competition.
Of the many names in the race right now, several are recognizable. Jeb Bush, a former governor of Florida, son of former President George H.W. Bush as well as the brother of former President George W. Bush, is a potential candidate. For now, Bush’s name is hurting more than helping, as a recent poll of the GOP showed he was the most opposed potential candidate from party members. Other candidates with distinguishing names include Senator Rand Paul, son of three-time candidate Ron Paul.
Paul, along with Senator Ted Cruz from Texas, and Senator Marco Rubio from Florida, present the three youthful candidates attempting to win the candidacy from congress positions. All three have only been in the senate for fewer than five years, but each has successfully gotten his name out on a national scale. Paul is an avowed supporter of the Tea Party and is trying to build a base by appealing to them. Rubio and Cruz are attempting to appeal to non-European-American demographics, as both of them are Hispanic-American.
Scott Walker, governor of Wisconsin, has been polling highly as of late, and in a recent poll by CNN, only trailed Jeb Bush. Walker is a divisive figure in the Republican Party, whose actions as governor led to him facing a recall election that he narrowly won. Walker has many strong stances on issues such as workers’ rights, making him a hero to some but a monster to others.
Chris Christie, governor of New Jersey, is another first-time candidate who has gained some national attention. After the last election, long-term forecasting saw him as a major potential candidate, but some scandals during his administration have weakened him. If he is able to show some recovery from those scandals, he has the potential to be a strong candidate due to his solid record as governor and likable personality.
The race also features candidates from prior elections, including Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum and Rick Perry. These candidates do have experience in the primaries, and are candidates to watch if they learn and develop from their prior campaigns, and use their experience to their advantage.
Other candidates include non-political figures such as business magnate Donald Trump and neurosurgeon Ben Carson. These candidates are already lagging behind in opinion polls and are unlikely to establish a true base, but due to their nature as non-traditional candidates, will find some media attention.
Right now, the race is wide open, and anyone could come out on top. While Bush and Walker are leading now, their figures in opinion polls are not high enough to cast away any doubt. This has shaped up to be a race that will likely have dramatic changes throughout, and it is doubtful that those leading the polls now will even be in the lead when the primaries actually begin.
crajewcj11@bonaventure.edu
