The Contenders

Is there a difference between one Democratic candidate and another? Or has the electoral system leveled the field, so that it always and only comes down to money and powerful friends? For the first time in many years, the Democratic Party contenders-those who want to be president, and those who are impacting the terms of the public discussion-are placing issues and identities at the forefront of their campaigns. A black man, a Latino, and a woman are viable candidates. A populist from the South and a progressive from Cleveland are propelling the party from the center to a more liberal platform. A vice president makes a comeback. But we still have to wonder-and worry-if any of them has what it takes to turn the system around and begin to dig us out of the quagmire that this country has created at home and abroad. Some of the nation's wittiest and best-informed commentators look beyond the campaign promises, the mudslinging, and the personal testimony to present another side of the story: Will any of these politicians be able to transcend politics and make a difference?

LAURA FLANDERS is the host of RadioNation on Air America Radio. She is the author of Blue Grit: Democrats Take Back Politics from the Politicians and Bushwomen: How They Won the White House for Their Men.
RICHARD GOLDSTEIN writes regularly for The Nation. He is the author of Homocons: The Rise of the Gay Right.
DEAN KUIPERS is the managing editor of CityBeat, the alternative weekly of Los Angeles, and the author of Burning Rainbow Farm: How a Stoner Utopia Went Up in Smoke.
JAMES RIDGEWAY has authored over fifteen books and co-directed the films Blood in the Face and Feed. He has also written for Harpers, The Economist, New York Times Magazine, The Nation, The New Republic, Parade, Ramparts and The Wall Street Journal.
ELI SANDERS is the senior staff writer for The Stranger, Seattle's weekly newspaper.
DAN SAVAGE is the author of the internationally syndicated sex column "Savage Love" and the editor of The Stranger, Seattle’s weekly newspaper.