NOTE: A “SWOT” analysis is a marketing term. (I learned this from taking business and leadership classes at Concordia University in Irvine, California by the way.) Think of this analysis as a way of considering the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that affect something. Just for fun, since there is an opportunity to do one, here are some of the top 2016 presidential candidates from Democrat and Republican parties and a SWOT analysis on each of their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in this current election cycle.
This has become a very interesting election cycle, and Americans seem to agree that the establishment has been living in some parallel universe from the rest of the citizenry. As South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley said earlier this year, in response to president Barack Obama’s last State of the Union speech, “[t]he president’s record has often fallen far short of his soaring words.”
Governor Haley,quoted in the economicTimes, added this: “As [Obama] enters his final year in office, many Americans are still feeling the squeeze of an economy too weak to raise income levels. We’re feeling a crushing national debt, a health care plan that has made insurance less affordable and doctors less available, and chaotic unrest in many of our cities.”
It’s a SWOT opportunity, clearly. Starting off with the strengths of each candidate, here goes. I am listing them in no particular order, so be upset if the person you like is not named first.
STRENGTHS:
(D) Bernie Sanders
Senator Sanders has thus far shown himself strong among a broad rage of demographics. He is an unapologetic Socialist, representing Vermont, but also has a compelling life story. He comes across as authentic,
(D) Hillary Clinton
Former Secratary of State (and New York Senator) Hillary Clinton has thus far shown herself to be a contender against Sanders. She proudly allies herself with President Barack Obama, being his pick for the State Department Cabinet position. Clinton seems well organized.
(R) Donald Trump
Businessman and thus far leader of the pack as far as polling thus far. Trump seems to have support from a variety of demographics, and thus by far the front runner in people’s minds and the “guy to beat” for rivals who want to occupy the White House.
(R) Ted Cruz
Senator Cruz is a very good debater. He is well able to take on rivals as well as skewed moderators, making his points come across clearly. Cruz seems quite invested in winning, something likely observed by rival Trump, who has been floating the idea of a legal challenge because of Cruz’s “Canadian-birth” to a mother who is a U.S. citizen and a father from Cuba.
WEAKNESSES:
(D) Bernie Sanders
Senator Sanders has been, at times, the victim of younger tongues that say he is “too old.” Indeed CNN’s Anderson Cooper pointed out his age during an official democratic event, and as far as I can tell, his inquiry seemed skewed against Sanders, as Anderson did not also ask Hillary Clinton about her age.
(D) Hillary Clinton
Former Secretary of State Clinton has a real problem with those of her detractors (not all on the extreme far right side) who see her as dishonest. Her taking large speaking fees from Wall Street, her email scandals and the setting up of a private server have the FBI very busy of late (not to mention the State Department as well) sifting through thousands of her emails and finding some of them very problematic. A subpoena was sent out to the Clinton Foundation from the State Department and this perhaps does not bode well for Clinton. Talk of other Democrats taking to the field is in the air.
(R) Donald Trump
The very wealthy businessman, who is resonating with many voters, seems to have his challengers stymied. In the 2012 election cycle, it seemed Mitt Romney was dinged heavily for being a good-hearted Mormon wealthy gentleman. Romney was right about Russia, but I think it likely he lost the election because people didn’t want to vote for the nice guy who was rich and part of the much-maligned Latter Day Saints religion. Trump is very rich, and says he understands the plight of our veterans, the middle-class and the poor, but his brand of Presbyterianism doesn’t seem to bother folks when he cuts loose with some colorful descriptive remarks.
(R) Ted Cruz
Most recently, it seems Senator Cruz has been seen as a “cheater” in Iowa with the whole CNN/Dr.Carson mix up mess (See WashingtonPost story.). which may have caused Carson many votes and disheartened his volunteers. the issue of his Canadian birth certificate that rival Trump keeps mentioning as a problem. It may end up in court, which could use up financial resources too much. When put under pressure, Cruz rises to the challenge, though.
OPPORTUNITIES:
(D) Bernie Sanders
Voters are gravitating to authentic, no bullsh!t leadership, having had their fill with the existing political class establishment. Sanders is so not an establishment candidate, and people see it as a positive. Just look at Senator Sanders’ appeal among a broad rage of demographics.
(D) Hillary Clinton
Former Secretary of State Clinton allies herself proudly with President Obama and this makes her an establishment candidate. While some people just don’t like the President or the direction current leadership has taken the nation, she has been working at some issues for a long time and has some older voters who like that. Health care is one issue. She has said she will continue the fight. Also, the Clintons still have friends with deep pockets.
(R) Donald Trump
Even thought rivals say he was a democrat and is really very liberal, not many voters seem to care. So, whereas in 2012 when people said Romney was really a liberal, and it may have hurt him, I am guessing this is a very different election year and being seen as caring about the veterans, overspending and government policies so out of step with the plight of the citizenry will mean more voters turn out for him.
(R) Ted Cruz
Senator Cruz has a new Super-PAC behind him in the election, as reported by CNN. They will be spending millions of dollars to bash Ted Cruz’s Republican rivals.
THREATS:
(D) Bernie Sanders
Senator Sanders, as far as I can tell, has reached a broad range of voters who value his integrity across the decades. The only possible threat may be from his rival Clinton’s stooping to “dirty tricks” if she appears to be losing to him. Or, if other Democrats decide Clinton is “going down” and a big name jumps in to take her place against Sanders. I do not think this will hurt those who believe in their man Sanders, however.
(D) Hillary Clinton
Her main concern should be to find a way reach a broader range of voters. Unfortunately, that FBI investigation and the email dumps are still ongoing.
(R) Donald Trump
Some people in the RNC and the media absolutely hate Trump. This could be a problem, if the Republicans stack the debate crowds with loyalists who continue to boo Trump and Cruz because they want Bush or Rubio to do better. Stay tuned.
(R) Ted Cruz
Senator Cruz is not an establishment candidate, but he has been aiming for Christian voters to support him and has the issue of the CNN/Dr. Carson mixup still to adequately deal with it seems. Also, if he is seen as running a negative campaign against his rivals, people may see him as not truly espousing their deeply held values.
