By The Lamp editorial writers
Republican Nominee
Our choice in the Republican primary for President is Sen. Marco Rubio. Rubio has the potential to bring a new face to the Republican Party. He is a young, smart politician who can offer a new direction for the Republican Party in terms of hope and restoring the American dream. Rubio’s positive message is a huge contrast to his opponents’ fear and anger.
Recent presidential elections have demonstrated that Republicans cannot win the White House with Republican votes alone. Rubio has polled well among independent voters, beating all the other candidates, except Ben Carson among independents.
Rubio, as the son of parents from Cuba, has a potential to make a mark and bring in future Latino voters, if he can return to immigration reform after the primary. This will not be easy, but is necessary if he is to have a chance against the most likely Democratic candidate, Hilary Clinton.
Rubio is smart, and has an impressive grasp of the details in the issues he is putting forward. He has also demonstrated a command of foreign policy that the other Republicans do not.
Rubio is relatively inexperienced, but his ideas are resonating, and the Republican base is looking for a new direction in this cycle.
Rubio still has a lot to learn, but he is running on restoring America’s dream. We believe his fresh approach, positive campaign, and command of the issues is what the Republican Party needs at this time.
Democratic Nominee
Bernard “Bernie” Sanders is The Lamp’s pick for the Democratic nomination.
Sanders has a lot of great ideas and ambitions. We support his goals for school funding.
He seems to care more about improving the United States, rather than bashing people and telling them to get out of America.
His strongest competition for the Democratic nod is Hilary Clinton. We believe Sanders is more honest than Clinton. He would have a wider appeal in the general election.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Sanders is 74 years old.
He previously was married from 1964 to 1966. His ex-wife is Deborah Shiling. He also has one child, Levi Sanders, who was born in 1970 to Sanders and Susan Mott.
Sanders has been married to Jane O’Meara since 1988. She has three children from a previous relationship. They have seven grandchildren.