Why Are So Many People Running For President?
Running for president is expensive and exhausting — but this year, some 22 people seem to think it's a good idea. There are five major candidates for the Democratic nomination and a whopping 17 on the Republican side.
But why? As it turns out, there are many reasons.
They Think They Have A Real Chance
With no incumbent president running, the race is wide open — which GOP pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson says makes a lot of people believe they have a chance.
"Running for president is a particularly unpleasant experience, and you really have to believe that you have a shot in order to subject yourself to the process," she says.
You also have to be able to sell voters on your commitment to the job. Ted Kennedy, the late senator from Massachusetts, when questioned by CBS journalist Roger Mudd in 1979, famously struggled to explain why he was considering a run for the Democratic nomination. That misstep overshadowed his campaign, and likely contributed to his loss to former President Jimmy Carter in the 1980 primary.
They're Dreaming Of A Lucky Longshot
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty was the first major candidate to drop out of the race for the 2012 Republican nomination. He says some hopefuls are drawn in because they believe their message might catch fire with voters.
"There may be some candidates who are viewed as less serious, but hopeful that they might be able to replicate what Jimmy Carter did long ago, or Bill Clinton did long ago — who were people who weren't well-known at the time, but they did sort of catch lightning in a bottle," Pawlenty says.
They Have An Agenda To Push
Others may realize that their chances of winning are slim, but run to bring attention to a particular issue or ideology.
Chris Ellis, a political scientist at Bucknell University, points to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent running for the Democratic nomination on a platform attacking economic inequality. Ellis also notes the campaign of Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky — like his father Ron Paul's in 2008 and 2012 — is promoting libertarian ideas.
They Crave The Spotlight
Even though it's grueling, Ellis says for some people, campaigning for president can be fun.
"I think anyone who runs for president has a little bit of Donald Trump in them," Ellis says, "in that they sort of like the attention, want to be famous, even if it's just to advance policy goals."
'Why Not Me?'
Sometimes, as the field gets bigger, more potential candidates think they might as well run, too.
Mo Elleithee, a former Democratic National Committee spokesman who now leads Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service, calls it the "Why Not Me?" reason.
"[They think], 'I can't believe that yahoo is running — if that yahoo can run, then why not me?' " Elleithee says. "It makes them believe that they can. Sometimes legitimately so, sometimes delusionally so."
Hoping For a Consolation Prize
Even if they know they're unlikely to win, some candidates may also have their eyes on consolation prizes. At best, they could land a vice presidential slot, or like Hillary Clinton after her failed 2008 bid for the Democratic nomination, a prominent cabinet post — positions that can increase their visibility and bone fides for another run in the future.
The Book/TV Deal
Sometimes presidential hopefuls can cash in on their modest success. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who's running again this year, wound up with his own Fox News show after his unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination in 2008.
While the campaign didn't have the outcome Huckabee had hoped for, he's done much better financially since running for the White House than he had before then.
But Pawlenty says that such a career plan has its limits: "I don't think Fox News, for example, needs 17 more commentators."
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Transcript
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
A lot of people are running to succeed President Obama. Republicans have the largest primary field ever; add in the Democrats - close to two dozen major candidates are running for president, although not BJ Leiderman, who writes our theme music. Some candidates have no political experience; others have waged failed campaigns in the past. Why are so many people running for president, especially when the chances for success can be remote? NPR's Sarah McMan (ph) - I'm sorry - Sarah McCammon tried to find out the answer.
SARAH MCCAMMON, BYLINE: With any job interview, one question you know you have to be ready for is why do you want this gig?
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
ROGER MUDD: Why do you want to be president?
MCCAMMON: The late Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy famously struggled with that question posed by CBS journalist Roger Mudd as Kennedy was considering a run for the 1980 Democratic nomination.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
TED KENNEDY: Well, I'm - were I to make the announcement to run, the reasons that I would run is because I have a great belief in this country...
MCCAMMON: On the campaign trail this year, all the candidates are giving their reasons for running.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
LINDSEY GRAHAM: I'm running because I think the world is falling apart.
JEB BUSH: The question for me is what am I going to do about it?
CHRIS CHRISTIE: We need to have strength and authority back in the Oval Office.
RAND PAUL: This message will ring from coast to coast.
BERNIE SANDERS: Wealth and income inequality.
HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: That is why I am running for president of the United States.
MCCAMMON: But why so many this year? With no incumbent president or - as far as we know - vice president running, the race is wide open. Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson says that makes a lot of people believe they have a chance.
KRISTEN SOLTIS ANDERSON: Running for president is a particularly unpleasant experience, and you really have to believe that you have a shot in order to subject yourself to the process.
MCCAMMON: Unpleasant because of the long days on the campaign trail, the endless scrutiny by the media and time away from family. Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty was the first major candidate to drop out of the race for the 2012 Republican nomination. He says some long shots get in, hoping their message will catch fire with voters.
TIM PAWLENTY: There may be some candidates who are viewed as less serious but hopeful that they might be able to replicate what Jimmy Carter did long ago or Bill Clinton did long ago.
MCCAMMON: Others may realize that their chances of winning are slim, but run to bring attention to a particular issue or ideology. Chris Ellis, a political scientist at Bucknell University, points to Republican Senator Rand Paul. Like his father, Ron Paul, who ran in 2008 and 2012, he's promoting libertarian ideas.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
PAUL: I want to talk about surveillance. I want to talk about foreign policy, and the only way to make that happen is by entering the race myself.
MCCAMMON: And even though it's grueling, Ellis says, for some people, campaigning for president is fun.
CHRIS ELLIS: I think anyone who runs for president has a little bit of Donald Trump in them, and that they sort of, you know, like the attention, want to be famous, even if it's just to advance policy goals.
MCCAMMON: Sometimes more candidates getting into the race prompts even more candidates to get in.
MO ELLEITHEE: I can't believe that yahoo is running. If that yahoo could run then why not me?
MCCAMMON: Mo Elleithee is a former Democratic National Committee spokesman who now leads Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service.
ELLEITHEE: It makes them believe that they can - sometimes legitimately so, sometimes delusionally so.
MCCAMMON: Even if they know they're unlikely to win, some may have their eyes on consolation prizes. At best, a VP slot or, like Hillary Clinton after 2008, a cabinet post. Or sometimes they can cash in. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who's running again this year, wound up with a Fox News show after his unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination in 2008. Tim Pawlenty says that approach has its limits.
PAWLENTY: I don't think Fox News, for example, needs 17 more commentators, so (laughter)...
MCCAMMON: One thing will be true for all but one of the current crop of candidates - they'll need to find other things to do when they don't get the gig. Sarah McCammon, NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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