The Possible Candidate Field

In the early maneuvering for the Democratic presidential nomination, nine party leaders have been most active in shaping the party’s internal debate.

Some may ultimately decide not to run--and other late entrants may join the race--but for now these Democrats are most aggressively contesting the issues that will be resolved in next year’s primaries.

Traditionalists--those who believe the party’s liberal traditions are its greatest strength.

Mario M. Cuomo, 59, three-term New York governor. No one breathes more fire into traditional Democratic rhetoric, but his governing record has been more ideologically eclectic.

If he enters the race, he might choose to run more as an anti-Washington outsider than the liberal redeemer.

Tom Harkin, 51, two-term Iowa senator. He has raced to the left sideline of the Democratic contest with passionate liberal speeches calling on Democrats to reject “accommodation” and sharpen their differences with the GOP.

Populist views on economics and trade could win him substantial support among organized labor if he runs.

Jesse Jackson, 49, president, Rainbow Coalition. If he runs again, he will contest Harkin for the purist position on defense, trade, economics.

Like Cuomo, he has lately condemned Washington Democrats for working too closely with President Bush.

Revisionists--those who believe the party must change to appeal to more middle-class voters.

Bill Clinton, 44, five-term Arkansas governor. With a generally progressive record as governor, he has synthesized a far-reaching critique of traditional liberal approaches to domestic policy.

His calls for programs that demand more “personal responsibility” from recipients of aid guarantee conflict with party interest groups if he runs.

Albert Gore Jr., 43, two-term Tennessee senator. On foreign policy, he has urged Democrats to embrace a more assertive international role for the United States, though lately he has tempered that with the defense of colleagues who opposed the use of force in Iraq.

As in his 1988 presidential race, his message on domestic policy remains somewhat unfocused.

Paul E. Tsongas, 50, former Massachusetts senator. The only declared candidate so far, he describes himself as a “pro-business” liberal and has called on Democrats to meld traditional liberal beliefs on social and foreign policy issues with a new business-centered approach to economics. He wants to spark a debate on trade, industrial policy and taxes.

L. Douglas Wilder, 60, one-term Virginia governor. He has combined strong support for civil rights legislation with calls for fiscal austerity more stringent than any heard in national Democratic politics for years. But his ideas have lately been overshadowed by a bitter feud with Virginia Sen. Charles S. Robb.

The Straddlers--

Richard A. Gephardt, 50, eight-term Missouri representative and House majority leader. He has some appeal to all party factions. Tough on trade and economic “fairness,” he has been close to moderates and endorsed conservative education reforms that would tie aid to academic performance.

John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, 54, two-term West Virginia senator. His Senate record on social issues, foreign policy and trade places him closer to the traditional liberal wing. But in his early presidential soundings, he has presented himself as a pragmatic problem-solver on health care and children’s issues.