When you get beyond the spin, the campaign spending, the YouTube spots, and the paid advertisements, what did the Democratic contenders in the 2008 Presidential election stand for, really? What did Hillary Clinton learn from Nixon? What does Barack Obama have in common with Justin Timberlake? Who are the two John Edwardses? Is America ready for the vegan presidency of Dennis Kucinich? What makes Al Gore rock and roll? Why do Joe Biden, Christopher Dodd, Bill Richardson, and Mike Gravel bother? Find out in this irreverent guide to the 2008 presidential candidates.

Now that the electoral cycle is nearly continuous on click-baiting “news” websites and cable television, genuine analysis of our presidential races is more precious than ever. The Contenders is an irreverent gem from 2008, which cut through the fluff to give insight into each Democratic candidate in what turned out to be a historic election season.

Featuring:
Laura Flanders on Hillary Clinton
Richard Goldstein on Barack Obama
Dean Kuipers on Al Gore
James Ridgeway on Edwards, Dodd, Biden and Gravel
and Dan Savage (with Eli Sanders) on Dennis Kucinich