This election season has, undoubtedly, shown the most unexpected developments in recent memory. What was speculated as a Bush vs. Clinton battle became a fight that gave Clinton a run for her money and caused Jeb Bush to suspend his campaign. One of the three strongest political candidates, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and Donald Trump will most likely be the next President of the United States. Each of them sets a starkly different tone for their campaigns, voters, and possible administrations. All three have fiercely loyal supporters and fiery outspoken critics across the political spectrum. As a result, it is clear that if any one of these contenders wins the general election, it will cause one of the greatest political upsets in modern history. So, how will these three candidates shape the course of American politics? Some already have.

Hillary Clinton

It was not until this election cycle that the term, "establishment politician," became the newest dirty word in politics. The term essentially means someone who is an elitist politician who seeks to continue the status quo and is out of touch with the working class voter. Hillary Clinton fits that description. She represents the successes of the Obama administration and seeks to build on top of the President's achievements, such as the Affordable Care Act, as she so proudly proclaims herself as a progressive that likes to get things done. That is evidence that while she does want the same things as her counterpart, Bernie Sanders, she will take the more gradual approach of one step at a time.

For her administration, it will be the continuation of business as usual in Washington, which is something that a lot of voters from both parties are getting really sick of. Her supporters view her as the safest choice for the presidency. Mainstream Democrats will be in the same defensive position as they were under Obama, more liberal Democrats will want her to do even more, and Republicans will have bubbling anger and frustration waiting to explode and challenge the White House in 2020. Basically, another Obama term.

Bernie Sanders

The Senator from Vermont has been, surprisingly, the strongest foe for Hillary Clinton in an election since senator Barack Obama. His message for a political revolution resonates with many Democratic, Republican, and independent voters. Even lifelong conservative Republicans are changing parties to vote for Sanders. Bernie Sanders represents the decent achievements President Obama has made but wants to take bigger leaps towards progress. In his view, Obama's only mistake was not going far enough.

The Wall Street bailout that spurred the Occupy Wall Street movement is now embodied by Sanders who argues that next time, there won't be a bailout. Sanders claims to have helped write the Affordable Care Act, along with the Democrats; however, White House aides and lawmakers remember Sanders as difficult to work with as he wanted a single payer system.

For more liberal supporters, Sanders fulfills the craving they wanted in a progressive candidate. Compared to Sanders, Obama is a lot more of a mainstream Democrat than a liberal one. A Sanders' presidency would set the agenda for the Democrats for a generation as they fight for a single payer healthcare system, free college tuition at all public universities, greater oversight over Wall Street, a higher minimum wage, paid maternity/sick leave, etc. The age of progressivism, after President Bill Clinton said "the era of big government is over" will reach New Deal level proportions under Sanders as he expands the federal government.

Mainstream Democrats might feel a little alienated and for his critics, they view his policies as European socialism. Even as a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, Republicans will only remember the latter term and frame the battle against Sanders as the battle for the ideological soul of America. "Do we really want socialism in this country?" If Sanders were President, conservatives might gain traction in Congress and in the 2020 election as they did when President Reagan succeeded President Jimmy Carter in a rejection of liberal policies from the American people.

Donald Trump

It is no secret that President Obama frustrated Republicans to no end. He was calm, mild-mannered, and perceived as incompetent with the real issues that affect America. They craved a more aggressive president who was never afraid to tell it like it is. Enter the boisterous Donald Trump, the complete opposite of Obama's demeanor.

Trump is largely a reaction from the Republicans to President Obama and all of his perceived weaknesses and failures. His election to the presidency would give comfort to voters who can finally speak their mind without fear of being labeled as a bigot or a racist and would get more bold in their words and actions knowing that the President is as anti-politically correct as them. The Republican party would drastically change to a more nationalist party similar to many emerging in Europe as mainstream Republicans feel alienated as more right wing politicians replace them in Congress. Their agenda under Trump would continue to push away Democratic voters such as minorities and some Republicans as well while attracting extremely patriotic, extremely religious, and ethnocentric voters. As a reaction, the Democrats would fight for a resurgence back into the White House and Congress as a rejection of right-wing populism.

Final thoughts

You might have noticed that President Obama is mentioned a lot here. That is because I argue that he indirectly caused the rise of Clinton, Sanders, and Trump. All of them are fighting to replace him in 2016. His presidency set the agenda's for both parties and the platforms of all of the presidential candidates. That is his legacy when his supporters rise to continue to build on his policies and when his critics rise up to oppose them. This is the reality that every president will face when they prepare to leave office and will be no different if either Trump, Clinton, or Sanders becomes President.

When one of these politicians becomes President, there will be people reacting to their presidency. Future politicians will be inspired to either support, rework, or oppose their achievements. For President Obama, it was people like Trump and Sanders. However, Trump and Sanders, even if they lose the chance to become President, they already changed the course of politics. Sanders injected the idea that the top one percent is gaining too much power while Trump ushered in a wave of right-wing, nationalistic ideas that the American people are responding to. Clinton's win or loss will determine the future of establishment, moderate politics in the Democratic party.

However, if Clinton, Sanders, or Trump wins or loses the election, a lot of people will be upset. In the future, a younger more idealistic candidate will rise up and embody their platforms having been inspired by this presidential election. Maybe someone from our generation. When that happens, prepare for a throwback to 2016 as the modern age of conservatism, liberalism, and progressivism rise to prominence.