Democrats go bold on economic plans, a deliberate contrast to 2016

WASHINGTON - Asked what her very first act as president would be, Sen. Kamala Harris had a quick answer at a recent televised town hall: enact a tax cut that would boost incomes for working families by as much as $6,000 a year.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren followed the launch of her campaign by unveiling a tax on the super-rich that backers say could raise as much as $275 billion a year.

Sen. Cory Booker, who entered the race last week, touts his plan for government-paid trust funds for every American baby, which supporters say could dramatically shrink the racial wealth gap.

Candidates in primaries battle with their personalities and life stories. Campaigns, however, also serve as contests of ideas, especially for a party trying to redefine itself after a traumatic defeat.

As the Democratic field takes shape this winter, the ideas primary is well underway. Plans for expanded health care coverage, efforts to combat global