There are more than 20 candidates who have announced their intention to run for president of the United States, 17 Republicans and five Democrats with potentially more to come

I want to take a moment and look at some similarities between candidates, including candidates from different parties. First, as a First Amendment supporter let's look at two candidates who should have everyone nervous in regard to freedom of the press, open meetings and open records.

Clinton and Walker

The first, of course, is former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Her secrecy and other baggage is well documented, most recently with using private email server and private email accounts while secretary of state. First it shows poor judgement but then there's questions about emails missing and what was she trying to hide by using private email instead of the government email? Where is the transparency?

We won't even get into when she was First Lady and secrets under the Clinton Administration.

But Clinton is not the only candidate with open records issues. Let's look at Republican candidate, Scott Walker, Wisconsin governor.

In 2011, Walker signed a controversial bill that for opponents, effectively ended collective bargaining rights for public employees. The bill was controversial for what it meant regarding the collective bargaining rights, but more so for the way in which it passed the Republican-dominated Wisconsin Legislature. There were outcries that open meeting laws were broken. Walker saw no problem with closed door meetings and deals to get the bill that he supported passed. He could have not signed the bill and said the bill needed to be passed openly, with discussion and action completed appropriately and without any perception of secrecy. He didn't.

With that mentality, don't expect a transparent presidency.

And, if you're thinking that was four years ago and this is now, just recently, according to news reports, there is a budget measure before the Wisconsin Legislature that would exempt from the Wisconsin open records laws nearly all records created by state and local government officials.

Walker has not come out in opposition of this measure; opponents of Walker speculate he was behind the measure and since he had no problem about secrecy in 2011, it's not all that far-fetched of a speculation.

Both Clinton and Walker have issues when it comes to government transparency, something to be concerned about for those wanting a transparent White House and openness from the presidency.

These two candidates are not the only ones with things in common.

Trump and Sanders

Let's look at another Republican-Democratic duo - Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders. Trump has been a front runner for the GOP since about the time he announced his candidacy. Sanders continues to gain on Clinton and leads in some polls.

The two have things in common that could explain the leads. First, they both speak their minds. You know exactly where they stand no matter what organization they are speaking to, no matter which broadcaster is interviewing them, which lobbyist is in the area.

Another commonality, that I recently saw on the news, is their speech pattern, specifically with the word huge, which is pronounced by Trump and Sanders more like yooge.

Another commonality that is likely a main reason they are leading, is that they can't be bought. Sanders is running a grassroots campaign. He's not seeking huge endorsements and donations.

Trump doesn't need donations or endorsements or the blessings and funding of the Koch brothers.

The American people are tired of billionaires selecting the next presidential candidate. They are tired of not knowing where candidates stand on issues from one week to the next or one primary to the next general election. There is a reason one of the most liked Facebook memes is the one that states Congressmen should wear sponsors like NASCAR drivers so you know who has bought their vote.

Another commonality is that Trump and Sanders, despite what pundits say, are talking about issues and what they would do. Many GOP candidates are focusing on President Obama, so much that at times you begin to wonder if they realize that President Obama is not, nor can he, seek a third term.

And, of course, there's the hair jokes for both Trump and Sanders. They both have unique styles.

Also, especially with the case of Sanders, they are appealing, and appearing as common folk. Even Trump, with his "Let's Make America Great Again" ball cap and casual attire isn't trying to show off his millions - except when he arrives via helicopter to an event.

And, especially with Trump, they are not career politicians.

People are tired of the same old, same old, when it comes to candidates. They want someone different, someone who appears to have America and Americans at the center of their campaign, and not campaign contributions.