US election race: Bernie Sanders beating Hillary Clinton in Democratic Primary poll
![Force for change: Bernie Sanders has overwhelmingly won the support of young and low-income Democratic Party voters [Image: Getty].](http://voxpoliticalonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/160219berniesandersGetty-1024x768.jpg)
Force for change: Bernie Sanders has overwhelmingly won the support of young and low-income Democratic Party voters [Image: Getty].
Both unashamedly describe themselves as “socialist”. Both have won the support and enthusiasm of people on low incomes and young voters, despite being much older men themselves.
Both are challenging the current political and economic consensus.
In the States, Mr Sanders’ challenge to Hillary Clinton is being taken seriously, with her campaign taking a swing to the left-wing in response – but this shows that all the initiative is on his side.
Here, the Tory-owned press has been slow to accept that Mr Corbyn poses any real challenge, despite the fact that the Conservative Government’s policies have proven to be self-serving foolishness.
It will be interesting, therefore, to observe the progress of the US election campaign.
While Mr Sanders has a huge amount of grassroots support, and it is growing, Ms Clinton has arranged for a large number of delegates to support her at the nominating convention, when the name of the Democratic Presidential candidate will be decided.
She has stronger connections with the Democratic Party establishment, you see – having been the wife of one president, and having held an office in the administration of another.
You may feel that this is an underhand, un-Democratic way to win a nomination, if it succeeds. Also, would the Democrats lose popular support if they name Hillary Clinton over the man who is making all the headway?
More importantly for those of us on the eastern side of the Atlantic, will Jeremy Corbyn’s fortunes echo those of Bernie Sanders – for better or worse?
Bernie Sanders is beating Hillary Clinton in a nationwide opinion poll of likely Democratic primary voters for the first time.
The Fox News survey has Mr Sanders on 47 per cent among likely voters and Ms Clinton trailing three points behind on 44 per cent.
The independent socialist senator from Vermont is up from ten points from 37 per cent in January while the former First Lady and Secretary of State is down five points from 49 per cent a month ago.
The poll is by definition an outlier – but suggests a closing gap between the two candidates in the race.
Ms Clinton’s overall lead in news network CNN’s polling average has narrowed to just six points.
Mr Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, has ridden a wave of support from young and low income people to run the Demoratic establishment candidate favourite close.
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I had the enormous good fortune to be at Bernie Sanders’ inaugural campaign rally in Burlington, Vermont last spring when visiting my son – this was his very first official campaign rally and the organisers expected around 2500 – in the event, nearer 5000 turned up! The atmosphere was electric and, just like the Corbyn Rallies here later in the year there was a HUGE appetite for change and a new, more open, politics. Of course Bernie’s detailed policies reflect American concerns – but the underpinning of opposition to corporate greed and power grabs, support for ordinary citizens and a commitment to real democracy was absolutely in step. We *need* both these men elected – and if Bernie is successful in actually making it to the White House that would inform, encourage and ehnance the Corbyn campaign here :)
Whatever he claims, it’s not true that Bernie Sanders is a socialist. By American standards he’s a leftie, but by any other measure he’s a couple of notches left-of-centre. That still makes him by far the most radical option available of course, and therefore his success is essential. He’s the only candidate who is even prepared to discuss the working poor, whereas everyone else insists on discussing the middle classes only. But even so, those expecting, say, an end to the free market under Sanders will be very disappointed.
Apparently, he might have some trouble with the ‘black’ vote, if Channel 4 news is to be believed ? I’ve given up on the BBC, just don’t trust them anymore.
I think he’s working to bring the ethnic minority population onside.
In answer to your introductory question – yes, definitely, especially with the timing and appeal to many younger people. RT’s ‘Big Picture’ with Thom Hartman covers a lot of US Politics, and has been following Bernie Sanders, among others very well. It is on at 4 am weekdays so probably best to record. Certainly encouraging to see something like this happening in America.
I see the parallels with Ron Paul who had the same sort of platform and huge support from the young and then withdrew at the last moment when it became clear he was controlled opposition. Gilad Atzmon, who is worth listening, to believes this of Bernie.
I hope we are wrong! Time will tell but the bitterness among the young was very very sad when Ron Paul withdrew. Many gave up all hope and if this has been reignited with Bernie and then the same thing happens it will be devastating.
But yes, if it is genuine then it is very encouraging with Corbyn growing stronger all the time. Not that you would notice it with the lame stream media.
“Lame stream media” – I like that a lot!
“Here, the Tory-owned press has been slow to accept that Mr Corbyn poses any real challenge, despite the fact that the Conservative Government’s policies have proven to be self-serving foolishness.”
But isn’t that exactly the attitude they took towards JC when he first threw his hat in there Leadership ring? And look what happened then!