The Guardian: 10 reasons why voters are turning to Bernie Sanders
Last week, in the wake of the Iowa caucuses, we asked our readers in the US to tell us who their preferred Democratic candidate would be. We received a staggering number of responses: over 12,000, in just a few days. The overwhelming majority told us they were backing Sanders.
Unsurprising, perhaps. Given our readership, it was expected that Sanders would get a strong showing in such a call-out. But the sheer strength of feeling and heartfelt responses reminded us of when we asked our readers about another unlikely candidate: the British Labour party’s Jeremy Corbyn.
Readers flocking to Sanders’ burgeoning campaign rallies found their way to our own inboxes. Reading through the thousands of responses, which came from all States and from people of varied backgrounds and ages, certain phrases and arguments repeated themselves many times. “He’s the last chance to change our country.” “We need a revolution, and he’s the only one that offers something different.” He is “authentic”, has “integrity” and isn’t “owned by Wall Street”.
Here are 10 reasons our readers gave for supporting Sanders over Clinton.
1) He’s seen as a challenge to the status quo...
What came through loud and clear was the fury at mainstream American politics, echoing the populist support for (the really rather different) Donald Trump on the Republican side. Sanders appeals to those who feel the entire democratic system has broken down.
Sanders is representing my interests. For decades American politics have been a sham, elections bought and paid for by special interests and corporations. They have wrecked the environment, caused the biggest financial crisis in history and are using their deep pockets and for profit agendas to marginalize people’s needs even further.
Shaz Plunkett, Los Angeles CA
2) ... whereas Clinton is viewed as more of the same
Clinton paints herself as the pragmatist who gets things done, but after New Hampshire she may need to further emphasise her progressive credentials if she’s going to win over those turning to Sanders.
I have no grudge with Hillary Clinton, but she had her chance eight years ago. She is old news, with plenty of controversy, baggage and history that will bring out Republicans in droves to vote against her.
Steve Guion, Fairfax, Virginia
More: http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/feb/12/bernie-sanders-voters-supporters-10-reasons-why-us-election-2016?CMP=fb_us
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Response to Lorien (Original post)
Response to Enthusiast (Reply #15)
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What Enthusiast said.
