Very recently, Hillary Clinton was the candidate for the Democratic Party – the only candidate. Though her international and economic policies are too conservative and imperialistic for many on the left, and her flip-flopping on social issues (Marriage Equality and Immigration gaining the most public outcry) have angered and upset many Democrats, the alternatives (on the Republican side) are much, much worse. As the Republican hopefuls scramble to denounce Obama, Clinton offers moderate initiatives that, while maintaining a status-quo, do not seek to destroy the progress made in the last eight years, so the far left had generally conceded to vote for Hillary with an understanding that appealing to a growing class of non-partisan voters, she could bring in a victory and keep the White House in Democratic hands for the next four (or eight) years.
Enter Bernie Sanders, a kooky self-proclaimed Socialist from Vermont who altered his candidacy status from Independent to Democrat to enter the primary. Sanders aggressively attacks the income disparity in the U.S., calling for higher taxes on the rich, campaign reform, and increased corporate regulations. He declares that the Affordable Care Act is not enough and will push for an improved health care system, while insisting the US lead the charge on the environment. Even on foreign policy and the untouchable issue of Israel and Palestine, while not ever directly criticizing the occupation, Bernie Sanders intimated that the force used in the last Gaza conflict was disproportionate and needed to be addressed.
The left is responding in droves. Crowds pour in to Sanders rallies and events, shouting their support and calling for him to lead the charge to change. Poll numbers, which portrayed Sanders as a non-contender just a few short weeks ago, now show a substantially lower gap between he and Clinton. Much like Obama in his first campaign, this “fairytale” candidate is on the rise, and the Clinton camp is worried.
The media has exploded recently with reports that Bernie Sanders has moved from the “I like him but he can’t win” candidate to an “I’m voting for Sanders!” battle cry that could upset Clinton in yet another primary race. Voters are now paying attention, listening to and agreeing with Bernie Sanders’ brand of a new political era. The unwinnable candidate is now capable of a great political upset as many begrudging Clinton supporters move over to embrace Sanders and the possibility of real political change.
The excitement, however, may be a bit short sighted. American politics, particularly with regard to the Presidential race, is divided into two parts: the inter-party Primary and the actual Presidential election. This process divides the nation not by half, but into quarters or more. The top candidates in each party attack and denounce one another, and when a winner emerges the insane process of reeling back opposition and transforming it into support begins.
Bernie Sanders might or might not beat Hillary Clinton, but either way, will he have destroyed the potential for another term of a Democratic President? As the Clinton campaign regroups to deal with Sanders as a real and viable threat, the mud slinging will no doubt begin, and vehemently so. Clinton supporters need the moderate vote in the long run, so they will be left with no choice but to attack Sanders’ far left agenda as impossible and divisive. Sanders, with his past Socialist proclamations and current platforms, will have no alternative but to sling back and attack Hillary as a business-as-usual entrenched political figure who cannot harken in change and who will maintain a populist (and funded) political agenda over and against what is right for the nation.
The two party system in America may be inherently broken and need to be overturned, but by declaring himself a Democrat, Bernie Sanders has embraced (and perpetuated) the very system he claims to denounce. He may also have destroyed the possibility for another Presidential victory for the Democrats. Clinton’s funding comes from big-money sources, making her able to operate on a grand scale but separating her from the voters and (according to many on the far left) an ability to serve the people. Sanders is funded in large part by grassroots efforts, thereby seeming for and of the people, but the Clinton campaign will no doubt soon point out that this may render him outside the DC wheel-house and touting causes that are impossible to implement within the current political climate.
Sanders is an exciting candidate, without question. He is speaking for many frustrated Americans who want a progressive social, political, international and economic agenda of change. But he is also, possibly, the downfall of the Democratic party in 2016. As he and Hillary gear up for battle against one another, are they not just doing the work for their future Republican opponent? It will be fascinating to see who, of the two, emerges victorious, but the pillages of such a war might just be the very ammunition that destroys the winner in the actual Presidential race ahead.
Enter Bernie Sanders, a kooky self-proclaimed Socialist from Vermont who altered his candidacy status from Independent to Democrat to enter the primary. Sanders aggressively attacks the income disparity in the U.S., calling for higher taxes on the rich, campaign reform, and increased corporate regulations. He declares that the Affordable Care Act is not enough and will push for an improved health care system, while insisting the US lead the charge on the environment. Even on foreign policy and the untouchable issue of Israel and Palestine, while not ever directly criticizing the occupation, Bernie Sanders intimated that the force used in the last Gaza conflict was disproportionate and needed to be addressed.
The left is responding in droves. Crowds pour in to Sanders rallies and events, shouting their support and calling for him to lead the charge to change. Poll numbers, which portrayed Sanders as a non-contender just a few short weeks ago, now show a substantially lower gap between he and Clinton. Much like Obama in his first campaign, this “fairytale” candidate is on the rise, and the Clinton camp is worried.
The media has exploded recently with reports that Bernie Sanders has moved from the “I like him but he can’t win” candidate to an “I’m voting for Sanders!” battle cry that could upset Clinton in yet another primary race. Voters are now paying attention, listening to and agreeing with Bernie Sanders’ brand of a new political era. The unwinnable candidate is now capable of a great political upset as many begrudging Clinton supporters move over to embrace Sanders and the possibility of real political change.
The excitement, however, may be a bit short sighted. American politics, particularly with regard to the Presidential race, is divided into two parts: the inter-party Primary and the actual Presidential election. This process divides the nation not by half, but into quarters or more. The top candidates in each party attack and denounce one another, and when a winner emerges the insane process of reeling back opposition and transforming it into support begins.
Bernie Sanders might or might not beat Hillary Clinton, but either way, will he have destroyed the potential for another term of a Democratic President? As the Clinton campaign regroups to deal with Sanders as a real and viable threat, the mud slinging will no doubt begin, and vehemently so. Clinton supporters need the moderate vote in the long run, so they will be left with no choice but to attack Sanders’ far left agenda as impossible and divisive. Sanders, with his past Socialist proclamations and current platforms, will have no alternative but to sling back and attack Hillary as a business-as-usual entrenched political figure who cannot harken in change and who will maintain a populist (and funded) political agenda over and against what is right for the nation.
The two party system in America may be inherently broken and need to be overturned, but by declaring himself a Democrat, Bernie Sanders has embraced (and perpetuated) the very system he claims to denounce. He may also have destroyed the possibility for another Presidential victory for the Democrats. Clinton’s funding comes from big-money sources, making her able to operate on a grand scale but separating her from the voters and (according to many on the far left) an ability to serve the people. Sanders is funded in large part by grassroots efforts, thereby seeming for and of the people, but the Clinton campaign will no doubt soon point out that this may render him outside the DC wheel-house and touting causes that are impossible to implement within the current political climate.
Sanders is an exciting candidate, without question. He is speaking for many frustrated Americans who want a progressive social, political, international and economic agenda of change. But he is also, possibly, the downfall of the Democratic party in 2016. As he and Hillary gear up for battle against one another, are they not just doing the work for their future Republican opponent? It will be fascinating to see who, of the two, emerges victorious, but the pillages of such a war might just be the very ammunition that destroys the winner in the actual Presidential race ahead.