The history is already made; the news headlines are already printed; the banners are already hanging; it all reads “First Female President” and “Hillary beats Trump with strong Democratic majority.” This seems to be the general consensus of those who believe that all of the support in an overwhelmingly large Democratic party will fall to Hillary Clinton. Despite this, many are forgetting about the fact that the Bernie Sanders supporters are supporting the idea of a grassroots politician as much as they are “Feeling the Bern.”
Ever since the 2008 economic recession, the vast majority of the American public is frustrated with politicians who have been working in Washington D.C. for years. The bank bailouts and never-ending war have the public hoping for a change in leadership. The only two candidates left in the election who truly exemplify this ideal are Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump. These candidates only make decisions based on their beliefs. Large donors cannot sway their opinions and policies because Bernie’s voter population completely funds his campaign (with an average donation of 27 dollars), and Trump’s campaign is funded out of pocket. This gives the general public confidence that they will be heard rather than super PACs and corporations. Sanders voters will gravitate towards Trump because he shares this trait with Bernie.
Another reason that support will swing from Bernie to Trump after the primary election is that many Sanders supporters, no matter what happens, will not vote for Hillary. Some Sanders supporters are speaking out and saying that they would rather vote for Trump, or not vote at all, than vote for Hillary. In an interview with MSNBC, Susan Sarandon said, “I think Bernie would probably encourage people, because he doesn’t have any ego in this thing… Sorry, I just can’t bring myself to [vote for Clinton].” She does not stand alone with this opinion. Hillary will not get the Democratic vote simply because she is the Democratic candidate. The Bernie Sanders voters will vote for Trump or not vote at all if Bernie does not get the nomination. Voters and political scientists alike feel that the overwhelming population that “Feels the Bern” does not think that Hillary would adequately represent them.
Some political scientists predict the exact phenomenon in discussion. They too believe that the Bernie support will fall to Trump and not Hillary. Dominic Dyer, CNBC correspondent in London, said, "[Hillary Clinton] is part of that American political establishment that people are extremely suspicious of. I have no doubt that some of the grand swell of support that's gone to Bernie Sanders could move over to Trump, and I don't think we should underestimate the impact of that." Dyer agrees that those who support Sanders support the idea of outside politicians stronger than they support the Democratic Party. The trickery and shade that surrounds Hillary make it difficult for voters who do not support her policies to vote for her. Hillary’s role in the Benghazi attack and her less than stellar history (including being kicked off of the Nixon administration for unethical work and supposedly counting millions made from speeches as untaxed donations towards the Clinton Foundation) do not turn the Bernie voter towards supporting her at all.
With the history of the past in their minds, the chaos of the present in their eyes, and the hope for a different future in their hearts, voters will be unable to shift support from Sanders to Clinton if he loses the primary election. Those who “Feel the Bern” today will “Make America Great Again” tomorrow.
The history is already made; the news headlines are already printed; the banners are already hanging; it all reads “First Female President” and “Hillary beats Trump with strong Democratic majority.” This seems to be the general consensus of those who believe that all of the support in an overwhelmingly large Democratic party will fall to Hillary Clinton. Despite this, many are forgetting about the fact that the Bernie Sanders supporters are supporting the idea of a grassroots politician as much as they are “Feeling the Bern.”
Ever since the 2008 economic recession, the vast majority of the American public is frustrated with politicians who have been working in Washington D.C. for years. The bank bailouts and never-ending war have the public hoping for a change in leadership. The only two candidates left in the election who truly exemplify this ideal are Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump. These candidates only make decisions based on their beliefs. Large donors cannot sway their opinions and policies because Bernie’s voter population completely funds his campaign (with an average donation of 27 dollars), and Trump’s campaign is funded out of pocket. This gives the general public confidence that they will be heard rather than super PACs and corporations. Sanders voters will gravitate towards Trump because he shares this trait with Bernie.
Another reason that support will swing from Bernie to Trump after the primary election is that many Sanders supporters, no matter what happens, will not vote for Hillary. Some Sanders supporters are speaking out and saying that they would rather vote for Trump, or not vote at all, than vote for Hillary. In an interview with MSNBC, Susan Sarandon said, “I think Bernie would probably encourage people, because he doesn’t have any ego in this thing… Sorry, I just can’t bring myself to [vote for Clinton].” She does not stand alone with this opinion. Hillary will not get the Democratic vote simply because she is the Democratic candidate. The Bernie Sanders voters will vote for Trump or not vote at all if Bernie does not get the nomination. Voters and political scientists alike feel that the overwhelming population that “Feels the Bern” does not think that Hillary would adequately represent them.
Some political scientists predict the exact phenomenon in discussion. They too believe that the Bernie support will fall to Trump and not Hillary. Dominic Dyer, CNBC correspondent in London, said, "[Hillary Clinton] is part of that American political establishment that people are extremely suspicious of. I have no doubt that some of the grand swell of support that's gone to Bernie Sanders could move over to Trump, and I don't think we should underestimate the impact of that." Dyer agrees that those who support Sanders support the idea of outside politicians stronger than they support the Democratic Party. The trickery and shade that surrounds Hillary make it difficult for voters who do not support her policies to vote for her. Hillary’s role in the Benghazi attack and her less than stellar history (including being kicked off of the Nixon administration for unethical work and supposedly counting millions made from speeches as untaxed donations towards the Clinton Foundation) do not turn the Bernie voter towards supporting her at all.
With the history of the past in their minds, the chaos of the present in their eyes, and the hope for a different future in their hearts, voters will be unable to shift support from Sanders to Clinton if he loses the primary election. Those who “Feel the Bern” today will “Make America Great Again” tomorrow.
