2016 Postmortem

Uncle Joe

(58,414 posts) Mon Feb 8, 2016, 08:28 PM Feb 2016

Bernie Sanders: America's Mainstream Candidate

It may not be what you've been told by your local, trusted corporate news conglomerate, but it's true in the hearts and minds of the majority of Americans: Bernie Sanders is the more favorable candidate for the Democratic Party's Presidential Nomination. According to the latest Gallup poll, conducted between Jan. 18 - 30, 2016, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has overtaken Sec. Hillary Clinton in national democratic net favorability ratings, +53 to +49, respectively. As for voters 64 and under, Bernie has a +11 net favorability over Hillary. For those under 30, he's a rock star, topping the former First Lady by 27 points! This poll, in which the democratic establishment candidate had previously held a substantial lead over her progressive counterpart, is a reflection of the fact that more and more Americans are beginning to hear and agree with Bernie Sanders' message. According to the same poll, Sen. Sanders is now known by 75% of citizens when, only months ago, during the mainstream media coronation of Clinton, he was a virtual unknown.

The main reason for voters' relative unfamiliarity with him was the intense and intentional mainstream media blackout of Bernie Sanders throughout the Fall, dubbed the "Bernie blackout." It wasn't until the Sanders campaign called out major networks like NBC, CBS and ABC in early January on their biased coverage (a whopping 23 to 1 ratio of Trump to Bernie despite their similar polling numbers) that they've begrudgingly begun to adjust their focus. When he was covered nationally, it was usually with open derision and disdain from establishment and corporate-owned punditry. They would talk themselves in circles over his "unelectability," or his "lack of experience," and especially his "radical views" that are far "too idealistic." All that nonsense was exposed as hollow words on the night of the Iowa Caucus.

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The mainstream media may still be in denial, but mainstream America is waking up. Sanders' calls to end a corrupt campaign finance system, to make the wealthy and corporations pay their fair share of taxes, and to put 13 million people to work rebuilding our nation's crumbling infrastructure are just a small part of his agenda that is resonating with americans of all party affiliation. His advocacy for tuition-free public colleges and universities is hitting home not only with students, but with parents and grandparents. Bernie's Medicare-For-All single-payer health plan is resonating as well; with the enormous benefit for over 95% of tax payers, where a family with a household income of $50,000 per year would enjoy a net savings of over $5,000 per year. There is very little, in fact, on Bernie Sanders' agenda that is is not widely supported by the majority of Americans according to polling of the issues.

These and other recent polling results show a stark disconnect between what corporate media is saying and what the people are saying. Is it any wonder why that is the case? It shouldn't be. Always remember whose money they represent and who they are beholden to. Bernie is running a grassroots, people-funded campaign and is therefore only beholden to us. The polls are telling the underlying truth: the more people hear Bernie, the more people like Bernie. His message is spreading like a wildfire, and the people are beginning to Feel The Bern!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/d-c-rutledge/bernie-sanders-americas-mainstream_b_9171600.html