Why Bernie Sanders wins the crowds
CNN)—Bernie Sanders is drawing some large and enthusiastic crowds.
In New Hampshire at the Keene Recreation Center, which can hold more than 750 people, the place was packed to capacity with an overflowing crowd outside eager to hear him speak. This comes as a surprise. After all, Sanders has been a Democratic socialist for much of his political career. It would seem he is too far left on the political spectrum to be taken seriously.
The senator from Vermont is gaining attention among candidates and the press. Although some observers have explained the Sanders phenomenon as a product of Democratic politics shifting to the left, the truth is that much of what he has to say resonates with a broad spectrum of middle-class voters. Even if some of his solutions are far too much government for a broad portion of the electorate, what he's saying about American politics is resonating with voters.
A brief look at Sanders' stump speeches quickly reveals the senator is not always as "radical" as many people believe him to be. In many ways, he is as American as apple pie.
One of the biggest issues that helped Sanders gain traction is his passion for revitalizing the middle class.
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Economic inequality is not inevitable, in his mind. Polls show Americans are greatly concerned about the damaging reverberations of the Supreme Court's Citizens United case, which opened the floodgates to private money in campaigns. Sanders is unabashedly a critic of super PACs, large donations, and exorbitant campaign expenses. If it were up to him, the senator would revitalize the Watergate-era campaign finance reforms and go even further. He taps into deep discontent when he tells voters, "Enough is enough. This great nation and its government belong to all of the people, and not to a handful of billionaires, their super PACs and their lobbyists."
And, in an age when so many politicians seem to be scripted and elected officials willing to say anything to do better in the polls, Sanders actually believes in something.
Sanders believes in government.
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But Sanders' arguments will continue to resonate with middle-class voters and his speeches will put immense pressure on Clinton and other Democrats. Even if Sanders is too far left, candidates in both parties should listen to what he is saying and learn about some of the concerns that are shaping the electorate.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/15/opinions/zelizer-bernie-sanders/
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