Can Bernie Sanders Win Working Class (ahem, white) Votes?

[portlander23]

Can Bernie Sanders Win Working Class Votes?

Today, over four decades later, social issues remain major determining factors for a great percentage of white working-class voters. Since Nixon’s time, white Americans have become more likely to vote Republican, even if they are part of the working class (which has long irked Democrats). According to a poll done by the Pew Research Center, this is especially true for white evangelicals, southern whites, mormons, and white men with some college or less. In the 2014 elections, this came through when non-college educated white voters (i.e. white working class) voted 64 percent for Republicans and 34 percent for Democrats. On the other hand, the more educated one gets, the more one seems to lean Democrat (those with post-graduate degree more likely to vote Democrat 57% to 35%)

But this could change. Especially with an authentic fighter for the working class, which no one can deny that Bernie Sanders is. The Vermont Senator is injecting some old school progressive populism into 2015 politics; the kind of populism that the working class once fought so hard for. When, for example, was the last time a presidential candidate picketed with union members, as Sanders did in Iowa a few days ago? Even conservatives cannot deny the authenticity of Sanders. Jack Butler, a research assistant American Enterprise Institute, writes for the right-wing website, The Federalist:

“Unlike certain candidates, Sanders actually believes in things other than himself. He’s not afraid to tell you what he thinks about the issues. He won’t sell himself to the highest bidder. And he tries to represent his constituents.”

Sure, the “Democratic Socialist” label will scare some of the more conservative people who believe it is equivalent to Stalinism, and dedicated free marketeers will always oppose working class movements. But as Sanders becomes more and more mainstream, the people are starting to see that he is fighting for them — whether they are white, black, hispanic, asian, socially conservative or socially liberal. Anti-war protesters and blue collar workers alike could support Sanders, and this uniting ability could legitimately challenge the political establishment that has for so long weakened the middle class of America.

[HassleCat]

1. Down to the last vote

Any working class person who does not at least seriously consider voting for Sanders is a fool.

[Smarmie Doofus]

2. +1 Totally. n/t

[HooptieWagon]

3. Working class is his targeted voters, white and minorities.

[reformist2]

4. Without a doubt, especially now that the Repugs can't keep them reined in with those"family values"

[Luminous Animal]

5. PoC folks are working class, too. What the fuck are you doing here?

Quit spamming GD P. Just quit it. This is a space for discussion. Not your spam sandbox.

[portlander23]

6. People of color being working class

I concur. I bristle a bit at the use of "working class" to imply "white" as is used in the article.

[Luminous Animal]

9. The article is an analysis of white working class voters. It implies nothing.

You added your own implication.

[Skwmom]

7. Well they are trying to turn people away from Bernie with their manipulative games.

Here's to hoping they are sadly disappointed.

Minorities are also working class.

But when you can't win on the issues...

[ohnoyoudidnt]

8. I have a working class, white relative who was a Rand Paul fan.

After a little encouragement to dig more into Paul and research Sanders, he is now a very vocal Sanders supporter. That's just one. I know a few others with liberal beliefs who don't even vote who say they will go out and vote for Bernie. I am optimistic that he will do very well despite his limited funds for airtime. Social media is becoming very powerful at disseminating information and trust for TV and radio on politics is decreasing.

[Smarmie Doofus]

10. Kick and Rec.

Excellent article.

[in_cog_ni_to]

11. I'm white and have never voted for a Republican.

There's not enough money on the planet to pay me to vote for one. I have voted for Green Party candidates though. Also, black people are working class too, so I don't understand this post.