The presidential race has heating up in the past few weeks by the emergence of Billionaire Donald Trump (Republican) and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders (Democrat). They have raised eyebrows by their populist rhetoric that strikes a chord with people’s frustration with the stagnated partisan government thereby embracing the underdog persona.People are apprehensive towards dynasties of Bush and Clinton to clash again by setting the stage between Hilary Clinton and Jeb Bush so they are now persuaded by the populist voices of Trump and Sanders. This ever-growing political capitalization is mildly reminiscent of the past wave of Barack Obama (2008), Bill Clinton (93), Ronald Reagan (1980) or John F. Kennedy (1960). In comparison to other flash in the pan (populist) candidates in the past like Fred Thompson, Ralph Nader, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rand Paul, Barry Goldwater, Bob Dole, Ross Perot and so on, it seems that Trump and Sanders will be in the headlines for a substantive period. Trump is presently leading the Republican metaphoric clown car race with a 20-22 percent lead while Sanders has overtaken Hilary Clinton in New Hampshire which is a key primary battleground state. People are apprehensive towards dynasties of Bush and Clinton to clash again by setting the stage between Hilary Clinton and Jeb Bush. The present tidal wave of these candidates are likely to dim out before their respective party’s presidential nomination. I believe that Donald Trump emergence is less sustainable compared to Bernie Sanders and I will explain why.
Donald Trump; the bigger than life personality that exudes emotion, pride, charisma, witty and decisive politically-incorrect candor. He has rose to Republican stage by ruffling feathers with the establishment Republicans, making misguided accounts on Mexican illegal immigration, somewhat misogynistic banter with Megyn Kelly(Fox News) and Hilary Clinton and his quick to respond trigger fingered Twitter responses. He has shown great appeal and support from the Tea party faction of the Republican party who are tired of their representatives not conservative enough or aren’t sticking to their anti-Barack Obama stance. Donald Trump is a visual and auditory reminder for the dissent for the current Republican caucus. There is a growing dysfunction between the Tea party and the establishment because of Donald Trump. Donald Trump who is not been cuddled by the finances of Super-PAC and party’s contributions has openly pronounced his campaign could be personally resourced. Trump has stolen the hearts of Republicans who want a ” conservative man of the people” candidate with a blunt and honest tongue which are at the core of Barry Goldwater-era conservatism and Ronald Regan. The problem with Donald Trump is “Donald Trump”. Trump words will eventually catch up with him, his words not policies has been the foundation of his campaign. Trump will continue to ruffle feathers as time progresses and might run into a huge hole of controversy that he might not recover from. Soon, people might begin to wonder if this “Trumpmania” is a rouse for shock value that eventually spill to bigger business opportunities or set the stage for a new television show. Trump has followed the typical Republican script of “attack existing policies with no alternative ideas”. His bandwagon fans are more captivated about what he would say next not necessarily what he would for the America. In a short summary, Donald is surely flashy, controversial and commanding but with no ideological vigor and substance that can either last long enough for the final nomination or even face the eventual Democratic candidate.
Bernie is often seen as cranky, charismatic, talkative, intuitive and resourceful. Bernie Sanders often described as a democratic socialist (which is antithetic to 80’s Reganomics) has been a staunch advocate for stronger middle class economy, higher taxes on the extremely wealthy class, increased minimum wages,stronger unions regulation of Wall-street, de-monopolizing the banking sector,universal pre-kindergarten, free higher education, infrastructure development, anti-Super PAC and reducing corporations’ lobbying. He and Elizabeth Warren are the strongholds of the far left (progressive liberals). He has taken on the social and economic issues as his primary core of his campaign. He wants to reduce income and wealth inequality which is a pervasive economic condition hitting America. His has never been swayed from his ideology which often causes friction with some business friendly Democrats. Liberal progressives have wanted a voice against the now prominent center minded Democrats, which are prominent because of the emergence of the far-right winged Tea party who occasionally subverted government indirectly pulled Democrats to the center. His emergence is also attributed to America’s weariness of family dynasty of Clinton. Bill and Hilary Clinton have in the political spotlight for over 20 years and have been directly and indirectly involved in shaping the present day government. Finally, people gravitate towards Bernie fiery oratory that has provided a spark among in the hearts of Americans. Some moderate Republicans prefer Bernie to Hilary as seen in massive crowd turnout in conservative cities in Dallas (8000), Houston (5000), Phoenix (11,000). His populist agenda is garnering attention across party lines which might create stronger momentum relative to Trump. Bernie’s chances are limited by his inability to really connect with minority and women votes thereby expanding his base. He has been overshadowed by Clinton in those constituencies.Also, he has not fully used his current pedestal to inform his foreign policy stance. He has an good record in foreign policy voting which includes voted against Iraq war, voting against removal of Saddam Hussein, voted against reauthorizing troops in Iraq and voted for troops withdrawal in 2007. This election is going to be ultimately on foreign policy which Hilary has a leg up over him since she was a former Secretary of State. The economy has been resurrected from financial grave and heads upwards but still needs additional reforms to strengthen its trajectory but the electorate are infatuated with ISIS, Iran nuclear deal, NSA spying and Ukrainian crisis.
Bernie and Trump share a passion that is antagonistic towards the current mold of government in both parties and are generating a populist buzz that resonates with the American’s angst of the establishment which will keep them afloat in the polls for a while. Trump and Bernie are both emotional, astute and charismatic but Bernie has more ideological substance and resounding analytic agenda relative to Trump. Trump might inadvertently run as independent because of the growing resentfulness with the Republican establishment who deem him as “callous” which he will hurt them by stealing some of their caucus indirectly solidifying the Democrats (Bill Clinton) narrow win (Remember what Ross Perot did to George Bush in 1993 election). Trump is a controversial divider within the Republican party while Bernie is a economic mouthpiece of the forgotten progressives which is will surely cement the Democrats base even if he loses. Sanders’ progressive platform has started pulling Clinton closer to the left in order to win the Democratic nomination so by all means he has made impact. While Trump words are colloquially; “accidents that keeps happening” rendering establishment republicans, Tea party and Fox news to their ungoing embarrassment .Regardless both candidates are still faced with an uphill battle to reach the final nomination but Bernie has a better chance.
But how cool with it be if Trump won the Republican nomination which will surely deliver the next POTUS to Democrats………..We can only dream..
💡Cosmic Frame>>>∞ and beyond💡 