Instead of being ancient history, 78-year-old Bernie Sanders just might make history as the first-ever ‘democratic socialist’ president of the USA.
The Vermont senator has emerged from Iowa and New Hampshire primaries as the front-runner for the Democratic nomination in this year’s presidential election contest – an elderly man propelled to the head of the pack by the youth vote.
In the land of the free market, in an era of supposed conflict between generations, it turns out that young Americans are attracted to Sanders’ traditional socialist principles, and they are turning out in droves to support him.
On Tuesday night, the 2020 Iowa caucus saw the largest young voter turnout since Obama’s Iowa primary victory in 2008. Voter turnout under the age of 29 increased by 33% compared to the caucus four years ago. Entrance polls estimated that 24% of the attendees were 29 years old or younger.
Sanders went on to win in New Hampshire by a margin of 26%, relegating rivals Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden to the status of also-rans.
So how has the oldest candidate in the race captured the hearts and minds of the young?
With the political pendulum having edged further and further to the right, as a generation we are forced to confront the growing injustices which are at least as old as the Bush administration. In this context, Bernie’s core values and the skill with which he speaks to them, are particularly pertinent. He is motivational. He ignites passion in his audiences by his use of definitive and purposeful language. Thus it was not only credible but also inspirational when, after the New Hampshire result, Sanders proclaimed that ‘victory here is the beginning of the end for Donald Trump.’
Also, Sanders is vigorous and down-to-earth in each and every televised interview he gives. ‘To win we need energy, we need excitement,’ he told the Des Moines Register. Not only is he right, he walks it as well as talks it: Sanders’ uniquely spirited performance is a key feature of his appeal to young people.
Indisputably however, he can thank the power of social media for his soaring success. In the constituency of the young, viral videos are far more influential than any other media source. Fortunately for this candidate, he has had plenty of triumphant viral moments. Most recently this month, an adorable clip went viral of a dog in Minneapolis ‘watching’ Bernie in the Democratic debates. But it all began in 2016 when a photograph surfaced of a young Bernie being restrained by two police officers during a civil rights protest in 1963. He was taking a stand against ‘Willis Wagons’, i.e. the portable classrooms which were used to segregate black and white school children in Chicago.
After this photo went into circulation on social media, the polls showed a dramatic increase in support for Bernie. Since then he has become the front man for viral moments in American politics.
It’s well documented that Sanders has won the support of great swathes of young people. But will this be enough to win the presidency?
Possibly not.
Time and time again candidates who represent hope and the possibility for change, fall short on election days because voters go AWOL. It’s ironic that the demographic most likely to support Bernie – the under 25s, is also least likely to vote. After many years of promises made but not kept, widespread disillusion with federal government has led to a ‘why bother?’ attitude. This means that Bernie’s wider base of support could fail to make its presence felt on polling day.
The support of young people may suggest a strong win for Sanders but unless they show up to exercise their democratic rights, we can expect a repeat of the shattering defeat of Hillary Clinton in 2016.
And no more Bernie moments.
“Bernie Sanders 2016” by photogism is licensed under CC BY
