Wednesday, February 10, 2016

How the outsiders won -- and the insiders crumbled

The New Hampshire primary is over, with Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump winning their respective races by large margins. While Sanders is not technically an "outsider," he was seen as a fringe candidate until only recently. Most saw Donald Trump as a fringe candidate when he first announced his candidacy as well, but he is now the clear front runner. What about both of these candidates' platforms makes them appeal to voters (albeit extremely different voters)? Do you think their momentum will continue throughout the primaries?

8 comments:

  1. I think Trump and Sanders appeal to voters partially because they are "outsiders." The article's author mentioned that we're "in a year when voters are fed up with the status quo," and because Trump and Sanders aren't "status quo" presidential candidates, this works in their favor. I think both candidates' momentum will likely continue throughout the primaries.

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  2. I think that Bernie and Trump are appealing to their voters because they're different than our typical candidates. They are very strong-minded and opinionated, and what's most significant about that is that they're both extreme to each end of the political spectrum. Voters from each party are excited to see their dedication to policies, and I think their momentum will definitely carry through the primaries.

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  3. The fact that both of them are not "cookie cutter" candidates makes them appealing; being that they are both so extreme, it hits a chord with some voters that may not have voted were the candidates more centrist an run of the mill. Their momentum will carry them through the primaries, as they are both gaining popularity and have seized legitimacy, thanks to the New Hampshire primaries.

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  4. I think these candidates appeal to voters because they are so different than the "normal" politician. I believe the electorate is so fed up with all the candidates being the same, that the extreme approach of Trump and Sanders is attractive. Their momentum will carry on through the rest of the primaries.

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  5. Trump and Sanders appeal to many voters who are angry with establishment politicians. Sanders was the longest serving independent, and Trump wasn't in the government. Both of them have uncovered significant factions within their respective parties that are far right wing or far left wing. I think their momentum will continue throughout the primaries and a Trump vs. Sanders general election is a very real possibility.

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  6. Trump and Sanders appeal to voters because they ignite the groups that feel underrepresented. Both candidates know how to reject traditional establishment politics in order to gain support. As we watched a video during the New Hampshire caucus there was a voter who said if both Sanders and Trump were the nominees in the general election, he would have a hard time choosing. While this is an extreme case, it does not undermine the fact that both of these candidates are extremely successful in inspiring the public and promising a new future for America.

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  7. Trump and Sanders have both been telling people the words they want to hear. Trump has targeted many touchy topics, especially those dealing with immigration. People who are fed up with their circumstances have listened to him and become supporters. Sanders has also been unafraid to say what Clinton hasn't and many voters have responded positively to that. While I am unsure how far this momentum will reach, I definitely think that the momentum will continue and that neither candidate will be an easy drop-out.

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  8. The voters during this primary aren't that extremely different, as evidenced by the number of people said their second choice was the other. They both offer an out from "politics as usual" neither of the are"bought" by super pacs, they are independent and have radical sweeping change that many people want to see, instead of the gridlocked and terrible policy our current politic culture.

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