opinion

Rapid Response: Explain the Bernie Sanders phenomenon

When Democrat presidential candidate Bernie Sanders spoke in Portland last Sunday, he drew a campaign-record crowd of 19,000.

Up to 9,000 more people couldn’t get into the Moda Center for his speech, so they listened to loudspeakers outside.

This happened even though Oregon is a small state and our presidential primary isn’t until May 17, 2016, prompting us to ask our Rapid Responders: “How do you explain the Bernie Sanders phenomenon? Is it that the Vermont senator is discussing real issues while most other candidates talk in soundbites? Does he have any chance of wresting the Democratic presidential nomination from Hillary Clinton?”

What they said

I think the best way to explain the popularity of Bernie Sanders is the huge unpopularity of Hillary Clinton with the Democratic mainstream. With the constant media barrage of negative issues that Hillary has been involved with, Bernie Sanders is the one whom Democrats see as a possible candidate against the GOP nominee.

— Larry R. George, Salem

Contrasting Sanders’ appearances in Seattle and Portland, phenomenon seems an overstatement. Perhaps Hillary Clinton is making Sanders, Vice President Joe Biden and even Al Gore look better by comparison. Donald Trump may eventually do the same for the Republican herd.

I’d prefer to vote for a candidate I admire rather than choosing the least offensive.

— Richard Pine, Salem

I think folks are responding to Bernie Sanders because he is not playing follow the leaders. He has tapped into the feelings of many who are frustrated by the lack of representation by their elected leaders, who seem tone-deaf to how they feel.

He has no chance to get the nomination because he is not in bed with big business, big banks and the unions as Hillary is.

— Sunny Mills, Keizer

I was there at the Moda Center with 28,000 of Bernie Sanders’ supporters. It was an amazing experience, like the day when Barack Obama came to the Salem Armory. The enthusiasm of the crowd was incredible.

Bernie is going to win Oregon. He spoke about real issues, including education, health, civil rights, foreign policy and the economy in such a convincing, commonsense way.

— Geoffrey James, Salem

Sanders pedals “everything you want, free” to people who don’t understand the consequences. A lot of them live in Portland. Turnout is no surprise. Too few understand the grief in Greece created by “free” government programs.

— Fred VanNatta, Salem

Though I think Sanders’ ideas are wrong-headed, I welcome his participation as an alternative to the vague ideas and questionable principles of Queen Hillary. I know there are many closet socialists in Oregon who share his goals of distributing some people’s money to others under the guise of economic fairness, but maybe this will get Hillary to actually say where she stands in this regard.

— Woody Tiernan, Dallas

Bernie Sanders speaks to the people’s needs in this country and beyond. He has put his words in action for the most part in every office he has held. He has my vote at this point and could win the primary. No Super PAC money. Tax the 1 percent. Bring our jobs home. Equality for women and minorities. An immigration policy and on and on.

— Ann Watters, Salem

Sanders is a socialist and some Democrats think Clinton is not liberal enough. He could beat her if the Democrats decide she’s also untruthful.

— Wally Gutzler, Woodburn

The interest in Bernie Sanders is much like that of Donald Trump in that both are talking about issues other presidential candidates are avoiding. I listen to both because, frankly, all the other candidates of either party are out of touch with reality.

— Harold Hans, Salem

He’s campaigning to influence the country, not win the presidency. He can win by influencing people who want to listen to straight(er) talk, fresh(er) ideas and plain(er) language than they usually hear from those seeking power. Influence is not a currency exclusive to the winner of elections.

— Erin Cramer, Stayton

It’s simple: Bernie Sanders is the rare Washington politician articulate enough to show Americans how Democratic values align with theirs.

— Jim Sellers, Salem

He appeals to the populist opinion, not the irrelevant Congress pattern. He doesn’t have the world respect and knowledge that Hillary has, but he will provide lively debates. It’s too early to say who will win the nomination.

— Emily Duerfeldt, McMinnville

Sen. Sanders is probably the sanest candidate running for the nomination from all parties. He probably doesn’t have a chance at the Democratic nomination because the game is rigged for the money. But if he did make it, I wouldn’t bet against him no matter which Republican emerges from the clown car as a candidate.

— Lew Hundley, Salem

Bernie Sanders is real. He brings points of view to the political discourse that are far beyond the goals of the other politicians. He provides logic to support his views, whereas the others simply repeat “talking points.” But alas, Bernie will not get the nomination because of the timidity of the electorate.

— Navarro Faircloth, Salem

Republitarian here, with a 70-year-old liberal friend/mentor who went to the speech in support, amazed by everyone’s curiosity. Cliche to say, but too early for everyone from any party.

Phenomenon? He’s resonant like Trump, I give him that, but go back eight years: Who else was a phenomenon running against Hillary? The common denominator: Hillary Clinton. Honest guy, but will take left too far left.

— Greg Machado, Salem

Bernie is a breath of fresh air to voters tired of (bored by?) Hillary’s worn-out, warmed-over tune. If only he were 10 years younger.

— Chet Zenone, Salem

A dream candidate, one always popular in Vermont, one to the left of Hillary. What a rare find. Portland is probably farther left, but is too far from New York to be noticed on a regular basis.

— Jim Jaqua, Keizer

Bernie is speaking what is on the mind of many people, and addressing real issues such as income inequality, the need for universal health care and the need to limit the effects of money in politics.

He’s also not a millionaire and thus not likely to win the nomination since he will have billions arrayed against him, and many Americans seem to have difficulty voting in their own self-interest.

— Dale Derouin, Dallas

Bernie has struck a nerve. Plus he is not politics as usual. He focuses on issues of concern to ordinary Americans. No criticizing of other candidates. He is not beholden to money, wealth or any corporate special interests.

His chances? Good, if the voters he appeals to get off their duffs and cast their ballots in their respective state primary elections.

— Ken Simila, Salem

Mr. Sanders’ appeal comes from his honest, low-keyed approach to politics and the fact that he is willing to express his true feelings. Those feelings are in line with the values of many moderate- to liberal-leaning Americans. His popularity is indirectly related to the disconnect between Hillary Clinton and the electorate. Sanders’ popularity in Oregon is not surprising.

— Joe Koubek, Dallas

With over 50 percent now receiving monthly government checks, Sen. Sanders represents to the voters he is the best candidate to guarantee those checks continue.

— Chuck Sides, Salem

Bernie has a good, if not better, chance than Hillary. At least Bernie is out beating the pavement while Hillary is busy defending her emails. What is it she doesn’t want us to know about? Either she gets with the program or abandon hope of getting the nomination.

— Claude Shinn, Salem

Bernie Sanders is appealing to voters of all ages by talking about issues that are important to all of us, such as income inequality, health care, student loans, environmental issues, racial issues. He is fearless. People like that. They like him. Many of his supporters were hoping that Elizabeth Warren would run. People are not excited about Hillary Clinton. I believe Bernie Sanders could win.

— Teresa Larocque, Dallas

There are lots of reasons, I’m sure, but a big piece is pent-up frustration with Obama and Congress, who persist in pursuing a corporatist agenda that does not help people, generally. Sanders doesn’t play word games and has an agenda much more oriented to supporting peoples’ needs, and people agree: “Enough is enough.”

— Kirk Leonard, Salem

Economic inequity and stagnant wages are widespread and glaringly painful issues. Bernie speaks authentically now and has for decades about ways in which the system is rigged against all except a minuscule elite group. Earnest honesty has a good chance of triumphing over slick manufactured sound bites. Bread, not circus.

— Anita Blanchard, Salem

Bernie speaks to Americans in a direct manner that is rare in a presidential candidate. He gives voice to the issues we labor under, but so few speak. He is not accepting corporate or PAC money and he stands now, as he has for decades, for the middle class. One only has to listen.

— Thomas P. Krise, Salem

Online

Go to statesmanjournal.com/media/latest/opinion to view “Editorial cartoons: 2016 presidential campaign,” including political cartoons about Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton and other candidates.