Rise Of Far Left Policies Signals Democrats’ Embrace Of Bernie Sanders Progressivism
Nothing highlights Washingtons sceptical view of the political left like the arrival of Bernie Sanders into the presidential race.
The independent senator from Vermont is typically dismissed as a self-described socialist by those who doubt Americas appetite for policies seen as mainstream in much of the world but long-regarded as almost unmentionable in the land of the free.
But while even his biggest fans dont necessarily expect to see the 73-year-old maverick waltzing into the oval office anytime soon, his decision to challenge Hillary Clinton for the 2016 Democratic nomination coincides with rising optimism that their focus on income inequality and campaign finance reform is catching the national mood.
There is a reason why its called economic populism: its because its popular, says Charles Chamberlain of Democracy of America, whose 1 million activists support both Sanders and the more reluctant Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren, whom they are also encouraging to run.
Its a real stretch to say [Sanders] is out of the mainstream; he is very much ahead of the curve when it comes to a lot of politicians in Washington, argues Chamberlain. It is Washington DC that is out of touch with where the average American is really at.
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http://www.rawstory.com/2015/04/rise-of-far-left-policies-signals-democrats-embrace-of-bernie-sanders-progressivism/