Last updated on September 25th, 2023 at 01:43 pm
According to a Quinnipiac Poll released On July 2, 2015, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is closing ground on Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton. The survey of 761 likely Democratic Caucus attendees, finds Bernie Sanders’ support has risen from 15 percent in the May poll to 33 percent in the July survey. Sanders was at just 5 percent in February.
While Sanders still trails Hillary Clinton by a sizable 52-33 margin, he has significant momentum. In May, he trailed by 35 percentage points. Sanders is viewed favorably by 66 percent of likely Democratic Caucus voters, and viewed unfavorably by just 8 percent.
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Furthermore, 72 percent of those voters say he “cares about their needs and problems” to just 7 percent who do not agree with that statement. 71 percent of likely Democratic Caucus-goers feel Sanders is honest and trustworthy. A mere 5 percent believe he is not honest and trustworthy.
Iowa Democrats strongly like both Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, so the Sanders vote does not appear to be an anti-Hillary voting bloc, as much as it appears to be voters who simply prefer Sanders’ more progressive political positions. Sanders leads Clinton among very liberal voters, albeit by a relatively slim 47-43 margin.
The Quinnipiac poll also makes it clear that Clinton and Sanders are the only viable candidates in the Democratic Caucuses. Vice President Joe Biden, former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, former Virginia Senator Jim Webb, and former Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee managed just 11 percent support combined, with none of the candidates garnering more than single digit support.
Sanders is consistently drawing large crowds across the country, as his message of economic populism keeps resonating with voters. As he continues to make his passionate voice heard, more and more voters are lining up to support his campaign. While he remains well behind Hillary Clinton in the race for the Democratic nomination, he is closing the gap fast. If his momentum continues, he could pull off a big Iowa surprise in February 2016.
Keith Brekhus is a progressive American who currently resides in Red Lodge, Montana. He is co-host for the Liberal Fix radio show. He holds a Master’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Missouri. In 2002, he ran for Congress as a Green Party candidate in the state of Missouri. In 2014, he worked as a field organizer for Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick’s successful re-election bid in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. He can be followed on Twitter @keithbrekhus or on Facebook.
