Analysis of Bernie Sanders in 2016 Presidential Campaign

Bernie Sanders: Political Journey and Presidential Campaigns

Bernie Sanders (Bernard Sanders) served as a member of the House of Representatives from 1991 to 2007 before being elected to represent Vermont in the Senate. Although he is not affiliated with any political party (independent), Bernie Sanders sought the Democratic Party's nomination in the U.S. presidential elections of 2016 and more recently in the 2020 elections.

Analysis of Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Presidential Campaign

In the 2016 presidential elections, Bernie Sanders emerged as the runner-up in the Democratic Party's nomination process, competing against six candidates. He secured 46% of the pledged delegates, while Hillary Clinton received 54% and thus became the Democratic Party's nominee. Despite not clinching the nomination, Sanders garnered significant popularity among voters, particularly younger Democrats. This raises an important question: how did he manage to achieve such widespread support?

Much of Sanders' campaign focused on pressing domestic issues. He advocated for universal health care, free tuition at public universities and colleges, and tax increases on the wealthy. The American values he championed most prominently were those of equality and fairness. Sanders placed a significant emphasis on addressing income and wealth inequality, the wage gap, and the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. During his campaign, he stated:

"What we have seen is that while the average person is working longer hours for lower wages, we have seen a huge increase in income and wealth inequality, which is now reaching obscene levels. ... This is a rigged economy, which works for the rich and the powerful, and is not working for ordinary Americans" (Sanders, 2016).

Sanders has consistently supported the LGBTQ+ community over the decades. In 1996, he voted against the Defense of Marriage Act. His home state of Vermont was the first to legalize same-sex unions in 2000 and gay marriage in 2009, both of which Sanders actively supported. Following the Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges in June 2015, Sanders remarked: "For far too long our justice system has marginalized the gay community, and I am very glad the court caught up to the American people" (Sanders, 2015).

Among his other commitments, he assured the public that, if elected, he would:

• Strongly oppose any legislation that purports to “protect” religious liberty at the expense of others’ rights.
• Ensure LGBTQ+ individuals have comprehensive health insurance without discrimination from providers.

In his speech at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Sanders addressed the wage gap as part of the broader inequality issue:

"And this campaign is listening to women. And what we are hearing from women is why is it happening that they are sitting in an office making 79 cents on a dollar compared to a man in that office. You and I know that has nothing to do with economics and has everything to do with sexism" (Sanders, 2016).

Sanders did not shy away from discussing sensitive topics. Addressing racial inequality, Sanders stated:

"It is an obscenity that we stigmatize so many young Americans with a criminal record for smoking marijuana, but not one major Wall Street executive has been prosecuted for causing the near collapse of our entire economy. This must change. We must address the lingering unjust stereotypes that lead to the labeling of black youths as 'thugs.' We know the truth that, like every community in this country, the vast majority of people of color are trying to work hard, play by the rules, and raise their children. It’s time to stop demonizing minority communities" (Sanders, 2016).

He supported ending discrimination against Black and Brown Americans in legal, economic, political, and physical senses. Furthermore, Sanders proposed the idea of tuition-free higher education, emphasizing that education is the "equalizer" in modern society. By providing everyone with access to education, individuals would have more equal opportunities in their early careers. Free college tuition would allow young people to pursue majors that genuinely interest them, rather than those that merely offer the best prospects for quickly repaying student loans.

Universal healthcare was one of the central pillars of Sanders' campaign. He believed that the only effective way to deliver healthcare was through a single-payer system. He also advocated for reducing the cost of drugs, pointing out that other countries offer the same medications as generics rather than the patented, overpriced versions found in the U.S. By making healthcare more affordable, Americans would gain equal rights to medical attention, treatment, and care.

With a high level of equality in the nation, a core American value is promoted – unity. When everyone is equal, people feel united and, consequently, safer.

Liberty and Privacy: Sanders' Stance on Surveillance and Gun Policies

On issues of liberty, Sanders was critical of U.S. government global surveillance policies. He voted against the Patriot Act and strongly criticized warrantless wiretapping of phone, email, and browsing history records of Americans. While protecting liberty in terms of privacy, Sanders had a contrasting opinion on gun policies. He supported banning semi-automatic weapons and closing the controversial "gun show loophole." On the other hand, he favored instant background checks for gun owners.

Sanders' campaign in 2016 was not just about policy proposals; it was about a vision for a more equitable and just America. His focus on equality, healthcare, education, and liberty resonated with many Americans who were looking for substantial changes in the political landscape.

References

Sanders, B. (2015). Remarks on Obergefell v. Hodges. Retrieved from [source].

Sanders, B. (2016). Campaign Speech at Grand Valley State University. Retrieved from [source].