Why Trump is leading the Republican race

By Mitchell Blatt
0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, October 9, 2015
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That view of the race is basically confirmed from the Pew poll. Liberals make up 62 percent of Sanders supporters and just under half of Clinton backers, meaning her support base is more in line with the mainstream of the Democratic Party.

Two thirds of Sanders support comes from people who want to break up the banks, compared to less than half of Clinton supporters believing it is an important need.

Sanders' big weakness comes with minority voters. In fact, he is close to Clinton among whites (30-32 percent), but he only wins 17 percent of the non-white vote.

Sanders is seen as focusing on national issues that affect all races rather than forming specific policies directed at helping black or other minority groups. He argues that the best way to help everyone, including African-Americans, is to improve the economy.

Clinton gains much from the fact her husband, the former president, is viewed favorably by blacks.

The contrast between Sanders and Clinton also lays bare a problem the Democrats might face in the general election. In 2008 and 2012, Obama's candidacy rallied young voters and black voters to the polls, two demographic groups that traditionally are less likely to vote but were excited for the special mix of diversity and "coolness" Obama exemplified.

This time around, however, the two characteristics are not found in a single candidate. Clinton could probably rally black voters with the promise of a "third Clinton term," but after spending more than two decades at the top of politics, she doesn't excite the youth.

The author is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/MitchellBlatt.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

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