Bernie Sanders Surge Reflects US Shift on Socialism [View all]

[Cheese Sandwich]

Despite his self-described socialist views, Sanders is experiencing an unexpected wave of popularity, and is drawing some of the largest, most electric crowds of any presidential candidate so far...

Unexpected surge

Sanders is now running a solid second to the Democratic frontrunner, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton. Most notably, a poll last week suggested he has crept to within just 7 percentage points of Clinton in the crucial, bellwether state of Iowa.

Does Sanders' newfound mainstream popularity suggest Americans are changing their views on socialism?

For many younger Americans, that appears to be the case, according to University of Massachusetts, Amherst economics professor Richard Wolff, who says the socialist label is not nearly as scary as it once was.

"For people 30 years of age and younger, saying, 'Bernie Sanders is a socialist' cuts exactly no ice," _is not an effective smear tactic_ Wolff told VOA. "It's useless. It doesn't persuade anyone."

A Gallup poll conducted earlier this year lends weight to that view...

Young Americans more open to socialism

In the 18-29 age bracket, 69 percent of respondents said they would have no problem voting for a socialist presidential candidate. Older Americans, however, were less sure, with only 47 percent of respondents of all ages saying they would vote for a socialist...

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