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The Rise of the Fringe: How Trump and Sanders Upended the 2016 US Presidential Election

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The 2016 US presidential election was expected to be a battle between the Bush and Clinton dynasties, but a new normal in US politics has emerged, as the bases in both parties move further from the center. The candidacies of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders have captivated the nation, breaking up the boredom and pushing the Democratic and Republican establishments to the sidelines. As of June 16, Trump has received more exposure on CNN than any other contender from either party, and Sanders has drawn far bigger crowds in Iowa than Hillary Clinton.

Key Takeaways:

  • Donald Trump has received more exposure on CNN than any other contender from either party, according to a calculation by Politico.
  • Trump's nasty diatribes against entire ethnicities and countries have resonated with an angry base, but set an ugly tone for the campaign.
  • Bernie Sanders has emerged as a rock star among young liberal Democrats, drawing far bigger crowds than Hillary Clinton in Iowa.
  • The Sanders candidacy creates a contrast to Hillary Clinton's perceived inauthenticity, feeding suspicions about her willingness to make sharp policy turns.
  • Trump's attacks on Mexican immigrants have alienated broad swaths of the electorate and emboldened his support among right-wing voters.
  • The Republican National Committee warned in 2012 that the party was "increasingly marginalizing itself" by alienating minorities and young voters.
  • Hillary Clinton's hard swing to the left has been met with skepticism, as many believe she is only doing so to appear more electable.

Statistics:

  • 27%: The percentage of the Hispanic vote Mitt Romney won in the 2012 presidential election.
  • 73: The age of Bernie Sanders, who has drawn far bigger crowds in Iowa than Hillary Clinton.
  • 1 trillion (U.S. dollars): The amount of money bernie Sanders would spend on public works.
  • June 16: The date Donald Trump announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination.

Sources:

  • Politico: Calculation of Trump's exposure on CNN.
  • Fox News: Report on Trump's popularity among Republican voters.
  • The New York Times: Article on the Republican National Committee's 2012 postmortem report.
  • CNN: Survey on primary opinion polls, including the latest CNN survey.
  • MSNBC: Report on Bernie Sanders' authenticity and popularity among young Democratic voters.

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