In a stunning turn of events, New Hampshire Democratic voters are “feeling the Bern.” In the latest Franklin Pierce University/Boston Herald poll, Bernie Sanders has now done what took Barack Obama longer to do eight years ago — surpass Hillary Clinton in a key primary state.
Sanders leads Clinton 44-37 percent among likely Democratic primary voters, the first time the heavily favored Clinton has trailed in the 2016 primary campaign, according to the poll of 442 New Hampshirites.
In a FPU/BH poll taken five months ago, Hillary had a 37-point lead over Sanders, 44/7. That’s a 44-point swing in just five months, putting a severe dent in Hillary’s aura of invincibility. What should be particularly troubling to the Clinton camp is that these results come after Hillary has tried to beef up her progressive bone fides by tracking further to the left.
Can the presidential nomination be snatched again from the heir apparent by a present day, geriatric Obama? Will the Bern just burn out? After all, he is 73 years old.
The dramatic news coming out of New Hampshire should give heart to the other Democratic presidential contenders, especially former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley. It may even give Joe Biden the impetus (excuse) to enter the race.
As the election (I use the term loosely) of George W. Bush proved, in politics, anything is possible. Stay tuned.
Some con told us Sanders had no chance. We told him two things:
1. We heard the same bullshit when Obama was running.
2. If Sanders wins the Democratic nomination (and we believe he will), he will almost certainly beat whatever batshit candidate the Republican base chooses.
Still way early in the game. But I’m liking Bernie’s chances more each day.