If you thought the 2016 Democratic race would be a coronation, think again. Divisions in the party are emerging. Just like the ones we’ve seen before.
Almost every contest for the Democratic presidential nomination ends up as a race between a progressive and a populist. Progressive candidates are inspirational. They campaign on liberal social values and win educated, high-minded, upper-middle-class Democrats. Think Eugene McCarthy, George McGovern, Gary Hart, Michael Dukakis or Barack Obama.
Populist candidates are tough guys. They champion the interests of the poor and the working class, and win wage earners, disadvantaged minorities and Democrats without college degrees. Think Robert F. Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale or Bill and Hillary Clinton. CONT.
Bill Schneider (George Mason U.), Reuters