Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders? An International Student’s Perspective #sorrynotsorry

Being an international student from the UK living in Florida, I’ve had a fascinating time observing American politics from the inside. It’s different when you’re across the pond, and you see a racist/sexist/homophobic comment made by a US Congressman or woman and think, “Ah, those crazy Americans, when will they see the light?” because yes, we think that. But living here has made me understand how and why American politics has gotten to where it is today.

In the midst of the presidential primaries, I look at the Republican side and see Trump and Cruz as the two most frightening prospects, although I’ll admit the whole debacle is immensely amusing. The panic Trump has ignited in the party just shows how unaware the party elite is of how they helped pave the path for his success. The extreme dislike for Cruz within the party is also entertaining. How can a party dislike one of their own member’s that much? Just look at his facial expressions, that’ll explain it.

I look at the Democratic side and the choices are not only interesting, but they provide some relief. Hillary Clinton is a name many across the world are familiar with. She’s a strong and experienced politician who to many represents how far a woman can now make it in the American political arena.

Bernie Sanders was virtually an unknown Senator from the very white state of Vermont, whose rise to fame is because of his outspoken stance on income inequality and money in politics. He’s said to be the most liberal Senator in the US, and his own self-identification as a Democratic Socialist (look it up!), proves that.

Now, I know a non-US citizen giving an opinion will anger some Americans out there. Believe me, I’ve heard it all before in the fight against campus carry in Florida, which I was a part of. ‘The constitution doesn’t apply to you, so shut up!’ or ‘Your opinion is irrelevant here!’ I hear ya, but I’m going to give my opinion anyway.

The choice between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders has driven Democratic primary voters to a degree of infighting that is interesting to me because I’ve never encountered such venom before between people who are meant to be on the same side. Although, I’ve heard it got pretty bad in the 07–08 race between Clinton and Obama, this one seems to me to be more troubling.

There are real differences between the two candidates. Bernie and his supporters have argued that Hillary isn’t a ‘real’ progressive, or rather, he said she is a progressive on ‘some days’. The Hillary camp has countered that there is no sharp line of who is and who is not a progressive. And to be honest, they’re both right. Historians have struggled to define what a true progressive is for years, so although Sanders fits the classic progressive box, if you look at past progressive icons such as Theodore Roosevelt, he supported national health insurance and was an enemy of corporatism, but arguably had an appetite for war. However, it is rather absurd to argue that Hillary Clinton is just as progressive as a Democratic Socialist, and that is where they lose me.

Another aspect of this race I found curious is that a lot of Hillary supporters say they actually agree with Bernie more than Hillary. So why aren’t they voting for Bernie? The answer is: electability and realism. They think that in today’s political atmosphere, Bernie wouldn’t have a chance in the general election. And even if he did win, he wouldn’t be able to pass many of his policies because of the obstructionist GOP. A plausible argument, but given how much the GOP already dislikes Hillary, wouldn’t she face very similar opposition?

Many Bernie supporters have said they won’t vote for Hillary in the general election if she wins the nomination, and the arguments this causes on social media can get very personal. I’ve seen Hillary supporters call them stupid, idiots, morons and worse. “Your handing the election to the Republicans!’ which may very well be true. But if voters don’t want to vote for a candidate they don’t believe in, I can’t blame them. Although if they’re frightened enough by a Republican candidate they may change their minds.

The argument against and for Hillary Clinton has also wandered into the dirty waters of sexism. The so-called phenomenon of the ‘Bernie Bros’, first reported in The Atlantic by Robinson Meyer, has been used to argue that Bernie supporters are majority male, white and sexist. I’ve never encountered this elusive political campaign animal, but I wouldn’t say they don’t exist. However, any attempt in having a real conversation on sexism in politics and how strong it is or isn’t within Sanders supporters quickly deteriorated. Articles have appeared that brands all Sanders supporters as a “sexist mob” without actually trying to justify the claim. Then on the other side, debunkers of the Bernie Bro narrative do so while ignoring evidence that they do exist. What was first a necessary critique of leftist sexism has now morphed into click-bait articles that hold no real value.

Clinton surrogates have attempted to capitalize on this issue, with Gloria Steinem and Madeleine Albright both making controversial statements, which were taken to be aimed at female Bernie supporters, especially young women. The problem with what they both said is that it is placing a burden on American women to always vote and side with female political candidates, even when they don’t agree with them. From my personal perspective, the whole point of feminism is so women have choices. Voting against a female candidate and for a male candidate will only make you a sexist if gender was your reason for doing so. But if your reason was their policies, why should you be made guilty for your choices? Am I wrong?

Now, the real worry is; who would win in a general election against one of the current Republican presidential candidates? I don’t know. According to the Huffington Post’s polling, Clinton currently leads Trump by 4 points, 48 to 44 percent, while Sanders leads by a good 10 points, 51 to 41 percent. Rubio only does a little better, down 1 to Clinton and 6 to Sanders. But polls can certainly change. Then there’s Clinton’s email scandal that could make a play later, if she is the nominee. The FBI is currently investigating her. She also has a long list of donors from Wall Street, big banks and Super PACs, which she argued is being used as “smear campaign” against her, even though it’s true. Is she beholden to them? That’s an argument she’d have to fight in the general election if she faces Trump, who claims to be “self-funded” and rejects the political establishment, when she is very much an establishment politician, as much as she claims she isn’t.

FiveThirtyEight’s Super Tuesday guide seems to show that Clinton is heading for the win, and from what I see, many Hillary supporters have started to call for Bernie to step down. “It’s over. It’s done. Go.” Sorry, but that’s not right, or fair. I’d say waiting for the results of the Super Tuesday primaries is a good idea, and if they’re decisive, then calling for a candidate to drop out would be more understandable. Plus Bernie has forced Hillary to go further and further left, isn’t that a good thing? Him staying in the race longer would mean she might have to go even further left to win over his base, which she wouldn’t do if he dropped out.

In the end, Clinton and Sanders are both good candidates. I think my bias is slightly obvious in this article (ahem), but I’d say I’m reasonable. Obviously, I have no real say in this election; I’m not an American citizen. But as an outsider with an insider view, who’s in the middle of all this chitter chatter, I had to say something. If I annoyed you, well #sorrynotsorry.

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