I was inspired to compose this diary by a wide array of observations shared across the internet over the last week sharing the conventional wisdom that Bernie Sanders’ strongest base of supporters is comprised mainly of white males. Perhaps this impression comes from the use of the term ‘Bernie Bro’ to discredit some of Bernie’s more over-enthusiastic supporters in various on-line fora. (By the way, check out the current campaign on Twitter to show their real face of "Bernie Bros") #berniebro.
So this is just one survey, but I’ve also checked out recent CNN and Quinnipiac polls and they report similar trends. The graphic above comes from A December 2018 Harvard-Harris Survey but I’ve just gone through their January Poll to see if this result still holds. Short answer? Yes.
Let’s start with gender. Bernie fares worst with men, both in terms of favorability ratings and likelihood of Democrats and Independents voting for him in the primary. Only 19% of males have a ‘Very Favorable’ opinion of him. Women are more likely view him very favorably (22%) and are significantly less likely to have a ‘Very Unfavorable’ view of him (34% versus 42% of males). Things are about even (51% versus 50%) if you lump ‘Favorable’ and ‘Very Favorable.’ Women are way more likely than men to pick him in a primary (26% versus 17%).
What about ethnicity? In polling, Bernie’s fares worst among whites. Only 16% of whites have a highly favorable opinion of him while about twice as many Hispanics and African-Americans share that view (33% and 30%) respectively. With all of the favorables aggregated that brings him up to 71% and 68% respectively . Only 42% of whites view him favorably or very favorably.
Young people seem to like him, which is no big secret and conforms to the conventional ‘wisdom.’ Twice as many 18-34 years olds (31%) like him a lot as compared to old folks like him (15%). So what age and ethnicity demographic is least likely to think highly of and vote for Bernie in a primary? His own.
Harvard-Harris Poll. 15-16 January 2019. Bernie Sanders (N=1,540)
Very Very Favorable + Vote in
Demographic Favorable Unfavorable V. Favorable Primary?
Male 19% 42% 51% 17%
Female 22% 34% 50% 26%
Hispanic 33% 7% 71% 34%
Black/AA 30% 8% 68% 9%
White 16% 46% 42% 17%
18-34 31% 9% 64% 29%
65+ 15% 31% 41% 14%
Note : Favorability ratings include all respondents. Primary voters include Democrats and Independents.
