52% of Voters Prefer Capitalism
Capitalism Preference Remains Steady, Doubts Grow Amid Socialist Trend
Centrist Faction in Democratic Party Faces Growing Anxiety
[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Baek Jong-min] As Senator Bernie Sanders' chances of winning the Iowa caucus, the starting point of the Democratic presidential primary race, increase, awareness of socialism is spreading among the American mainstream and within the Democratic Party. Senator Sanders, who calls himself a socialist, is advocating policies such as free college education and a single-payer health insurance system (Medicare for All). As Sanders performs well in upcoming state primaries, the debate over socialism, a core issue in American capitalism, is expected to intensify.
Attacks on Senator Sanders are being raised more strongly within the party than from outside. Former Secretary of State John Kerry, who served under the Barack Obama administration, recently sparked controversy when a phone call was made public in which he said, "Senator Sanders is ruining the Democratic Party." Since Kerry supports former Vice President Joe Biden, this can be seen as criticism of Sanders. However, both inside and outside the party, this is viewed as a clear reflection of the perception of Sanders.
American media also emphasize that Kerry's remarks are not simply about cautioning against Sanders as Biden's competitor. They see the fact that moderate-leaning Biden is being pressured by socialist Sanders as undermining the Democratic Party's ideological foundation. It is even compared to the election of Donald Trump, an 'outsider' whose policies are far from those of the Republican Party. From the Democratic Party's perspective, the 'frame' of socialism is a more frightening presence.
Rahm Emanuel, who served in the Bill Clinton administration and as Chief of Staff under President Barack Obama, recently urged Democrats to support a moderate candidate instead of the 'radical' Sanders. He argued that if the Democratic Party fails to gain the support of suburban voters, whom Trump targeted heavily in the last election, it will be difficult to win this election as well.
While Sanders enjoys high approval ratings, Americans' preference for capitalism remains strong. According to a joint poll by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and NBC released on the 2nd, one day before the Iowa caucus, 52% of American voters responded positively to capitalism. Only 19% responded positively to socialism, while 53% expressed negative views.
President Donald Trump is unlikely to miss this weakness. In a recent interview, Trump labeled Sanders a communist, targeting voters who are negative toward socialism.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is reportedly struggling to devise measures to block the socialist wave. Some are even exchanging opinions on revising the policy limiting superdelegates' voting rights in the first round at the national convention to support former Vice President Biden. In 2018, the Democratic Party changed its rules so that superdelegates can only vote in the second round if no candidate wins a majority in the first round. This rule favors Senator Sanders.
The WSJ predicted, "Even if Senator Sanders wins in Iowa, it will be difficult to persuade American voters to make a decision that gives control to the central government."
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