A group of 40 excited Memphians gathered around tables at Central BBQ on Summer Avenue, but the city’s signature food wasn’t the reason why.
Local organizers for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders met last week to discuss issues such as income equality, climate change and foreign diplomacy.
Voters decked out in clever T-shirts and blue “Feel the Bern” campaign buttons also joined the group called Memphis for Bernie.
Sara First, communications coordinator for Memphis for Bernie, isn’t surprised.
“Bernie has the unique ability to appeal to people who have never voted before,” First said. “Millennials are just starting to reach the age where they are hoping to be settled and start families. Bernie’s discussions are especially relevant to these young people.”
Many young voters in the early primaries agree. Sanders won 84 percent of millennial votes in the Iowa Democratic Caucus held on Feb 1, ultimately losing the caucus to Hilary Clinton by only .3 percent.
He took home a victory from the New Hampshire primary, beating Clinton by 21.1 percent on Feb. 9. It was another close race in the most recent polls as Clinton pulled ahead of Sanders in the Nevada primary, winning by 5.3 percent.
He is now campaigning in the south, where a series of elections will soon take place including the Tennessee primary on March 1.
But what is it about Sanders? Why does the oldest candidate running for president appeal to the youngest group of voters? Local experts and Sanders supporters attribute his popularity to three qualities: decades of consistent policy, an idealistic approach and a sense of both personal and political authenticity.
Sanders, 74, has maintained the same political views throughout his career, First said.
“Bernie’s message has been consistent since the 1960’s, which is equality, fairness, and justice,” she said. While in college, Sanders was actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement, leading a rally protesting against a segregated campus.
He was a youth affiliate of the Socialists Party of America and participated inantiwar and peace movements, stances he still agrees with today.
“Other candidates seem to have changed their views over the years based on what’s popular,” said Kelsey Climer, 23, a University of Memphis graduate and self-proclaimed “Sanders fanatic.” “Bernie definitely seems to be the most consistent with what he believes,” she said.
Sanders is promising big changes for America, such as free education, a renovated health care system and wealth and income equality.
Steven Mulroy, an American national politics expert who teaches at the U of M, said millennials are drawn to Sanders because of his idealistic approach to pressing issues.
“Bernie Sanders appeals to that idealistic ‘lets-do-something- completely-dif ferent’ vibe that might appeal to millennials,” said Mulroy. “He’s an outsider, and somewhat of a revolutionary.”
Sanders exhibits a refreshing sense of authenticity and concern for all people, said Anna Robinson, 18, an Arlington High School senior.
“Bernie is the only candidate seriously focusing on what the millennials are asking for,” said Robinson. “Bernie is speaking against the issues this generation cares about, acknowledging our fears and anger, and providing plausible solutions to the major issues that other candidates are putting on the back burner.”
Sanders recently opened a campaign office in Memphis at Chickasaw Crossing shopping center on Poplar Avenue. Two of the members on staff are students at the University of Memphis.
Regardless of local efforts, the outcome of Super Tuesday is uncertain for Sanders as large numbers of Southern votes are tilting in Clinton’s favor. African-American voters will play a crucial role in the Southern primaries, and early voting polls have placed Clinton in the lead in the South.
