Matt Dragonette
For many young people, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is something of an ideological hero. He promises to make college free, expand health-care access and limit American military intervention. Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont, is the leftmost presidential candidate, describing his ideology as “democratic socialism.” His anti-Wall Street rhetoric, concerns over income inequality and focus on the environment make him popular — at least among young white Americans. Many see Sanders as a guiding light in a dark, corrupt political system.
For Sanders’ supporters, Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz represents everything that is wrong with conservatives and the Republican party itself. They call Cruz an “obstructionist” and decry his socially conservative beliefs. Cruz’s outspoken and sometimes brash stands on the Senate floor offend them and only fuel their hatred. For them, Cruz’s ideology is anathema to everything they believe. He is in favor of a small federal government and lower spending, and he is pro-life and an overall social conservative. Cruz is an ideological conservative, and a loud one at that. For progressives, he might as well be the devil himself.
But as much as progressives, conservatives and the two candidates would hate to admit, Sanders and Cruz have a lot in common, at least if you look past ideology.
Each has passed minimal self-sponsored legislation. Sanders has had exactly three bills he’s sponsored pass in about nine years, and Cruz has had one pass in about three years. Two of Sanders’ bills involved renaming post offices.
Each is an ideologue often viewed as “pure” by his supporters. Sanders’ “pureness” comes from his rejection of corporate financing and his historically consistent progressive political stances (at least by American standards). Cruz’s “pureness” originates from his stark adherence to conservative principles and impassioned stands on the Senate floor.
Each is known for incredible bluntness in his speech. Sanders hammers the rich, corporations and Republicans while emphasizing the importance of climate change, the right to privacy and campaign finance reform. Cruz attacks Obamacare, deficit spending and Democrats while adamantly pursuing a socially conservative agenda, gun rights and ideas of American exceptionalism. And each uses the Senate floor to fire up his base — who could forget Cruz’s impassioned 21-hour-plus speech criticizing Obamacare or Sanders slamming income inequality?
Each comes from a state that solidly supports the vast majority of his positions. Vermont is ranked as the second-most liberal state in the nation, according to Gallup. And while Texas didn’t make the list of most conservative states, Cruz beat his Democratic opponent by 16 percentage points in 2012, a presidential election year.
Each has a vocal, genuine base of (mostly white) supporters. Say what you want about either candidate, but both have a devoted following, whether you venture on Reddit (Sanders) or Facebook comment sections (mostly Cruz). Of course, Sanders supporters are by and large much younger than Cruz supporters, but that’s not always the case.
Yet for these similarities, they agree on not a single major issue, with the possible exceptions of the Patriot Act and the Export-Import Bank.
And that’s OK.
We need politicians like Sanders and Cruz. Not every politician can and should be an ideologue. And though I disagree with both on some issues, we need leaders who don’t always toe the party line — leaders who remember their constituents. Because whether you like their ideologies or not, you can’t deny that they represent the people they serve. Each has been willing to take politically dangerous stances to stand by his principles and represent his constituents.
The truth is: Sanders and Cruz are two sides of the same coin. They, and their respective supporters, might not agree on much, but they shine as two committed ideologues in a sea of waffling politicians. So before you dismiss the tactics or brashness of one candidate, remember that the other has probably done or said something similar.
