It’s a big night for Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders, and a small night for America.
There are four candidates–two from each party–who have a mathematical chance of winning a nomination. But voters don’t like any of them, and they dislike the frontrunners most of all.
Donald Trump is still trying to cobble together enough votes to avoid a brokered convention. But, if he does, he’ll go into the general election with 63 percent of voters viewing him unfavorably–more than twice the 30 percent who have a favorable opinion of him. How can he govern when so many voters think so little of him?
If Ted Cruz does beat Trump, it won’t be because voters like him. Cruz’s unfavorability number is 52 percent, compared to 33 percent favorable.
Former Republican Candidate Lindsay Graham knows Cruz and Trump. He sums up the choice for GOP voters: "I think you get the same outcome. You know, whether it’s death by being shot or poisoning , does it really matter?"
It’s not much better on the Democratic side. Hillary Clinton says she’s "absolutely confident" she’ll be the Democratic nominee and the numbers are on her side. But look at these numbers–54 percent of voters view her unfavorably–more than half–compared to 40 percent favorably. Don’t blame a vast right wing conspiracy; this is on her.
All of which makes Bernie Sanders Mr. Popularity, but a weak one. Forty-eight percent have a favorable opinion of him, but that’s still less than half, and 42 percent have an unfavorable opinion of a man who hasn’t done much except challenge Hillary Clinton.
What we’re watching is a political revolution, with populist campaigns led by unpopular candidates. So far, it’s been relatively peaceful. But it’s still relatively early.
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