America is as politically divided. More so than any time since the Civil War.
On one side the Tea Party/GOP with its base of racists (since the Southern Strategy), theocrats (since Roe v. Wade and Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority) and Ayn Randists zero government types (since Ronald Reagan) and mindless warmongers a la Senator Cotton.
On the other side, most unions, progressive activists involved in activist campaigns of their choice, minorities (African Americans, Latinos, LGBT, etc.) and, to some degree, women and young Americans, specially the OWS types.
The two visions and mindsets of America are incompatible.
On the right side we have a plethora of candidates that are engaging into ideological contortions to adapt to the recent trends away from "religious freedom" and "Southern heritage".
On the left side we have Hillary and Bernie.
If you look at the surface as represented by the official websites of Hillary and Bernie, the overlap between the two Dem candidates is huge. Based on what is said on the websites, there is no difference between them.
But if you look at them with a left brain/right brain perspective, things are different. And I'm not talking about the political left and right.
Obviously, if you are a left brainer and you do your research you may reach a different conclusion based on history, track record, donors, campaign strategy, activist support, political realities, etc.
My left brain sides with Bernie big time. But I respect those whose left brains conclude Hillary is the way to go.
But let's face it, we are not average, we actually are deeply involved in the political system at one level or another. We care and participate. 45-50% of eligible voters do not.
This is where the right brain kicks in.
The one thing about Bernie is that not only does he cater to left brains, he also resonates with right brains. When he speaks, he projects the passion that drives him against all odds. He strikes a chord with the masses of Americans that are more frustrated than ever over income inequality, working conditions, un-affordable healthcare, lack of opportunity, threats to Social Security, student loan debt,.
IMO, Hillary so far has projected a less passionate image of herself. One with a lot of gravitas. Her personality stikes a chord perhaps with the dwindling centrists who want a candidate who can end the political divide and be the President of all Americans.
Bernie's passion connects with those who want a fight. A fight to return America to the path started by FDR on the economy. A fight to insure that the social progress highlighted recently by the rise of LGBT rights and the demise of the confederate flag and the end of of the war against marijuana smokers. A fight to end the cancerous prison/industrial complex, to fight the fossil fuel industry to prevent the destruction of the world as we know it, a fight to end the trend to oligarchy (he uses this term).
When Bernie speaks, he brings all these progressive issues under one tent very effectively. People, based on audience reactions, believe that he will carry this passion into the White House. The emotions run high. The right brains are electrified.
If politics was as usual in America, Bernie wouldn't stand a chance. Hillary would be a no-brainer. But things are not what they were. People are far more frustrated than they have ever been on the right and left of the political spectrum albeit for different reasons. On the right, their right brains will go for the likes of Donald Trump and perhaps Ted Cruz or even Mike Huckabee. On the left, the people who rely on the right brains (less than on the right but still) will go for Bernie if they listen to him speak once. Bernie speaks about a "political revolution" not a new era of compromise.
I believe that Hillary will get what I say and start cranking up her passion when she speaks. Until then it's Bernie passion vs. Hillary gravitas. Let's see what happens.