Anti-Establishment Candidates Popular on Iowa Campaign Trail

Anti-Establishment Candidates Popular on Iowa Campaign Trail

GRINNELL, IOWA—

One of the biggest surprises in the race for the White House in 2016 is the surge in popularity of anti-establishment candidates in both parties.

In towns across Iowa, the crowds supporting Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders, a U.S. senator from Vermont, are growing.

“I think I share just about all of his feelings about important positions,” said Lorna Caulkins, a retired¹ librarian from Grinnell.

It’s a similar story for businessman Donald Trump², a Republican candidate who has been speaking to overflow³ crowds in the state.

“I believe Donald has the right tools, said Marlonda Bell-Clark of Dubuque.

In a recent Des Moines Register/Bloomberg Politics poll of likely voters in the upcoming Iowa caucuses⁴, both Sanders and Trump are surging in popularity. Trump supporter Dick Clark, also of Dubuque, said he knows why.

“There’s an anger in America.  An anger against politicians," Clark said. "He’s saying the right things. He’s saying things that are unpolitically correct, but I do not believe that anger is going to dissipate, so I think he’s got a chance.”

Caulkins called Trump "so extreme, and to many people, I suppose, Sanders is extreme, too.”

The out-of-the-mainstream positions of both Sanders and Trump on issues of immigration and health care are contributing to their popularity surge.  But Sanders supporter Caulkins said it might not be enough.

“I don’t know how likely Sanders is in being able to get the nomination," she said, "but I have hoped from the beginning of this campaign that he could affect Hillary [Clinton] or any other front-runner in a more progressive manner.”

Despite Sanders' rising popularity, polling shows Clinton is still the leading Democratic candidate in Iowa.

“There’s just enough things going on with Hillary right now that I don’t know that she’s real trustworthy,” said Bruce Hoffmeier, a retired Newton school administrator⁵.

Hoffmeier said concerns about the private email server Clinton used while she was secretary of state could provide an opportunity for another candidate not already in the race.

“I think it will be interesting if [Vice President] Joe Biden enters the race," he said, "because I think he will jump right into the fray⁶ and maybe take over in the top spot if he jumps in.”

For now, polling shows Trump narrowly owns the top spot for Republican voters in Iowa.  But Bell Clark has advice if he wants to stay there: "Maybe stop being a little more self-centered.”

The Iowa caucuses, the first step in the presidential nominating process, are set for February 1.

1 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

2 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

3 overflow   

v.(使)外溢，(使)溢出；溢出，流出，漫出

参考例句：

• The overflow from the bath ran on to the floor.浴缸里的水溢到了地板上。
• After a long period of rain,the river may overflow its banks.长时间的下雨天后，河水可能溢出岸来。

4 caucuses   

n.（政党决定政策或推举竞选人的）核心成员( caucus的名词复数 )；决策干部；决策委员会；秘密会议

参考例句：

• Republican caucuses will happen in about 410 towns across Maine. 共和党团会议选举将在缅因州的约410个城镇进行。 来自互联网

5 administrator   

n.经营管理者，行政官员

参考例句：

• The role of administrator absorbed much of Ben's energy.行政职务耗掉本很多精力。
• He has proved himself capable as administrator.他表现出管理才能。

6 fray   

v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗

参考例句：

• Why should you get involved in their fray?你为什么要介入他们的争吵呢？
• Tempers began to fray in the hot weather.大热天脾气烦燥。