What do these three political campaigns have in common?
1) In the American race to select a Republican candidate for the presidential election next year, 69 year old Donald Trump is currently leading the field of 17 runners.
2) In the American race to select a Democratic candidate for the presidential election next year, 73 year old Bernie Sanders is drawing exceptional support even though he is running against a firm favourite in Hillary Clinton.
3) In the British race to elect a new leader of the Labour Party, 66 year old Jeremy Corbyn is currently the clear favourite.
What do these three political campaigns have in common?
- Hardly anyone expected these three candidates to make much of an impact on their respective elections.
- Each is seen as speaking with an authenticity that is a contrast to the usual cautious political language of establishment figures.
- Each is offering a more radical agenda than the other candidates in the election which appeals to a significant section of their political party.
- Many observers feel that, even if he won the current election, he could not possibly win the subsequent general election.
What do you think?