Hillary and Bernie

Hillary Clinton a longer political narrative than almost any candidate. She has been a prominent political figure and a champion for women’s rights for decades. Most Hillary supporters will vote for her because she is the most experienced candidate. On her website she describes her upbringing to relate to the middle class voter. She explains that her mother was abandoned by her family and her father was a “pay-as-you-go kind of guy who worked hard, and wasted nothing”. The narratives of her parents are almost more important than her own. Her own career has been one with lots of luck and a little bit of privilege. Growing up middle class she had a lot more opportunities then her parents had and she worked hard to take advantage of many of these opportunities. Going into college she started her political career but her real big break was when her husband became president. This paved the way to her becoming the senator of New York, Secretary of State and eventually a democratic candidate for the presidency.

Bernie Sanders was also born to a middle class family. In his biography, he speaks little about his upbringing, and more about his political experience. He describes losing in many elections but shows a sense of pride in the percentage of votes he achieved with every election. Many of his rivals were rich incumbents who were the epitomy of establishment politics. He really started from the bottom And has fought against establishment politics ever since. Meanwhile Hillary Clinton owes much if not most of her political reputation to her husband’s success. Hillary Clinton has had many opportunities to speak and inspire women and minorities across the nation, Bernie Sanders has been behind the scenes passing legislation in their favor. Both candidates have experience that the average voter finds impressive, but they present the experience in very different ways.

  

Hillary Clinton would describe her achievements as a speech she gave or her mere election in to the senate. She lets it be known that she was the head of many charity organizations but never describes her journey to the top. She never touches on legislation that she has helped to craft, nor describes the hardships she faced to become a senator in the first place. This part of her narrative probably would not resonate with the average American because she did have it easier thanks to Bill’s success. On the other hand, Sanders does describe specific legislation and amendments he passed during his time in office. Sanders’ voting record is consistent and cohesive, so he presents his voting record as his narrative. Sander’s integrity is the theme of his political narrative. Hillary Clinton has not consistently kept the same opinions and views throughout political career, however, so she provides her experience as her narrative.