Bernie Sanders is the only candidate whose likability ratings go up as people get to know him
Bernie Sanders was once just an obscure Vermont senator, and is now a household name — and that is a really, really good thing for him. In fact, of all the candidates running for president, Sanders is the only one whose likeability ratings actually go up as people get to know more about him, an AP poll released Monday night reflects.
Sanders is the most likeable of all the presidential candidates with 48 percent seeing him favorably to 39 percent unfavorably. Those numbers are up from the last time AP did a similar survey, showing he is gaining popularity as people become more familiar with who he is.
"I've grown to like him more. The exposure that he's getting, there's a bit of a snowball effect with his campaign," said Washington D.C. resident Les Blackmore, 60.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
An entire 61 percent of registered voters said they would consider voting for Sanders, with only 38 percent saying there would be no way. The number of voters refusing to even consider Sanders is the lowest in the field.
AP notes that Sanders' numbers also go to show how unlikable the rest of the field is. Hillary Clinton is viewed unfavorably by 55 percent of voters, with 40 percent holding a favorable opinion of her. Donald Trump has the worst margin, with 69 percent of Americans viewing him unfavorably and only 26 holding a good opinion.
AP-GfK's poll of 1,076 adults was conducted online between March 31 and April 4. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.3 percent.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
How to earn extra cash for Christmas
The Explainer The holiday season can be expensive but there are ways to bolster your festive finances
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
Christmas gifts for children: the top toys of the year
The Week Recommends The most sought-after kids' presents revealed
By Tess Foley-Cox Published
-
Should Line of Duty return?
Talking Point Adrian Dunbar's hint about a series reboot has some critics worried
By Tess Foley-Cox Published
-
Pentagon Discord leaker gets 15 years in prison
Speed Read Jack Teixeira, a Massachusetts Air National Guard member, leaked classified military documents
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Saudi crown prince slams Israeli 'genocide' in Gaza
Speed Read Mohammed bin Salman has condemned Israel’s actions
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump fills key slots, tapping Congress, MAGA loyalists
Speed Read The president-elect continues to fill his administration with new foreign policy, environment and immigration roles assigned
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Haiti council fires prime minister, boosting chaos
Speed Read Prime Minister Garry Conille was replaced with Alix Didier Fils-Aimé
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump tells next Senate GOP leader to skip confirmations
Speed Read The president-elect said the next Senate majority leader must allow him to make recess appointments
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Fed cuts rates, chair says he won't quit if Trump asks
Speed Read Jerome Powell was noncommittal on future rate cuts that were expected before Trump won the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Judge revives plea deal for 9/11 suspects
Speed Read A military judge has ruled to restore the plea deals struck by 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two co-conspirators
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Harris concedes as world prepares for Trump's return
Speed Read Vice President Kamala Harris told supporters it was important to 'accept the results of this election'
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published