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.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
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.
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 17, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - political anxiety, jury sorting hat, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arid Gulf states hit with year's worth of rain
Speed Read The historic flooding in Dubai is tied to climate change
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How will Israel respond to Iran's direct attack?
Speed Read Iran’s weekend attack on Israel could escalate into a wider Middle East war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US, Israel brace for Iran retaliatory strikes
Speed Read An Iranian attack on Israel is believed to be imminent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress honors real-life Rosie the Riveters
Speed Read These American women reshaped the work force during World War II
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Outgunned Ukraine could fall, US general warns
Speed Read Without more US aid, Ukraine is at risk of losing the war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
House GOP scuttles FISA vote at Trump's urging
Speed Read Right-wing lawmakers blocked Speaker Mike Johnson's surveillance bill
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published