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Category: Trans-Atlantic Politics

Keeping it real? Corbyn, Trump, Sanders and the politics of authenticity

Keeping it real? Corbyn, Trump, Sanders and the politics of authenticity

Published by Editor on February 17, 2016

Written by Mathew Humphrey and Maiken Umbach. 

His words have not been scripted or prepared for the press; he speaks from the heart.

It’s now clear to every voter that [he] is nothing but himself.

No Bullshit. Unvarnished opinion and beliefs.

One of these statements recently was made about Donald Trump, the man causing upset in the race to become the Republican presidential candidate. Another was made in reference to Bernie Sanders, the candidate causing similar upset among the Democrats. Another referred to Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the British Labour party. But which statement refers to which politician? It is, of course, impossible to tell.

Despite the radically different stances of these candidates on all kinds of issues, the statements about them are entirely interchangeable. They all refer to a single quality, taken by many to be a great asset in political life. All of these candidates are considered “authentic”.

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Clinton parries Biden, Benghazi and Bernie Sanders to reclaim pole position

Clinton parries Biden, Benghazi and Bernie Sanders to reclaim pole position

Published by Editor on October 26, 2015

Written by Tom Packer.

After a summer spent dealing with stumbles, weak campaign messaging and surprisingly strong challenges from other candidates, Hillary Clinton suddenly seems to be back in gear.

Following a sterling debate performance that seems to have already improved her poll numbers, which were already high among Democrats, she displayed her remarkable grit at a gruelling all-day hearing before a committee set up to investigate the 2012 attack in which four Americans were killed in Benghazi, Libya.

The saga over her supposed responsibility for the deaths, which occurred at the end of her tenure as secretary of state, has been unwinding for almost three years. But despite an 11-hour onslaught of sharp personal and political attacks, she skillfully worked to rise above the questions, helping her supporters continue to decry it as a partisan fishing expedition.

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The UK leaving the EU would fatally undermine US-European ties

The UK leaving the EU would fatally undermine US-European ties

Published by Editor on October 12, 2015

Written by Wyn Rees.

Political and economic questions have rightly taken centre stage in the debate leading up to a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union (EU). Yet the debate has thus far largely overlooked the implications of a British withdrawal from the EU on transatlantic security relations. This is an important issue that concerns Britain’s place in the world, its special security relationship with the US and its ability to work with other European countries. Three particular arguments need to be considered.

Continue readingThe UK leaving the EU would fatally undermine US-European ties