Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who has twice run for president, have the same revolutionary streak, liberal activist and author Cornel West says.
West — who worked on Jackson's unsuccessful 1984 and 1988 campaigns and backs Sanders in his challenge of Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination — told
The Guardian:
"There are some similarities and elective affinities … [but] the Sanders campaign is even more progressive than Jackson's were, because his critique of Wall Street is more direct."
West said that Sanders still lacks the support of black voters that Jackson commanded. But, he added, "That's what we are going to get — once black people find out who Brother Sanders is."
West also believes that the civil rights group Black Lives Matter, which has been protesting Sanders' campaign, will eventually recognize that "Brother Bernie is much stronger on people, on economic justice, and on racism than any other candidate."
He said Sanders' positions on economic reforms including free tuition at public universities, single payer healthcare and "closing tax loopholes for oligarchs" will attract black voters, The Guardian reported.
There are some differences West has with Sanders.
West has said he would support a boycott of Israel should the Jewish State occupy Palestinian territories. Sanders supports Israel and a two-state solution.
West also sees an eventual 2016 presidential race between Sanders and billionaire developer Donald Trump in which Sanders will "crush" the billionaire developer at the polls.
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