Bernie Sanders, a left wing populist Vermont senator and hope of liberals everywhere, has recently gained momentum against Hillary Clinton in the race for Democratic presidential nominee. Sanders, who preaches against income inequality, the political and economic elite, but widely supports socialized medicine, gun control, and free colleges, may have gained support partially due to his radically left beliefs and the recent email scandals broiling around Clinton.

However, Sanders still is not the most popular Democrat. According to crowdpac.com and politico.com, as of October 13 he raised about half the money Clinton has (though more than any Republican has), was outperformed at the Democratic presidential debate by Hillary, and he trails Clinton’s 43.3% support with 25.1%, while the undeclared Biden looms at 17.4%, showing that more moderate Democratic politics are prevailing. In the endgame, other candidates such as former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and Virginia Senator Jim Webb, whose polls have never reached the double digits, will most likely drop out of the race. Sanders may have a chance of securing the nomination despite Clinton’s political influence and sizable lead, though the nomination does not secure the presidency. Most Republicans and moderates will probably choose conservatively in a presidential election against Sanders, because his self-described “democratic socialist” views may be seen as too liberal.

Still, the senator maintains a devoted group of left-wingers that will only grow. “Feel the Bern” and “Bernie 2016” bumper stickers and apparel have been cropping up all over the country and one Portland, Oregon rally drew around 28,000 people.

Bernie has his share of skeptics and supporters, even in Albany High. According to Aaron, a freshman with Republican ideals, Sander’s campaign is “very unrealistic for a four, even eight year term” due to a lack of “political backing” from Congress that would inevitably result from his election as President, and though he is “looking out for the lower class and those who struggle in America”, he will be unlikely to achieve any agenda he has planned out. On the other hand, Khalel, a tenth grade liberal, said that the Bern’s ideas on health care and education are “very necessary in a society” and that “he just needs more publicity” to win the nomination.

Nevertheless, the Bern seems like a savior to the Democrats and a detriment to the Republican agenda. Will that work out in his favor? We’ll have to wait a few months to find out.