Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and his presidential campaign for the Democratic nomination is like a "bright, shiny object" that has a "luxury of being a complete long shot," President Barack Obama told Politico in a new interview published on Monday.
"I think Bernie came in with the luxury of being a complete long shot and just letting loose. I think Hillary came in with the both privilege and burden of being perceived as the front-runner. And, as a consequence, you know, where they stood at the beginning probably helps to explain why the language sometimes is different," Obama said, offering context to explain Sanders' surprisingly successful challenge to Clinton's previously presumed nomination.
Obama suggested that Sanders' far-left democratic socialist views are an advantage over Clinton "in a culture in which new is always better."
"You're always looking at the bright, shiny object that people haven't seen before - that's a disadvantage to her," he told Politico.
The president added that Sanders' positions lend an air of authenticity. "Bernie is somebody who, although I don't know as well because he wasn't obviously, in my administration, has the virtue of saying exactly what he believes, and has great authenticity, great passion, and is fearless. His attitude is, 'I got nothing to lose,'" Obama said.
Still, even as Obama lauded Sanders, he couldn't hide his affection for Clinton, noting that she better understands the demands of a presidency, according to Politico.
"She is a good, smart, tough person who cares deeply about this country, and she has been in the public eye for a long time," he said, but went on to suggest that her campaign may be overly "cautious."
"Her strengths, which are the fact that she's extraordinarily experienced, and, you know, wicked smart and knows every policy inside and out, sometimes could make her more cautious and her campaign more prose than poetry," Obama said.
It was the first time Obama has spoken in detail about the Democratic presidential race. The first votes in the 2016 primary will be cast in Iowa on Feb. 1 and then in New Hampshire on Feb. 9, according to Reuters.
