A surprising new poll has revealed that for Democratic voters in the United States, only one legendary figure is more popular than Santa Claus – and he's a politician from Maine. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, famed for his progressive policy pledges, has edged ahead of Father Christmas in a festive-season favourability ranking.
The North Pole vs The Senate: A Festive Face-Off
The exclusive survey for the Daily Mail, conducted by JL Partners between 17th and 19th December, sampled 383 likely Democratic primary voters. It placed the ornery Vermont senator at the pinnacle with a net favourability score of 65 points. Santa Claus, while still immensely popular, trailed slightly with a net score of 59 points.
This result is particularly notable given that Santa's approval ratings typically enjoy a seasonal spike during the Christmas period. Senator Sanders, a former Democrat who ran for president in 2016 and 2020 on platforms promising free healthcare, free college, and free preschool, is now officially his party's "favourite old white man from the North."
Former Vice President Kamala Harris was viewed favourably by the highest proportion of Democrats, at 78 percent. However, a higher unfavourable rating meant her net score of 62 points placed her just below Sanders. The poll's margin of error was 5 percent.
Ranking the Democratic Field for 2028
The poll also provided a snapshot of the potential landscape for the 2028 presidential primaries. Following the top contenders, other prominent Democrats received the following net favourability scores:
- New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: +46
- New Jersey Senator Cory Booker: +41
- Minnesota Governor Tim Walz: +40
- California Governor Gavin Newsom: +37
- Illinois Governor JB Pritzker: +23
- Former Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke: +20
- Maryland Governor Wes Moore: +14
Festive Findings: Songs, Sweaters, and Seatmates
Beyond politics, the JL Partners poll uncovered national attitudes towards Christmas traditions. The nation's favourite Christmas song was 'It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,' selected by 26% of all respondents. This tune proved a rare point of bipartisan agreement, favoured by 29% of Republicans and 27% of Democrats.
In contrast, the title of most irritating song went decisively to 'Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,' disliked by 35% of people. The long-running debate over whether *Die Hard* is a Christmas movie leaned towards 'no,' with 47% disagreeing versus 37% agreeing. Women rejected the idea more decisively than men.
When asked which traditions they would abandon, respondents pointed to:
- Ugly Christmas sweaters (22%)
- Elf on the Shelf (15%)
- Matching family pyjamas (14%)
The poll also posed a hypothetical holiday dinner question. Overall, the current president was named the worst politician to sit next to at the festive table, though Republicans predictably named President Biden as their least desirable seatmate. For their ideal dinner companion, Republicans chose Donald Trump, while Democrats preferred Barack Obama and Kamala Harris.
