Four years ago, Bernie Sanders won more primary votes from Americans under 30 than Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump combined.

He also won big in New Hampshire, which votes next week.

Could youthful enthusiasm propel a 78 year old socialist to the nomination and even beyond?

With 269 days to go, this is checks and this is a new podcast from the economist about the 2020 elections and the

road to power in America.

I'm the economist's U.S. editor, and every week from now until Election Day in November,

will take one theme shaping American politics and explore it in depth. Today, socialism in America.

The contrast is devastating. As President Trump basked in acquittal by the Senate, the Iowa caucuses became a

fiasco. It's even less clear who might lead the moderate wing of the Democratic Party

than it was a week ago. But this weekend, activists trudging around New Hampshire in support of Bernie Sanders

do have reasons to be cheerful. His grip on the radical wing of the party is strengthening.

It's the best chance in decades for the American left to defy the rules of

political gravity and have a candidate challenge for the White House.

Could America choose a socialist president?

Another person who's done his fair share of trudging around New Hampshire this week is the economist Washington correspondent John Fasman. John Fasman how are you?

I'm very well just back from three days in in the

Granite State. And how is the food in New Hampshire? I am married to a New

Englander and I'm very partial to Northern New England food. I think the best

thing I ate was at the Red Arrow diner, which is a necessary

political stop there. I had the entire history of Northern New England on a plate. You have the

pork pie, which is a nod to the region's French-Canadian heritage.

You had wonderful main potatoes which tastes better than Idaho potatoes

...