CNN: The Bernie Sanders surge

[Catherina]

By Errol Louis, CNN Political Commentator

Updated 2308 GMT (0608 HKT) August 30, 2015

(CNN) Hillary Clinton has far more money, name recognition, endorsements and political experience than any of her Democratic rivals. Her legion of high-profile supporters have made the case that she will inevitably win the Democratic nomination for president.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the coronation: It's not time (yet) for all-out political panic, but Clinton and her team have very good reasons to be worried about the sharp and steady rise in support for presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

...

Back in 2007, I conducted an hour-long public discussion with Edwards about his views on poverty. I later saw him campaigning in the icy cold of Iowa the day before the 2008 caucuses, and I can confirm that his message found support in the Hawkeye State, where just under 13% of residents are living in poverty and a little more than 28% are classified as low-income working families, making $47,000 a year or less for a family of four.

...


"This feels like 2008 all over again" is how J. Ann Selzer, the pollster for the Des Moines Register, described the latest poll and the Sanders surge. If that's true, Clinton will have to consider taking a hard left turn, which would mean fully renouncing her support of NAFTA and TPP and competing with Sanders as an economic populist.

...

If Clinton doesn't act quickly, she'll run the risk of losing Iowa and New Hampshire -- along with any semblance of an argument that the Democratic nomination for president is hers for the taking.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/30/opinions/louis-bernie-sanders/index.html

[BuelahWitch]

1. Feeling the Bern! nt

[AtomicKitten]

19. Bernt.

[orpupilofnature57]

2. Unlike Republicans, Democrats allow themselves to see, that's why sometimes

http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/04/09/03_hard.html


BERNIE!!!!!!!!!!

[Catherina]

4. Good article, thanks! n/t

[KoKo]

3. This was another interesting bit of info....

Sanders is winning hearts and minds by loudly decrying the large and growing gap between rich and poor in America, a message that resonates strongly in Iowa. While historians and journalists inevitably recall Clinton's unexpected defeat in the 2008 caucuses to longshot candidate Barack Obama, it's worth remembering that Clinton actually finished third in the caucuses, narrowly edged out by ex-Sen. John Edwards, whose main campaign plank that years was a call to eliminate poverty in America within 30 years.

I didn't remember this...since Edwards is one we Dems like to forget these days even though his message rang true back then. If only he'd had the character and fortitude to carry out that message...and yet the message was one that has resonated once again and was even fortified by Occupy Wall Street leading to Bernies carrying the Torch.

btw: loved the cartoon!

[Catherina]

5. I agree, if only

after 8 years, it's even pressing. I'm pleased Bernie's message about economic injustice is resonating with so many people.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

6. Are we going to see Hillary in thrift stores and flying coach class?

no parties in the Hamptons...

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

7. I think it would be a hard sell

for her to claim she shops Kohls for the 80% off discounts.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

10. 2016 election is going to be a defining moment

[KoKo]

9. I wonder what she would say if asked that question....

probably some blather about SS and how being wife of former President restricts her ....but, yet (she might say)....when she has an opportunity to break from protocol of being "former First Lady"..she checks out really cute stuff for Grandbaby Charlotte whenever she can get the Scooby Bus to divert to a visit to a Dollar Store in whichever state she is campaigning in.

I know this isn't the attitude I should have here as a Bernie supporter...but, listening to the few Pressers and Q&A's she's given .....I just couldn't help myself.

I will shamefully leave this comment and promise to work to do better to restrain myself in future comments from seeming to attack our former First Lady.

[CharlotteVale]

8. K&R (& that cartoon is hilarious, no pun intended)

[L0oniX]

11. If people see anymore of her finger in the wind it will only hurt her chances.

[cantbeserious]

12. No Citizen Need Settle For The Lesser Of Two Corporate Evils - Go Bernie Go

eom

[840high]

17. Amen. No more.

[DrBulldog]

13. Ridiculous CCN claim.

"Hillary has far more political experience than any of her Democratic rivals."

Actually, she has the LEAST. What stupidity.

[Enthusiast]

14. What do you expect, it's CNN. They are nearly wrong, every time, on everything.

[Metric System]

15. Say what?

[840high]

16. That cartoon - giggle!!!!!!

[AtomicKitten]

18. x lmao

[Utopian Leftist]

20. A hard turn to the left? More like a U-turn!

If that's true, Clinton will have to consider taking a hard left turn, which would mean fully renouncing her support of NAFTA and TPP and competing with Sanders as an economic populist.

Which she'll never do in a million blood-thirsty years. Because she and the husbear have already made it perfectly clear to those of us who are poor, just exactly how closely she has our interests at her heart. One need look no further than Welfare Deform to see that the poor are very low on Her Inevitability's Third-Way Agenda.

Reminds me of another celebrity who was constantly deemed "inevitable," but always denied the prize...Now who was that??? OH! SUSAN LUCCI!!!