In A Growing 2020 Field, Dems See Sanders Among Most Viable Contenders So Far

[workinclasszero]

Friday, February 22, 2019

Bernie Sanders kicked off his 2020 presidential run raising more funding on the day of his announcement than any Democratic candidate so far. And it seems to be paying off.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 56% of Likely Democratic Voters think it’s at least Somewhat Likely that Sanders, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2016, will end up being the Democratic presidential nominee in 2020. Forty percent (40%) think it’s unlikely he’ll get the nod. These figures include 20% who think it’s Very Likely and 12% who say it’s Not at all Likely.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/february_2019/in_a_growing_2020_field_dems_see_sanders_among_most_viable_contenders_so_far

[aeromanKC]

1. Rasmussen

What, is this GOPUnderground?

[MFM008]

2. If we believe this from Rasmusson

We gotta believe maggots approval ratings are in the low 50s......and i dont.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

3. Regardless of any poll, I don't see how this can be disputed after Bernie's masterful rollout video

and subsequent record-breaking grassroots campaign contribution haul. Combine that with Bernie's enormous popularity based on the consistent progressive policy positions he's advocated over the decades, often viewed as "radical," not just by GOPee-ers, but by fellow Democrats... now that's what I call viable!!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!

[CrossingTheRubicon]

6. Masterful rollout video? LOL.

It is the same speech we've all seen a thousand times. Yawn!

I had to watch it at high speed (1.75) to bring up Sanders' energy and to minimize the boredom of the same old song.

The big fundraising day was a completely staged event that makes Our Revolution look a bit like the Trumpists who are fixated with crowd sizes. Nothing "spontaneous" here.

Being pro-gun, pro-NRA, pro-F-35, and anti-trade doesn't look progressive to me.

We can do better with one of the bona fide Democrats in the 2020 race.

Sanders is not viable. Too divisive.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

7. Yes, masterful. And Bernie's not progressive? By your standards, what does that make your candidate?

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!

[Sherman A1]

10. Bernie is my second choice behind Yang

but I have to believe that had he not been carrying the torch for the progressive cause, we would be looking at candidates much further to the right than we are seeing now.

[workinclasszero]

12. Yup

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

21. Without a doubt!! The funny thing is how some now say that, because other candidates have now

Last edited Sat Feb 23, 2019, 07:47 PM - Edit history (1)

taken up most, if not all, of the progressive issues that Bernie has made so popular, we don't need him anymore and that he should pull out of the race. Sorry, but I'd rather have the guy who's been stoking this train than those who simply jumped on board.

btw, I'm just curious, why do you prefer Yang over Bernie?


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!

[Sherman A1]

25. I very much like Yangs ideas and

The concept that we need to address automation with a UBI along with reevaluating just what is important on society. I see it as a step further than Bernie Sanders or perhaps building upon his progressive ideas.

[wasupaloopa]

55. True we don't need a fake Democrat anymore. We have progressive real Democrats.

B

[sheshe2]

65. With all due respect, InAbLuEsTaTe...

You may wish to rephrase your post in reference to trains. You do know what that means, correct?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

66. Had no idea sheshe... looked up the slang and changed the phrase to "stoking this train"...

certainly didn't mean to offend anyone. Thanks for pointing that out... the things you learn on DU!!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!

[sheshe2]

68. Thanks, InAbLuEsTaTe.

[NurseJackie]

67. Thank goodness I haven't heard any DEMOCRATS saying...

Thank goodness I haven't heard any DEMOCRATS saying demoralizing and false things like... Democrats are "ideologically bankrupt".

I'm very relieved that "other candidates" are not going around saying that Democrats are "feeble" or "corrupt". This is dangerous rhetoric that only divides the party.

I would be extremely disappointed if I heard "other candidates" saying that the Democratic party is an "absolute failure" or that the Democratic party is "the party of the one-percent" or "party of the elite". That's the kind of disinformation that tarnishes the appeal of the Democratic party.

All I'm trying to say is that when anyone says things that imply or insinuate that there's "no difference between Democrats and Republicans"... well, it simply serves no good purpose.

What it does do, however (when people say things like that) is to create disunity and distrust. That kind of "stoking the fires" only makes people resentful and suspicious. Ultimately, that weakens the Democratic party. It dissuades people from supporting Democrats... and in the end that ONLY serves to benefit the GOP, and Trump, and Russia.

[workinclasszero]

11. Agree!

[Demsrule86]

16. Millions of former Hillary supporters will not vote for him in a primary. I won't. I think you

Last edited Mon Feb 25, 2019, 12:02 PM - Edit history (4)

underestimate the anger towards Sen. Sanders because of 16 election (general). And Rasmussen is a lame poll. In addition, we have lost two SCOTUS seats and are looking at the repeal of Roe V Wade. Also, Nina Turner who supported Jill Stein and who actively worked against Democratic candidates in specials and midterms...leader of our revolution...she stated she would support Greens, Independents and even Republicans. Progressives like Sherrod Brown would have to 'earn' their endorsement is a chair. One of the other chairs is Waleed Shahid...a Democratic party hater who has written extensively in the Nation and other places trashing the Democratic Party. He is a Justice Democrat spokesperson ...a group that takes money from Republicans- in my opinion they exist to rat fuck Democrats and cause division. They may be responsible for the doctored video attacking Feinstein. As you can see from this post.any idea I had to support Sen. Sanders in the primary is out the window...sure I would vote for him in a general but never a primary.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

22. Guess we'll let the voters decide who wins... that's how democracy is sposed to work.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!

[Demsrule86]

82. We have discussed this before. You know my fear is that the candidate that emerges could be damaged.

I wanted no candidates from 16 in the race that would include Hillary Clinton. Although I like her very much. Already I see troubling signs on social media.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

83. Yes, I do know and respect your position DR... with what's going on, I'm very concerned about Bernie

being heavily damaged coming out of a successful Democratic primary. That would be a shame, as for any candidate who becomes our nominee.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!

[Demsrule86]

84. I respect your position as well. Those who are angry with Sen. Sanders including me...will vote

for him in a general...Any Democratic nominee is better than any Republican but when you are dealing with a madman like
Trump this is true in spades. Trump must go. Sen. Sanders was not vetted last time...this is going to change so who knows what the damage will be...the GOP are very good about this sort of thing. That is true of most nominees. As for me I keep my disagreements on DU...don't post on twitter or Facebook about any of our candidates...such things need to be in house.

Sen Sanders has appointed those who in my opinion worked against us in the 16 election (Turner ) and others who have been very critical of the Democratic Party. It feels like 16 all over again. God help us! I fear some of Sen. Sanders supporters will not accept an outcome where he is not the nominee. And as a result our candidate will suffer...Worse case scenario Trump is re-elected. If Sen Sanders had chosen not to run, this would not be a threat in my opinion. I hope this does not ruin our chance of removing Trump from office.

Having reviewed the mid-terms, I believe we need a candidate who can appeal to moderates as well as liberals. We took the house by winning moderate seats in red and purple districts that Trump won. One has only to look at the Senate to see that we have no path to a majority without moderates in red or purple states as well. Democrats need a big tent approach where all Democratic factions are supported. Thus we need Sherrod Brown, Biden, Klobuchar perhaps Harris-not sure ...someone who has a big tent appeal. Electability is very important to me as well. Who can beat Trump? When I decide on an answer to this question, I will be able to make a choice.

I also hesitate to vote for a woman candidate and I am a woman. I am just not sure a woman can win 2020-any woman given the sexist nature of this country. We need to get out there and change hearts and minds-educate voters. In the meantime, we must win in 2020 to save our progressive agenda and our country. The courts are in terrible shape now, and one more Trump SCOTUS pick will end any shot at Medicare for all or any number of progressive proposals...hell, social security and Medicare, Medicaid and the ACA will be endangered as well. The progressive agenda is DOA unless we get Trump out.

[Sherman A1]

26. So if he is the nominee

You would prefer a Trump Victory????

[emulatorloo]

27. Demsrule86 wrote: "Sure if he makes it to a general, Sen. Sanders has my vote."

Not sure how you missed that line in his post

At any rate like Demsrule86 I supported Senator Sanders in Primary 2016. He won’t get my support this time, I believe he should continue serving his Vermont constituents in the Senate.

What Dems do is support a candidate in the primary, and vote for the nominee in the general. It’s not rocket science.

[Demsrule86]

85. Thanks

[emulatorloo]

88. ...

[Gothmog]

76. There are a large number of real democrats who have long memories

I doubt that sanders will be the nominee. There are some real democrats who do not forgive or forget things like sanders delegates booing Congressman John Lewis

[Demsrule86]

81. I made it very clear in multiple posts. I will vote for the Democratic nominee and that includes

Sen. Sanders should he win which I consider unlikely.

[sacto95834]

87. Millions of former Hillary supporters will not vote for him...

Wasn't the same said about HRC after the 2008 primaries? I remember the contest between HRC and Obama got quite ugly and that the Obama supporters were quite upset about how he was treated? But the party got over it, more or less and HRC went on to win the 2016 primary.

I don't get how suddenly Bernie is now unelectable because of his behavior during the 2016 primaries. I thought overall, it was quite civil compared to the clown show going on with the Republicans.

[ZeroSomeBrains]

43. Agreed

I was on the fence before he announced and then I saw the video rollout and Bernie talking shit about Howard Schultz and I came off the fence and donated $27.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

44. I LOVED that part too...the whole video really. It captures the essence of what endears Bemie

to most voters... his authenticity, his speaking plainly on where he stands on the issue of the day, and his reaching out to bring people together and be part of his campaign. Bernie just has that "It" factor!!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!

[wasupaloopa]

57. How come Mr Authentic never gets anything passed in the Senate? Where are his

authentic tax returns?

He has Burners like trump has MAGAers. All talk no action.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

4. Sanders and Trump always poll better on Rasmussen than anywhere else, I've noticed.

Is that purely coincidental?

Why didn't Rassmussen report the percentage of people who said only "somewhat likely?"

I suspect the soft "maybes" combined with the "doubtfuls" and "hell no-s!," would put the large minority of those polled saying "it ain't gonna happen."

I hope BS supporters lower their expectations this time around.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

23. Yes, I've lowered my expectations this time...Bernie wins the primary by only 25 delegates.

That's my prediction, as we have a much larger slate of candidates.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!

[wasupaloopa]

62. Tell me how he beats Harris in CA on Super Tuesday. We in CA have already voted

for Harris twice, as AG and as Senator. Bernie won’t make it passed Super Tuesday.

[Garrett78]

78. No matter how many times questions like that get asked, Sanders supporters never answer.

The only reply I've gotten was from someone who said they didn't care about facts or logic; they just believe in their heart that Sanders will win. At least that person was honest.

It's not just California. It's Nevada, South Carolina, Super Tuesday and the rest of the states that vote in March. After New Hampshire, the road gets very rough for Sanders.

[Maru Kitteh]

5. Of COURSE gop Russia-mussen would push this narrative with Mr. Sanders.

I never get to use that smilie!

[chillfactor]

8. no way in hell.....

no way I would support Bernie.....He is NOT a Democrat and only upsets the Democratic process of selecting a viable. educated. younger candidate for our nomination.

[Bernie42020]

9. Bernie strikes a chord again

Gee, look at the replies so far. Sooner or later (I suspect later) people will come around that Bernie, just might be the best democratic candidate. One must remember, that the goal is to beat Chump.

[workinclasszero]

13. And Bernie would run strong as hell

against the orange shitgibbon in the oval office!

[Demsrule86]

17. He is not a Democratic candidate and in my opinion can't beat Trump.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

24. Exactly!! And if that's your goal, Bernie, BY FAR, is the best candidate...

He's the originalist who advocated for his progressive agenda that most called "too radical," including some of his fellow Democrats who are running now, he's the most popular candidate - granted, along with Biden, who apparently is not running - but, more importantly, the issues he's been advocating for decades is extremely popular with voters. That makes Bernie the most viable candidate in my book and the one best able to take on, and beat the crap out of, the DICK-tator-in-Chief.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!

[Bernie42020]

35. Removing Chump from office legally, should be a goal every democrat should support.

In addition to beating Chump, I fully support everything he wants to accomplish. Healthcare as a right, tuition free college, 15 an hour, break up Citizens United and stop the insanity of allowing corporations to buy our democracy, criminal justice reform, and so on and so forth.

No one comes close to pushing these ideas better than Bernie.

[ehrnst]

37. Others have 'pushed' these ideas, and many have been successful in actually passing legislation

Ted Kennedy, Hillary Clinton - CHIP

Pelosi and Obama - ACA

Hillary proposed debt free college for those who financially could not afford it, and had a comprehensive, detailed plan to pay for it. Sanders adopted her tactic of limiting the assistance to people who needed it, instead of making it available to kids from the 1%, so I think she influenced him on that.

The ACLU has been at the forefront of fighting Citizens United. Many Democratic members of congress have spoken out as well:

http://www.pfaw.org/fighting-big-money-in-politics/quotes-by-members-of-congress-on-citizens-united-v-fec/

Pelosi is very much at the forefront of campaign finance reform.
https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/pelosi-elected-speaker-bill-1-signals-campaign-finance-reform-effort

Senator Sanders himself stated that he would work with Trump towards a $10/hr minimum wage.

https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article115360103.html

I think it's important to understand that those ideas aren't his alone - they are Democratic Party priorities, and we should look at what is being done about them, and where he has compromised or adopted the more progressive strategies of others.

There is no "only one candidate is progressive/ethical/honest" when it comes to POTUS candidates on the Democratic ticket, because humans.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

42. Nothing even remotely close to what Bernie has done to bring progressivism into the mainstream.

That's what propelled him into the national spotlight in 2016... now, in 2020, Bernie will finish the revolution he started!!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!

[ehrnst]

47. I guess that depends on what you mean by mainstream.

And what you mean by "progressivism."

I think that CHIP and the ACA were more of an accomplishment in bringing affordable health care to the mainstream than any speech, or legislation that didn't pass.

The Lilly Ledbetter Equal Pay Act was more a force for actual economic justice than any speech or legislation that didn't pass.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

48. The ACA had loopholes that allowed the tRumpster Fire to significantly damage it...

doing away with the mandate. The tens of millions of those still uninsured will only go up with each passing year. The only practical healthcare solution, as Bernie had been advocating for decades is single-payer, Medicare-for-all. We need to take the profit out of healthcare. Imagine if our police and fire departments were for profit enterprises? Why should healthcare be any different? The answer is it shouldn't, as our European and Canadian friends well know.


The revolution had begun!!
Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!

[ehrnst]

49. By "loopholes," you mean SCOTUS?

And we aren't Canada or Europe, and they didn't get the health care system they have in eight years, as is being promised...

Most of the rest of the developed world has a hybrid public/private system, not single payer.

So there's that.

[Thekaspervote]

80. Thank you!! Bernie has never had the corner on progressive ideas.

read your history!!

[BannonsLiver]

39. I wouldn't hold your breath.

[Garrett78]

14. Viable contender? Rasmussen? LOL

First of all, any poll at this point is meaningless, especially one from Rasmussen. Secondly, 2016 was tailor-made for Sanders. The assumption that a large field benefits him is misguided--besides, the field will be down to no more than a handful after Iowa and New Hampshire. This time, Sanders won't be in a 1-on-1 race against someone who had been vilified for a quarter of a century. He was the only option for the anti-Clinton crowd. The only option for all those who had been conditioned over a period of decades to despise Hillary Clinton.

2nd in Iowa and 1st in New Hampshire propelled Sanders forward. I don't see him doing as well in those states in 2020, even as they remain 2 of the whitest and most rural states in the US (how wonderful that we give undue influence to a couple of states that don't remotely reflect our electorate). If he does relatively poorly in Iowa and doesn't win New Hampshire, it'll be quite embarrassing for him. So much so that I could see him dropping out before South Carolina, if not before Nevada.

And Super Tuesday, assuming he hasn't already dropped out, will be even worse for him than it was in 2016. He'll lose badly in nearly every contest that takes place on March 3, 2020. Not to mention South Carolina 3 days earlier. I've yet to see anyone explain why he should be expected to do much, much better than last time among POC and non-millennial women...if he doesn't, he's essentially done after New Hampshire.

Plus, there will be far fewer caucuses in 2020.

He'll find it much tougher to justify sticking around, and I suspect there will be quite a bit of pressure on him to leave the race (including pressure from within his camp).

That there are people who seriously think he's a contender, or even the favorite, is dumbfounding. Reality will provide a swift smack.

To top it off, he's hired a campaign co-chair who didn't support the Democratic nominee in 2016 and has said there's no real difference between the 2 parties. I bet Sanders will get asked about that at the first debate in June.

[Docreed2003]

29. +1

Excellent points. We keep asking a similar question "What would be Sanders' path to the nomination?" I just don't see where he will be able to gain voters he didn't have last time. If anything, Bernie is likely to lose voters for the very reasons you've pointed out. Yes, he has an impressive fundraising effort going, yes his current supporters have an extremely active online presence. All of those things are extremely important to a campaign, but what happens when he doesn't do as well in Iowa and New Hampshire and the South Carolina? At the present moment, I think Bernie's run may be over before Super Tuesday.

[Garrett78]

33. I don't think most have even looked at the primary schedule.

There is no path. Politics isn't purely guesswork. 2016 data tells us far more than any name recognition polling can. Given that Sanders continues to put his foot in his mouth on matters of race and sex, while hiring people opposed to the Democratic Party, strongly suggests he's in a heap of trouble after New Hampshire.

And he'll face much stiffer competition in both IA and NH.

[wasupaloopa]

61. CA is in Super Tuesday in 2020. Harris will bury Bernie's campaign of isn't gone by then.

[riverwalker]

15. Rasmussen

Trumps pollsters. Interesting, they’re pushing Bernie too.

[SidDithers]

18. LOL...

Radmussen.




Sid

[pwb]

19. He is third on this democratic site.

Guess you didn't notice. Rasmussen is crap.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

46. The fact that Bernie is 3rd here on DU says a lot!! I didn't expect him to be that high

given the ever-increasing level of Bernie bashing that goes on.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!

[Devil Child]

54. The "anybody but bernie" crowd are quite vocal

But I don't generalize what I see here to the broader community. Only the primaries will tell and I'm confident that Sen. Sanders is a competitive and viable candidate. Hell, any of our candidates are viable and would make damn fine presidents.

Well... except Bloomberg or mr. starbucks but that's reflective of my bias. I could be wrong.

[wasupaloopa]

60. He taught us a lesson in 2016. That is were right about him then and we are right about him now.

Proud to be called a Bernie basher without getting tumbstoned.

[George II]

70. I saw someone the other night with a Yang avatar raving about Sanders. Go figure!

[honest.abe]

20. Its very likely Rasmussen is playing games here with the data to inflate Sanders numbers..

and create turmoil in our primary process.

BTW, I think Rasmussen polls should be banned from this site. They have been proven to be skewed Republican.

[Wounded Bear]

32. Rasmussen routinely polls 5-10% pro-Repub...

Yeah, I don't trust their Bernie numbers either. Any poll that Trump would gush over is suspect to me.

[MrsCoffee]

28. Well that was a quick dive to the bottom of the barrel.

Well done.

[bearsfootball516]

30. Lol Rasmussen

The same GOP polling company that predicted Republicans would win the popular vote in midterms...which went the Democrats way by 10 million votes.

[LongtimeAZDem]

31. LOL

[WordsMatter]

34. Millions of people did vote for Sanders...

And drew huuuuge crowds.

[wasupaloopa]

58. Did is the operative word.

[Garrett78]

59. 2016 presented an ideal scenario for Sanders. See post #14.

[Gothmog]

77. A large percentage of sanders voters were voting against hillary

I trust Nate on polling compared to rassie polling

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

these voters will not be voting for sanders this cycle

[Garrett78]

79. Sanders supporters loved to talk about how polarizing Clinton is, but...

...they won't acknowledge how that benefited Sanders in 2016 relative to who he's up against in 2020.

[mcar]

36. Rasmussen?

[Yosemito]

38. The poll doesn't compare Sanders to other Democrats

Kind of useless.

[BannonsLiver]

40. Be best.

[Gothmog]

41. A rassie poll???

A rassie poll? That is amusing. It is clear who trump wants to be the nominee.

There are a large number of real democrats who have long memories. We will not forgive or forget sanders past actions including the booing of Congressman John Lewis at the National Convention

[Iggo]

45. Rasmussen says a little over half of dems polled, when given four answers to choose from...

Very Likely
Somewhat Likely
Not Very Likely
Not At All Likely

...chose Somewhat Likely.

[Devil Child]

50. but but but RASMUSSEN!

Thanks for the post workingclasszero! Outright dismissal of Sen. Sanders as "non-viable" seems foolish this early in the game.

[Amimnoch]

51. Disgusting. Nt.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

52. Rasmussen. Meh.

[wasupaloopa]

53. Not DUers. Kamala leads the field here.

[True Dough]

56. I see Bernie with 7% of support in the DU's primary forum

which doesn't exactly equate to Rasmussen's claim. Granted this forum isn't scientific, but neither is that "polling agency."

[LonePirate]

63. Just like in 2016, Bernie's chances at the nomination will be zero once the South votes.

With California now voting in early March next year, he has even less of a chance in 2020.

[allgood33]

64. We should not fall for the same okiedoke again.

I call BS on BS appeal to most Democrats.

[George II]

69. Ah, an online survey.

[Garrett78]

71. Even reputable polls are meaningless at this point. It's all about name recognition.

We have something else that is much more telling with regard to Sanders, since he's the only one who ran last time. And that's the hard demographic data from the 2016 primary. Unless Sanders does much, much better than last time among POC and non-millennial women, he's done after New Hampshire.

[NurseJackie]

72. Clicky clicky!

[George II]

74. Gotta respond to these polls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NurseJackie]

75. LOL

[Persondem]

73. This Dem doesn't. nt

[workinclasszero]

86. Okay its all good

One million and counting are going with Bernie.

Link to tweet

And 324,186 new people who were not part of Sanders 2016 campaign like me are jumping in.