"Bernie Sanders is definitely being underestimated in Iowa," Democratic Chairman, Poweshiek County.

[crazytown]

Why Bernie Sanders Is Tough to Beat

(snip) Bernie Sanders is definitely being underestimated in Iowa,” said John Grennan, the Democratic chairman in Poweshiek County, Iowa.

“Part of his durability is that he has 15 to 20 percent of the caucus who are absolutely committed to voting for him no matter what,” he said. “In a field that’s split between at least 10 major candidates, that 15 to 20 percent counts for a whole heck of a lot.”

There are other factors that have helped Mr. Sanders in Iowa. Because his backers are so loyal, opponents have been unable to penetrate his base, if they have tried to at all. Part of the reason is that Mr. Sanders’s strategy revolves around engaging people who typically don’t participate in the political process, a highly difficult group to target; even the Sanders campaign acknowledges it is a risky strategy. Another factor is sheer resignation: His rivals just don’t see the point in trying to pick off supporters who probably won’t budge

Mr. Sanders has also mostly escaped aggressive attacks from his rivals. Other candidates have focused more on trying to stop Ms. Warren, whom they viewed as a bigger threat. On the airwaves, Mr. Buttigieg, another front-runner, has run television ads that attack Mr. Sanders’s proposals like “Medicare for all” and tuition-free public college but do not name him directly.

Ms. Warren herself has rarely criticized Mr. Sanders. Asked at a recent stop in the blue-collar town of Ottumwa what made her a “better candidate” than Mr. Sanders, she responded tepidly that they had been “friends for a long, long time.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/26/us/politics/bernie-sanders-iowa-democrats.html

I would add something else. The Sanders Campaign welcomes (public) criticism. The more the better.

[left-of-center2012]

1. "In a field that's split between at least 10 major candidates"

Wow. Did not know we have 10 major candidates!

[ritapria]

2. According to Bernie Iowa Campaign Chief Misty Rebik

44,000 Iowans have taken actions on behalf of Bernie's campaign …. That constitutes his base on Caucus Night

[thesquanderer]

4. About 170k voted in 2016 Iowa caucus... 44k would be about 25% of that.

25% would be a strong starting point, and presumably those who have "taken action" don't represent the entirety of who will end up voting for him.

[Demsrule86]

3. The Sander's campaign welcomes public criticism? Um, no they don't.

[samnsara]

5. yeah i agree with ya there..ummm nope they dont!

[LanternWaste]

6. Of course he's going to do well there. Iowa's demographics align perfectly with Sanders' base.

[Sloumeau]

10. Agreed. :) eom

[judeling]

7. Bernie is in a strong

Place in Iowa and that is because he has a committed bas of support. But it is not as large of as committed as is being presented.

It appears that the totally committed is around 2/3's that is great as everyone else has around 1/3 at this point.
But a truly committed caucus goer will be more likely to play strategic games on the night. Don't forget that there are 3600 elections and Bernie will fall below 15% in many of them. So after the first sorting as the politicking really begins. A committed precinct captain if it looks like he can't gain viability may just opt to deny others and throw support to a less threatening candidate.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

8. Bernie is being underestimated EVERYWHERE, especially here at DU!!

Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join the revolution!!

[msongs]

11. here at du we are wise to bernie. nt

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

12. Yes, you said it, you all "are wise to Bernie," PRECISELY showing that you underestimate him.

Maybe, instead, you should be respectful of Bernie and the mission he is on to restore this country by destroying the inequalities that have plagued it for too long.


Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join the revolution!!

[NurseJackie]

13. I'll gladly show the same "respect" that's being shown to the Democratic party and its leadership.

Maybe, instead, you should be respectful of Bernie

I'll gladly show the same "respect" that's being shown to the Democratic party and its leadership.

[brooklynite]

9. Population: 18,914

Everyone's entitled to their opinion.