Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumThe "Stop Sanders" Movement Is Worried That Bernie Can Actually Win, Not That He'll Lose
This week, NBC, the Associated Press, and Politico all reported on the emerging anxiety within elite Democratic circles about Sanderss ascent in the polls and nascent efforts by operatives to arrest his momentum. As journalist Andrew Perez noted, all three reports cited one Matt Bennett, cofounder of the organization Third Way, who issued boilerplate warnings about the supposed dangers of a Sanders nomination. In a pattern that is almost certain to be repeated in the coming weeks and months, Bennetts intervention was framed as an earnest expression of concern by a moderate Democrat mindful of taking what he believes to be a major political risk.
But it was actually something else, given Bennetts job at a self-identified think tank that has received extensive contributions from corporate patrons, including health insurance company Humana and Koch Industries. Washington is packed with groups like Third Way and others in the same mold, the function of which is to provide a layer of institutional sediment separating corporate interests from the mouthpieces they fund to advance their interests. In the gelatinous mass of lobbyists, megadonors, corporate spokespeople, and political operatives resulting from this arrangement, it can often be difficult to tell where the private sector ends and the public sector or party apparatus begins.
Nonetheless, Bennetts anguished intervention is a telltale sign that panic about Sanders is starting to spill outside the op-ed pages and into the boardrooms of corporate interests from pharmaceutical companies to Wall Street investment firms who have an immediate pecuniary interest in opposing his program. If Sanderss performance in the first round of primaries and caucuses matches current expectations, big business will undoubtedly intensify its efforts to stop him likely aided, as in this case, by centrist Democrat operatives who sit at the noxious juncture of party politics and corporate agitprop.
https://jacobinmag.com/2020/01/stop-sanders-movement-bernie-2020-election-democratic-party
I share in the author's opinion on the motivation behind recent Third Way driven op-eds which have been popping op with more frequency in response to Sen. Sander's rise in various polls.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
progressiveradical
(17 posts)The more centrist candidate has lost every election for the last twenty years.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Sloumeau
(2,657 posts)The last time the Democratic Party ran a super lefty candidate was George McGovern in 1972.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
zentrum
(9,865 posts)...was because of rage against Johnson and the Viet Nam war. Voters felt they couldn't trust the Democrats because of that damn war.
Nixon said, at the time, that he had a plan to get us out and that's what got him into office.
If Johnson, who was so great domestically with FDR (Leftist) programs, hadn't mired us in "Nam, we'd have had a virtually unbroken chain of Democrats. And McGovern would have waltzed into office.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
George II
(67,782 posts)....he would have gotten more than just 17 Electoral Votes if he were more "centrist".
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
zentrum
(9,865 posts).....It was a protest vote against anything and anyone associated with Johnson. I.e They didn't want a Democrat. Period.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
John Fante
(3,479 posts)extended hostilities into Cambodia. He won in one of the biggest landslides in history.
BTW, the more moderate Humphrey, who was VP under LBJ, narrowly lost to Nixon in 1968, when the bloodshed in Vietnam was at its peak.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
zentrum
(9,865 posts)I was only talking about how he campaigned.
The invasion into Cambodia, as I understand it, in any event, was secret at the time. New of it came only later to the general public.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
dem4decades
(11,304 posts)The Republicans are brilliant at rat fucking.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
zentrum
(9,865 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)And please tell me what "leftists" have won in 40 years?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
still_one
(92,395 posts)endorsements results were dismal
The right wing isn't the only one living in a bubble
Some here seem to ignore the facts, and the 2018 midterms along with your examples are facts that some conveniently ignore
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to Sloumeau (Reply #7)
Name removed Message auto-removed
Polybius
(15,476 posts)Why mention Bill Clinton? The poster clearly said of the last 20 years. Last time he ran was 24 years ago.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)workinclasszero (28,270 posts)
Tue Apr 16, 2019, 06:20 AM
By Jonathan Martin April 16, 2019
From canapé-filled fund-raisers on the coasts to the cloakrooms of Washington, mainstream Democrats are increasingly worried that their effort to defeat President Trump in 2020 could be complicated by Mr. Sanders, in a political scenario all too reminiscent of how Mr. Trump himself seized the Republican nomination in 2016.
How, some Democrats are beginning to ask, do they thwart a 70-something candidate from outside the party structure who is immune to intimidation or incentive and wields support from an unwavering base, without simply reinforcing his the establishment is out to get me message the same grievance Mr. Trump used to great effect?
But stopping Mr. Sanders, or at least preventing a contentious convention, could prove difficult for Democrats.
He has enormous financial advantages already substantially outraising his Democratic rivals that can sustain a major campaign through the primaries. And he is well-positioned to benefit from a historically large field of candidates that would splinter the vote: If he wins a substantial number of primaries and caucuses and comes in second in others, thanks to his deeply loyal base of voters across many states, he would pick up formidable numbers of delegates for the nomination.
That prospect is not only spooking establishment-aligned Democrats, but it is also creating tensions about what, if anything, should be done to halt Mr. Sanders.
Theres a growing realization that Sanders could end up winning this thing, or certainly that he stays in so long that he damages the actual winner, said David Brock, the liberal organizer, who said he has had discussions with other operatives about an anti-Sanders campaign and believes it should commence sooner rather than later.
But to some veterans of the still-raw 2016 primary, a heavy-handed intervention may only embolden him and his fervent supporters.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/128770950
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
James48
(4,440 posts)and yes, I think he will win.
I don't know where the anti-Bernie crap is coming from, but just- STOP already.
You have your candidate, I have mine. Lets get out the vote and see who can best bring America back from Oligarchy.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Devil Child
(2,728 posts)I believe Sen. Sanders can secure a victory in 2020. GOTV is the most important aspect in achieving victory for whomever the Democratic candidate is. If we do that we will win.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
BannonsLiver
(16,448 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
still_one
(92,395 posts)Kind of says something i think
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Devil Child
(2,728 posts)If she does withdraw Ill be moving on to Sanders, Warren, or Yang in no particular order. I know Yang is also a long shot so most likely options for me will then be Sanders or Warren.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join The Revolution!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Devil Child
(2,728 posts)Hopefully that saves me a spot before they are all gone InAbLuEsTaTe!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)I got you a spot near the front, but I'm ridin' shotgun, sorry... that spot's reserved for ME, Bernie's #1 supporter!!!
Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join The Revolution!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
myohmy2
(3,176 posts)...also recommend Bernie?
"...it can often be difficult to tell where the private sector ends and the public sector or party apparatus begins. "
...Bernie gets most of his money from us...
...and money trumps politics (no pun intended)
...
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)...maybe, but we can't know if there isn't transparency...
Under the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, an entity directly or indirectly established by a federal candidate or officeholder is not allowed to solicit, receive, direct, transfer, or spend funds in connection with an election for Federal office unless the funds are subject to the limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements of federal law.
According to Our Revolutions tax returns showing contribution amounts but not contributor names, data compiled and first reported by the Associated Press, from 2016 to 2018 Our Revolution raised almost $1 million dollars from contributors who gave in excess of the applicable $5,000 contribution limit, including multiple contributions of between $100,000 and $300,000. Our Revolution has not disclosed any of its contributors to the FEC, as required by federal campaign finance law.
Americans expect and deserve to have our campaign finance laws enforced and they expect political organizations to abide by the law, regardless of their political views, said Paul Seamus Ryan, Common Cause vice president for policy and litigation. The facts surrounding Our Revolution, including its founding by Sen. Sanders, its receipt of six-figure contributions, its failure to disclose donors to the FEC, and its political spending in Iowa and elsewhere, point to a clear violation of the federal soft money ban. Common Cause is a nonpartisan organization and we work to hold power accountable regardless of party affiliation or policy positions. It is critically important that the soft money ban be enforced, or outside groups founded by candidates will become a commonplace means to evade contribution limits and disclosure requirements.
https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/01/22/common-cause-files-complaint-against-pro-bernie-sanders-group-our-revolution
...transparency is sort of important...
.... ....
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
DownriverDem
(6,231 posts)When are folks like you going to accept that we are a Center/Left Country? Look who will be voting in November. They are Center/Left.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to DownriverDem (Reply #12)
Name removed Message auto-removed
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join The Revolution!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
napi21
(45,806 posts)President again, relax when he/she goes overseas so they don't have to worry about which aai will get pissed off at the USA, their kids can actually listen to a President speak without hearing language they don't want their kids hearing. That's obviously the OPPOSITE of DT! I believe they'd like things to go back to normal, not change everything .
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)... Joe's brand of moderate incrementalism won't cut it, sorry.
Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join The Revolution!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
LonePirate
(13,431 posts)Time to change that.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Stellar
(5,644 posts)I've been reading and hearing that this is where the Corporate Media and Corporate Democrats will be throwing the kitchen sink at Bernie to try to keep him from winning. Those people hate Bernie with a purple passion.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join The Revolution!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Stellar
(5,644 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join The Revolution!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join The Revolution!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)rather than a series of unsupported allegations and post-hoc-ergo-propter-hoc fallacies.
But evidence-based opinions are not in with the faux-revolutionary crowd, so I understand the dramatic absence of objective evidence.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)Long read. Some stuff applies to the phenomenon. Most doesn't. Has AOC and a movie trope I missed. Found it last night when I was looking for something else. I'm still trying to figure out this thing where they believe Bernie will do the things he's promised. Despite all evidence to the contrary. Hear it all the time on Twitter. They believe. I liked the title because I've been saying 'magic fairy dust revolution' and it's similar. LOL
"But Manic Pixie Dream Politics is not politics where you think for yourself, its politics where you give yourself over to the idea that itll all work out in the end if you believe in what doesnt quite make sense to you."
https://arcdigital.media/the-green-new-deal-and-our-manic-pixie-dream-politics-7e6fa348de65
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MineralMan
(146,329 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Thekaspervote
(32,793 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BannonsLiver
(16,448 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Devil Child
(2,728 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
DanTex
(20,709 posts)but articles by David Frum and Jennifer Rubin get high-fives.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Gothmog
(145,554 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,337 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)record of accomplishment Bernie cant match, a place in American hearts Bernie will never occupy, and the AA support Bernie has not earned. Finally, Bernies personality is a turn-off to folks outside the bubble. He harangues and Biden speaks in a way audience connect to emotionally. He is proud of his unconventional, anti-social impulses while Biden loves people. Biden exudes empathy, Bernie anger.
Bernie is special however. He is a man in possession of an ideé fixe, the Sanders socialist revolution, which he holds to with ferocity, and he has planted a passion for it in a sizable minority.
His fervor for radical economic change is not going to die and it will take wider hold in wider numbers.
But leader of the free world, no. Not with this smiling guy straight out of West Wing who actually served in the West Wing.
Both Trump and Bernie are really threatened by Biden. But animosity, jealousy, and spite are not good looks. Bernie needs to work on telling us all how he is going to pay for his Revolution and get congress to support it. Distorting Bidens positions is a waste of time and energy Bernie needs to put elbow grease into cleaning house instead. He also needs to stop dancing solo and learn to schmooze. Say Happy Birthday Bernie. It never hurts.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,337 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(145,554 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Tarc
(10,476 posts)Still on Team Liz til the bitter end, but the motivations for the centrist hand-wringing is becoming quite clear as Bernie rises in the polls.
They (the Bernie/Liz/AOC, etc... types) believe in giving voters a real choice between right and left. We tried Clinton 2016, it didn't work, I don't see how nominating Biden, who is exactly in that Clinton mold, is a winning strategy.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Sanders isn't my #1 this time around, but I appreciate his challenge to conventional economic policy that has produced extremely high inequality, with no alternative approach in sight. Sanders has revealed the class differences within the Democratic party, but the party should be learning from his example of how to motivate grassroots voters.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
DanTex
(20,709 posts)It's not a secret why people that are dead-set on cutting Social Security, or people who supported Bush's wars and torture, don't want Bernie to win.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Devil Child
(2,728 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join The Revolution!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
squirecam
(2,706 posts)Is afraid Bernie will win. Because his policies wont get enacted. We wont have the senate, and even if we did, there wont be 60 votes.
Even if there were no filibuster (and Bernie is against eliminating it) you still have Manchin and Jones who you would need to convince.
People think he will lose. Its that simple.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Blaukraut
(5,693 posts)I'm as left as you can get, and would love for Bernie to win and actually be able to move the country in that direction. If we elected our president by popular vote only, even my choice - Liz Warren - would beat Trump. Unfortunately, reality is that a handful of swing states will decide, and there aren't enough Bernie-type voters to be found in those to make up for those who will move to, or stick with, Trump out of fear of socialism.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
pbmus
(12,422 posts)Unfortunately, reality is that a handful of swing states will decide, and there aren't enough Bernie-type voters to be found in those to make up for those who will move to, or stick with, Trump out of fear of socialism.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)But as is, I am not convinced and I am not got to risk it on the hope that he'll somehow find a way to win three states Trump won in 2016 - Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Devil Child
(2,728 posts)I can't say you are wrong and won't as I have no ability to make a prediction that is 100%. You have to vote your way in support of your candidate and I respect that.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)So, feel free anytime to climb aboard the Bernie Bandwagon... though space has become limited, as BERNIE is surging in the polls. Best of luck though to your candidate... may the best one in the eyes of primary voters win!!
Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join The Revolution!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join The Revolution!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)Biden was vetted over a decade ago when he ran as Obama's running mate.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
honest.abe
(8,685 posts)He will win just enough primaries to keep it interesting and then blame the DNC for manipulating the process when he loses. This will gin up all sorts of anger among his loyal followers who in the end will be so pissed off they will either not vote, vote write-in or bite their tongues and vote Dem but wont work for the nominee or donate. Much like 2016.
We cannot afford this again.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
OhZone
(3,212 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
R B Garr
(16,975 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
floppyboo
(2,461 posts)In light of some of the not so above board purges and lost provisional ballots and and (fill in the blank) the Sanders campaign has used a good chunk of their massive fundraising haul on lawyers to be watchdogs. There will be much less chance of speculation. On the other hand, if there is any hanky panky, there will be much better documented proof.
So don't worry about that stuff. I'd like to see more positive posts here on other candidates and their policies.
Seems to be so many bits and bytes dedicated to being worried instead of excited.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
honest.abe
(8,685 posts)The Sanders clan seems wound up for a fight to the bitter end which would probably result in all of us losing.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
floppyboo
(2,461 posts)I think anyone who has earned the right to be there at that time should be welcome to participate in the convention.
I'm guessing it will be 4 - Biden, Bloomberg, Sanders and Warren. Or maybe Amy, if she survives the latest attacks on her role in wrongly prosecuting a black man for murder.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
honest.abe
(8,685 posts)If he is mathematically eliminated prior to the convention, he needs to drop out. He did not do that in 2016.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
floppyboo
(2,461 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
honest.abe
(8,685 posts)Dragging it out to the convention could create another scenario like 2016 where supporters were so incensed they created chaos at the event and even booed civil rights legend John Lewis. Needless to say that didnt help Hilary Clinton beat Trump.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
lapucelle
(18,319 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
scheming daemons
(25,487 posts)he definitely CAN win the nomination.
There's a path.
But it guarantees a general election loss. That's what is the motivation.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
mchill
(1,018 posts)because of M4all. Ive seen what has happened in single payer countries down under. And what makes M4all people think you can outlaw insurance companies or prevent doctors and hospitals from asking for more than what a public option (only) will pay?
Then there are Independents, swing voters, and even Democrats who dont want to lose what they have. I am one of them.
Other than that I find Bernie to be an angry man who doesnt work well with others or compromise, but most of all we need to win big to defeat this cheating lying POTUS we have now. The youth vote is Notoriously unreliable, so dont tell me we will lose their vote.
I remember what happened when McGovern ran and I was once an idealistic Eugene McCarthy supporter. He would have lost too.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Uncle Joe
(58,417 posts)Thanks for the thread Devil Child.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Devil Child
(2,728 posts)You are a consistent source of good info here. Thanks for your threads and input.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Devil Child
(2,728 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
still_one
(92,395 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)I do read some articles from Jacobin. While I might agree with some principles, those who value ideological perfection over compromise do not, in my view, have a realistic view of the world.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
still_one
(92,395 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
stonecutter357
(12,697 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to Devil Child (Original post)
Stargleamer This message was self-deleted by its author.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)This whole "oh we're just so scared of Big Bad St. Bern is not only demonstrably false, it was old four years ago.
Please find a new shtick.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)What are guys revolting against? Math?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Tweedy
(628 posts)Wow
Third way represents next to none of U.S. most of U.S. want a wealth tax and health care security. We neither want to live in caves simply because our ancestors did; nor, watch our children or grandchildren buried under student loan debt simply because we were.
In other words, a third way to maintain the status quo is a very unpopular proposition
Yet, who calls themselves a jacobin, as this magazine does? Those folks started a reign of terror which took a king, his family, his friends, his enemies, his children, ordinary citizens, and their erstwhile allies when anyone dared be rational. Jacobins threatened fathers to coerce women to marry them. Maybe the magazine meant the monks, but I doubt it.
Elizabeth Warren is the one most special interests fear the most. She certainly has made certain to take them all on directly.
Third way is, i think, afraid Bernie cannot win. No matter who we nominate it will be a fight.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
treestar
(82,383 posts)it's to stop him from causing the same problems as 2016.
He's not going to win.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
samnsara
(17,635 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(145,554 posts)The real democrats in this race have not started to go negative on him yet but trump has a ton to work with and will bury and destroy such a weak candidate like sanders
Link to tweet
Democrats face a classic collective-action problem. The party has a strong interest in publicly vetting Sanders before he becomes its nominee, but no candidate wants to be the one to go negative on him. Instead, as with Donald Trumps Republican opponents in 2016, other Democratic candidates are seemingly hoping to pick off Sanders voters during the primary season, or at least attract their support in November, without doing the dirty work of criticizing his record. Attacks that appear to echo potential Republican talking points are especially likely to go unsaid. As a result, large numbers of voters may not learn about Sanderss vulnerabilities and how they might be exploited in a general election until much later in the race.
The lack of scrutiny of Sanders dates back to 2016. Despite his long career in politics, Sanders was a little-known outsider before his presidential campaign against Hillary Clinton. His unexpectedly strong showing in that race made him a national figure with an unusually positive public image. Why? Few politicians ever criticized him. Sanders never seriously threatened Clintons hold on the nomination, so she mostly held her fire, preferring to try to keep his voters in the fold for November. Republicans largely withheld criticism as well, presumably appreciating his refusal to withdraw from the race and hoping to run against him rather than Clinton in the general election.
These attacks will come, however, if Sanders is the Democratic nominee. Any candidate will face attacks, of course, but for contenders like Sanders who have been insulated from previous criticism, the potential for damage is especially great.,,,,
Moreover, though Democratic candidates dont want to make this point in the primary race, attacks on Sanderss praise of socialist and communist governments are likely to be especially damaging when paired with criticism of his policy proposals as big-government socialism. Even Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who once assiduously sought to prevent Sanders from getting to her left, has realized the risks of Sanderss plan to move all health care to a single-payer system and has started to edge away from the idea. Only 20 percent of voters and just 37 percent of Democrats say they would be enthusiastic about voting for a socialist for president.
Labels like socialist are abstract and poorly understood by most voters, of course; some of Sanderss policies are indeed popular. But the penalty for extremism is real. When ideologically extreme candidates narrowly defeat moderates for a party nomination, the political scientists Andrew Hall and Daniel Thompson find, they perform more poorly in the general election, in part because they inspire the other partys base more than their own. For instance, former Kansas secretary of state Kris Kobach, a hard-right conservative, barely beat the Republican governor in the 2018 gubernatorial primary before losing the general election to a Democrat by five percentage points.
Trump might seem to be a counterexample, but Sanders will struggle to replicate his success. Its true that Trump won the White House despite having unusually high unfavorable ratings and a personal background that many voters considered disqualifying. Like Trump, Sanders would surely benefit from the strong pull of party loyalty, which can help counter the doubts of some potential supporters. But Trump had a key advantage: Voters in 2016 saw him as unusually moderate, which helped him overcome those record unfavorable numbers. Though the public now sees Trump as more conservative than in the last election, it views Sanders as even more distant from the center.
Besides his socialist positions, Sanders also has a long paper trail of writings and statements about sex, gender and race that have received relatively little attention but are likely to provoke far more controversy if he wins the nomination. In one 1969 essay, for instance, Sanders wrote that the manner in which you bring up your daughter with regard to sexual attitudes may very well determine whether or not she will develop breast cancer, among other things. And does his diverse coalition of young supporters know he once compared workers in Vermont to slaves?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(145,554 posts)In addition to the well written 101 page memorandum with oppo on sanders with a 1000 pages of backup from the Clinton campaign trump has his own oppo file on sanders that would destroy such a weak and divisive candidate like sanders. Trump had a two foot thick book of oppo research on Sanders http://www.newsweek.com/myths-cost-democrats-presidential-election-521044
So what would have happened when Sanders hit a real opponent, someone who did not care about alienating the young college voters in his base? I have seen the opposition book assembled by Republicans for Sanders, and it was brutal. The Republicans would have torn him apart. And while Sanders supporters might delude themselves into believing that they could have defended him against all of this, there is a name for politicians who play defense all the time: losers....
The Republicans had at least four other damning Sanders videos (I dont know what they showed), and the opposition research folder was almost 2-feet thick. (The section calling him a communist with connections to Castro alone would have cost him Florida.) In other words, the belief that Sanders would have walked into the White House based on polls taken before anyone really attacked him is a delusion built on a scaffolding of political ignorance.
sanders was such a weak primary candidate that the Clinton campaign did not use its oppo but trump would have fun destroying such a weak candidate like sanders
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
pamdb
(1,332 posts)I am not a Bernie fan, although we voted for him in the michigan primary in 2016. I don't want him, I don't like him, but if he is the nominee, I will vote for him. I would MUCH RATHER have Biden. I wouldn't depend on the college students to get out and vote for him, the election is usually right around mid-terms. More senior citizens (which is what I am) show up than college students. But I will vote for whomever is the candidate, I just really don't want Bernie and think he doesn't have that good of chance of getting elected. I want Biden and Val Demmings or Biden and Kamala Harris. But i am Vote Blue no matter Who.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
honest.abe
(8,685 posts)If Trump wins again, America as we know it is done. Although I have criticized Bernie many many times in the past I will suddenly become a "Bernie Bro" if he somehow wins the Dem nomination. We have to save the nation from a Dictator Trump. I do hope Bernie supporters feel the same if Biden wins. Somehow Im not so sure.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
highplainsdem
(49,034 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(145,554 posts)Link to tweet
Via The Economist:
This research suggests, then, that Mr Biden could perform better than his competitors against Mr Trump. He is more moderate than Mr Sanders, so both more likely to attract swing voters and less likely to motivate Republicans to vote against him. His strength with both black and racially conservative white voters could make a big difference in swing states. Recent polling from the New York Times and Siena College suggests that 6% of the electorate would vote for Mr Bidenbut not for Elizabeth Warrenagainst Mr Trump.
His advantage is evident in polls. According to The Economists analysis of publicly released polling data, Mr Biden performs better against Mr Trump than his competitors, nationwide and in swing states. Although polls of the general election conducted this early before a contest are not perfect, they are still helpful.
Mr Biden is not faultless. He is uninspiring on the stump and in debates. His Washington ties may inspire resentment from voters skeptical of elites. His candidacy would also represent a safety-first strategy for the Democrats at a time when many in the party desperately want to push a much more progressive economic, racial and social agenda. Yet for all that he still appears to be the Democrats best option in a contest against Mr Trump.
Trump is attacking Biden because he is the Democrat who poses the biggest threat
Joe Biden is the example used in the article, but the same principle applies to all of the moderate Democrat. Trump is extreme. The formula for beating a political extremist isnt to navigate to the opposite extreme.
Trump has abandoned the political middle, and it would be a foolish mistake for Democrats to believe that they could nominate any of their candidates and beat Trump. If Trump runs against someone on the far left, he will wrap himself in patriotism, and paint his opponent as the extremist.
Election Day turnout will be smaller because people in the middle will stay home instead of choosing between a candidate on the right, and a candidate on the left. A base election helps Trump and the Republican Party.
A moderate can beat Trump with a promise to end the crazy and bring the presidency and the nation back to normal. Beating an incumbent president is difficult, but according to the research, a moderate gives Democrats their best chance to win in 2020.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Vogon_Glory
(9,128 posts)This web site is heavily trafficked by a large, liberal readership, but even here Bernie isnt the fav. That honor is shared by Elizabeth Warren (#1) and Joe Biden (#2).
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden