Sanders 2020
Related: About this forumInteresting article by Matt Taibbi on Bernie.
Good insight from Bernie on how he handles the slew of negative media reporting, etc.
Link to tweet
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srobertss
(261 posts)You beat me to it in posting this article. I just sent a message to Bernie saying basically that I had been wavering on my commitment to his campaign, but when he addressed the global movement towards fascism and compared that to the situation pre WW2 and what an antidote FDR provided, that won my heart again.
I had to stop listening to NYT The Daily's multi part podcast on the rise of facism in Europe because it was making my stomach clench. The story seems to be the same as here: a loss of livable jobs as businesses moved to cheaper labor pools (the entry of Eastern European countries to the EU accelerated that) and right wing leaders pointing to the "other" as the source of their misery. So Bernie's message really resonated with me.
I realized that what was causing me to waver is the hostility he arouses among Democrats. I hate confrontation. I wanted a candidate who other people like. Bernie is not affable. He's grouchy and impatient. Finally I realized that's a feature not a bug. I had a boss once who was the same way and our program really prospered under his leadership. I think Republicans saw Obama's desire to compromise as something to exploit. But if they are faced with someone who is such a scrapper as Bernie they might actually change tactics. Or if they hang on to the Senate and McConnell continues down the path they're currently on, Bernie would win the PR campaign against them to the point where they would lose.
Finally, I think Bernie has a weird crossover appeal in the swing states. Maybe because he's seen as an outsider. There isn't a lot of trust in either of the major parties right now. Same trend in Europe. So Bernie would be riding that wave.
Nanjeanne
(4,878 posts)Until the so-called media began their anti Bernie campaign, he was always the one with the highest favorable ratings. He inspires me. He may not be affable but his realness and compassion shine through.
For me, I think Bernie is the the one with the best chance of crossover appeal in many states. And I agree, his being an Independent makes him more palatable in the general. Trump won a lot of people with his steal of Bernies populist language and his ability to fool them about jobs, trade and healthcare. Now I think a good number realize that. I remember how Bernies healthcare town hall was in a West Virginia and how people heard him and were moved.
So keep the faith. If we dont have a candidate that generates excitement with bold vision the Dems will lose again and we will be doomed.
srobertss
(261 posts)And the other thing is that the reason were talking Medicare for all is because of Bernie. Who would have thought we would be at this point back when Obamacare was passed by the skin of its teeth? I suspect but for his 2016 campaign we would be talking just strengthening the ACA.