2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Can Bernie supporters comprehend why someone would prefer Hillary over Bernie? [View all]JohnnyRingo
(18,628 posts)Outside the bubble of DU people democrats I talk to universally consider Sanders a far left candidate. True, I'm not talking to college students in New England, but blue collar working class factory laborers. You could legitimately say that if they knew Bernie, they'd love Bernie, but all they hear is "socialist".
It'd be nice to think Bernie gave a few speeches and single handed changed the political complexion of the entire country overnight, but I think you overestimate his leverage. While he's doing well polling his backyard, it's yet to be seen how he'll do in the manufacturing MidWest, the South, flyover states, and the mining states in the West. I'm not as optimistic as you, but I appreciate your idealistic elan.
While I can't speak for the rest, he's not doing well here in NE Ohio where we traditionally vote two to one for democrats, and frankly, neither is Hillary.