2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Bernie has already Won [View all]firebrand80
(2,760 posts)*Warning: the following post may not fit into the "hate one candidate, love the other dynamic*
That issue has been gaining momentum for a few years now. As for free college tuition, etc. Bernie brought those issues to the table.
I respect the enthusiasm of Bernie supporters, but I don't think this is the time for Bernie, yet. He's not the right candidate, and the country isn't quite far left enough. I don't say this as a dig at Bernie. For the most part, he's the same candidate as Dennis Kucinich, a candidate that couldn't even get off the ground 10 years ago.
I predict that in 20-30 years from now, we're going to look back and see a bigger picture of the country moving left since 2000: The brief success of Howard Dean and the viability of the 50 State Strategy, leading Obama catching hell for pushing the country as left as he could, a self-described Democratic Socialist in Sanders mounting a credible campaign, which which I think will ultimately culminate in a President with Sanders-like views.
I don't think Sanders is going to be the nominee, but as part of the larger war, I hope he goes as far as possible.