Why Bernie will win the GE: Meet The Lifelong Republicans Who Love Bernie Sanders

[kenn3d]

25. If we can nominate Bernie, he can win.

Anecdotal evidence from numerous sources say that a (perhaps substantial) percentage of disaffected Republicans and many Independents will vote for Bernie Sanders. Some have already re-registered as Democrats or otherwise committed to voting for him in their primary/caucus.

Not all voters are lifetime party members who choose strictly on issues... or even know the candidates' positions on issues necessarily. Indeed, knowing HRC's positions on the issues can be difficult even for the informed voter. Many less-involved citizens will simply recognize the rampant and growing corruption in our government and cast their hope for positive change with Bernie. Like it or not, a large part of the population either doesn't bother to vote, or doesn't take the time to really learn much about the candidates. But many will be exposed to Bernie's message enough to see it as a refreshing incentive to return to the polls on election day. A lot of these voters are not what DUers call Democrats or Republicans. They largely won't be inclined to understand or even listen to historical (or hysterical) arguments for your candidate. And some may not be answering their landline phones anymore (if they even still have one).

Also, many Democrats who decided to vote for Obama instead of Hillary last time, may make a similar decision this time when the time comes, despite what the traditional pollsters are telling us now.
Hillary was not inevitable in 2008, and she's still evitable now. If we can nominate Bernie, he can win.