Democratic Primaries
In reply to the discussion: Why is Bernie so popular? [View all]BlueWI
(1,736 posts)Posts like this simply avoid acknowledging the diversity within Sanders' supporters.
Pandering, grievance politics - these are dismissive ways to talk about Sanders' supporters too. Why wouldn't a liberal voting bloc want politicians who share their values? Is it is a grievance to say that the economy and health care are tilted toward upper middle class and wealthy people, or is it the truth?
Democrats had a substantive majority in 2009 that it took a lot of work to get, and health care and the Reinvestment Act were significant achievements. But more of a full-court press to get more legislation was possible after that historic majority, and we weren't prepared to counter the backlash in 2010, with disastrous results. Sanders, like Dean in 2008, committed to grass-roots organizing and did so successfully, to the point where Sanders' fundraising is astounding without relying on big contributions.
Like him or not, Sanders has made substantive achievements that lead to his popularity with a core of voters. Can anyone else in the party learn from these successes and go on to win in the GE - that's the real question.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided