Posted on 09/20/2015 9:51:11 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
The surging popularity of Sen. Bernie Sanders has done little to alleviate the chief concern that Democrats have about his presidential bid: Namely, that he's simply unelectable on a national stage.
The Vermont Independent has quickly closed the gap on frontrunner Hillary Clinton in national polls, while overtaking the former State secretary in the early voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire. Supporters say his rising momentum and populist message will carry him to the White House.
But Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, has spent a career operating largely from the left-most fringes of the Democratic Party with which he caucuses, stirring worry that he simply couldn't compete against a Republican perceived as a more establishment figure. "No matter how well you think of Bernie — and all of us do — … when the politics of it all hits the road, I don't feel — and I feel most members don't feel — that he can be elected," said Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.).
The doubts have nothing to do with policy.
Indeed, Sanders' career-long advocacy for economic and social justice — a vision of wider safety nets, higher wages, universal healthcare and corporate policing — overlaps almost directly with the policy priorities of Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and her liberal-leaning Democratic Caucus on Capitol Hill.
It's a convergence the Democrats have been quick to hail.
"I'm proud of what Bernie is saying out there, and it's a reflection of what we fight for here," Pelosi said last week.
And yet there remains a lingering sense among many Democrats that a Sanders' nomination would spell doom for the party in 2016 — a sentiment highlighted by the fact that not a single Democrat in either chamber has endorsed the No. 2 primary contender.
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
I agree with you. It would be a political watershed. No wonder both of the machines hate the idea.
I think Bernie Sanders, who, as far as I can tell, is all idealism and sincerity for Communism, has a better chance of being elected than Lady Macbeth of Little Rock, Hillary!, or The Evil Clown (and anti-assassination insurance), Biden.
This is the worst line up of Democrat candidate I have seen in my life, and any of them still have about a 50-50 chance of winning.
Bernie was an “under 30” during the Sucky Sixties and his radical politics are straight out of the Chicago Seven’s playbook. His current campaign is a last hurrah of vanished youth.
Someone mentioned that since Sanders is not a registered Democrat, then he is a third party candidate. Thoughts?
You’re right. Democrats are all thieves. Making the world “a better place” with other people’s money.
I figure Sanders will awake some morning to find a horse head on the pillow next to him and announce that he has decided, he would be more affective helping America’s poor and downtrodden as a member of the Senate.
Or something.
Bernie is old. He could commit Arkancide if he isn’t very careful. LOL
Bingo. The media doesn't want to utter the truth - that Sanders' ideology is now mainstream among Democrats. Apparently, this is still toxic where some moderate Dems (and Independents who generally lean left) are concerned.
“Someone mentioned that since Sanders is not a registered Democrat, then he is a third party candidate. Thoughts?”
IMO he should be a third party or independent candidate. His only official affiliation with the Dems is that he ‘caucuses’ with them. The Dems are stuck with him though or he will split their base. That is the only way I see one of the empty suit establishment Republicans winning. Even Yeb.
Makes no difference if Sanders is a registered Democrat. If he files and runs as a Democrat and the party accepts him, he’s legally a Democrat candidate. FEC paperwork to be a third party is quite a bit different.
The same thing was said about Reagan.
By their own words, many of those quoted being members of the so-called "Progressive Caucus", allied with the Democratic Socialists of America. They know Sanders would have a tough time getting elected. They'd prefer to finish their coup from the shadows and not foist a naked hard core leftist as their standard bearer, just yet.
“An old, cranky, disheveled, Socialist, atheist Jew from New York originally.....why wouldn’t we ALL vote for Bernie??”
I would like to see the GOPE work with the Democrats “to get things done” if Sanders was President. He would go right after their money. If they get Bush nominated they would deserve it.
“This is the worst line up of Democrat candidate” And what is amazing they and the other possibilities except for O’malley who is no where are at least 70 years old. So much for the party of youthful ideas.
You left out the senator from the state of white privilege!
Maybe we'll have Sanders and Trump in the General.
They'd both be unelectable.
The first debate question for Bernie/Hillary...What issue do you disagree with Hillary/Bernie on?
Explain the difference between a Socialist and a Democrat?
The person who’s unelectable is Hillary Clinton.
“I agree we have to start pushing on the DU and huffpo that Biden entering shows disrespect for Sanders and he needs to run as a 3rd candidate.”
If Biden gets in Bernie has no other choice than 3rd party.
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