2020 Presidential election

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Not really. The differences between Sanders and the "moderate group" of the candidates are fundamentally pretty negligible when you're talking about domestic policy goals.

The biggest policy issue is health care. The difference between "Medicare for All" and "Medicare for All Who Want It" is about violence of approach. The former seeks to abolish all insurance within four years - the later provides for a natural transition between two systems.

Democrats want more robust financial regulation and and a more progressive income tax. Bernie just wants MORE of those same things.

Bernie, and his very online army, don't care AT ALL how someone who isn't already among the converted will receive their message. They are blunt, uncompromising, and armed with the moral certitude that anyone who disagrees with them isn't just wrong, but immoral. They are blind to their candidate's obvious liabilities and they manage to piss off even committed liberals with regularity.

It would be a DEBACLE for the party if Bernie gets the nom. He might single-handedly swing the Senate race McSally's way in my home state. It would be BAD.

Socialism historically has meant that a central government controls the means of production (i.e., most sectors of the economy). If you look at Bernie's proposed Green New Deal, he wants to nationalize the energy and transportation industries, not just healthcare. He wants loose immigration and other progressive social programs that have zero chance of getting through Congress regardless of which party holds the majority.

 

[Eminence]

Why I'm against "Medicare for All Who Want It" - the Medicare for All bit will once get axed when R's take back the top office (if it's even still "for All" by the time it gets passed). There are different versions, but Pete's has an atrocious version of Obama's mandate/fine in it that would involve the tax system. Not at all interested.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

The Bernie people are fervently convinced that millions of people who aren't engaged with the political process will show up and vote their guy in. So it doesn't matter that they de-mobilize many people who are already habitual voters.

Bernie is selling anger to the younger generation, fueled by economic inequality. The economic inequality is real, and it's a real problem. It's a fair topic. The reality is that wealth accumulation is mostly generational, and the Baby Boom generation now owns most of the real estate and the stocks. America's middle-class has been disappearing over the last 25 years, and young people, saddled with college debt and struggling to earn decent wages, are finding it difficult or impossible to own a home and raise a family in most major cities.

The Democratic party is clearly split between 'progressives' and 'moderates.' Neither side seems to want to accommodate the other.

 

[Zombie]

The Bernie people are fervently convinced that millions of people who aren't engaged with the political process will show up and vote their guy in. So it doesn't matter that they de-mobilize many people who are already habitual voters.

We're convinced of this because this is exactly what his campaign has been doing.

As for depressing turnout, if Dems can't rally behind Bernie after four years of talking about how important it is to get Trump out of office and to "vote blue no matter who" then it will be on their heads if Trump wins.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

We're convinced of this because this is exactly what his campaign has been doing.

As for depressing turnout, if Dems can't rally behind Bernie after four years of talking about how important it is to get Trump out of office and to "vote blue no matter who" then it will be on their heads if Trump wins.

If Bernie is that strong a candidate, he should have more than 25%-35% support among Democrats. He should be in the 45%-55% support range right now.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

It's not my fault you're ignorant of human psychology.

Every candidate has toxic followers online. Bernie supporters are by far the least, it's just a media narrative.

 

[Zombie]

Not really. The differences between Sanders and the "moderate group" of the candidates are fundamentally pretty negligible when you're talking about domestic policy goals.

The biggest policy issue is health care. The difference between "Medicare for All" and "Medicare for All Who Want It" is about violence of approach. The former seeks to abolish all insurance within four years - the later provides for a natural transition between two systems.

Democrats want more robust financial regulation and and a more progressive income tax. Bernie just wants MORE of those same things.

Bernie, and his very online army, don't care AT ALL how someone who isn't already among the converted will receive their message. They are blunt, uncompromising, and armed with the moral certitude that anyone who disagrees with them isn't just wrong, but immoral. They are blind to their candidate's obvious liabilities and they manage to piss off even committed liberals with regularity.

It would be a DEBACLE for the party if Bernie gets the nom. He might single-handedly swing the Senate race McSally's way in my home state. It would be BAD.

The reason the DNC elites fear a Bernie presidency is because he represents a threat to their power structure, not because of some policy differences that at the end of the day may not amount to much.

 

[Zombie]

If Bernie is that strong a candidate, he should have more than 25%-35% support among Democrats. He should be in the 45%-55% support range right now.

It doesn't work like that when there are half a dozen candidates lol.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Bernie Bros have a reputation for their aggressive attacks on anyone who doesn't pass their purity test.

I mean holy ****, I said he wasn't my first choice but that I would absolutely support him and be completely happy to have him as the POTUS but that's not good enough for Cy. I hate health care reform and the middle class working people now...

Lmao Jesus fing Christ. Purity test? If that's what you call not supporting a dude like Bloomberg then lmao.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

There is literally nothing positive saying you'll support Bloomberg. Our votes have power, use them to get what you want, not concede to the powers that be. Saying that **** just empowers the DNC establishment to pull some ****ery.

 

[Eminence]

If Bernie is that strong a candidate, he should have more than 25%-35% support among Democrats. He should be in the 45%-55% support range right now.

Nobody has consolidated a contested race that fast in recent years.

2008 Obama was at 37% of pledged delegates through IA/NH
2008 McCain was at 20%
2012 Romney at 33%
2016 Trump at 34%
2016 Clinton at 48%

Bernie at 33% is in fine shape

Kerry was probably the last example of a candidate doing so successfully, and how'd that work out for him?

 

[DasJazz]

If the DNC plays dirty AGAIN and takes the nomination away from Sanders we're gonna get 4 more years of Trump. I think they know that.

They need someone to actually get more delegates than Sanders legit, without their overt interference. If that doesn't happen you've got to saddle up and ride with Sanders.

Alternatively, if they actually don't cheat like they are so accustomed to doing and Bernie does in fact get the nomination, we're gonna get 4 more years of Trump.