Is Bernie Sanders' Campaign A Reflection...

[WiffenPoof]

...of how he would govern as the President?

I think by almost everyone's standard, Bernie's campaign has been wildly successful. No one would have thought that he would be in "contention" at this point in the race. Bernie himself has even commented on how "blown away" he is with the amount of financial support he has received from the American people.

So...does his campaign reflect what kind of success he might have as the President?

-Paige

[Jennylynn]

1. Oh boy

I think that's all going to depend on the Congress he gets.

[WiffenPoof]

2. Excellent Point.....NT

[Armstead]

3. That and his experiences as Mayor of Burlington

Different scale but same basic role and leadership qualities as government CEO.

He squeaked into that, and he had the same image as an ideologue who could not really govern.

But he rolled up his sleeves. he campaigned for and got a more sympathetioc city council. He built coalitions (including business and the GOP), hired talented staff and department heads and GOT THINGS DONE. He also got the city budget into line.

And then he got reelected and reelected and reelected....And was named one of America's Best Mayors by US News and World Report.

So I think he'd do just fine.

[Attorney in Texas]

4. Yes. For Hillary, the campaign would end on the day she loses or wins. For Sanders, the campaign

continues throughout his presidency as he goes around the obstructionism in Congress to campaign directly to the people on issues that Congress won't act upon despite the fact that action on such issues is supported by a majority of Americans (inclusive of voters who vote in all parties' primaries).

Hillary is campaigning to BE something (the first female president).

Sanders is campaigning to DO something (to restore FDR's values within the Democratic party and to restore all of the voters' roles to the forefront of the government).

[Jennylynn]

13. Excellente' Post!

Isn't it great! Bernie will be able to talk to the people who elected him! Engage WE the people!
One of my biggest upsets with Obama is that it seemed as soon as he was elected, he disappeared from the people!

[Attorney in Texas]

14. Remember, Obama did just this during the first two years of his presidency and it was critical to

getting the ACA passed.

[Jennylynn]

15. Yeah. I just missed him like crazy after so much of him before the win.

[Roaberner]

18. Amazing comment.. Fully agree.

I believe his presidency will set country in a direction that my children and their children will enjoy.

He is a tough negotiator, not afraid to say what is right since he is not for sale. Obstructive congress will have to answer to people.

Even my elementary school age children understand the message he conveys. I am sure his n stage is already deeply seeded.

What ever he accomplished so far is profound. Wish to see him lead the country. Love you Bernie.

[upaloopa]

5. He says he needs the revolution to be successful so I think it isn't up to him

It depends on if the revolution materializes

[dogman]

9. We agree.

This has been his message from before the beginning. We would have to function as a democracy.

[geek tragedy]

6. if losing is one's idea of wildly successful, sure nt

[firebrand80]

7. I think a campaign always provided clues

To what an administration would be like. It certainly was the case with Obama.

[dogman]

8. The work will have just begun.

The Party will have to undergo a structural change to a fifty state effort. He would use the bully pulpit to make people aware. The challenge will be up to the people to get his message out. The M$M will stay in shut out mode. It is people powered and it's rise or fall will be up to the people. Sort of like a democracy.

[Scuba]

11. I see Bernie's first two years using the bully pulpit to get a Congress that will support ...

... his agenda in 2018.

[21st Century Poet]

12. The campaign reflects his Presidential style (which is great)

But, obviously, a wildly successful campaign does not mean that things will go smoothly once in the Oval Office. Barack Obama's campaign was also wildly successful but on many issues (ending foreign wars and kickstarting the economic recovery, for example) he has only achieved limited success, with some other issues (gun control, for example) arguably going backwards. And on some issues which he has succeeded (like introducing a better healthcare system) he is constantly being challenged in court.

Translating campaigns full of enthusiasm into meaningful policies after voters have moved on with their lives and the president has to deal with politicians from the other party is very hard. Democrats also have the disadvantage that many of their voters seem to lose interest in voting between the presidential elections every four years so Republicans to other posts are elected. It's a wonder that anything gets done sometimes.

[Orsino]

16. There are varieties and degrees of success.

Whether or not Sanders accomplishes his agenda is more up to us than to him.

We need the things he has worked toward, no matter who wins the primary. Everyone: get your lobbying shoes on.

[Avalux]

17. Yes, unlike his opponent, he gets things done.

All you have to do is look at his record as Mayor, Representative, and Senator. He's the real deal.