Check in if you sincerely believe that Bernie can win.

[totodeinhere]

I'm tired of all of this "Bernie can't win" stuff. If I didn't honestly believe he could win I would not be supporting him. He is not one of those symbolic candidates just in it to get attention. He has said that he believes he can win and I believe him. Unlike a lot of politicians on both sides of the aisle I have never known Bernie to lie so if he says it he means it.

[blm]

1. I'm of the mind that any Democrat can win based on the issues and

how they can discuss those issues so the American people can understand why it matters.

Every interview I've ever seen with Sanders over the last 20 years he comes off as plain-speaking and straight-forward….. CommonSenseSanders.

[totodeinhere]

8. Yes, any major Democratic candidate should be able to beat whatever clown

the Repubs put out there. There just are too many solidly blue states for them to even have a chance. So given that why not nominate the real thing? And Bernie is the real thing.

[Rockyj]

134. Excellent point!

He's really capturing the youth & endorsed by the Occupy Movement!

[A-Schwarzenegger]

2. In.

[Nite Owl]

3. Once people get to know him,

his ideas and openness he will win. He's transparent--when he says something he really means it and none is telling him what to say and what not to say.

[Dustlawyer]

33. The key will be exposure and getting the poll numbers up enough where the MSM will

have to stop saying he doesn't have a chance. If they can't marginalize him he will continue to gain strength like a hurricane in September. The more people that listen to him the more his popularity will grow.

[ieoeja]

179. Obama 17% April 2007. Sanders 15% April 2015.

He's already polling mainstream numbers.

First time I heard a Washington pundit say that Hillary might lose Iowa was less than two weeks before the Iowa caucus. And everybody else on the panel tried to shush him at first before finally admitting that both Obama and Edwards were polling ahead of Clinton and had been polling ahead of her for weeks.

They never offered an explanation as to why they ignored the polls for several weeks before the caucus.

[StandingInLeftField]

215. Oh, THEY remember quite well...

...which is why we are seeing such push-back so early!

[tk2kewl]

4. .

[ZM90]

5. He can absolutely win and this may be a bold prediction but I think with Senator Sanders we are

looking at the next President of the United States.

[MynameisBlarney]

201. That would be so friggin awesome!

He's damn sure got my vote!

[Ed Suspicious]

6. Checked in.

[Maedhros]

7. Of course he can.

If everyone who agreed with his positions were to vote for him, he'd win in a landslide.

[bvf]

30. It comes down to voter turnout.

But anyone who sits the election out out of spite is a complete idiot, IMO.

[Agschmid]

193. What do you mean?

[NYC_SKP]

219. Now you've gone and chased him away.

You meanie!

[dpatbrown]

100. Thats a big "if"

I wish you all the best.

[Maedhros]

108. Oh, I know.

Years of political conditioning can be hard to break.

[Cleita]

9. He can win and it's up to us to make sure he does.

This is one election that we don't just sit back and mail in our contributions.

[LoisB]

64. Amen

[Plucketeer]

180. Indeed!

With enough donations and boatloads of positive fervor, we can have this REAL servant of the people in the White House!

[DJ13]

10. Hell yes

[truebrit71]

11. Absolutely.

You will never know unless you try. And I am very glad Bernie has decided to try...

[potone]

16. Me, too.

As discouraged and cynical as I feel sometimes about the politics in this country, if Senator Sanders can make his views known, he will get a lot of support. It is easy to forget that there was a strong populist movement at one time in this country. Given how bad things have gotten, there is the political space to revive it. Bernie has the guts and integrity to stay the course, provided that he can raise enough money to make his voice heard.

[Volaris]

68. his estimate is that he needs 30 million for the whole shebang.

30 million, that's NOTHING compared to what wall street and the GOP will spend just to lose.
we should be able fund that walking away, and if a federal min wage is in the offing, we can retake Congress as well.
When 30 million wins a presidency, there's no WAY even the tea baggers won't agree to have their taxes raised to pay for the next round of federal elections, and cut the banks out of the process.

[mike_c]

12. all I can say for certain...

...is that Senator Sanders has my vote.

[Qutzupalotl]

13. I do.

The "socialist" label is a heavy lift, but he can defend it better than anyone I know. When you listen to him talk, you have to agree with him. I think he's very persuasive. He appeals to common sense and can explain economic issues from a moral perspective—which is what we need to peel votes off from the right.

[totodeinhere]

21. Getting past the labels we will realize that Bernie's positions on the issues are in

tune with what the preponderance of average Americans want. Even a lot of Republicans are yearning for a genuine candidate who tells the truth and I suspect that Bernie would pull in his fair share of Republican votes as well. Bernie is right on the issues and he has impeccable character. That's a powerful combination.

[immoderate]

14. Look -- Richard Fuckin' Nixon won!! He makes Chris Christie seem friendly and clean!

He CAN win if conditions, events, go right. He has position. He has potential leverage. He is the most pragmatic pol I can think of.

--imm

[mahina]

15. If his message gets out, he will.

[Snotcicles]

17. Checking in.

[canoeist52]

18. Admiration that crosses all party lines.

I believe this can be done.

[Chiquitita]

19. I think he can

I donated twice already. My husband didn't even complain. That's a good sign!

[dirtydickcheney]

20. So much so that...

I'm trying to get all my friends to (collectively) contribute $10K before end-of-summer.

[Hiraeth]

22. .

[dirtydickcheney]

23. Sanders & Bush/Cheney Signs on VT Lawns

Thom Hartmann said there were a ton of lawns with Bush/Cheney signs and Sanders signs in 2004.

What that means to me is that Bernie can pull away a ton of normally Republican voters .

I'm pretty sure Hillary (who would be the 'Republican-Lite' candidate) wouldn't.

[Jackpine Radical]

41. Just like the Feingold & Bush signs I saw in WI that year.

Vermonters, like Cheeseheads, seem to respect sincere mavericks.

[Michigan-Arizona]

24. Checking in for my family

I was able to get 3 more people the other day that will vote for Bernie.... I don't do well at expressing my thought's on message board's but I can talk up a storm when I'm out & about... Let's make this happen!!!!!!!!!

[aspirant]

25. If "Hope and Change" can bring a landslide,

then Bernie's "Truth and Principles" should go beyond that.

[BrotherIvan]

209. That's a great slogan

You should contact the campaign with that. It really sums it up.

[Scootaloo]

26. Wouldn't be pulling for him if i didn't think he could

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

27. I don't think it will be easy, but I think it's possible.

And I think it depends upon how well organized and motivated his volunteers and supporters are. For Bernie to win is not going to hinge upon money, but upon people. Because Bernie won't be able to simply depend upon the money. Commercials won't be his path to the White House, people talking to one another will.

[Hun Joro]

28. I believe he can.

[TDale313]

29. Yes, I think he can win.

It won't be easy, but he can.

[CharlotteVale]

31. Bernie can win.

[MissDeeds]

32. Absolutely

[hootinholler]

34. I believe I can help him win. n/t

[Phlem]

35. Absa Freakin lutely!

[donnasgirl]

36. I believe he can and will.

[Ino]

37. Absolutely! (nt)

[Jackpine Radical]

38. Bernie can only win if something really weird happens--

like alluva sudden a majority of the country wakes up from their media-induced trance and figure out what's going on.

Fortunately, I think that is well within the realm of possibility.

Or, to put it another way, without naming names (2 or 3 would fit here), if we elect anyone committed to keeping the game running as it is (or, worse, intentionally turning it into a much nastier and more deadly game) for the benefit of the few, we will pay a huge price. Maybe the ultimate price.

[dgibby]

39. I have no doubt he can win.

Of course, telling the truth and talking about really important issues instead of gutter politics might take a little getting used to, but I have no doubt he can win. I think the public is getting sick and tired of politics as usual.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

40. It may be a long shot but stranger things have happened.

So I'll go with "yes."

[frylock]

42. yarp

[wouldsman]

43. In it to win it!

A lot of things will happen in the next year (economically primarily) that will make more and more folks realize that neither traditional Dems nor any type of Repub has good answers for.
When folks vote for their pocket book economic populists win.

[smokey nj]

44. I think he can!

[Catch2.2]

45. Checking in!

This country NEEDS Bernie!

[madfloridian]

46. Yes.

[Enthusiast]

47. The American people are with Bernie on his positions and proposals.

Things have changed.

Millions of people in both parties now recognize their elected "representatives" no longer represent their interests.

If the people want honest, if they want someone that will fight for their interests, they will want Bernie.

Bernie must first defeat Hillary. And that will be a very tall order because she has the corporate money and name recognition.

But Bernie can win. Because the people might rise up and get behind him understanding that no one else is in their corner.

[L0oniX]

48. ^..^

[Ilsa]

49. I believe! nt

[They_Live]

50. Truth to power

power of truth

[historylovr]

51. Checking in.

[Roy Rolling]

52. I am conflicted

Can he win? Absolutely yes
Should he win? Absolutely yes
Will he win? I don't think so

Please, Bernie, prove me wrong. That's one serving of humble pie I would relish.

[donf]

53. Absolutely!

[unblock]

54. of course he *can* win. it's just that odds are against it.

i give him about a 2% chance of getting the democratic nomination. 95% hillary, 3% someone else.

if i had my druthers, i'd love to see sanders president, or warren for that matter, but i see hillary as a very strong front-runner.

most of the circumstances enabling sanders to win the nomination involve a bitter primary fight, which doesn't bode well for the general, already likely to be a tough fight in any case. the politically best case for sanders is if hillary self-destructs or leaves the race in a non-scandalous way.

if sanders gets the nomination, i give him about a 35% chance of winning the general.

so, possible, yes.
likely, no.

[WillyT]

55. Yep...

& Rec !!!

[KansDem]

56. Include me in!

yowza!, yowza!, yowza!

[corkhead]

57. I am a realist, but I also believe that anything is possible at this stage in the game

[think]

58. One never knows for sure but it does seem that the tide is turning... /nt

[Dont call me Shirley]

59. yes he can!

[fredamae]

60. Yes, he can win.

Whether or not he will is up to us collectively.
What matters is whether or not we can walk away and not get "drawn into" the destructive old routine of falling for the "hypnotically mesmerizing messaging" of Big Money Campaign and go All Out Grass Roots on the Big Fat Cats ...
So, yes, he Can certainly win.

We are too often sucked into a "one-sided view" of the electorate and spend Countless hours of debate about Why the GOP Keeps Voting Against Their Own Special Interests without also looking in the mirror and asking ourselves the Same question
It's Past time "we who are" Democrats Stopped Voting Against Our Own Best Interests Also.

[Android3.14]

61. Isn;t that the American Dream?

I'm sure Hillary would agree that anyone can grow up to become President. Even Bernie Sanders.

[AtomicKitten]

62. Of course he can win.

This is so deja vu. Both Clintons INSISTED Obama could not win the general election in 2008.

Candidate Clinton tells Bill Richardson: "Obama can't win."
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/04/candidate-clint.html

ABC reports:

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and former President Bill Clinton are making very direct arguments to Democratic superdelegates, starkly insisting Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., cannot win a general election against presumptive Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Sources with direct knowledge of the conversation between Sen. Clinton and Governer Bill Richardson, D-N.M., prior to the Governor's endorsement of Obama say she told him flatly, "He cannot win, Bill. He cannot win."

IGNORE THE BULLSHIT!

BERNIE HAS PROBABLY A BETTER CHANCE OF WINNING THE GENERAL THAN HILLARY.

[Mnpaul]

90. The beltway types also said Reagan can't win

given their record, we should take their advice with a grain of salt.

Bernie is the "change we can believe in" that voters are looking for.

[AtomicKitten]

165. Absolutely.

They predicted the 2008 election would be Hillary versus Giulliani. They treat Bernie's candidacy as a joke. I'll be glad when they are proven wrong, again.

[INdemo]

63. The TPP issue will propell Bernie toward the top.

If, and I believe he will get, Bernie gets the support of unions he can win.
Hillary cannot buy the nomination with corporate funding because Bernie can run a very strong grass roots campaign,
So my answer is: YES Bernie can win

With Bernie Sanders no nonsense stand on all issues he could win the Iowa caucus and from there to NH the MSM will have to take notice.

[1monster]

65. Of course he can win!

[Katashi_itto]

66. K&R!

[Kalidurga]

67. I love him.

And I am not that easily impressed. Also people I love tend to be or become very popular. I absolutely think once people get to know him they will love him and he will win.

[peacebird]

69. I do.

[Delmette]

70. I'm in.

I was very happy to know when he formally anounced. No one, in any, election should go unchallenged. As much as I would like to see a woman elected to President, HRC is not the right one.


Edited for a typo.

[Ned Flanders]

71. If we can stop TPP...

...than we can elect Bernie! Call it an indicator species.

Although it is disturbing how few people I ask have heard of him.

[bbgrunt]

72. He can if we want it bad enough

[SusanCalvin]

73. Of course he can. nt

[99th_Monkey]

74. I was around when Eugene McCarthy announced his candidacy in 1968

and was part of the groundswell of outrage and discontent re demanding change with Viet Nam
war and civil rights abuses that rose up yo replace a sitting Dem POTUS.

After Robert Kennedy announced on McCarthy's heals, I worked for Kennedy in Oregon and
California. The rest is history ...

But just saying, we're at a similar crossroads now, and I'm all in for Sanders because I KNOW
he could win if he doesn't get "derailed" somehow by nefarious & sinister forces.

[turbinetree]

75. I'm IN--------------

to the very end, because with this TPP vote and others that are coming down the pike, he still has my back, and I will have his back, and all of the other backs of progressives that are fighting for me and you and all of us

[Thespian2]

76. I think people will

see Bernie as the best hope for getting America back from the oligarchs...Of course he can WIN...

[rbnyc]

77. Here nt

[Kip Humphrey]

78. Win, Bernie, Win!

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

79. The American people will turn on a dime

if you give them something to be excited about. Nobody that hears Bernie is going to find much they don't agree with when he describes the plight of the "middle class" and those that used to be, as well as those that work harder than most and still aspire to a middle class lifestyle. The absurd dichotomy of the 1% to the 99% in income, wealth, political power, political access, and ownership - is going to be explained in the plain language of Bernie Sanders, Bless his heart!

[BlueJazz]

81. What Elmer said. His words ring true.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

83. Thanks, Blue.

I'm also a music man.
Music is my life. Take that from me, and I will shrivel and die.

[gregcrawford]

80. The doubters can kiss my pretty pink tukus!

ALL of the issues that Bernie has addressed are issues that concern EVERY American, from erudite Progressives to even the lowliest brain-dead Teabaggers. For this reason, I believe he will cross demographics heretofore considered forever divided.

[NorthCarolina]

82. Absolutely.

I know I will do everything I can to help him do just that. We've been bottle fed corporate candidates for decades; it's well past time that the people choose a candidate of their own. One that is a radical departure from the offerings pre-approved by Wall St. One whose name is Bernie Sanders.

[a kennedy]

84. Curious....did any of us think that Senator With the funny name could win this far out?

Just wondering......

[Wilms]

85. Don't underestimate Senator Sanders. n/t

[Pastiche423]

86. I believe.

[PADemD]

87. Bernie can win!

[NRaleighLiberal]

88. yes indeed! Here!

[-none]

89. The way his campaign started with a Bang!, you know Bernie has a lot of grass roots support.

No one else has done so well from the get-go as Bernie.
The main thing we have to overcome is the "liberal media" pushing the bought and paid for candidates, over what the people want.

[tomsaiditagain]

91. No to Wall Street and their greedy ways!

Yes to Bernie Sanders!!

[floriduck]

92. AbsoBerniecanwinsolutely!!

[geardaddy]

93. Checking in.

[TBF]

94. Stranger things have happened -

and he's a lot more popular than Hillary.

[dirtydickcheney]

95. He's using the intellectual argument to steer voters his way.

And the question is whether voters prefer the intellectual argument vs. a bunch of 'personality' - although I see Sec. Clinton as having very little on the 'personality' side that connects people to her.

[cantbeserious]

96. I Will No Longer Settle For The Lesser Of Two Evils - Go Bernie Go

eom

[Chemisse]

97. I don't understand why the media is so single-minded about Hillary Clinton.

They talk about every RW nutcase as though he actually has a chance to get into the oval office, yet completely ignore Clinton's competitors.

A solid candidate, with populist appeal, can pull out a primary victory against high odds. It happened with Obama.

Bernie Sanders is solid; he doesn't just say great things because he is running; he has ALWAYS said what he believes. A candidate who is authentic is a rarity, and it is possible that he could do quite well.

[Autumn]

98. Bernie can and will win.

When people hear what he has to say, people like what he says.

[TM99]

99. Hell yes, he can win.

Will it be easy? No.

Will it be possible? Yes.

If he beats Clinton in the Primary, he is our next President.

Sadly, if he is beaten by Clinton in the Primary, I see us getting a Republican again.

Americans are pretty consistent in their desire for change about every eight to twelve years. Sanders offers real change from both the Bush and Clinton factions of the two-headed corporate party. If Clinton wins, then yah, we will go Republican because at least it is a different head after eight years of the Obama Democrat head.

[randys1]

101. Has to have a mountain of money, then yes. Money talks.

If the people can hear him and are smart enough to understand him, hell yes

[MannyGoldstein]

102. Checking in. nt

[tnlurker]

103. checking in

[MsLeopard]

104. He can

And I hope he will.

[Scuba]

105. Of course he can win. He absolutely owns the issues about which voters care most.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

106. Sure....

.....him Bernie,....she Jane....

[MuseRider]

107. Absolutely he can win. n/t

[ancianita]

109. Hell, yeah, he can win, and I'm going to help him.

[Liberalynn]

110. Yes!

[MNBrewer]

111. yes

[Fantastic Anarchist]

112. K&R

[PeoViejo]

113. K&R n/t

[calikid]

114. Yeppers, no doubt about it

[ybbor]

115. Not only do I believe it...

I am sincerely counting on it.

[DirtyHippyBastard]

116. Not "can" win, "will" win

If people will listen to the message(s) Bernie is delivering, they will not be able to vote for anyone else currently running.
I have pointed 5 or 6 friends toward youtube vids of his speeches, and gathered 5 or 6 converts to the cause.
It really can be just that easy.

[Joe Chi Minh]

117. It may depend on the sound functioning of the Repubs' machines. It looks somewhat ominous,

when you hear their noise-machine set at almost full volume, to write off an opponent's chance.

[Utopian Leftist]

118. Three words: Barack Hussein Obama

If we can get that guy elected, we can get a Democratic Socialist in the White House!

[Aldo Leopold]

119. Checking in.

And my money's where my mouth is!

[ChiciB1]

120. I Already Sent Him Money & Don't Have A Lot To Squander...

I'm saying ANYTHING can happen and I will work hard for him. There's still a lot of time, but he needs a LOT of money. I know what my heart wants but also know the world has changed when a person like Harry Truman was elected.

I'm not giving up even if people have already told me I wasted my money. But you see I DIDN'T waste my money because I gave it because I believe in tis man. My voice was heard by him and many of the rest of us who support him!

Never Say Never!!!

[riqster]

121. If we make it so.

[ChiciB1]

122. I Also Would Like To Add That My Whole Immediate Family

here in Florida are supporting him. That's at least 12 votes and I've talked friends who are with him too!

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! He said don't count him out and I believe him.

[salib]

123. The momentum is there

[onecaliberal]

124. Yes he can win.

My money, blood, sweat & tears will do everything in my power in my little corner of the earth to make it so.

[patricia92243]

125. If he could get press coverage that was equal to all other candidates, he would have a good

chance of winning. This is not going to happen. Unfair but true.

[catrose]

126. .

[Iwillnevergiveup]

127. Absolutely

and I'm on a mission to get all my reasonable friends & family to send him money. Bernie is the best we've seen coming down the pike in a very, very long time. TOO long.

[muntrv]

128. He can win. Will he win is the question. Depends on voter turnout.

[baran]

129. Absolutely!!!!

Like you, if I didn't think he could win, I wouldn't be supporting him. He's the real deal with a message that will resonate with most Americans -- as long as he can get that message out directly to voters and not have it get garbled going through the MSM (or, worse yet, ignored).

[SalviaBlue]

130. Yes he can!

[Mbrow]

131. k&R

[rurallib]

132. Yep!

but in addition to other dems and tea baggers he has to beat the media also.
won't be easy.

[Javaman]

133. Yup. No doubt in my mind. nt

[OnyxCollie]

135. Here.

[LiberalElite]

136. Yo! Bernie! Bernie! Bernie! Bernie! nt

[Cheese Sandwich]

137. We can win if we organize!

[madokie]

138. Bernie will win this

[katsy]

139. I don't know

I hope so.

[A Little Weird]

140. Yes

[daleanime]

141. Hell yes....

will it be easy? No.

Will it be worth it? Oh, hell yes.

[RoccoR5955]

142. And once people find out who he is

They shall vote him in as the candidate, and then he shall win in a landslide like never seen in our lifetimes.

[Howler]

143. cheaking in

I think Bernie can win.

[FailureToCommunicate]

144. IF young people set their alarms, and others are allowed to have their vote counted.

[Triana]

145. If EVERY Dem fights and EVERY Dem votes, Bernie Wins! n/t

[Jack Rabbit]

146. I'm not betting the farm on it, but I think it's possible

Senator Sanders has been very visible fighting against the "free" trades presently under discussion, but not public discussion, while Mrs. Clinton remains silent in a effort to appear noncommittal.

I believe Mrs. Clinton would, if she followed her past political commitments and her instincts, would support any free trade deal. I can't recall her seeing one she didn't like.

I've give her credit for being smart enough to know that in the end, the Trans-Pacific Partnership will be ballot box poison.

Mrs. Clinton is making the same mistakes now that she made eight years ago when then-Senator Obama took her lunch money from under nose and won the Democratic nomination that once seemed hers for the asking. She didn't owe up to her past mistakes. She would not admit that she was wrong to vote for the IWR. Even by 2008 (if not 2004), any sensible Democrat would have at least said that Bush and his den of liars and thieves played fast and loose with the facts and, if she had known the truth, she would not have voted for the war.

Now, she should admit that she has been wrong about "free" trade all along. She will be be presented the facts that free trade agreements have hurt most Americans and no deal like NAFTA should ever be seriously considered again, even thou President is pushing one now.

Eight years ago, the longer she held back admitting her mistake on the IWR vote, followed by her vocal support for the war, only made candidates like Senator Obama, who opposed the war, look better and better and primaries began.

Will Bernie Sanders look better and better as the primaries approach because he opposes "free" trade deals and has always opposed "free" trade deals? There's no reason to think he won't.

[eridani]

147. I certainly think he can win

If we can meld new social media organizing with traditional shoe leather voter outreach, we can do it. Ubiquitous cell phones have made police brutality a front burner issue for all of us, after all.

[rainy]

148. HE CAN WIN

[denbot]

149. Yes he can!

He needs to stay proactive with his message and not let the media spin it for him.

[Half-Century Man]

150. Of course he can.

But not alone, we have to help. ( by "we" I mean the progressives and the Democratic Party) We have to field candidates who are likely to work with him for every elected office in the country.
We have to push the message he spreads about income inequality, minimum wage, money in politics, the environment, voting rights....everything.

For Example; in the district next to me, Paul Ryan serves as Representative to the House (Wi-1). He absolutely needs to be replaced. Locked within a gerrymandered district, he is vulnerable. His district includes Racine, the city with the highest unemployment in the state. South Milwaukee, with it's losses in manufacturing. Kenosha and Janesville suffered job migration and stagnation. The reason he had to draw back from his very public love of Ayn Rand is because in his district anger and resentment of the wealth simmers like a toxic stew.
A reasonable investment in a Democratic candidate who had an aligned platform to Bernie. Someone who could be seen as more of an everyman instead of the normal Third Way token Wisconsin Democrats fling at the feet of the Koch machine as a sacrifice, and Paul Ryan can be beaten. His fortress of stone is built in a swamp, the ground upon which it stands is unstable and soft. Hit it hard a few times and it will collapse.

[redstateblues]

151. If America is ready for a Socialist President

Perhaps but I doubt it

[bunnies]

152. Yes he can. nt

[roody]

153. If I could not believe it,

why bother with f*****g anything?

[redruddyred]

154. I honestly believe he can take the nh primary.

I think there's room for his message all around the country, but we gotta learn how to reach out to these people. it won't be easy.
that's all I got.

[Wgles]

155. Yes... and even more so if he can get the young people to turn out

My daughter gets to vote in the next election, first time... She turns 18 just before the general election. A couple of days ago she surprised me by saying she was sorry she couldn't vote in the primary because she would vote for Bernie for sure. I didn't realize she was that in tune with what was going on this early in the primary season. But she and her friends love Bernie. Just think, a bunch of 16.5 year olds bummed they can't vote for Bernie in the primary. Pretty cool.

[edgineered]

156. kick - and a kick to the others, a kick to the curb that is.

[Ken Burch]

157. The Democratic Party can elect any nominee we unite behind. n/t.

[BeanMusical]

158. Kick and R.

[elzenmahn]

159. I think he has a shot...

...he's going to be up against billion$ of opposition campaign cash and a media that is doing their damndest to marginalize him.

But if he plays this right, he may be able to turn these challenges into advantages. This, because he has something that most politicians simply don't have: integrity.

[zeemike]

160. Yes he can.

[nikto]

161. Let me translate the key phrase ...

"Bernie can't win", actually translates as, "I don't want Bernie to win".


There.
Fixed that.


As for myself, I say ...

Can Bernie win?
Hell, Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[a2liberal]

162. Absolutely

And TPP can be defeated for good too. People are thirsty for the truth, as long as Bernie can find a way to get around the media ignoring him, he can win. His message resonates with all walks of life. I know other people have shared these anecdotes in various threads, but I too have seen several right-wing friends resharing Bernie and EW memes

[chknltl]

163. Senator Sanders has convinced me that he believes....

...he can win. He made the case long ago that he would not enter this race otherwise. He understands that our need is great, what is at risk and what the real fight for the middle class is about. Thom Hartmann thinks Senator Sanders can win as well, I'm not about to disagree with him nor would I even want to.

[emsimon33]

164. Of course he can win. That's why the corporate media tries to marginalize him.

[bowens43]

166. of course he can win

[newfie11]

167. Bet your boots he can and WILL WIN!

[grahamhgreen]

168. One thing we know: Hillary can lose.

[LWolf]

169. Here. nt

[NuttyFluffers]

170. i believe he can win.

just like any other candidate. and he'd be a good win, too.

[kacekwl]

171. I'm in

[countryken]

172. Everybody Loves Bernie

I was chatting with a couple of folksingers from Vermont several years ago. I remarked that I personally feel like the senator who truly represents me is their senator. One of them responded with 'Everybody loves Bernie!', and I must concur.

If America gets to know him, America will support him. I think we all are tired of political cliches and empty words. We are ready for someone who is genuine.

My main concern is with the superdelegates within the Democratic Party. Will they cause problems?

[darkangel218]

173. He absolutely can win.

We, the people, can absolutely win.

Go Bernie!

[tomg2]

174. Absolutely.

If he wins the nomination, he wins the presidency. We just sent money to Bernie and it is the best investment in our and our kids' futures that we have made.

[nyabingi]

175. There is no way Bernie will win anything as long as

he's running as a Democrat.

Why he chose to run as a Democrat is befuddling to me. Perhaps because of its existing infrastructure and potential access to money, but I'm starting to believe that he is simply playing the role of (as Black Agenda Report termed it) "sheepherder" for Hillary Clinton (i.e., gather the wayward progressives and leftists to the Democratic Party to eventually support Hillary).

Bernie should run as an independent and really shake up the status quo.

[SheilaT]

229. No. In this country an independent cannot possibly win.

Plus, Bernie would only take votes from whoever would then be the Democratic nominee, pretty much guaranteeing the Republican would win.

It's probably not the best system out there, but our two-party system (all of the many small other parties really don't count and have no impact on elections in this country) is here to stay. It's the only game we have, and Bernie, while an independent, is very closely allied with the liberal wing of the Democratic party. He has always caucused with them. He wins elections as in independent in Vermont because it's a very small state and he is well known to the voters. To win a national election a candidate must be allied with one or the other of the two parties.

If he wins the nomination, he will have the might of the Democratic Party behind him. As an independent he'd have nothing like that to help him out. He would also be unable to campaign alongside Democrats also running for election, because the actual Democratic nominee would be doing that.

Running as an independent is a romantic notion, but not remotely practical.

[Autumn Colors]

176. Yup! Two votes for him from this household! (nt)

[sabrina 1]

177. Yes he can win. He took the first step, now it's up to us to spread the word

about him, who he is, where he stands on the issues, especially if possible to people who have just givens up on voting.

Bernie is giving them a reason to vote.

So finding and talking to non-voters should be a big part of this campaign.

And Independents. Many left leaning Indies, USED to be Dems, so that vote isn't likely to go to a Corporate Dem. But it could go to Bernie since he represents most of the issues they felt were not being addressed by the Dem Party since it began to swing towards the right.

He definitely can win.

[Paka]

178. He says he's in it to win,

and I'm in it to support that win. He's the best hope we have and I'm too old to give up on hope. I've been practicing the lovely feel of hope for too long.

His hardest struggle will be against Hillery, but if he's the nominee, I can't image he won't win. I am so looking forward to helping elect him President.

[tosh]

181. K&R!

[Chipper Chat]

182. I say Bernie can win!

It's the effing media who says he cant. Are you listening to me Chuckie?

[yuiyoshida]

183. I am hopeful but we do have the

major media that can reduce him to nothing, while the Republicans have a huge menu of their people running for President, they are going to focus only on Hillary.. and so Bernie needs very badly to turn the spotlight on him, and make himself heard. I have a feeling people are going to push him out of the picture, and he CAN NOT ALLOW them, aka the Media to do that.

[raouldukelives]

184. K&R All vested in Bernie, not invested against.

I believe the people just need to hear him speak.
Unfortunately, the one thing standing in the way of honest & open debate of the real issues facing us in this country and the world is corporate greed & the combined will of shareholders.
I believe he can win. But it will be in spite of the best efforts of them.

[mac56]

185. K & R

[JimDandy]

186. Sure he can!

[Jester Messiah]

187. Damn right he can.

Will he? I don't know. Depends on how courageous the rest of are willing to be against those who claim we're "throwing our vote away" or somehow aiding the Republicans by voting our conscience.

But I'll tell you right now, I'm voting for Bernie regardless.

[fleur-de-lisa]

188. Me! - n/t

[Magleetis]

189. I know he can win

Bernie.

[secondwind]

192. I'm in with Bernie all the way... have donated twice already.. but will vote for the nominee in the

general...

[rock]

195. I certainly believe he can win though for the moment

the probability is low (I'm guessing 20% of lower). Now the point is he is a perfectly viable candidate. To see how much momentum he gains we'll have to wait and see. Keep in mind we are very early in the run. It's about a year before the primary.

[aintitfunny]

199. Checking in

I think he has a shot - he has already been impressive with results - volunteers & donations - in the first round.

[lofty1]

200. Oh, he can win alright...

but supporters will really have to get the vote out like crazy, because the powers that be will do their best to stop him.

[deutsey]

202. I think if he can clearly and consistently get his basic message out

and is smeared, marginalized, or ignored by the corporate media, I think it has real potential to resonate.

Who knew Occupy would strike the raw nerve it did?

[TheFarseer]

203. In

If he can become the anti-Hillary he's got a good chance. Democratic primary voters is not a huge group that he has to convince. The media will love piling on if Clinton stumbles at all because of the underdog story. There's three reasons this is highly possible.

[staggerleem]

204. IMHO, Bernie has a FAR better chance than at least half of the declared Republican candidates! /nt

[RichVRichV]

205. Of course.

NT

[rocktivity]

206. I refuse to answer this question

on the grounds that I came up with the wrong answer eight years ago...


rocktivity

[orbitalman]

207. "I think he can, I think he can, I think he can, I think he can, I think he can, I think he can"

said the little red engine!!!!

[Vincardog]

208. Check and telling people I meet about Bernie every day. That is how we will win.

[libdem4life]

210. YesWe Can ! I find it interesting how people here tut-tut about it being 18 whole months away,

yet think that Hillary will win. Boggles the mind. Somebody took my first thought above a bit about the Little Red Engine...I think I can, I think I can, etc. So now I suggest the beloved fable...real life truth of the Tortoise and The Hare.

Go Bernie!!

[d_legendary1]

211. Bernie!!!

Nuff said.

[vive la commune]

212. Yes, I think he can

It's too early to tell, but I think his potential is enormous. He already has a lot of support. People love his message, because his message is *their* message, too. People are sick of dishonesty and politicians who change their message based on polls and focus groups. People are sick of corruption and big money. He is speaking up for working-class people and issues that have long been thrown under the bus. He is uncompromisingly himself and has been standing up for what he believes in for decades. At any rate, whether he wins or not, he'll fight a good campaign.

[kenfrequed]

213. I didn't at first

I considered him an issues candidate that would help push the debate toward progressive issues and I was going to support him all the way in the name of my ideals and the ideals that the Democratic party should have.

But the more I talk to people all over the more I notice his ideas and his candidacy are catching fire. I think he has an ever-improving chance to take the Democratic nomination and a good chance to Win if he does.

[StandingInLeftField]

214. Checking In...

...to say "Bernie's the ONE!"

[polichick]

216. Bernie has done his homework traveling the country...

I believe him when he says he can win.

We have to try - another corporate servant in the WH would be horrifying.

[mother earth]

217. I do, I think we are reaching the tipping point of fed-up-to-here & we are not going to take it any

more.

[NYC_SKP]

218. Yes he can. He will appeal to a far greater number of voters than the opposition.

But he needs to be heard.

I'll work for him and donate, too. And I hope we can get more than six debates on the calendar.

[fed-up]

220. Yes, he can and I will help! eom

[restorefreedom]

221. hell yeah! n/t

[Admiral Loinpresser]

222. History, that's what we are living.

Yes we are.

[merrily]

223. I believe he can win the general.

[Man of Distinction]

224. For every person that says "Bernie Can't win" should be forced to vote for Bernie

and see what the end result is...

A massive landslide of epic proportions...

[fbc]

225. Hell yeah!

[udbcrzy2]

226. There is nothing, nothing, nothing we cannot accomplish! n/t

[gwheezie]

227. I think he can win but

I don't think it will be easy for who ever the dem nominee is. I support Hillary but I don't discount Bernie at all. I know lots of people who support him. If Bernie wins the nomination it will because he won the primaries, I can't be mad about it. I just hope dems don't get too distracted by the primary fight. If Bernie is the nominee I will do everything I can to help him get elected.

[cantbeserious]

228. I Will No Longer Settle For The Lesser Of Two Corporate Evils - Go Bernie Go

eom

[madfloridian]

230. Me.

[SheilaT]

231. I just hope he is seriously building a national campaign already.

He's raising decent money. He needs to get out to a few more states, and he needs to start opening campaign offices. I will go to work for him if he opens one in Santa Fe, where I live. I'm recently retired, and I could work full time for him.

[mahina]

232. Yo.

I do.

[eridani]

233. I'm thinking that he will be better than Clinton in attracting Repubs and independents

The internet and social media have lots of tools that can help to substitute effective organizing for big piles of money.

[tazkcmo]

234. yup n/t

[swilton]

235. Present and accounted for

[SoapBox]

236. Me, Me, Me...I do!

The Sanderstorm is coming!

(And every time I see "Sanderstorm", I can't help but think of Dune! Are there Uber Worms?)

https://m.

[sabrina 1]

237. The only thing he needs in order to win is for the people, a majority of whom agree with him, to

vote for him and ignore all the feeble attempts to create the impression that he cannot or should not.

[artislife]

238. I am ready for Bernie

Back in 2007, an English guy said to me that the republicans would win because how could we by running a woman and a black man.


How could we? By talking to the people. I would feel sorry for H supporters if they weren't so smug. They really that she was already on her victory lap. Well, young feminists remember the sh*t storm from the PUMA nation and the constant "It's her turn!". I linked to an interesting article (in another post) about the divide in the women and I don't think the H supporters fully get how the young are not the same.

Can we win? We must win. I really think this globe needs someone in "the Highest Office" to give a care about the environment, 99% of the people and take on the the profit driven energies. We won't have a home on this planet if we continue to think profit first without taking care of real resources. Bernie is the only choice with a chance to win.

[artislife]

239. The link to the post, the link to the article

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=430522

[salimbag]

240. Not only can

But WILL! Go Bernie!

[Le Taz Hot]

241. Absolutely!

There's a populist tsunami coming and the MSM and Beltway Insiders are still out on their decks, soaking up the sun, confident that it will never reach them.

[azmom]

242. Si se puede

[Kenjie]

243. He can win.

[calikid]

244. If there's one thing in life I can have, it would be bernie

[Admiral Loinpresser]

245. It is up to us to make it happen.

But as of right now, it becomes more possible every day. Initial front runners have not done that well in Democratic primaries in the age of social media. Gore in 2000 is the only non-incumbent initial front runner to get the nomination in the last half century, IIRC. We have to keep building the movement in our communities and it will get more possible every day!

[ibegurpard]

246. the general?

Yes.
The primary? Not so sure. A very significant portion of Democratic power brokers and money people will do whatever they can to keep him out of it.

[cui bono]

247. kick

cuz I never did when I rec'd

[jwirr]

248. K&R

[MrMickeysMom]

249. Yes, I do

I completely do. It is a matter of understanding how essential it is for us to talk to our neighbors, friends, co-workers, and the uninformed.

The only thing that surprises me about Bernie is that he would make his choice to run. He has to know what he would be up against, which is trumped by the need to do something capably. But, are we as capable of standing up for what is right, or do we just sell ourselves out in order to exist half-dead?

I've always thought Bernie was one of those leaders who easily will not confuse leadership with having to be a politician. Truth trumps power. It's that simple. I think he feels if we don't want him as president, there's much less of any chance that we can rebound our country and this world.

[R. P. McMurphy]

250. I don't believe in much but I do believe in Bernie.

Not since Bobby Kennedy has there been a candidate that I believe inspires Americans to stand together and support each other.

[cantbeserious]

251. Yes - Bernie Can Win - I Will No Longer Settle For The Lesser Of Two Corporate Evils - Go Bernie Go

eom

[donf]

252. Absolutely!

nt

[tymorial]

253. I'm not sure.

Let's look at the president. What made him qualified in 2008? Compared to the rest of the candidates, Obama was the least experienced. I would argue that he was underqualified at the time. He was a junior senator with less than 3 years experience when he announced his candidacy. He was also 45 years old. I supported Clinton in the primaries in large part because I felt she was more qualified and had more experience. I obviously voted for Obama in the general election and I have felt he has done a decent job. I have disagreed with him from time to time and I wished more of his promises came to fruition but I have generally been satisfied with his presidency. Now, I realize this will likely ruffle a LOT of feathers but I honestly feel that the reason why President Obama won the primaries is because he is biracial. Many people wanted to support a black candidate because they wanted to see the first black president. He has tremendous charisma and his message was extremely popular. America is better off to have had Obama as president. Yet I wonder if Barak were white, would he had made it through the primaries. Would he have defeated Clinton? If he managed to get the nomination, could he had defeated McCain? America was ready for a change in 2008 so perhaps he could have still won. America is ready for a change again is Sanders enough?

Whether he can win makes me consider both the primaries and the general election. In a general election against Bush, I think sanders can win. If Trump managed to get the nomination, I think Sanders would win. If Rand Paul somehow pulled an upset and took the nomination, I think it would be interesting. I'm not sure which would win in that scenario. The rest of the republican lot, I don't see ever making it that far though to be honest I am surprised Trump has those numbers.

This requires Sanders to win the primaries and that is going to be difficult. In a lot of ways, Hillary represents Obama when it comes to the "feelings" vote. Many people will support her because she is a woman and having a women in office is long overdue. Clinton has baggage though. Obama had it too but his charisma and message proved to be stronger. If we're honest, Clinton doesn't have Obama's charisma. She also receives tremendous support from Wall Street and that turns people off. Her baggage is political. Obama had no political baggage because he had little experience. We went purely on what he would do rather than what he had done.

So, if Sanders wins the nomination he can win. Whether he wins the nomination has everything to do with whether or not people will support Clinton. Sanders has a better message in my opinion. Clinton is a woman and I honestly do believe that matters to a lot of people. If she were let's say Elizabeth Warren, there would be no conversation. She would be president. Clinton has too much baggage. We'll see