A question for Biden supporters

[StarfishSaver]

Did any of you support Bernie Sanders in 2016? If so, what caused you to switch this time around?

[lapfog_1]

1. I was a very lukewarm Bernie supporter

I thought he was treated unfairly by the DNC... I have a soft spot for underdogs... and, to be frank, I thought Hillary simply didn't "connect" with people as a politician. To be very clear, I actually thought Hillary would make a better President than any one else running, but in the back of my mind I was thinking "she could lose this thing".

Not to mention that a single salient fact... there had been a Bush or Clinton on the POTUS/VPOTUS ticket for the two parties EVERY election from 1980 until 2008... and I wasn't sure how the American people would react to another 8 years of Clinton/Bush choice.

So I was "for Bernie"... that said, I wasn't a "Bernie Bro" and I didn't send him any money. When Hillary was nominated, I donated both time and money to her race and dragged as many people as I could to vote for her.

My fears came true on election day and I remember turning the radio off on election night when Florida was called for Trump.

I am a Biden supporter now because he is a decent person... and I think he will restore us to global leadership, sound economic policies, and a morality in the White House... I wish he was 15 years younger... and I wish that some of the younger candidates were another Obama. Beto excited me at first... but there is something missing there (lots of passion, but maybe not someone you see as POTUS)... Mayor Pete may be the smartest person running, but he might be a bit too young... same sort of reservations about all the rest. Warren is great, but she seems like a less angry version of Bernie... and I am simply not sure they can win against Trump (after the repukes paint either of them as communists).

[StarfishSaver]

7. This is really interesting and very informative

Thanks for taking the time to give such a thoughtful response!

[NYMinute]

2. Why not ask a general question for all supporters?

Why is Biden the punching bag every time?

[highplainsdem]

4. Yes. It would be a much more interesting thread if the subject line was

"A question for all 2016 Sanders supporters who now support someone else."

[StarfishSaver]

10. Sounds like a great question for another thread

Perhaps you can go start your own!

[highplainsdem]

11. It was NYMinute's idea.

[LanternWaste]

19. I find it most ironic you ask others to begin a new thread when they respond other than you like.

As it seems a rather consistent action you yourself take on the thread's of others.

But I get it... we often hold others to a higher standard than we hold ourselves to if our narrative is to be effective in any meaningful way.

[StarfishSaver]

20. Lol

Whatever

[StarfishSaver]

9. I asked exactly the question that I wanted to ask

You are certainly free to start your own thread and ask whatever questions you like

[NYMinute]

26. Human behavior is always "goal directed"

The issue is not that you posted another OP that subtly impugns Biden.

The issue is "why" was it posted. What is the goal behind the obvious.

It is sort of like push polls that republicans do. "If President Obama were to decriminalize murder, would you be for or against it?"
There is nothing wrong with the question per se because of the conditional statement. However, it insinuates that President Obama is somehow thinking of decriminalizing murder which is patently false.

[StarfishSaver]

28. To some, any post about Biden that doesn't fawn all over him and isn't signed with a heart

is deemed to be "impugning" him.

Sounds like you're among that group.

[NYMinute]

33. I am not

But seems like you know me and other Biden supporters and can read our minds! Brava

[StarfishSaver]

35. I don't need to read your minds. I can read your posts

[NYMinute]

36. Our posts do not provide the evidence for your assertion

It can only be gleaned from mind reading.

[Kingofalldems]

3. No.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

5. Bernie had more progressive ideas then....

He has burned out now.

Elizabeth Warren is my #2 choice and has revved up the Bernie base. Joe Biden holds strong in the middle and has great support amongst African-Americans, Moderates, disenchanted Republicans, and Independents, as well as Older Voters.

A Biden/Warren ticket could prove unstoppable despite what Trump says at rallies. He has a record now and he will be on the defensive as Democrats attack that record.

[athena]

12. Warren has too much power as Senator to give it up and become VP.

If she were thirty years younger, it could make sense, but she'll be too old to run in eight years. If you really like Warren, surely you understand that her seniority in the Senate would be completely wasted by taking a job that has zero power.

If you're for Biden, you have to support someone younger and less powerful for VP -- someone like Buttigieg, O'Rourke, or Booker.

[Arkansas Granny]

6. No, but I would have voted for him if he had gotten the nomination..

[peggysue2]

8. Hell, no!

[lark]

13. Voted for Bernie in primary 2016.

I like Hillary too but wanted someone less establishment, ideally. Bernie's actions after Hillary won is why I am not in favor of him now. He hired Manaforts partner to work with his campaign, knowing that he had worked in the Ukraine with Manafort & Russia - very telling to me. 2nd - he hired Nina Simone to work for his 2020 campaign - someone who helped enable drumpf by WORKING against Hillary and voting Stein is now working for him? These are 2 of the reasons why I won't be voting for him in the pirmary. But I don't hate him and would vote and work for him in the general. I just think Joe has a better chance of winning the general and that people really like him so am on Team Joe.

[Demsrule86]

14. I did not support Sen.Sanders.

[Doreen]

15. Yes, I supported him in the 2016 primaries.

However, when he did not win he just walked away all pissed that he did not and did not turn his attention to encouraging his followers to vote for Hillary.

He knew damn well trump is dangerous and that Stien was only in to help trump get in with his followers votes if he did not get to the general election.

Yes, he did finally endorse Hillary but it was to late and you could tell he was not happy about it. I lost respect for him because of that behavior.

I really hope that all of those who do not go on to the general election immediately turns to their followers and encourage them to vote for the person who does. They also need to immediately endorse them also. If they do all of that their followers will more than likely follow them. Use the time they might have used for campaigning for themselves if they were in the general to campaign for the one who is.

Yes, if he makes it to the general I would not even have second thought to vote for him.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

16. I'm leaning towards Biden right now because

so far he seems to be the candidate most likely to beat Trump. Of course that could change and if it does I’ll switch to whichever other candidate polls best against Trump. That’s all I care about right now. But as to Bernie, though I supported him in the 2016 primaries I was disappointed in him when he wouldn’t concede to Hillary, and really lost interest this year when he hired Jill Stein retreads and bomb throwers like Sirota. And I don’t think he can beat Trump. People are tired of anger and yelling.

[LongtimeAZDem]

17. Not me; I supported his running, but I felt that he should have dropped out by April

[Gothmog]

18. I was an Obama supporter early on and I was an early Clinton supporter

I never considered supporting sanders.

[Dr. Jack]

21. I did but not strongly

In 2016 I liked the idea of pushing major reforms and his appeal among independents. However, I didn't think he had the ability to actually win the nomination so I didn't get heavily invested. This time I have less energy for massive change and just want some peace and quiet in national politics. In other words, getting rid of Trump is my #1 priority. Sanders does well in polls against Trump but Biden absolutely crushes him. Biden has strong credentials, is very well known and liked, and has appeal in the midwest and rust belt, all things that we need. In terms of political views, I am much closer to candidates like Sanders and Warren but there are more pressing concerns than finding the perfect candidate that aligns with my views.

[Bayard]

22. Yes

He hit a lot of my hot buttons in 2016. Maybe I was a bit more idealistic then.

Now, he's more like your cranky old neighbor. Too much anger and yelling. And I don't see him beating tRump.

Whole lot'a people like Joe. He's somebody you could sit and have a cup of coffee with (I don't drink alcohol). He's personable, empathetic, honest, and was a good VP. He could restore our standing and respect in the world....more experienced than any other candidate in foreign affairs. I believe he could calm down this country, and make us feel safe and sane again.

[Kahuna7]

23. Not me. Always with HER!

[Amimnoch]

24. Ha! Nope. -nt

[customerserviceguy]

25. While I'm not fully on board for Biden

and am waiting to see if he or Buttigieg are the most viable by the time of the SC primary, I did support Hillary over Bernie in 2016, on the basis of electability.

[padah513]

27. Who do you support?

[StarfishSaver]

29. I haven't picked a candidate yet.

[oasis]

31. Some pick candidates, others pick on candidates.

just sayin'

[Thekaspervote]

30. Since you have not been to me, fair in other postings about mr. Biden unless you tell me your

Motive, I will not be answering.

Call me paranoid or whatever, but this looks a lot like opposition research

[StarfishSaver]

32. I guess I'll manage to muddle through without a response from you

But thanks for taking the time to kick the thread.

[Turin_C3PO]

34. Me.

I supported Bernie in 2016 until it became clear he couldn’t win the nomination. This time I’m supporting Biden because I believe he’s our best shot at destroying Trump in a landslide. But ideologically I’m closer to Warren and Sanders.