Best way for Biden to win over Bernie supporters?

[edhopper]

I put this in GD by accident, moving it here.

I don't see how Bernie wins the nomination with the Primary map going forward.

So if Biden wins, we need Bernie's voters to come on board. I think the ones here will vote for Biden come November, but what about others who might not?

Thoughts?

[BusyBeingBest]

1. A lot of the Bernie youngsters didn't show up for him

on Super Tuesday, it appears. I'm not particularly worried about what they're going to do--they only seem to exist as an online presence, and they like rallies and concerts, but may not bother showing up in November no matter who we nominate. Adults who like Bernie are going for Medicare for All, they aren't going to turn to Trump in November or stay home. I think these fears are overblown and Biden doesn't have to woo their support too much. He just has to avoid making dismissive comments.

[Perseus]

8. "they only seem to exist as an online presence" I think that is part of the question

How do stop them from being an online presence only to cast votes for the Democratic candidate?

And the fears are not overblown, there was a lot of abstinence in 2016 from Bernie's supporters that could have made a difference in the key states, we need all the votes we can get, no matter who the nominee is.

The other question is, will Biden supporters come out to vote for Sanders if he were to win the nomination? I hear all talk about Bernie's supporters, but I don't hear anyone asking Biden supporters. I only read a post someone wrote here in DU, a Biden supporter, and he said that "he would never vote for Sanders, no matter what!" The good thing is that many Biden supporters jumped at it explaining the importance of "vote blue no matter who", not sure if they changed his mind, but nonetheless, it is a question that must be asked.

[BusyBeingBest]

12. I think the vast majority of either man's supporters will gladly

vote for either in November. There may be less excitement than usual, but I just don't see people staying home. The lazy or disconnected will still be lazy and disconnected no matter what anyone does, but the grudge-holders will be few and far between because November is a long ways off and people get over things.

[Perseus]

23. "The lazy or disconnected"..I hear you, but maybe the candidate must make voting "cool"

You know, like if you don't vote you are not cool? Some silly thing like that, but find a way to motivate the lazy and disengaged as well.

The creature and his goons must be defeated! Sounds like the title of a horror movie, and in some way it is.

[TwilightZone]

52. Re: Biden supporters.

Biden supporters have made it clear that the vast majority of them intend to support the nominee.

The same can't be said of Sanders supporters.

Looking at the two camps and their approach to the contest, this makes sense. Biden and most of the other candidates see the election as a referendum on Trump, the primary focus defeating him and shoring up Congress. Some Sanders supporters pretty clearly see the election as a referendum on Sanders. If he's not the nominee, nearly half of them may stay home or not vote, depending on the candidate. We don't have specifics on if that candidate is Biden, but as a whole, they're likely to be less reliable than Biden's supporters, or so they tell pollsters.

Link to tweet

https://www.newsweek.com/andrew-yang-bernie-sanders-supporters-wont-support-another-nominee-democratic-unity-msnbc-poll-1485241?utm=newsbreak

[Qutzupalotl]

2. Get Warren on the ticket as VP.

They could still get much of their agenda promoted and/or passed once Joe sets the ship of state right (and we take the Senate).

[el_bryanto]

5. This would do it.

It would show a real commitment to moving this country towards a long term sanity.

Bryant

[videohead5]

11. She will be replaced in the senate

With a Republican. We need a more of diverse ticket. My guess is it will either be Harris or Abrams?

[Qutzupalotl]

19. Wouldn't that be a temporary appointment until they hold a special election?

I’m not familiar with either state’s laws on this, but if it’s a permanent appointment we’d better not.

Bernie’s in the same boat with a Republican governor. I think either state would elect a Democratic replacement if they hold a special election.

[Perseus]

24. I am all for it!

I like the sound of that...that is if Biden wins of course

[Qutzupalotl]

59. She is very well liked.

I love her, her plans, her fighting spirit, her quick sense of humor ... and she would trounce Pence or Haley in a debate. I hope Joe’s campaign is listening. Thanks for the special election info.

I think the electorate just got spooked by Trump’s authoritarianism and thought it would be risky to try to elect a woman president, something we’ve never had before. If we were up against a “normal” Republican, I think she would have come out on top.

[eissa]

3. They're concerns are real, treat them as such

I work at a university, and I have two kids in college. Their concerns are real and they feel like they're being blown off. A generation is coming of age in debt up to their eyeballs. Education used to be a path out of poverty, now it's a debt sentence. The thought of home ownership is almost laughable. They're entering a workforce with stagnant wages and shaky job security.

Biden needs to talk about what he's FOR, not just continue riding on Obama's coattails.

[emmaverybo]

14. And I live in a town where our AA community has disappeared due to gentrification and foreclosures.

Why is student debt more important an issue than the epidemic of foreclosures across the country?

Do you bother to look at Joe’s excellent housing or education plans? Or any of his policies? He has talked about several.

Did you know that millennials with a BA on the average make 100+ thousand a year? Again, where I live many make much more. But millennials struggle with card debt more than student loan debt.

[showblue22]

15. He did. He said he is for free community college and..

Putting large sums of money into public schools. There are a lot of people much poorer than Bernie supporters. People who don't even think about incurring a debt to go to college or even think about going to college at all. These communities are so poor with so many struggles some can't even graduate High School.

[Perseus]

25. You need to send those few sentences to the DNC or start making bumper stickers

You just need to find a way to make sure people understand the damage has been perpetrated by the republicans.

At least they need to be used as talking points.

The sentences:

Education used to be a path out of poverty, now it's a debt sentence.
The thought of home ownership is almost laughable.
They're entering a workforce with stagnant wages and shaky job security. And all thanks to republican bills passed since Ronald Reagan.

[Squinch]

4. We tried that once before.

[Lulu KC]

6. Crank it up on climate change

I believe it is a priority of Joe's, but it has not been emphasized in debates. This is one where we truly are all in it together. It is an opportunity for him to use his diplomacy skills. No need to tiptoe around it.

[Recursion]

10. This

That pulls both Sanders and Warren voters.

[beastie boy]

7. I hope Bernie supporters are not going to sit this one out.

Surely they can see what four years of Trump have done to this country!

[Perseus]

28. Well, they have been hurt, now its time for peace and to make sure they are brought into the family

The Democratic family, that is. They need to feel they belong, and they do, but during the past few weeks the garbage back and forth has not helped, that needs to be turned around.

The fact that so many supporters of the other candidates have labeled Sanders as a "Socialist" and "Not A Democrat" has hurt many of them.

I believe there has been a failure to recognize that a high number of Sanders supporters are young people who want "Free Education", "Universal Healthcare", and a future. When they heard Biden, Buttigieg, Klobucher, Bloomberg, and before that many others talk about the impossibility of those two, which are the most important issues for young people, when they read articles on the press and hear TV talking heads talk about how the Democratic party doesn't want their candidate they of course feel left out, now its the big job to bring them back, we need their votes. Again, this is assuming Biden gets the nomination, anything can happen.

[Demsrule86]

42. Many of them are not Democrats and will not be brought into the family...some are GOP chaos types or

bots which could explain why they don't show up...we have to look elsewhere for votes...the vast majority of Democrats who supported Sanders will vote for the nominee; the others (few) can fuck off as far as I am concerned as nothing but Bernie as the nominee will move them.

[wyldwolf]

9. offer free vape pipes to any bro who brings a friend to vote?

[BusyBeingBest]

13. My son is an earnest Bernie supporter, in his 20's, he does not fit

that stereotype. Ridicule and dismissive comments will not help going forward.

[nolabear]

16. Don't do that. It just hurts our cause.

[RazBerryBeret]

55. ....and this is exactly

why they won't.
cringe.

[Jarqui]

18. You lay out Bernie's policies vs Biden's vs Trump's

Bernie wants M4A,
Biden wants a public option that he feels will eventually lead to M4A,
Trump wants to kill Obamacare and has provide no plan to replace it

Bernie wants free tuition and student loan forgiveness
Biden wants 2 years free community college, reductions in loans, credit towards loans for public/community service, increase in Pell grants, whole bunch more at the link:
https://joebiden.com/beyondhs/
Trump isn't talking about any of the stuff Bernie & Joe are

etc.

At the end of the three way comparison, it will be pretty clear that many of Joe's policies do not go as far as Bernie's but they're vastly closer to Bernie and improve nearly every area Bernie wants to while Trump doesn't.

[Perseus]

33. "Biden wants 2 years free community college" This forces kids to go to a 2-year, and many do not

want to do that, they want to go straight to college.

One of the most pressing issues for kids today are those student loans, they are a scam, and I know first hand. While the interest rate for buying a house was down to 3.5%, kids were paying 8.5% interest on their loans. The way they are structured is insane, kids pay 3 times of what the original loan was.

Biden needs to turn around at some point, maybe not during the campaign if he thinks it will hurt him, but these predatory student loans must be put out of business.

For a kid who wants to have a career where going to a 2-year college is not going to help him, why should he/she spend two years of their lives just so that they can go back to a college that may not take all their credits and have very little gain? It is not a solution, it is a band-aid. Medical and Law students would not benefit from the 2-year college thing, it would only mean their studies, which are already very long, will take at least one more year, unless of course all the credits are accepted by the 4-year college.

Lets face it, most kids that go to 2-year college do so because the do not have the grades to get into a 4-year college, its not like they are going to a 2-year for a specialized trade, and most 4-year universities do not take all the credits, they usually loose a full year.

[Demsrule86]

43. Too bad...I would kill for free college. I paid my own way.

My daughter did two years in a Kent satellite and then transferred to finish her degree as it was not offered there only an associate in order to save money.

[Jarqui]

49. Do not rely only on my words - read the link

Biden addresses predatory lending for example.

Two year program for community college is only one option.

If you came to Joe with a good idea for education, do you really think he'd tell you to screw off? He'd be all ears. He's not prepared to go as far as Bernie because it is a very tough sell in a general election and tough to pay for. But he is willing to do a bunch of stuff to help young students get their education.

Now compare that to Trump. Do you really think Trump is going to do what Joe hopes to do? Or do a better job for students than Joe? What has Trump done in his first three years that makes one think that? I doubt anyone around here thinks that. It's no contest between the two.

That's what we need to explain to Bernie's supporters. I have some idea or appreciation because I supported Bernie in 2016 and I still love his policies the most. I still like Bernie. The point is: for every one of Bernie's policies, Joe tends to offer something. It is not as grand but it is something and he'd be very receptive to a better idea as long as he can sell it and pay for it. Many of Joe's policies are easier to pass through congress than Bernie's.

You can't say that about Donald Trump.

In 2016, I was sick about what happened to Bernie. I threw up my hands and walked away over what the DNC did to him. But when Trump started to get traction, I held my nose and came back to help Hillary because Trump was going to be far worse than Hillary. Hillary, like Biden, offered a lot of things like Bernie - just not as gigantic.

We need all hands on deck. We need Bernie's supporters to help us take down Trump. The GOP are going to cheat and try to steal it. We need to overwhelm them with our support ... or we're facing another four years of Trump.

That's what I'd say to Bernie's supporters.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

20. Show 'em this ...

[andym]

21. Overcome a strong age gap by offering updated policies appealing to younger voters

Today's morning Consult poll revealed a strong age gap in candidate preference. 45 and older went 70% for Biden, while those under 45 went 57% for Sanders.

Perhaps Biden can offer more liberal policies on issues that appeal most to younger voters-- for example, maybe significantly more financial aid for public college and a college loan forgiveness program based on public service.

[Perseus]

34. You got it, that is what needs to happen.

[Demsrule86]

44. No he has a plan that could work...pandering isn' going to help.

Is Sanders winning on those issues...no he is not.

[Gothmog]

22. I like Joe's response to the disgusing flag incident

Link to tweet

[Perseus]

36. Very well said, very presidential I must say.

I have not been supporting Biden, but it was well said, and of course we all know the quality of person that Biden is, he is class, and he has a heart, which the creature doesn't.

I definitely want a Democrat as president for many reasons, but one of them is to see all these white supremacists go crawling back under their stones.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

26. How about EVERYONE stop maligning Bernie supporters... that would be a good start!!

Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join the revolution!!

[RDavisJ1]

35. You're kidding.... right?

There is no other candidate out there that has a more toxic online presence. Doxxing. Physically threatening other candidates (locals). Etc. Did you not listen to Warren last night?

I'm all for having a big tent, but how about Sanders supporters get their maliciousness under control first? Stop comparing Pete Buttigieg to rats and Jeffrey Dalhmer? How about knocking off doxing Warren staff and snake emojis? How about shutting Chapo and TYT?

I'm sorry, but, seriously, Sanders supporters are in no position to be crying about treatment.

[Perseus]

37. How about EVERYONE stop maligning Bernie supporters... that would be a good start!!

Maybe understanding that at the end of the day we are all on the same side, and the fact that we do need their votes would also help.

[RDavisJ1]

38. See post above

[Perseus]

39. See the two above

[TwilightZone]

58. Some of them don't believe they're on the same side, and that's largely Sanders' fault.

Sanders' worldview is based on boiling everything down to us vs. them and "them" often includes any variety of Democrats depending on the day, including the party, the "establishment", and so on.

The assertion that they should feel like they belong is undermined by their own candidate drilling into them that they shouldn't even *want* to belong because the party is corrupt, the establishment is the enemy, and whatever other vague cliche' we want to toss in. Not me, us. But definitely not "them".

That's not the party's fault or the establishment's fault. It's not the fault of other candidates or their supporters. It's the fault of the person at the top who has framed the election as his movement vs. everybody else, including most of the Democratic Party.

When the movement fails, then what? It is really surprising that they rebel when that happens? How are we supposed to overcome "the party is corrupt and/or the enemy"?

Not that we shouldn't try, but I think the blame is often misplaced. The problem is inherent in, introduced by, and nourished by Sanders' "movement" and its strategy.

[questionseverything]

53. stereo types are for the ignorant

[ehrnst]

64. Ya get what ya give!

Joe/Kamala or Biden/Harris 2020!!
Jump on the Biden Bandwagon & abandon the revolution!!

[Doremus]

27. I know! Let's call them names like dirtbags, communists and radicals! That'll do it!!

[LongtimeAZDem]

31. So, your implication is that Sanders supporters will let Trump win because they got called

names on the internet?

That's sad, but I tend to agree.

[Doremus]

48. No, my implication is that there is just as much shit being flung from moderates

So a good first step would be to stop putting words in my mouth.

Progressives have been holding their noses and voting for moderates for 40 years. If anybody's allegiance is to be questioned it's moderates because their loyalty is untested in the same way ours has.

[LongtimeAZDem]

50. That does not follow. The question posited was:

"Best way for Biden to win over Bernie supporters?"

You replied with:

"I know! Let's call them names like dirtbags, communists and radicals! That'll do it!!"

Since this was obviously sarcastic, your implication was that such tactics would not entice Sanders supporters to vote for Biden.

As such, the overall implication was that the fact that they had been insulted online would lead them to vote, or not vote, in a manner that would favor the election of Trump.

And, your "holding their noses" comment is exactly the same type of behavior you decry.

[RDavisJ1]

40. As opposed to:

Rats
Snakes
Kid Cagers
Haters of the poor
Neolibs
Boomers
Statists

Would be grand if Bernie supporters practiced what they preached and were a kinder group of people who took charge and got rid of the nastiness that Warren spoke about last night.

[LongtimeAZDem]

29. Biden cannot win over Bernie supporters; if Sanders begins early enough, and is earnest enough,

he might be able to bring some of his supporters along. But that is a monumental "if".

This is why we must appeal to moderates from across the aisle; so, ironically, what Bernie has done is to push us to the right.

[evertonfc]

30. If Trump dosent bring them on board- so be It

It's thier future. If they are really concerned they will vote. If not, they won't.

[edhopper]

41. It's all our future.

[Kaleva]

32. The great majority of Sanders supporters will support Biden this Nov.

One can't do much about the JPR, Jill Stein and other types. Unless Biden adopts policies that wins them over but ensures defeat.

[Amishman]

45. Do nothing

Those who are rational will come around on their own. Any reasonable Democrat should see Trump on the other side of the ballot and do the right thing.

Those that won't are beyond help anyway and a waste of effort.

[BeckyDem]

47. Great advice.

[BeckyDem]

46. Medicare for All.

[NurseJackie]

51. Ignore them.

Other than the normal "we welcome you to our campaign" and "congrats to bernie for a hard-fought campaign"... that's IT! Nothing more. Adults can make up their own mind... and if they need coddling and validation, then they probably wouldn't vote for Biden anyway. The best use of our time will be spent getting NEW voters and MOTR Trump voters.

[LexVegas]

57. Free Mountain Dew Code Red?

[zackymilly]

62. Don't they make something blue instead? n/t

[zackymilly]

60. If the words from supporters of other Democratic candidates upset you enough to affect your vote,

maybe you should stop reading them.

[edhopper]

61. What about Biden and his campaign

should he try to reach them?

[hughee99]

63. Calling Sanders supporters names is probably not the way to go. Nt

[loyalsister]

65. He should stop with the religious rhetoric

words like "sacred" and talking about "souls" may appeal to people who get their sense of superiority from a belief that they know "the" truth about some kind of god, but for those of us who are excluded or exploited by religious constructs, it's a real turn off.
A few suggestions from someone still thinking it over, both candidates need to learn to admit when they are wrong and apologize. For Biden support for reparations- ESPECIALLY for damage done by the crime bill is essential.

[aikoaiko]

66. I doubt he could do anything. Any shifts in policy would be transparent ploys.

The best thing to do is not take swipes at Bernie or his supporters, but I don't think that will happen.