General Discussion

Douglas Carpenter

(20,226 posts) Sun Mar 9, 2014, 12:57 AM Mar 2014

If Sen Sanders runs as a Democrat - do you believe he could win the nomination and go on and win the [View all]

Last edited Sun Mar 9, 2014, 09:00 AM - Edit history (1)

General Election?

As a disclaimer of my own bias - Because Sen. Bernie Sanders has such incredible persuasive abilities and is able to explain the progressive social democratic perspective in such practical bread and butter terms that more often than not - he at least wins the respect of even many conservatives and because issue by issue he is more in tune with the vast majority of ordinary Americans than any major candidate in recent memory - Yes, I personally do believe it is possible he could win the Democratic Party nomination and go on to win the general election. However, I think it is more likely that he would have a strong influence that could bring back progressivism into the mainstream of national political discussion for the first time in more than a generation.

50 votes, 1 pass \| Time left: Unlimited
	He has no better of a chance of winning the Democratic nomination and becoming President than I do.
	18 (36%)
	He has a chance to win the Democratic Party nomination and go on and win the general election - but only the most farfetched and remote chance
	6 (12%)
	If his campaign can mobilize all the true believers in the primaries like McGovern did in 1972 - he could conceivably win the nomination - but he would be solidly defeated in the general election.
	2 (4%)
	Yes, it is well within the range of possibility. Bernie can win.
	24 (48%)
	1 DU member did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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91 replies

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If Sen Sanders runs as a Democrat - do you believe he could win the nomination and go on and win the [View all] Douglas Carpenter Mar 2014 OP

No because he won't have a party behind him, elleng Mar 2014 #1

Other... he will win the general if he can manage to get the nomination. winter is coming Mar 2014 #2

I have no idea and neither does anyone else. Gravitycollapse Mar 2014 #3

But which way would you bet? BillZBubb Mar 2014 #5

Gambling on odds you don't know is throwing your money away. Gravitycollapse Mar 2014 #9

I remember in '99 thinking there was no fucking way in hell the population in this country could adirondacker Mar 2014 #17

I remember saying that Reagan was the only Republiican Carter could beat. 1980. Jackpine Radical Mar 2014 #52

He has a better chance of winning the nomination than I do. OilemFirchen Mar 2014 #4

He could perhaps win the primary but not the general Prophet 451 Mar 2014 #6

And Hillary is a whole 6 years younger! Bluenorthwest Mar 2014 #34

Hillary LOOKS younger though Prophet 451 Mar 2014 #49

I think the opposite -- I think winning the primary would be harder for Nay Mar 2014 #64

I think he could win the Dem nomination. Cali_Democrat Mar 2014 #7

Really? OilemFirchen Mar 2014 #13

It's definitely not likely, but there's a small chance IMO. Cali_Democrat Mar 2014 #15

I guess nothing's impossible, but much is improbable. OilemFirchen Mar 2014 #16

Do you think he'd bludgeon Hillary in the debates? MannyGoldstein Mar 2014 #21

LOL Manny Cali_Democrat Mar 2014 #24

"out for the count" "bludgeon" boston bean Mar 2014 #30

Inside joke MannyGoldstein Mar 2014 #41

do you think Hillary has no debating skills? VanillaRhapsody Mar 2014 #58

Her skills are reasonable MannyGoldstein Mar 2014 #62

You do not give her NEARLY enough credit....you forget...she has been married to Bill Clinton VanillaRhapsody Mar 2014 #63

You can say that again Vanilla. Auntie Bush Mar 2014 #73

No chance. BillZBubb Mar 2014 #8

OTHER - I don't think he'll run as a Dem demwing Mar 2014 #10

Hmm... technically that would be Teddy MannyGoldstein Mar 2014 #22

Also.... Cali_Democrat Mar 2014 #11

Bernie's the guy (Independent Socialist) who suggested Obama be primaried in '12. Tarheel_Dem Mar 2014 #12

He is simply not corrupt enough. And I don't want him to be. aquart Mar 2014 #14

honestly, it depends DonCoquixote Mar 2014 #18

"Hillary, Imperatrix Americana" MannyGoldstein Mar 2014 #23

My pleasure DonCoquixote Mar 2014 #25

It's probably unlikely, given the political machinery, Blue_In_AK Mar 2014 #19

It is absolutely unlikely PATRICK Mar 2014 #32

He could absolutely win if he had a fair chance to compete on the issues. woo me with science Mar 2014 #20

The corporate machine is why imo he shouldn't waste time on the party... polichick Mar 2014 #86

Considering the number fed up with both establishment parties and the independents, he could. Tierra_y_Libertad Mar 2014 #26

all he will do is guarantee a president PAUL MFM008 Mar 2014 #27

I'm horrified that there's so much faith-based, rather than evidence-based, thinking on DU. Donald Ian Rankin Mar 2014 #28

yes, it is possible that he could win. Not necessarily likely but well within the range of Douglas Carpenter Mar 2014 #35

just like all those fools that thought Obama could win Enrique Mar 2014 #37

No, not like that at all. Donald Ian Rankin Mar 2014 #39

Half of the pro-Sanders vote is just one group's attempt to wind up another BeyondGeography Mar 2014 #57

Now it's up to 109. Beacool Mar 2014 #89

Better chance that I quaker bill Mar 2014 #29

You hit it on the nose left is right Mar 2014 #40

political extremiust from either party have no chance beachbum bob Mar 2014 #31

I bet he wins the New Hampshire primary or at least comes close and wins at least a few other Douglas Carpenter Mar 2014 #48

It's legal to spend millions on ads lying about our Bernie mucifer Mar 2014 #33

nail meet hammer 30cal Mar 2014 #51

And those ads are probably already being planned. n/t winter is coming Mar 2014 #71

If you look back on DU or in the press to 2006 or2007, the theme around Obama for Bluenorthwest Mar 2014 #36

Of course he could, because what he sells and always has, is what Americans want too. Evidence: Jefferson23 Mar 2014 #38

depends entirely on the preponderance of open primaries reddread Mar 2014 #42

The people who can win Presidential primaries and elections are puppets 30cal Mar 2014 #43

I don't think he has much of a chance--but I also thought Barrack Obama had a funny name librechik Mar 2014 #44

Difference is Obama can serve $10,000 plate dinners 30cal Mar 2014 #50

go Bernie! go Bernie! go Bernie! go Bernie! n/t wildbilln864 Mar 2014 #45

He will not be allowed to win. Hell Hath No Fury Mar 2014 #46

Given at this point 2006 the nomination WAS Hillary's Johonny Mar 2014 #47

I'm not even sure the Democratic Party should allow someone who just joined the party treestar Mar 2014 #53

I think primary voters should be allowed to decide whether or not that's an issue. winter is coming Mar 2014 #72

Of course they will treestar Mar 2014 #81

If he had been caucusing with the Republicans, I'd agree. winter is coming Mar 2014 #83

Roughly the same chance in the General Election as I have of being a 1st round NFL draft pick. Lizzie Poppet Mar 2014 #54

He would never win the Primary. Jackpine Radical Mar 2014 #55

It sucks, but no one who self-identifies as a "Socialist" is going to win a national election ... 11 Bravo Mar 2014 #56

Picking through memories of the 2008 primary... krispos42 Mar 2014 #59

I love me some Bernie Sanders.... VanillaRhapsody Mar 2014 #60

Dennis Kucinich has a little too much of a counterculture image. Sen. Sanders comes off more as an Douglas Carpenter Mar 2014 #66

Oh yeah....you don't think being a "Socialist" isn't going to come off as "counter-culture"? VanillaRhapsody Mar 2014 #67

one of the most valuable functions his race might be able to achieve is that he might be able to Douglas Carpenter Mar 2014 #75

As I said....I support Bernie Sanders...do I think he is capable of garnishing enough votes to win? VanillaRhapsody Mar 2014 #79

+1 treestar Mar 2014 #82

but Kucinich and Sanders are NOT the same. They hold similar political views. But stylistically Douglas Carpenter Mar 2014 #84

I can't see it as remotely likely. First, he is not a Democrat, MineralMan Mar 2014 #61

Naaah. He can impact the conversation, sure, but he can't take the prize. MADem Mar 2014 #65

Pass. Chan790 Mar 2014 #68

Well of course he cannot! Earth_First Mar 2014 #69

No chance in hell. Nt hack89 Mar 2014 #70

Bernie Sanders (D-VT) WhaTHellsgoingonhere Mar 2014 #74

They won't let him win (despite the votes). He's not Centrist/Right Wing enough. nt valerief Mar 2014 #76

No. nt Deep13 Mar 2014 #77

i'd love a president sanders, but i don't underestimate the control the empowered few have here. Adam051188 Mar 2014 #78

The best way to tell if Bernie has a chance? winter is coming Mar 2014 #80

one last kick Douglas Carpenter Mar 2014 #85

I despise politicians who jump parties just to win elections. n/t Orsino Mar 2014 #87

so, I take that as a "yes" Douglas Carpenter Mar 2014 #88

I think it's still a no... Orsino Mar 2014 #90

this might be worth one more Douglas Carpenter Mar 2014 #91