Sanders would never win a general election and I have great

[Skidmore]

admiration for the man. He is a tireless fighter and is very much on target.

There is a simple reason he would not win. Sanders describes himself as a democratic socialist. The American public has been primed for more than one generation to have a visceral reaction to the word "socialism," equating the concept with "communism." Like it or not, the "big tent" needed to win elections includes those known as "independents," not all of whom are at the left end of the curve but who are more comfortable in the middle. We have more than one generation consistently vote on the basis of spin and buzz words and are steeped in a muck of jingoism and twisted concepts. Now do you really think that the political sensibilities of the American people will just turn on a dime?

[Big Blue Marble]

1. Oh I don't know.

I can see a very interesting campaign season next year. Ron Paul could possibly make a run
on the libertarian right. He raised huge amounts of money last time and has many very dedicated
followers. Bernie runs on the left. He also could raise quite a bit of money with the current feelings
on the left.

You could see a free for all four way split in the electorate. I am not saying he would win, but
it sure could be interesting. :shrug:

[WI_DEM]

2. He's not running anyway.

[Gold Metal Flake]

5. That's right. He did not say that he was.

He can't run in the primary unless he changes his affiliation anyway. Some folks not listening closely to his segment with Thom Hartmann misunderstood and have perhaps innocently but a bit recklessly mislead a lot of people.

[elocs]

7. Oh yes he is! In the DU alternate universe he is the front runner.

Remember: in the DU alternate universe reality rules do not apply. So if you wish for it, or fantasize it, then go for it.

[spanone]

3. i agree.

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

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[ozone_man]

6. That's what many thought

How could a socialist win? Until he did win, and again, and again, 70% of the vote. Red baiting doesn't work against him.

People know when they hear the truth. It's spoken so rarely by politicians and the people are really getting sick of that.

[dmallind]

11. And of course, VT is a great indicator of voting patterns in OH, PA, FL,MI, NC, IN etc. nt

[ozone_man]

12. Do any of those states have high unemployment?

Jobs shipped overseas? Outrageous health care costs? If the answer is yes, then he can win.

We're in a depression era climate once again and we need FDR type solutions. Restore taxes on the rich, regulate the banks, end the wars, single payer health care, put people back to work. Obama isn't working out.

[Skidmore]

14. Doesn't mean that they'll step forward and vote

for a self described socialist. The land of two flags, US & Confederate, is pretty comfortable holding onto God and guns and letting go financial wellbeing to keep them. Look at some of the statistics for the southern states and what they have given up for jingoism.

[EFerrari]

8. That's what they said about Obama. n/t

[elocs]

9. The thing is that we need good people at all levels of government.

Only 1 person can be President, but there are many members of Congress, governors, elected and appointed officials where we need good people.

[ThomWV]

10. If Sanders were to run people would hear him speak

And you can not hear Bernie speak and not want to vote for him. He would pull Independents and Republicans to the Democratic side in droves, in fact I think he could easily beat any of the Republicans out there and probably beat Obama head to head too. I sure know I'd vote for Bernie in a heartbeat instead of Obama - but that's easy because I will not vote for Obama again no matter what he does in the next year and a half. When he told us all to go fuck ourselves last December (Extended the Bush Tax Cuts) I took it to heart. So now he can go fuck himself as far as I'm concerned.

[Kaleva]

15. People didn't hear Kucinich speak when he ran.

There were several reasons given as to why the base took a collective dump on Kucinich's campaigns to win the nomination and I suspect the same excuses will be given for Sanders efforts if he were to decide to run.

[ThomWV]

21. The field won't have half a dozen wanna-be President's this time

[spedtr90]

13. Even with no chance of being elected - the truth will reach more people

The same people who reacted so strongly that they embraced the Tea Party will be reacting to any hits taken by Medicare and Social Security. We are certain of Obama's postion now. In a debate between Obama and Sanders, I'd bet on Sanders. For Obama to have to shift even an inch to the left to keep his former base would be a victory for the lower 98% of us.
Primary him.
He left us, so let's move on, even if we don't get far.

[cliffordu]

22. Howdy doo Vice President Bachmann.

[n2doc]

16. Remember "A black man can never win"???

Sanders vs. Bachmann? No contest. Same with Goodhair Perry. Romney would be the toughest. But give Sanders 800 mil to advertise with, and who know what would happen....

[steelmania75]

18. Agreed on Sanders v. Bachmann. Bachmann is now second in the polls

polling. I think should could win that nomination. Would energize her bat shit crazy base, and the corporations would give her support in that all she would do is pass tax cuts.

[TheKentuckian]

17. Better a loss with a real case made than a hollow victory where the right wing ideology

is rubberstamped by a cowardly party devoid of principles and has an open disdain for the poor and working folks.

[cliffordu]

23. Riiiiiight.....

:eyes:

[WingDinger]

19. I dont care if he wins. I would welcome his running. To lean the debate lefter.

[Name removed]

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