I've always thought Bernie was a formidable candidate for a certain group of people. But I am surprised at the number ( kind of like Trump , only for very different reasons.). My big concern is widening his appeal to motivate the minority base to vote, were he to get the nomination.
That means a wacko on the left is beating a wacko on the right.
I agree with candidates throwing away the scripts. The problem is that I don't know anyone besides Christie and Paul that might be able to go off script and not look confused in a debate with Trump. Trump will be brutal in the debates. It may be more entertaining than the Bieber Comedy Roast.
If this is true, accurate, and holds up, and Ladoga's poll about several republicans beating Hillary is true, accurate and holds up, then Sanders' focus needs to be on convincing the mainstream Democrats that a vote for Hillary is a wasted vote. If he can make this stick, then he's got a shot. It will be interesting to see how hard he digs in on her at the debates? If he comes off too aggressive he could get "Lazio'd" by his own party. If he points out her poor and inconsistent record on everything and how she is a shill for money wherever that comes from, it could damage the party even if he wins.
Oh I think Trump is going to look like a royal idiot in the debates. He will bluster and lie and call the others names, but he has zero deep understanding of most of the issues.
Might not matter for the first debate. 10 people in 90 minutes? Not much time to get pushed on the issues at all.
I don't think Trump is a liar any more than the serious politicians. He believes the things he is saying to be true. He has a quick mind and is very good when challenged. He could win an argument, but I will be curious if he can be effective in a debate without looking like a jerk. He could be a problem for the GOP if he learns how to be a better politician.
Trump is probably the most honest of all these guys. He's brutally honest. His message resonates with a lot of Americans but his biggest problem is his ego and he's a loose canon and doesn't act Presidential. He's got way too many axes to grind. My hope is he can pull some of these other candidates out of their shell because most of them are afraid of their shadow. Trump is stating the obvious about illegal immigration and that is we cannot have it. He's also an outsider calling out the establishment. But he also can't stop being Donald Trump and he's probably not electable. At some point he will go too far I believe.
I don't want Socialism, but I love Sanders. He doesn't come from wealth. He believes what he says. He isn't a phony. He is the most down to Earth politician there is. He is the only honest person running. I have seen nothing negative about him personally. He is a true grass roots candidate. I'm a registered independent, but I hope he thumps Hillary and I will vote for him in the general. Sanders winning is like your everyman winning.
I think it's fair to distinguish between democratic socialism and socialism, because what Sanders proposes isn't "socialism" the way most of us think of it. We usually association socialism with state ownership, but democratic socialism is a version that generally eschews state ownership. I'd say Sanders' economic ideals would more closely mirror the Scandinavian version of socialism than any other.
Bernie wants Medicare for all and free college tuition just like most of the European countries.He is the only politician talking about helping the middle class and how to do it specifically!
Trump wouldn't work well with Congress. He would go nuts when he didn't get his way. He might piss Putin off so much the missiles would start flying. But who knows, Putin and Trump could become best friends. He isn't Presidential. That would be good if it was in a likeable way. Trump's version would remind us of Jerry Springer's show.
Why stop there? Give everyone free houses and cars. Someone else can pay for it.
Rumors are out there that Biden is thinking about running. Hillary has her issues on being trustworthy and likeable, Sanders is going to appeal to the most liberal voters and that is about all. Biden might see a window of opportunity.
Sanders is still a huge long shot for the nomination. However, it looks like he might not be such a long shot for the general.
Free college education for everyone is ignorant. I was kidding about the house and car.
Plenty of successful western countries find a way to make college affordable for everyone. I'm sure if we put our american ingenuity to work, we could find a way to do it.
