Harry Enten was discussing how Bernie backers have started a campaign against Beto, claiming he is not liberal enough. Harry was suggesting that the strategy is based on the idea that 2016 was the year that showed the Democratic Party had moved left as Bernie did so well.
Harry then said that the polling does not back that up. He said polling showed among progressives Clinton and Sanders tied. There was no sudden surge of progressives for Sanders. Rather Sanders easily won people who accept Democratic ideas but do not like to be considered Democrats. He said that many younger voters are that way, they do not want to feel constrained by a two-party system so they do not identify with a party. Sanders beat Clinton in the youth vote and in the self-described independent vote.
Anecdotally that sounds correct, I never identify as a Democrat and supported Sanders. Looking at the board, Toasted seems to fit that idea as well.
My thought is that if Enten is right, Sanders' strategy may help Beto. Independents who vote Democrat may see "Beto is out of touch with the Democratic Party" as a badge of honor. It could be their strategy is going to cost them the primary (mind you, I don't think Bernie has a serious chance anyway).
Harry then said that the polling does not back that up. He said polling showed among progressives Clinton and Sanders tied. There was no sudden surge of progressives for Sanders. Rather Sanders easily won people who accept Democratic ideas but do not like to be considered Democrats. He said that many younger voters are that way, they do not want to feel constrained by a two-party system so they do not identify with a party. Sanders beat Clinton in the youth vote and in the self-described independent vote.
Anecdotally that sounds correct, I never identify as a Democrat and supported Sanders. Looking at the board, Toasted seems to fit that idea as well.
My thought is that if Enten is right, Sanders' strategy may help Beto. Independents who vote Democrat may see "Beto is out of touch with the Democratic Party" as a badge of honor. It could be their strategy is going to cost them the primary (mind you, I don't think Bernie has a serious chance anyway).