Bernie Sanders' Poll Numbers have been steadily rising since January

[sabrina 1]

Pollsters began including Bernie in polls last October. First polls showed him to be at approximately 1%, which was not a surprise since most Americans had not yet come to know him at all.

By January his numbers had risen to approximately 3% as more people had a chance to hear him speak on the issues.

By April in various polls his numbers averaged between approximately 7.1% and in some polls up to 10%.



One week ago Bernie announced his candidacy for the WH.

And more people got to hear him speak.

Poll: Bernie Sanders gains ground in New Hampshire

Sanders, an independent from Vermont, drew support from 13% of likely Democratic primary voters, according to the poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center before Sanders' announced his candidacy for president last month. The senator's support doubled from a February poll by the same group that found 6% of Democratic primary voters supported the independent.


Clinton is still the overwhelming favorite in the state with 51% support. And despite repeatedly saying she isn't running for president, Sen. Elizabeth Warren garnered 20% support from those polled.

Sanders' campaign aides have confidently said that their candidate can play in all early nominating states, but are wide-eyed about the fact that because of his politics and geographical connection Sanders' best state will likely be New Hampshire.

After announcing his candidacy last week, Sanders visited New Hampshire for a series of events over the weekend. The visit was Sanders' 10th trip to New Hampshire since 2014.

The more people get to know him, the more they love him.

To know, know, know him is to love, love, love him
And we do, and we do, and we do!

He has a mountain to climb. All that Corporate Money, Billions of dollars pouring into this one race.

But as Bernie has stated:

"We will not accept a society in which the Koch brothers and other billionaires are able to undermine our Democratic Foundation by buying candidates and elections!"

And in just one week he has received tens of thousands of small donations from the PEOPLE, keeping his promise that at least he will not be beholden to Corporations or Wall St.

Keep up the good work!

We are off to a great start!

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. For reference

Though I think these polls this early are not that useful, this is where that unknown Senator from Illinous was at this stage of the campaign in 2008 I never knew what happened to that fella?

This is just an observation from a reporter written in a funny way.

[sabrina 1]

2. True, at this point everything can be taken with a grain of salt, 18 months to go

and Bernie just started. But I have raised that point about that other Senator and where he was at this point in the polls.

As a matter of fact I have sense of Deja Vu about the whole thing.

Thanks for your opinion, your memory as a reporter, is probably far better than mine, but that is how I remember it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. The excitement is here as well

When I hear people clear on the other coast, who do not speak English well, tell me all about Morenain Mexico and how they intend to vote and work for Bernie in the next sentence I know something's up.

[BrotherIvan]

8. Capturing the Latino community will be huge

Have you seen any articles or polls? I know both Jebba and Hillary are courting them with kissy face on immigration.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Nope and the local Hispanic press

Is not doing much. We used to do a bilingual paper but it was way too much work.

[BrotherIvan]

15. Keep us posted

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. I will and that lady at a May 1 event

Surprised me.

[Jackpine Radical]

10. Jebba the Bush.

Perfect.

[BrotherIvan]

14. That's what he's called in my house

[Jackpine Radical]

20. Star Wars, gotta love it.

Darth Cheney, the Evil Empire--the myths of our age. There is real power in myth.

[BrotherIvan]

30. There's a meme in there

This guy is the only one who can save us



From these guys





h/t Buzz Click for the Yoda Sanders image

[sabrina 1]

41. Yoda has nice hair too!

[BrotherIvan]

43. I need a t-shirt of this, stat

[Jackpine Radical]

48. When a great idea's time has come, it has come.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1280&pid=5238

[BrotherIvan]

49. I agree with your idea

It will play well to tell the story at a glance. We have a lot of talented digital artists on DU, maybe someone can put something together.

[sabrina 1]

24. Wow, that's great news, thank you! I think he will get most of the Independent vote

a good chunk of the Dem base, I think he will appeal across political lines.

Thanks for that good news, there definitely is excitement over his campaign.

Keep us informed ...

[Demeter]

17. I'm hoping for a lot better than Deja Vu, this time

I'm hoping for real change, not pocket change

[sabrina 1]

26. Well, that's what we all hope for. And $3 million in four days isn't pocket change, especially

when it is coming from tens of thousands of supporters. 75,000 as of a few days ago.

While the Wall St candidates, Rubio, Bush eg, may have received close to what Bernie received, but only from a HANDFUL of wealthy supporters.

When you put that in terms of voters it's:

Bernie: 75,000 VOTES who let their small donations speak for them.

Rubio: Maybe 100 votes (just guessing here) whose big donations still translate into only 100 or so votes.

So in money terns it's:

The People = 75,000 votes

The Billionaires = 100 voters.

Lol, well, I like to think very positively.

[-none]

55. I like it.

[SheilaT]

19. Yeah, I wonder about him, too.

And isn't it fabulous that we're in the waning part of President Hillary Clinton's second term?

No? What do you mean she didn't win in 2008. She was inevitable, wasn't she?

(SheilaT who just woke up from a coma she fell into in late 2007.)

[Rockyj]

65. WE NEED TO LET EVERYONE KNOW...

THAT BERNIE'S HAIR IS SEXY!

[tritsofme]

80. Your "reference" is wildly incorrect. Obama was in a much stronger position in the polls in May 2007

Obama consistently scored national support between 20-30%, and even topped Clinton in some polls

He was even more competitive in the early states.

Comparing a minor candidate like Sanders to Obama at this stage in the contest is pretty absurd.

[nadinbrzezinski]

81. Not very early on

but we can agree to disagree. Regardless I still wonder at times what happened to that fella, since I was told over and over again he could not win. Did he retire to Hawaii?

[sufrommich]

82. "this is where that unknown Senator from Illinous was at this stage of the campaign in 2008"

Those are your words...not "very early on", whatever that means.

[nadinbrzezinski]

84. Right now it is quite early

the campaign in 2008 did not start as early as it has this time around. Even how long campaigns are actually lasting is increasing.

That is a reality, and one that I predict will alienate even more voters.

[sufrommich]

85. Obama announced his candidacy in Febuary 2007. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

86. Yes, but we did not get going until really June

look, you may not agree that we are going to have longer and longer campaign. This one, though we did not have anybody officially declare, started the day after the 2014 elections. And I will once again predict that this will alienate even more voters.

You doubt that? How many times did Warren have to say I am not running before anybody even declared?

We have been having a whisper campaign for over a year... with many in the beltway media running them.

You might disagree, but those of us who are not partisans, are just having lost of "fun" with this silliness.

[sufrommich]

88. All presidential campaigns have unofficially started right after the midterms

and have for as long as I can remember.

[nadinbrzezinski]

89. As I said, we will have to agree to disagree

on this.

I suspect we will have to agree to disagree on a lot of things.

[gaspee]

4. I plan on

voting for Bernie in the primary and Hillary in the general.

[sabrina 1]

28. Bernie is going to win the Primary so I'm not worried about who to vote for in the General.

I hope you get to vote for Bernie in the GE also.

[gaspee]

58. If I get to vote for him

I'll be happy. But in the general, I'm stuck with whomever the nominee is and I will not sit out or make a protest vote. I don't consider Hillary a lesser of two evils thing when it comes to the general. But looking at the republican field, almost any Democrat will do. I have a couple of no-goes -- an anti-abortion democrat wouldn't get my vote, among a few other things... but while I'd prefer Bernie, Hillary is acceptable to me. She is no further to the right or more corporatist than Obama.

Unfortunately those of us on the far left - I'd consider myself a socialist - don't have much of a choice. And if Hilary is what the rest of the left-leaning people want, then Hilary I will vote for. I cannot imagine the world after a Ted Cruise, Rand Paul or Jeb Bush presidency. All I know is that it would be terrible in ways we can't imagine beforehand.

[sabrina 1]

61. I understand. I'm glad you will vote for him in the primary. Every vote he gets is

necessary and makes it more likely that he will win the nomination. Let's hope you get to vote for him twice. The Left has had enough of having their votes taken for granted and now we have a chance to vote for someone who really does represent us.

[True Blue Door]

5. Most of Warren's latent support should go to Sanders.

So that puts him in range of 30%.

For me personally, even though it's early, I think I'll start working on the hard-sell voters who default to centrist candidates. Fear is what speaks to them, so I'll try to convince them of what is true: That Clinton is a poor campaigner who would spend so much time reacting defensively to Republican propaganda that they would practically have her dancing on puppet strings.

Convince those folks that she is the loser who is trying to cruise to a nomination she can't support as a general election candidate. Paint a picture of defeat with her as its author. Contrast that with Bernie's rising star and rapidly growing, committed base. Use the language of cynicism to sell the most un-cynical of ideas to them.

Don't just focus on winning over people who are undecided. Weaken the support Clinton already receives. Show her supposed strengths for the weaknesses they actually are.

[BrotherIvan]

7. You are right about the fear

The mindset that only she can win! because she can raise enough money! is something Bernie will have to break through. I think a lot of people *wish* they could vote for Bernie but they're convinced an old socialist who is not raising corporate cash can't win.

If the campaign could get him out there, all over states like Iowa and NH, where he could speak deeply to their concerns, such as farming, he might have a shot. Remember that Obama won Iowa. The idea that the same voters are now hungry for Clinton is part of a false narrative of inevitability which frankly pissed people off last time. If he can make a good showing in those states, more people who want to vote for him but are afraid he can't win, will get on board. Nothing breeds success like success.

[True Blue Door]

13. Good call. Breaking the self-fulfilling prophecy of Hillary would undo her.

Just as Obama did the first time.

Moreover, we might also do something counterintuitive: Republicans think Bernie Sanders is totally unelectable. So it would behoove them to see him be our nominee. Some of them might even donate toward that end. Some of them might even set up PACs to promote him even without his approval.

The more I think about it, the more possibilities I see.

[BrotherIvan]

33. I think just as with Rmoney

Republicans will fall into line and vote for Jebba in the general. They loathe him for the most part, but they won't go against gawd, gunz and gayz ever. But the good news is, and that is where the fear needs to subside, is that Republicans are not needed to win a national election. I don't know why this fear that if Jeb has mountains of cash, somehow people will run out to vote for him. Independents becoming enthusiastic about a Bush is pretty absurd, especially one that makes your skin crawl like Jeb. W had oodles more charm.

If they had a true crossover candidate, then we should be concerned. But they definitely don't. Anyone who will win their primary will be as hard right as possible--with Jeb throwing immigration out there to try to pick up a few gullible Latinos (I think there may be 2). But the electoral map has changed and it is nearly impossible for a Republican to win. It's just simple arithmetic.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12801719

So the fear espoused by Hillary supporters is just that. Obama had just as big an impediment to winning. I remember all the Hillary supporters that ran around saying "America is a racist country; an African American will never win the general." I do believe the same racists who wouldn't vote for Obama are the exact same percentage that won't vote for a pinko socialist. And Obama won handily twice, so we shouldn't fear a liberal message.

Bernie is inspiring young people with his talk of college. He's like a breath of fresh air the way he says what he think and isn't polished or focus grouped. I think Independents, if they are given a chance to hear his message will be very interested. The greatest harm to a Sanders campaign will come from the MSM and the party itself.

[winter is coming]

51. I kind of hope Jeb *is* their nominee.

Say that W is his chief advisor may play well with the far right, but I think that was Jeb's 47 percent moment. I only hope we can get that statement on a video clip so people can play it again and again.

[BrotherIvan]

54. He is a truly awful candidate

But I'm 99.99% sure he will be the nominee. Some people are saying Walker because he's the Koch's boy but he's bush league, pardon the pun. He's the Santorum of the clown car. Jeb has the money and the connections to do what Rmoney did, just wait everyone out until they implode.

And when people say Bernie can't win in the general, I always wonder how on earth they thing a goddamn Bush is going to do it. I'll say it again, whoever wins the democratic primary wins the general. Bush will play every dirty trick in the book, including an October surprise and stealing the election. The people have to be prepared for that and reminded incessantly the cost of the Iraq War. And he's just a disgusting person, the entitlement and evil just ooze out of him.

[sabrina 1]

56. Great post and excellent analysis of the political playing field even if Repubs are forced to back

Jeb. He's THEIR 'inevitable' being he was supposed to be the one to make it to the WH. I also think that a Bush/Clinton contest is going to make people yawn.

Bernie is like a breath of fresh air. And I definitely think he has cross-over appeal.

The DNC is counting on Republican women voting for Hillary, I don't know where they got that idea. But if the RNC thinks that's even a possibility they will find a woman to run as VP.

[BrotherIvan]

57. I think McCain did it to attract PUMAs

And surely, if Hillary does lose, there will be PUMA howls heard round the world. Expect them to find the one Latina or Black woman to run with Jeb. Ugh, that is just the worst though I've had all day.

I think it's funny that people think Hillary is the best contender in the general. It will be a debate of "well W took our country to war" "well you voted for it!" and that will be all. People were just groaning when they realized it was going to be a Clinton/Bush general, like really looks of despair. I hope it isn't, because I doubt they will even be able to beat midterm voter turn out.

And lo and behold, as predicted, the 10% on this site who support one candidate are trying to take over every thread. It's working just as it always has. I've been called smarmy, naive, and not living in reality. It's a great way to attract voters and I hope they KEEP IT UP!!

[sabrina 1]

59. Another thing people are sick of is the negative campaigning. Those who do that do it because they

are trying to distract from their candidate's inability to hold up under scrutiny.

Bernie had one thing to say about that 'I want this campaign to be about issues, not spending millions of dollars to attack other candidates.'

Every time I see it I will counter it with a positive thread about Bernie rather than help kick those threads.

And what's great is there is so much that IS positive about him that we can do this for the next 18 months.

[JonLP24]

73. I see things very similar to you

Appreciate your posts. Especially this fear of Jeb Bush thing, I personally think he's too unpopular with Republicans to be the nominee. While there was an Anybody but Obama push from the last primaries to nominate Mitt Romney, whose unpopular with the base. I don't see them pushing a "Bush" as an electable alternate. On the favorably front Walker scores the highest of the pack except for Ben Carson who scores higher favorability ratings of all the candidates (only one higher than Hillary Clinton) with a lower unfavorability (Clinton was 47% unfavorable, 46% favorable last I check for weekly national polls average). I don't know anything at all about Ben Carson so can't say what his chances are. I think Walker has the best chance of winning the Republican nomination, I'm confident if Bernie Sanders is up against him.

Rand Paul is up there (about 40%) and polls well in a lot of key areas but I'm mostly doubtful he can make it in a Republican primary. Several months ago I would have saw him as virtually the only threat to capture enough key voter demographic to swing him the election especially if he was up against Hillary Clinton but he has flip flopped numerous times for the primary that while it might help him get through a primary, he's done too much damage for his national ticket chances. Already, there was that recent interview where he was asked about his 2007 "Iran isn't a threat" statement which he began with a very uncomfortable "Yeah" before a very testy exchange. He also flip flopped from drones, Crimea, ISIS, & so much more. Rand Paul went from discriminatory policing & over-policing on Ferguson/NYPD to on Laura Ingram's show to calling the Baltimore protests "scary", "glad his train didn't stop in Baltimore on the way to DC" to blaming the problems in Baltimore on "absentee fathers". He's toast, Hillary Clinton will cruise especially if he flip flops again after the primary when before I saw only Bernie Sanders as the kind that could neutralize him.

Jeb Bush, he already has high unfavorable ratings especially from Republicans. He has the Rand Paul problem with many viewing him as too liberal but from a national ticket standpoint the public overall dislikes him more significantly more than they like him. Again Bernie Sanders should be able to cruise, he is right on the issues & stays consistent on the issues so he wouldn't have a problem such as Hillary Clinton--she became desperate in '08 using anything that would stick which could backfire & confusing & contradictory statements but again its Jeb Bush... I live in a VERY conservative city and pretty much no one speaks highly of Bush.

I feel very confident on Sanders chances on a national ticket -- better than I do for the primary. The trends, the policies, the quality of competition, etc made the landslide talk baffling. One of the only areas they have a shot at is capturing the new voters--mainly the youth & don't see Hillary Clinton inspiring the kind of turnout necessary (Republicans only have a shot on less turnout). Like you said Obama campaigned on very different issues but hasn't lived up to expectations.



On edit -- If I didn't already write out a long post I'd detail how my Congresswoman won despite being a former Green who worked on Ralph Nader's campaign that also called herself a "Prada Socialist" won back-to-back in a district with a partisan index of R+1 with heavy Koch/Rove money pouring into the race with the ugliest attack ad campaign I ever seen.

[BrotherIvan]

79. You should write a post about the Congresswoman

I think part of the problem is people can't imagine HOW a more liberal candidate can win. They haven't seen it so it's not in their realm of possibility. So they are choosing to support an establishment candidate because that's all they've got. Your story might help. We have socialists winning in Washington state and DINOs losing all over, so maybe people need to wake up.

Obama had lots of money walking in, it's true. The advertising about all those donations was just that, advertising. Because lo and behold he raised nearly DOUBLE in 2012--$750 Million in 2008 vs $1.4 Billion in 2012. They weren't touting all the small donations then. And it explains quite a lot what many Democrats can't understand: why Obama sound like a liberal but governs like a neoliberal. Follow the money and it is easy to understand.

But the ad campaign was absolutely brilliant. It made people believe that Obama was really popular, with an invitation to get on board the bandwagon. Hillary was the inevitable nominee, the one who could win, because, as you may recall they said that America was too racist and an African American could never win the general. But success breeds success, so people who were going to hold their nose and vote for her were happy to find another winner. It could be the same this year if Bernie is very, very smart. I mean smart. He needs to understand this and he needs to figure out a strategy to bring people on board.

I must say though, that my money is on Bush for the nomination. Even though Walker is the Koch's boy, he is weak. That prank phone call alone will peel off a lot of votes because he looks like such an idiot. Republicans like John Wayne types and they don't like weakness. I also think that his on-screen presence is a huge negative. Not to mention all the current investigations against him and his office.

I think it will be Jeb because they have the structure in place to help him win. The BFEE is powerful and deep and they have a long history of success with two presidents. They even got the chimp elected, so they know how to do it. The Kochs have money but they're amateurs. And I think that Rmoney's nomination is living proof that the old guard in the Republican Party is still very strong behind the scenes. They don't like the tea party crazies either and could give a fuck about the right wing Christians. They are the party of the MIC and money, all the rest is just a distraction. So they would never allow someone unpredictable like Rand Paul in there. This will be an internal fight over who really runs things, and that's why I am very confident that Bush will come out on top.

In that case, I think Bernie could win. I think Bernie's authenticity and honesty is something no professional pol can go up against. It's just not in their nature to be honest. If the media narrative that he's a kook doesn't take hold, he might have a shot. The socialist thing is a problem, but if he's allowed to say what he means by that, it might be ok. Obama was called a socialist big time and that didn't work, so people are even less afraid of the word now. Bernie has to stay strong and not get flustered. I think he will not be ready for every dirty trick they will pull and that might be his undoing. We'll see. I really hope he can pull it off and that the rest of America isn't so scared to vote for him.

[JonLP24]

83. Bush ran on that compassionate conservative crap

Gore was pretty honest himself in debates, almost too honest but I still saw it as plus but he didn't challenge on Bush enough especially on oil related topics, when it came to cutting CHiPS & oil & gas subsidies or benefits Bush expressed outrage saying Gore was trying to imply that he has a bad or dark heart which led to Gore defending Bush's heart & defending that he didn't say that. He also requested an opportunity from the moderator to address education after Bush transition from minority issues to talk about failing schools & "no child left behind" which he didn't have the opportunity to. Bush was very good at coming up with bumper sticker slogans for responses summing things up in a sound bite, I don't think he was dumb himself but he fit the model of what the Roves & Cheneys needed plus Bush had his own greedy interests to give away the treasury to oil & gas corporations & defense contractors

A perfect campaign ad against Jeb Bush should Flash "Bush 1" on fool me once

Change was very powerful ad campaign which I bought into thinking it meant much more than a change from Bush which that alone I would have been thrilled with but they were very strong reasons that appears it is going to be very difficult to walk away from his scary precedents which Obama did an about face on way just too many issues. He ran on "our Constitution works" not "they keep us safe"

Jon Stewarts' 2010 Candidate Obama debates President Obama is so much better but this will have to do

He also built on the grassroots networks that Dean established with some calling him "Dean 2.0" changing internet into what television was for Kennedy-Nixon.

To save time I did already write a long post Krysten Sinema but I'm seeing similar issues from her. When she was a newcomer she was up against Vernon Parker and the ad campaign was the ugliest I ever seen. She is a rumored atheist because she opted for the Constitution rather than bible for her oath and she refuses to discuss what religious beliefs she may or may not have (she was raised Mormon). She is also the first openly bisexual serving member of Congress. I voted for her in the primary over the Clinton endorsed candidate whoever that was & rooted for her hard but she has moved in solid blue dog territory. In January after the election she voted against Wall Street Reform & voted in favor of "Citibank protection". She waffles both ways on foreign policy, when it comes to the rights of terrorist suspects where one vote led to her opponent using the Foley Beheading footage in an campaign ad which backfired. There was a push for her from the because Wendy Rogers was an Air Force veteran. I suggest you look at the post as I go over all this. One thing I didn't mention or maybe I did is she is one of the poorest members of the House

I can't find exit polling to see where her advantages are, there is an Arizona resident over estimating which way Independents break (Independents out number both Republican & Democrat registration & the the district is split 3 ways just like the state itself who actually break toward Republicans (during Presidential years) but turnout is lower than either Dems or Reps registered voters oddly enough.

Election of Krysten Synema and Democratic mid term strategy
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025771285

I think there are probably some advantages or useful things to use for our advantage with each case & election being different but considering she survived the ugly Vernon Parker campaign (I'm sure there is Youtube of it somewhere) it is more than just luck.

[BrotherIvan]

92. First of all, I want to say how much I have enjoyed our discussion

All the Bernie threads that are not infected with snark and attacks are what I hoped DU would be. I have learned a lot and heard very interesting points of views. So thanks.

I agree with your points. I am going to go check out your post.

[BrotherIvan]

35. But I see what you mean about Republicans donating to Bernie

and crossing over to vote for him in primaries. There was talk of that in 2008, though I'm not sure how true it is. Bernie is attracting lots of libertarians for his views on guns and weed.

[JDPriestly]

45. And the Fed.

[BrotherIvan]

46. Exactly right

I hope their craziness doesn't infect the campaign though.

[sabrina 1]

42. 'Nothing breeds success like success' - yes, and for someone who was virtually unknown

to the voters, other than political junkies, going from 1% in Oct to 13% in April, IS success and if his campaign keeps focusing on his successes some who want someone like him, but are wavering, are more likely to lose those fears.

His campaign will not let the self fulfilling prophecy of 'he can't win because he can't get big money' stop him.

I think it's extremely smart of him to USE something that is such a huge issue for Americans, as polls show consistently, as the corrosive effect of money in politics.

Good post btw, great points.

[BrotherIvan]

44. I think his early momentum is a perfect message

He can smile and say how overwhelmed he is by the number of volunteers and contributions. The money is and always will be a drop in the bucket compared to clinton/bush. But being able to say 200,000 have already signed up to work for you helps people to take notice.

People don't want a Republican and I don't either. But I do think that if the party doesn't torpedo him and the MSM isn't full time with the red scare (surprisingly hasn't happened yet) he has a chance. He's gotten some great print articles lately. And with people like Charles Pierce on his side, I look forward to more. I think the same people who broke for Obama will break for Bernie if he proves he can win. In fact, I know it. The campaign just has to find a way to target those people again. Though I'm sure the deal made with Clinton in 2008 would not allow OFA to share their list.

[winter is coming]

50. Think about what that says about money in politics and how weak/limited Dems are.

I always assumed we had a pretty deep bench, but apparently Hillary Is The Only One Who Can Save Us.

Hokay... so what happens if she drops out of the race or dies unexpectedly? Really, the only person we have is Hillary??

[BrotherIvan]

53. I don't think she'll drop out and I certainly hope nothing happens to her

But the idea that after losing in 2008 she is somehow a better candidate is absurd. It also is completely blind to the huge disappointment from Obama. Regardless of threads here proclaiming he is the best president ever, in real life, I hear a lot of disappointment and apathy. The Republicans pushed their agenda through while they were the minority so people were not motivated to go in and vote for more timid Democrats in the midterms. They squandered winning both houses in 2006 and they squandered having Congress AND the WH in 2008. They didn't go after war criminals and bankers and instead bailed them out. I don't know one person who doesn't know someone who didn't lose either their house or their job.

So now we're supposed to vote for more of the same, or even worse, a candidate who is trying to rebrand herself as a populist all while raising unprecedented amounts of corporate cash????? You're right, it's an utterly awful party tactic but it is quite clear that this was the deal that was made in 2008. The party is obviously trying to honor that deal.

[sabrina 1]

63. I agree that a deal was probably made in 2008. How dare they though, it shows, if this is

true how little the people figure into their calculations. It's almost as if there is a club that needs a president every four years, they choose a few candidates knowing that any of their choices will make sure the club continues to function as is and no outsiders will be admitted.

The people to them, are like the peasants looking over the hedgerows with zero chance of ever gaining entry. Their job is to choose among the choices presented to them to keep up the appearance of democracy. After that, they can go back to their humdrum lives and will be given no further thought.

[BrotherIvan]

64. But this time they want to serve up a Bush vs a Clinton?

I hope that people--notwithstanding our resident good germans--aren't that stupid. God, I hope not.

[sabrina 1]

69. Sometimes it isn't so much stupidity In the past there wasn't much choice once the primaries were

over and then it was either the D or the R or nothing.

It's set up that way, like a trap really.

Which is why it is so important that we do not lose faith that Bernie can win. I think that has happened a lot in the past, people wanted someone else, but when it came down to it they did not want to 'waste their votes'. That is how they frame it.

And the system will be gamed, we can count on that. Eg, in the beginning it looked like there would be no primaries at all.

Then Bernie announced. How will handle this? By encouraging a lot of people to run to diminish his support. That's my guess.

So we will have to work very hard to make sure his support grows. And I think it can be done.

[Jackpine Radical]

12. We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

FDR's words never rang truer.

[True Blue Door]

18. Indeed. And let anyone too obtuse to see that be convinced in terms they understand.

I.e., that Hillary is an expert at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

[sabrina 1]

29. Good points. I also think fear is a factor, in fact I KNOW it is because I was there throughout

Last edited Fri May 8, 2015, 01:49 PM - Edit history (1)

the Bush years.

But when some of those voters start seeing that someone who is not Corporate funded actually CAN prevail over all that money, they will most likely get as excited as we are right now.

So long as the people keep Bernie funded with their small donations up to what he has calculated he will need, he will keep on doing as well as he is now.

I also think the Unions will be supporting Bernie with their votes and their money.

Good post, thank you.

[BrotherIvan]

36. +1

[jeff47]

40. She does strike me as very similar to Coakley.

Fits the supposed role well according to marketing, but just can't get the job done when it comes to winning the campaign.

Clinton really didn't have much of a fight in her NY senate races - Republicans have gone so insane it's almost impossible for them to win statewide elections in NY.

It was her race to lose in 2008, and she lost it.

It's her race to lose in 2016. So I'm concerned that history will repeat itself.

At least she has started talking differently from her 2008 persona.

[BrotherIvan]

47. Hillary should run as Hillary

Trying to sell herself as anything else is a losing strategy of epic proportions. We all know who Hillary is, we all know her record. She should stand up and say, "Here I am; take it or leave it." I fear her advisors are as stupid as last time--or the same ones--because this opening salvo is terrible. She is dodging questions and closing herself off from the press already. She is looking like she is avoiding something. And the populist rebranding with heavy cribbing from Elizabeth Warren means they are already scared of who she is. It makes her incredibly vulnerable.

[winter is coming]

52. Yeah, it's keeping me up nights.

[Divernan]

67. HRC's problem? There is no "there" there. She's a shape-shifter.

She will say or do whatever her triangulating/focus-grouping advisers tell her is most popular with the voters - easy enough to do when it's just campaign rhetoric which will be gone with the wind, should she win.

One of her supporters recently posted that to be a viable presidential candidate, one had to raise a billion dollars. Pure HRC - if you've got the money, i.e, the quid, she's got the pro quo.

The American voters (except for the one percenters) are desperate for a candidate with the courage of his/her convictions - not some mealy-mouthed, insecure, I-can't-tell-you-what-I-think, because my advisers haven't told me what to say, candidate.

[sabrina 1]

74. That has become so acceptable, the fact that you need billions to run for the WH

and millions to run for Congress to a small segment of the population, that they say it as if it was normal.

I've seen that from dozens of people over the past few years.

But the majority of people do NOT accept it.

And that is why Bernie is such a breath of fresh air. Finally a serious candidate for president saying what ordinary people have been saying and telling them that we should not accept it.

We get what we deserve, what we are willing to tolerate.

But when masses of people say 'enough' then maybe, if it's not too late, we can change things

[RoccoR5955]

6. If we all talk about Bernies plans

telling people who do not know it, and let them know that he has been pushing for this stuff all along, I believe that by the Primaries, we will have 75%, and by the 2016 election we will have 90%.
And if we play the same game that the RepubliCONS are playing, we can have 150%! (Perhaps then we can get rid of these damn hackable voting machines).

[sabrina 1]

22. I signed up another Bernie voter yesterday. She is a doggie groomer and she

asked me something, I think it had to do commercial dog food, we switched our puppy after finding out she was allergic to it, now feeding her natural food and her coat is beautiful. And someone it led to GMOs, Elections and I asked if she had heard of Bernie Sanders.

She said yes, (she's a Dem) but wondered if he had a chance. Needless to say I told her he does.

To make a long story short, she said something like 'you just sold me'. So, that's two so far this week without even trying. People are so hungry for candidates they can trust that it's not even hard when you have one whose record is there for them to look at.

[Cheese Sandwich]

11. sing it sister

In it to win it.

[yuiyoshida]

21. \o/

Yay!

[NCTraveler]

23. We truly are off to a great start to keep the wh in 16. nt.

[HappyMe]

25. We have 20 people in our group (so far) to spread the word.

We are in it, to win it.

[sabrina 1]

27. That is wonderful. Do you mind me asking what state you are in?

[HappyMe]

31. New York

A few of us have worked together on campaign before (local). We get things done, and have a hella good time too.

[sabrina 1]

34. Thanks, I'm in NY too, very rural area. I am waiting for some notification of any Bernie groups

before doing anything, other than talking to people about him.

I do know one woman who is very good at organizing and though I don't know her politics, other than she is an environmentalist and lives it herself, I have a feeling from previous conversations, she will be very interested in Bernie. Hope to speak to her soon and see if she is on board and if she would considering getting a group together.

[HappyMe]

37. We have a couple of people that are good at

the organizing and stuff. We haven't received any formal campaign stuff either. We are just spreading the word. We are ready to go.

[sabrina 1]

38. Good for you, the sooner the better. Bernie said they are working on organizing

the already huge army of volunteers who signed up to help him in this campaign. That will take a little time I'm sure.

So great that people are going ahead without waiting.

Talking to people, getting his name out there, all that is worthwhile because he has a lot 'name recognition' to beat.

I see it as laying some groundwork so when people hear about again, they won't be wondering 'who', but rather think, 'oh yes, I heard about this guy, sounds interesting'!

[HappyMe]

39. Yup, we're going for name recognition right now.

[Initech]

32. Good news everyone!!!!

[99Forever]

60. The tide has turned.

For the first time since 2008, I have renewed hope that we might turn this nation back toward sanity and return the power to the We the People where it belongs?

The nightmare of the neocons and neolibs might finally be over.

[woo me with science]

62. The nation has been starving for real representation.

It has been so long, we almost forgot what it looks like.

Thank you, Bernie, for reminding us again of what a representative political process is *supposed* to look like.

[sabrina 1]

70. I think he is running, not so much because he wants to, but because as he said, things just can't

keep going the way they are and no one else could really challenge the party's choice the way he can. Iow, I think it is probably a sacrifice for him.

And he definitely deserves our gratitude, because it isn't going to be easy for him.

[JonLP24]

66. Sanders has been polling a consistent third place on the CNN polls

The past 3-4 months only behind Hillary Clinton & Joe Biden who have the benefit of people knowing who they are. Sanders -- I've been saying he needs to keep plugging get his name out there, draw enough support the media will have no choice but to let him speak which is where he is at his best.

What looks impressive is that he is ahead of Jim Webb & Martin O'Malley (they don't poll Elizabeth Warren but those that do have her in second place.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/2016_democratic_presidential_nomination-3824.html

[sabrina 1]

68. Thank you for the link. I didn't expect him to anywhere near where he is right now, even after

the announcement. I thought it would take a while before people got to hear him and know him. So I am really surprised at how well he is doing already. I think it shows how much people are longing for a candidate who is saying the things THEY have been saying but not hearing from their Representatives.

And as soon as they listen to him they know, 'he speaks for me'.

Already people are coming back to the Dem Party just so they can vote for him.

Give him a few months for more people to get to know him, and I have no doubt he can win the primary.

[JonLP24]

71. Niether do I

what I am concerned about is those who would ordinarily vote for Bernie Sanders but buy into the landslide idea. There are certain states that just aren't going to vote Republican, Obama won 70% of the early voting vote in Ohio. The poor & the labor class will be excited for a candidate like Bernie Sanders. Upper class older white conservative voters & the Republicans no matter who they nominate are the underdogs because of trends. The key is turnout, it is Clinton that I think is the risky play here and we already see voters threatened for their support rather than Clinton's support for policies. The threat is on her (and she is running left of herself) for voters support. I just don't see her inspiring turnout -- not to mention she can easily lose the narrative on a gaffe -- "skin in the game", "dodging sniper fire" "dead broke", etc

While many DUers focus on those who don't vote & take a no excuse view, the GOP's War on Voting (because they know the less people vote, the better their odds are) goes on while there should be a united push to make voting easier. Sanders sponsored legislation to make election day a national holiday (he has the right idea). Ohio & Florida's early voting days were crucial for Obama, both states had over half their early voting days cut from 2008 to 2012, there was an overflow at a polling location that the staff locked the doors with people outside chanting "let us vote".

This was huge considering the direction we've been heading, but there are still some huge setbacks with this. I don't think is much of an appreciation over how damaging the GOP's efforts are. I see voters working twice as hard to overcome barriers for Bernie Sanders but at-the-same time we need an equal or stronger push to make voting easier.

(ACLU)Settlement reverses some cuts to Ohio early voting

Voting rights advocates and Ohio’s top election official have settled a lawsuit over controversial cuts to the pivotal presidential state’s early voting period.

The deal, announced Friday morning between Secretary of State Jon Husted, a Republican, and the ACLU, undoes some but not all of the damage to voting access caused by last year’s cuts. It restores one day of Sunday voting and adds weekday evening hours, but lets stand the elimination of a week when Ohioans had been able to register and vote all in one day.

It also ensures that all counties will have the same voting schedule — something Husted had named as a priority and that voting rights advocates too say will reduce confusion.

<snip>

This agreement is a victory for Ohio voters,” said Husted. “With the issues that accompany the 2016 presidential election drawing nearer it is important that we resolve these lingering questions now. Ohio has been and will remain a state where it is easy to vote and hard to cheat.”

Dale Ho, the director of the ACLU’s voting rights project, also considered it to be a move in the right direction. “Thousands of Ohioans rely on early voting opportunities as their only chance to cast a ballot in an election,” Ho said. “This is a victory for all those who know that a healthy democracy depends on the participation of its people.”

But the elimination of same-day voter registration is a setback to ballot access in Ohio. In 2012, more than 90,000 Ohioans voted during that period, according to the ACLU’s complaint.*

But it may be outweighed by the restored Sunday and evening hours. According to an expert analysis presented during the court fight over the cuts, only 4,211 of those 90,000 people who voted during Golden Week also registered during that time. The rest were already registered. Meanwhile, nearly 30,000 people voted on the final Sunday of early voting.

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/settlement-reverses-some-cuts-ohio-early-voting

The key word there is registration, I've noticed in Arizona is I haven't seen a single voter registration stand or signature collector since voter ID laws. It isn't too difficult -- you just need ID number on online registration page but its tough if you don't have picture ID to get a new one if you're missing a BC or SSCard). Its important to have voter outreach to inform on changes & registration info, let them know where to register.

Just some random ideas I've put a thought a lot too, I have doubts Sanders can win a primary but if he's on the national ticket I'm very confident. I can't see him back-peddling, flip-flopping, losing the narrative plus he is a populist full-time rather than just election time -- his marathon filibuster. The GOP's War on Voting is something I've been thinking about longer in addition to how it affects the Democrats electoral advantage during Presidential years.

This is a very interesting read -- The GOP War on Voting
In a campaign supported by the Koch brothers, Republicans are working to prevent millions of Democrats from voting next year (2011)
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-gop-war-on-voting-20110830

[winter is coming]

72. I keep coming back to some of the gaffes that Hillary has made and thinking that

it's certainly possible she'll make new ones. If anything, having Bernie and probably O'Malley in the race makes that more likely, because there's greater pressure for her to define her positions/policies. If everyone's mouthing feel-good soundbites with little substance you can get away with being one of the pack. As soon as you've got someone in the race who actually answers questions instead of deflecting them, anyone who gives vague or equivocal answers looks like a fence-sitter at best.

Bernie's not going to dodge questions, and O'Malley's already called on Clinton to clarify her position on TPA, which puts the pressure on Hillary. I think it's highly likely she'll shoot herself in the foot while answering (or not answering) questions. If the media decides it's juicy enough, they'll join the game, and then there's a good chance that her campaign will unravel.

Someone has said that her campaign is a balloon in search of a pin, and they're not far wrong. The hot air filling the balloon is the implicit assumption that she's the safest (some say only) choice we can put up against the GOP in 2016 and win. If she stumbles, that balloon's going to deflate pretty rapidly.

[sabrina 1]

75. That's definitely an issue. Hopefully the Dem Party will focus on it. If people are prevented from

voting whoever is responsible should go to JAIL.

But you are right that Repubs will be trying to prevent Dems from voting, it's par for the course now with them.

So Dems in every state will have to be diligent about making sure every eligible voter gets to vote.

I haven't seen any polls on where Hillary stands with the biggest voting bloc in the country right, the Independent vote.

I would like to see a poll of registered Indies regarding Bernie V Hillary. All we see are Dem voters.

Many believe, and Bernie has mentioned it himself, that he will have huge support from Independents. I cannot see left leaning Indies, many of them Dems who left the party in disgust due to its war mongering and corporate friendly policies, voting for Hillary.

And Labor is likely to go with Bernie also. They and he vehemently oppose the TPP eg, so far, Hillary has been quiet about it and last night on the Ed show, he stated that she needs to make her position clear.

[JonLP24]

78. There are numbers

But I think more voters getting to know him would come up with more accurate polling. Right now I think name recognition would poll higher (similar to Jeb Bush's early polls with the recent Quinnipac starting to appear more realistic but you see in a very limited time he's gaining ground quickly

But CNN does have polling from April 20th.

Bernie Sanders gains ground in New Hampshire

Sanders, an independent from Vermont, drew support from 13% of likely Democratic primary voters, according to the poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center before Sanders' announced his candidacy for president last month. The senator's support doubled from a February poll by the same group that found 6% of Democratic primary voters supported the independent.

Clinton is still the overwhelming favorite in the state with 51% support. And despite repeatedly saying she isn't running for president, Sen. Elizabeth Warren garnered 20% support from those polled.

Sanders' campaign aides have confidently said that their candidate can play in all early nominating states, but are wide-eyed about the fact that because of his politics and geographical connection Sanders' best state will likely be New Hampshire.

After announcing his candidacy last week, Sanders visited New Hampshire for a series of events over the weekend. The visit was Sanders' 10th trip to New Hampshire since 2014.

Despite his uptick in New Hampshire support, Sanders is still a dark horse candidate. In an April poll by CNN, Sanders garnered 5% support from Democrats and independents who lean Democratic. Clinton, by comparison, won 69% of the same group.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/06/politics/bernie-sanders-poll-new-hampshire-2016-elections/

CNN has somewhat detailed polling, the are more specific when it comes to overall Republicans (probably because polling indicates more of a toss-up at-this-point) but has some info on groups on their polling preferences. The only ask Hillary Clinton vs numerous Republicans. (I skimmed the Republican parts -- to scroll down to get to the Democrats to see if they poll besides anyone other than Hillary when it comes to match-ups but that kind of polling is overrated before the debates, campaigns, media interest, etc.

----I tried to copy & paste but it isn't coming out right.

Overall Clinton has 69% to 5%. On Democrats Clinton's number jumps to 73% to 5%. Independents Clinton's numbers fall from 63% to 5%. Sanders a solid 5% through those groups.On Liberal Clinton 70%

Also on over 50K his numbers jump.

What is interesting is those numbers are 69% to 5% on Democrats.

The next question is "Democrats first choice"

On that poll Joe Biden leads with 40%. Hillary Clinton's falls to 15% with Bernie Sanders at 7%
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2015/images/04/20/cnnorc2016poll04202015.pdf

When you include Democrats & Independents it is Bernie Sanders 7% overall, 9% Democrats 5% Independents.

On one hand it is confusing & contradictory, on another it sorta makes sense. Just don't understand the huge drop from Hillary Clinton if you include Democrats & Independents or focus solely on Democrats first choice as a lot of voters probably just default to Democrats "lesser of two evils" but then there is 33% roughly "dissatisfied but not upset" with Bernie Sanders. Not sure where the let down occurred with "Base: Democrats" rather than "Base: First Choice Democrats" The link is two paragraphs up (scroll down past the Republicans and this was April 20th polling in any case.

[Octafish]

76. That will change after the first debate.

Once Americans OF ALL POLITICAL LEANINGS hear the candidates, most will chose to back Bernie. His numbers then will skyrocket.

Thank you for another important OP, sabrina 1!

[sabrina 1]

77. I totally agree. Watching the pulse counter last night when he was on the Ed show

proved that he resonates with the people.

Also, all these polls are of registered Democrats. Hillary's numbers, considering that are not that great imo.

But the biggest voting bloc now in the country is the Independent vote. It's larger than it has been in many years, 42%. I'd like to see polls of Independents now.

If Hillary is only in the high '50s with the base of the party, then she is in trouble imo.

[Rex]

87. Our first Independent POTUS, beholden to no golden god or war general?

Nonsense. Hate to rain on the parade, but there would be even less chance of JFK being in office today...than decades ago. The PEOPLE will love the guy no doubt octa...but the PTB would rather us all kill ourselves than allow a socialist, REAL conservative (Burke would be pleased) REAL populist, REAL progressive...we can dream.

I will vote and campaign for him. Just you and I know how the PTB will never allow this to happen.

It could lead to some wealth equality and I believe the PTB would rather us all die first than lose a buck.

I really think they are that low and despicable.

'Friends of Jeb Bush' low...

[sabrina 1]

90. They are that low and despicable Rex, but there are more of us than there are of them.

It's OUR fault that this happened. Always afraid to let the greater evil win, and then every time, losing more ground.

Do you think Bernie doesn't know even better than we do, how despicable these people are, that if they think he has a chance they will go all out to try to destroy him?

I think he has seem them way closer than we have. And yet, he decided to take them on.

In the end it's up to us.

There WILL be smear campaigns, personal attacks, hundreds of Think Tanks and Security Contractors working night and day to destroy him.

The did it to Dennis Kucinich and to other good Dems.

But this time, we KNOW what they do. WE need a strategy which doesn't involve being on the defensive.

I will NOT even try to respond to the expected smears. I will simply post more of what is GREAT about Bernie. And if everyone does that, let those smears sink, and shout even louder, because we have a candidate now that there is so much GOOD to shout about, I believe with millions doing it, and I think that will happen, IS happening, we can not only shout them down but expose them for what they are.

We won't get another opportunity like this again. So it's worth fighting for imho.

[Rex]

91. Not only are you absolutely right, but you are one of the few around here that will admit to it!

It IS our fault! Ultimately we should have shut everything down in 2000. We let Howard Dean get destroyed, Dennis Kucinich became marginalized by his own people, Bernie has all the tools to turn income inequality around. He is the real deal and I just don't (because of decades of proof) believe the non-governing elite will let him take over.

I will do everything I can, just I stay jaded on the idea of hope...hopefully I will be surprised.