How does Bernie make it "competitive"?

[kentuck]

Someone asked this question in another post.

First of all, there are a lot of disenchanted Democrats that are not supporting Hillary at this time. The most liberal Democrats are his base but other Democrats are looking for change also. They do not see Hillary as a change agent. And they do not think this is a time for status quo politics. Many are looking for a reason to vote for Bernie.

Also, although many will scoff at the idea, Bernie has appeal to many "independent" voters and even some Republicans, mostly those with a libertarian bent. They are not married to the Republican Party and many could support Bernie Sanders if they thought he had a chance to beat a Clinton.

The biggest handicap for Bernie may be the shortfall of money. He may be unable to stay in the race for the long haul, even though he will probably get stronger as the race lengthens.

[MineralMan]

1. He's going to need a strong, dedicated grassroots effort

that will turn out voters in primaries and attendees at caucuses. If he gets that, he may get the support he needs to win some primaries. If he doesn't get that, he's unlikely to show well enough in the early primaries to stay in the race.

He must win some primaries by Super Tuesday, or there won't be money donated to his campaign in amounts large enough to continue after March 1, 2016.

That's the bottom line, really. If people want Sanders, they're going to have to get out and bring primary voters to the polls. Nothing else will work.

[hack89]

2. Lack of money and a national organization

Obama started assembling his campaign team in January of 2007. He raised $103,802,537 in 2007 alone. Yes, you have to have a message that resonates. But you also need a nation-wide organization, a large and active fundraising campaign and enough time to get all the pieces in place. Bernie is starting late and it remains to be seen that he can quickly get a winning campaign funded and off the ground.

[brooklynite]

3. Assertions without evidence

First of all, there are a lot of disenchanted Democrats that are not supporting Hillary at this time.

Polling indicates Clinton has support from a wide breadth of the Party.

Bernie has appeal to many "independent" voters and even some Republicans

Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, as "mainstream" candidates had appeal to moderate independents and liberal suburban Republicans. Hillary Clinton can potentially appeal to suburban women. What is the evidence that "independent" voters, especially libertarians, will find an economic liberal appealing

[cherokeeprogressive]

4. By staying in the race.

[BeyondGeography]

5. Obama had the resources and the plan

Plus he had himself. Raise as much money as Hillary, organize and compete to maximize the delegate count (and choose your ground wisely, which he did in red caucus states) and survive Super Tuesday.

This is a very daunting project; not least because Obama was a great candidate and HRC won't be caught flat-footed again in the caucus states post-Mark Penn.

[PADemD]

6. That reminds me.

I need to send Bernie another check, double the amount I gave to the Obama campaign.

[Proud Public Servant]

7. The early, small primaries and caucuses are key

The great thing about Iowa and New Hampshire (and Nevada, and to some extent South Carolina) is that a candidate with zealous recruits can best a candidate with deep pockets. If Bernie could utilize his enthusiastic supporters to put him over the top, or even close, in IA and NH, he may start gaining momentum. Moreover, given the rhetoric (in the media and among her supporters) that Hillary has "no credible challengers," the damage done to here if she loses an early race, or even comes close to losing, will be disproportionately large.

Or, in brief: organize, organize, organize.