OMG BERNIE SANDERS IS SO FAR BEHIND IN THE POLLS YOU GUYS

[WilliamPitt]

May June July August September October November December January February March April May June July August September October first Tuesday in November

...is the standing election season as of now. That's quite a lot of time to dig in. He's behind now? Wait until his message has aaaaaaaall that time to get out into the voting population. Dude's a machine, his message resonates across the board, and he doesn't have Citibank on speed-dial.

Hillary Clinton campaigns like a bull in a china shop while on fire with hundred-dollar-bills falling out of its ass. The Gilded Age 21'st-Century-style is coming to an end, rapidly, and Bernie is a better campaigner by far.

Gonna be fun to watch, anyway.

[tkmorris]

1. Yabbut what's up with his hair?

[cascadiance]

10. If Hillary supporters and media talk a lot about his hair...

For me, that's a sign that they are scared of him. If they don't have anything better to criticize him with, and feel the need to criticize him, that's a sign that they are afraid of what the numbers will be later. I'm sure they haven't forgotten how leads sank for them in 2008 too.

[closeupready]

48. If his appearance is fair game, so's her appearance.

[7962]

56. You'd think so, but no way! Screams of "misogyny!" throughout the land! nt

[quickesst]

106. you read the .....

....somewhat juvenile op, and comparing her, or any woman to a male animal of any species is just that. Another disappointment Bernie probably would not approve of.

[Ed Suspicious]

109. Yeah, we don't really need your tut tuts.

[7962]

110. Thinking "bull in a china shop" is misogynistic is exactly what I'm talking about

EVERYTHING is now offensive to SOMEBODY. I've given up on worrying about it anymore because its gotten so ridiculous.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

137. Don't forget O'Malley is about to join the race

Bernie won't look so bad in the polls

[Agschmid]

51. I don't think anyone has really legitimately criticized him on that.

Oh DU....

[BrotherIvan]

75. How about stories of people's kids who think he's a "grumpy old grandpa"

What do you think that means?

[Agschmid]

112. I mostly dismiss anecdotes.

But he is a grandfather, not sure if he is grumpy or not. I'm sure he has his movements as do I.

[sabrina 1]

120. And Hillary is a grandmother. And I think that is wonderful, for both of them.

[Agschmid]

121. Indeed.

[Enthusiast]

105. It would be wise if the Hillary campaign didn't mention appearance.

[Agschmid]

113. I don't think that they do.

[Jackpine Radical]

78. Ya, Hey. Wot's wit da hair?

\/ \/ \/

[Enthusiast]

104. Yeah! Who would vote for hair like that?

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

[movonne]

123. Probably forgot his hair spry...go Bernie..

[nikto]

161. Clearly, messy hair disqualifies a person from running for US President

DISQUALIFIED:

[dlwickham]

179. he had a rough night and forgot it was picture day

[Renew Deal]

2. How many states did Kucinich win with his "message?"

What about Bill Bradley?

Sanders is a far more credible candidate than Kucinich, but that's a different story.

[AgingAmerican]

27. Kucinich is no Sanders

Kucinich isn't running.

[Renew Deal]

30. I agree

Sanders is a far better and more credible candidate. Also, Sanders doesn't have the competition that Kucinich did. Still, Bradley is also an interesting comparison and he didn't win a single state.

[AgingAmerican]

31. Bradley didn't generate as much excitement as Bernie is

Obama did though...

[Jackpine Radical]

79. That was 2000.

A different world. No 9-11, no Iraq/Afghan Wars, no Dubya, no BigBankBailout, no massive wage degradations, etc.

People are in a very different place these days. The biggest change is, I think, in the number of people who are just fuckin' fed up with a system that has no place for their needs or even their voice.

[Enthusiast]

107. Precisely. We have had years of blatant abuse since then. Criminality run wild. Schemes run on us.

People are fed the fuck up. I think Dennis would have a far better showing now too.

[jwirr]

40. And the times have changed drastically since then. As long as this economic recovery they talk

about does not help any of us down here Bernie has the high road.

[kenfrequed]

53. Well

Sanders is far more credible to me and puts forth a more serious candidate. I supported Kucinich but there were times even I rolled my eyes a bit on some of his ideas (Department of Peace). He was good on the issues and I thought that he was razored out unfairly by some conservative Iowan paper's televised debate that didn't want progressive ideas on the table.

That said, I think Bernie is far more serious and credible and actually speaks up a bit more. He is smart, debates well, and tough and he breaks out of standard horse-race media narratives fairly effectively.

[eridani]

147. The major problem with Kucinich (besides large numbers of competitors) was--

--his campaign style--namely, it does not scale up well. Lots of personal contact without much coordinated management can get you elected mayor or congressperson, but is not effective on a state or national level.

[PeaceNikki]

3. Why should Hillary supporters be "nervous"? You get that we are Democrats and also support Sanders,

right?




Oh, that's sooo cute how you edited your OP to answer my question without replying to me.

I just don't get why you and others feel the need to be so divisive and "ha ha, in yer FACE"!!

Jesus H Fuck, we're on the same side, yo.

[Android3.14]

67. You say that, but...

It would be true that "we're on the same side", except you are making the erroneous assumption that HRC is also on our side.

[PeaceNikki]

71. rofl

I, for one, am a Democrat.

Aren't you!?!?!

[Android3.14]

74. What's with the ROFL?

I'm not questioning your party. I'm questioning your judgement. After Obama's disappointing performance, I think we've learned to look past the "hope", and actually examine the actual candidate.

As far as my affiliation, I always (at least in the past) have voted for a Democratic ticket though I am undeclared as far as party. This coming season, if HRC wins the nomination, it is a real question whether I'm going to hold my nose and vote that straight ticket as usual.

I won't vote for the Republican, but I also don;t want to vote for HRC who is just pretending to be a Democrat.

[PeaceNikki]

98. the rofl is me laughing at you.

[Ed Suspicious]

115. In what ways are we all on the same side? Where is Clinton on TPP? Is she fighting for the

same thing we're fighting for?

[Android3.14]

127. I understand ROFL, I just don't understand why

Beyond the unlikely possibility that you actually fell on the floor overcome with laughter and rolled around like a crazy person, I suspect the intent was to express sarcasm.

It's the context that was missing. I promise to feel insulted, but until I understand what you are going on about, your ROFL makes little sense.

[kenfrequed]

167. I could write a list of worse candidates...

I could write a list of candidates that have been Democrats that are worse than Hillary Clinton. I am sure one of them would give you a similar reaction that some people here are having to Hillary Clinton. Blanche Lincoln and Joe Lieberman come to mind.

Personally I support Bernie and will back him all the way. If he wins the primary? Awesome. If he does not, I will back the Democrats endorsed candidate.

[Scootaloo]

170. Sharing a political party does not necessarily mean being "on the same side."

Especially not when it gets down to you know, issues and policies.

Cut out with the "OMG IM SO A DEMOCRAT WTF R U LAWL" horseshit. So were 200,000 asshats who voted for bush in Florida. So were all those people who jumped for Reagan in '80. Nobody gives a shit what your voter registration card says, we give a shit what your positions and advocacy says.

[snooper2]

4. He'll be further once Martin O'Malley gets his message out-

We need newer younger blood-

and-

NO BUSH NO CLINTON

[paleotn]

140. I thought O'Malley was running for VP. (nt)

That was a joke, by the way.

[TerrapinFlyer]

5. Reality might just be a huge slap in the face to many DUers

I like Bernie, and I support 99% of what Bernie stands for... but May June July August September October November December January February March April May June July August September October comes real fast.

So he has 18 months to gain 50 points. That's 2.77 points per month.

Let's keep a running tally... where he is at each month. Maybe a bar chart William.

[brooklynite]

18. Chart's already available...

http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/2016-national-democratic-primary

1) based on the scale, he should match up with Hillary around March, 2017

2) just an observation that Hillary's numbers are going UP since February. I though I was told that the more people get to know her, the less popular she is.

[AgingAmerican]

32. No amount of wishful thinking will slow him down

nt

[workinclasszero]

36. ...he should match up with Hillary around March, 2017

Whoops! Sorry Bernie fans, thanks for playin though!

[CentralMass]

50. I certainly plan to vote for him. Polls dont affect my voting choices.

[Art_from_Ark]

162. I don't give a tinker's cuss what the polls say, either

What's important to me is the message, and the sincerity and consistency of that message. Go Bernie!

[cascadiance]

60. Hmm... Obama gained 6.5-8 points per month over 4-5 months to take the lead in 2008.

Looking at this graph...



Note at the beginning of March, Hillary looks to be ahead there with a lead of something like 47-22, or around 25 points.

Then at the end of the graph, Obama leads 49-42.1, a lead of around 7 points. that's a net gain around 32 points over 4-5 month period. 32 / 5 or 32 / 4 is about 6.4 to 8 points a month.

So, if Bernie steadily grows even smaller increments to start with, a surge like that could put him ahead too.

[TerrapinFlyer]

64. "that's a net gain around 32 points"

How many points does Bernie need to gain?

[cascadiance]

68. The point is that big leads can be overcome quickly and at rates that it is still achievable...

Bernie has a helluva lot more time than 4-5 months to do this, and he has a lot more opportunity in my book to gain public recognition than Obama did then from the American public. It was between Obama and Clinton, with Edwards on the outside looking in then.

This time I think Sanders is more in Obama's position than he is in the third place Edwards position, with O'Malley possibly being in the Edwards slot this time around.

A lot of us in 2008 went with Edwards who of the top three was the only one really speaking out on liberal issues. I think Edwards had a far more daunting uphill climb than Sanders does now (putting aside what Edwards had working against him personally later that had him drop out). Edwards going in to Iowa was not that far out of the hunt then.

I still think it's WAY too early yet for us to make any hard conclusions from polls at this point. A lot can change between now and primary season.

[LuvNewcastle]

80. That's what I think.

People probably won't be ready to think about the election until the fall. I think polls are worthless right now. All Sanders needs to do now is get familiar with the country. He's got to make sure people know his name. He needs a big break to get himself seen and heard right now.

[TerrapinFlyer]

81. I totally agree there is plenty of time for Bernie

and I support Bernie.. but please, don't make this like it will be easy. This would be the biggest comeback in US Presidential Primary history... and the point I am trying to make is the Sanders Campaign does not have a cohesive plan yet on how they are going to meet this challenge.

Let's see where Mr. Sander's polls are in just two months from now.. baby steps

[PosterChild]

154. Sure, but Obama didn't . ...

.... go around bragging about being a socialist.

[muriel_volestrangler]

169. 'beginning of March'? The 47-22 lead was midway through September

Obama's gain by the end of that period was largely due to pick up the Edwards' supporters as they left him, and he left the race (and others who dropped out).

Hillary already has a distinct majority of registered Dem voters this time. Bernie, or anyone, has to pull her supporters away from her. If she were to remain at the rough level of support she has now (which is what happened in 2007/8), she'd win comfortably.

[cascadiance]

180. Yes, I should have been talking about that surge starting right around October, not March...

... March in 2008 was when it ended, not started. My bad in trying to write something quickly yesterday. But note that this surge started a few months before Edwards pulled out, in the times leading up to the Iowa caucus where Obama had a big win. So, Obama was surging with undecided and other candidates voters then. At the end, he grabbed a big chunk of Edwards voters then. The question is how many of Hillary's voters today are devoted as the 40 percent that was there for her then. Arguably many of them are just saying they support Hillary as up until now there haven't been other contenders that they've known yet like they did with both Edwards and Obama then (and arguably other candidates like Kucinich and Biden as well in the field too).

The point is that we're still very early in the season, and large surges of voters moving to another candidate has happened that can happen for Sanders too this time around, despite the media and other corporate entities trying to give this race to NON-incumbent Hillary Clinton. Traditionally, the Democratic Party hasn't just given the nomination to a candidate when that candidate is not an incumbent.

Basically numbers as many others say here as well don't mean that much (much as the corporate media would like them to) until later when the primary season actually starts and candidates campaigns are more underway then.

[swilton]

89. Well, let's see....

How many months has Hillary had to get her numbers up.....Let's say starting in 2000 - she's been working on this for (15 x 12) months now.

[Logical]

118. How fast did Hillary lose 30 points in 2008?? nt

[Starry Messenger]

6. I'm sure Bernie really appreciates this kind of support.

Keep it up. It really shows the kind of organizing experience that wins people over.

[PeaceNikki]

9. IN YER FACE, l00zERS!!!! 111!!

I just don't get why Will and so many others feel the need to be so divisive and "ha ha, in yer FACE"!!

Jesus H Fuck, we're on the same side, yo.

[Starry Messenger]

11. Maybe this is a proxy war spilling over from the Sports forum.

It sort of feels like that tone.

[WilliamPitt]

20. That's the second time I've seen that reference.

I've been in the Sports forum twice in six months. Maybe they're fighting without me, but if my very existence can cause a war in the Sports forum, perhaps the Sports forum should take a nap.

P.S. If this is about the back-and-forth between Trumad and I, it isn't a "war." It's a long and storied tradition dating back more than ten years. Trumad is my best friend on this board, bar none.

People need hobbies.

[Starry Messenger]

22. That was the charitable explanation for the OP.

I agree that people do need hobbies.

[OilemFirchen]

23. "we're on the same side, yo"

Assumes facts not in evidence.

[JI7]

122. because none of it is about actually supporting Sanders

it's just a DU popularity Game.

[PeaceNikki]

124. It's the "I'm so liberaler than you!" game.

I remember when some here wanted Kucinich sainted, claimed he was the ONLY LIBERAL IN ALL OF POLITICS, said he was was as influential as Gandhi, and then after Obama was nominated, demanded he be named AG (note: not an attorney).

The primaries are a hoot here.

[Number23]

135. + a million. And I thought we were just bombarded with "concern" posts about how Hillary hasn't

answered questions, talked to the press, done NUFTHINK for the better part of three weeks.

Now, all of a sudden she's a campaigning machine with dollar bills falling out of her ass. This place is too far gone to even be taken the tiniest bit seriously.

[Starry Messenger]

146. I'll be curious if this level of cognitive dissonance can be

sustained for a year. I don't think Chris Hedges has to worry about his job yet though.

[sufrommich]

7. I think I'll save this OP for posterity. nt

[GusBob]

19. I for one am looking forward

To 9 more years of pseudo-macho overblown juvenile obscenities that passes for political commentary

[fredamae]

8. I have not been polled

Not even once.
Has Anyone here?

Polls.......phbbbbbbbt...especially at this juncture!

[Sancho]

13. I've a poll in the last couple weeks in Florida

I don't know which pollster it was...

Of course, the number of people in polls is a very small percentage of voters.

[fredamae]

15. It's odd that

our household doesn't get polled.
Maybe it's just that way on the "left coast"?

In the last 5 Years I have maybe been polled just a couple times-is that a "norm" in the industry or is just us?

[Agschmid]

47. We never get polled but we don't have a landline, and we live in Mass.

They can probably make a few assumptions about me, and get it right...

[reddread]

17. you want to get paid twice?

better get it right the first time.

[immoderate]

21. Roughly, the chances of you being included in any poll is 1/300,000

Using very round Fermi type numbers, of course.

--imm

[Ed Suspicious]

114. I take your point, but just for a bit of realism, they probably poll around 1500ish people out of a

potential 207ish million voters for a statistically significant sampling. It's altogether pretty likely that nobody you know personally will ever be part of the polling numbers.

[cherokeeprogressive]

12. And behind he will stay...

Until Mrs. Clinton is forced to start talking.

[A Simple Game]

42. Bingo! We have a winner. n/t

[whatchamacallit]

44. Haha yep

[KMOD]

46. I am looking forward to hearing

Mr. Sanders and Mrs. Clinton debate. And Mr. O'Malley and whoever else joins. It should be fun.

[OilemFirchen]

92. He'll do a lot of this:

toward Sen. Clinton.

I have no idea how that will play.

[peacebird]

49. She is inevitable, if you mean "will she shoot herself in the foot?" Inevitably.

[Enthusiast]

108. That's what I'm thinking too.

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

[CrawlingChaos]

128. And Bernie takes Hilary where Hilary doesn't wanna go

It's gonna get interesting around here.

[NuclearDem]

14. Yet another front in the imaginary War on Sanders.

I guess he should be glad people should be voting for his positions and not the quality of his followers.

[JoePhilly]

29. Its like the war on Christmas around here lately.

[jwirr]

52. THAT swings two ways. If I were to pay attention to most commenters on Hillaries side I would

be breaking my own rule to vote for the Democratic nominee. I usually do not read their posts and when they are truly insulting I put them on ignore.

What we seem to forget on DU is that we are not hosting the primary here and now - it is not just about us. All this infighting is not going to determine who the nominee is. All the insults are not going to determine who the nominee is.

What we should be doing is within our own groups (Bernie - Hillary) is thinking about ways we can help our candidate outside of this board. I have seen this happening inside our Bernie group but still some of us come out here to fight with the Hillary group. What are we gaining? Just agree to disagree and ignore them and focus on helping our own candidate.

[mythology]

100. This is a very reasonable well put post

Thanks for posting it.

[jwirr]

103. Thank you. I want DU to still be here at the end of the primary season.

[Paka]

152. Pretty snarky low remark.

[reddread]

16. a sheer delight

the screams and kicking will be music, sweet music.

[Adrahil]

24. So, If she pastes him, will you eat your words?

Just an IF, mind you....

[reddread]

25. I thought she was ahead?

just the bubble, I heard?

[NuclearDem]

54. I imagine not, because there will a laundry list of institutions to blame for it instead.

[Adrahil]

165. Yup, jeebus-fucking-forbid anyone disagree with some of these folks. n/t

[CountAllVotes]

26. Reserve the new $20 bill for

BERNIE SANDERS! YES!!

& recommend.

[geardaddy]

70. Do you wish him dead?

People have to be dead to be on U.S. currency.

[CountAllVotes]

99. I said RESERVE it

They can keep Andrew Jackson in the fridge for another 100 or so years if they like!

[geardaddy]

102. Ah ok.

[KMOD]

28. Gosh, is this for me?

I feel so special.

[KittyWampus]

33. OMG! HILLARY ISN'T TALKING TO THE PRESS!!! If there's that much time-

why are so many Sanders' supporters on DU pushing that stupidity?

[cherokeeprogressive]

69. Because she isn't would be my first guess.

[SoapBox]

34. Go Bernie Go!

I love that he's stirring the pot...and how the oh-so-confident HRC'ers tell us all about how he's not even on the radar...well, if HRC is it-on-a-stick, then stop worrying about Bernie and worry about your own candidate.

Keep talking Bernie...it does seem to be making people nervous!

[Jack Rabbit]

35. Mrs. Clinton has plenty of time to crash and burn, just like she did in 2008

The inept campaign consultant McAuliffe may be too busy being governor of Virginia to help her crash and burn this time, but she's carrying just as much baggage now as she was was then and still not admitting she was wrong.

[CountAllVotes]

39. Hillary can NEVER live down the fact that ...

She voted to INVADE Iraq!

[KMOD]

41. Mr. Sander's supporters certainly seem to believe that will happen.

We'll have to wait and see.

[brooklynite]

45. And by "crash and burn" you mean "got as many votes as Obama did"?

I'll concur that the campaign made tactical mistakes about which States to campaign in, but implying any significant "lost" support for a candidate who racked up 18 million votes is something of a stretch.

Bottom line: Bernie Sanders has to achieve the same level of support (or better) Obama received without the benefit of Obama's youthful persona, financial resources, political support, and symbolism. Best of luck.

[LanternWaste]

59. It's always fun to add subjective qualifiers to a candidate.

It's always fun to add subjective qualifiers to a candidate.

[brooklynite]

62. My analysis of the winning aspects of Obama's campaign

Feel free to challenge my analysis with one of your own.

[eloydude]

125. Great idea, using the status quo to display Hillary

I think we can do better.

Hillary represents the status quo. I, for one, am tired of the status quo and wish to change and focus on the income inequality and the fact that the 1% have most wealth right now and the 99% gets screwed fifty ways from Tuesday.

Have you sat down, listened to Bernie's kickoff speech - I suggest doing that, and think about what he said.

Then think about your status. Are you a part of the problem or a part of the solution?

[Warren DeMontague]

163. Your analysis assumes that everyone who supported Hillary in '08 automatically will this time.

I think it's quite possible that some of those people have decided, in the interim, that it's time for something new.

But, then, you're also the guy who thinks pot legalization will be a frivilous, fringe non-issue in 2016.

One quite likely being voted on by 34 million frivilous fringe voters in the state of California, among others---- but then, who pays attention to THAT place ..... amirite?

[brooklynite]

164. "It's time for something new"...an unsubstantiated speculation

My analysis is supported by the facts that Clinton was on the more moderate side last time when there was definitely "something new" to choose, and by the fact that polling CONSISTENTLY shows that she remains popular and significantly ahead of all other candidates.

As for marijuana reform, I stand by my position. Think about Colorado's decriminalization...and then think of who Colorado elected to the US Senate. The issue is not significant at the Federal level. Add to which, if it was so important, why didn't Sanders mention it yesterday?

[Warren DeMontague]

166. It's going to come up, particularly if- a very likely if- California has legalization on the ballot.

There are a lot of issues that can and should be addressed by the candidates, with clear, concise answers.. That is one of them.

Colorado didn't "decriminalize", either. They LEGALIZED. This may come as staggeringly shocking news to people who are only vaguely aware that there is an entire rest of the country beyond the East Coast, but pot has been "decriminalized" in many states for decades, starting with Oregon in 1973. "decriminalized" means it's treated like a parking ticket or an infraction. "legalized" means the state is regulating retail outlets for consenting adult sale.

Who Colorado sent to the Senate? Maybe that had something to do with the (D) Governor of Colorado being opposed to the will of the people on marijuana? (It also undeniably had to do with a poorly run campaign by our Senate candidate, and the pushing of gun control, which like it or not is a loser issue at the federal level) Yeah, the message there is that if our party doesn't get off our ass in terms of legalization- a proposition now favored by a MAJORITY of Americans, mind you- the libertarian wing of the GOP will be happy to court those voters. Why in the everloving fuck would we want to cede pro-legalization young voters to the Republicans? Because Bob Shrum still thinks "tough on drugs" sells like it's 1988? Ask Debbie Wasserman-Schultz; she found out which way the winds are blowing.

I'm not sure what argument you're making, with Colorado. The fact that it's a crucial electoral swing state makes the things voters care about there LESS important? How exactly does that work?

Oh, and speaking of Oregon- you do know that Oregon voted to legalize (yes, "legalize", not "decriminalize&quot pot this last election cycle? Which means Oregon, like Washington and Colorado, will have State-licensed marijuana businesses raking in huge amounts of tax dollars for state coffers?

You know what Oregon was, in 2014? One of the FEW states where Democrats consistently kicked ass and won all statewide contests. Oregon also has the 1st US Senator to support Legalization. Oregon also has a STATE Democratic party that, likewise, supported legalization.

And voters turned out, in Oregon. For DEMOCRATS.

As for the rest of it. It's "unsubstantiated speculation" that some 2008 Hillary backers might not be supporting her this time around? Okay, fine, fucking stick me on the unsubstantiated speculation bus. But you know what ELSE is "unsubstantiated speculation"? The assertion that every damn person who supported her 6 years ago, is going to again.

You want to substantiate it with a comprehensive list of all the people who voted for her in the primary with a sworn affadaivit that they (presuming they're still alive) will support her again, great, then we're playing in the realm of "substantiated speculation".

Until then, man, we're on a message board. We're ALL speculating unsubstantiated-ly.

[Logical]

119. No, we mean LOST a 30 point lead. LOL, you keep forgetting that. nt

[Duval]

37. I am looking forward

to the debates! Go Bernie Go!

[WillyT]

38. It's Already Fun...

& Rec !!!

[rug]

43. 64.2 to 7.4

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

[SunSeeker]

65. Thanks for the actual numbers. nt

[Number23]

136. Well, you just explained the impetus behind this panicked little pile of nothing posing as an OP

Those numbers have definitely got to sting.

[MaggieD]

55. Bernie won't have the cash to organize in the caucus states...

And I think the Dem party loyalists there will be reminded that he suggested that we primary Obama. Plus, he refuses to move from (I) to (D). Somebody else might beat her, but I do not think it will be Bernie.

Don't get your hopes up.

[eloydude]

82. Try changing your party in Vermont

Im waiting. Bernie isnt refusing. He cant.

[MaggieD]

83. Patrick Leahy (D)

But nice try.

[eloydude]

90. Why dont you do a little research

And figure out why Leahy is a D and Bernie is an I. Its not that hard.

[MaggieD]

91. Why don't YOU tell us

You seem to say it's impossible for Bernie to have a (D) after his name. But that is just not true. Give us your best defense of why Bernie can't possibly be a (D) instead of an (I). I can't wait.

[eloydude]

93. Heres your homework.

Read it.

https://www.sec.state.vt.us/elections/frequently-asked-questions/voter-registration.aspx#

[MaggieD]

94. Voter registration has nothing to do with it

See, Patrick Leahy (D) Vermont.

[eloydude]

96. Failurr to read assigned homework

You have failed your civics test. You should do homework. We dont do projections.

[MaggieD]

97. Again, voter registration has NOTHING to do with it

Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero. Zilch.

Leahy, Patrick (D) Vermont.

[katmille]

158. We don't do projections

You may have failed freshman English.

[PosterChild]

156. Here is yours , for extra credit...

... how do you become a (Democatic) candidate in VT?


https://www.sec.state.vt.us/elections/candidates.aspx

How to Become a Candidate

Below you will find information and forms related to becoming a candidate in Vermont, including information and forms for major party, minor party, and independent candidates for all offices.

Major Party Candidates (Democratic, Liberty Union, Progressive, Republican)

Major party candidates file a petition along with a consent of candidate form in order to be placed on the ballot in the primary election (August 26, 2014). In order for a candidate to appear on the primary ballot, petitions and consent of candidate forms must be filed with the appropriate filing officer no sooner than Monday, May 12, 2014 and no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2014.

Major party candidates may also be nominated by party committee in order to be placed on the general election ballot in November, in the event their party does not nominate a candidate through the Primary. The statements of nomination and consent of candidate forms must be filed by the designated political party committee no sooner than Monday, May 12, 2014 and no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2014.

Minor Party Candidates (Libertarian)

Minor party candidates are nominated by party committee in order to be placed on the ballot in the general election (November 4, 2014). The statements of nomination and consent of candidate forms must be filed by the designated political party committee no sooner than Monday, May 12, 2014 and no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2014. All statements of nomination and consent of candidate forms, except those for justice of the peace, are filed with the secretary of state. (Justice of the peace forms are filed with the town clerk, see below.) For more information on the minor party nomination process, see the bottom of this page.

Independent Candidates

Independent candidates file a statement of nomination (petition) and consent of candidate form with the secretary of state in order to be placed on the ballot in the general election (November 4, 2014). Independent candidates for justice of the peace file with the town clerk. Independent candidate’s statements of nomination and consent forms must be filed no sooner than Monday, May 12, 2014 and no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2014.

[katmille]

157. Here's your homework

[MaggieD]

131. LOL - he can't be a democrat, he can't

Only Patrick Leahy is afforded that privilege in Vermont.

[eloydude]

133. I have an explanation for you

Leahy is a member of the Vermont Democratic Party, but Sanders isn't. That's the difference. And Bernie can choose to join the Vermont Democratic Party if he wants to, but doesn't really have to, as they regularly endorse him and supports him. He is still running as a Democrat in the Democratic primary, and that's what counts.

[MaggieD]

134. Sanders is not a member of the VT Democratic party because....

... he is not a Democrat. Pretty simple.

[eloydude]

138. He's a Democratic socialist

and he is a Democrat in principle, through and through.

If you refuse to accept that fact, then I'm done with you.

[MaggieD]

139. You're done with me because you're wrong

At least that is how it appears to me.

[eloydude]

142. That's fine. I'm done with you.

See you later.

[MaggieD]

143. See you - have a great evening!

Sincerely.

[L0oniX]

130. Aww ...are we still up set about Bernie?

[MaggieD]

132. Bernie is not the problem

The problem, as I see it, is his supporters tearing down the party and the front runner.

Certainly his supporters are perfectly capable of supporting him without smearing the whole Democratic party - aren't you? He seems capable of making his case without smearing Democrats. Why is it his supporters don't share his ethics on that issue?

[eloydude]

141. You are doing fine representing the Hillary Clinton wing of the Democratic Party.

Just sayin'....

Refusing to recognize Bernie Sanders as the legitimate candidate for the Democratic Party nomination as the President of the United States is a problem for you.

[MaggieD]

144. The Bernie who said Obama should be primaried in 2012?

Yes, I do have a hard time thinking of him as a Democrat. Especially since he seems so attached to not calling himself one. I don't think of him as a legitimate candidate for the Democratic party due to that.

[eloydude]

148. I agreed with Bernie back then... and I agree with Bernie now...

and Obama has admitted he's governing like a Reagan Republican.

[hrmjustin]

151. Oh?

[Agschmid]

155. Thats a total misrepresentation of what he said...

But you are familiar with misrepresentations huh?

[L0oniX]

181. Speaking of ethics ...how's that transparency thing working out for ya

[0rganism]

57. while i have my own reservations about HRC...

seems to me all the people bashing on her around here are going to have to do some serious refactoring about this time next year.
what, you gonna let the republicans win the presidency too?

[MisterP]

86. "the election is OWED to her" worked so well in the '08 primaries, didn't it

[0rganism]

87. was she this dominant in 2007?

hey, if so, yeah maybe someone will make the necessary inroads to get the nomination this time. that could be really great.

but what i'm seeing here lately is a lot of people trashing HRC for various reasons -- and i have no doubt some of them are legit, and could be useful for vetting her against what will no doubt be a far more vicious excoriation by the right wing should she win the nomination.

i'd like to see a lot more candidate promotion and a lot less anti-candidate muckraking. obviously, that's just my opinion.

[MisterP]

88. it's not the numbers in the polls but their persistence

the people I know backing Clinton are mostly the same old diehards; but even conservative barflies see Sanders as at least something new

and muckraking's a good thing

also, "vote for me or the guy whose policies I'll enact will get in and enact his policies" isn't really a sensible way to run a threat-based campaign

[MaggieD]

95. Oh god, not the Nader argument again!

That's so silly. And it should be banned after Dubya showed that yes, Virginia, there IS a big difference between Republicans and Democrats.

I have no patience for that silly canard.

[Nevernose]

150. I seem to remember a certain dark horse candidate in '91

Who came out of nowhere and whooped the conventional wisdom's ass right out the window.

Now, I'm saying that Bernie is that guy, but someone might be that guy.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

58. *Shrug* I don't base my vote on polls. Or likeability, or hair style, or types of underwear.

I don't base my vote on "Not as bad", maybe, some day, fear, "smart" politics, political expediency, wealth, celebrity, charisma, name recognition, or their ability to drink beer with the common folk.

I vote for the most progressive candidate on the ballot.

[red dog 1]

66. + 1

[libdem4life]

145. Absolutely. Being an old Leftie Liberal, having a real Progressive to vote for just makes my decade

or two, or three...lost count.

[jtuck004]

61. Bernie or death. n/t

[bobthedrummer]

63. K&R for Bernie n/t

[azureblue]

72. he may be behind

but he has already made a huge impact on the race by sticking to the issues and refusing to play along with the media's game. And showing the media up for playing games. Clinton is simply staying away from the media because of the games - a wise idea. But the two of them are forcing the media to change their ways. Even if Bernie does nto win, he will have made an impact on the political races and hopefully, the media. I look forward to the debates. I really wish a two party, two candidates per party debate would be set up Sanders and Clinton on one side and whoever on the other- the GOP will look like utter fools...

[red dog 1]

73. K&R

I like Hillary Clinton, and I will work for her if she becomes the Democratic nominee.
I don't blame her for voting for the Iraq War because she and the others in both houses of Congress were lied to about Iraq having WMDs & Saddam being somehow involved in the 911 attacks.

I think she did a good job as a senator, and also as Secretary of State, Benghazi notwithstanding

However, as a progressive Dem, I'm supporting Bernie Sanders now and up until the primaries are over,

I think this country needs a populist POTUS, and I don't consider Hillary much of a "populist"

If she does win the nomination, and Bernie comes in a strong second, I hope she chooses him as her running mate, because that would unify the Democratic Party.

My only question about Bernie is why he hasn't yet switched from being an Independent to being a Democrat.
When he does, I think his poll numbers will go up.

[one_voice]

76. .

[hrmjustin]

77. Well he has a chance to prove he can win and i have no doubt he will

give it everything he had.

[MaggieD]

85. I don't think he's in it to win it

But i guess time will tell on that score.

[orpupilofnature57]

84. And if people don't see the disconnect, even affluent ones, it should

be the job of all informed people to point it out . As far as comments like " What has he done lately " as far as civil rights, I have to ask the question " What has she done now " to our civil rights . One supports ' The people ' the other ' TPTB ' through their work and history it's a no brainer who is who.
Shrub had really nice hair, so didn't Ronnie and they had all the right people on their side, what did that do for us ?

[LiberalLovinLug]

101. The MSM also has lots of time to find some out-of-context clip

or even a real mistake (which we all make) and then proceed to create a Benghazi out of it.

Case in point: Dean's scream



I still am in reluctant awe at the power of the MSM. One week he has a nice interview with his wife by Barbara Walters, and the next he is a lunatic, a raving madman who cannot control his emotions. One moment, a few seconds actually, of celebration on the campaign trail, loud and exuberant though it was, was enough fodder to create a narrative of impending doom if an uncontrollable and unstable Dean was ever to be elected President. Enough to stop his campaign in its tracks.

They don't need much. They can make a whole chain of mountains out of a tiny mouse hole. They have a captured audience and the false credibility of their sustained public presence . Any chance they get to take down the anti-corporate candidate and the threat he represents, they will take it.

[malthaussen]

176. Remember Gene McCarthy? n/t

[pnwmom]

111. Are you saying that he's going to campaign through November 2016 even if he's not the nominee?

Because he has a lot fewer months till the primary voters will decide his fate. They're the ones he must convince first and he doesn't have much time.

[Thespian2]

116. Trouble with Senator Sanders Record...

can't find much to disagree with on his record...Where will the negative ads come from? Maybe just dislike his hair...or, he scares the shit out of Rethuglians...

[PosterChild]

159. Negative ads would be no problem...

... all they have today's do is point out he's a socialist. He can't deny it. Game over.

[dpatbrown]

117. Sure fire way

No one has ever(in my lifetime) come up with a sure fire way of getting to the masses unfiltered.

Don't care to run down Clinton.

[Joe the Revelator]

126. I mean, maybe? But....

But lets not kid himself that he has until November of 2016. He has until Spring '16 at THE LATEST before the primary wheels fall off and he's just taking up space.

[joshcryer]

129. Primaries are in next Feb, 9 months.

Plenty of time for Bernie to build out his base and I expect Iowa will shock a lot of people

But using the general election date is purposefully misleading. Sanders supporters have a lot of work to do.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

149. He uses his genius for the good of us all.

[Nevernose]

153. Hilary's been campaigning for FORTY YEARS

I'll most likely caucus for Bernie (unless Warren runs), but give the woman some credit: she knows what she's doing (which includes raising money).

[OnyxCollie]

160. YOU CALLED HILLARY A BULL WITH BILLS FALLING OUT OF ITS ASS!

That's RACIST!

[RoccoR5955]

168. I seem to remember them saying the same thing

Back when Obama was running. Fortunately Bernie has one thing that Obama did not have. A thirty year record of the same points, and proposing legislation to get those things done!
Bernie stands a better chance than Obama did, AFAIC.

[Bucky]

171. I can always tell when you're posting drunk

[WilliamPitt]

172. At 11:29 in the morning?

Your "talent" is poorly calibrated.

Try harder next time, clever one.

[Bucky]

173. Seriously, you posted a list of months as an argument.

But sure, I'll correct it.

I can always tell when you post like you've been drinking in the morning.

Better?

[WilliamPitt]

174. Better.

Dick.

[malthaussen]

175. Bernie's hair reminds me of an old Playboy story...

... purporting to be an exchange of letters between Albert Einstein and Albert Schweitzer, in which all they did was complain that the other had stolen their "look." It terminated when Arthur Fielder chimed in.

-- Mal

[Babel_17]

177. Imagine how well the campaign will do once they organize some focus groups! (jk)

Got to know where the people are heading, so you can lead them.

:LOLcasm:

[Nye Bevan]

178. His 90% tax rate plan should turn things around (nt)