Just started a random discussion with three middle aged ladies

[ALBliberal]

all three watching Republican debate tonight. All three democrats supporting Bernie Sanders (like me) in the primaries. Here in Albuquerque .... Sometimes a toss up state. I expected total Hillary from them. We all will vote for our Democratic nominee!

[misterhighwasted]

1. How it is. On the other hand, I haven't heard anyone outside DU that says

Bernie is their man.
Its women & a few men for Hillary or the soundness of O'Malley's statements.
Either way, there is no desire for the GOP. And I am in Dallas.

I have seen more DEM supporter bumperstickers than ever before.

Whatever, the GOP cannot take this election.

[merrily]

2. Really? EVERYone in my primary email address book is for Sanders.

And no one in that address book posts at DU.

I so have a second email address for those I have never met IRL and a few DUers are in that address book.

He's been filling venue after venue with thousands of people. They can't all be DUers.

[misterhighwasted]

3. LOL. We move in different circles?? I don't have an answer for you.

Just stating how it is in my world.
I also work for the local DEM organizers for get out the vote.
Honestly Sanders name has come up in chatter but as far as who they will vote for or their preference is Hillary or O'Malley. "Hillary will beat the GOP & especially Jeb Bush. O'Malley has his solid messages well received along with his actual follow through plan in already in place", and that is a big point being made.

Sanders is known and his message is appreciated but he is not seen as able to win the GE against the GOP. That's the most I hear about him.
Maybe its a geographical thing. I don't know what moves people to vote for one over the other on the same Party Ticket.

Just reporting what I hear. It can certainly change at anytime through the campaign season however.

[LanternWaste]

4. No doubt, we often focus on our own anecdotal evidences and benignly dismiss anything to the contrar

No doubt, we often focus on our own anecdotal evidences and benignly dismiss anything to the contrary with a flippant "well, that's what I heard/saw/pretended to be the case" or a clever "I'm just sayin'"

[misterhighwasted]

8. Yup. That's what I hear a lot of also. " but...everybody likes mine & no one likes yours"

Its not that way from what I hear from calls I make.
I actually was surprised & encouraged by the amount of people who followed O'Malley since he is new to the race compared to the other two. I think a lot of that has to do with his follow through..he actually has a plan for carrying out his policies.
Those that support him always make that pooint clear.

Like I say, I am in Dallas. Maybe a little different demographic here than in other locations.
This has been an interesting volunteer position to say the least.

[merrily]

5. As my prior post said, in both our worlds, Sanders has been filling venues that hold thousands.

Also, as my prior post said, they can't all be DUers. That's just common sense.

[Tarheel_Dem]

7. You probably need to read this about "thousands of people".

Bernie Sanders is drawing big crowds -- but how long will they stick around?
August 5, 2015


The impressive swarm recalls the hordes attracted by another underdog, then-Sen. Barack Obama in 2008, and, before that, Howard Dean, a Vermonter who climbed from nowhere to emerge, for a time, as the Democratic front-runner in 2004.

It is, in many ways, familiar. In 1980, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts rose from the left to torment the party establishment favorite, a role California’s Alan Cranston played in the 1984 race. “There’s always restiveness on the left,” said Joe Trippi, who managed Dean’s presidential campaign. “Always.”

Clinton enjoys other advantages. She is no stranger to the black and Latino communities, two pillars of Democratic support and major voting blocs once the nominating fight moves past the largely white confines of Iowa and New Hampshire.

Sanders, an independent most of his political life, is competing against a Democratic stalwart who has built relationships in the party going back more than 40 years. That’s not easy to overcome.

http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/la-na-sanders-democrats-analysis-20150729-story.html

Serious question. Do you think the Sanders "insurgency" will play out like 2008, or more like 2004? I already know, but just interested in your thoughts?

[merrily]

9. Nope, I'm good. You seem to need it, though. Enjoy.

[Tarheel_Dem]

11. Just wanted to make sure you aren't basing your punditry on internet anecdotes.

[merrily]

12. You're too kind, but my post did not contain any punditry or any internet anecdotes.

[Tarheel_Dem]

13. Well, since you +1'd this.......

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7049299

[merrily]

14. LOL!

[Paka]

6. I am traveling in Europe at the moment,

meeting lots of random Americans at hostels from all over the country. They are ALL strongly supporting Bernie. I go back to Thailand in a couple of weeks where I will also be meeting Americans who travel and expect that they too will be Bernie supportors based on what I was encountering before I left. The only friends I have who are not committed already to Bernie are independents who are considering reregistering as democrats so they can vote for him.

Most of my family are whacko republicans who actually think Bernie makes sense and would consider voting for him in the general. They are far right and don't like any of the clown car idiots running in their primary.

Bernie is crossing party lines and is our best bet this election cycle. He is also the best candidate we have had for many decades. I'm an old liberal that missed voting for JFK by one year.

GO BERNIE!

[merrily]

10. +1