KING: Bernie Sanders would be Donald Trump's worst nightmare; Hillary, not so much

[tabasco]

Hillary Clinton is perhaps the worst possible Democratic candidate who could ever run against Donald Trump. I sincerely believe he could beat her in the general election.

Bernie Sanders, on the other hand, would give Donald Trump fits in a head-to-head match up. Let me break it down.

1. Like Donald's other fallen foes, Hillary Clinton represents the political establishment.

This narrative is strong and served as the primary crutch of Donald's strategy to defeat an enormous, well-funded Republican field. Americans are incredibly frustrated with our government and Donald used this very real sentiment to position himself as the anti-establishment candidate. Call it nonsensical, but this position, which Donald will hold against Hillary, is what President Obama used to defeat her in 2008, is what George W. Bush used to defeat Al Gore in 2000, and was even what Bill Clinton used to defeat George H.W. Bush in 1992.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/king-bernie-sanders-donald-trump-worst-nightmare-article-1.2624564

[highprincipleswork]

1. Absolutely correct.

[virtualobserver]

2. Brilliant article

Bernie has given Hillary a free pass on so many issues.

He will not give Trump a free pass.

[Dawgs]

3. Only 5 reasons. I came up with 10 a few weeks ago.

1) Just under 6 out of 10 people don't like her, find her untrustworthy, or to be a liar.

2) Millennials don't think she's any better than the Republicans. They also aren't connected to the party.

3) Bernie supporters, Democrats or not, don't like Hillary. She may get most to vote for her against Trump, but most isn't good enough. She will need all of them.

4) Independents don't like her. They prefer Trump or Bernie.

5) Republicans desperately want to be in the WH again. They will hold their nose and vote for Trump or Cruz over Hillary. It's not even close.

6) She doesn't inspire or create enthusiasm ... compare to Bernie and Obama, or even Trump.

7) She doesn't offer any plan or message for the future. Obama had one of hope and change, and Bernie has one of economic equality.

8) She's part of the establishment. That's not a good place to be in 2016.

9) Much of her message is to be the status-quo President that will continue Obama's Presidency. Not very inspiring when all Republicans, almost all Independents, and quite a few Democrats want big change now.

10) She's not a very good candidate. She keeps things from the public (noise machine and transcripts) that make her look like she's hiding something. Her and Bill get unnecessarily angry when confronted by BLM, Greenpeace, etc. And, she takes so many positions on issues that it's hard for people to figure out what she really believes.

In saying all that, as a Bernie supporter, I hope I'm wrong. If Hillary can get the nomination it's important that she wins for the Supreme Court. Hopefully the women vote and running against Trump will be enough.

[jwirr]

38. Good list but you forgot one: Almost totally supported by

big corporate money. That is not going to help her either.

[Katashi_itto]

4. K&R!!

[Sparkly]

5. Yeah, cuz Republicans would NEVER

talk about Sanders as a Socialist or compare him to Marx, Lenin or Stalin.

They'd NEVER talk about the power of government in socialist states or the violence that ensues, or say "He wants to turn us into Cuba!" or anything at all like that.

Also, they'd NEVER demand his tax returns or scrutinize every word he ever said about anything ever. And if they did, he'd never have said a word wrong, or two words that contradict each other, or anything that could be taken out of context and twisted to mean something else.

They'd NEVER talk about the pornographic essay he wrote, about rape fantasies etc.

They'd NEVER imply that his foreign policy would lead to attacks in the US by terrorist groups from all over the place since we'd be less inclined to fight back.

I mean, there's just nothing at all they could do to him.

[tabasco]

7. Sure they would,

but it's weak sauce and the people aren't buying it.

[Sparkly]

8. Right -- people NEVER believe Oppo "research" and headlines

and tv talk shows and radio discussions and scandals of any kind.

[tabasco]

13. Polls consistently show that people across the political spectrum see Sanders

as the "most honest and trustworthy," so all the imbecilic "he's a commie pervert" attacks will gain zero traction.

[Sparkly]

17. They do NOW

but what I'm saying is that would change in a heartbeat if he were to get the nomination.

Does it surprise anyone what people will believe? People still think Al Gore said he "invented the internet" and that John Kerry "faked his wounds."

Of course they'll believe the oppo on Sanders.

[Armstead]

24. The people who would buy into that already think Clinton is a lesbian Communist

and they think Obama is a Communist Community Organizer.

You can't please all of the people all of the time.

[basselope]

27. Both those candidates has SERIOUS problems.

The reason the "invented the internet" and "Faked his wounds" things stuck is because it fit within the narrative of the candidate.

Al Gore was basically running against himself in 2000. You could see it on his face. He was doing what he felt he HAD TO do in order to win, not necessarily taking positions he believed in.

John Kerry voted for the Iraq War and uttered the now infamous being for something before he was against it.

They BOTH had authenticity problems and trust problems.

Bernie doesn't have that. He has been incredibly consistent throughout his career and is unapologetic about things people disagree with him on. (One of the qualities that Trump has that people like in him).

Trump was the candidate who stood on a debate stage in South Carolina on the eve of the primary and BLAMED BUSH FOR 9/11. ALL the pundits thought that was the end. You can't point out the unread memos, you can't contradict the "he kept us safe" BS. Trump actually did it. For one brief moment in his campaign even I smiled and went.. "Damn, that guy has got some guts".

Similarly, Bernie, on a debate stage before the New York primary was willing to say.. "no, I don't give Israel a free pass and we have to treat the Palestinians like human beings"

It's easy to attack a politician when people see them as a politician. When they have been on opposite sides of the same issue you don't no what they REALLY believe.

That's why "invented the internet" and "faked his wounds" worked, because people didn't know what to believe from either of them.

[KittyWampus]

20. Sanders running on the platform of seizing Rockefeller property isn't "weak sauce".

And the FACT Jane caused massive problems in TWO colleges is also not "weak sauce".

Neither is the FACT Sanders never held a steady job until he got elected in his 40's.

Neither is the FACT he never even voted until he voted for himself in his 40's.

[Armstead]

25. Neither is the FACT that...

Sanders was a late bloomer (which many people can identify with) but once he applied himself he became a consistently winning politician, a very effective administrator and champion of the people in Congress.Hios constituents of all stripes love him.

Jane Sanders is not running for anything. And compared to Bill, many peplle will think she's a breath of fresh air as a presidential spouse

[KittyWampus]

26. Late bloomer? LOLZ. Not having a job until you are 40 indicates more than late blooming.

Furthermore, the FACT that as chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Sanders neglected his role of oversight and allowed the 2014 VA scandal to unfold under his watch.

He was responsible for overseeing the Department of Veterans Affairs, as the scandal erupted.

"He held one-sixth of the hearings on oversight that his House of Representatives counterpart held. Republicans griped that they had made multiple requests for more oversight hearings, but received no response. A news host even challenged Sanders as the scandal erupted, saying he sounded more like a lawyer for the VA than the man responsible for overseeing it."

[Armstead]

28. Millennials can relate, as can many baby boomers

[KittyWampus]

33. Maybe in a white privileged bubble. But nobody I know has had the leisure to INTENTIONALLY

not bother getting a job. No matter what their cultural background.

[Armstead]

35. It's not always liesure.....It's not like he was living in an expensive ski chalet sipping bubbly..

and living off his huge trust fund.

he comes from working class immigrant stock. He was working hard and trying different things. He didn;t succeed until he found his abilities in politics.

How awful...Think people give a shit? They elected that neer do well GW Bush, remember.

[Demsrule86]

41. You might not buy it

But the GOP knows that many will buy it which is why they want Bernie.

[NWCorona]

9. All that didn't work in the primary and his share of Democratic voters has only grown

I doubt the red menace will scare off independents.

[Sparkly]

12. Nobody's done that in the primary.

Not like the GOP is salivating to do if they could run against him in the general.

That is why they keep attacking Clinton.

[NWCorona]

15. And the same can be said of Clinton’s baggage

Let's not forget that trump actually made Hillary back down. The first time ever.

[Sparkly]

18. All I'm hearing are attacks on Clinton

including from Sanders. And she's still winning.

[NWCorona]

22. If you think Sanders is attacking Hillary you will be in for a rude awakening nt

[Jitter65]

34. If you think he is not attacking Hillary you are in a coma. nt

[Armstead]

30. They keep attacking Clinton because they assume she'll be the nominee

[alan2102]

10. How foolish

NO ONE says any such thing.

Everyone knows that this is going to be a difficult election, and all kinds of mud will be flung, in all directions.

You miss the point, which has to do with who is most electable.

[Sparkly]

14. He seems electable NOW for the same reason John Edwards once did.

The RNC hasn't said much of anything against him.

They ALWAYS attack the stronger candidate in hopes of running against the weaker one.

That's how the game is played.

[LadyHawkAZ]

19. A strategy that worked so well in 08 against the other inspiring candidate

Oh wait...

[tabasco]

6. Here's the full list of reasons from the article:

1. Like Donald's other fallen foes, Hillary Clinton represents the political establishment.

2. Hillary's millions of dollars worth of paid speeches to banks, lobbyists and billionaires cede a certain moral high ground to Donald Trump.

3. Independent and new voters are flocking to Bernie Sanders and even to Donald Trump, but not to Hillary Clinton.

4. Hillary's reliance on millions of dollars from SuperPACs is a real problem.

5. Young voters are crazy about Bernie Sanders and just don't care Hillary Clinton.

I think #3 is the biggest problem for Democrats in the general election.

[madokie]

11. No bout adout that

Hillary will never be President. Simple as that.
Don't believe me then hide and watch tRump be our next pResident and then maybe it can be believed. Hillary has way too much baggage to win a national election where republiCONs can vote.

[KittyWampus]

16. Neither Sanders nor Jane have been vetted in any meaningful. Just this morning..

I learned she wreaked havoc in, not just one, but TWO colleges.

[Armstead]

31. Clinton wreaked havoc on Health Care Reform....not to mention a few military misadventures

Wonder what the average voters will care about more?

[Tarc]

21. Shaun King, #2 Sanders shill (as no one can top HA Goodman)

[Marr]

23. I don't think I could come up with a single person who makes a better mascot for the

political establishment in 2016 than Hillary Clinton.

In a year of insurgent candidates and a fed up electorate, she is a monumentally, unbelievably, galactically stupid choice. We have a seriously out of touch (and arrogant) party establishment.

[vintx]

29. +1

[Peace Patriot]

39. +1! Look at these stats...

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/2016_presidential_race.html

Sanders still beating Trump by TWICE the margins that Clinton does. She even LOSES to Trump in one of the polls (Rasmussen). She is very vulnerable to Trump. Sanders will demolish Trump.

And, believe me, Sanders has been fully vetted by David Brock, and who found nothing but strengths to attack with dirty tricks and "Big Lie" talking points (Sanders' stellar civil rights record, Sanders' stellar support for women's rights, Sanders' stellar support for veterans, Sander's stellar record as mayor, congressman and senator, etc.) I gotta laugh at Clinton supporters who say Sanders "hasn't been vetted" when they have the all-time dirty vetter, David Brock, on their side.

[Demsrule86]

42. OMG

Should we have polls instead of primaries now ...if this is the only way Bernie can win...it is just sad!

[chknltl]

32. KnR nt

[amborin]

36. Definitely! This election is about trade and econonic issues, the anti-establ candidate wins

[Rebkeh]

37. Exactly right nt

[pdsimdars]

40. A vote for Hillary is a vote for Trump

[pacalo]

43. Thank you, Shaun King!