Primaries, like all elections, are popularity contests.

[MineralMan]

While that's regrettable, it's also true. Most voters decide which candidate gets their vote for broad, non-specific reasons. That's why things like name recognition, appearance, speaking ability and presentation are so important to candidates.

Here on DU, we tend to focus on policy positions and political theory. That's nice, but it isn't really how most voters decide which ballot box to mark. It's even more that way in the General Election.

General popularity is usually the key factor. In 2008, Barack Obama had it. In 2016, I'm guessing that Hillary gets the nod in both the primaries and the GE.

Shallow? Sure. Realistic. Also.

[HerbChestnut]

1. There's a ringing endorsement if I ever heard one.

"Vote for my candidate! She's way better looking than that other guy."

[MineralMan]

2. That's not why I'm voting for her.

I have other reasons. I'm describing a different phenomenon. The OP is an observation, not an endorsement.

[peacebird]

3. Looking at two things: number of individual contributors to a campaign, and crowd size for events

I would say Bernie is a LOT more popular than Hillary!

He has TWICE as many individual contributions as Obama had in 2008, and Obama set a record number of individual contributions that year (1 million). Bernie has TWICE that. Think about it.

[MineralMan]

5. Irrelevant. What percentage of

the total primary vote count do you think those contributors and attendees make up?

[peacebird]

12. Goes to enthusiasm, which goes to GOTV! But you know that. Bernie Sanders supporters are

passionate about getting their candidate the nomination.

That IS relevant.

[jkbRN]

4. haha, i hope this is sattire.

cuz it's pathetic.

[MineralMan]

6. I see...

[jkbRN]

15. No you obviously don't,

but maybe one day you will.

One can hope that you will come to terms with reality, right?



....lol

[MineralMan]

16. Reality will become real sooner than you think.

I see better than you think.

[Dawgs]

7. Great, another post from a Hillary supporter to make themselves feel better?

[MineralMan]

8. Thanks for clickin' and kickin'!

[Dawgs]

9. pathetic. n/t

[MineralMan]

17. Thanks again.

[MeNMyVolt]

10. K&R from me. And it's not that shallow.

[CoffeeCat]

11. I would say that...

...popularity and likability are less important in the primaries. You get more of the party faithful voting in primaries and they are more issue-oriented.

The whole Homecoming Queen/Homecoming King mentality is more prevalent in the GE.

I think looks/appearance can affect people as well.

I don't give a rip about any of that. This year I'm proud and honored to support my candidate who ain't exactly a Calvin Klein underwear model. That's why I love him. He's more Andrew Jackson than the blow blow-dried, empty suit, Homecoming King types that we've seen with a Romney or W. Blech.

Go Bernie!

[MineralMan]

14. Yes, the party faithful.

We probably don't define that in the same way, though. A large percentage of primary voters are party first and individual candidate second. They're pretty darned loyal to the party. I talk to a lot of them. Who they are would probably surprise you, really. In my precinct, for example, I'm the only DUer I know of. I see the same people show up at every caucus meeting and primary vote. I know who they are.

2:1 for Hillary in 2016 at least, in the caucuses and 3:1 for the Democrat in the general election. That's who they are. That's who they always are. They're the party faithful.

[NurseJackie]

13. Great post!!

That's why things like name recognition, appearance, speaking ability and presentation are so important to candidates.

I guess "demeanor" falls under "presentation", so you've covered everything as far as I'm concerned. It's a very straightforward, non-threatening, non-insulting post ... just one man's honest opinions and factual observations ... but it's curious to see the hostile reactions and over-reactions.

[AtomicKitten]

18. Her huge unfavorables disprove your theory.

[Armstead]

19. This year it more like fatalistic ho-hum knee-jerk duty