Why Going Negative on Bernie Sanders Never Works

[n2doc]

by Taylor Gipple

After seeing polling trends continue to rise, it seems as though Hillary Clinton has become more aggressive in "attacking" Bernie Sanders throughout the last couple weeks. Don't say this too loud, but a note to the Clinton camp if they intend to get more aggressive: going negative on Bernie Sanders has never worked and has always backfired on his opponents.

After reading a few biographies, Outsider in the White House and Why Bernie Sanders Matters, which tell the history of Bernie Sanders and his previous elections, I've deduced this firm conclusion.

Bernie Sanders is seen as an anti-politician because he has a long history of being an Independent, doesn't look or act like a politician, and spouts ideas that don't instantly appear as "mainstream." However, if you look at Sanders's history, you will see he has already participated in 20 elections throughout his life. You read that right. Twenty elections. Now, he did not win all of these (14/20), but batting .700 is pretty good.

After reading about the outcomes of these 20 elections, it was clear that whenever a Sanders's opponent would go negative against him, it would backfire and Sanders would end up winning the election.

more

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/taylor-gipple/why-going-negative-on-ber_b_8964266.html

[SmittynMo]

1. The cool part was

he did nothing to provoke this latest slam against him. And this one will definitely bite the HRC clan in the ass.

Bernie sticks to the facts, and speaks from his heart. He plays a very good game.

[tazkcmo]

3. Exactly.

Your last two sentences nail his effectiveness. Agree or disagree with his stance, you know it's based in fact and not spin.

[Wounded Bear]

14. Hillary's hubbie set the standard...

when he focused on "It's the economy, stupid." She should know better.

That is basically Bernie's message, and it should work, because that is what really needs working on in our country.

We'll never get the Trump-lodytes to come around, because they are terminally stupid, but Bernie really is talking to the soft center of the American electorate. It sounds like some of the M$M press is coming around. If he gets heard, Bernie will prevail.

[libdem4life]

2. And sending out Chelsea to do her dirty work...I know she's an adult an all, but she's a

political neophyte. You start out in local races and put together your version of politics. Back to her 1% life.
That couple definitely has two sets of, um, unique parents.

[Helen Borg]

15. Next, they'll try to send this little fella to slander Sanders!

[mhatrw]

19. Only because Sanders wants to dismantle his leg!

[libdem4life]

20. No they won't. I'll puppysit to make sure. Cutey Pie for sure.

[Doctor_J]

4. It is sad that a Democrat should be attacked by another Dem for declaring the healthcare is a right,

especially when the entire rest of the world knows this. that's why I don't think the party will be viable much longer. the faction that supports the corporations and MIC will eventually win due to their advantage in money and media. However, voters who believe the things that Bernie believes are not going to stick with the party forever when they are not getting any representation from the DLC/Turd Way group.

[FlatBaroque]

5. And going negative is their ONLY weapon. Good luck!!

[merrily]

6. Negative is one thing. Dishonest is another.

This morning, on the Today Show, for example, Hillary claimed that Bernie was dismissive of equal pay for women. He's been talking about that for months. It's part of his standard stump speech. It was also in his ad, the ad that aired right after the Today Show. d

Does she not realize there is video of his stump speeches? That his ads air on TV?

[n2doc]

7. Amazing

She must believe that giving the voters an honest comparison would result in her losing. So she has to make up shit, just like the Repubs are doing.

[libdem4life]

21. She talks in riddles. Nothing you can really "pin on her" when it changes. But Chelsea does not

have that down quite yet.

[Nyan]

9. Seriously?

Wow. Just wow.
She must be REALLY desperate.

[merrily]

12. Yes, seriously.

[jwirr]

18. And more important - she has no videos of him saying

anything of the sort. One of our memes here is that we should document our statements - Hillary document you claims please.

[The Blue Flower]

8. A very Rovian attack

Going after Bernie on one of his biggest strengths with his supporters--single payer. It's just too transparent these days to work.

[Faux pas]

10. Kickin'

[thereismore]

11. I read Outsider in the White House. You are absolutely right.

I am not worried about Bernie making a slip on the trail. He is a seasoned campaigner. Being behind in polls is not unusual for him. He never aired a negative ad in his life. He knows that, ultimately, that is the best approach. His tactic is not throwing money into TV ads. His number one tactic is a painstakingly slow but effective process of meeting people, talking to people, and having his volunteers knock on people's doors and doing phone banking. It has worked for him time and time again in Vermont. Now he is trying to apply the same tactic nationwide.

[Saviolo]

13. Imagine if that actually caught on?

That negative ads were deemed as less effective than stating your own platform and policies?

That treating other candidates poorly was considered a losing campaign strategy?

That lies, race baiting, xenophobia, violent rhetoric, and general hatred didn't work?

The discourse would change overnight!


.... a guy can dream, right?

[Wounded Bear]

16. I've witnessed a few campaigns in my day...

quite a few, actually. My recollection is that it is pretty simple, actually. If the campaign is about issues, Dems win, big. If the RWers and the M$M make it about personalities and soft crap like 'family values' the Repubs will have an unfair edge. Unfair because it's all smoke and mirrors of course, they don't give a shit about families. Maybe about 'la Familia,' but not about American families.

Bernie continues to focus on issues and solutions. What he needs is traction with our dysfunctional mediabots.

[thereismore]

17. It would be revolutionary indeed. nt

[Betty Karlson]

22. You mean like in Norway?

[Saviolo]

23. I will admit to being ignorant

...about how campaigns are run in Norway.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

24. The more negative he goes the more money and support he raises