Bernie is ahead because Bernie speaks basic truths.

[DanTex]

This line from the last debate pretty much sums it up.

But at the end of the day, there’s no way around it. You may want to nibble around the edges, but ultimately, you need to rally the American people to tell the drug companies, to tell Wall Street, to tell the insurance companies, to tell the fossil fuel industry this country belongs to all of us, not a handful of special interests.

That's it. We can have a decent standard of living, healthcare for everyone, education, etc. But to get that, we have to take on powerful corporate interests.

And this is why the attacks on him fall flat. Like that thing about the exact cost of health care. The answer is that it costs a lot right now, and it will continue to cost a lot unless we take on the insurance and drug companies, and if we do that, it will cost less and cover everybody. People get that, people identify with that, because that's the truth, much more so than any detailed spreadsheet. The spreadsheets are the easy part, taking on the corporate interests is the hard part.

It's not really a question of purity versus incrementalism. Bernie voted for ACA, it's not like he's going to oppose anything that makes lives better for people. It's not a "purity test", it's just speaking truthfully and plainly about the state of politics, being willing to fight against the corporate interests standing in our way.

That's why people like him.

[still_one]

3. +++ people seem to gloss over that. In those National Polls no one even reaches close to 50%.

You nailed it farewell

Thanks

[DaDeacon]

10. That ain't it chief

The 25% he clearly holds COULD be pulling for someone else they aren't. It's not "Sanders vs the field" it's "The field vs The field" and he's ahead...for now. Don't hate imitate. Get a ground game, hold consistent & clear opinions about the issues, and fight like hell. If the people follow you then great if not ...great! They decide in the end.

[el_bryanto]

2. It is true that that is what is appealing about him

Or that perception of him. But that form of appeal is naturally also going to paint more mainstream Democrats in a negative light.

Bryant

[LanternWaste]

4. It does not follow.

But I'm getting used to the fallacies people use to prop up their prophecies and guesswork. It's what we do when we can't support our premise with evidence (we also cry 'foul' upon being asked for that evidence to support it... as '2+2=22 is just an opinion and does not require evidence').

[squirecam]

5. It's not just Bernie that is a progressive champion

https://www.progressivearmy.com/2017/01/12/meet-13-democrats-opposed-lowering-drug-prices/

But you need Congress too. That isn’t easy.

[highplainsdem]

6. Bernie is ahead because most of his support is from younger voters, and he's ahead with

younger voters because of promises of free college and, more importantly, forgiveness of student debt no matter how much a person owes or how able they are to pay it -- and that financial windfall will be tax-free.

No other candidate is offering a financial inducement that will cost the government $1.6 trillion, aimed at a voting bloc that's also likely to be more naive about just how poor a chance there is Bernie can deliver on that promise.

If Bernie announced today he'd changed his mind about that $1.6 trillion carrot he's dangling in front of younger voters, his support would collapse.

[JudyM]

13. Yet when they're interviewed what I've seen is they focus on his other policies, knowledgeably.

They seem to care most demonstrably about the destruction of the planet and democracy, and social justice.

Maybe they’re just trying to fool everyone.

[TexasTowelie]

15. Well, he has been giving he same stump speech for five years.

The other candidates have been campaigning less than one year and touched far more broadly on various topics.

[JudyM]

18. The point is that they're not talking as if the college help is their main issue.

[uponit7771]

7. Like I will unnecessarily raise your taxes ?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

8. BOOOOOOOOMMM!! THAT'S THE MESSAGE!! BERNIE GETS IT!!

Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join The Revolution!!

[Yavin4]

9. Right now, the Democrats want to beat Trump more than they want M4A or Tuition Free College

That's the simple truth. For Bernie to win, he needs to connect to the party's anxiety over Trump.

Railing against the 1% will only go so far.

[DaDeacon]

11. My man you got it all wrong sorry.

Trump won not by being anti-Hillary but by being anti-progress. He played into people's economic and racial anxiety and he won the narrative. Anti-Trump is not enough to move people to action. Having "a plan for that" is not enough because plans run into obstacles. Having people committed to a cause that's bigger than a person is what we need to overcome Trump's bullsh-t!

[msongs]

12. bernie thinks we should spend a trillion on F35s that benefit his home state. that's the truth nt

[BlueWI]

14. Clarity of message serves him well.

And a significant slice of the Democratic electorate is motivated to support him because of that message. He appeals to younger and disaffected voters better than any other candidate in the field.

There are lessons to be learned by all Democrats by understanding Sanders' strengths. Will we learn something about the current political conditions from Sanders or wring our hands?

Time will tell.

[Happy Hoosier]

16. Those aren't "truths" they're slogans.

Sure, that's sounds all cool and populist. But it's not a plan. It's a slogan of the kind that has no practical application.

[MineralMan]

17. "I Like Bernie because He Tells It Like It Is."

Great slogan. Really...oh, wait...not another populist, please...