"Republicans looking for an alternative to trump will not vote for Bernie" - McClatchy

[EveHammond13]

Link to tweet

we need to get back Obama voters who voted for trump

we don't need to keep targeting blue voters in blue states

this is a swing state election and we need a swing state candidate

not a socialist

[EveHammond13]

1. this could not be more obvious

[rampartc]

2. we need to stop worrying about the never trumpers

they will be voting repubs on the lower offices.

we had better make sure our own voters have a reason to show up at the polls.

[EveHammond13]

4. our voters already have a reason to show up at the polls

we need base PLUS. we need to get the PLUS and a socialist won't do it.

[honest.abe]

3. This is the key problem with Sanders.

There are a ton of Republicans and right-leaning Independents who are sick of Trump but they wont jump to a Democrat unless they feel comfortable that Democrat wont push some extreme liberal/socialist policies. imho.

[EveHammond13]

6. exactly

and I'm fine with pulling a bait and switch on them. but Losers don't make policy.

[dbolski]

17. But what is the point of being a democrat without the leftist policies?

This is what I can't understand about people. Why do you want the democratic party to be the republican party? Republicans already have a party and there are millions of democrats who are desperate for someone to speak for them.

[honest.abe]

18. What an absurd thing to say.

Do you not realize there is a huge gigantic mammoth difference between our candidates for President and the GOP?!?

[SunSeeker]

5. The Sanders candidacy is the gift to Trump that just keeps on giving.

[Moderateguy]

7. TY for posting this...

There is a group of republicans voters out there that the Dem candidate can pick up in swing states...But the candidate needs to hold some appeal for these voters and a Democratic Socialist holds no appeal for them--he is the opposite of what they are looking for

[Tom Rinaldo]

8. This is not a mother lode of votes

"McClatchy interviewed two dozen former Republican members of Congress, Republican Party operatives and conservative activists who said they will not vote for Trump in November’s election because his behavior and rhetoric is unbecoming of a president and the policies he has pursued in office are an affront to their principles or values.

Most said among the Democratic field they cannot vote for Sanders...

...“Republicans are not going to vote for Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren. They’re just not. They’re too far left. They just won’t,” said former Illinois Rep. Ray LaHood, a registered Republican"

The overwhelming majority of Republicans support Trump. Of those who don't, some of the Never Trumpers will vote for any Democrat in order to get Trump out of office, planning to regroup after Trump is gone to oppose Democratic priorities then. Others will stay home or cast a protest vote for a third party. And sure, some would vote for Biden but not for Sanders. Meanwhile a large percentage of Stein's 2016 voters would vote for Sanders and possibly Warren, but not for Biden and certainly not for Bloomberg.

Every option for Democrats opens up different paths. Biden and Sanders and maybe Warren might appeal to some working class nominal Democrats who voted for Trump last time, while other Democratic candidates might fall short there. Younger voters are more likely to come out in greater numbers for Bernie rather than Biden, and so forth.

[thesquanderer]

14. Exactly. 24 former Republican congresspeople, party operatives and conservative activists...

...who won't vote for him does not tell use anything.

And to the OP,

"we don't need to keep targeting blue voters in blue states...this is a swing state election and we need a swing state candidate"

What we need is a candidate who can win back the blue collar voters in the rust belt.

[PubliusEnigma]

9. Remember when Biden was getting shit for leaving a lifeline available for disillusioned Republicans?

Joe is trying to win the real election.

Bernie is all wrapped up in dreams of a Revolution. No matter the actual consequences.

What happened to all the the children who followed the Pied Piper? Did they live happily ever after??

[DanTex]

10. GOP "activists, operatives, and lawmakers". People like David Frum.

And, yeah, David Frum won't vote for Bernie. But there aren't many voters in that category.

[KayF]

16. exactly, they're talking about approximately 7 people

they quote Ray Lahood, and like you said, "Republican members of Congress, Republican Party operatives and conservative activists"

[jmg257]

11. Sheesh - they threw Warren in there too...

Republicans in interviews warned that a Sanders or Warren nomination could end up with those who might be inclined to vote for a Democrat sitting out the election entirely. They could also vote for down-ballot Republicans and leave their preference in the presidential race unchecked or support a viable third-party candidate, should one emerge.

Most of the Republicans who spoke to McClatchy said they are considering voting for Buttigieg, Klobuchar, Bloomberg and Biden.

Great - Now we are relying on the Republicans to choose our candidates.


Hey - go Tulsi!!!

[Garrett78]

12. Obama voters who went Trump were far outnumbered by Obama voters who simply didn't show up for HC.

[uponit7771]

13. THIS !!!! ... and PoC will NOT vote for someone who set out to terrorize them for decades either.

[jmg257]

15. Ha who needs Operation Chaos when we'll pick our candidates based on what republicans want!?