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Joe BidenCongratulations to our presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden!
 

Yavin4

(35,354 posts)
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 12:58 AM Feb 2020

If your favorite candidate cannot beat Bernie, then how can you argue that they're more electable?

No other candidate has beaten Bernie so far this primary seaon. So, when people post that Bernie cannot win, what does that say about the other candidates?

If Bernie is the disaster that some people think that he is, then why aren't the other candidates beating him?

Now, you can argue that the vote against him is split. Fair enough. However, Warren is in the same lane as Bernie (and I support Warren), and the former Vice President cannot fend off a mayor from a small town or a heretofore nationally unknown senator. IOW, no one else has shown equal strength to Bernie.

Look, I doubted Bernie. I didn't believe that he could do this, but I was wrong about him and his campaign. What makes you electable is having a strong organization behind you, not a media narrative, not some pundit on a talk show, but real live human beings in the streets working on your behalf.

I'd rather go into November with a candidate that has a strong organization behind him over a candidate that the Morning Joe team likes.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
65 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
If your favorite candidate cannot beat Bernie, then how can you argue that they're more electable? (Original Post) Yavin4 Feb 2020 OP
You Make A Good Point Progressive2020 Feb 2020 #1
Because DU votes arent what will win this election. oldsoftie Feb 2020 #2
DU voters aren't the ones Buzz cook Feb 2020 #18
You got that right 🤣 nt McTwisty Feb 2020 #29
But ALL of them will vote for him if he is the nominee AlexSFCA Feb 2020 #31
Sure DU (me to) will vote for him...but in the real world...I have Democratic family members in Demsrule86 Feb 2020 #63
The people who will win the General are less likely to be primary voters. oldsoftie Feb 2020 #45
Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Feb 2020 #3
To play Devil's Advocate (not the video game that Homer loves so much, but Grown2Hate Feb 2020 #4
I Agree Progressive2020 Feb 2020 #9
100% all of that. No other reasonable way to see it, in my opinion. :) Grown2Hate Feb 2020 #10
I had this very conversation with my daughter today - cilla4progress Feb 2020 #5
+1! tecelote Feb 2020 #40
Two caucuses and a primary. sheshe2 Feb 2020 #6
There are no ties. Someone got the most delgates. William769 Feb 2020 #11
Fact! sheshe2 Feb 2020 #27
your argument would be good handmade34 Feb 2020 #7
You are wrong in your first sentence. Why bother going on with the rest of it. William769 Feb 2020 #8
Pete Got More Delegates Bernie Got More Votes DanieRains Feb 2020 #21
Because he will not be running against Bernie. COLGATE4 Feb 2020 #12
This message was self-deleted by its author COLGATE4 Feb 2020 #13
Thanks Yavin I_UndergroundPanther Feb 2020 #14
In the Swing States. Cha Feb 2020 #15
Umm? Because there's lots and LOTS of people voting in the general stopdiggin Feb 2020 #16
IIRC that was the reply when it came to talk about 2016 Jake Stern Feb 2020 #17
If Sanders couldn't beat Clinton, who was beaten by Trump... Orrex Feb 2020 #19
2/3 events so far have been caucuses, and elections are nothing like caucuses. pnwmom Feb 2020 #20
In Okanogan County Bernie Beat Hillary 6 to 1 In The Caucuses DanieRains Feb 2020 #22
Bernie had some fervent supporters all over the state. pnwmom Feb 2020 #23
Yep I Noticed That Sending In Ballot A Lot Easier Than Going To Caucus DanieRains Feb 2020 #25
Bill Maher agrees with you on those points. SunSeeker Feb 2020 #24
I found that BS supporters know every little detail about him AlexSFCA Feb 2020 #33
Most Bernie supporters I know do not know much about Bernie's background. SunSeeker Feb 2020 #37
Jeremy Corbyn had an army too. HarlanPepper Feb 2020 #55
Because the center left has too many candidates videohead5 Feb 2020 #26
Precisely. SergeStorms Feb 2020 #32
Then why don't the moderates select one candidate and the rest drop out? Fiendish Thingy Feb 2020 #53
For the same reason... SergeStorms Feb 2020 #64
BS got more votes in NV then the next 3 or 4 candidates combined AlexSFCA Feb 2020 #34
Check your math again. SunSeeker Feb 2020 #39
You misspelled center right. Voltaire2 Feb 2020 #42
K&R Paka Feb 2020 #28
Because he'll be running against one candidate in the general Recursion Feb 2020 #30
In 2016, I voted for Bernie in the primary, and christx30 Feb 2020 #35
You realize that people other than registered Democrats vote in the general election, right? RockRaven Feb 2020 #36
You mean without split primary votes ?! uponit7771 Feb 2020 #38
Oh it's because BS voters are all Russians or Voltaire2 Feb 2020 #41
If Bernie couldn't beat Hillary, how was he electable? Rumanji Feb 2020 #43
That was true for Hillary/Bernie in 2016. Not true today. Yavin4 Feb 2020 #46
Because they're all cannibalizing each other? Which was how Trump got HIS nomination? Blue_Tires Feb 2020 #44
I once bought into the "split" theory, but not any more. Yavin4 Feb 2020 #47
I thought in 2020 we were putting to bed Blue_Tires Feb 2020 #51
it is a different electorate Deero Feb 2020 #48
"every person who won the democratic nomination would also win the presidency." Yavin4 Feb 2020 #49
yes, you absolutely can Deero Feb 2020 #50
Because Democrats are not allowed to vote in the general election???? n/t Yavin4 Feb 2020 #52
because Deero Feb 2020 #61
So how is Bernie more electable than Hillary HarlanPepper Feb 2020 #54
In 2016, he wasn't more electable than Hillary. And Hillary did defeat Trump by the vote count. Yavin4 Feb 2020 #56
Yes, but it's a common opponent as I mentioned. HarlanPepper Feb 2020 #57
Fine. Point out the Democrat that can. Yavin4 Feb 2020 #58
Any of them that aren't proposing tax increases for middle class voters HarlanPepper Feb 2020 #59
The same Democrats that cannot win their own primaries Yavin4 Feb 2020 #60
The moderate vote is split up... if one person had this vote, Sanders would be losing...He is a Demsrule86 Feb 2020 #62
You are correct. This is how Trump kept going and going and going... NurseJackie Feb 2020 #65
 

Progressive2020

(713 posts)
1. You Make A Good Point
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:00 AM
Feb 2020

This idea that Bernie can't get elected is just nonsense.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

oldsoftie

(12,410 posts)
2. Because DU votes arent what will win this election.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:00 AM
Feb 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Buzz cook

(2,470 posts)
18. DU voters aren't the ones
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 02:15 AM
Feb 2020

Giving Sanders wins.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

McTwisty

(39 posts)
29. You got that right 🤣 nt
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 03:28 AM
Feb 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

AlexSFCA

(6,137 posts)
31. But ALL of them will vote for him if he is the nominee
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 03:31 AM
Feb 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Demsrule86

(68,347 posts)
63. Sure DU (me to) will vote for him...but in the real world...I have Democratic family members in
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 02:43 PM
Feb 2020

Virginia and Georgia...other places too...who will not vote for him, but will stay home or even vote for Trump. That is the reality we face He split the moderate vote and does not have a winning majority and operation chaos inflates his numbers as well. He will not win back the blue wall states.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

oldsoftie

(12,410 posts)
45. The people who will win the General are less likely to be primary voters.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 11:03 AM
Feb 2020

Especially caucus voters.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Uncle Joe

(58,110 posts)
3. Kicked and recommended.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:03 AM
Feb 2020

Thanks for the thread Yavin.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Grown2Hate

(2,005 posts)
4. To play Devil's Advocate (not the video game that Homer loves so much, but
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:07 AM
Feb 2020

the philosophical exercise), it's because he's getting a plurality of the vote, not a majority (since he's taking the more progressive vote in total and the more moderate Dems are splitting each other up). So, from that perspective, it's a bit of a perfect storm that he leads this field and doesn't translate directly to strength in the general necessarily.

That being said, I don't buy that he can't win in November. I think his presence at the top of the ticket MIGHT have some negative effect on House seats we won in red districts in 2018 (when they have to try to distance themselves to STAY elected in those redder districts), but I think even that is being overblown. We're winning in November no matter WHAT the fuck happens, because we absolutely HAVE TO DO SO. And I'll be doing EVERYTHING I CAN to help make that happen, which we all should. We lose and America is gone, I believe.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Progressive2020

(713 posts)
9. I Agree
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:14 AM
Feb 2020

I agree with you. Sanders is leading with a plurality. This contest is far from over, but we all should unite after it to ensure that Trump is defeated. The more extreme anti-Bernie types maybe should cool off a bit. If Bernie ends up being the Nominee, we will all need to work together to get him elected. The people saying that he is unelectable are doing the Republicans work for them. It could become a self-fulfilling prophecy if enough people believe it. I personally will vote for whoever gets the Democratic nomination, even if it is someone I do not like at all, like Bloomberg. We must defeat Trump at all costs. No matter who the nominee is...

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Grown2Hate

(2,005 posts)
10. 100% all of that. No other reasonable way to see it, in my opinion. :)
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:17 AM
Feb 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

cilla4progress

(24,587 posts)
5. I had this very conversation with my daughter today -
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:10 AM
Feb 2020

I wrote about donating to Biden: I said I did it because I felt he could have won if people would have voted for him. Then I saw how ridiculous that was!

She supports Bernie. She wants to be hopeful.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

tecelote

(5,122 posts)
40. +1!
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 06:04 AM
Feb 2020

I think Warren would get more done but I'll gladly support Bernie because of my kids. They need hope. We are the first generation to leave them with less... and climate change.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

sheshe2

(83,324 posts)
6. Two caucuses and a primary.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:11 AM
Feb 2020

A tie. A very very slim win. And a win.

Alrighty then.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

William769

(55,124 posts)
11. There are no ties. Someone got the most delgates.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:21 AM
Feb 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

sheshe2

(83,324 posts)
27. Fact!
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 03:12 AM
Feb 2020

Twas a loss.

Spin it~

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

handmade34

(22,755 posts)
7. your argument would be good
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:12 AM
Feb 2020

in "normal times"... we got Obama because of the good organization and the young vote, but we also got Obama because, despite the right wanting to paint him otherwise, he was pretty moderate ( but with a clear progressive bent)

sure Democrats get it and while Bernie has 40% of those voting... we need more to beat trump... we need the swing states

so the primaries don't reflect how we need to strategically act to take the Presidency and the Senate and keep the House

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

William769

(55,124 posts)
8. You are wrong in your first sentence. Why bother going on with the rest of it.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:14 AM
Feb 2020

Yes try as you all might by sticking your head in the sand, Mayor Pete beat Bernie in Iowa. I know that sticks in your craw, you are just going to have to get over it.

Have a nice day.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

DanieRains

(4,619 posts)
21. Pete Got More Delegates Bernie Got More Votes
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 02:42 AM
Feb 2020

And like everywhere, rural votes count more than urban votes.

So be it.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

COLGATE4

(14,732 posts)
12. Because he will not be running against Bernie.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:24 AM
Feb 2020

He will be running against Trump.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden

Response to Yavin4 (Original post)

 

I_UndergroundPanther

(12,450 posts)
14. Thanks Yavin
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:26 AM
Feb 2020

Tired of the Bernie Bashing.

I am very glad Bernie is winning.
Bernie and Elizabeth Warren give me hope things will change for the better. I am poor. Bernie wants to help us. I will be happy to cast my vote for him.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Cha

(295,899 posts)
15. In the Swing States.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:26 AM
Feb 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

stopdiggin

(11,089 posts)
16. Umm? Because there's lots and LOTS of people voting in the general
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:34 AM
Feb 2020

that DON'T vote in the primary? (among a lot of other valid reasons?)

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Jake Stern

(3,145 posts)
17. IIRC that was the reply when it came to talk about 2016
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 02:13 AM
Feb 2020

“if Bernie couldn’t win the primary what makes you think he would have won the general election?”

Looks like some folks can’t stand having that flipped back at them.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Orrex

(63,084 posts)
19. If Sanders couldn't beat Clinton, who was beaten by Trump...
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 02:34 AM
Feb 2020

How can you argue that he can beat Trump?

We've heard for years that Sanders was the victim of DNC trickery and all the rest. Does anyone really think that Trump won't engage in actually trickery, attacks, and general bullshit?

Sanders has never once demonstrated that he can withstand such an onslaught. He can barely handle a softball interview without losing his cool.

I would love to be wrong, and hell yes I'll vote for him if he lands on the ballot, but let's not pretend that he's the unassailable candidate as some would have us believe.


But, as to your question, the answer is this: the primary voters are not the majority of voters on election day, so what appeals to primary voters is not necessarily an indication of who will appeal to general election voters.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
20. 2/3 events so far have been caucuses, and elections are nothing like caucuses.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 02:40 AM
Feb 2020

In my state Bernie won 73% of the caucus vote; and Hillary won 53% of the primaries -- in which almost 4 times as many people participated.

Also, two of the events so far were in very heavily white states -- not representative of most.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

DanieRains

(4,619 posts)
22. In Okanogan County Bernie Beat Hillary 6 to 1 In The Caucuses
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 02:45 AM
Feb 2020

I didn't see the primary totals.

The reddest area of the state.

I think Bernie can win.

Making the wealthy pay some of their 50 trillion in wealth in taxes sounds good to a lot of people.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
23. Bernie had some fervent supporters all over the state.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 02:51 AM
Feb 2020

But in the primaries, where many more people voted, almost 40,000 more voters chose Hillary.

https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20160524/President-Democratic-Party_ByCounty.html

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

DanieRains

(4,619 posts)
25. Yep I Noticed That Sending In Ballot A Lot Easier Than Going To Caucus
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 03:00 AM
Feb 2020

I feel sorry for Hillary.

The FBI really screwed her.

I don't blame her, or Bernie one bit for losing the EC.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

SunSeeker

(51,367 posts)
24. Bill Maher agrees with you on those points.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 03:00 AM
Feb 2020

He pointed out on a recent show that only Bernie has an army like Trump. Bernie does have incredibly devoted supporters, I'll give him that. I was driving down the 405 FWY in West L.A. tonight and I saw 3 enthusiastic Bernie supporters up on an overpass waving huge American flags and Bernie signs, jumping up and down as traffic whizzed by underneath their feet. I'll admit, you don't see that kind of display by the other candidates' supporters around L.A.

But I fear they don't know the full extent of his baggage, and will be caught flat footed when it comes out in the GE if he is the nominee. Kinda like on 60 Minutes tonight when Bernie couldn't answer the simple question of how much all his programs will cost. But maybe in the end none of that will matter, like Trump's baggage did not stop him.

I'm not a religious person, but I've been desperately praying we Democrats choose a candidate who will beat Trump. May God help us.

And of course, I'll vote blue no matter who.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

AlexSFCA

(6,137 posts)
33. I found that BS supporters know every little detail about him
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 03:41 AM
Feb 2020

probably the most informed supporters out there. This is democracy at its finest, grassroots support, genuine people believing in cause. No other candidates are able to generate that kind of enthusiasm. Hillary lost in 2016, Biden is far less exciting than she was as a candidate. It’s a good thing to have an army of bernies in all 50 states policing polls.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

SunSeeker

(51,367 posts)
37. Most Bernie supporters I know do not know much about Bernie's background.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 04:25 AM
Feb 2020

Most had never heard of him before 2015.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

HarlanPepper

(2,042 posts)
55. Jeremy Corbyn had an army too.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:20 PM
Feb 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

videohead5

(2,150 posts)
26. Because the center left has too many candidates
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 03:06 AM
Feb 2020

Last edited Mon Feb 24, 2020, 06:25 AM - Edit history (1)

They are splitting the votes between 3 and 4 candidates. It's just Bernie and Warren on the far left.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

SergeStorms

(18,882 posts)
32. Precisely.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 03:40 AM
Feb 2020

Let's say all but one "moderate" candidate dropped out and was running against BS. Biden perhaps, or Buttigieg, or Klobuchar, or even Bloomberg ......only one of them. Bernie is polling at about 27% of the vote so far, with the remainder split between 4 other candidates, or undecided. If the moderates are narrowed down to one candidate, I think BS will get his clock cleaned.
Those moderate voters are not going to flock to the socialist candidate. They're just not. Head to head, one moderate vs. BS, the moderate cleans up. For the future of the Democratic Party this has to happen! Republicans and "outside players" desperately want BS to run against Trump. Do BS supporters think there might be a reason for that?

Republicans have been swaying elections since the 70s with dirty tricks so they can run against the weakest Democrat possible. There's no reason to think they're going to change horses in the middle of a stream now.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Fiendish Thingy

(15,366 posts)
53. Then why don't the moderates select one candidate and the rest drop out?
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:13 PM
Feb 2020

If they put the country before their egos, that’s what they would do. After Super Tuesday, it will be too late. I think Bloomberg is hoping to swoop in and take the nomination at a brokered convention- where does that leave Joe, Pete, and Amy?

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

SergeStorms

(18,882 posts)
64. For the same reason...
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 04:08 PM
Feb 2020

Warren doesn't drop out as well. They continue to believe they're the best solution for the Trump problem. Certainly Warren knows she doesn't have a chance of beating Bernie, correct? Then what's the sense of her continuing as a far left candidate? Oh, I guess I just answered my own question. She's now veering to the center and attacking the more moderate candidates. She now wants to edge her way into the "moderate" category. Why she never took Bernie on is clearly puzzling since she was more aligned with his proposed policies.

After Super Tuesday I think there will be a winnowing out of Democratic candidates. Then we'll see what happens.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

AlexSFCA

(6,137 posts)
34. BS got more votes in NV then the next 3 or 4 candidates combined
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 03:42 AM
Feb 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

SunSeeker

(51,367 posts)
39. Check your math again.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 04:35 AM
Feb 2020

With 87.55% of precincts reporting:
Sanders: 47.1%
Biden: 20.1%
Buttigieg: 13.6%
Warren: 9.7%
Steyer: 4.7%
Klobuchar: 3.9%

The top 5 not-Bernie candidates got 52% of the vote. The top 4 got 48.1%. Currently, that's more than Bernie.

Bernie basically got what he got in 2016.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Voltaire2

(12,618 posts)
42. You misspelled center right.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 06:16 AM
Feb 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Paka

(2,760 posts)
28. K&R
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 03:22 AM
Feb 2020

That is about as clear an indicator of electability as exists.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Recursion

(56,582 posts)
30. Because he'll be running against one candidate in the general
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 03:28 AM
Feb 2020

What worries the hell out of me is the situation where Sanders reaches the convention with a plurality of delegates.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

christx30

(6,241 posts)
35. In 2016, I voted for Bernie in the primary, and
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 03:48 AM
Feb 2020

Hillary in the general election. This year, I hope to vote for him in both elections, and watch him on January 20th on the steps of the Supreme Court, when he takes the oath.
A Bloomberg pollster came to my door tonight. She was kind of taken aback that my mind was so made up about Bernie. She kind of shrugged and handed me a pamphlet and left my porch. But I did wish her luck.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

RockRaven

(14,782 posts)
36. You realize that people other than registered Democrats vote in the general election, right?
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 03:50 AM
Feb 2020

I can be the most popular badminton player in the history of badminton fandom. I can win a poll of badminton fans asking: "who is the badmintonest badmintoner who ever badmintoned a badminton?" with 99% of the vote...

and still lose a "world's most popular athlete" poll by a fucking mile. Because the sports fandom world includes a crap-load of people other than badminton fans.

I DGAF who the most popular Dem is amongst Dems. I care who's most likely to beat Trump in the general election AND help get the Senate.

Any assessment of the strength of a candidate based on primary polls/votes is willfully ignoring that the sample is not representative of general election voters, nor does it take into account the electoral college.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

uponit7771

(90,225 posts)
38. You mean without split primary votes ?!
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 04:34 AM
Feb 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Voltaire2

(12,618 posts)
41. Oh it's because BS voters are all Russians or
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 06:15 AM
Feb 2020

Republicans. Or some other nonsense. We don’t count basically. And more seriously when your strategy is to woo center right Republican voters like it’s 1996 you will see things from that perspective.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Rumanji

(11 posts)
43. If Bernie couldn't beat Hillary, how was he electable?
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 07:04 AM
Feb 2020

Bernie supporters said he was electable.
Your theory is that if a candidate can't win the primary, said candidate is not electable in the general.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Yavin4

(35,354 posts)
46. That was true for Hillary/Bernie in 2016. Not true today.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 11:32 AM
Feb 2020

"Your theory is that if a candidate can't win the primary, said candidate is not electable in the general."

Correct. If you cannot win over your own party, you cannot win in the general election.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Blue_Tires

(55,445 posts)
44. Because they're all cannibalizing each other? Which was how Trump got HIS nomination?
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 08:08 AM
Feb 2020

This isn't rocket science...

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Yavin4

(35,354 posts)
47. I once bought into the "split" theory, but not any more.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 11:34 AM
Feb 2020

If the former Vice President of the US is splitting the vote with an unknown mayor of a tiny town in a small state, then he's not electable.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Blue_Tires

(55,445 posts)
51. I thought in 2020 we were putting to bed
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:10 PM
Feb 2020

the trope of "electability"?

It's because of that bullshit that Kamala had to go home...

Nevermind the fact that my issues with St. Bern go WAY beyond something as trivial as that.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Deero

(86 posts)
48. it is a different electorate
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 11:43 AM
Feb 2020

otherwise, by your logic, every person who won the democratic nomination would also win the presidency.

who has argued that Sanders cant win a democratic primary? The argument is that he is the worst candidate we could nominate for a national general election.

In just the past 24 hours he ensured that he would lose the largest tossup state in the election.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Yavin4

(35,354 posts)
49. "every person who won the democratic nomination would also win the presidency."
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 11:51 AM
Feb 2020

That's not my logic. My logic is that you cannot argue that a candidate is more electable when said candidate cannot win the party's primary contests.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Deero

(86 posts)
50. yes, you absolutely can
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 12:04 PM
Feb 2020

because it isnt the same electorate.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Yavin4

(35,354 posts)
52. Because Democrats are not allowed to vote in the general election???? n/t
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:12 PM
Feb 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Deero

(86 posts)
61. because
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 02:11 PM
Feb 2020

democrats AREN'T the only ones allowed to vote in the general election.

It is a very easy concept to understand. Winning among a subgroup does not make you most likely to win among the group as a whole.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

HarlanPepper

(2,042 posts)
54. So how is Bernie more electable than Hillary
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:18 PM
Feb 2020

Who also beat Bernie but did not beat Bernie’s prospective (common) opponent?

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Yavin4

(35,354 posts)
56. In 2016, he wasn't more electable than Hillary. And Hillary did defeat Trump by the vote count.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:22 PM
Feb 2020

She didn't pay enough attention to Wisconsin, Michigan, and Penn.

But this is not 2016!!! It's 2020!!!

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

HarlanPepper

(2,042 posts)
57. Yes, but it's a common opponent as I mentioned.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:36 PM
Feb 2020

I do not think Bernie can beat Dump in any year.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Yavin4

(35,354 posts)
58. Fine. Point out the Democrat that can.
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:38 PM
Feb 2020

I'll wait.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

HarlanPepper

(2,042 posts)
59. Any of them that aren't proposing tax increases for middle class voters
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:40 PM
Feb 2020

And payroll tax increases for the working class to pay for M4A. Remind me of all the successful presidential campaigns in the modern era that have been built on the promise of tax increases for the middle class? I’ll wait.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Yavin4

(35,354 posts)
60. The same Democrats that cannot win their own primaries
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 01:51 PM
Feb 2020

are somehow going to magically win the general election against Trump.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Demsrule86

(68,347 posts)
62. The moderate vote is split up... if one person had this vote, Sanders would be losing...He is a
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 02:17 PM
Feb 2020

a weak candidate...there are family members of mine who will not vote for him in a general...and they are Democrats...God help us with the Independents. He will lose a general. Trump gets four more years and more judges...our very Republic is at risk especially if we don't hold the house...hope I am wrong. But if not...I got to say, I will never forgive the so called progressive wing of the party (don't get that as we are all Democrats) or Sanders. I am a Democrat period from now on.

It was clear to most of us that we live in a moderate left at best country and to think that Sanders can win a General shows how politically out of step with our real situation the 'progressive wing' is...this was a winnable election. And the consequences of losing are dire. I hope to God if Sanders is the nominee, we win, but I don't think we will...and let me tell you I won't be in any mood for excuses as I have spent most of this primary showing maps that support my political theory...in order to win the rust belt which is where we need to win...a moderate candidate is the only choice. I am a Democrat period...honestly if we lose with Sanders I don't ever want to hear the word 'progressive'.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

NurseJackie

(42,862 posts)
65. You are correct. This is how Trump kept going and going and going...
Mon Feb 24, 2020, 04:11 PM
Feb 2020
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287570879
Even when Bernie runs on the Democratic ticket, he attacks the party. That doesn’t exactly endear him to committed party members – especially in today’s political environment, when being a united party is key. By stating that “the Democratic establishment AND the Republican establishment can’t stop him”, he is being extremely divisive by putting himself out as someone who is actually running against BOTH parties, and not as someone who is running FOR the party that he is supposedly running on behalf of.

The constant cries about how being a “Democratic socialist” doesn’t mean he IS a communist-type socialist is a moot point. Unless you plan to go door-to-door and explain the difference to all of the voters who equate ‘socialism’ with USSR communism, you are not going to change their minds. They hear “socialist’, and they attach their own (albeit ill-informed) meaning to the term – and it’s NOT the style of government they will vote for.

I’ve seen this repeatedly on the sites I participate in where both Dems and Repubs post: “I don’t want Trump to be re-elected – but I’ll be damned if I’ll vote for a communist.” You can shout all you want about how these people don’t understand what socialism is, or how what Bernie is proposing isn’t socialism as they perceive it. But people vote according to what they believe, and not according to what you think they should believe.
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
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