Sanders' early primary success has moderate Democrats wondering about his impact on House, Senate

[RandySF]

WASHINGTON – Sen. Bernie Sanders warned that in his quest for the White House, he would not only take on Republicans and President Donald Trump but the Democratic establishment.

Now that Sanders has found success in the first three presidential contests in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada, some Democrats have begun reckoning with the idea that Sanders, a democratic socialist running on liberal ideals such as "Medicare for All," may be the 2020 Democratic nominee instead of a more moderate candidate. For them, the consequences could extend beyond the presidential contest.

Moderate Democrats worry that Sanders' name at the top of the general election ticket would make it harder for Democrats running for Congress, which could threaten their majority in the House and make it nearly impossible to take the Senate.

"I get that Team Trump is going to go after whoever we nominate, but if we’re going to go with a socialist, it’s like we’re leading with our chin," Democratic strategist Jim Manley said. "It’s going to be so easy to demonize the entire ballot."


https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/02/26/bernie-sanders-may-have-impact-house-senate-races-democrats-say/4864069002/

[OliverQ]

1. These people are ridiculous.

We're already witnessing record breaking turnout. Bernie is bringing in tons of people everywhere. If he's the nominee, the turnout will be higher which will help the down ballot Democrats.

[RandySF]

3. Not enough to offset losses in the suburbs.

[OliverQ]

5. The suburbs have completely ditched Trump and the GOP.

Why would they go back to them just because Bernie is at the top? That's ridiculous and not based on any factual evidence.

[RandySF]

10. But they peel away when his record and agenda are tested

[evertonfc]

4. lol

no, because in middle America they won't vote for Bernie. Turn out isn't that particularly high anyway. Plus, the moderate vote is beating Sanders. He's toxic in Southeast.

[OliverQ]

7. He is? Is that why he's polling +5 over Trump in North Carolina?

He's doing better there than Biden.

[RandySF]

12. It's February and he's not as well known as Biden.

Let's see how well he does after $1 billion is dumped on his head.

[OliverQ]

16. Bernie is the most popular politician in America.

He's pretty well known.

[sheshe2]

27. You have a link to all this?

OliverQ
16.

Bernie is the most popular politician in America.

Okay. Then you go on to say....

He's pretty well known.

If he was the most popular politician in America, you would think that would have won in 2016.

Here ya say he is just pretty well known.

[Callado119]

28. That's completely false...

His favorables have been underwater for a long time with all registered voters and he often polls with a lower net favorable than Biden and others...but that doesn’t stop BS supporters from spreading misinformation...and if you’re referring to his favorables in VT that’s laughable, he’ll be poison in swing districts and states..

[brooklynite]

18. The majority of the record breaking turnout is for candidates not named Sanders

[OliverQ]

19. No it isn't.

[Mariana]

25. It's true that Bernie hasn't won a majority in any state.

Of course, none of the other candidates has won a majority, either.

[Callado119]

29. Yes it is...

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

30. THIS x 1,000!!

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

[evertonfc]

2. in Nate Cohn words

On the electability front, one interesting question is Arizona. For many Democrats, it's their natural and perhaps increasingly necessary backup to Wisconsin. But so far and AFAIK, Sanders hasn't led any general election poll of Arizona, including our Times/Siena poll from Oct.

[OliverQ]

8. Nobody is leading any poll in Arizona.

The most recent poll was from early January, and all Dems were within the margin of error against Trump. And Bernie is only 2 points behind Trump in Texas.

[question everything]

6. As they should. The will be tagged as socialist

[OliverQ]

9. So what? Dems are always tagged as a socialist.

Obama was tagged as a Socialist for 8 years. It didn't work then, it doesn't work now. Republicans have been crying wolf with that attack for ages.

[question everything]

11. Not the ones who flipped the House in 2018

They are all moderates and will lose if Sanders is the nominee

[OliverQ]

14. Why would this time be any different?

None of them identify as Socialists, so why would Bernie being at the top of the ticket make them Socialists?

They deal with local politics and they'll use the same tactics they used to win in 2018. You really think the higher turnout of young voters, Latinos, blacks, etc. is going to hurt Democrats in down ballot races?

[question everything]

17. Because this is what the Rs will do

Sure, they will use the same strategy but will not be able to get from the shadow of Sanders.

[BilltheCat]

20. er it just was 2 days ago in KY

One of the seats was lost by a long-term incumbent Dem who was smeared 24x7 with Socialist ads tying him to Sanders.

[OliverQ]

21. Evidence?

Because we held onto one of the special election seats in KY and lost one, but it wasn't a long time incumbent, it was a Trump +15 district and nobody expected us to be able to hold it.

[Cal Carpenter]

24. Actually, the ads tied the candidate to Hillary Clinton

Your argument was roundly debunked, with video, earlier today. Look for a post with dozens of replies called "This message self-selected by author"

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

32. Bernie is not the devil... we need to stop blaming Bernie for EVERYTHING!!

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

[Mariana]

34. Here, he's being blamed for something that didn't even happen.

No long time Democratic incumbent was voted out in Kentucky, it was a vacant seat!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

35. Amazing, isn't 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!!

[Mariana]

26. That is false. The seat was vacant.

The former incumbent resigned.

[RandySF]

13. Sanders already trailed Trump in the last AZ poll.

[OliverQ]

15. Everybody is trailing Trump in Arizona.

But they're all within the margin of error. Bernie is beating Trump in North Carolina by 5.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

33. BOOOOOOOOMMM!!

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

[delisen]

22. Difference:Sanders is self-defined as a Democratic Socialist

Additionally Sanders seems to have trouble explaining his Democratic Socialism--except that it is different from being a Democrat.

Sometimes its democratic socialism, sometimes its being lie the Nordic countries (although some Nordic countries deny this., sometimes its just being like FDR.

It's like flavor of the month. Maybe it is Pragmatic Labelling.

Maybe Sanders will get that act together; maybe not.

[Callado119]

31. Except BS has repeatedly said he's a socialist...

...that will be opposite of crying wolf this time...

[oasis]

23. Attempts to explain his "pay-fors" will lead to his ultimate undoing.