Math says to me that Sanders has a shot at winning the nomination

[Bettie]

20. Look, I supported Sen. Sanders in the last primary

I like that he pulled the overall platform to the left.

I like that he got more young people interested in the political process.

I voted for Sec. Clinton in the election, because she was our nominee. During the time before the convention, I realized (OK, my beloved and very smart husband laid it out for me) that I, a relatively intelligent person, not a genius but not a turnip either, had been taken in by 30 years (25? It was a long time) of negative press, designed to put the idea into all of our heads that Clinton was untrustworthy.

Advertising works and a constant drumbeat does seep into nearly everyone's subconscious.

I was taken in. I was absolutely wrong about her. It worked though, because many people of voting age literally can not recall a time when she wasn't under investigation for something or being criticized for something. So, either she's the smartest criminal who ever lived and has never left any actual evidence of wrongdoing beyond the speculative daydreams of a bunch of nutjobs (not the most likely scenario) or she's just a smart woman who scared a group of powerful people so badly that they set out to ruin her.

And she still won the votes of the majority of people. Perhaps they were right to be afraid of her.

I won't be voting for Sanders in the next primary cycle for a variety of reasons, but a big one is that we need new names, we need new faces.

Others include the following, in no particular order.

I dislike that he was a Democrat while running, but changed back over afterward. Fact is, he could have done away with a lot of animosity toward him simply by staying a Dem. It wouldn't change a single thing about his life, his senate seat, or anything but his pride. As much as he might like to have it both ways, that's really not possible in any real sense.

He's also made missteps and statements that indicate he is rather out of touch with key constituencies of our party. I've been utterly dismayed by a lot of them.

He can do more good in the senate than he can running what will be an extremely divisive candidacy for President.

That divisiveness is hard wired in at this point.

Some people who will never, ever support anyone else no matter what (there are very few of these types, but they are loud...and there are many more trolls than there are actual people, I believe).

Others would never vote for him if he were the nominee. There are too many bad feelings on both sides for this to be a good idea.

We need unity and we need to keep our candidates positive. I'd love to see primary debates where candidates talk about why they are the best choice, not why so and so is a terrible choice.

That said, bashing those who support Sen. Sanders or Sec. Clinton is not useful for any of us. It just sets people into their camps and divides us.

Sorry this is so long, but hey, it's been festering for a while.