Perhaps it is all wishful thinking - But if Bernie Sanders did run for President in 2016 - would you

[Douglas Carpenter]

65. I think Bernie Sanders' economic message resonates with almost everybody except the rich. I doubt

Last edited Thu Oct 31, 2013, 10:44 AM - Edit history (1)

that there are very many self-identified conservatives - except wealthy conservatives who do not find themselves agreeing with Bernie much of the time on most issues.. Because Sen. Sanders keeps the focus on bread and butter issues and speaks in very connecting language. he is quite different than other left-wing politicians. If we were to compare him for example to the very admirable - but difficult to sell on the national scale - the late Sen. George McGovern - McGovern felt morally compelled to always keep the War in Vietnam the central issue. Well many Americans never had and never will have a big problem going around the world and slaughtering lots of natives. The late Sen. George McGovern had to convince patriotic Americans raised on the folklore of World War II that the most romantic patriotic folklore of all - that American military power was an instrument to keep us free while it spread freedom and democracy around the world was a complete and utter lie. That was not an easy message to sell in the heartland even for the prairie populist, World War II hero and small town Methodist minister and history teacher. Sen. Bernie Sanders simply has to reinforce to people what they see with their own two eyes every single day - the rich getting richer and the system being gamed against them. I think that outside of the rich - pretty much everyone already agrees and doesn't need any convincing at all - They only need a spokesperson who says it loudly and clearly. Although admittedly, how that would actually cash out in an election when the defenders of an unjust order have almost unlimited resources at their disposal - is hard to say.