Bernie Sanders Could Be the 2016 Democratic Candidate We’ve All Been Waiting For

[Jim Lane]

114. Sanders wouldn't be obliterated by the Republican, as some fear.

Sanders doesn't get the nomination unless he touches a chord, that is, unless the experiences of Bush the Lesser plus eight years of a centrist Democrat plus the increasing lunacy of the Republican Party all coalesce to persuade millions of people that real change is imperative.

Will that happen? Alas, probably not. The most likely outcome of a Sanders candidacy is that it pushes the 2016 campaign toward a dialog on some real issues; that debates with Sanders, Clinton, and anyone else in the race help publicize and legitimize progressive ideas; that Clinton moves somewhat to the left as a result; and that Clinton ends up as the nominee anyway. That's a win (i.e., we're better off because Sanders ran).

If my guess is wrong, and he picks up enough votes to overcome all the factors mentioned in this thread, then it tells us there's a turn of the tide. A Jewish septuagenarian Socialist from a small state beat a candidate with better name recognition, overwhelming endorsement of the party establishment, scads more money, and support from a whole range of powerful interest groups and demographic blocs. Whatever enabled him to win the nomination doesn't mysteriously vanish before the general election.