Serious question...does anyone really think Bernie Sanders would win a general election?

[Tom Rinaldo]

82. If Sanders beats Hillary in the Primaries he can win the General. It would change all perceptions

That is how our society and political culture works. The odds are heavily stacked against Bernie winning the Democratic nomination but that is exactly why he would become a viable presidential candidate if he did. Sanders would no longer be perceived as a "grumpy old man", he would be viewed as a a genuine political phenomena instead, a "Giant Killer" so to speak. Conventional wisdom would pivot as Sanders racked up victories in primaries. He would start being called the voice of a populist tsunami, the "anti-politician" who refuses to be air brushed and who is incapable of talking out of both sides of his mouth.

Hillary has the potential to win more electoral votes than Bernie does. She could theoretically pile up a lop sided margin while a Sanders victory would be closer, but 270 would be within reach for him as the Democratic candidate riding a populist wave, and George W. Bush already proved that you only need 270 electoral votes to change the course of history.

And by the way, something that is overlooked too often by those who call Bernie "prickly". He is always personally gracious to a fault toward his opponents, never engaging in cheap character assassination stunts. He keeps his focus fixed on issues, not personalities. For that reason the persona of "grumpy" will not stick to hm when the public gets to know him, which they will if he starts winning elections. Angry, yes, but if Bernie beats Hillary is will be because people are increasingly fed up with the status quo, and he will not then be out of sync with the public mood.