Bernie's real flaw politically (CLINTON GROUP)

[CajunBlazer]

11. I think that originally he was interested in ensureing Hillary had competion...

...from the left. Like when President ran unopposed in 2012 and he said several times that the President should have primary competition, this time around Sanders didn't want a coronation. O'Malley was much too moderate, so he decided to throw his own hat in the ring.

When a politician has long held Presidential ambitions, he doesn't wait until he is 74 years old to try to make good on them. At first I think it was about trying to pull Hillary, who regarded as the eventual nominee, to the left - which actually wouldn't be good for her chances of winning the general election, but that isn't a consideration for Bernie. That's why he didn't go after her hard early, because he wanted to make her more liberal not damage her to the point she was unelectible.

But then he saw how well his message was being received and it became all about starting a revolution and getting out message he has been preaching all of his life. Now he goes after Hillary because she isn't important to him any more. If she eliminates him from the nomination race his pulpit is gone, his megaphone is taken away, and back to being a nondescript independent senator from a tiny state. If now he wants to be President it is not to satisfy his ambition, it is for the cause; he is the ultimate true believer.