Saul Alinsky ~ Rules for Radicals ~ Sanders

[Her Sister]

2. Rule 2

Second Rule of Power Tactics:

“Never go outside the experience of your people.”
https://gobling.wordpress.com/2016/03/10/redux-revolution-alinsky-sanders-and-the-false-campaign/

The message of Bernie Sanders is perfectly melded to the “experience” of his base. It is crisp, simple and anti-Establishment, though not necessarily anti-authoritarian. Were he to engage in nuanced argument or concede to the rightness of an “Establishment” act, he would violate their expectations.

Consider that the Sanders coalition is a mix of Independents, Greens, Libertarians, first-time voters, the Occupy Movement, portions of Move On, individuals who identify as Anonymous, Edward Snowden/Wiki Leaks allies and young white males. This is not an alliance that will tolerate softness or concession to the evil power structure.

So when Bernie is asked if he supports fracking in a debate, his one word answer is “No.” When Hillary Clinton elaborates on her reply, she is attacked for her distinctions. Nearly every debate response will invoke a tirade on “Wall Street” or the “corrupt political system” and Bernie’s fans cheer wildly.

The experience of Bernie’s base demands a simple, either/or approach and he does not fail them.