2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Major environmental group makes first ever endorsement of Hillary Clinton [View all]anotherproletariat
(1,446 posts)things like 'free college,' 'free healthcare' and 'clean energy'. All of which everyone would love. But all of which are unrealistic to have as presidential campaign promises, because none can be achieved in the span of any presidential administration.
Hillary's platform has dealt with all of these in realistic, reasonable ways, which move towards the progressive goals, but take into account the realities of our political system. Sure, getting rid of fracking entirely is the goal...but if we do so now, what is the energy we now get from natural gas going to be replaced with? Coal, fossil fuels? We are not technologically at the point where all natural gas can be eliminated in favor of solar, hydro, wind or other types of clean energy.
Sanders is like a middle school student running for student body president. He promises all those things that ever kid would love, candy in the vending machines, no homework, etc. But anyone who understands reality knows he can't deliver. He still gets lots of votes (and much enthusiasm) because his supporters want "the powers that be" to know what they really want.