Bernie promised his campaign won't go negative "in ads". Here's a loophole

[Hortensis]

24. Sanders HAS to go negative big time against Democrats,

even if he mostly holds off long enough to reassure those people who want to believe he meant this. Most won't hold a running stream of low-grade criticisms against him, itm.

But he's leading a populist campaign, and those worst of his followers who are caught up by populist fervor require him to lead them in attacking "the evil elites." It's in the very definition of populism. They are the true Democrats and those in government are evil elites who must be brought down.

So whether those people come from the insurgent left or are fallaway trumpsters Sanders is hoping to draw in larger numbers this time, they will cheer his attacking Democratic leaders. And if he were to disappoint, most of their type would drop him like an old, cold potato.