Bernie Sanders drew a crowd of 11,400 at his rally in Denver, CO

[ehrnst]

84. It doesn't need to be at the level of a violent criminal release to send voters into a tailspin.

Most voters have heard of, and have an opinion of the term socialist and socialism. Many believe it to be the opposite of capitalism. Many associate Socialism with the failed economies of Venezuela and the USSR.

The GOP response to the ACA was based in creating a fear of "socialist medicine." Perhaps you aren't on social media, but yes 'socialism' is a hot topic.

Below is a link to an actual poll that backs up my statements:

There are large partisan differences in views of capitalism: Nearly eight-in-ten Republicans and Republican-leaning independents (78%) express somewhat or very positive reactions to the term, while just over half of Democrats and Democratic leaners (55%) say they have a positive impression.

But these differences are dwarfed by the partisan gap in opinions about socialism. More than eight-in-ten Republicans (84%) have a negative impression of socialism; a 63% majority has a very negative view. Nearly two-thirds of Democrats (65%) have a positive view of socialism, but only 14% have a very positive view.

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/06/25/stark-partisan-divisions-in-americans-views-of-socialism-capitalism/