The anti-Bernie pundits would be more credible if they'd just say something like this: [View all]

[DanTex]

Yes, Bernie's right about policy. All of it. M4A is a great idea, and the whole $Trillions thing is dumb because the cost is actually lower than the cost of the current system. Also, college should be free, obviously, education shouldn't depend on being from a wealthy family. Bernie is the most pro-labor candidate in the field. His climate plan is as good or better than anyone's. He's got an amazingly consistent track record of supporting progressive policies despite the political winds. All the pundits talking about Venezuela and Central Park executions are embarrassing themselves. Also the smears that somehow only white dudes like him are totally wrong.

All that is true, and he deserves credit for bringing progressive policies into discussion and popularity. But he's too much of an electability risk, unfortunately, and we need to defeat Trump, no matter what.

That might actually connect with some progressives. Because at least it's honest about the policy, rather than using right-wing talking points to attack progressive ideas. But when people mash the electability argument together with all the other nonsense smears, then nobody is going to listen, their credibility is shot. And nobody is listening. Witness that as attacks on Bernie have ramped up, his poll numbers rose as well.

I don't believe the electability argument myself, I think his ability to drive enthusiasm and turnout make him more electable. But I do know some progressives who question that. But I don't know a single progressive who is going to be convinced by right-wing talking points that Bernie's policies aren't the way to go.