What can Joe do to get Bernie supporters after the primaries are over?

[pat_k]

11. Doesn't need to do anything.

You may think Bernie supporters are idiots. They are not. Of course a vast majority will vote for Biden over Trump if he's the nominee (which looks pretty inevitable at the moment).

I don't know anyone whose doesn't have "beat Trump" as their overarching goal.

I personally think Biden is the weaker candidate against Trump for a number of reasons. "Lost" votes in the general won't be limited to unenthused former Bernie supporters. They will be across the board. It is not about ideology, it is about enthusiasm generated when a candidate takes strong stands. I think Biden's history of advocating Iraq war, damaging trade deals, "won't rock the boat" rhetoric, etc., tamps down the enthusiasm that turns people from across the political spectrum out.

I am also well aware that Bernie has a host of problems that will cost votes too, but I still think the upside of very attractive consistency, moral courage, and strength beats mealy mouthed, won't rock the boat rhetoric. Strength and unwavering commitment to principle attract people across the board. There are Trump voters who picked him because they saw him as "strong" relative to the nuanced policies Hillary advocated. Many of these voters would see strength and hope in Bernie if he were the nominee.