Worrying trend with Senator Sanders' supporters

[Tom Rinaldo]

91. Of course Bernie or Busters should be identified, they are usually glad to self identify

BoB's have a political viewpoint, one which I strongly disagree with. I spent many hours arguing with them in 2016. I think I contributed to some people who held those views finally voting for Hillary in November, even if unenthusiastically.

I think efforts to convince those types to support the Democratic nominee in a General Election against Trump are worth undertaking, once the Democratic nominee is known. Until then though they will stay focused on their mission. After that, if Bernie is not the nominee, most of that hard core minority will probably not be persuaded, but some of them will be. The more that could be the better for our chances.

I have found that calling people assholes and traitors is not generally effective in changing their viewpoints. Clearly leading high profile BoB's are all in with their ideology, they in almost all cases won't be reached. But many of those, who that core are seeking to influence in their direction, can be engaged in discussions. I've done it. No they won't likely become convinced that the Democratic Party is the embodiment of all their political beliefs. But some will acknowledge that another 4 years of Trump would lead to the death of their political beliefs, and they will subsequently vote Democratic..

Meanwhile there are the clear majority of those who support Sanders, who start out fully inclined to support the Democratic nominee whoever that may be. Most of them will do so no matter how often they feel smeared by broad brush insults against Sanders supporters, such as loosely calling all who support Sanders "Bernie Bro's". But human nature is well know and predictable. If a group is continually insulted some will turn away in a reactive manner. THAT is one of the tactics that Russian trolls used in 2016. They work to get BOTH sides agitated and at odds with each other because they know when that happens voter suppression occurs. I hate it when it looks like that tactic is succeeding on Democratic Underground.