Do you think Bernie Sanders can win the Democratic nomination?

[Cali_Democrat]

34 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Yes
	18 (53%)
	No
	16 (47%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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[bigwillq]

1. Yes (nt)

[closeupready]

2. Sure why not.

I see no reason, at this point, to look at the world pessimistically.

[brooklynite]

13. I prefer to look at the world realistically...

"why not" is a variation of "anything can happen", which is not a principle I would ever rest on in the world of politics.

[closeupready]

19. But to be fair here, you have supported Hillary for YEARS now.

So obviously, your mind is made up. Not suggesting that you are lying or doing anything wrong; rather, you have been in her camp for many years, and have been trained to squelch the idea of any other candidate stealing her chances.

Cheers.

[brooklynite]

58. I'm "trained", you say?

Give me SOME credit. As you know I give a lot of money to candidates, and I receive requests for money from a lot more. So I do a LOT of research into each race and what the prospects of the candidates for. I also apply the key lesson I learned in my youth as a campaign volunteer for candidates who generally lost: just because -I- liked a candidate didn't mean everyone else did.

I have NOT been a Clinton supporter "for years". I supported her in 2008 UP TO Super Tuesday, when I re-evaluated her prospects and switched to Obama. I started thinking about the 2016 race at the 2012 Convention when I went to listen to O'Malley, and I went to meet with Schweitzer. I joined RFH only last year, because I still think (supported by consistent polling) that of the likely candidates, Clinton was still the strongest and most popular. I hold that position, and I've explained why Sanders will have problems winning, which is still the key point: he can agree on every position you hold important, but if he doesn't win, he can't implement them, and they're all worthless.

I'll now hand the ball back to you. Explain how Bernie Sanders DOES win. What segments of the electorate adding up to a majority does he appeal to? What States adding up to 2,242 Convention Delegates and 270 Electoral Votes does he win with his message? Where does he get the resources to win in States where retail campaigning isn't practical, and where the Republicans will spend Billions (plural) in opposition?

[closeupready]

59. I'll defer to your obvious expertise - I'm definitely minor league, but

Bernie appeals to New England, Jews, Democrats, progressives, minorities, labor, for starters.

Hillary herself had an overwhelming "war chest" in 2008, with a huge name recognition that Barack didn't have (honestly, I'd never HEARD of him until he announced). Yet, Barack won resoundingly.

We'll have to see how things shape up; is he likely - no, but I'm keeping my mind open.

[brooklynite]

61. If you haven't read it, I'll recommend reading GAME CHANGE...

It goes into great detail about how Obama prepared for his campaign. It wasn't an impulsive, last minute decision to get in.

[closeupready]

64. Thanks

I will look that up.

[Marr]

22. Of course you do.

People who are comfortable tend to be happy with the status quo. When being 'realistic' means getting exactly what you want, it's easy to be realistic.

[brooklynite]

52. You're right...I love the status quo...that's why I supported Elizabeth Warren in 2012

....the fact that I calculated that she could WIN had nothing to do with...

[Marr]

55. Huh?

She was the strongest Democratic Party candidate to run against Scott Brown. I would expect anyone who was interested in promoting the Democratic Party would've voted for Warren.

I don't really understand what you mean. Voting for Elizabeth Warren in a Senate race doesn't make you Che Guevarra.

[brooklynite]

56. Except that I could have not supported her at all...

I could have put on my cape and top hat, twirled my mustache and decided that we didn't need any rabble-rousers in the Senate. We would have have Senate control without her, so why rile things up?

[Marr]

57. Ok, then. You'r right. People who have plenty don't tend be happier with the way things are.

I don't know where I ever got that silly idea.

[LondonReign2]

3. Can? Of course. Will? TBD

[morningfog]

4. It is possible. He has a helluva mountain to climb, but

I think if anyone can do it, he can.

[bravenak]

5. Maybe.

[Bjorn Against]

6. Yes, although it will be a tough uphill battle

He does not have anywhere near the money or name recognition that Hillary has, but he is very well liked and respected plus he has a lot of support among the real activists in the party.

It won't be easy but it is certainly possible.

[ghostsinthemachine]

7. Without corporate money, no f'n way

I wish he would but not going to happen.

[BlueCaliDem]

8. No. There aren't enough Americans who consider themselves "Socialists". eom

[OilemFirchen]

9. If he's on the Ohio Democratic Party primary ballot, I'll vote for him.

In other words, no.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

10. Obama cant win...

wait, i am 8 yrs behind

[Pooka Fey]

36. LOL

[unblock]

11. he's essentially reduced to hoping hillary self-destructs.

hillary is pretty much in the "dead woman or live boy" level of certainty at this point, to borrow a colorful political expression from louisiana lore.

[Demeter]

30. He's in like Flynn

Hillary never knows when to stop digging.

[bemildred]

12. Bush won. Raygun won. Nixon won. nt

[brooklynite]

15. Bush, Reagan and Nixon were well known and/or well funded

[ChisolmTrailDem]

16. Bernie is well-known, having even been on Fox. Also, I've been seeing Bernie quotes in the

feeds from my decidedly right-wing family and friends on facebook.

[bemildred]

17. If they can win, anybody can win.

We have a long history of substandard politicians, guys with class like Bernie are rare. You can't go by the run of the mill elections this time.

[seabeyond]

14. i dunno. we will have to see. cant ever predict at this point, what will happen a year and half

from now.

[Orsino]

18. Can we nominate him? Yes.

Can we decide what we really want from a nominee, and keep our concentration despite Big Money shouting at us? Probably not.

[Hiraeth]

20. Anything is possible with the right attitude and a "can do" spirit.

It is way too early in the process to rule out anyone.

[Agnosticsherbet]

21. I consider it somewhat unlikely.

That wasn't one of the choices.

So I voted no.

His biggst hurdle will be to raise the money to run. He will need between 50 and 250 million for the nomination fight, and 1.5 to 2 billion for the general to compete.
A second hurdle will be his own use of the word socialist. Almost 150 years of anti-socialist propaganda will lose some support, even from Democrats. This will be the easiet hurdler for him to clear in primary but almost impossible in the General.

[FSogol]

23. No, but I've always liked him and will listen to what he says on the campaign trail. n/t

[denverbill]

24. I hope he does, but I voted no. He will be crushed by big money.

Big money Democrats and big money Republicans both.

Obama talked like a liberal but didn't have any problem working with the Democratic heavy hitters. Bernie is a liberal and isn't just talking the talk.

It wouldn't surprise me if heavy-hitter Republicans gave money to attack Bernie in the primaries. They might not like Hillary better than Rubio/et al, but if Rubio/et al loses, they'd rather it be to a corporate Democrat like Hillary than someone who stands for the average man like Bernie.

[MADem]

41. You've got it backwards--the goal will be to disrupt the Clinton machine, so the

GOP will give money TO Bernie to try and derail her. Even if they don't succeed, they'll cause enough agita to send the Sanders supporters off and perhaps demotivate them to participate in the general election. If, beyond their wildest dreams, they succeed in driving Clinton off and making Sanders the nominee, they know--beyond a certainty--that there are independent and GOP-lite voters who, if Hillary is not on the ballot, will hold their nose and vote Jeb! before they vote Bernie.

[RedCappedBandit]

25. Clearly it is not impossible. nt

[Proud Public Servant]

26. Under no circumstances

A 75-year-old self described socialist whose home base is one of the smallest, whitest states in the country and who comes across on TV like that crazy Marxist professor everybody had at some point in college? I don't see how anyone who follows electoral politics could imagine he would.

But I'm still voting for him.

[Mike Nelson]

27. No, but...

...happy to have him run. Good luck, Bernie!

[Egnever]

29. Should be an option for maybe

It is definitely possible. Don't think it is likely but it could happen.

[KittyWampus]

31. No, and it's even less about the money. It's about party politics.

Maybe no is too strong. If I was going to pick my own wording I think "remote chance" would be most appropriate.

[Renew Deal]

32. He has a better chance than anyone here winning the lottery.

But not much better.

[The Second Stone]

33. No, he can't win the nomination

Hillary Clinton has it all sewn up as to the nomination. As others would point out, I've been a Hillary supporter for years. I like Sanders, but he doesn't have the political chops to capture the nomination. He does have the ability to speak out, and now he will get some attention for his viewpoint, and that is a really good thing. I believe that is what he is aiming for, and think he will achieve getting a good discussion going.

[Tarheel_Dem]

34. Really?

[riqster]

35. The worst-case scenario is that he pushes the platform to the Left.

A victory would be tasty icing on that cake.

[Jamaal510]

37. He'll have a shot once

more Americans (including Democrats) know for sure what a socialist is, and only when money gets taken out of the process. Right now, even he probably knows he can't win. I think he just wants to run for the sake of putting certain issues and stances forward.

[polichick]

38. For the sake of what's left of our democracy, I sure as hell hope so.

[IcyPeas]

39. how much money does he have?

[Zorra]

40. Yes, but we'll have to work hard to stop Wall St from preventing him

from being nominated.

[Recursion]

42. "can"? sure (nt)

[treestar]

43. No. That person is decided by Democrats.

So a non-Democrat signing up just to run for President is not a happening thing. People are the way they are. They'll think just about any long term Democrat deserves it more.

[cyberswede]

44. Can he win? Sure. Will he win? I don't know. nt

[Stallion]

45. He Would Go Down in McGovern Type Landslide Defeat

sorry just bringing back a little reality to a website where half the readers think Sanders could win a national election

[SidDithers]

46. Kucinich 2016!...nt

Sid

[Orrex]

47. The nomination? Maybe.

The general election? Probably not, but I'm willing to be proven wrong.

[ucrdem]

48. Probably less chance of winning the nomination than the general.

He's basically pitching to the ODS crowd, which has smoothly transitioned into the ABC crowd, so in the general he might get some independents, but Dems nominated Obama twice so I don't think he has a chance in the primaries.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

49. I don't vote based on polls.

I vote on issues, policies, and principles.

We don't have party primaries in my state. Anybody can run and declare their party or not.

What is a Top 2 Primary?
The Washington Top 2 Primary allows voters to choose among all candidates running for each office. Voters do not have to declare a party affiliation to vote in the primary.

Candidates for partisan office may state a preference for a political party, which is listed on the ballot. The two candidates who receive the most votes in the Primary Election qualify for the General Election. Candidates must also receive at least 1% of the votes cast in that race to advance to the General Election.

Washington State Secretary of State

https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/faqcandidates.aspx

[PeteSelman]

50. No. Anyone on the side of the People has no chance.

You must be a corporate shill to be the President.

[Beacool]

51. Only in an alternate universe.

Going by the 50-50 ratio of the poll, that seems to be where some people reside. The Democratic party is not going to nominate a Socialist in his mid 70s as their presidential nominee. Regardless of the wishful thinking of his supporters. The DNC doesn't have a political death wish. They want at least a fighting chance to defeat the Republicans in 2016.

[taught_me_patience]

53. doesn't have a chance in hell

I'll be surprised if he garners more than 5%in any state.

[Cali_Democrat]

54. It's tied as of now! WOW!

50/50.

73 votes each!

[brooklynite]

60. Maybe we should cancel the primary?

If DU has spoken, what else is there to say?

[Hutzpa]

62. ...lol

DU at it's finest.

[workinclasszero]

63. No not even close

Is he a member of the democratic party yet?

[ghurley]

65. I have no idea if he can win or not, but I'm glad that he is running! (n/t)

[Blue_In_AK]

66. I would love for him to win the nomination,

but I fear our system is too rigged toward the big money.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

67. I chose pass.

Can Bernie win the nomination? Sure, I do believe he could. The real question is will he be ALLOWED to win the nomination. There is good money spent to make sure establishment candidates (regardless of Party) are the winners, while those who scare The System are kept as far away from the White House as possible.