As Van Jones said, "Why call yourselves socialist? You basically just say: ‘Grandma and grandpa, I want what you had.’"
4
While I agree with most of Bernie's policies I just have a hard time warming up to him. He is not the candidate of my heart as he seems to be for so many. That said, if he is the front runner, as it looks like he will be, I will not have to hold my nose at all to vote for him in the general. I hope others will do the same and I think they will as long as Bernie's following keeps their tone respectful towards other voters. The key this year will be to get out the vote!
5
Donald Trump's biggest asset is Bernie Sanders. If the Democrats nominate Sanders as presidential candidate, Trump will win by a landslide which will be a real shame.
8
Unless the anti-Bernie commenters here are from the super rich class, I define it as someone able to write a very large check for healthcare and not feel the pain a whit, if you are from the great "unwashed," having a panic attack about a Sanders nomination is unwarranted.
You are behaving exactly like working and middle class Trump voters who voted against their interest. That is if you carry through with unstated threats of sitting out the election or voting third party in swing states.
What Sanders is proposing would be considered to be normal politics in other advanced countries and should have all of us not a tiny sliver of the population at the top of the pyramid. Arguments about how much this or that program will cost is silly. Trump just handed over a trillion and half dollars to the undeserving, a classic case of reverse "robinhoodism" and people yawned. He is running massive deficits and people's eyes glaze over. I could go on but why?
Vote for your interests people, vote for someone who will work for your best interests.
6
Bernie may have the momentum but beating the 45th will literally take a village or all the villages put together handing him the incumbent a ‘Berning’ loss, he won’t soon forget.
3
Bernie needs to explain at the next debate the difference between socialism and communism. A succinct, persuasive, non-condescending lesson in history and economics. Until he does, too many people will nod and believe totally baseless charges that "he wants to turn the US into Cuba, or North Korea, or Viet Nam."
Instead of, more accurately, "He'd like the US to try some of the programs that have worked in Canada, France and Scandinavia."
3
Given the early voting for Super Tuesday (next Tuesday), the game here is over already. Sanders wins Dem nomination going away.
1
There was another article the NY Times about Bernie NOT bringing in new voters just expanding his appeal among Democratic voters. Well this is still just the primaries where Democrats vote in the Democratic primary. I don't know how often cross over is allowed in the primaries but I haven't voted in a primary because I am registered independent and won't register in any party just to vote in the primary. But I would certainly vote for Bernie in the general election. I will for whoever wins the democratic nomination to oust Trump.
Vote Blue nationwide all elections and rid us of the Republicans.
7
Klobuchar; Buttigieg, even Biden are going to be as responsible as anyone for Trump's win if they don't get out. I would hate to have that on my conscience.
3
Any democrat who says they will vote for Trump if Sanders gets the nomination needs to take a long hard look in the mirror.
And maybe switch parties. We won't miss you.
4
Bernie, running against ..
Biden: 1/1024 spring chicken.
Bloomberg: 1/1024 democrat.
Warren: 1/1024 native American.
Buttigieg: 1/1024 adult-life experience.
Klobuchar: 1/1024 good boss.
Steyer: 1/1024 altruism.
My bet is on Bernie.
2
US Media bears a huge responsibility for the successful election of Donald Trump inspite of being proven a Brazen Liar, a Fraudster , a Bully , a Sexual Assaulter... The US Media always downplayed his Lies as sensational eyeballs gathering news while showing up Secretary Clinton’s emails Non-Issue (the Republican- controlled House spent 2yrs investigating it with zero charges) as a Dark plot. President Trump turned a Frankenstein for US Media & yet they continue in the same vein to Destroy American Democracy by promoting the Worst candidates.
3
People seem to have lost the eyes on the prize, in my honest opinion. The prize being removing Trump from office. Personally, I don't believe Mr. Sanders is the man for the job. Yes he has great ideas for a social paradise, but when asked, he doesn't know the cost. He has many ideas that would work well in a utopian society, but as we have seen around the world since WWII, haven't worked out that well in practice.
With Mr. Sanders, we are asking individuals on the fence to come out and vote against Trump. Yes, Mr. Sanders may get the majority of the Democratic caucus votes across the nation. But keeping my eyes on the prize, will Mr. Sanders get the majority of the electoral college votes on the first Tuesday in November, 2020. Because folks, that's what counts, everything else is dust in the wind...
6
Ya know, I'd feel a lot better about Bernie as the nominee if a single governor, anywhere in Middle America in the last thirty years, had been elected on anything remotely like his platform. If these states are all brewing for the political revolution, where is it? Does it start with the Presidency? Really?
The flaw in Sanders's electability is pretty staightforward: The median-earning Dane pays over half their income to the government. It's a deal they make willingly, and works great for them. Nothing I've seen in my lifetime indicates an average middle-class American will make that deal in 2020.
5
@Seth D.
You'd be surprised what a typical middle class American pays in taxes when you take into account health care premiums, property taxes, medicare, fica, state taxes, college tuition, child care, nursing home, parental leave.
Fica is 15% all by itself, health care premiums are how much?
Nobody will add it up and compare it with Denmark because the fact is that it's not really much different.
3
The moderates have an ego problem and won't drop out when there is literally no chance they can succeed. Unless they drop out and gather around one moderate candidate, all they will do is further split the vote and give Bernie the path to victory. Then they will turn around and go on all media outlets proclaiming their shock and fear that Bernie is the nominee. Unless there are two options (Bernie v. a moderate), Bernie will be the nominee. Their argument is "I don't know if he can win" - well, the longer they trash him and turn moderates off, then no, he won't win.
8
Sanders will win. True Democrats will vote for whoever wins the Primary. The rest that have made up their mind not to vote for Trump will vote for Sanders, as well. The rest will vote for Trump and that has never changed.
2
As of 2/24, Bernie has 45 delegates out of the 100 declared and 1,991 are needed to win the nomination. As such, this headline, and perhaps even the article, serves no purpose other than to drive a non-existent narrative. Every four years, we suffer through this type of group-think campaign reporting. Stop already. Let the process play out.
9
Okay let’s do a thought experiment.
The premise: Bernie McGovern and Whitebread Amy win in November.
Bernie gets Majority Leader Schumer to introduce Medicare for All.
Which chastened Republicans will support the bill?
Here’s my list: Mike Lee, Ted Cruz, John Cornyn, John Thune, Mike Barrasso, Bad J. Kennedy, and Rick Scott.
Who do you believe would join the Democrats in voting for Medicare for All in 2021?
Thought experiment 2:
Premise: Bernie McGovern nominates Barack Obama to replace the recently retired RBG?
Which chastened and broken Republican Senators will join, creating the majority?
I have: Tom Cotton, Marco Rubio, Marsha Blackburn, John Boozman, Roy Blount, and Shelley Moore Captio.
Who do you believe would join the Democrats in place Obama on the Supreme Court?
Thought experiment 3:
Premise:
Bernie McGovern and Whitebread Amy introduce their tax increases in the US Senate.
Which of the chastened Republican Senator do you believe will join to create the necessary 60 vote majority?
I have: Lindsay Graham, Todd Young, Mike Crapo, Deb Fischer, Josh Hawley, Steve Daines, and Mike Enzi.
Who do you believe will join the Democrats in voting for tax increases on the wealthy under Bernie?
1
Where are all the doctors going to come from? How will we treat 45 million Americans w/newly minted health insurance and another 18 million undocumented immigrant workers?
And do you expect physicians who have multi-million dollar medical practices to roll over and accept a standard government rate for services? HA! Good luck with that one..
Inevitably there will be a two tier system... One insurance program for the rich and one insurance program for everyone else..
"All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.."
4
Can anyone really tell Bernie and Biden are the same age?
Bernie is like a 150w LED bulb, bright, cool, modern, and refreshing in to our life.
Biden is like a 15w incandescent, dull, ancient, dusty, and a waste of our energy.
Translation: The next time I see Biden should be in his pajamas enjoying his life and sharing jokes with people he loves.
5
Why is everyone freaking about Bernie? He wasn't my first choice (Pete is), but I'll vote for Bernie. And the anger he conveys is the anger most feel. Maybe he should be given some credit for tapping into the same emotion Trump did - but, hopefully, for s more humane purpose. There's no guarantee Bernie won't go off the grandiosity rails, too, but I'd rather him than Trump.
5
Come on Joe, prove the pundits wrong!
3
How does a communist/socialist rise so high in the Democratic Party. JFK is rolling over in his grave
7
Many appear puzzled that the many 'moderates' with little chance of winning in the presidential race underway are refusing to drop out. I think that it reveals that 'moderation' in this context means, in most of the cases, unprincipled careerism. If a candidate is mainly motivated to run by belief that programs he/she is proposing are necessary for the welfare of the country then of course that candidate will be likely to drop out in favor of another candidate with similar views if the polls are not promising. On the other hand
a candidate mainly motivated by selfish careerist goals can see advantages in staying: Name recognition goes up for the next attempt at public office, for example. or the likelihood of gaining a place in the cabinet of the ultimate winner may be enhanced. Even business opportunites may be motivational:
I have read that Trump did not expect to win but thought that
running would open avenues for business expansion (or perhaps, in his case, rescue). Of the candidates apparently inexplicably staying in the Democratic race I am most acquainted with Amy Klobuchar, who is my senator, and my impression for some time has been that she is that kind of careerist politician. Perhaps the others are similarly motivated. If so, it doesn't speak very well for the level
of statesmanshiip in the center of the Democratic party.
5
@jwhalley It's very possible that is the primary motivation for many of them, and I find it ironic in some ways that nearly all of them have been repeating "Stopping Bernie is priority one" like sheep but when it's time to walk the walk, none of them want to sacrifice their candidacies for what they insist would be the greater good.
On the other hand, many of these candidates spent a considerable amount of time recruiting people into their organizations and part of the pitch to persuade them to quit could well have been they wouldn't end the campaign until his/her chances of gaining the nomination were eliminated beyond a doubt. If they want to ever run again, they wouldn't want to call it quits in 2020 less than a week after hauling in their highest amount of donations and risk all those parting with their money feeling they were sold out.
There's risks for them no matter which direction they go.
3
Anyone who says they will vote Trump if Sanders is the Democratic Nominee will vote for trump anyway. They obviously have a different vision of the world. This selection will be the clearest choice in my lifetime. Sandes is obviously trying to help the largest majority of people with Health care, stagnant wages, and student loan debt. If you want to continue paying the highest rates in the world, continue to have the cost of living outpace your income, and be bogged down by student loans for you and your kids, then sanders is not for you Unfortunately, these benefits rely on the stupider segment of the population who consistently vote against their own interests and mine.
8
Neither Biden nor Sanders will beat Trump. How many politicians have tried since the start of the 2016 Republican primaries? All of them failed because Trump doesn't play by the rules. And now Trump has total authority over the GOP.
In order to beat Trump you need someone who can beat him at his own game. Only Bloomberg has the operation and the resources to do it. Some may not like Bloomberg, but he's better than Trump. And if Democrats don't win this time, it's game over.
6
Let all the Dem's potential nominees hang in there -- personally wouldn't bother even entering a store where product choice was limited...
3
A vote for Bernie means:
1) you think America is a terrible place to live.
2) you think the only alternative is a revolution.
3) that revolution is socialism.
Socialism has a well documented history in the world. Look all across both western and eastern europe. Even the countries you think are successful, like the UK, because of their socialist policies have been under austerity measures for years. Because who is paying for all the "free" stuff? Not the 1% like bernie thinks will pay, but the middle class. Raise the taxes on the 1% and they change their tax domicile faster than you can say "IRS". Who's left to pay? Not the poor, they're getting the free stuff. The working middle class will be the ones paying. Driving them down to the poor. Socialism has NEVER lifted anyone up. It has only ever been a means to put people down and hold them down. When you become dependent upon the state, the state owns you.
Socialism has proven time and again to be a FAILURE. To those who truly believe it is the answer, I respectfully disagree with you. But you are entitled to live your life under such a system if that's what you want. Go live where socialism already exists. live there and leave America alone. This way, after a few years, should you decide you were misguided, you will still have a place to come home to.
9
All of what you have stated is completely false. Simple search on Google has verified, that this is your opinion but not reality.
5
And yet the Scandinavian countries—the countries with the kind of socialism Bernie Sanders is talking about—have among the best standards of living and the happiest people in the world. Who wouldn’t want that?
Sanders is NOT talking about the drab Big Brother kind of socialism Trump’s buddy Putin would love to inflict on us.
Vote for a better quality of life. Vote Sanders.
9
Is it me or has anyone else noticed that Bernie never answers direct questions but rather just starts off on his rants and condemnations of modern American society? It's getting tiresome hearing the same auto playback of his socialist/communist plans. Some hard answers would be welcomed.
15
Things can change quickly. Wasn’t Biden the presumptive favorite a few months ago. Then Buttigieg surged in Iowa. Now Bernie’s supporters are coronating him when only a few small contests have occurred. Until you have a majority of pledged delegates to the convention, you haven’t won. Remember how Bernie contested the primary until the end in 2016. And Hillary’s loss to Trump should tell everyone that polling has limits. Voters not pollsters ultimately decide elections.
With the Wuhan coronavirus spreading, who knows if any of these candidates will survive into the Fall. Hasn’t the epidemic been hitting the elderly and those with heart conditions really hard.
3
Men have been dieing at a higher rate.
@J I respect Sanders and while I wouldn't coronate him in any way, I think it's past the point of no return that He's a lock to be a factor when the convention arrives in Milwaukee. His supporters are joined at the hip and if it's a wide open race resulting in a brokered convention, then any candidate that tried to take him down with ad hominem attacks or unsubstantiated scare mongering about "honeymoons in the Soviet Union" stands far less of chance of brining along enough of his fervent supporters when it's time to take the fight to Trump.
The establishment didi everything it could to kneecap Sanders in 2016 and while more of his supporters plugged their noses and voted for Clinton then her supporters would for Obama in 2008, they have not forgotten the blatant attempts to smear their candidate and rig the process. It would be wise for whatever moderate, centrist, or whatever these other candidates are trying to sell themselves as to make the case for themselves this time around rather than continue to try and make a case strictly against Sanders. While the results up to this point certainly don't guarantee him being the nominee, they have clearly proven one thing - The smears and attempts to belittle Sanders as "Not a Democrat" not only aren't getting it done in a big way but are only going to make it tougher for whoever has to reach out and extend the olive branch.
1
My analysis: Sanders will upset Biden in South Carolina. Biden will hang on though until Super Tuesday. He will be asked by the Democratic establishment to drop out the next day. Warren has already made a play for establishment support as she is running out of money. The only way to stop Sanders is with an Elizabeth Warren with establishment and moderate voter support.
1
Bernie Sanders should have explained how Medicare for All operates. This is how PUBLIC CITIZEN articulates it.
Myths and Lies about Medicare for all ...
Medicare for all is government run health care?
Wrong.
That would be the Veterans Administration.
Under Medicare for All, you get a health card and you can go to any doctor or hospital in the United States.
It will lead to rationing, like in Canada?
Wrong.
Right now private health insurance companies are rationing health care.
More than 30 million Americans are denied health care. 100 die every day from lack of health care.
Costs will skyrocket?.
Wrong.
By eliminating the health insurance industry, we save 500 billion a year or more in administrative costs and profits.
Yes, more people will be seeking health care (think about Coronavirus - and the havoc it can create).
Drugs will be more difficult to get?
Wrong.
Much of medical research is now funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Drugs will be cheaper. The Veterans Administration gets a 40% discount on drugs because of its buying power. Now you know why the drug industry is so opposed to Medicare for All.
Medicare for All will cover less than I have now.
Wrong.
Medicare for All will be a vast improvement for most.
All medically necessary care, including doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, mental health services, nursing home care, rehab, home care, eye care, and dental care, will be covered.
No more bills. No more deductibles. No more co-pays.
6
@AL
Excellent questions and excellent responses.
Bernie Bros should read this.
And add one more-
Question - What will the cost be for Medicare for all.
Answer- What is the cost of the current health system ?
No one knows because of the complexity and varability in coverage.
Costs will be transparent and variable and overall less . Specially if cost of Prescription drugs are regulated .
1
And take away all private health insurance for 180 million Americans.
TRUE!
2
Biden is a pathological liar. He lied about being part of the civil rights movement. He lied about his involvement in Vietnam. And most recently he lied and said he was part of protests in South Africa. He's always been this way.
So of course he is lying about whether Sanders considered running against Obama.
3
I voted for Clinton in the 2016 primary. But it's a sign that the Biden camp has very little to offer the American people when negative campaigning and scaremongering attacks is their response to Sanders' ascendancy. I've tried it the Clinton/Biden way, and they couldn't beat Trump. I'm ready to try something else because, as Einstein said, "the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again but expecting different results."
7
Sanders can knock out Biden, but only because the first few primaries are caucuses.
On 60 minutes last night Sanders could not describe how he is going to pay for all of the "free stuff" he is promising.
All of these years to prepare, and yet he has no idea? Trump will obliterate him.
The only way to pay for it all is to tax the middle class HARD.
He cannot defeat Trump. He will lose, and lose the momentum Democrats got in the midterms.
Trump will appoint another Supreme Court Justice in his next term, and it will be decades before we can recover from him.
Sanders got us Trump the first time, and he will the second time. The Bernie Bros will have a fit, and continue to believe in the "righteousness" of his cause, but it will be the vulnerable who will suffer, not them.
6
What my age group fails to understand is this is not our election. It is the election of the next generation. And they are angry. They are angry at the legacy we have left them. Debt, insurmountable greed, we have benefited from the largest wealth of a generation but have not seen to pass it on. Only the very rich have the ability to pass on their wealth as a result of their political influence. What I do have worry at is that when you choose out of anger you usually replace one despot for another. The GOP have abandoned their own political legacy and seek power for the sake of it, and the Democrats have not been much better in that they talk a good story but have failed to launch. Promises made but failed.
5
Politico is reporting that multiple sources say Jim Clymer will
endorse Biden Wednesday morning. I think it could happen tomorrow.
@Lefthalfbach
Who is Jim Clymer?
3
@GMooG
Think he meant Jim Clyburn from South Carolina.
2
Don't count Joe Biden out. I'm watching the local news today. Joe Biden is leading in the polls with a slight edge over Bernie Sanders in Texas. I think it's going to come down to those two. Bloomberg is trailing Elizabeth Warren, so I think he's finished, as is she.
2
From the cheap seats appears Bernie's stealth campaign rooted in passionate supporters marinating for four years. First the small donation avalanche proved loaded with energy. Second organization around the country never disbanded. His message consistent void of ambiguity grows in appeal reaching voters across the spectrum. Nevada established the growing support. Other candidates lack clarity on issues, suffer money woes and find the hour late to address their own deficiencies.
Attacks only take a candidate a short distance. A tough sale with Super Tuesday looming.
4
Bernie managed to find some positive attributes for Castro and Hugo Chavez inspite of the collective shared misery they brought to their people. That young folks support Bernie indicates a huge failure on the education system.
The influence of Howard Zinn and Soros were successful.
2
@Lane
So guess we also shouldn't say nice things about the US?
How about Germany?
Australia?
France?
China?
…etc. etc. etc.
At what point does pointing our certain things done well, become an endorsement for the whole?!
C'mon.
It's called Nuance.
nu·ance | \ ˈnü-ˌän(t)s
: sensibility to, awareness of, or ability to express delicate shadings (as of meaning, feeling, or value)
You were saying something about education...?
3
Biden keeps falling back on "under my term with President Obama...". Why doesn't one of the candidates ask Joe why Obama hasn't endorsed him in the race. An Obama endorsement would assure Biden of the nomination and leave Bernie in the dust.
4
Bernie fans should look at what happened in 1972 when George McGovern emerged as the nominee. Nixon won in a landslide.
5
@Ice_9
Biden, Klobachur, Buttigieg fans should look at what happened to Gore(2000), Kerry(2004), and Clinton(2016) when the a economically conservative, socially liberal candidate emerged as the nominee. Third-rate tv-star, intellectually dull candidates beat all three.
5
How do you know, looking at the Horoscope ?
Yes, Nevada Bernie won by a large margin but so many other States are left.
3
Sanders doesn’t think! He just repeats the same slogans that he learned in his 20s!
Warren is the only candidate whose positions are based on knowledge. She switched parties after studying the effects of the legal system on the finances of ordinary people. She understands how to regulate finance. Sanders doesn’t know anything. He will say that banks are bad but he doesn’t know what laws to support because that’s too much math for him.
3
My problem with Bernie is I just can't imagine 4 years of him waving his hands and fingers at us.
5
I'm still deeply disturbed by the abuse I've incurred from the F.B.I. and their networks and police. A major reason for the reality that our nation was turned into a police/prison/state is why he should not be voted for. People have short memories and political leaders count on that. The major black population of South Carolina, and the entire nation should remember how millions of blacks have been victimized by police then blackmailed into plea bargains, then had to plead guilty because, as the cops knew before, they had no money to defend themselves. Sanders is starting to look good to me, him and Warren.
1
Joe Biden is a fabulist when it comes to his self described civil rights activism. He's a Toal fraud. He also has a very mixed record at best, with opposition to busing and support of the prison industrial complex and many elements of The New Jim Crow. When SC black voters understand all that, they will abandon him.
Bernie is the real deal - he was a real civil rights activist back in the 1960's, not like fabulist Joe.
2
The charge by Biden that Bernie undermined Obama is a cheap shot. Bernie worked hard for Obamacare - and led the move to add $11 billion for community clinics that are a model for good health care, going forward.
Any suggestion that Democrats pull away from a progressive vision shows a dangerous timidity, given the stakes for climate and health care, in particular. Do we really want a piecemeal health care systems when we face current and future challenges like Coronavirus?
Bernie animates and unites broad coalitions of people, many of them connected to civil rights, workers rights, health rights, environmental rights and women's rights movements. When pundits talk about bringing people together, he is doing just that.
Young people flock to him, attracted to a 60's legacy of progressive activism that might finally be redeemed.
As for the divisive charge of his being socialist, Bernie was clear in the last debate when he blunted the hysteria by explaining how "socialist" Scandinavians ensure free health care, affordable housing and low cost college - while "corporate socialism" has showered oil companies with hundreds of billions of dollars in subsidies and funneled some $800 million in government cash and tax breaks to Trump - to construct high-priced luxury condominiums.
Something rare may be happening in American politics - when a politician understands the historical moment, acts on it - and captures the popular imagination.
468
@Jake1982 “the ‘60s legacy” = George McGovern.
15
@eyesopen I love how easy it is for people to just point out "George McGovern!!!!" from decades ago, while when progressives talk about "maybe doing something different than Clinton, Kerry, and Gore, moderates who all lost in the last 2 decades," we're called divisive and "wanting to tear it all down." Obama was the last candidate to run a progressive campaign, and he won. This fixation with bringing up George McGovern is strange revisionist history, find a better line of attack, considering moderates are the ones who keep losing elections to the GOP, not progressives.
26
@Jake1982
It's not a cheap shot if it's true, now is it?
Bernie was seriously considering mounting a primary campaign in 2012 against Obama.
It's the truth.
9
The only faint hope remaining for this reader at the prospect of a Sander's nomination is that the more confident of his electoral college invincibility Trump becomes, the more susceptible he'll be to making the kind of mistake that will bring him down.
3
Senator Klobuchar: Until now, you were my first choice. I gave money to your campaign. You are now toast. If you really care about the need for a liberal candidate who can attract suburban votes, Republicans and Independents, then GET OUT OF THE RACE and make a path for a candidate who thinks like you do.
8
No matter how hard the tv stations go negative on Sanders he will destroy Biden. Poverty and the lack of really getting ahead. is going to bury the Republicans and the old existing order of power. Everyone is sick of the drug companies and the politicians that don’t understand this will get crushed.
8
Amy and Pete are so stiff lightweight they wouldn't feature in a high school debate. S
Is there some motive in hanging on in.
1
Sanders will be a disastrous Nominee. I won't bother even voting. He is more divisive than Trump.
6
I didn't know that Russian hackers could vote in US elections.
6
How so? I’m not Sanders’ biggest fan, but how is he more disastrous than Trump?!
2
Young folks have never seen a threat to their democracy. They don't know how to recognize it. They don't believe it could happen to us and are taking for granted it will always be there.
Freedom, equality and democracy are at genuine risk if Democrats don't make electability the only thing that matters. It's the biggest threat to our way of life since WW II.
6
Bernie is so much more than Medicare for All. Check out this foreign policy speech he gave at Westminster College last year!
https://www.vox.com/world/2017/9/21/16345600/bernie-sanders-full-text-transcript-foreign-policy-speech-westminster
4
Bernie Sanders will be the “third Black President” and the “first Latino-American President.” If you do not understand these claims then you are an under-informed political observer.
3
Bernie is the best thing and will be the dnc nominee. It will be a good election in 2020
8
@Mr Chang Shih An
Wait until your income taxes go up 15% and the 401K money you earn will be also be taxed 15% annually.
All so some guy who weighs 850 pounds can get free insulin for his diabetes, open heart surgery for his clogged arteries and titanium knee caps for his bad knees... ALL FOR FREE!
Yippie! Socialism!
5
The Russians have gotten in bed with Americas billionaires. Strange bedfellows, indeed.
@Aaron- and also for the 39 year old lawyer who was diagnosed with breast cancer one week after her husband left his job as an assistant DA so they could imagine their dream of practicing law together. I suspect that if a catastrophic illness struck you or a loved one, you’d like to avoid the heart wrenching dilemma of paying for health care or going bankrupt. Lack of compassion is the real disease in America today.
5
If moderate Democrats want to be in the picture at all they need to set their ego aside, agree who gets to be President, VP, Secretary of State, etc. Name the slate and the positions, and declare they are unified and ready to be elected and take on the incumbent.
Otherwise, it will be the un-electable Bernie against the previously un-electable Trump.
All other Democrats will get trounced as the country defends against the extremes of a Democratic Socialist.
8
Bernie or Busters - Google McGovern.
8
I am not saying this is a good thing but Sanders is where the pendulum would swing in response to Trumps disastrous tenure. If nominated, Sanders somehow thinks that all the moderates he has been trashing will come around out of sheer terror of another 4 years of Trump. I don't think that is a winning strategy.
6
@Displaced yankee
Why not?
Dems have been trashing their Left for decades now. Always telling them to fall in line, hold your nose if you have to...And for the most part the Left has.
Yet the Dem. Party is losing voters. Independents and No Party Affiliation are the fastest growing faction.
We have been told to wait, not yet, maybe next time, compromise...and here we are. Ever further Rightwards, in the 6th mass extinction, facing Climate Crises and the 2nd Gilded Age.
Time for our moderate brethren to compromise.
fall in line, hold your nose if you have to, but change is coming. Change is needed. Change is HERE~!
Are you suggesting moderates would prefer Authoritarian Fascism over Democratic Socialism?
Then surely America is lost. They get what they voted for and deserve.
3
Bernie truly does scowl when he buzzes through Burlington. He has a lot on his mind, after all, being a thoughtful Senator. But then he stops - his smile comes out - and he chats with a constituent, or a friend.
Having lived in Burlington in the 1970s, I still return there most summers, and Burlington is the better for Bernie's tenure as Mayor (he won in 1980), Congressman, and Senator.
And our country will be the better if he becomes our President.
Bernie 2020.. Si se puede!
14
Sanders is promising the moon. Of course people are energized...I hope they won't be too disappointed when Mitch upends the apple cart. If he were couching his proposals as first steps, I would be less skeptical of his promises. But his proposals seem to indicate a complete upending of the known for the unknown with a very clear lack of support from Congress. To think in terms of the GOP being so far off the charts to the right that Sanders might bring the country back to a middling ground...hmm...maybe.
M4A is a concept that should have, and more easily would have been implemented right after WWII like every country that now has it did-it would have grown from there. Now, it's not that people love their insurance...or even love their doctor...they are unwilling (and who can blame them) to give up the known for something that might not work...might have a few years of implementation...might have trouble with funding...might have REAL trouble with a monthly vote to repeal from the GOP. See the ACA repeal vote log.
Free college? Cancel student debt? How many universities will fold from underfunding? Will college professor be a liveable wage career? How does this work?
Redistribution of wealth. Well, billionaires should "share" - but how should they share? Do we take their companies away? High taxes? Better to entice them to hire more people at good wages and benefits. Transaction tax/fee on stock trades though is a good idea...I had that idea 15 years ago.
5
Mitch will be gone. This Senate is not popular. Some great seats are gonna flip.
2
public health services as welll as universities with low tuition are doing well in Europe.,And health care if it's a high costume does not see people selling their assets to pay for a high quality of care as in France, Deutchland or Nederland. Life expectancy is higher than US' as it's mostly free for citizens who pay high taxes but far less than US citizens are charged for basic care. There are too private hospitals but most of the charges are paid by social security services. Nobody have to sell home to receive the best care.
6
@Mary
The country is changing. Income inequality is out of control. In my opinion all the things that Sanders is calling for are reasonable.
3
Why is there nothing about how the Republicans are encouraging their voters to crossover (open primary) and vote for Bernie? They are salivating to run against Bernie. If that happens, it will not be a legitimate win.
9
@Kb What! The 2020 election has not been held and already Trump's victory is illegitimate?
2
@cleo Maybe I wasn’t clear. If Bernie wins because thousands of Republicans vote for him, is Bernie’s win legitimate?
1
@Kb
SO....like Hillary's Pied Piper Strategy.
That worked out really poorly for her, and won't work for Trump either.
https://www.salon.com/2016/11/09/the-hillary-clinton-campaign-intentionally-created-donald-trump-with-its-pied-piper-strategy/
Legitimate win? Of course it would be. Those open primaries have been such for decades. There is always some cross-over. It is our duopoly. This is how the game is rigged/played. It's not something new.
Republicans pumped Hillary over Obama, he won anyway.
2
Bernie is the left's Trump, in hostility and in divisiveness. He too had declared enemies, and his base appears to be as rabid as Trump's. Bernie complains about Democrats 24/7, but let's not forget he has never really been one. Actually, he's hijacked the party, which is another way he compares to Trump. Now he wants the party to support an agenda that isn't theirs? There is no obligation on their part to do so. Bernie is a third party candidate trying who is trying to bully the Democratic party into supporting his unrealistic and misleading agenda. He's perhaps not as vulgar as Trump, but he's equally full of empty promises and hostility. The millionaire is not and can never be the working class hero.
12
. . . when you consider that almost half of all voters are NOT affiliated with either party,
who really cares if he’s only a Dem in name? The inspiration comes from his tapping into our humanity.
When Bernie uses the word Compassion he owns it. He is the anti-Trump. We need an Anti-Trump.
3
@PS
Yet amongst all the "Real Dems" (in you opinion) he leads easily amongst the working class.
https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2019/09/sanders-vs-warren-who-has-more-working-class-donors/
https://www.opensecrets.org/news/reports/suburban-women-donors
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/24/bernie-sanders-labor-103136
1
I am not worried as much about Biden being out as Warren. A couple more poor showings and she will be effectively done. If she can’t make up ground on Super Tuesday then she has no path to the nomination.
2
I hope she is able to gain ground and prominence. If not, then I think she would make a great Vice Presidential candidate.
It amazes me that you fail to mention that Elizabeth Warren has been endorsed by Black to the Future Action Fund, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Black Womxn For, and other African American activists. What gives? Your low expectations are showing. I look forward to Warren having a significant win in SC, at which point I hope your coverage improves.
1
Too late. Warren's done. Nobody cares about third string endorsements like this.
7
@Kate P. Warren is likely to finish 4th in South Carolina. The odds of her winning the state are extremely slim.
4
Oh, this is so depressing. The worst president ever to ever serve is up for reelection, and we are seriously going to run Sanders against him? This should have been easy to win. With Sanders, Trump is almost guaranteed to prevail, and that is a very bad thing for our country.
13
@T. Monk
Huh...where have I heard this assurance?
Oh yeah, it was the coronation of the most qualified, largest funded, campaign Dems. had ever run; against the least liked, least trusted, least capable candidate in modern history....and she lost.
Vote Blue in Nov. Monk, we will win.
1
Preet Bharara is not a candidate.
Colonel Vindman is not a candidate.
Peter Jennings is not a candidate.
Yul Brynner is not a candidate.
Spartacus is not a candidate.
Bernie is a candidate.
Yes!
5
Sanders better have a good running mate as he takes on the presidency well into his 80th year!
2
Nominate Sanders; lose the presidency, lose the House & remain the minority in the Senate. Additionally, Trump will not only win the EC he will win the popular vote handily.
Now, that may not be all bad. Shed the Socialists and come back strong in 2024 with a serious candidate for POTUS who isn't north of 70yo and isn't tilting at communist dictatorships.
Good luck.
9
@Bill Owens With another Trump term by 2024 Judiciary will be filled with hard right conservatives that will upend any liberal agenda for decades. Forget about any kind of green technology, or the planet for that matter--the Rapture is coming so no need to save it after all. Roe v. Wade will be long gone. Unions will be a thing of the past and the ACA will also be gone. M4A - are you kidding me? Will never happen. Wages will go back down as right wing judges side with businesses that want their labor good and cheap. Oh and Social Security will have been pilfered for a border wall and nuclear weapons.
2
If the other candidates are serious about opposing Bernie, let them prove their own commitment to country over personal ambition and get together, try to come to some agreement over which moderate candidate they will all support, and all get behind that candidate now.
If they cannot do this, then I must conclude that personal ambition is more important than our country and democracy to them.
3
When it comes down to it, Democrats must add to their majority in the House, flip the Senate majority blue and win as many new state majorities as possible. I’m certain Sanders can’t beat Trump so this is our only hope.
15
"The Electoral College doesn’t care that you almost won Texas; it only cares that you lost Wisconsin." - Ezra Klein, New York magazine.
The ONLY thing that matters is getting 270 electoral votes on November 3. That means pulling in voters from FL, PA, WI, MI, OH. If we don't, it matters not one bit if we get 99% of the vote in New England and on the west coast. Everyone I know will be on pins and needles until the count comes in, because they know there won't be another chance, and they know that the Trumpers know it too. So vote blue, no matter who, and save your purity for the next fight, because our democracy and our planet are finished if Trump wins.
10
Sometimes I agree with you, in spirit and letter. Other times I read a comment like this and I have to remind myself that no cynical saying such-and-such right thing will win back a hypothetical white working class voter in PA or WI. I think real honesty is what we need to feel and act on right now. Talking about problems that voters see in this country, talking about our similarities as citizens and talking about our shared values as Americans.
An example. I sat down at the cafe the other day and took out a book by Carl Hiaason—the two elderly women at the table to my left leaned in and asked me what the book was about, and I told them it was about Florida and Disney spoiling the naturally brutal beauty of Florida, etc. I wondered, “Gosh, why am I saying this to old women, they won’t agree with me.” And it’s not like I went into that conversation looking to agree or disagree with elderly women, but then we had a conversation about what we remember from our youth (mine recent, theirs far back) and I thought “How lucky I am to live in this country where people live long lives, and have freedom of speech to write books critical of corporations and GOP state politics,” and I was thankful to be here in this moment in this country. And if I’m real to them, and positive, and then I talk about Senator Sanders as a positive, real addition to the change this country needs, isn’t there a shot at real connection? We all need to just unplug a bit from abstract, politicized cynicism.
3
I understand that the South Carolina primary is an open primary. Any registered voter in the state can vote. And all the Trump supporters will vote for Bernie, just to help Trump win. Very sad. But wait till Super Tuesday when we finally will have a chance to vote for a Democrat who can actually beat Trump.
8
@rick
Sanders is the candidate that can beat Trump, not the Republican-lite candidates who will keep the status quo, but the Democrat Establishment and the media are doing a blowout job of making sure Sanders doesn’t win.
2
"Sanders Looks to Knock Out Biden"?
Is this a boxing match, or yet another other sensibility-dulling spectacle for mass entertainment?
Or is this a primary for the key political office in our nation, a primary and election supposed to be based on issues and candidates' positions on these issues? Issues and positions matter? How about covering *these* in some detail?
And knock off the click-bating, breathless-headline-du-jour approach to covering this key political issue.
The fate of our nation is merely very possibly at issue. How about treating this key issue with the level of reporting and analysis that it deserves?
3
It has become quite clear, intelligent, educated women are not electable to the highest office this country has to offer. What loss and shame on all of you.
3
@Petra Lynn Hofmann
I would vote for:
Marie Yovanovich
Fiona Hill
Pamela Karlen
Laura Cooper
5
The Bernie Wave is Coming ! New greatness is at America ‘s Doorstop-working and hoping for President Sanders! Daring to have hope again for the future !
4
Wish I was as hopeful as you are. Bernie will get the hardcore Bernie voters and most of not all the progressives. But as for the moderates and undecided voters, not so much. He needs them, yet refuses to moderate any of his views I. The slightest, knowing full well candidates have to to do so to peel off necessary votes in the swing states. Bernie chooses to live and die by his principles. Great, and I like most of what he stands for, but as a pragmatist, I see winning as key to saving our republic. I don’t believe Bernie can do it unless he moderates his positions. And he won’t.
3
@Ron Marcus
Free healthcare and college for 18 million illegal immigrants? The Midwest and South will crush him in a Presidential election .. may as well give the win to Trump now and save us all the headaches.
6
A person earns $150K a year and supports a family. Monthly insurance premium through employer cost that person $360 dollars a month and there is a $1800 deductible .. That's a little better than average plans but let's use that as a baseline.
Let's do some math:
$360 x 12 months= $4320 annual insurance premium
Bernie is elected and says: "Everyone's income taxes will increase 10% to pay medicare for all"
$150,000 x 10% = $15,000 annual increase in taxes
Why would that person want Medicare for all? I think that person is very happy with current employer provided plan.
3
@Aaron Median family income is $63k. Why use $150k as a baseline? Get out of your Cali bubble.
7
@John
Fair enough:
$360 x 12 months= $4320 annual insurance premium
$63,000 x 10% = $6300 annual increase in taxes
A +$1980 annual increase in taxes may not mean anything to you.. but I bet it means a hole heck of a lot to someone earning $63K
2
@Aaron
You did it again. You don’t pay 10% on gross earnings. Even using your example, the 10% would be on the TAX..... so you pay a little more in taxes
2
The thing is, delegates in SC shouldn't count as much because no Democrat is going to carry SC in the general. It will go to Trump regardless of which candidate we run. Win or lose there makes no difference to our electoral chances in November. Same with FL. It DOES matter who wins PA and OH for us because we HAVE to win those states to win the presidency. My money is on Sanders, though I voted for Warren because she's incredible. Unfortunately, she's not been able to amass the cross-section of voters that he has. Part of that is that she didn't run in 2016. Part of that is sexism. Part of that is her cerebral nature in a Kardashian culture. I think Sanders deserves to win if the coalition he's built continues to hold up, especially if said coalition is solid in the handful of states that actually matter.
3
Bernie’s comments about Cuba today make a win for him in Florida—both in the primaryand in the general election—more difficult. Thinking something and saying it out loud during a primary contest are two very different things, and a sensible candidate would have known to keep that opinion to himself.
6
I intensely disliked Clinton but still voted for her. I disagree with Sanders on almost every issue (and agree with Trump on some) but I will vote for Bernie nevertheless.
8
I remember in 2016 that the media described the Trump victory as a chess move at the hand of Putin, non-stop Russia, Russia, Russia every day. Now the hypocrisy of the primary candidate being one step away from a communist brings me laughing to tears. Let's compare Trump and Sanders, similarities; old, rich and white. Differences; one wants to play Robin Hood with your money and the other made your 401k very fat in the past 3 years. Why is this a hard choice for most people. We all have equal rights and equal protections but nowhere does it state that we all shall live equally.
4
I'm hanging tight with Elizabeth - right up until she wins the nomination or drops out. She, for me, is the best and strongest candidate.
6
I just returned from a trip to Cuba where they have free health insurance and free college tuition for every citizen. Yet the vast majority of people live in abject poverty. The government guarantees a job for all of its citizens, but they aren't paid enough to put food on the table. The result is that the best and brightest receive a free education, free on-the-job training and then quickly emigrate to another country where they can earn a living. The economy is a disaster and, according to an economist at the University of Havana with whom I spoke, there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Sure there are a lot of factors involved, not the least of which is the U.S. embargo of Cuba. But this is the socialist paradise that Bernie Sander is looking to impose on our country. I highly recommend a trip to Cuba for all of his supporters before it's too late.
193
Interesting, and what about the UK, France, Germany, Canada.... are they in poverty too from their National Health systems?
I think not.
Cuba is nothing like the US and therefore a poor indicator of policy impact.
331
Maybe you should visit Europe sometime. Cuba is not run by Social Democrats, it's run be Communitsts. And, the US embargo on Cuba, it's closest geographical market, cannot be overstated. Get rid of the embargo and implement democracy and Cuba a will be a paradise nobody will want to leave.
212
@Chuck
Using Cuba, or Venezuela for that matter, is not a pertinent comparison to the massive economy and resources of the US. This sort of fear-mongering is why we can’t seem to make even the most basic structural changes for the betterment of all.
242
if we get "liberal Mr Sanders" do we get "conservative Mr Biden"?
Of course we now find billionaire to be applied primarily to Mr Steyer where Mr Bloomberg, who is far richer, and has used his money to outspend everyone else combined, just former mayor lime Pete.
Some of this is stylistic guidelines, but a lot of it shows pure bias. I have read editorials with more news and less opinion than this article reads.
I am not particularly a fan of Sen Sanders, but the NYT shows why America does not trust the media. I can see past the propaganda of this paper which has supported Former Republican Billionaire Mike Bloomberg in the past, the same why they supported Rudy, and Chris Christie.
The NYT is not the paper of facts. It is the paper of soft white authoritarian nationalism, and frankly Trump is more honest than that.
This paper hates democrats. It loves disenfranchisement of minorities, the sacrifice of women's rights, and can accept corruption and kids in cages if it helps their own amoral drive for their personal gain.
The NYT loves to say Remember the poor. Your love of billionaires is showing, and this paper loves awareness but hates action. The stars and bars called they want their flag on the front page. That would be honest news that was fit to print.
maybe sen. gillibrand will endorse bernie, i always thought she'd be great as vp. bloomberg's start is so much worse than just some bad video like sen. warren's. I think warren is on the rise and biden has stablized, so with bernie all 3 have led in the polls and that's what i see in march and i guess the convention.
Why does the Times elevate a comment about Cuba to a Times Pick status? Sanders isn't trying to make America into Cuba. He's trying to make it into Denmark. I realize the Times despises Sanders, but really. Show a little professionalism.
5
the Youth of this Nation see the horizon in front of them...…..and they are ready to roll up their sleeves…….Free college is a pledge this country can put forth and in return ….all young people should with pride & gratitude.... sign up for WPA type programs like we had during the great depression!!!.... "This Land was made for you & Me!......……...…...……...……... Woody Guthrie had it right!!!!
1
I am waiting to hear Bernie say, “Russia, if you’re listening - butt out!”
1
@Pottree
"Sanders Denounces Reported Russian Election Interference by ‘Thug’ Putin
“My message to Putin is clear,” the Democratic frontrunner said. “Stay out of American elections, and as president I will make sure that you do.”"
4
True, many of Sanders' end goals like nationalized healthcare are not "radical" when compared to other developed nations. But it will take radical disruption and incredible pain to get there. Bernie is not leveling with us about that, out of ignorance or dishonesty.
As one tiny example, 2.2 million health insurance workers will be thrown out of work overnight with his healthcare plan.
Average, middle class taxes will go way up to pay for college for everybody.
Maybe this is the price that needs to be paid. Maybe it's worth it. But don't pretend that there are not trade-offs, that all we need to do to get to socialist utopia is soak "the billionaaahs."
4
Socialism and social - democracy are essentially two very different ideologies, and mass media institutions - such as NYT - should enlighten their readers on what it means to live in a society that chooses social-democracy over socialism. There are plenty of examples in Europe, where "socialist" constitutions in fact implemented social-democracy in the real world, whilst the "liberal" regimes that, in principle, should offer the guarantees for entrepreneurship to flourish and in that way consolidate the rights and freedoms that we all cherish, turn out to be guardians of monopolies and oligopolies alike. The credit crunch, and the bailouts that followed, forced European tax-payers to mitigate banks' losses for the "sake" of the economy, whilst millions lost their jobs due to the recession. At the same time, CEO's were still collecting their bonuses, simply because their contracts said they could. Socialism isn't the answer to the status quo, but neither is capitalism in its present form.
@Miguel G OK, let’s try this again. There are no “socialist constitutions” in Europe because none of them are socialist. They are capitalists with a generous safety nets and health care paid for with taxes. This constant confluence of socialism and democratic socialism is driving me crazy. They are both socialist!
Senator Sanders will not beat Trump and he will ruin the Democratic party as we know it. It is the moderates that gave us securities such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and many other laws that has been beneficial to all Americans. I see Sanders as a radical who is not a Democrat and who thinks Fidel Castro was not all that bad.
Sanders will lose the big state of Florida and all the other swing states.
Sanders will not do so well in the Carolinas that have a more diverse population than the states he is winning in the primary.
3
Coronarvirus is burying the problem with the democratic party, where the left wing currently leads the presidential race. That is also a virus that seems to be proliferating without containment. Just like epidemics, the bottom of the pyramid are impacted the most severely and they will not realize it until it is too late. Vote for anyone but the left wingers!!!!!
1
For you never-Sanders folks: Here are the most recent state polls from realclearpolitics. Who leads the Dems by a convincing margin, in Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and other battleground states? Sanders. Who beats Trump in those states? Sanders.
Trump won in 2016 because he was the change candidate. This time, Sanders is the change candidate--and his 40 years of fighting for healthcare; better wages; economic, environmental, and judicial justice, show that he's the real deal.
Also, is it possible for the US to accept a politician who sees shades of gray, instead of our old good guy/bad guy mentality?
What's wrong with picking out successful aspects of different political and economic systems, and adapting them for us?
We could use a successful literacy program, no matter where it comes from.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/latest_polls/
1
And who wins if the moderate votes are tallied together? The moderate. Unfortunately we have too many hanging on for too long.
@La Resistance For Nevada, if you tally up Sanders + Warren vs all the moderates, it's 57% progressive, 43% moderate. That's a big margin.
Sanders took the majority of all ages up to 64. Whites, non-whites, college-educated and not.
In those battleground states--Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, etc--Sanders did well in 2016 (beat Clinton in Michigan), and still has the best chance with the white, non-college-educated males who went to Trump last time.
With a Change election, you have to put forth a Change candidate. That's Sanders so far.
If Sen Sanders wins in South Carolina he will finally put Biden out of his misery. Warren, Buttigieg and Amy K are toast already. Donors are wasting their money in a big black pit. Amy K does have a future and could win next time if she builds a national organisation and drops the feminist dribble. Only Bloomberg's billions are are slight threat to Sanders taking over leadership of a divided and politically clueless Democrat Party, but the problem is the short tyrant (who thinks he knows whats good for us) could struggle if he goes on TV again. The Democrat organisation has lost any link to its 'reason for existence' or why it was founded in the first place.
1
Gotta love the visual the headline produces: two old men knocking each other out. All this will lead to is America TKO. Buttigieg 2020.
So I choose Prof Irwin Corey or Mr Crazy?
1
How in the world can you suggest that Buttigieg should bail out before Warren whose numbers have been abysmal at best. Did you forget he has soundly trounced warren at the past three caucuses? Seriously, get your bias in check NYT.
1
The corporate media is scared out of their collective minds about Bernie Sanders and haven’t been afraid to show it. When supposedly liberal MSNBC commentator Chris Matthews equates Sanders rise with the Nazi’s conquering France in WWII (ignoring the fact that the real Nazi is in the White House right now) and the DNC continually pushing closet Republicans like Biden and Buttigieg down our throats, it’s obvious that keeping the status quo limping along and big money rolling in is all they care about. Which is why Bernie has so much traction.
Seems like everyday it’s Sanders this, Biden that...Why isn’t the NYT writing about Elizabeth Warren?
1
Bernie will win SC because it's an open primary state and Trump supporters will vote for him.
4
@Pecos Bill - Yes, just like we will in Minnesota on Super Tuesday.
Lots of Trump believers are looking to flood the state with votes for Bernie. What does that tell you?
4
@HJ It tells me that there are a lot of Trump supporters. We should give the folks what they want. More Trump.
Wow. In an article discussing Bernie, every other candidate got more column inches than Elizabeth Warren, even though, with 96% of precincts reporting in, she placed fourth in the Nevada primary. Amy Klobuchar placed 6th and she got more mention here. I've been skeptical of the rumored media blackout about Warren that so many of her supporters are claiming, but seeing this does make me wonder. Why so little coverage of so capable a candidate, especially one who lit the stage on fire at the Nevada Democratic debate?
3
A Sanders/Stacey Abrams ticket would bring out more of the African American vote + youth vote than a Biden ticket.
Bernie is no spring chicken and Stacey would likely be front runner for the job of POTUS in a short time.
However, first we need to get Bernie over all the hurdles the corporate media will be putting up on the way to Milwaukee.
5
The moderate candidates have split the moderate primary votes in a way that ensures that none of them will prevail against Bernie. By the time the less successful candidates each realize that every moderate but one should exit the race, so that the remaining moderate candidate will be competitive, it may be too late. I'm hoping that the American people don't pay a price for the hubris of Pete, Amy, Tom, Joe, Mike and Liz.
After reading his policy proposals, listening to his 60 minutes interview praising Castro and knowing he voted against the Brady Bill and the comprehensive immigration act, I'll vote for any Democrat except Bernie. Now he's promising Latinx supporters immunity? I can't vote for Trump either, but I'll either write in another candidate or leave President blank.
8
Bernie is great. Big programs, lots of free stuff, and no idea how much it will cost. It will work flawlessly until he runs out other peoples money. Then, it all collapses on itself. What a prize.
8
Go Socialism! Hurrah!
Bernie Sanders is no more of a socialist than Justin Trudeau or Angela Merkel.
9
Yes, he is. He was (and probably still is) a Marxist-Leninist. This information is easily discoverable. Please educate yourself.
8
@Jess
Justin Trudeau and Angela Merkel never proposed forcibly closing entire industrial or service sectors such as fossil fuels and healthcare. Sanders did.
3
@PeteH
If so, then you must also consider Justin Trudeau and Angela Merkel to be "Marxist-Leninists". It's funny how some are trying to portray Sanders as advocating for one national ice cream or something.
3
We now have a system where our government loans our tax dollars to financial institutions for zero to one percent interest, which then loans the money to students for college, where the best rate is eight and one quarter percent compounded monthly. I’m sure most people here know people who are under crippling debt due to this predatory system. I believe Bernie at the very least wants to stop this. We shouldn’t have to carry such oppressive debt in order to get a college degree
If Bernie is looking to stop this, I’m all for him. His biggest detractors seem of the ilk that want this and other peculiar practices that are bad for Main Street US to continue.
8
As the late Theodore White wrote of a previous election: wake me when its over.
Bernie will make as electrifying an acceptance speech as did Williams Jennings Bryan and George McGovern and then I can spend 2020 -2024 hoping that President Trump doesn't do any more damage during his second term than he did during his first.
6
Hillary Clinton won the South Carolina primary in 2016, but in the general election she lost to Trump in South Carolina by 1,155,389 votes to 855,373 votes Trump took all of South Carolina’s electoral votes. Hilary also did well in other Southern state state primaries, but in November they also gave all their electoral votes to Trump. Joe Biden should also fare well in Southern state primaries, but in choosing a nominee, Democrats should discount strong showings in red state primaries
It doesn’t matter who wins the California or New York primaries either. Until the 1970s, Southerners were described as “Yellow Dog Democrats” because they would vote for an “ole yeller dog” before they would vote for a Republican. Now Californian and New Yorkers are Yellow Dog Democrats. The Democratic nominee will all of California’s and New York electoral votes in November.
In picking its nominee, the Democratic Party should only count primary elections results in states where it might win or lose.
3
Democracy! Where only the citizens of a few states are allowed a say. You must be joking.
2
Everyone is already calling it, the pundits in particular. We all know how right they are based on how they called 2016 :)
The answer will be known in 10 days. Let's discuss the issues, not the horse race, and see what voters say on Super Tuesday.
4
The polls showed Hillary Clinton winning over Trump too. Is this not part of the Russian disinformation campaign? So you can feel like a progressive might have a chance only to find out--oh so sorry the polls were wrong.
5
Bernie Sanders has not released his health records. What is he hiding? Bernie Sanders is too old to lead the nation. Why would so many young people be supporting an old man? Free stuff. They want to get something for nothing and Bernie Sanders will give it to them. Of course, it will be the boomers and middle class who will pay dearly.
3
Ah yes, the poor boomers. The most oppressed generation in American history - first they had to win World War 2 before even being born, then they had to do nothing about climate change for forty plus years - and now when they just want to retire on their well earned social security and tax-advantaged retirement accounts in their fully paid off houses they will be asked to pay for the free stuff the young people want! The cheek of those youths - the boomers paid hundreds of dollars (2020 dollars) in state school tuition, but the kids these days whine about 15k per year - just get off my lawn and get a job already, I say!
4
It's those of us in Gen X who suffer most, caught between two generations of narcissistic, grandiose know-it-alls who whine endlessly about how special they are and how awful everyone else is.
6
When Trump destroys the country, moderate democrats will blame Bernie Sanders.
The democratic party really needs to be split in two. Liberals would have way more success increasing turn out of new voters if they weren't dragged down by the corporatists.
1
@Chris
Interesting terminology - I would have replaced Liberals versus Corporatists with Neo-Marxists versus Centrists.
I heard on NPR last night that Bloomberg has hired hundreds of people to write social media comments on his behalf. I suspect his minions are infecting the NYT comments sections.
15
@Buster Dee
LOL- Mike and Putin, both!!!
Except Putin's writers write for Bernie, don't they?
1
I am not confident we can win with Bernie, but I’m also aware that we did try the “centrist neoliberal” ploy in 2016 and it failed even against someone as odious and seemingly obvious to defeat as Trump. So I don’t see why we can’t give a new strategy a shot, otherwise we are embodying the classic definition of insanity here.
5
Or maybe Russian interference and sexism were significant factors?
1
Gpearlman of oregon
Bernie Sanders may be highly thought of in Congress but that is not saying much. Americans do not think very highly of Congress today. Since the impeachment trial, their ratings have dropped even further.
1
I we nominate Bernie, be ready to lose everything. We will lose the presidency, the House and the Senate. Our entire government will be controlled by Trump and the right-wing.
8
@Jake
Well, Jake Down here in Philly. we think the same way.
On the other hand, such a disaster might shut the Left up for another 25 years.
3
@Jake
“Everything” is not the Congress and President. You have your state and local governments and the rest of the private sector.
Perhaps Democrats should stop being so obsessed with the federal government. Anyone from a blue state should concentrate on a more effective solution to the problem of Trumpism. They should demand bigger tax cuts, in fact the elimination of the federal income tax. This would cripple the ability of Trump and his minions to use the federal government as a weapon, and would return our overtaxation to us to use in our states.
Even if one of those centrists gets elected, you will still be financing federal subsidies for red state residents and having rules imposed on the little federal money you get back. Not my idea of winning!
Wake up! The government is already under the control of trump and the right wing. Sanders looks like the best shot to change that.
2
Caucuses are always biased in favor of the most extreme candidates. In that light neither Iowa nor Nevada are particularly important. Why don't we let the other Americans have their say, before letting Sanders knock out Biden? The aim of Trump's Ukraine scheme was to damage Biden. After months of Congressional Republican lies about Biden, those aims have largely been accomplished--to the considerable benefit of not only Trump but also Sanders. Before the impeachment hearings began, Biden was polling significantly ahead of Sanders nationally and doing better than Sanders against Trump in all of the swing states except for Michigan. And, yep, Biden was doing better even after we were reminded that debating, especially reality TV debating, was not his forte. It kind of irks me that Sanders has taken to parroting those Republican lies and calling Biden corrupt. Sanders' wife actually was investigated by the FBI last year for her part in a financial scandal.
12
When or where has Sanders called Biden corrupt? Source please.
@Christian Haesemeyer
Bought and paid for. In the pockets of Wall Street. Under the control of the pharmaceutical companies. Corrupt. We've all heard it, if we've been listening. For example, in a Guardian opinion piece a longstanding Sanders surrogate and law professor used these words to refer to Biden: “transactional, grossly corrupt.” Yes, Sanders apologized but the damage was done and you see it here in these comments every single day, e.g.:
Mel Farrell wrote here earlier today:
"... Nearly everyone, on the Democratic ticket, except for Bernie Sanders and perhaps Elizabeth Warren, running for President, are all either Republicans or Republican-Lite Pelosi Schumer Biden Democrats, hiding in plain sight until they get the nomination.
We all seek to attribute some decency to them, but we know from experience these last 40, nearly 50 years, that they are essentially 100% owned by corporate America and the wealthiest elites. ..."
1
If some of the candidates had some humility and less ego, some would drop out (I'm talking to you Klobuchar, Buttigeig, and yes Bloomberg). Then we could see what the country wants-moderate or progressive. And I'd bet my bottom dollar that Sanders would still win.
5
@LFK Buttigieg has the most support, second only to Bernie. Why would he drop out? Buttigieg will win over Bernie, that’s why.
The problem with the anyone-but-Bernie crowd (including me) is that the most viable alternatives still seem to be Biden & Bloomberg, 2 candidates who justifiably lack genuine appeal to a wide swathe of voters (including me). I like Mayor Pete but wonder if he can last past this season of wholesale politics, where most voters have to rely on misrepresentative, propagandistic ads instead of closer encounters with the candidates.
I agree that IA, NH, NV, & SC should lead off the electoral season together to provide the not-just-racial diversity both parties need for an accurate start. But can we also agree that primaries are best, and that media spectacles like "Super Tuesday" et al arenas where money has the best chance of buying success--ie wholesale politics--aren't optimal to producing presidential candidates who reflect the enduring will of voters and thus the best chances of their party. And will someone in our less superficial media please get real--stop acting like candidates are running for dictator (let "The Great Divider" Trump do that) and expose candidates who want to bribe voters with promises they can never fulfill?
My Dem party looks like it wants to commit suicide vis White House prospects, so that the only thing I can count upon for hope--and Congressional races will be disaffected with Bernie at the head of the ticket--is America's natural repulsion from our disgrace of a president.
2
Some landslide. Most registered Democrats in Nevada did not caucus at all.
8
Wish you would have heard the stories from the I passionate caucuses, there lives are in the line. Bernie 2020
2
@Mary Carter Primary and caucus voters for any candidate are passionate. We need to win the General election. Much harder, especially since the Sanders base has shrunk and doesn’t reliably vote.
1
By Sanders’ own estimation “Medicare for All” alone will cost $30 trillion dollars. With that kind of price tag, who won’t be paying higher taxes? I don’t like Billionaires much but even if you liquidated every last one it would still be a drop in the bucket. The “burn” I feel is someone blowing fairy dust in my eyes...
8
@Dudesworth
The $30 trillion Medicare For All estimate is a 10-year forecast...and every American is covered.
Last year, Americans spent $3.5 trillion on healthcare...and left millions uninsured.
Do the math.
Let's assume the impossible (that current health insurance rates flat-line for the next ten years) and extrapolate $3.5 trillion/year x 10 years. Even using this low-ball method...American would be coughing up $35 trillion over the same time frame.
Why are you opposed to saving American citizens over $5 trillion dollars?
Why are you opposed to providing healthcare to every single American citizen for less money than the status quo?
1
@John ...and your math is based on what? Sandersonian conjecture. Show me feasibility studies from the government a la the ACA. Otherwise you are basically promoting a fairy tale that will be throttled by the Republicans the first chance they get. Day one: Sanders puts forth “Medicare for All”. Day two; Mitch McConnell says “no”. Day three: Sanders supporters angrily accept reality for the first time in 6 years.
I AM opposed to nonsense masquerading as policy - there’s been enough of that lately.
1
Never Bernie. I'm astounded that he has as much support as he does. This is a man that's never held a real job outside of politics, even though he has a college degree from a good school. He spent a good portion of his life on welfare and government subsidies as he wanted to be a carpenter, but was quite bad. Yes, he promises free stuff, honeymooned in Russia and gushed over the communist regime. In love with Castro. And not once did he vote to sanction Russia.
This is the man the Democrats will put on the ballot to become a US president?!!!
9
Good. Knockout the neo-liberal who supported the credit card companies over Americans.
2
I am trying to picture someone casting a vote for Bernie Sanders this November and simultaneously casting votes for down-ballot Republican candidates.
Bernie has been leading Trump in head-to-head match-ups for quite some time. So the same people that would vote for Bernie are going to vote for a Republican for the Senate or the House of Representatives?
Someone please explain how that could be.
Is this the scenario that the Democratic Party's powers-that-be and political pundits are presenting to the country and to rank-and-file Democrats as the likely outcome if Bernie is the Democratic nominee for president?
Wouldn't that scenario be the case regardless of which Democrat wins the nomination?
If people decide to stay home if Bernie is the nominee, then they don't care about what happens to America if Donald Trump gets reelected.
I don't think it's going to happen that way.
3
The US without Wall Street us like the UK without London, so get over that fallacy. Governance is not the same as gottcha debate points, so think more carefully about Bloomberg. Bernie is honest snd sincere, but will alienate many dems and repubs, and many current college students are not college material so invest in college fir all. How about our industry provides training apprenticeship programs? Unless the kids all show up to vote, we get another 4 years on anti-democracy and even if they do vote, the senate will defeat all Bernie’s policies. The senate is more important than the presidency. Straight ticket BLUE.
1
The Democratic Party will have swung extremely leftward if Bernie Sanders wins the Democratic presidential nomination. Most of the country does not lean this far left and will never give Bernie Sanders the vote to become president. If he does face President Trump in the election, President Trump will no doubt be re-elected. People are not ready for the progressive policies that Bernie Sanders wants to implement. They will never go along with these.
6
polls wholeheartedly disagree with you.
bernie's policies are for the most part extremely popular.
1
I live in France now and I am telling anyone who will listen : You should be so lucky (and happy) to have a national health care system like in France. I am much better cared for and I spend nearly nothing. Bernie is right!
14
Then why are all those yellow vests complaining?
9
@Expat
And as long as you are writing about life in La Belle France, please explain to the eager folks back home the reason that their unemployment rate is more than twice as high are ours.
1
Senator Sanders, who suffered a heart attack four months ago, will be 79 and 4 months on inauguration day. This just doesn't make sense.
8
@John
Now Sanders is refusing to release his medical records, though he promised to do so.
11
Lily in NH gets it right with her comment.
Nearly everyone, on the Democratic ticket, except for Bernie Sanders and perhaps Elizabeth Warren, running for President, are all either Republicans or Republican-Lite Pelosi Schumer Biden Democrats, hiding in plain sight until they get the nomination.
We all seek to attribute some decency to them, but we know from experience these last 40, nearly 50 years, that they are essentially 100% owned by corporate America and the wealthiest elites.
All one needs to do is look back 10 years ago at the corporate engineered worldwide financial collapse which destroyed the lives of 100's of millions of people, and now 10 plus years later the only real beneficiaries of this charade of a recovery is corporate America and the wealthiest elites, leaving the poor and the middle-class in a state of stagnation, the precise same condition they've been kept in for generations.
Bernie Sanders is our modern-day FDR unapologetic, telling it as it is, ready, willing, and able, if we get on-board with him, to undo the damage Trump and his Republican partners have done, and prevent the Republican-Lite Pelosi Schumer Biden democrats from returning us to their soul-destroying version of the status quo, the status quo which has made all of them fabulously and obscenely wealthy off our decades of near servitude.
Nominating Biden, Bloomberg, Buttigieg, or Klobuchar, or Steyer, any of them except for Bernie or Warren will ensure that we stay in servitude.
12
Pronouncements like these are such a turnoff.
7
@Mel Farrell
"We all seek to attribute some decency to them, but we know from experience these last 40, nearly 50 years, that they are essentially 100% owned by corporate America and the wealthiest elites."
You people prattle on and on about what an inclusive unifying force your candidate is, and then you turn around and in the same breath pass on lies like this this about the other Democratic candidates and their supporters. Good grief. We and our candidates are Republicans? The Democratic candidates all largely agree on the same aims and values, and are all likely to get exactly the same stuff done once elected. Out here in the real world. Oh and we would take you seriously if you spent some more time on the fact ranch. FDR was essentially a billionaire insider who inherited his wealth who got stuff done in good part precisely because of that. Your guy is n FDR. And before you mention it neither is he a JFK who, you guessed it, was also essentially a billionaire who inherited it.
7
Anti-Bernie types keep bringing up George McGovern. McGovern was up against not a fair and free election, but an election corrupted by Watergate.
You know, that huge scandal organized by a president (Nixon), whose ideology was indistinguishable from today's anti-Bernie moderate Democrats.
7
How exactly did corrupt (but ineffectual and bumbling) Watergate throw the election to Nixon if it wasn’t going that way already? I suspect you weren’t even born then.
4
@Observer So your point is? Anyone who disagrees with Bernie would have voted for Nixon? The 1972 election occurred at a time when little was known by the general public about the significance of Watergate and certainly before any major ties to the Nixon cabinet or Nixon himself were established. It was the peak of Nixon's popularity. Nixon also, for all his paranoia, was reasonably astute and prescient in his domestic and foreign policies, which to your point looked a lot more Democratic in today's context than the shameful GOP agenda of 2020. And he was riding the wave of closing down the Vietnam War (albeit corruptly). That's why he won in a landslide. McGovern could not muster any support beyond Hollywood with mainstream voters.
1
Trump has no Republican challenger and can spend all his time attacking Democrats. Democrats need to quit fighting each other. Everyone of them needs to start attacking Trump and only Trump. Each primary voter will choose their favorite candidate by the way he/she shows he can win in the final poll against Trump at the ballot box in November. The circular firing squad we saw in Las Vegas only benefited Trump.
4
If Americans vote for Trump over the challenger, whoever he/she is, we deserve what we get. Because no matter who wins the Democratic nomination, they will be better than four more years of a corrupt Trump administration. Although Trump's history should have served as ample warning of what was to come, his behavior in office give us no excuse not to vote for the other person. That is unless we want more MAGA.
9
Biden's candidacy basically boils down to: I'm friends with that cool President we had four years ago, vote for me!
10
This is why Bernie wants Biden gone and would rather run against Bloomberg or Buttigieg.
New poll from University of Houston of Texas, the state with the second largest number of delegates on Super Tuesday:
Viable:
Biden, 20%
Sanders, 20%
Warren, 17%
Not viable:
Bloomberg, 12%
Buttigieg, 11%
A recent poll of California, the Super Tuesday state with the most delegates:
Viable:
Sanders, 24%
Biden, 17%
Not viable:
Bloomberg, 13%
Warren, 10%
Buttigieg, 9%
1
Say what you will about how it happened, but Hillary couldn't beat Trump.
And Biden is not in Hillary's league. He's not even in the minor leagues.
The DNC doesn't care though, because they are in the business of lying to us for their own profit. Republicans wearing blue who fool some of the people most of the time.
It's sad, but Capitalism is clearly a failure.
9
@JeffPutterman
If you think Socialism is so much better, I suggest you go to Russia, Cuba or North Korea.
Because as someone who lived in East Germany, I can assure you that it's nothing you'd like -- much less be prepared for.
1
How many milquetoast, moderate candidates have to lose before the pearl clutching masses at the NYT start to do some soul-searching about why Bernie resonates so much with voters?
Seriously. Bernie won primaries in the swing states Hillary lost in the general election. Ever thought about why? Or does it just feel better to call people racist and whine about Trump?
Maybe when the mushy moderates start speaking to the pain of the masses and stop whining about "radicals" and defending the status quo that's not working for most Americans, they'll stand a chance.
Until then, good riddance.
8
All Sanders wants is the money and the free workers, since he can't get his own supporters to work for him, he has to leech a party he won't join as he remains an independent, how is it legal for him to get the Democratic nomination while an independent in the Senate? This is a scam. He doesn't agree with Democrats, doesn't like Democrats, calls us elitists, and yet he wants their nomination? LOL. Hypocrite. Integrity would dictate he not join a party he hates for money.
3
Get out get behind Bloomberg. He alone delivered the house for Dems. Wake up or get Trump. Dems having trouble dealing with reality
2
I'll vote for Sanders if he promises to nationalize the NYT in his first month in office.
4
Cranky old Bernie is an utter fraud. He has no way to pay for his grandiose schemes, no legislative achievements, nothing. He will lead his lemming-like followers over the cliff, losing the Presidency in a landslide, and taking enough swing-state Democrats with him to lose the House of Representatives. DNC needs to derail him at the convention or (preferably) before. Time to blowtorch his sketchy background (who honeymoons in the USSR?? do we really need a Sandinista in the Oval Office?? how about the missus, who bankrupted a college). It's tough to run against an incumbent in strong economy, but Democrats should at least nominate someone all Democrats can support, like John Kerry or Hillary Clinton. Bernie Bros can shriek all they want, but if Bernie gets the nomination it will be moderate Democrats, not Republicans, who put the shiv in.
4
Let’s see your medical records, Bernie.
5
How about a full vetting of Sanders...you know, the way you ruined Hillary!
6
The country that defeated the Nazis can muster the public will to enact healthcare for all and unite the world to address climate change, something no one country or any companies can do alone. Beating a Trump is essential, but not half the battle. Sanders 2020
3
The country that defeated the Nazis? You mean the Soviet Union? I hear it’s a good honeymoon spot. Expect to hear a lot about that in the near future.
1
@Lilly
What "the country"???
My grandfather fought against the Nazis and he was born in London.
Not down playing the Americans role but come on wake up from your dream world!!!
Sanders will never be able to follow through with his policies even if he became president cause the Republicans will have won everything else. Sanders = big mistake.
1
I admire the enthusiasm (and naivete?) of many Senders supporters here in the Comments section. I have no doubt that IF he is the Democratic nominee, then he will win the simple majority of the US electorate come election day. But I remain unconvinced that he can win the majority of the electoral college, much less those swing states like Florida or Ohio. Make no mistake: I currently don't support him, but I WILL vote for him IF he wins the nomination. But I remain skeptical that he can win in those states that matter the most in these elections.
6
@tpe64
With his broad coalition and bringing in new voters (which he is) I have no doubt that he will win. We could play it safe (like in 2016) or be bold, which is what the youth want. It's their future right?
1
@LFK That is an optimistic view that I would so love to be proven true. But as mentioned by many commentators, states like Florida go against this prognostication. The state has many seniors who tend to vote conservative. Sure, there is the young Latino factor in play, but as many have noted, many of these Latinos come from backgrounds where any whiff of socialism is a foul smell. Latino Florida is not the same as Latino Nevada or California. And so, as of now, many pundits rule out Florida as swinging for Sanders. I see that their logic is reasonable.
1
Bernie Sanders may become the Democratic presidential candidate but there are still many states that need to hold caucuses. It is not over until it is over. Even if Bernie Sanders does become the favorite. he will not be the favorite to win the presidency. That is reserved for President Trump. His poll numbers have skyrocketed and he will be re-elected.
3
@KMW lol what news are you reading? Pravda? Trump’s trash approval rating is the same as it has ever been. ALL the Democratic candidates poll ahead of Trump nationally. He is one of the most spectacularly loathed politicians in the history of the country. As well prepare yourself for the ongoing revelation of Trump’s criminality and treason while in office as we move closer to the election.
Sanders on the other hand is literally the most highly thought of person in Congress.
4
@KMW The states or territories that have yet to hold caucuses are American Samoa (March 3), North Dakota (March 10), Wyoming (April 4), Guam (May 2), and the Virgin Islands (June 6). North Dakota picked Bernie in 2016.
1
Highly thought of by whom? Besides AOC, that is.
3
The panic about the word 'socialism' could be alleviated if the people of this country were to be educated about what it means in practice. Look for example at some models in Western Europe. In this country the playing field for all those trying to live a decent life economically would be a little more level, with plenty of incentives to get ahead and do better. There's more to freedom than having the American flag waving overhead. By the way, bank bailouts and outrageous tax breaks for some of the wealthiest are a type of socialism we don't need.
14
“... if the people could be educated...”. Give it a try. It hasn’t worked yet.
1
I am not too sure why a lot of comments here all seem to suggest that Americans need to look across the pond to understand a definition of "democratic socialism". Just look up, as in north of the 49th. We enjoy everything up here that Mr Sanders seemes to be suggesting as regards health care et al. I don't believe Canada can be regarded as an outpost of Communist thought. We do believe that Govt health care to be a necessary part of our country's values though.
1
" If there are less on the aisle, the choice will be made easier." I wish the Democratic candidates understood this basic reasoning. Then beating Trump could become the main focus.
4
It is dubious at best to compare the U.S. with Cuba. Cuba's GDP = 87 Billion, US GDP 20 Trillion. Its like comparing a peanut to an elephant. Bernie's idea is more like France, where 8 Health Insurance companies are regulated like the U.S. regulates power companies. France simply sees health insurance as a right, much how we see electrical power as a right. All of us pay something more affordable. Of course we can keep things as they are. I now owe $2,600 for a two-hour emergency room visit.
7
After this election, the extremes of the right and left will have succeeded in achieving their goals of destroying both parties. Sadly, if Trump wins he will continue to destroy our Constitutional system of government. If Bernie wins nothing will change because it is likely the Senate will stay in "Republican" hands and the House will revert. Both parties have brought this on themselves, but we the people will pay the price.
1
I am greatly concerned with the mass Stockholm Syndrome that has deeply inflicted most conservatives and moderate democrats. I can’t understand who can be satisfied paying twice or three times the amount they need to be for healthcare, the prospect of our young people being permanently saddled with student debt, or having the integrity of our elections permanently under siege. Maybe conservatives in moderates like the fact that their wages have been flat for 40 years relative to the cost of living. Personally I don’t like it and I am quite tired of people branding a progressive good hearted politician like Bernie Sanders as some kind of bogeyman. if people do not understand the benefits of social democracy and social democratic programs, I urge them to take a trip to Scandinavia or Canada before the election. Healthcare, solid education, and good safe housing or the underpinnings of a strong and prosperous middle class. It is irrefutable that all three of these are under threat of extinction by the current administration. If Bernie is the nominee, everyone needs to get behind him and fight like crazy.
13
@WGM
The thing you're missing is that their incomes likely haven't been flat for 40 years. If you work in the military industrial complex (including tech), have stock options and are 40+ in a swing state, chances are your incomes has increased considerably over the years. You participated in the gains of the stock market boom and your job is secure as hefty government contracts come your way.
1
According to the Nevada Secretary of State, there are 1.4 million registered voters in Nevada. Bernie appears to have won roughly 40,000 votes in the Nevada caucuses and the other 60,000 went to other candidates. Forgive me for being underwhelmed. I have yet to see the contours of a movement that is even close to being big enough to take back the White House. What I do see is a lot of hype, magnified by the media, and just wait until the Trump campaign swings into gear with Bernie's old comments about Cuba, etc. The Democrats supporting Bernie seem to be intent this year on committing collective hari kari. I can only hope I'm wrong.
6
@Blackdog71
Unfortunately you are not wrong Blackdog. This is the beginning of the end. And enough cannot be said about "hype magnified by the media ". That and the egos of the middle of the Democratic pack who refuse to get out for the sake of the country facing a "Sanders revolution".
1
Once again Bernie promised to break records with masses of new voters and... nope, once again he didn't even come remotely close.
Sanders has to deliver on this or he will lose and lose very badly to Trump. He cannot win the middle, so in order to win, he must bring in new voters in massive numbers. So far, he has failed terribly.
The electoral college favors republicans. We need some of them to vote for a democrat, or we need new voters to get rid of Trump. Sanders 100% insures that the former will absolutely not happen, and has completely failed to deliver the latter.
5
Amy Klobuchar is polling at 29% in her own state, which puts her in the lead in MN, but come on -- 71% of Democrats in her own state aren't supporting her for President currently.
She would earn an enormous amount of good will if she would jump out of the race after South Carolina.
3
@Barbara T She has lost a lot of us with her stance on the environment. She supports copper sulfide mining in the BWCA, Line 3, and delisting the gray wolf from the ESA. As a voter for Klobuchar, I've tried to contact her over 20 times and have been ignored. Have hear the same story from many others.
@Sue M.
She doesn't care about you. She's the woman in the office that cares only about herself and messing your life up.
Former Vice President Biden has done something one really shouldn’t do: make the past glory of others one’s own.
The smooth presidency of Obama is primarily attached to Obama, not Biden—and Biden really needed to focus on what he’s about this time around, which he has failed to do convincingly.
It’s predictable what will happen next; Bernie will just pick up steam as time goes by and maybe some other candidates too. I didn’t think it possible but Biden looks done.
2
It is painful to see everywhere how smart people, that can make a positive change, stay away from politics. Everywhere in the world there is a lack of leadership, and elections boil down to voting for the least evil if two choices. We must somehow change what politics is, before politics tries to change us. I wish people like Mark Kelly would be the norm not the exception.
Here is more evident than ever that capitalism needs a protection from itself. Yes, middle class is shrinking, and Trump and Bernie are the faces of social anxiety. It is troubling to see that actually it doesn't take much to fix most of it: raise minimum wage, mainstream a policy for affordable housing, promote and improve Obamacare, job retraining, find a common national goal.
1
@Euxinus
Of course most sensible people, 'smart' or otherwise, stay as far away from politics as possible. Who would want to put themselves through that wringer in full view
of the public ?
1
If Sanders wins the nomination, I do not want to hear any noises about how he was not your first choice for the Democratic candidate. I am going to wipe my memory clean the day the decision is made and never utter those words. At that point, he becomes the one and only candidate. The doubts need to evaporate completely because any hint of them will be used to support Trump's re-election campaign. The ranks must close.
I do hope that he either stops calling himself a socialist or defines very clearly what he means by it (not Cuba but Denmark). I do understand what he was trying to do. The liars in the GOP will call any opponents socialist and a positive association with the word could be helpful. I am not sure if it is working though.
4
How will Physicians earn any money under a national healthcare system? Think they'll just roll over and accept a "capped" government salary? Ha!
4
Do you really think people become doctors to get rich? Doctors make high salaries to pay for years of expensive medical school. If medical school is subsidized it will lower barriers for qualified candidates to train and reduce their need for such high pay.
1
but Bernie isn't proposing to subsidize med school
I never would have imagined that the Democratic Party, after more than three years of preparation, could well nominate a far-leftist (who is not even a Democrat) likely to lose decisively to our vile president. The prospect is maddening! I call on President Barack Obama to come out of retirement and seek the Democratic nomination for president. He would get it, and go on to trounce Trump, thereby saving America from the catastrophe of a second Trump term. And it would be an utter catastrophe, not only for America but for the part of the world that cares about human rights and freedom.
1
@RT Check the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution: "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice . . ."
Obama cannot run again.
Many American voters will neither vote for a woman a gay or a billionaire. All the candidates have "baggage". I'll go with Bernie's baggage.
1
I suspect this comment might not be published by the NY Times.
I voted for Trump in 2016. I regretted my decision after the fact. Trump has been much worse than expected, the worst president since at least Andrew Johnson, maybe the worst ever.
But during the election campaign, Hillary Clinton appeared to support open borders. It wasn't totally clear, because the campaigns were engaged in mudslinging, not discussing the actual issues.
Moreover, Clinton appeared to have cheated in the primaries.
So I voted on the basis of the one issue that I felt the Democrats got wrong, immigration.
Story after story in the NY Times complains about the "children in cages," referring to immigrant children who illegally crossed the border.
This seems hypocritical. What about the 2.2 million American citizens in cages, that is incarcerated because politicians of BOTH parties have regarded incarceration as the solution to social problems?
While the NY Times tells us in detail about about the hardship faced by immigrants who tried to flout our immigration laws, they ignore the suffering of billions in the third world due to overpopulation.
5.4 million died in the Second Congo War. Was it ever mentioned in the NY Times?
We can't control poverty in Guatemala City by more illegal immigration because the numbers would be too high.
And illegal immigrants do use medical resources. Open borders would sink the Sanders universal health plan even if he confiscated the wealth of billionaires.
5
I saw a few comments about Sanders' honesty vs Trump but where's the honesty when it comes to how he plans to pay for healthcare and pass it through the Senate? Where's the honesty on his health records? Where's the honesty in letting us know about the Russian influence? He's starting to sound like a liberal version of Trump;
Sanders Healthcare = Trump Border Wall, Sanders Health Records = Trump Tax Returns, Sanders Russian Meddling = Trump Russian Meddling
1
The so-called moderates in the DNC, (that includes the NYT), you know the never Sanders ilk, would prefer Bloomberg who is far more like Trump than like any other Democrat. Remember Bloomberg, a lifelong Republican, last ran in an election as a Republican. He’s never run as a Democrat and now wants to buy the Democratic nomination. He has done absolutely nothing of any consequence to show that he is a moderate Democrat, much less a conservative one, and at the debate he looked like a less orange version of Trump.
3
To say that Pete won the Iowa caucases and Bernie finished near the top is data cherry picking. Bernie clearly won the popular vote and the final delegate count is not nailed down. Buttegieg only won a narrow edge in delegates and state delegate equivalents, it was essentially a tie in that domain, you should be more transparent in that regards. This appears to be part of the NYT bias against Mr. Sanders, which understates his appeal to the plurality of voters in different states. It will be interesting to see how the Times spins it, if Sanders win S.C. and then dominates Super Tuesday.
6
I dare the DNC to let Bernie win the nomination. Let's have a Bernie / Trump match. What the pundits are missing is the generational war going on here. On Bernie's side are the Millenials and the remains of the Socialist Boomers. On Trump's side is Generation X and the Boomers who moved on from the 60's.
Let the match begin!!!!
4
I saw Bernie on 60 minutes last night and there doesn’t seem to be a more genuine and down to guy earth as him. Too bad he doesn’t play basketball.
6
Please help Joe. In making the transition from cassette to CD, he's having trouble finding disks as well as K-Marts from which to purchase as the former Malarkey Express wends it's way around the nation's highways. Anyone with a spare Kate Smith recording please send it to Joe ASAP, as he can unpack the record player when lodging for the night.
4
Ok Bernie let's start here: join the Democratic party. You don't need us to run for president.
Let's face it Dems need Bernie as much as he needs Dems. Of he run as the third party nominee, Dems will never see Presidency.
1
I’m so disappointed with most of the media because that is what truly killed Joe Biden’s chances of being the Dem nominee. The media’s, mostly by female reporters, relentless focus on Biden innocently “hugging” or “touching” a female ruined Joe’s chances immediately. This was such an exaggeration of #metoo, it’s disgusting.
So now, Bernie, Pete, whomever is the least likely to beat Frump in 2020, will be the Dem candidate and the same reporters who destroyed Joe will be the same ones complaining that Trump got re-elected. Dear media, this will all be your fault.
1
@Bridget Jones
It's not an exaggeration if you have, especially as a child, experienced this sort of 'handiness'. Joe has always benefited from white male privilege -- imagine a candidate of color getting so 'personal' with women and teenage / preteen girls he has only just met. A nonstarter.
1
@irene Biden isn't a pedophile or sexual abuser, which you seem to be equating him to by comparing him to the "handiness" that you experienced as a child. While I would never dismiss your personal experiences, I just strongly believe that it has been horribly exaggerated. Bringing race into the equation is a non=starter, imo.
Trump will be re-elected if Sanders is the nominee. Unlike Nate Silver, I have a long history of helping DEM losers beginning with Adlai Stevenson, but this time I can’t afford to back loser Bernie. Trump is much too dangerous! We can not hand the nomination to Bernie. He will not win.
3
It is funny how the MSM, DNC and centrist demoractics have a "stop Bernie" movement going and he has the most enthusiastic and youngist voter group out there supporting him.
5
Grammatically wondering why Sanders’s is being used, rather than the simpler Sanders’
1
@Kate M
way to focus on the big picture!
In the future, Americans will gradually learn about ranked choice voting, which should ultimately mitigate the spoiler effect that we are seeing in this race. The caucuses used a crude form of this by allowing second choices, but the typical primaries are completely throwing out the preferences of voters whose first choice candidate receives less than 15%.
6
The question is more of how Democrats see Bernie than the programs he advocates. Many believe he is being foisted on them by the skewed results of the early caucuses. They rightly think that he would not be the front runner for President if the party held a nationwide primary instead of a few caucuses in small states which do not represent the will of most of our Democratic voters.
7
In a world where Trump is the current president I just don’t see a path for Bernie to get elected. To many moderates will take trumps negativity over Bernie’s socialism even though Bernie is undeniably a good guy.
4
Then they aren’t really moderates
2
That brings the question: are the moderate really moderate, not conservatives in disguise.
2
Who cares what you call them? They vote. Beware.
1
Biden should immediately pledge himself to be a one-term restoration president.
That would clarify his intent and soothe many people who worry about his age and suitability to serve in the oval office.
Either Stacy Abrams or Corey Booker would be a great choice as Biden's running mate, and Biden should also announce at the convention or earlier a proposed cabinet who will join him on a crusade to turn out Trump and flip the Senate. (Both are required for the Democrats to succeed this time.)
Consider a Biden candidacy that brings together Buttigieg as Secretary of Defense, Kamala Harris as AG, Susan Rice at State, Andrew Yang at Commerce, and Julian Castro at Homeland Security.
Giving minorities and the LGBTQ community more chips in the game of governing the nation is a great way to show the nation that Democrats are serious about delivering the promise that "all men are created equal."
This would reinvigorate the big tent coalition that elected Obama twice, and gives these Democrats a chance to gain more experience in governing and makes for a much better slate of Democratic candidates in 2024.
Clyburn's endorsement will help. but it's not enough to bring California out of Bernie's column on Super Tuesday. It is time for Obama to speak out. Now is the time he needs to endorse his former wing man.
It is now, not later, for this to happen. After Sanders has a plurality of delegates, it will be too late. That's the critical judgment we must see to justify our vote.
4
@Dennis
What an excellent idea. Thank you.
Bernie Sanders is not my first choice for Democratic Party nominee, but if he wins it the other candidates should do what Sanders did in 2016 and Clinton did in 2008: support the nominee and persuade their voters to do the same.
If the voters don't want more Trump, they should vote for the Democratic Party nominee.
And Bernie Sanders and his voters should show more respect toward the other candidates, their positions, and their voters.
5
I want Bernie to tell us how he plans to pay for his medicare for all proposal. Bernie will say anything to win his mission as "leader". Sanders has an abundance of younger followers because many don't understand the process and accept whatever Bernie dribbles out. He's taking advantage of them.
Personally, I like my private insurance and the choice to keep it or not.
16
@emma
could you explain how we are going to pay for the current system which is forecasted to cost us twice as much with considerably worse outcomes?
30T for M4A sounds like a deal compared to 60T for the current broken system.
Is it okay to keep your private insurance because you're scared of change, even if that means death, pain, and suffering in addition to higher costs?
3
How he plans to pay for medicare? The same way every other industrialized country in the world does it.
3
He already explain how he will do that through the cancelling tax cut and health tax that will replace the premiums and deductible. The moderates should explain how they are going to pay for the healthcare cost that grow faster than expansion of GDP. What they planning to do when more and more people will not be able to afford the healthcare and there will be no money in budget to help them, especially in time of recession. I am for one do not like our health system that is too expensive and too complicated to be efficient. It is poorly organised and poorly run. It is bonanza for massive fraud of patients and the Government. And the election will show how many people actually like the health insurance as you and how many people want change as me.
1
The idea that only Joe Biden is the moderate for the others to coalesce around is not valid and I support Biden. There are other strong possibilities but it is likely that any ticket emerging would have to include Sen. Warren. Her presence would offer the best chance that Bernie's folks don't sit out the general.
Many of us share misgivings about Bernie. I do. Yet time and again he outperforms expectations. Bernie could never crack a certain ceiling and yet he has. Bernie cannot expand his coalition, yet he has. Bernie doesn’t appeal to minorities but he does. In fact it’s Pete and Amy, who I like, who don’t seem to appeal to voters of color. So what we have is an old, cranky but energetic guy who hasn’t changed his views in forty years, is committed to Medicare for all which is not popular, but has broad appeal to many of the diverse elements that are the Democratic Party while the “moderates” have no such appeal. Maybe those of us who are not all that thrilled about Bernie and have doubts should reassess.
19
The elephant in the room here is Putin. He is actively supporting Sanders even as Sanders abhors his interest. Needless to say Putin will undermine our election any way possible and promoting a divisive candidate like Sanders is easy to do. Exactly as happened in 2016 Putin is trying to manipulate one portion of the voting populace, not blue collar workers this time but first time hispanic voters across the nation. In stanch Democratic California Bernie is currently leading the pack. Should any one of the large states go to him on Mar. 3 the handwriting will be on the wall for all to see. The Democratic nominee must be able to carry moderate voters on the fence from both parties who see Trump for the disaster he is. The overriding question is who can get that crucial support? Already Wall st. has signaled a vote for Sanders would be difficult, and first time Democratic representatives are sending out SOS signals in fear of being defeated after their impressive victories in 2018. Now is not the time for a divisive choice like Sanders will be. Putin know this and so should we.
10
@Phyllis Melone "The elephant in the room here is Putin. He is actively supporting Sanders even as Sanders abhors his interest. "
Please provide proof of this assertion. What's notable about all the reports on the "intelligence" about Russian interference in the 2020 election is the absence of details. It's unknown exactly what form this meddling is taking--if it actually exists at all--and who's supposed to benefit, or whether it's just about disruption and chaos.
And we have Bloomberg for that, so the Russians should save their money.
3
If Putin's wish such a great impact on the choice of Americans, we can give up right now - we could not win, because we don't know how he is playing us. Does he support Sanders because he wants Sanders to lose, and hope that Russian support will decrease Bernie's ability to win? Or he actually want Bernie to win, because he thinks He will be better partner to negotiate. Does he wants Bernie win because he thinks Bernie will be weaker opponent to Trump? There are plenty of contradictory explanations of Putin's thinking. I think we should think for ourselves. I do believe we are able to make the correct decision without considering input from the foreign leader. Should we reject the better candidate only because the leaders of other countries don't think it is not good for us?
1
@yulia
What Putin does or doesn't think seems to fail spectacularly in translation.
Journalists piled on at Putin's remarks calling Trump "bright". Later, it turned out he didn't say "bright" as in "smart", but was mocking him. He meant bright" as in "sparkly" and "gaudy".
So before anyone further pontificates about what Putin and the Russians think, maybe they should brush up on their Russian first.
1
Everyone should try to watch the interview of Bernie Sanders on "60 Minutes" from this past Sunday. He was grilled about the costs of his healthcare plan. His answers were vague at best. When pushed further to identify his the costs of eliminating all medical care debt, student debt and providing free college tuition, he said he didn't know the "nickles and dimes" of those.
Say what? Those are not"nickles and dimes." You can't speak about a "revolution" in one sentence and "nickles and dimes" in another. I want to support Bernie, but before I put a check next to his name in the voting booth, I need better answers. I didn't buy "Mexico will pay for the wall" and I'm not buying "nickles and dimes" either.
14
@Tom Q, why does 60 Minutes think decent healthcare for all Americans needs to be “paid” for, but having the largest military on earth does’t?
Sorry, the “how will he pay for it” concern-trolling is absurd as we basically fund ALL of our military spending with debt.
2
Education spending is currently nickels and dimes in the federal budget with the military and health systems getting trillions every year. I think his answer was apt.
1
What do you buy? 'We can improve our system by changing nothing'? Isn't it that realistic thinking?
1
Sanders is not a Democrat yet he is running on the Democratic ticket. His devout followers are as slavish as Trumpers. They are also as disconnected from reality. We do not need to trade one kind of populism for another. We need a government that works. If Sanders ends up being the nominee, I will absolutely vote for him in the general election. But if Sanders' followers had done the same during the last election we would not have Gorsuch and "I Like Beer" Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court and RBG could have retired and focused on her health. If Sanders does not win the nomination I hope his followers will not repeat their mistake...but, listening to many of my Bernie or Bust friends, it's either Bernie or an unacceptable "Corporate Democrat". Hand the next election back to Trump and kiss goodbye to our country.
8
@Mark
RBG should have retired during the first 2 years of Obama's first term. Had she done that, the Dems could have replaced her with a young lib who would have served for 60 years. RBG and the Dems totally blew it.
Sanders maybe not Democrats, but Democrats could not win without his supporters. They tried in 2016 and lost everything. But I guess the Dems are so much used to lose, they don't mind it a bit.
Still waiting for someone on the Bernie squad to acknowledge the following.
1. The math doesn’t add up for what he’s promising, sounds great but if you think about it it’s an empty promise to offer free college, pre k, healthcare, and the vast assortment of goodies in the progressive grab bag.
2. None of this will pass the GOP senate so what gives?
3. AOC... I know it sounds cool to some to rail against the stock market but ordinary folks have their savings in here not just wealthy people. Enough of this.
We need some common sense here.
18
So how did Trump’s tax cuts “add up?”
Oh, right, I forgot.
When it’s creating a society that provides what the rest of the OECD provides for its citizens, cost is an issue.
When it comes to tax cuts for billionaires and increased military spending, cost is irrelevant.
2
Actually, not so many ordinary folk have their saving in stock market. Many ordinary folk do not have savings at all. That's why they want Sanders and Dem Congress that will support Sanders programs as AOC who can make the math for these programs real and doable. Yes, we can.
What main stream Democrats (those supported by big banks, big corporations and infiltrated PACS) and especially thoroughly owned and operated by Republicans, is that Senator Sanders represents "the People", We the People"...and that scarces them. Even talk venues like MSNBC and CNN repeat the same narrative over and over and over with the same guests, funded by pharm companies.
Even the story about Russia helping Sanders...that appeared so to knock him out of the running..so everyone would believe for some reason they were helping him the most...and the talk venues jumped right on it. Russia got what it wanted from them...not by helping the campaign. They don't want Bernie to win...they would want a weaker canidate to manipulate, so make it appear Sanders is being helped by the Russians and everyone stops voting for him?
We the people will vote this time and it won't be for the ones who own the pocket book or Wall Street, or the Economy or our senators or representatives who have made a fortune from so called "representing the people". Even Obama should be ashamed of his high speaking fees and his Martha Vineyards home of $11.5 million. So many people are suffering now and "yes" the government belongs to the people and we want it back and healthcare returned to Medicare for All...no strings attached by Pharms or Insurance Companies bleeding those who cannot afford it dry.
6
Congratulations. You’ve managed to mention “the people” more than anyone else in a single comment. “The people” being defined as everyone who agrees with you, the rest being just big dumb corporate dupes.
1
To everyone who says, ‘but he’s not even a Democrat...’ Sanders is the .only. candidate running as an actual Democrat. The rest are Republicans a and one is pretending to be a progressive until she knocks out Sanders, (nice try), and then will pivot back to being a Republican.
11
Sanders only became a democrat in 2016!
1
@Lilly
It's exactly this type of purist ideological thought that alienates so many voter from supporting Sanders , just like in 2016 -- and you still haven't learned a thing.
This won't end well.
1
Yes, Democrats are Republicans! Republicans are Republicans! Bernie, though never registered as a Democrat, is the only Democrat! (Paging George Orwell?)
1
Sanders won't cost out his Democratic socialist agenda. It's irrelevant that he could not implement most of it. M. for All would cost $30 T over a decade. His other items would collectively cost another $30 T. His wealth and income tax increases on the rich would raise only half that. His agenda would double the federal government, and increase federal spending as proportion of the GDP way beyond anything seen in peacetime. Congressional moderates and much of the polity and populace fear this agenda irrespective of attack ads.I
Standard's embrace of many flag-bearers of left anti-Semitism is relevant. If he wins,they are mainstreamed, rendering the choice Hobbesian for many Jewish voters, this one included.
4
trillion for health care is a bargain, otherwise we will have to come up with 50 trillions for inefficient health care that could not even cover everybody.
1
Remember when it was last week and everyone was jazzed over how progressive Warren had trained her fire on centrist Bloomberg in the debate? The "zingers" she slung and basically knocked him out? And simultaneously let Bernie skate with all of those voters in her "lane?"
12
@Dan88 Liz did it again in Colorado this weekend, when the press asked her about Bernie Sanders and she would not answer, just railed against Bloomberg. She's not helping herself with behavior like this.
2
@Sydney
Liz is trying to make amends for her miserable accusations against Bernie in the January debate. Now that it looks like he might very well be the nominee, she is angling to get back in his good graces for a potential VP spot. Too bad she got caught hissing "You just called me a liar on national TV" at him on a hot mike during the 'handshake round'.
1
Yes we want to be "Like Cuba"! - wait, no we don't. How laughable and sad is the Democrat party of today. Poor little "I wanna live in a nanny state" people. I'm bothered by some of the things Trump does but I'm truly embarrassed that the old party my parents were a part of has fallen to these depths.
8
Yeah, we want to live in like Honduras -wonderful capitalist country where the Government could not care less for its citizens, giving everybody the right to survive on their own .
George McGovern won a landslide victory in the 1972 Oregon primary. He then went on to lose the state and 48 others as a corrupt Republican president was re-elected.
7
Hillary did win primary and lost general elections to the worst possible candidate. In process Dems also lost the Congress. So, how was it better than 1972?
As a Democrat, I'm completely disgusted by the theatrics and pandering of all of these candidates. I'll hold my nose and vote for one of them but none seem particularly presidential to me, whatever that means anymore!
4
Bernie for President? The word 'Socialist' will be used in every sentence by the Republicans. I guess we just buckle down for four more years of Trump.
5
I mean, the Republicans never attacked any previous Democratic candidate by calling the a socialist. Oh wait, they did! Every. Single. Time.
3
@94901CM - Yup
Is DNC Chairman Tom Perez trying to have a brokered convention? Tuesday's debate will have one MORE candidate, Tom Steyer, not less than the last debate. How can you pressure candidates to drop out, while at the same time, give them a national stage to grow their support?
5
@rls follow the money
Why is no one talking about the current political state of these vaunted “Nordic Socialist” countries in reaction to recent immigration to these countries?!?! Why has no one asked Bernie why far right extremism has surged in Sweden - Jimmie Akkeson’s Sweden Democrats are currently polling at 24%, several points ahead of the Social Democrats. High levels of immigration are breaking the social safety models all over Europe. Folks are right that he keeps touting a system that history has proven doesn’t work - but it’s not Soviet style communism, it is Nordic style high taxation and high social programs in an age of unprecedented low skill immigration....
6
Bernie and Jane has “a glass of wine” on their charter jet??? How indulgent!!!! He truly is relishing the victories, imagine if Pete Buttigieg had a massive wine party before he even won the nom—oh wait...
4
We are witnessing an incredible repeat of the last presidential race where the Democratic Party AGAIN engineers the defeat of their own nominee. But this time by a much wider margin. They will also lose the US House.
Amazing. Smart people doing dumb things.
6
Sanders: pie in the sky by and by.
4
I have never voted for a republican in the Presidential general election but if Sanders is nominated i will vote for Trump as a protest vote for the abject stupidity of the democrats. Biden is the only person that has a chance to build a broad coalition while Bernie will fracture the party. And I hope the tailor made Trump attack ads of Venezuela Bernie and Fidel Sanders wrecks havoc on the whole democratic party. Politics like life is survival of the fittest, and the dumb and ignorant will soon be extinct. 4 more years of Donald Trump is our worse nightmare, nominate Bernie, fall for Putin's tricks, and you will get Trump in an epic landslide.
8
@Lonnie "Trump is our worst nightmare, there I will vote for him to spite myself." If you're going to protest vote, be a little original, at least.
For all the "free this, free that" proposed by Sanders and the comparison used of "they do it in Europe so why not here " I found it interesting that the OECD reports that OECD countries have 10 percentage points fewer of their population that completes tertiary education than we see in the U.S. For high school completion it is 91% in the U.S. and for the Scandinavian countries. Netherlands, France, Belgium, etc. it is 80% or lower.
So why if all of that is free are fewer citizens in those countries taking advantage of it? Might there be an issue as to the quality of what can be provided "for free" across all universities?
3
@DC This is easy to answer - I’ll ignore your claims that re-investing into the American people is somehow asking for “freebies” because it is beneath seriousness - in terms of tertiary completion, it is not strictly necessary in many European countries. One can pursue an apprenticeship as a means to a prosperous middle-class life unlike in the USA.
2
@Philippe Egalité Yes and yes.
Not so fast. Berne Sanders achieved roughly the same numbers as compared to 2016. About 47% of the votes. In addition the polls are not reflecting the aggressive campaign that we expect from the Republicans in the general election. Let's see what happens when the candidates different to Joe Biden quit. We love Bernie when he talks about immigration and healthcare.
2
Trump and Putin should be careful what they wish for as Sanders has the formidable support of truly patriotic people generally disinclined to vote for the status quo.Add the right running mate such as Amy Klobuchar and the Democrats can offer the polar opposite of the Republicans,a platform of vision versus division.
3
For all commenters who are claiming Europe/Canada health models are fab, please note that those living in these countries claim the healthcare system is more akin to a MASH unit and they must buy separate insurance to get better care. Also, they travel to the U.S. for treatment as well. As one shop owner in Italy told me, she has to go to the U.S. every few years for proper dental care. Finally, our population is 330 million not 30 million.
8
And yet they’re still not getting bankrupted for their healthcare, which in my experience, is nothing at all like what you’re suggesting. Can you help me understand how your experiences have been?
1
@Jane Doe, I know plenty of Europeans and Canadians and not one would prefer the American system.
Indeed, they usually mock the US as a country so rich it can’t afford to care for its own citizens.
Oh, healthcare outcomes are generally better and costs are lower in Europe and Canada than in the US.
Must be because they are all coming to the US for healthcare. Ha!
@BJ My job doesn't pay enough and all of us "sits out in the hallway" employees have not gotten a raise in two years, but we have outstanding health insurance, as does many of my friends that have support staff jobs and do not want to lose their/our insurance, and we can see our regular doctors on a moments notice.
The key is to keep Bernie's delegates under 40%. Over 40%, it will be difficult to deny him the nomination. But if he's only got a third of the vote, a second ballot at the convention is plausible.
5
Because you believe we should maintain oligarchy, while we rush off the cliff of despair and extinction? Good plan.
3
@Sparky So what would that do? Propel a candidate that couldn't beat Bernie on to take on Trump? Seems nonsensical...disastrous even. Look forward to your response.
@Lilly No, let's put up a candidate who with his far left agenda will likely lose 40 states if he is even healthy enough to make it to election day.
1
Bernie is the only Democrat being honest about what the Democrats plan to do and that is why the DNC wants him gone. We should have an election between President Trump and Senator Sanders--then the voters can decide the direction they want the country to go.
14
@Jonathan The DNC and its army of lobbyists and special interest groups has no influence over Bernie. That's why they will never accept him.
6
Sigh, Sanders and Warren are like surgeons who want to do a heart transplant, kidney transplant, colon resection and a lasik surgery all at one shot. And they have a base that believes in an all in one surgical procedure.
14
So what you are saying is... the patient is in dire health and without intervention early mortality is inevitable?
Trump often has a weekly (or even daily) special issue for us all to focus on, but his team is always poised and pushing their agendas in higher education, mining and drilling, energy efficiency, health benefits, national security etc.
It seems they agree with you about America being in serious need of surgery, but don't see a need to wait for one issue to be resolved before tackling another. I may not agree with the type of interventions or how the patient will fare in the end, but it can be done!
3
@Meena Yes. Centrist politics are dead. People no longer want "on the one hand, on the other..." candidates. Blame Trump, McConnell, the Internet, whatever, ... It's real.
2
Yep, like the New Deal.
Yes, beware of South Carolina’s open primary. With no requirement to register by party, Republicans in this Trump-loving state will turn out Saturday to ensure their preferred candidate does well. Letters to the editor and social media are promoting this. Consequently, if Bernie Sanders comes even close to the top, he’s the Trumpites preferred candidate to meet Donald in November.
14
@Doc Student There is a Tea Party movement in SC doing just that. NPR did a story on it yesterday.
2
Just like Trump was the Democrats favorite candidate. Trump was a joke who couldn’t win. And look where that got us.
Republicans who think they’re set if Sanders gets the nomination are playing with fire.
3
Fine with me!
How quickly supposedly "moderate" Democrats forget their own behavior in 2008!
One in four voters who supported Clinton vs. Obama in the Democratic primary (25%) voted for McCain in the general election, according to a Duke University study.
In contrast, 7 out of 8 voters who supported Bernie vs. Clinton in 2016 came on board to vote for Clinton in the general election.
Progressive Democrats have a better track record of supporting party unity in the end, by a factor of two. Yet so-called "centrists" still feel entitled to lecture us.
"Vote Blue no matter who" means you, too.
18
As background for my previous comment, here's a link to the Duke University study of how Clinton vs. Obama voters voted in the 2008 general election (the link is directly to a PDF file):
https://sites.duke.edu/hillygus/files/2014/06/hendersonhillygustompsonPOQ.pdf
For comparison, this NPR study looks at the general election votes of Sanders vs. Clinton voters in 2016:
https://www.npr.org/2017/08/24/545812242/1-in-10-sanders-primary-voters-ended-up-supporting-trump-survey-finds
3
every election that Democrats have won since 1992 have been won by moderate and unaffiliated voters. 2018 is a perfect example of that. every single red district that flipped blue, was won by a moderate. Clinton and Obama both won the presidency on the strength of the moderate vote. more Americans are in the center then on the left or right
1
@micky Democratic "moderates" would have a hard time winning in swing districts, if not for the consistent support of progressive Dems who perennially hold our noses and vote for a nominee more conservative/hawkish than we'd prefer.
The question raised by the statistics that I cited above is whether conservative-leaning Dems are ready to reciprocate when we have a truly liberal nominee such as Warren or Sanders? Or will they sabotage them like we saw with McGovern and the Dixiecrats in 1972?
As for independents: Both Warren and Sanders outpoll Trump among registered independents.
Sanders beats him by a whopping 18% margin, and has a 30% advantage over Trump in terms of favorability, according to this recent Reuters poll:
https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/13/1950/1919/Topline%20Reuters%202020%20Election%20Tracker%2002%2010%202020.pdf
1
The American healthcare system has not driven the best or the most affordable delivery - we're both lower-quality and more expensive (per capita), but we have created the most medical innovation and scientific advances. We should go through a process where we define our desired outcomes. I'd nominate universal coverage and protection for existing conditions; affordability/lower inflation in the healthcare sector, and continued scientific and applied innovation as three great high-level objectives. Optimizing those in tandum will not be accomplished by imitating a European or centralized-decision-making system, but elements of those must be integrated into a unique solution. Any such nuanced thinking is beyond Bernie or AOC. It's also, obviously, beyond the Republicans (they're locked in as protectors of third-party payers. There is a similar argument to be made about the costs of higher education: Bernie and the Democratic Socialists forget that their bumper stickers need to be turned into good governance. I'm for Amy. Maybe Pete. Bernie will save me time on voting day - can't do it!
4
Yes, the moderate democratics have been very effective with their nuanced, small steps aided by the corporate lobbyist friends.
You can't "imitate" free public health systems in general, because all are different and adapted to local needs and customs, as the U.S. system should be. Bernie Sanders and his health advisors not only are aware of this, they probably have one of the best American information bases on foreign systems with their pros and cons. Also, there is no direct link between payment systems and research policies: there are wide divergences in both costs and effectiveness between countries: some have, for their size, excellent records in health and drug innovations, since public expenditure in research is often more productive and cheaper than profit-motivated private efforts. Please stop echoing self-serving insurance-and-pharmaceutical misleading propaganda.
@linda Linda, I agree with you. Moderate Democrats have celebrated the things government can do well and taken advantage of those things to create the most prosperity and to advance the greater good more than any other governing philosophy in the history of humankind. Socialism, Social Democracy, Christian Democracy, Communists, European Conservatives, Labor, American Conservatives - none have fed more people, created more effective social welfare systems, built greater universities, or protected democracy and freedom better than have moderate American Democrats. Those are simple facts. Everyone's rooting for a first-time-ever prosperity from big government (everyone at this site). It isn't reasonable. Bernie will flameout and engender another decade of Republican conservativism that heretofore has, at best, not wrecked the economies built by Clinton and then Obama.
1
Critical to all of this is who Sanders picks as his running mate, if he gets the nomination. It could make or break the election.
8
Sanders admitted he doesn’t even know how much his Medicare-for-all will cost, which means he doesn’t really know how to pay for it. This is classic pie-in-the-sky promising, which unfortunately, young people are vulnerable to. Just like 5 year olds have a tendency to believe in Santa Claus, 20 somethings seem to have a tendency to believe in the Bernie Sanders’ of the world who make pie-in-the-sky promises with no idea how to pay for them. We’re in a nightmare catastrophe. Buttigieg, Klobuchar and Steyer, you have no chance of winning, so please, please for the sake of the country and the world, drop out now to give Biden a chance. Millions, perhaps billions, of lives are at stake. Please put them before yourselves.
7
@walkman
The US national debt is $22.7 trillion. What did most people get for that money?
This is what's hilarious about the histrionics over cost.
2
Trying to shore up a failing Biden is such a desperation move. Bloomberg is such a stronger option
This kind of Sanders hysteria makes my day. Of course Sanders won’t be able to accomplish everything on his list. But he clearly has more integrity than any other candidate. The whole problem, that you seem to be oblivious to, is people are sick of candidates bowing down to corporations and special interest. And Biden has zero chance. Zero.
1
Sanders isn’t just close to knocking out Biden. He is close to knocking out Warren and the others as well.
7
I see all these comments that Pete, Amy, and Tom need to drop out. What about Elizabeth Warren? She has performed dismally and has only one more delegate than Amy K. Let’s be fair now.
10
For anyone who is considering voting for Trump over Bernie Sanders, just remember one thing: Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman.
16
@Kristin
I was thinking more about this. According to Bernie's website, his plan for corporate accountability would involve (a) the government confiscating 20% of the stock of all publicly held companies, as well as those with $100 million of revenue or assets, and giving that stock to employees, and (b) for those same companies, giving employees the right to elect 45% of a company's board.
This policy sounds like the failing answer on the final exam for Freshman Econ at the craziest liberal college I can think of. Things like this are going to drive moderate Dems to stay home on election day, and will drive on the fence Reps to come out in force for Trump. It's madness.
Bernie: Too extreme or not. Too old or not. Too health-compromised or not. Maybe we should also be having a conversation about the running mate selection.
8
If Bernie is indeed in favor of a Northern Europe-style system, then he could do all of us, and especially the all the Democrats who are running in congressional races, a favor by announcing that he firmly believes in capitalism, properly regulated.
12
The collective freakout by the corporate media and Democratic Party bosses at the prospect of a Bernie candidacy and presidency indicates very clearly to me that the Democratic Party learned quite literally nothing from its historic 2016 loss. 2016 should have been an absolute slam dunk, and we lost badly. So the Democratic Party now wants to...do the same thing by nominating Biden or another "electable" centrist? And lose again? How about we try something different for a change? Bernie is the only candidate who has built a multi-racial, multi-generational coalition that appeals to the 99%. He has driven turnout in NH and NV--both swing states--to all-time records. He is going to win. And I, for one, feel excitement about that!
14
Bernie is espousing policy that has worked in all the Nordic states for over 50 years. These governments are all true democracy's (unlike ours) and they are all capitalist market economies. They are also the most educated,healthiest, and happiest people in the world. That could be us if you just don't buy in to the red baiting propaganda...most people don't anymore that's why Bernie's winning ....
10
@plamb The major difference is that Nordic countries are more business friendly than Sanders’ platform. Nordic countries have low corporate tax rates. They have a large safety net built upon high taxes on everyone, not just the rich. You can’t just look at the fact that Nordic countries have single payer healthcare and assume that Bernie’s plan mimics that of Nordic countries because it does not.
15
@plamb
No, no, no, he is not. He is a Democratic Socialist, not a Social Democrat. When will Bernie people understand this crucial distinction? Or maybe they do understand, are using the allusion to Nordic countries as a Trojan horse, and really, truly want Latin America style socialism. Don't kid yourself, Sanders does, and that's why he calls himself a Democratic Socialist. Please see the comment "Take it from a Swede" below.
7
@plamb Bernie is supporting more of a Latin style socialism, not the Nordic model.
2
For all the moderate hand wringing, the last few Presidential elections were not decided in favor of a moderate Democratic candidate — arguably with the exception of Obama’s re-election. Evidence indicates a Democratic victory requires something more than the old guard, with its big money influences, is willing to offer.
While the official line says Sanders is the candidate the Trump/Republican/Russian Party wants to run against, the polls indicate Sanders is a viable candidate against Trump.
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/
But this is early in the game and, at this stage, that ephemeral quality we often call momentum is every bit as important as the polls in divining outcomes.
It’s looking like Biden is quickly winding down, and Sanders is on the rise.
7
@Chickpea Dude, it’s not “moderates” but fiscally literate voters. Bernie is literally the “old guard.” He’s a career politician.
2
@Chickpea There's a lot of dirt that will come out about Bernie, much of it actually true. And then of course the lies that the Republicans will put forth about him. 95+% of Americans have never read a single edition of the New York Times, Washington Post, or watch the PBS Newshour or MSNBC. Definitely the easiest population to lie to, and get away with it, than in any of the other democracies.
2
@Cowboy Marine
Sadly, there is no candidate who is immune to the intensive Republican/Russian propaganda machine. Any candidate Democrats vet will see every mistake they ever made in neon, and where there aren’t mistakes, there will be lies.
Sanders isn’t my first choice, but he energizes young, often first time voters.
Moderate swing voters, for all the mainstream Democratic concern, may well have gone the way of the dodo. Bernie’s base is very likely the key to winning this, not moderates.
Those who decry Sanders must either consider life under Trump really not so bad, which is simply unsupportable as witnessed by the 2018 midterms, or Trump as so "divisive" that serious opposition to his programs only leads to more divisiveness. What is their desired state- the presidency of Bill Clinton in 1993, when the Democratic Party fully embraced the view that "market solutions" were the best way to solve economic and social divides. Sure, Republicans could unite around that. Now, we're seeing the rotten fruits of unregulated hyper-capitalism with raging economic and social inequality, and political equality with a knife to its throat.
3
@Paul from Oakland no, we don’t want a left wing version of trump whose also being supported by the kremlin, promises unrealistic things and wants to continue tariffs which hurt farmers. We don’t want Bernie doesn’t mean we want Trump. Try Pete, Warren, ect.
4
@Paul from Oakland But if Bernie is the nominee, many if not most of the midterm Dem House winners in red and purple districts will lose. But it's been an interesting two years for them I'm sure.
3
How is it that the moderate wing of the Democrats always chanting about “party unity” and interrupting policy debates to preach about how we should all just be standing together are also mounting this “Never Bernie” movement?
7
@Roman it’s not moderates but realists. Bernie never cared about unity until he realized he could benefit from it. A fake democrat that accuses those of us who care about fiscal literacy of being “centrists” or the “establishment” are divisive. I am a liberal and know Bernie is full of it.
1
I personally can't think of a better way to make sure that Trump-weary conservatives turn out to vote for him then by running against their least favorite Democrat in the country. And what people are missing is that Trump isn't just going to go around screaming "socialism!" (although he will do that too). Trump is great at hitting emotions. He's going to tell everyone that Bernie will take their hard-earned money and give it to illegal immigrants, that Bernie will take their healthcare, that Bernie will kill the fracking and coal and insurance industries and put them out of work. He's going to constantly mention the Squad, whom conservatives (and, let's be honest, many moderates and even some liberals) hate. He's going to recycle the clip of Bernie supporters saying that conservatives belong in gulags. And that, combined with a strong economy and failed impeachment, will seal our fate.
8
Biden should step down.
He threw Anita Hill under the bus and gifted America and the world with the mean and bitter Clarence Thomas on SCOTUS.
After pulling that stunt he then has the audacity to champion himself as the Democratic saviour of African Americans in South Carolina.
Clarence Thomas will die with his robes on one day but the befuddled and gaffe-prone Mr Biden needs to go now.
9
Actually Thomas will retire once Trump is re-elected
Dems and Progressives, if your candidate is The Bern, you will lose the Presidency, the House, and the Repubs will gain in the Senate.
Our electorate will not stand as The Socialist Republic of America.
8
Bernie has done nothing worthwhile during his 78 years.
Now, Bernie is about to accomplish 4 more years of psychopathic Trump!
7
@Lil’ Orvie He helped cause the present 4 years of Trump.
3
Bernie isn’t my preferred candidate. But Biden is done. If the party bosses want to help this process along, they should encourage him to leave. Bloomberg looked like a potentially formidable candidate until he got his first obvious critical question. He clearly thinks he is too smart to actually submit to preparing properly and taking advice even for a debate. So he’s done too. Warren is seen by most as an alternate version of what Bernie offers and it’s pretty clear Bernie beats her for support. So she should also drop out. As for Pete and Amy, something has to give. They should team up. Announce Amy and presidential candidate and Pete as high-powered VP. Let’s have the party decide between two clear options: left-wing and moderate. It’s a simple clear choice. No more circular firing squad. They are all good people who deserve respect and who should be ready to enthusiastically support the other in the general election. We can disagree over ideas and respect and support each other. Let’s face it, nobody can be sure about the details of how to solve any major problem. Some humility would be welcome right now.
9
As a pessimist, but a realist, it looks to me like trumps reelection is all but certain. The moderates will continue to split between Joe, Pete and Amy until their funds dry up or their egos do.
With Bernie a shoo in it may be time Democrats start concentrating on keeping the House and tipping the Senate in their favor. Mayor Mike’s billions can sure come in handy for that.
If Democrats can keep trump’s Supreme Court and Federal Court appointments limited to damage done our democracy may survive another 4 years. The question will be whether or not Bernie’s kamikaze strategy to lose to in November will rub off on down ballot candidates.
10
All Things Considered did an interesting interview yesterday with a Republican Tea Party leader in South Carolina who started a movement to encourage all Republicans to vote in open primaries for Bernie Sanders. They think that Biden has a better chance of winning against Trump and Sanders is a sure loser in the general. I think so too. As a Democrat, I do not support Bernie's Latin-style socialism or his insane immigration policy of open borders.
I will be voting for anyone but Bernie in my primary. The entire primary process is being distorted by Rightwing strategies to ensure Bernie's nomination, so Dems not only lose the White House but lose Congress as well. If Bernie supporters dislike the things that moderate Dems are saying about Bernie now, just wait until the Republican juggernaut starts their campaign and starts tying every down ballot Democrat to Latin-style socialism. It will be ugly beyond your wildest dreams.
I support a Nordic model of capitalism with higher taxes, a national health system and more generous social benefits for American citizens, along with stronger immigration reform. I think Liz has a better plan for all these things but I'm considering Buttigieg or Bloomberg, depending on how he performs at the next debate. My goal is anybody but Bernie for the nomination. I just don't see him bringing our country together or improving American lives in the long run.
10
@Sydney All these "theories" surrounding Bernie's success are tiring. It's the Russians! It's the Republicans disguised as Democrats! The centrists not rolling up into fewer candidates! etc. etc.
What about Bloomberg paying people to post messages in forums like this one? Or the false narratives around Bernie's balanced view's on a country like Cuba (e.g. lower infant mortality rate than the US)? Is he a communist because he doesn't hate on Russia or Cuba? Is that the level of discourse we want in our primaries?
1
Just once I'd like to be in a Times conference room, when the columnists have one of their "Lets really try and stop this Bernie Sanders character".
It must be hilarious as they brainstorm and float "ideas", as they each use their perception management experiences and techniques, to hone into being a thesis that the unwitting will swallow.
The pen is mightier than the sword is entirely true, especially when wielded by those in the mainstream media whose interest is in maintaining the soul destroying status quo policies of the Republican Party and the Republican-Lite Pelosi Schumer Biden Democratic Party, and their combined nearly 50 years long policies of corruption and disenfranchisement which have resulted in inequality that has nearly beggared the poor and the middle-class and reduced them to penury and economic slavery.
The "Stop Bernie" game is now well known, in fact so well known that it's effect is rapidly becoming inconsequential; nevertheless we must always call it out and give it its true name, which is - "Greed is Great, for Corporate America and the wealthiest elites".
Corporate America and the wealthiest Americans are in shock these last few weeks as it becomes evident that Bernie Sanders has kicked the lid off of their agenda, the agenda which delineates every nefarious tactic imaginable to dumb down the poor and the middle-class for the specific benefit of increasing the control and obscene wealth of corporate America and the wealthiest Americans.
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In the real world we simply ask: will middle and upper middle class voters with good to great income and excellent benefits vote to jeopardize those to have free four year public university education for their children and universal health insurance that has a good chance of being inferior to their present coverage?
@Mel Farrell According to articles corporate America isn’t scared of Bernie but Warren.
Bernie Sanders or Trump - what is better than stale bread with some mold growing on it. I think most people who would consider voting a moderate Democrat will stay home or stick with the Devil they know for financial reasons over gambling on Bernie. Anytime a politician promises free everything, it is a con job. Nothing is ever free in life. Roads, schools, bridges, fire, police, social security cost trillions of dollars and Bernie clearly would be happy to downsize the military and turn the USA into the UK which is coming apart at the seams. I see Bernie vs Trump as the end of the American century because if that is the best leadership we have, then we are an empire on the verge of collapse.
8
If Bernie loses, it will be because of the DNC. Trump will then implode in his second term, like all republicans of the last 50 years. So we'll be left with the wreckage of a completely corrupt two party system, and we can start over to try and build something else. Only problem is that we will have passed the tipping point of ecological collapse.
Nice species you have there humans!
7
@Jonathan
Correction. If Bernie loses it will be because enough people didn't vote for him -- just like in 2016.
And he still hasn't learned anything from it because he continues to alienate a large swath of Democratic voters with his intolerance to ideas other than his own.
Good luck with that.
1
@Jonathan R u kremlin troll? Let’s not forget Bernies being supported by the kremlin. DNC rigging elections conspiracy’s benefit Putin.
I wish the Times or another national polling organization would conduct a survey asking the following three questions: 1. What is your party affiliation (Democratic, Republican or Independent)? 2. Would you vote for a Socialist for President? 3 Would you vote for a gay man for President? That should clear up the real issues two of the front runners are going to face when the general election confess along.
Also, if Bloomberg could convince a prominent woman of color (Stacy Abrams comes to mind) to join his ticket as VP, and run on that combination right now, he would (although not my first choice) handily win the nomination.
1
Bloomberg would first have to find a woman who’ll pass the litmus test of signing an NDA before working for him.
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@Patricia It would definitely help as many people are extremely suspicious of Bloomberg's progressive sounding proposals being 86'ed as soon as he sets foot in the oval office. But that's all academic now.
The debate can not be unseen.
So after a handful of states, some with a mostly white electorate, Bernie is now inevitable? Is the New York Times planning on calling the general election in September?
4
As a European, it’s scary to see one hundred million people beginning to accept something as extreme as ”democratic socialism”, because they confuse it with ”social democracy” and our Nordic Model.
”Democratic socialism” is an extreme form of socialism, where the state confiscates ownership in publically traded businesses and family-owned businesses. It’s universally condemned in Europe, as a totalitarian ideologi.
And don’t tell me Bernie doesn’t know the differences. He’s been a socialist for half a century, and his program includes a range of pure ”democratic socialist” reforms, such as ”Employee funds”. We tried those in Sweden in the 80s, with disastrous results, losing our biggest companies IKEA, H&M and Tetra Pak when they fled our economy.
I guess you got so frightened of socialism in the 1900s, you grew up so distant to it, you never learned to understand its nuances.
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@Take it from a Swede Absolutely agree. I don't think many Americans are educated as to the differences between Latin-style Socialism and the Nordic model of a free market economy with supportive social programs.
7
Nice. A right wing Swede. I have not met any of you folks yet even though I have been to Sweden quite a number of times.
@Take it from a Swede Good informative post.
3
Only Bloomberg can save us from this socialist dictator. How? Quite simply, he should state very clearly that, regardless of the primary outcome, he will ONLY financially support A Democratic nominee, more specifically, a nominee who is actually a Democrat, which means if Bernie is the nominee - no cash. Bloomberg's strong performance to date proves that money is everything, so this would inspire actual Democrats to work together to stop this impending trainwreck.
1
Actually a Democrat? Trump, Reagan, Giuliani and McCain were actual Democrats.
At least Sanders wasn’t a golf buddy of Trump’s as Bloomberg and Clinton were.
6
In South Carolina, here is what I would be saying.
Do you remember 2005 when Biden lead the fight to make sure average Americans lost the same right corporations have to a clean slate to start a new releieved from the slavery of debt through chapter 7 banktrupcy? Yes, Biden was fighting for the same TBTF banks that cost many Americans their homes, their jobs and their life savings, the same TBTFB that practiced deceptive loan practices and then bundled all that debt up and sold it the world over.
Do you remember mandatory minimums and the war on drugs that put millions of Black Americans behind bars for simple drug use and treated people who used crack with massively more intense penalties than cocain, the drug from which crack is made?
Biden was the same one with a throw away the key attitutide to our our criminal injutice systems. Biden serves the TBTF, the establishment and goes along with whatever is going to win him a vote at that time.
What his vision is, what his actual long standing comittements are, I don't know. I do know about Bernie's and they are about justice, truth and equality for every American and his record backs it.
Bernie is for ending wars based on lies that send our military members off on foreign adventures to support ill gotten gain or to prop up dictators or in order to secure dirty energy.
It's time for a candidate who actually believes in and fights for average Americans. Don't listen to the lies. Bernie is one of the truly honest
5
Sanders is so incompetent and unrealistic that he is hurting the Ds chance to gain the Senate and retain the House. Or does he think that McConnell will approve all the Laws and monies needed for his single payer only system? This man is worse than a socialist, he is an amalgamation of absurdity with disrespect.
7
@Leon — Maybe the Ds will win a majority in the senate, and McConnell will quit to make money, instead of sticking around to watch a D majority do what it wants.
1
Buttigieg, Klobuchar, Steyer, you have no chance of winning so please, please, for the sake of the country and the world, drop out now to let Biden get a good shot. Millions of lives, including mine, are at stake. Please put them before yourselves.
6
The Dem’s “circular firing squad” is cranking out some effective fusillades, and when it’s over the last 78 year old man standing will be their version of the GOP’s 1964 Barry Goldwater.
6
McGovern deja vu
8
As one pundit put it "Bernie's train has left the station!".
Bernie is steaming ahead. What will the "establishment", the "moderates" do to derail him? The answer is nothing, nada!
Time for America to snap out of its somnolence and wake up to reality. Trillions of dollars are given to corporations and being stashed in offshore accounts; to what benefit?
Bernie is promoting the most humane and rational policies. It will do America good.
Yes, he is old. But his policies are young and much needed to be applied.
Vote for Bernie!
7
The establishment party and media are worried about "electability," all right, but it's not that Berne Sanders can't win, but that he can and will. This is just one way they're trying to undercut his candidacy, by sowing doubts despite all evidence to the contrary, e.g., the polls. Another way they're trying to undercut him is by pressuring some of the so-called "moderates" (i.e., Republican-lite) candidates to drop out, not because there is evidence that any remaining moderates would beat Sanders, but so they can mount an offensive against him within the party. (And they call Sanders "divisive").
6
We now had a diverse state (Nevada) and it overwhelmingly went with Bernie. Like it or not, it's Bernie's nomination to lose now. Statistically, the sample of Democratic voters is representative.
And if anything, Sanders is consistent. Don't expect any gifts like a weak debate, running out of money or a state where his support drops really low. Not gonna happen.
The question is now: how will the DNC and the punditry respond? Will they continue to try and thwart Bernie's campaign, or will they roll with it and start softening their tone?
I sincerely hope they won't try the former. None of the other candidates can take his place and losing the young and progressive vote all but guarantees Trump's re-election.
I'm seeing positive signs in the New York Times but the WaPo is still at it (e.g. Jennifer Rubin).
16
Dear God I hope the answer is "continue to try and thwart"!!!
6
@TJ I hope Judge Jeanine Pirro, CIA investigations into prominent Democrats, a Turkey economic scenario due to continued record deficit spending, doubling down on the fossil fuel industry with pipelines and leaking coal ash puddles on pristine lands in Appalachia, Alaska, ... are an acceptable price.
Uninspiring centrists Democrat = losing House, Senate, Presidency just like in 2016.
2
As Sanders continues to pile up victories; there is almost a visible sense of panic running through the Democratic powers that be. To the point where they are almost praying for a last stand brokered convention; where the movers and shakers can derail Sanders at all cost no matter how many states he has won. Strange way to support democracy?! The paranoid and very distorted thinking is that the Sanders supporters are either (A) Not real Americans (B) Have lost their collective minds (C) are a strange counter culture that simply does not understand you simply cannot and must not change the fundamental nature of a clearly imperfect nation for nearly 250 years (D) All the above; indicates a society terrified of real change for the better. I will be the first to say Sanders will not be able to carry out all his programs. Change does not happen that quickly. But if he were given the opportunity to introduce 1/2 of his proposals; Americans woulkd not believe how much better their lives would become. But it won`t. happen as long as the establishment will find one way or another to stop him.
10
Greg - You do not appear to understand how the Democratic party nominating process works at all. Bernie is not entitled to hijack the Democratic platform with a mere plurality of delegates. Bernie's supporters are real Americans and should be heard, but Bernie is not and never has been a Democrat. The party center, as long as it is a majority, is absolutely entitled to block Bernie if it can, and it should, because again the idea is majority rule, not plurality. What we could really use is a parliamentary system that had room for more parties and requires compromise among them to select an executive.
6
Pass all the Bernie bills you can in the House and send them over to the Grim Reaper. If Sanders can't bring the Senate with him forgetaboutit!
I find it funny that the ego of some billionaires and other centrist demos will keep them from pulling out of the race and definitely set up Bernie to win. Hubris can sometimes be a great thing :) I love it. I still believe that if the powers that be in the DNC could sit in their overstuffed chairs with their proverbial cigars and choose 'The One' centrist to run against Bernie they would still lose. Feel the Bern !
12
Both these men are too old for this office--the country needs younger , more vigorous and more moderate leadership. As for Sanders, his angry old man style is just a tad too much like Trump's angry old man style.I am disturbed that Sanders has not been a mover in his congressional stints also. It is time for moderate, courteous, and intelligent leadership------this of course will need to be forced on the combatants by voting in a majority of non-cultists, and then encouraging the thing that has made our system work fairly well for more than 200 years which is more a process of give and take than what we have now---where one side gets everything and the other nothing.
5
Sanders is in contention precisely because of his angry old man style that can be competitive with Trump’s. A Democratic kumbaya platform isn’t going to win in the current climate and a non-status quo fighter is needed.
1
Bernie will be the Democratic candidate. And all the nay-sayers and hand-wringers will get on board in November. So if you don't like the man, fine. Vote your conscience during the primary. But don't kid yourself about which lever you will pull in the general when the choices are Sanders or Trump.
10
This is the time for Buttigieg as front runner among the also rans to drop out and support Joe Biden as the unity candidate - to paraphrase his debate comments - at least Biden is a Democrat.
Bernie's comments -the including his praise of Fidel Castro just to name one - will sink us and he appears to have to pragmatic sense.
Buttigieg could be a hero in this, since he is the frontrunner among the also rans - and encourage Bloomberg (and the other also rans) to see the necessity of uniting behind a unity candidate before we ensure a Trump victory in November.
3
Castro may be unpopular among capitalists but Cuba has excellent healthcare and education systems for its people. Cuba’s economic hardships have much more to do with America’s platform of economic warfare and embargo against them than any specific socialist government policy. The US government is just miffed that they won’t bow down to us and let themselves be pillaged by the American Military Industrial complex and were willing to have the Soviets protect them with their nuclear umbrella.
"“Some folks need to look hard at whether they are viable and contributing to a positive path forward for our party,” said Senator Christopher Coons of Delaware, a Biden supporter."
Precisely senator many of us are tired of the path that the Democrats have been on for the past thirty years and especially the last 12-15 of playing patsy to the Republicans. We want real change not just the incremental "baby steps" of the moderates who really are center right.
12
Looks like Joe Biden is beginning to use the "race card" in his desperation to not lose South Carolina too. The point for all to understand is that while Barack Obama may have been the first African-American POTUS, he did not bring about the change that not only African-Americans, but also middle class voters of all races had hoped for. Biden wants to present himself as a continuation of Obama with less melanin. But we all saw how Obama tried to compromise with the Republicans and work with McConnell and Ryan in the Congress and Republicans worked as hard as they could to make the Obama-Biden administration as inconsequential as they could. Black Americans like every other racial-ethnic group with the exception of a racist minority and those who earn their income off the labor of others, want real change. Biden is the past where even his "signature" Obamacare was badly gutted by the Republicans and their masters in the financial, insurance and medical industries. Biden and the so-called moderates are afraid that voters don't want the change they voted for when they selected Trump not Hillary who they thought was more of the same. Biden may have been loyal to Obama. Obama had good intentions, but his attempt to get along with the likes of McConnell's Senate gave us Trump in 2016.. They stood by Trump's treasonous unconstitutional behavior in Ukraine. We want real change and Biden is too much a creature of the 20th Century to bring us where we need to be in 2020.
6
@RLW I miss the 20th Century. A lot.
1
@RLW
Let me assure you that the quickest way to alienate a lot of (Black) voters is to talk trash about Obama.
And that's something Sanders can't really afford to do...again.
I believe that it is the Trump apologists and closet sympathizers that will have the most problem seeing Bernie Sanders nominated. This is NOT a democratic party problem. This is a "why do you hate Trump?" problem. We know that there are a lot of males who are afraid to publicly support Trump.
If you hate what has been going on for the past 3 years, you are not more afraid of Pres. Bernie Sanders than you are of Trump.
1
Sanders needs a well crafted state of the art wig. The disheveled look will not help him in the final contest.
Consider my comment superficial. It is.
3
As a lifelong DEM ... feel no pressure whatsoever.
Bloomberg or Bust!
3
For a while now, I didn’t think Sanders was for open borders. He made a comment a while back that he wasn’t.
Well, that’s all changed. Go to his website, and it’s all open borders. Decriminalizing illegal border entry, abolishing ICE, abolishing detention, terai g down all detention centers - the list goes on and on.
None of that has bubbled to the surface.
Ya think Trump won’t bring that up?
He’s just sitting back waiting for Democrats to bury themselves. Once Bernie gets the nomination, it’s going to be like releasing the Kracken.
Open borders?? 50 Trillion in new spending?? Socialism???
Really? That’s the direction of the party now?
This isn’t going to end well.
6
Or...he’ll pivot toward the center on key issues before the general election, just like every other nominee has in history.
1
Yes, the primary field it too large but suggesting winnowing it down to 3 old white men is not the answer. After 3 states, the press is calling the front runners. Stop it. After Super Tuesday we will have an idea of who Democrats want to vote for.
James Carville, Feb 22:
“If you’re voting for [Sanders] because you think he’ll win the election, because he’ll galvanize heretofore sleepy parts of an electorate, then politically, you’re a fool. And that’s just a fact. It’s no denying it, there’s so much political science, so much research on this that it’s not even a debatable question."
3
Yes, and just before those words came out of his mouth he encouraged supporters of Bernie who aligned with his policy ideas to continue supporting him. 
Plus, he’s wrong. Look at Nevada. 
2
@Roger
James Carville:
"Michael Bennet would be the “best” president, and will suprise people, specifically predicting the senator will do well in the New Hampshire.“I think Sen. Bennet is uniquely suited for New Hampshire, It’s a historical fact that people like him do well there.”
1
im depressed that the dems have no good candidate, trump will wipe sanders away with his socialist schtick. god help us...
3
Not to worry, with mainstream media assistance, the DNC will take care of Sanders .
3
Why is Sanders being declared the leader in the race after the Nevada caucus? First of all, caucuses only bring out the most activist members of a party, rather than a primary, which draws more voters and more moderates. Second, it looks as though fewer than 15,000 people voted in the Nevada caucus. Are 15,000 voters supposed to tell the entire country who a party nominee should be? Let's get serious about restructuring the presidential primary process. The focus on four small states every four years, with all the wasted time and money directed at those states, is ridiculous. Also, the media needs to stop the breathless coverage and needs to get some perspective when reporting on the process. Let's see how things go on March 3. Super Tuesday will be much more important in defining this race. If Sanders is clearly the leader after March 3, then that will mean something.
201
@Olaf
Completely agree. The disproportionate attention on 4 random states is ridiculous. Also absurd is the money-grubbing required just to get through primaries. I will not be giving a single dollar in campaign donations until I see who the nominee is. If it's Bernie, I will be more compelled to give to downticket Congressional races since I think believe the money would be better spent trying to protect endangered House and Senate seats. I don't think Bernie will stand a chance against Trump no matter how much I or any other donors give.
22
At least 75,000 people voted early in Nevada. I believe you are reading the (incompletely reported) results incorrectly.
40
@Olaf Moderate Suburban voters will have a tough time casting their ballot for a Democratic Socialist. Bernie will lose the overwhelming majority of independent swing voters too due to his belief we should decriminalize border crossings & provide federal health benefits to illegal immigrants. They will hold their nose & vote for Trump based on these positions & these positions alone. To believe otherwise is delusional. Bernie's stance on immigration guarantees the Democrats will lose the working-class vote again too. Voters are also strongly against any legislation that would increase the flow of illegal immigration. But progressive Dems are for policies that not only decriminalize illegal immigration but encourage it. Many state Democrats are now offering illegals free healthcare, welfare, food stamps, in-state-tuition, & sanctuary. This is unsustainable & indefensible. Why is the only answer, that they have an unrestricted right to come to the U.S.? The more benefits we give, the more will try to get here. It's an impossible equation. Progressives need to acknowledge the reality that we are the ones who vote governments in or out, not illegal economic migrants trying to force their way in. This election will turn on policy. If this election is about kitchen table issues: jobs & education there's no way the Democrats lose. If the election is about reparations & illegal immigration there's no way we win. Let's stop pretending that this is a winning strategy. It isn't.
18
If Bernie is the nominee and doesn’t move more to the center fast then a lot of moderate and independent voters will sit out the general election and Trump will be handed the presidency on a silver platter. He’ll be branded as an anti-capitalist, socialist /communist that stands for open borders and free healthcare for illegal immigrants. The doomsday scenario ads and editorials will write themselves. All we’ll see or hear will be With Bernie as president the stock market will tank by 50%, real estate values lower by a third and unemployed will double or triple. I work in an office with moderates and conservatives in a blue state and I am hearing it already and I am really concerned now.
215
@MLB “Blue no matter who.”
35
Bernie will no more "move to the center" than Trump did four years ago. He'd be a fool to. He's gotten where he is because he's never hidden his ideas, which are clearly progressive and better attuned to people's real problems than the wishy-washy "moderates" and both parties' leaderships; what is more likely is that the center "will move to Bernie" as they become better acquainted. As for beating Trump, his popularity ratings in polls ever since mid-2016 have been ahead of those of the President.
39
@MLB As an outsider looking in, it seemed to me like the American public was so desperate for significant change that in 2016, when given the choice between a moderate and a madman, they chose the madman. Bernie Sanders represents change, and not in the scorched earth way that Donald Trump does.
Nominating another middle-of-the-road, don’t-upset-the-status-quo moderate would be a disastrous mistake.
89
I do not like Mr. Trump. Many don't like him either. I dislike Sanders and much of what he stands for even more. Also a sentiment shared by many. Nominate Mr Sanders and there is a very strong possibility that Mr. Trump will win a second term.
4
"Mr. Sanders, in turn, used a rally in the Super Tuesday state of Texas to highlight some favorable polling numbers against the president — and attempt to reassure Democrats about his electability if he wins the nomination."
The concern isn't only whether Sanders can beat Trump, though that is a major fear given Sanders' leftist position and history. It's the effect he would have on down ballot races in conservative leaning states and districts, which is already causing Democratic candidates to distance themselves from abolishing private insurance, GND, etc. I want Trump gone from office, but also McConnell and certainly not Kevin McCarthy as Speaker. I fear that at best we have Sanders with a R controlled legislature and at worst Trump with same.
2
Senator Sanders is the third non-typical, non-inner circle candidate in a row to make it big: Obama, Trump, now Sanders. So maybe "conventional wisdom" is off the rails, and U.S. citizens are better aware than party leaders of the fact that in a period of major changes (high tech disruption, climate crisis, massive population migrations) a different approach is needed, and more radical solutions should be looked at. By definition, the "left" (defenders of ordinary people and progressive change) should be better equipped for dealing with this than the "right" (defenders of prvileges and status quo) and the center (small careful changes and not rocking the boat). Bernie (and to a lesser degree Liz Warren) is the only bearer of this message – and clearly lots of people are listening.
2
You next need to write a column on the likelihood of Elizabeth Warren dropping out. After Super Tuesday. She is more likely to drop out than Biden and Buttigieg, as they are doing better than she is. And progressives obviously favor Sanders over Warren in the voting so far.
1
@Gordon Wiggerhaus
She is still polling second nationally (after Sanders), and her numbers went up nationally after the last debate. She also raised a lot of money in a very short period. And not from the plutocrats, unlike Buttigieg and Biden.
1
Sanders' policies cannot possibly be this popular. They are, certainly, favored by less than 50% of Democrats (likely closer to 30%, where they have always been). I suspect that this is another move by Putin to keep his "friend" (more likely henchman) in power; it is similar to what he used to get Trump elected in 2016. Unfortunately, the current government of the United States has no interest whatsoever in interfering with Putin's ploy. Therefore, it is up to widely read publications, like the Times, to alert the citizens of the USA. Four more years of Trump may be too much for ANY Democracy to withstand.
Am I the only one who suspects that the GOP is secretly funding Bernie? I don't have to state the obvious reason.
1
I'm 75 years old. I live on my Social Security, food stamps, Medicare and Medi-Cal. I have access to world-class healthcare. I qualify for every single solitary discount available to poor people. Even my Internet is only $9.99 a month. I use a flip phone with ATT 10¢ a minute. I am grateful and happy with my life. The Democrats offer nothing but anarchy, chaos, disorder, pandemonium and turmoil. No, thank you.
3
@JW - You know that Trump is planning to cut all of those government programs to pay for his giant tax cut for the wealthy, his stupid wall, and his "space force," right?
Medicare is on the block in his proposed budget.
And in your long experience, has there really ever been a more pro-chaos president than Trump?
People like Trump and Stephen Miller don't care much about "poor people" -- as if obvious from everything they say and do.
Better vote for a Republican who will cut all of your programs then
1
Just wondering - Trump was impeached for asking a foreign government to take down Biden, who he feared would have the best chance to win the presidency. The Russians are interfering in our elections by helping the candidacy of Bernie because they think he can't beat Trump.
Biden is almost defeated in the primaries. Bernie is winning.
Did Trump get his way again? He and the Russians must be laughing hysterically at their latest attack on democracy.
1
@AA Unfortunately that is exactly what is happening, a lot of the Bernie people supporting him on social media are Russian bots. Putin was head of the KGB and knows how to win elections the dirty way.
1
Bernie this, Bernie that, Bernie, Bernie, Bernie wherever he is at.
Mr. Sanders is not a life-long Democrat, as I am, by any stretch of the imagination. He only joined the club in 2016 and lost against Hillary Clinton. That tells us everything.
Sanders is on the path to lose for all of us. His ego is our enemy.
5
It is so difficult for an informed voter to take Sanders' flailing Democratic opponents seriously, not when they defy all reason by weakly defining him as a divisive candidate. My response would be; compared to whom, or what? Trump? The real truth is, they all fear Sanders because he does not fit the usual slew of Democratic candidates. All of them, in recent memory, were content to be just a little bit less Republican, to avoid being labeled divisive. Ask John Kerry, who now sounds and acts more like a formidable candidate than the weak candidate he represents. Clinton and Obama fit that middle of the road definition too, note Obama's selection of Biden to be his running mate. Then once elected, the Republicans outmaneuvered Obama politically, with a colorless, rudderless Biden in tow, by convincing thousands of poor caucasians, mostly in the South, that the Affordable Care Act would be to their detriment. Where was Biden's supposed connection to the masses of downtrodden then? In addition, once faced with the prospect of fighting tooth and nail for that lofty, but noble goal, Obama's Chie of Staff then capitalized on his Obama association by leaving Washington DC to mismanage Chicago. Today, retreads like Carville and Emmanuel are on television to tell the rest of us why Sanders is not electable. Democrats will truly deserve votes from the downtrodden, when such voices become marginalized. A Sanders victory will surely guarantee that.
6
This “Bernie Mania” is absurd! The population of Nevada is less than 1% of the US population. Only about 50K people participated in the Nevada caucus. About 25K voted for Bernie. That is less than half of the population of Terre Haute, Indiana. A well organized ground team or a couple community colleges could easily account for Bernie’s numbers. It is absurd for the pundits to be already giving the election to Bernie. It is absurd for people in South Carolina not to turn out to vote because they fear their vote won’t make a difference. Democrats! Wake up and go vote for a viable candidate. Thumb your nose at Donald Trump and vote for a candidate that will make a difference down ticket. Democrats MUST retain the House of Representatives AND win the Senate. Joe Biden is looking very good at this point. And he has been vetted many times. I have been waffling, like many of us until now, and not been an overt Biden supporter, but, I see the handwriting on the wall and he has the best chance of bringing down ticket candidates along. And he knows how to be presidential. He is someone children can look up to. Vote Joe and go home with peace of mind.
2
Democrats “feeling pressure”? What pressure? Sanders isn’t my choice but if he’s the nominee, that’s who we ALL vote for...no pressure.
3
Step aside Joe Biden. You have already have 3 attempts at POTUS and failed each time along with your 4 decades in DC. Bernie is principled and precise in his aim and does not pander or simply rely on us of color to carry him through as Biden has stated about SC.
3
Biden knocked himself out. It was a self inflected blow. Sanders will suffer the same fate in the next round.
2
It is beyond sad that the best the incredibly diverse Democratic Party has been able to come up with as front runners are two old white guys. I cannot understand why Amy Klobuchar is not the first choice of moderate Democrats. Everything is there with her. Why aren't people calling for Biden and Buttigeig to drop out, instead? Biden is an embarrassment who cannot speak or think clearly. Buttigeig has a startling lack of experience, and, the truth is, The minority of voters will not support a gay nominee. Democratic voters are blowing our chances in November - please stop, before it's too late!
Typo should read "the majority of voters will not support a gay man..."
Too many call Bernie "extreme" and "dangerous". Nonsense!
What is "extreme" about Bernie?
That social programs can, do and should co-exist with capitalism?
That billionaires and Amazon pay their fair share of taxes?
That we get on with universal health like every other developed nation in the world?
That we make higher education affordable and don't saddle our children with crippling student debt?
That we address planet and life threatening climate change, spurring innovation and job creation?
The danger to America is the denial of truth and "extreme" labeling that make no sense.
459
@GM
25 trillion dollars of new healthcare spending
11
@GM Ask Bernie how he intends to pay for all of this. He can only explain some.
He also assumes that the average healthy person spends somewhere over 10K per year on healthcare, which is nonsense. But That’s how much in taxes you’ll be paying. Not going to wash.
22
@GM it’s that he’s fiscally illiterate and ineffective.
16
One cannot square the circle of Bernie’s rhetoric for common workers, with his intention to dismantle private health insurance.
According to that most reliable source - the internet- there are approximately 60,233 insurance carrier and related full-time employees in Connecticut. And each insurance job results in an additional 2.32 jobs added to the state economy.
What would happen to these workers and their state’s economy under Bernie?
2
@domplein2 Using job security socialism against Bernie is not a thing.
1
@domplein2: they could find other work in other fields. These organizations add a parasitic cost load to many households. Add a high deductable and people wonder why they pay or have to carry health insurance in the first place.
2
So if Sanders , or any (fill in the blank) democrat, wins the presidential election - will he/she be able to get anything done? Will we be looking at more cries for balanced budgets? Will we be able to get any major legislation passed? Will the economy continue on its trend for 4 more years or fall into a recession? Will the democratic president and policies be blamed for getting nothing done and any downturn in the economy? This really is a win-win situation for the Republicans, but I think a bigger win if a democrat is elected in 2020.
1
Considering Trump's support has never been over 50%, I'm puzzled at all the Bernie bashing. We don't want a revolution? We don't want huge change? The numbers indicate that's exactly what we want. If we didn't want huge change, the moderates would be in the lead. Sure, there is a long way to go in the polls, but Bernie has a lot of support in other states as well. If Trump wins again, the electoral college and/or Russia will be what does it. Where is the Republican replacement for Obamacare? Where is our living wage? What happened to promises of family leave? Infrastructure improvements? But Trump has had plenty of time to rally, Tweet, and vacation every week. If elected, Bernie won't live up to all his promises, but I think he will try. I believe moderates will give us more of the same. I would rather vote for Bernie Sanders and risk losing on him than win the election with another centrist and have the same old problems we have had for decades (Barack Obama being the exception.)
11
@Kristin you are fine with risking it with Bernie and losing to another 4 years of Trump? HUH?!?
Joe Biden i am talking directly to you now. The time has come to come out swinging and take the fight directly to Bernie Sanders for the good oF this country you must get tough anD fight like Trump is going to fight, which means down and dirty. When Sanders admitted his praise for Fidel Castro that gives you your opening, and do all you can to link Sanders to that failed socialist sate Venezuela.
Joe i know you are a civil man, an upright man,who doesn't like to hit low, but this is it, the window of opportunity is swiftly closing. It is always darkest before the dawn and the history of the world has been shaped by great political comebacks. Sanders cannot defeat Trump, middle America will never vote for him and we cant afford 4 more years of Trump. Please Joe cinch up the trunks move to the center of the ring and come out swinging. After all America loves a good fighter.
10
It’s true that Biden is the favorite in South Carolina, but Bernie has an advantage almost everywhere but the Southeast.
3
He’s catching up
1
A lot of intelligent people in denial here. The voter sample of these three states is representative, now we’ve had a diverse state overwhelmingly siding with Bernie.
Only a black swan event could stop him now, like another heart attack. I hope nobody wishes that on him.
5
When Bernie and Clinton were running against each other to be the Democratic nominee in 2016, Clinton received the lion's share of news media coverage. With Bernie as #1 now, at least more people will find out what he and his platform stands for, unless the news media decides to just shut him out.
7
Everyone I know is asking: “When will Biden drop out?” After all, he’s the weakest candidate of the moderate bloc.
But I’m for Bernie, so keep splitting the vote!
5
@Dave Peiser
And you know where the splitting the Democratic vote will lead us, don't you -- or haven't you figured that much out?
1
@Dave Peiser - Up here in Canada, we've had socialized medicine for almost 50 years but that happened before Blue Cross/Blue Shield, United Health Services and a few similar providers got too well established.
In your country, private health insurers and their lobbyists are well-entrenched and they don't look upon Bernie too well. I'm sure they're hard at work digging up dirt on Bernie to smear and discredit him in the hope they can undermine his campaign.
I also think the enormous debt load it would add to a country drowning in debt may dissuade a lot of folks from voting for him though they may be dyed-in-the-wool Democrats. Most of us up here wonder if America is ready for full-bore socialized medicine in one fell swoop, given the cost. Would not a more centrist Democrat be a better choice, with a slower, staged move into socialized medicine over time, perhaps with the elderly, poor and other vulnerable citizens the earliest beneficiaries?
1
@Jaroslaw Rudnycky'j I understand your concern about Medicare for All and whether it's too radical a step from where we are today with healthcare. But the question of who to support as the Dem in the election is bigger than this one issue, even if it may cause consternation and lose a few votes.
I look at the field of Dem candidates and see only one who has the energy and story arc that enables attracting a huge motivated following, will have the ability to draw new voters to the polls, and who will be able to stand up to the buffoon who is currently president.
Vote for Bernie and you’re voting for Trump. A guaranteed loss for democracy.
8
You forget: American families are struggling to afford expensive for profit “healthcare “ and higher education for their children. These are the two most critical issues for the majority of American families. We need Medicare for All. We need to expand public education to include community college and vocational training.
2
@J C Pope - Though I hope the Dems settle on someone more middle-of-the-road, if it's Bernie who gets the nomination, I fear your prediction may be accurate. Democracy is already hanging by a thread after all the damage Trump has done and by 2024, Trump will be a full-bore banana republic dictator with democracy in shreds.
@J C Pope Nah.
I believe part of the Biden's problem is that he has been exposed as the corrupt politician who is by the Trump impeachment.
8
@Southern Boy
And no one knows corruption better than Donald Trump.
2
Isn't it interesting how the Democratic candidates and media pundits keep asking Bernie how he is going to pay for all of his agenda, like single payer health and universal child care and tuition free education in public universities, but never bring up the hundreds of millions of dollars we spend on the military? Why are we not asking all of our candidates, including the current occupant of the White House, how are we going to pay for this exorbitant price tag? The waste of money spent on military costs is astonishing, and at great cost to the average American taxpayer. Yet, not one whisper of how we can continue to fund this, while we hear constant screaming from opponents of Bernie as to how we can possibly fund programs to help our entire society, to keep individuals from losing their homes to health care costs, or to keep students from drowning in debt, or to help young families with parents who both have to work to be able to afford basic child care. It's sad to hear all of this concern about how we are going to help American families but so little about how we can continue to fund a military industrial complex that serves to make enormous profits at the expense of the 99%.
14
@Jackson No. We all know Bernie would do anything to rid the waste in military spending and would actually care about how our military and their families are being treated. All Trump does his say how he supports the military but labels traumatic brain injuries as simple "headaches." Oh yeah, he sure cares what happens to our service people. Putin's real buddy? Trump is his lap dog because of the millions he owes the Russian mob.
So Sanders gets the nomination with less than 30 percent of Dem support, buttressed by massive funding from zealots constituting less than 2 percent of the electorate and overwhelming online asymmetrical warfare. Tyranny of the minority, anyone?
10
@TMS The rules of these primaries have been in place for years. If the moderates lose all of them maybe they're incompetent? And if the moderate voters don't turn out maybe they don't care?
2
It’s not the minority. The majority of American families can or afford for profit health care or college education for their children.
1
You want a reckoning?
Trump wins, get more Supreme Court judges who will then declare Social Security and Medicare "unconstitutional."
Bernie remains completely unaffected.
3
@David Henry
And as a U.S. Senator, Bernie also gets to keep his Social Security, Medicare...and 3 houses.
3
@N. Smith and health care that is plebes can only dream of. All at taxpayer expense.
Any Democratic nominee will win if democrats come together to vote blue no matter who. The infighting is discouraging. Especially those predicting Bernie will not win. Why? You won’t vote for him? Prefer Trump? Then we’re doomed. In my opinion only Bernie can win. Trump doesn’t worry about all the “moderate” voters, he plays to his base. Bernie is the only candidate to generate real excitement and have a real following. Have you watched the debates? Biden is drowning, Bloomberg is cringe worthy. Klobuchar was near crying. Buttigieg is a glib lightweight. Warren is excellent, but how is she that different from Sanders policy wise? Bernie will win for us. All that said, I’ll vote for any nominee. No More Trump should be our only concern!
7
@Samantha Kelly
You raise CRITICAL POINT! Regardless of who gets the Democratic party nomination, all non-Trump supporters must go to the polls and vote Democrat!!!! This is what got Trump elected in 2016. Voters staying home because they did not like the Democratic candidate contributed strongly to a Trump win. And he will again if Democrats and non Trump supporters stay away on election day!!! This is the greatest problem a Democratic candidate will face. Supporters of those who don't win MUST vote for whoever is the Democratic candidate-the only way to regain public trust in our government and in the White House.
2
The moderate Democrats, the media, and the political class have stop embracing the "fear of failure" and realize that the majority of Americans are suffering from the "fear of Trump." It should be as simple as A-B-T--Anybody But Trump. What's wrong with health care for all as opposed to Trump's health for those who can afford it? What's wrong with fighting climate change versus Trump's climate denying? What's wrong with raising taxes on the rich to pay for this instead of Trump's $1 trillion tax cuts for the rich paid for by cutting health care, food stamps, Medicaid, and Medicare? What's wrong with keeping our Constitution and its "rule of law" as opposed to the authoritarian "rule of Trump"? What's wrong with civility, human decency, and integrity as opposed to Trump's cruelty, criminality, racism, sexism,, venality and vindictiveness? So far Democratic voters in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada seem to approve of it.
331
@Paul Wortman Great comment! The answer to your questions though, "what's wrong...?", is unfortunately how many people in power, NYT writers and editors and owners included, stand to lose a few bucks the moment Bernie is elected. Their taxes will go up, and everything they've bought into since the Reagan years, all the "tools" bad faith, anti-government Conservatives of the 80s gave both liberal and conservative talking heads to keep their parties in check, uphold the status quo, they've all been debunked and thrown out the window.
That's why they're breathlessly frantic in their obvious sabotage of Bernie and his supporters. These people's taxes are going to go up, and a few stocks they have their money on, like pharmaceuticals that charge $400/pill, or healthcare companies that deny children with preexisting conditions, will start to lose money for them. That's all any of this is about. They clearly know Bernie is the superior leader, the much better man, to Trump, they know that. They just don't want to pay more in taxes, that's always been the scheme, and it's never been more obvious and mask-off for Americans to see their scheming in action.
27
@Paul Wortman
"Nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters have a favorable opinion of Mr. Sanders, while only 20 percent see him negatively, according to a recent Monmouth University poll. That puts his net favorability rating at 53, higher than any other Democrat in the race — and at least 15 points better than any other candidate, with the exception of Ms. Warren (her net favorability rating is 48)."
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/14/us/politics/latest-democratic-polls.html
During the past four decades or so, the American Dream died, and the Establishment never noticed.
During this time, Capitalism morphed into America's religion, and profit became god.
And these values have not nurtured leaders whose focus is improving the lives of all working people, and concern for the common good.
We, who care about the future and who know that when we all can thrive, America will thrive...
We are very thankful for Sanders, his integrity, bold ideas, vision and courage!
I have long supported Sanders, not expecting miracles, but knowing that President Sanders will reignite idealism, and that Americans will rise to meet his expectations of caring for each other, the common good, and the world.
The Time Is Now!
A Future To Believe In!
President Sanders 2020!
17
@Marc it’s not people in power. It’s just everyday voters. Traditionally Dems raise taxes on wealthy and lower taxes on working class and middle class. Republicans do the reverse. Bernie wants to raise taxes on everyone for things he doesn’t know will actually work out. Most Americans don’t want to lose their private insurance for a half baked fiscally illiterate single payer plan.
13
Maybe I'm wrong, but hasn't Sanders won Nevada in 2020 with almost exactly the vote percentage/number of delegates as he garnered in 2016 (when it was not a winning result)?
I thought Sanders has been promising that he will expand the number of voters.
4
@Mary mathematically not equivalent since there are far more potential nominees in 2020 than in 2016, so the vote is split into smaller pieces. Algebraically Sanders is stronger now as a percentage than he was in 2016.
4
Sanders will be eviscerated by Trump. The Democratic Party, for supporting one who is not a Democrat, if it falls to Sanders blackmail, will be greatly diminished. The radical Left, any more than the radical Right, do no speak for a majority of Americans. Sanders is "winning" with a tiny fraction of the overall pool of voters. If you are delusional enough to think that this never-vetted, self-righteous, ideologue can win the 2020 election, I've got a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn.
11
@Mack
"If you are delusional enough to think that this never-vetted, self-righteous, ideologue can win the 2020 election, I've got a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn."
Are we talking about Trump or Sanders? Sanders has at least served our country for years in Vermont and the US Senate....Because it sounds like the self-righteous right is really talking about Mr. Selfish himself, Trump.
I believe that Bernie can win, if he unites people, something Trump will never ever do.
2
@Mack
Never vetted?
The dude has been a senator for decades.
I'd contrast his record with Trump...but my character count would run out before I even got past the sexual harassment section.
2
It’s not “radical “ to think Americans should have what citizens of every other first world nation on earth have had for decades. Why should Americans live like citizens of the third world?
3
Let me see if I understand: Trump won because the white working class was angry and alienated and wanted change, so the way to beat Trump is to nominate someone who promises to make things just like they were before Trump. The more I listen to "mainstream" columnists and candidates, the less sense they make. Should we not nominate a candidate who at least advocates fundamental change? I'm not saying that Bernie is necessarily the best choice, but surely he has as much chance of winning as a "Let's make things like they were before Trump," candidate.
21
@Bob Kelly
I wish I could agree, but Sanders is saying "revolution" which is not like "make things like they were", but how I demand they must be totally different than they were before. It turns voters to the cliche "The devil you know vs the devil you don't know". Or "don't want to know".
1
If the non-Democrat, Sanders, is the nominee of my Party, I will not do what 116,000 Sanders voters did in 2016 in Pennsylvania and vote for Trump with similar actions in MI and WI handing the White House to Trump. But, I won't vote for him either. I can't vote for a person who uses division to win elections; who talks about others with such derision and hatred, and, who is a self-righteous ideologue. My one vote won't put anyone in the White House, but I can sleep knowing that I will not support Sanders or Trump to sow discontent and hatred of "others".
8
@Mack I am sorry to hear this, since Trump is by far the scarier result of 2020. Sanders may frighten or annoy but he is at his core a man of the people. He sows no hatred with me or mine. Emphatic, yes, dishonest, no. And for that alone I cannot stay away from the voting booth.
5
Bernie is inclusive and speaks for the majority of Americans. We need Medicare for All. We can’t afford for profit health care and we can’t afford to send our children to college.
2
@Mack Really? You think it's more important for you to sleep well than to vote for Sander?
You think you'll sleep better under a trump second term?
Please rethink this.
Also, you say "I can't vote for a person who uses division to win elections;" (FYI -- they all do) who talks about others with such derision and hatred" (I haven't heard it -- please provide examples), and, who is a "self-righteous ideologue" (so much so that you will tolerate another 4 years of a self-righteous ideologue who is also a malignant narcissist?)
2
I propose a three way deal, Warren discloses her job applications (so we can see whether she checked the a Native American box), Bernie discloses his realty records, and Bloomberg releases the other parties in the NDAs. Then we can make an informed decision.
1
Why would Bernie need to release his realty records?
@Mary you forgot Trump's taxes.
2
@Mary You're worried about Bernie's realty records? I could see health records but information on his houses and their value can be found online. Btw, all three of Bernie's houses combined are worth less than one of Bloomberg's 11 houses.
3
While we are all debating who should exit the stage, I must ask what is Tulsi Gabbards game? Is there any talk of an independent and how they might change the formula in swing states where margins are thin?
3
After 3 years of unending lies, we're craving honesty. The Democratic Party establishment is not up to the task to deliver this, but Sanders can, with a younger and thoughtfully chosen running mate beside him.
15
So maybe a Sanders win is preferred bij the Russians, who knows? It will create the chaos Putin loves. First in de DNC and later in the November election.
How about a President Sanders and a red congress "to keep him in check" ? Total chaos, no Sanders' legislation get enacted. A silver lining: trump will no longer be immune to legal persecution.
1
@Paul2 There is NO way that Russia prefers Sanders over Trump. I suspect that is just part of the pro-Trump Russia strategy.
6
That would not be ‘total chaos’. Legislation not getting passed in divided government is status quo, not chaos, and is also the political norm.
3
@Paul2 Paranoia abounds.. No introspection, no asking the young people in your life why they are working so hard to elect this man. Nope, just denial, head in the sand, insane musings about Russians controlling everything, ignoring the polls of favorability, comfortability, independents head -to - head with Trump, most diverse coalition, three contests in and each one he pulled the most first time voters...
But to a brain-washed moderate partisan, all these things can be dismissed out of hand, face turned up to the sky at least until they start to "duck n' cover" because the Russians are coming..
2
Bernie raised a great point during his audience discussion on Fox. He asked everyone if they liked having their health care plan in the hands of their employer. A lot of people said "no". It seemed like an honest discussion, right? But what Bernie forgot??? to ask, is how would you feel about having your health plan in the hands of Trump, McConnell, or one of Donnie Boy's stellar cabinet members?
5
Easy answer: you can choose your government, you often have no choice of employer.
3
@Ralph Even if you have a great employer based healthcare plan, they are unnecessary golden handcuffs.
Government based healthcare has been proven to work in all other advanced countries.
1
@Liz
I have yet to hear about a "great" employer based health-care plan. I have insurance through my employer and recently had two, routine outpatient procedures at two different, for-profit hospitals. I had elected to go with the more expensive ("standard" rather than "basic") option so I could see providers outside my plan. Nonetheless, both hospitals were inside my plan, as were all the physicians who participated in my procedures. Despite that, I received bills I was obligated to pay myself over and above what my insurance had already paid to both the hospitals and each physician (7 separate bills in all) at the rate of 15% of what my insurers had paid. When I inquired of my insurance company why I was paying an additional 15% out-of-pocket to healthcare providers who were inside my plan, they told me that because I had the more expensive "standard" coverage, I had to pay more for treatment by providers inside the plan than those who opted for the "basic," less-expensive plan. In other words, those who have the more expensive insurance are penalized for seeing providers inside the plan. Fifteen percent of the cost of each of these providers was significant. And these costs were of course in addition to my deductibles. "Healthcare" in this country is a racket.
2
“...looks to knock out Biden “.
No. Bad slant to the story.
Not a boxing match.
Don’t make the mistake of looking for drama at the expense of information. That’s what led to Trump.
12
Trump is the enemy. Old film is a distraction. We don’t have anything to fear about Bernie, 1%ers do. I’m union, 70+, but voting for the future, not myself. Vote blue
33
Doesn't the DNC get it yet? We don't want the same old thing. I personally missed the message when Clinton was nominee but understand the deep discord on ALL sides (GOP-IND-DEM) after Clinton election loss. She was off limits to the people.... meanwhile People want change in Washington, not the same old system. We got Trump and while many of us do not like him, it is bringing change. And maybe not the change Trumpers want. We have AOC and the power 4, for example. More women running. More POC. Meanwhile the DNC is shoving the same old stuff out the doors.
16
@CSM
"We" have the AOC? "'We' is reserved for royalty, pregnant women and those of us with parasites." Wilde.
To which "we" do you refer?
2
Feel the Bern! You feelin' it? I'm feelin' it. Now if the rest of the children could put their massive egos aside and focus on getting Bernie elected we'll actually win the Presidency and Congress too!
14
In the past 24 hours Sanders has managed to alienate Cuban American and Jewish voters. Good luck Dem's.
4
My family is Jewish. He has not alienated us.
3
@Zejee
If you aren't alienated, you aren't paying attention. Maybe you should start reading /watching news other than NYT/WaPo/CNN/MSNBC.
1
Sanders is a Jewish voter himself. Hard to see how that works. Is it possible that religions and races don’t vote as monoliths? Yes!
Forced to choose between his own man and Obama's valet, it's really not that difficult. Sometimes for Joe's sake he should just drop the coattails. It's embarrassing to listen to him pander so hard.
11
@John Doe 100% this.
2
Just about anyone in the country could rattle off two or three of Bernie's big splashy policies (regardless of whether or not they like them). Try asking Joe/Joanna Blow from Peoria to come up with anything from Biden.
7
@JRM Bernie's policies are memorable because they are absurd at best, but more troubling than anything. Yes, I will remember American existential calamity vs. a more measured, sane approach towards fixing society's ills.
1
@JRM
Easy:
1. Mandatory record players for black people.
2. A Pardon for CornPop
3. Hunter Biden as Secretary of Energy
Jim Clyburn's endorsement will be key.
I hope he calls out, specifically by name, the candidates who need to get out, in addition to endorsing.
Steyer, Amy and Pete have to face reality.
11
@Lefthalfbach It’s a regional sideshow.
3
What should be obvious is that more Democrats support someone other than Bernie than Bernie supporters. The national news is focused on the the wrong message when it calls Bernie the front runner and the Democratic leadership needs to actually lead for once. There's only one choice--Biden or Butteig and based on the delegate count Buttegeig is the better candidate.
13
@McDiddle Buttigieg is an excellent candidate with strong policies that appeal to both progressives and moderates. He has been unfairly smeared by the Sanders campaign and the Times, but voters who do their homework are still impressed by him and sticking with him. The primaries are far from over.
3
@McDiddle
More Democrats support someone other than ANY individual candidate. Take your pick. That's because no one has a majority.
1
@Jolton
Because I did my homework, I am not impressed with him. More donations from the financial and insurance sectors than any other candidate, pay-to-play (quid-pro-quo) lucrative contracts to big donors while he was mayor of South Bend, hiring a former Goldman-Sachs executive as his policy director and a vague "platform" lacking in details that has shifted with every debate. Plenty of platitudes and cheap shots, though, directed at other candidates. Most of us don't want the same-old, same-old rebranded and sold to us as something new. See, e.g., well-researched and documented article on Buttigieg in February 17 issue of Common Dreams.
1
If Bernie is the nominee the scale of the Democratic losses, including down ticket, will be unprecedented. A vote for Bernie, is a helping hand to Trump in November. Most independents and some Democrats, are very happy with the status quo, we don’t want a revolution, we like our health care, we just want to get rid of a Trump. But we are not willing to support a revolution, to do so.
Heard last night that my 90 year old aunt in Ireland, has been waiting 6 months to SEE a specialist about her cataracts, when she might have cataract surgery is a complete unknown. That, my friends, is socialized medicine.
21
@Mary
Actually, Bernie's numbers look quite good and he is driving increased turnout.
We already tried running a "moderate," Establishment candidate against Trump.
She. Lost.
8
90 years olds in America already have socialized medicine! It’s called Medicare which covers everyone over 65 and, hint, they love it! I’m flabbergasted that I need to point this out at all. We need to let everyone buy into Medicare, we already pay for it in payroll taxes, and the cost of adding younger healthy people to the program is minimal since most Medicare spending occurs in the final year of life.
11
@Mary Oh, the 6-month wait is just the start of it. First it will be a small tax increase on the middle class, then a bigger one. Then there will be the wealth tax, which will drive down investment in the U.S. as investors look elsewhere for a more business-friendly climate to park their cash. Then when the wealth runs out, there will be a value added tax (VAT), which all countries with socialized medicine have, on all goods and services - the most regressive form of taxation. The final domino to fall will be the eventual brain drain from the U.S. as it becomes increasingly less attractive for foreign talent and the top academics leave the country for better opportunities elsewhere. The 800 lb gorilla in the room is that this is already happening in Europe, where people are trying to escape Nordic countries in droves due to the punitive taxation.
4
There was an article in yesterday's Guardian that asked why the Democrats, instead of dividing, don't simply unite behind their frontrunner and push to helping Sanders defeat Trump. It was long, very clearly thought out, and finally, an intelligent work of journalism.
The Guardian, which I read regularly, has been very disappointing, because it has become a clone of the NYT, that has been and remains so anti-Sanders. And Lo, logic!
A bright journalistic light.
It would enhance the NYT if it could take a similar stand and accept the fact that their last candidate lost, a page has been turned, and media help is a requirement if the Democrats are to beat the would-be dictator. If Trump wins again, news media will also suffer.
Like it or not, Sanders can send the President back to the NY real estate mafia.
18
@Anonymot
Indicators are pointing to Sanders winning the Democratic nomination. But nationally? I still fear that the continued use of the word 'socialism' is going to completely scare many potential voters away.
Please, Sanders, find a new way to label yourself and your plans so that you connect with people rather than scare them off. Forcing the listener to define the word with his/her own associations is dangerous. We also can be sure the word 'socialism' is going to be the strongest weapon used against Sanders/Democrats.
Even the Medicare site uses the phrase "Shared Responsibility". How about that for describing how we all take care of our home?
4
@Anonymot Like Sanders and his supporters did for Clinton in 2016? No thanks.
4
@Anonymot It isn’t time for anyone to drop out or unite. Bernie now has a whopping 39 delegates. Can we please wait 2 weeks to see who wins the next 1357 delegates?
4
It is called voting and the people who take the time and effort to vote are choosing the candidate they prefer.
So far the candidate with the best organization to get out the vote, who has the biggest crowds at his rallies, the biggest on line donor base and a message that resonates with the more people is winning.
Is not that the way it is supposed to happen?
Or are the coastal pundits and establishment politicians who know best supposed to choose the Democratic nominee?
I think not. Those days died with the old machine politics of the 50s.
26
Reality Check these promises never pay the bills.Jobs pay taxs an jobs dont pay living wage only cost american people more taxs .Dont trust empty promises who suggest its free when reality just another empty promise. Politicans we presently have running cant make what we allready have for good reason. Called creative manageing as long as there is problem something to fix so keep it broken.
Hoorah! This is great news for Trump supporters like me.
10
Neither Biden nor Sanders will beat Trump.Biden will not win because he is beholden to the Black Vote, and Sanders will destroy our economy should he become President.
I thought Bloomberg would be our best bet, but he was destroyed by Warren.
Hold onto your seat as Trump will win a second term.
22
@Independent1776
No, you're mistaken Bernie wants to *reign in* Wall Street not deregulate it in order for them to destroy the economy again. It's a good thing we had a social safety net, key word social, and strong govt intervention, at least from the left, to help us through those times.
2
Yes, Sanders once again will skew the results in South Carolina with a massive turnout of Republican voters looking to aid and abet the weakest general election candidate against Trump.
23
You do realize that Bernie leads Trump in national polls and in the only polls that matter which are the swing state polls, right?
2
@Val Landi
So you're saying his national, and state first place lead in polling, as well as prior wins and support in closed caucuses or primary are because of Republicans?
And having the most individual donors of any candidate by far, more military donors than Trump, Biden, and Buttigieg combined, the largest rallies, and most diverse coalition... it's all just Republicans monkeying around?
3
@Val Landi I would think they would vote for Bloomberg, so they have a Republican in the White House either way.
Warren fears Bloomberg - her bigger threat is Bernie. Bernie fears Biden, his bigger threat is Buttigieg. We are by now herding cats. I know I'm not the only one who just wants the speeding car to hit the brick wall and be done with it. Bring back superdelegates. We need them. Badly.
7
I like Mike, but if Sanders get the nomination I am (and my friends) are all in. We are brave Americans and can handle the scary healthcare for all issue.
43
@Linda Conn Thank you, Linda! I think the important thing for us to do as a country is to steadfastly unite behind whoever is nominated to run against Trump. We have to put the infighting aside. That only serves the forces that seek to divide us.
6
@Linda Conn Reality Check health care just form slavery .Making healthy people buy insurance an forcing people to work in order to have health care is slavery. Try purchasing health care making poverty wages. This is real world 92 million on medicaid is why we need more taxs an also people who are endebted to government tend to vote for those who offer them something free
@Linda Conn I am a Democrat and I fear a Sanders election more than a Trump re-election. I'm trying to retire within the next 10 years and the last thing I want is a president who is trying to socialize 2/3 of the country's GDP and tank the world economy in the process. Yes, I do believe we need to take steps to improve the lives of the poor and people of color in the U.S., as amply demonstrated by the positions of moderates like Biden, Bloomberg and Buttigieg. But I don't think we need to destroy the economy and America's financial standing in the world in the process.
3
In all honesty, if Bernie focuses his general election campaign primarily on Medicare for All, he can beat Trump.
I am far from what could be called a bleeding-heart liberal, but the current healthcare system is a disgrace, and Medicare for All is certainly worth a try. For Sanders to focus on meaningful change-- rather than the factionalism and identity politics and pablum spouted by the other candidates, would be a refreshing and compelling change.
Trump won in 2016 because he promised to shake up the status quo at a fundamental level on specific issues-- immigration and global trade deals being at the top. He will win again if Democrats continue to insist upon being the party that can't focus and can't take a firm stand.
345
@Jack
Where have you been? -- The only thing coming out of Sanders' mouth is "factionalism and identity politics".
And that's why Democrats are having such a hard time coming together.
31
@Jack If a modest change like ObamaCare was so difficult to pass, so vehemently opposed by the GOP, so fraught with troubles on roll out, what might be the outcome from a complete shutdown of private insurance? Smooth sailing? If Bernie were as honest, he would propose rolling out incrementally, a few states at a time. That might leave some resources to deal with other minor issues, say, like climate change?
17
Bernie will. He plans to roll it out by age over four years.
9
To paraphrase the most intelligent human who ever lived: the definition of political insanity is making the same exact mistake over and expecting a different result. George McGovern a very liberal United States Senator lost in a landslide to the one President who is the next best thing to Trump-Richard Nixon. Probably in the same fashion, with Nixon scheming to get McGovern the democratic nomination. The majority of this countries electorate is not liberal and If you want to hand Trump a similar landslide than vote for Sanders on Super Tuesday, if you want to stop Trump cold vote for anybody else on Super Tuesday.
23
@Lonnie One could argue that US demographics and the world at large have changed a bit since the late 60s.
8
@Lonnie - It's a good thing safe establishment centrists like Al Gore, John Kerry and Hillary Clinton fared so well in their elections! I think more resent examples are much more informative than an election that took place nearly five decades ago.
16
@Lonnie
I see McGovern being tossed around lately...
Very coordinated, if you ask me,...
but Sanders is not McGovern, and the 70's have been over for half a century.
80% of the US population was born after that election, and care very little about what happened 50 years ago.
They do have very fresh memories of 2016, however.
7
We now have a supposed front runner who refuses to release his medical records after a recent heart attack. Doctor summaries are not enough. Sanders initially said he would release all records and then changed his tune. Thus strikes me as straight out of the Trump playbook which we’ve all gotten used to. It is incumbent upon the media, the other candidates and the voters to press Sanders to release those records. It only suggests to me, a lifelong Democrat, that Sanders has something to hide.
27
@Michele Not only that, he sat on his intelligence briefing regarding Russian meddling for a month and never said a word about it until he was forced to respond to the media. He is every bit as opaque, deceptive and scheming as the current autocrat in the WH.
5
@Michele Well said. It looks like Bernie's medical records are following the same trajectory as Trumps tax returns!
4
What's happening today and will continue until the Election in November 2020 is a phenomenon. The political psychology is as follows. President Trump commands huge rallies and support in his travels. This will continue right up until November. Sanders has the same following as in 2016 which is unique compared to the other Dem Candidates. His supporters are trying now match the intensity of the Trump's following; even in a losing cause. They want to belong to "something" because the rest of the Dem Candidates are so abysmal. They dislike Trump so intensely that they'll do anything to part of "something". Too bad for them this November. Trump in a landslide!
5
After reading the article and the comments, I ask myself if Bernie is a McGovern or an Obama. I worked for both candidates. Anti-war didn't work in 1968 America, and young voters weren't enough. Obama was a rock star, not running against an incumbent, and for a long time I didn't see how he could beat HRC in the primaries. He did his homework and was ready long before she was.
Bernie hasn't been my first choice; Amy is. But Bernie is a rock star and the only candidate I see that excites (to put it mildly) significant numbers. Like it or not, we need a rock star, because we are running against a Jim Jones, to date myself even more.
What nobody seems to be saying aloud is that Bernie and Trump have about the same chance in office of dying or becoming disabled as Trump had of being elected in 2016. At least.
Besides, no Democratic president ever gets their entire agenda through Congress. Only Republicans have that luxury. Get over the socialism stuff, America. With Sanders, we could take the country out of reverse. But I don't expect much more than moving forward in first gear, maybe second if we are lucky.
26
@Mike S. Actually, I had my Mc's mixed up. It was McCarthy in '68 and McGovern in '72, both against RMN. Same results.
2
@Mike S. Thank you, Mike! It is good to have the benefit of your experience. We need to move our country forward again. I agree that Mr. Sanders appears to be in the best position to help us reach that goal. The important thing is that we get out the vote for the Democratic nominee, whoever that may be.
@Mike S. Assuming Bernie reached capacity, he brought out just under 9,000 to his rally yesterday. Buttigieg had 10,000+ at an outdoor rally in a Virginia football field; they had to stop counting because people couldn't get in and were still stretched around the block. You won't read that in the NYT or even the Washington Post, in whose backyard this rally was held. It doesn't fit the narrative of who's a rock star and who goes to rock concerts these days.
4
Tomorrow night's debate will be do or die, not only for Biden, but for the Democratic party as we know it. Moderates need to full throttle attack Bernie, revealing his not so distant past Socialist/Communist remarks that should scare the bejesus for anyone hoping to beat Trump and retake the Senate. Please do your homework!!!
16
Bernie is simply a symptom of the left's stranglehold on Democratic primaries. It's unfortunate, as a Sanders nomination will result in a George McGovern scale loss for Democrats in a year in which they face a truly vulnerable opponent. The attack ads on Bernie will write themselves based on his own past statements and history. He's out of touch with middle American values, and simply can't win. The primary success of odd, bombastic, fringe candidates like both Trump and Sanders says more about a broken primary process, than it does about the value of the candidates themselves. I know I could vote for neither of those two unacceptable options.
21
@Wesley Clinton lost the House, Senate and Presidency leading to the loss of the Supreme Court too. Against Trump.
That’s the relevant history of 2016, not 1972 when people didn’t have computers and were still racists.
2
@Wesley I was truly aghast at people who voted third party in 2016 and I just could not get my head around why people would simply throw away their vote given the potentially dire consequences. Now I understand. I cannot vote for Trump or Sanders either - populist, power hungry extremists.
"But attacks on Mr. Sanders began mounting on Sunday"
No, vicious attacks on Sen. Sanders began 4 years ago, and has been unrelenting on the NYT op-ed section for the last year.
14
The guy who wants to make sure poor people have healthcare is not your enemy, friends, fellow NYT readers, and the hoardes of Russian bots who reply to every article.
27
@Jeff Sanders is not an enemy - but he's also not a Democrat. His policies and stump speech hasn't changed in his 40 years in the business. He's jus not a good bet to win.
Original socialism (often called Christian Socialism) was based on "What is mine is yours." Sander's Democratic Socialism is based on"What is yours in mine."
8
I’m sorry, but this is a bumper sticker level argument. Can you articulate your positions so we can actually debate?
2
@Sean
Actually, it's a quote from Churchill.
1
Curious that only Elizabeth Warren was referred to as Senator. 3 other candidates also bear that title.
5
@Marian
Read carefully. All of the titles are used on first mention (including Senator Warren) but not thereafter. This is in keeping with standard Times protocol.
What is Bernie Sanders path to victory? He just snubbed AIPAC and praised Cuba's Castro
https://www.mediaite.com/election-2020/bernie-sanders-snubs-aipac-over-providing-a-platform-for-bigotry-pro-israel-lobby-group-denounces-his-odious-attack/
Will Dems settle for someone who apparently is interested only in changing the conversation, or insist on a candidate-- and a ticket-- to win?
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/23/opinion/bernie-sanders-trump-2020.html
3
@M You know Bernie’s a Jew, right?
The horse-race aspect of reporting these events is starting to grate, especially since the primaries have barely begun and over-anxious pundits and pollsters are already calling the results.
What's at stake here is nothing less than the welfare and sanctity of the Republic which has been challenged and undermined by the person currently occupying the White House.
The decision lying before us as Americans, is greater than just pitching one candidate over another.
We must all somehow come together and reclaim our nation while not forgetting we are still a Democracy as this president appears to have done.
There's too much at stake not to.
22
If Sanders really wants to knock out Biden, he should just hand him the microphone and let him speak.
The more he does, the more people will see he is not the right person to get behind.
16
Agreed. Biden fumbles his words in practically every sentence. I can’t even listen to him anymore.
4
@Norville T. Johnston
Funny and true.
1
If Sanders wins, Democrats should leave and start a "Actual Democrat" party. No independents allowed.
2
So please explain what an “actual” Democratic Party looks like.
1
@Paul S
I sure hope you feel the same way about Bloomberg. "No Republicans Allowed, either", correct?
But then again if Democratic party leadership wants Bloomberg so badly, one has to wonder just what exactly is going on with th Democratic Party?
8
Fortunately, we don't take advice from Republicans and Russians. Good luck in November, may the best candidate win.
1
Biden has nothing to offer.
Obama did little to impact the growing inequality and the suffering among those in the bottom half of income in America.
Sure, Obama was tasteful, and his cliched thinking could be well-delivered, but Obama's mediocrity, masked by style, paved the way for Trump and Sanders in 2016, and the Obama-Hillary-types made sure that a man with sincere concern for working people (Sanders) was pinched out so the insincere man (Trump) could win.
Biden is Obama-lite.
"But for" the constitutional horrors of Trump's attack on law and on the separation of powers, Democrats like Biden are offering nothing except "I am not Trump." Sure, that will get votes of those of us appalled at Trump's behavior, but it does not solve the distributional problems in the economy.
The Democratic Party "elite" are now clearly clueless, or, worse, they actually prefer Trump to Sanders due to their ties to the oligarchy --- sure, "nicer" oligarchs, but oligarchy all the same.
18
You are speaking exactly what I have been thinking but could not put in concise sentences. Kudos!
1
Biden is leaning too heavily on Obama. It's pathetic. His entire identity is borrowed from President Obama.
16
@mary bardmess
According to political advertisements, Bloomberg was Obama's Vice president....
If I were Biden, I would be just a little angry that an (ex) Republican is rewriting Obama's legacy, erasing Joe's resume.
3
If Klobuchar, Buttigieg, Warren, and Steyer care about the future of the country, they will drop out immediately. They won’t of course. Ego and megalomania are their true heart and soul. It is probably too late anyway. David Brooks is right: Sanders is selling a myth. Enough to win Democratic nomination. His ego is bigger than all of the candidates combined. Which means Trump wins reelection. God save us. Is Spain still cheap?
19
@Harry Bissinger I’ve lived in mythical Northern Europe and it’s real.
If I hadn’t been lucky enough in life to be completely free I would not choose to live here.
2
@Harry Bissinger Portugal is a better bet.
2
@Harry Bissinger The problem is that at this point, Warren and Klobuchar are really running for VP and won't quit. If Sanders is nominated, he can't select a white male for VP, and all the other non-white non-males have self-destructed. This is what identity politics gets you.
1
Really, all these opinionated operatives can stuff it. I'm backing a candidate whose values and positions I believe in. The Democratic Party delivered absolutely nothing to me in Clinton in '16 and then handed to the nation the hands-down most shameful presidency to date. They like to think our loyalty is to the party, but I've been burned too many times. Yes, my candidate is one of those clogging up the lanes, and I'll stick with him til the bitter end. Then I'll vote anti-Trump. Again, my values are all I can count on to lead me at this point.
6
Sanders was praising Fidel Castro, that in itself will spawn a thousand Trump attack ads if Bernie wins the nomination. A thousand campaign ads that will be shown over and over in States like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and FLORIDA, Please people , if you love this country vote for Biden on Super Tuesday.
9
@Lonnie
That's terrible praising Castro. I mean who wouldn't want Cuba to return to the pre-Castro democracy it had before the revolution.
Oh wait, the country was run by a Mafia supported dictator.
And I'm still waiting to understanding how it is China which is a dictatorship with a massive military that threatens us somehow is a great trading partner but Cuba, which is no threat to us, somehow needs to be isolated.
14
@Steve You seriously need to talk to Cubans whose families were destroyed due to the revolution's co-opting of all private wealth and businesses.
1
And to think one word and one word only got us to this point. If Hillary hadn't called 1/4 of the nation "Deplorable" in 2016 she might be elected right now, Bernie would be at his vacation property and all the hysteria would be lost. Thanks Hillary!!
7
@RS Hillary’s deplorables was Romney’s 47%. This is still how the centrists think of the heartland and why they can’t win.
8
@RS This is a failed rehash of Clinton's 2016 debate claim. Bernie has repeated said that Cuba is an undemocratic and authoritarian country, and that he hopes it will become a democracy. Just google that.
What Sanders did say in 1985, I believe it was in the context of the Iran Contra scandal, is that the U.S was wrong to send terrorists to try to overthrow the democratically elected Nicaraguan Government. He added that the U.S. had been equally wrong to invade Cuba in 1960 to stop a popular revolution there, and that the Cuba health program was second to none south of the border.
Is it not the height of hypocrisy for those who tried their best to undermine democracy in Central America to now tsk tsk Bernie about Cuba?
5
@RS
Just for the record.
She called Trump supporters with racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic and Islamophobic views deplorable.
Well, look at what happened in Charlottesville, Va.
Aren't they?
The headline is wrong. Trump and the Russians, with a lot of help from the U.S. Senate, have knocked out Biden. The take home message the Republicans will receive is, "Cheating works." The take home message for the rest of us is, "Republics aren't easy to keep anymore."
6
With the interference of Russia, Sanders would be another Putin puppet!
6
@Shenonymous
We already know all republicans who run for president are Russian puppets. Now it's democratic socialists. Will a successful Green party candidate be Russian too? Will I turn into a Russian if i don't agree with ths DNC/MSM?
2
@Brian
Yes
The media has already crowned Sanders the king of everything. They show open disdain for any other candidate who has the nerve to oppose him. People say that Bloomberg is trying to buy the vote, I say that the liberal media (and I'm a life long Democrat) not only has it's thumb, but both hands on the scale for Sanders. Any negative aspects about Sanders are given extremely short shrift. The bottom line is that the media benefits if Trump wins. With Trump as the president, the media can continuously bemoan, OMG, he did this, he did that. It translates into millions of people watching their shows. It's about money. They have turned the debates into a mini version of the Hunger Games. In the last debate it was wall to wall "attack, attack, attack" against opponents. How does that help voters see what the candidates have to offer? Really how is Sanders supposed to achieve his plans? That very important aspect is always ignored and Sanders gets a pass.
24
@dyegriffin I disagree. Liz Warren, despite her mediocre primary performances and dim prospects, has been explicitly shielded from negative press attention. Oh... you don't suppose the NYT's endorsement of Liz had anything to do with that? Nothing to see here!
The Sanders fanatics are exactly like the Trump fanatics. Facts don't matter, and if you dare to disagree, then you become the enemy.
Stop the world I want to get off.
43
@David Henry
The facts are on our side. Blowing up your fallacies may be inconvenient for you, and may seem rude, but I follow the facts, which is why over my forty years I have moved from the center to the Left.
The Left was right about Supply Side, unfetterred free trade, deregulating the investment banks, Iraq, etc. The Left was correct about all of the most important by issues.
The Left was correct. The Right was Wrong. And Centrists keep compromising with the wrong side.
Those that passionately argue for the principles ratified by super-majorities in the Constitution ARE moderate.
Those that call our government their "enemy," call for foreign interference in our elections, call for violence against US citizens, and keep raising spending and cutting taxes to weaken our Republic are extreme.
There is no half of a Constitution. If you compromise with attacking the Constitution they win. The establishment Democrats keep compromising with attacks on our Constitution, can and that is why we have Trump.
I'm with Bernie because he is honest and he doesn't back down.
3
@McGloin "The facts are on our side."
Classic. I think Trump said that yesterday, or was it the day before?
Here's a fact: How is Bernie going to convince a GOP congress to pass anything he wants? He doesn't say.
1
Too bad Sanders felt the need to insult “establishment democrats”. He needs all the help he can get. Looks like we’re stuck with Trump for a few more years.
26
@GC He doesn't have the nomination yet, so it's too early.
Though, Bernie usually starts his pitch by saying he respects the other candidates and they're his friends.
It will be a delicate balance in the general. He can't be too close to the Democratic establishment for the heartland worker strategy to succeed.
Bernie Sanders does not represent most Americans. His notions for USA government is weak at best and not really democratic at worst.
17
Democratic primary voters should read what Bernie has to say about Castro. That should be enough. After slaughtering thousands and largely outlawing private property, Castro “pursued literacy programs.” Bernie omitted the first two clauses of the previous sentence, focusing only on the literacy of the Cubans. If he’s the nominee, Florida is out. But more importantly if he’s the president he will excuse behavior of autocratic leaders if they embrace his views.
12
@teo
He did not omit any clauses, and has a correct version of how things played out in Cuba. Literacy programs came first.
To dismiss everything about Cuba and formerly communist countries is ridiculous and narrow minded.
Currently, Cubans have the largest number of doctors per capita. They are leaders in medical research like lung cancer, and do joint medical trials/research with American healthcare institutions.They are environmentally friendly ways to deal with pollution.
They have affordable healthcare and education, training many foreign doctors who can't afford the tuition of US medical schools.
But hey, let's trash them because they're communists and Gloria Estefan couldn't earn hundreds of millions of dollars for being an entertainer. There's a reason that Cuban dissidents in FL vote predominantly Republican.
6
@Viv Okay... so having lots of doctors is okay, even if it means that nobody has upward economic mobility except for those connected to the regime.
1
@Ed
Who has upward mobility in the US, if you're not connected to the various tax-dodging schemes and government grants to help your business succeed?
In 2018, groups spent $3.4 billion lobbying the US government. Twenty years ago in 1998, that figure was $1.45 billion. That's an increase of 135%.
Does that sound like free market capitalism you? Do you think corporations would spent that much if they didn't at least get that much money back in the form of tax breaks and favorable legislation?
If Bernie is the nominee the GOP might win back the House. GOP will label the Dems a socialist movement, defined by AOC and the squad. What a disaster for Dems.
27
@Not 99pct
The GOP has already been labeling the Democrats as a socialist movement for decades.
Bernie is increasing voter turnout. The argument that he will hurt down-ballot races flies in the face of available evidence.
2
@Josh That is not true. Not one Democrat has called himself a "socialist" until Bernie came along. This is no longer a pejorative label that the GOP invented. This is actually the terminology used to describe himself and, by extension, the party that pushed forward a socialist presidential candidate. This is incalculable damage that will take years to repair.
3
Bernie Sanders is still not a Democrat. He continues to disparage Democrats. His sanctimonius, holier than thou base disrespects and alienates life long Democrats as not left wing enough for their tastes. Sanders was dismissive of Obamas achievements. He smeared Hillary Clinton as mot being qualified. All this with the background manipulation of Russian bots. Where is Susan Sarandon now? Where is Rosario Dawson? All the loud, mouths who gave us Trump have dropped of the radar. They are jetting around having fun. Whether he can win the election hinges on how well he can mend his fences. As much as I can't stand Trump, I will not vote for Sanders if him and his band of Bros continue to dismiss my lifetime of always supporting the most liberal policies and NEVER MISSING A VOTE. It wasn't people like me who didn't vote in the mid terms which made Obamas work almost impossible to finish.
30
@Displaced yankee I absolutely agree. I have not missed a vote either, since 1960 and I resent the constant criticism of the Democratic Party and the disdain cast on anyone who dares to question the great Bern. Susan Sarandon wanted to blow everything up...and they certainly got that done. I, too, will vote for Sanders if he is the nominee...BUT he is not there yet.
It will give me NO pleasure to say “ I told you so “ in November, when Trump is re-elected. Most of the Bernie Fans have never, ever lived in Red State America. They have no idea of the actual FOX news Indoctrination, and the overwhelming influence of fundamentalist, evangelical Churches. Bernie is the worst possible choice for anywhere except solid BLUE States.
Do as you wish, but it’s a huuuuge mistake.
56
Well that explains why he has been doing so well in swing states I guess
15
@Ramiro
Here’s an example: Florida. Always the most important of the swing States. Two words, combined: Bernie and Castro. Florida would be LOST. No recovering from that.
14
@Phyliss Dalmatian Good points. I was in Alabama a while back in a mid sized town visiting a sick friend and, while in the waiting room, picked up the local newspaper. I was astonished at the conservative bias in everything I read. I live in NC so you know I should not have been surprised but it helped me understand how intelligent, thoughtful people I know live with their belief system. It's all they hear or read - Fox news in print repeating all the lies, distortions and fear mongering. Those folks vote too.
4
South Carlina is an open primary which means that Republicans can vote in the Democratic primary and Republican leaders in the state have been urging Republicans to vote in the primary for Bernie as a tactical move. It will be interesting to see how many do vote and it showa who the Republicans are hoping to run against in November.
5
@JGresham And republicans will surely vote for Sanders, to knock Biden out of the race. The press which has been against Biden from the start will conveniently not mention this.
4
One more time. Bernie Sanders won the popular vote in Iowa by 6,000 votes
So when the writer says, "Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who narrowly won the Iowa caucuses." in my world that is not accurate.
Most votes win.
It is only true that even without the most votes #MayoPete won a couple more delegates.
Note: No other Democrat has ever won the popular vote in the first three primaries.
If one read only the anti-Sanders NYT they would never know that he is leading by double-digits nationally.
34
@Mark Al Gore won the first three primaries, and then every other state when he was running. I wasn't a competitive primary in part because he was Clinton's VP, so in that sense Bernie's victory is more impressive, but I don't think Bernie would have won the popular vote in the first three states if it weren't such a big field. (For example, he probably would have lost New Hampshire's popular vote to Buttigieg if Klobuchar weren't running.)
3
@Mark Why do you care so much? This is a race for delegates and the rules regarding delegates are different than the popular vote.
4
@Mark And Iowa will vote for Trump by a margin of 3 to 1 in the general election if Bernie is running. Every vote tally for a democrat from a deep red state is misleading.
8
Down ballot races are irrelevant if dems cant take the White House. Pete and Amy cant win because they've never considered the need for black and latino voters. Biden is a caricature of some 50s sitcom or Onion bit, hardly the candidate you want facing the most dangerous American in history. Bloomberg will lose the electoral as well as popular vote. So you dont like Sanders rhetoric. Fine, you're not alone. Think about 4 more years and let that sink in.
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@Alex Russell, and Elizabeth Warren doesn't exist?
I remember another candidate, whom I supported, who built a movement far to the left of the Democratic Party, but came into the convention with a lot of votes and delegates. His cause was also very righteous, and his followers fervent. His name was George McGovern.
After the election, and especially during Watergate, we had bumper stickers which read, "Don't blame me, I'm from Massachusetts."
3
@Alex Russell -- Dear Alex: Pete is showing himself to be clueless on economic inequality, which, if he could address to the "left" of Biden, but to the "right" of Bernie, would bring along all races. Pete has been very disappointing on economic issues. Same old, same old Obama-Hillary lines of really doing nothing. Pete and Klobuchar are now offering nothing, along with Biden offering nothing (except, of course, the very important willingness to obey the law, unlike Trump).
2
Sander's supporters, at least the hard left of them, dislike Warren because she is a woman. They won't admit that, but the virulence of their attacks on her and their attempts to impose left-wing purity tests on everything reveal their misogyny. They do think much outside their bubble and cannot imagine Bernie losing to Trump. Ideological purity test people scare me.
22
@Le Warren is a fantastic candidate and across all of the pro-Bernie groups, the consensus is people hope she is VP or a leading cabinet member. The criticisms come from her decision to walk back support for M4A and also to accept Super Pac funds. Neither has to do with gender. If she defeats Bernie, we will whole-hardheartedly support her. Your statement is wrong and frankly disingenuous.
11
@Le Not really. Warren was a strong contender with progressives until she dropped MFA. Many now don't trust her anymore on the other issues too.
She's stuck in the middle with insufficient support from either side, despite probably being the most competent candidate.
7
@Le
I think you've been reading about scrub brushes when you should be looking up and seeing the forest with your own eyes.
I remember so many people telling me Obama couldn’t win. All this anti Sanders noise is all too familiar to these ears. If anything, I’m disappointed at the tack the Democratic Party has taken, casting Bernie as the enemy to be feared. His policies are sound for anyone who’s not wealthy!
Please folks don’t knee-jerk agree with tropes like Bernie Bros because they’re sensationalized beyond belief. I like Bernie a lot, and the attacks and hate from all angles only serves to galvanize my choice.
Bernie Sanders for president!
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@RickNYC Bernie is not Barack, in no way shape or form! He has not done much good in Congress and would not do much good for Americans as POTUS, if anything at all!
12
Sanders continues his praise of communism, and Fidel Castro in particular. What he doesn’t tell you is that the wonderful health care in Cuba is staffed by doctors who could not pass, 95% of them, a physicians assistant test in our country.
12
@Mitchell myrin And you know this how?
The Democrats have treated Sanders with the delicate touch reserved for a newborn. They will now pay the price.
19
Sanders leads a cult of followers just as Trump does. He cannot beat Trump, which is why the Russians are helping his campaign and down ticket Dems are running away from him for their political lives. Might the Dems lose the House if he heads the ticket?
27
@Carol Clinton lost the Presidency, House and Senate.
Nobody called her a bad candidate until she lost against Trump.
You don't like Bernie, I get it, but not understanding where his support comes from, which is normal in class segmented America, does not mean it's not there.
It would be a fool's errand at this point to thwart Bernie's run with DNC machinations, alienating young voters and progressives, only to force one of the centrist candidates none of which inspire or have momentum, and repeat 2016..
8
@Anne I said she was a horrible candidate but would make a good president, as did many others. I am a realist.
2
If Sanders is the Democrat nominee , the “D” behind every Democrat in critical House and Senate races will stand for Disaster. The Republicans are already labeling moderate candidates here in Orange County Socialists.
The Goals for all Democrats are directionally similar but can only be achieved in a divided country by evolutionary steps not revolution .
If Democrats believe they can achieve their goals faster by nominating Sanders they are mistaken , the Republicans will take the House, Senate and Presidency and Steve us back decades
A question of more haste less speed.
9
@Carsafrica oops sorry , I meant take us back decades.
1
Senator Sanders is leading because he has a clear, consistent, message that connects strongly with the concerns of voters.
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It takes a lot of gall for the Biden campaign to demand that Mayor Buttigieg withdraw from the race. Mayor Buttigieg is a much stronger candidate, and Vice-President Biden is preventing mayor Buttigieg from gaining strength. Pot, meet kettle.
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Mayor Buttigieg, however, is making attacks on Senator Sanders that now sound ever more shrill. Not attractive. Needs to put more effort into improving his own message.
Needs to admit that Senator Sanders is right: universal public health care will be half as expensive as now.
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Both Vice-President Biden and Mayor Buttigieg need to recognize that their problem is not Senator Sanders, but rather that their own messages do not speak to voters. Tearing Senator Sanders down doesn't change the weakness of their own message, and just makes them look mean and out of touch.
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The same might be said of Mayor Bloomberg.
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Senator Warren has the same message as Senator Sanders, but does not seem to have made as strong a connection with voters. Her campaigning has been effective, nonetheless.
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I like Senator Klobuchar, and wish she were doing better. She is at least as attractive a candidate as Mayor Buttigieg, and much more comfortable to support.
10
Sanders supporter here. Really appreciate your level headed assessment. All too rare at the moment. I hope if your first choice drops out you’ll consider Bernie. Bless!
2
How is Buttigieg taken as a serious candidate? The guy plays word puzzles well and he shows up in a white shirt, smiles a lot, but why do we need to train someone with no experience and with his questionable sources of funds? He is a spoiler for Sanders, nothing more.
1
@Richard Blaine, it's amazing how the Bernie cultists can't tell us how to get to the half-price universal health care they just trot the statistic out. Do you like your privacy? Even the privacy of your health records is a law about insurance. The size of the change is enormous, Bernie doesn't make enormous plans.
2
Even if you eighty-sixed all but one moderate candidate, Bloomberg is still a spoiler. He'd need to tank on Super Tuesday for any other moderate to stand a chance against Sanders. I don't see that happening. Bloomberg is running for Super Tuesday and he aims to show.
The only alternative is coalescing around Bloomberg before Super Tuesday. I don't think anyone is eager to see that outcome. Nominating a billionaire, New York, Republican, Bush supporter to the Democratic ticket before he appears on a single ballot. You might as well blast the Democratic coalition into outer space.
The healthiest thing for Democrats to do is have everyone stay in the race. Make Sanders the indisputable front runner. We then pivot to how we're going to get Sanders elected while keeping the House and winning the Senate. Conversation over.
We got work to do people.
8
Nobody should suppose that Sanders' success is putting Democrats under pressure. To think that is to take sides against Sanders, but why do that? Sanders is pointing the way to relief.
The Democratic establishment has been getting it wrong, for a long time. That is why the pressure has been building. Get behind Sanders and help him ease the pressure. Stop blaming Sanders for pressures his adversaries created with political blunders which they persisted in for years, and do not want to see repudiated even now.
14
So, moderate Democrats, what exactly would President Bernie enact that you couldn't stop from happening? Does anyone of you think that Chris Coons, Kirsten Gillibrand, Amy Klobachar and Michael Bennett won't block M4A and force a compromise of--guess what--enhanced Obamacare. I don't see Bernie vetoing the
bill that covers many more Americans. Nor any other incremental improvements to infrastructure, student loan relief or childcare and pre-k.
The true grassroots energy and voter turnout is coming from the Bernie and Warren campaign. And unlike Trump, who was expected to pivot from his base to more mainstream positions on infrastructure and immigration--neither Bernie and Elizabeth are
pathological liars or disrespectful of the office. They will be statesmanlike and understand that they are the President-of all the people, not just the "socialists".
The "moderate" candidates are running on one thing: fear of what other voters will do. They can't make the case for fiscal responsibility regarding M4A, since Trump has blown up the deficit with tax cuts for the wealthy, a hugely increased defense budget.
At some point soon, Bernie will select Elizabeth Warren as his running mate, the progressive wing will unite and it will come down to opposition from a blustering, awkward Biden or an utterly vacuous mouther of bromides, Pete Buttigieg, or a tone-deaf patrician billionaire.
America will work with Bernie. Moderates need to figure out to work with him too.
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@John C
No. If anything, Bernie needs to find a way to work with moderates -- because if he's elected president, that will be part of the job description.
And so far neither he or his supporters have shown many signs that they are willing to do so, which is also why some voters are still reluctant to get on board.
12
@John C, why shouldn't Elizabeth Warren select Bernie as Her running mate? Sexism?
@ondelette
Because he is old, unhealthy, is poison to the ticket, and his ideas are nonsense. That's why.
This is a complete disaster. Biden is such the obvious choice here, he is a man who can unite the entire democratic party behind him and then the country. Sanders will shatter the democratic party into three or four pieces, and not only hand Trump 4 more years in the easiest election you could imagine, but he will hurt the party across the board, the Democrats will fail to win back the senate, and might even lose the House of reps. This is an enfolding disaster happening right in front of our eyes. Go poll DEMOCRATS in swing states and ask them who they prefer, Biden or Sanders, it will be 2 to 1 for Biden. If you love this country pray for a miracle on Super Tuesday. Pray that Biden wins in decisive fashion, that democratic voters who love this country wake up to the ruse that is being perpetrated in front of their eyes. Colorado and Virginia in particular must vote for Biden, and beware vote tallies from the Trump states like Alabama, Arkansas, Texas which will be double dealing voting for Bernie when in the general they will vote for Trump. Get smart Democrats, and vote for the candidate that Trump doesn't want to face which is obviously Biden.
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@Lonnie Biden is the person who can unite the entire Democratic Party? Then why is he lagging so far behind in the Democratic primaries?
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@Panthiest, have you heard of the Ukraine? Why do you think he's lagging? The President, with help from a foreign adversary, torpedoed the Biden campaign. The very fact that he is looking to be out of the race at this point is testimony to corruption, to dirty politics, and to an anti-American Republican Party.
Are you under the mistaken impression that they can't do the same to Bernie? Why?
2
@Lonnie Biden has to insist that Sanders release actual vetted medical records, not just a Trumpian "physician's letter".
Doh! note to DNC: if your preferred moderates really have a better chance against Trump they need to win a primary or two. Is that a crazy idea?
If their answer is to push candidates to drop out so that Biden/Bloomberg can stop Sanders, then Sanders can't be the second choice of the drop-out candidate's voters. Where are the latest numbers on that?
12
@KOC Buttigieg, who is more progressive than moderate, won Iowa and came in very close second in NH.
1
@Jolton Sanders won the popular vote in Iowa -- the delegate count still isn't official. How can Buttigieg win primaries without African American or Latino votes? Also, Sanders has high favorability ratings across the board so getting Buttigieg or Klobuchar to drop out may not deliver the outcome that the DNC desires.
1
@KOC I wonder where this illusion of all centrists rolling up into one candidate comes from?
I guess it's just collective cognitive dissonance about thinking the moderates are winning.
As if the majority of Dems are going to jump from loser to loser as they drop out? Come on.
1
Sanders voted AGAINST the Brady Bill on Gun Safety 5 times;
Sanders voted FOR giving gun manufacturers immunity;
Sanders got into Congress because of explicit NRA support;
Sanders has only passed 7 bills in over 20 years in Congress (2 of which were to rename/relocate post offices);
Sanders did not support Obama's auto industry bailout that saved that industry and our country from a depression;
Sanders wanted to primary challenge Obama in 2012;
Sanders wants to replace Nancy Pelosi with a primary challenger.
Sanders has lots to say and nothing to show. He is a pied piper leading his followers over the cliff. Wake up before we lost where this election cycle or for many to follow if we fall off the cliff.
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@JessD Exactly. And he hasn’t released any numbers related to his big plans. The lack of vetting is ridiculous. His record is pathetic, he has one of the worst records in the Senate in terms of actually being there in person, and he’a being very cagey about his medical records. Where is the reporting??
7
@JessD he has an F rating from the NRA.
@Aimee Perhaps the NRA gives him a low rating today, but look Sanders' long record on this critical public safety issue. It stinks and people in communities of color and elsewhere all across this nation have lost lives because Sanders put the NRA before common sense public safety. He's very very late on this critical common sense issue.
3
I had to hold my nose and vote for Hillary Clinton.
I will proudly vote for Senator Sanders.
For the record, I'm almost 70 and his tax platform will cause my taxes to rise.
But you know what?
I want to live in an America that is the one I dreamed about as a child.
One where everyone gets a fair shake.
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@Panthiest your comment proves you believe in Justice & Fairness, the cornerstones of Americans democracy, which were the principles that guided FDR, MLK, & LBJ. And the only candidate that is legitimate heir to those principles is Bernie. Those cornerstones are what everything Bernie brings to the presidency are built on.
5
@Panthiest Life is just better in Europe for 95% of people, even for most of the ones who think they’re doing well as things like having 30 paid holidays or modern infrastructure are vastly underrated.
2
And this just in: the machinations of 'anybody, but Bernie' in the shadowy back rooms of the Democratic establishment have officially began.
Watch for Bloomberg spending another chunk of his ill-begotten fortunes to siphon supporters away from Sanders; watch for the chorus of demands in crescendo for a brokered convention, as opposed to the delegate count (ooh, that would be 'too democratic', eh?) and most importantly watch for Hillary Clinton's last minute entry into the fray 'to save the heart and soul of the Democratic party'.
Interesting times indeed.
15
@waldo "Ill-begotten fortunes?" Why would you characterize Bloomberg's successes that way. No one has ever accused him of criminal or unsavory business practices.
7
@VHZ
I agree with you. Waldo's comment is of a piece with many other comments here and elsewhere from Sanders supporters -- paranoid conspiracy theories. I'm surprised they don't use the phrase "fake news." Not that I dislike Bernie, but he is not a member of the Democratic Party and I forsee him driving the bus over the cliff if nominated.
5
I think the Bernie hysteria is amusing. Look back 4 years and substitute trump for Bernie and you have the same "party crisis."
Even at the gop convention, didn't Sen. Cruz say trump would be the worst thing to happen to the gop.
Biden is the new Jeb Bush.
Yet here we are.
I will vote for the last democrat standing. Regardless of who it is.
15
Admittedly, I'm not a network pundit pulling down millions a year, just an average citizen. However, it seems to me that the most "electable" candidate thusfar is the one who has thusfar won three of the three primaires, Bernie Sanders.
This is a change election. This is also an election where a younger and more diverse coalition of voters will finally express its electoral strength. We're sick to death of edge-nibbling moderates whose boldest policy suggestions are to do something twenty years from now. Income and wealth inequality is the worst its been in a century, student loan debt is crushing an entire generation, and the environment is on the verge of collapse. Sanders, and Warren, understand that, and the energy behind Sanders' campaign victories will be crucial in November. Scoff and ignore at your peril.
25
@Dominic
two of them were caucuses. folks should not be scoffing at sanders, for sure, but the bernbros should similarly be ready to pull the blue lever regardless whose name is on it
3
@wes
They clearly are. Bernie supporters understand that this country will be unrecognizable after another Trump term. Will the rest of the party do the same for Bernie?
The ghost of Ralph Nader, get ready for four more years of President Trump.
I am not looking for a massive shift in Dem policy. At this point a little Presidential normalcy, 4 years of repairing the norms of a non functional white house, a general repair of our international standing and some run of the mill legislative progress.
Bernie will not help down ballot on top of his inability to beat trump. Give me dull, middle of the road moderate that makes no one particularly thrilled.
13
@J
Moderate Dem policies have paved the way for trump. We need to go back to FDR style policies that help the working class, middle class, and minorities.
3
@J you must be doing well.
@J Clinton Bernie brings out voters who usually stay home. They will not vote Republican down ballot.
Bloomberg ones might.
2
Heard this morning from someone at the Cook Report that Bernie is not expanding the voter turnout. It is the moderates in the suburbs and they have been going for the moderate candidates. Couple that with Senator Sanders saying Fidel Castro can not be categorized as all bad and you can cross Florida off the list.
11
@Suzanne Victor In 2018, the midterm victories were fueled by white college educated women. You know who these voters do not support- Sanders. Sanders polled lowest with this critical group of voters. We are doomed if Sanders gets the nomination.
9
I’m a white college-educated voter who supports Sanders. I know there are a lot of us.
1
Iowa, NH, and Nevada have 6, 4, and 6 electoral votes respectively, collectively a small sample though the Nevada win was impressive.
SC, which is more representative of the Democratic voting population, has 9 electoral votes. And then there’s Super Tuesday. I think we’ll get a feel for what Sanders’ ceiling is in SC.
If he wins in SC then his cult will swell into a Cult. At this stage I guess it takes a cult to beat a cult.
wow, interesting that NYT's phrasing in a news story is now "anti-Sanders" rather than moderates versus progressives. And since when was Warren in the "anti-Sanders" camp? I have so appreciated NYT coverage of many things, but am increasingly dimayed at how biased the reporting seems to be, with an ever more clear bias of being in the "anti-Sanders" camp.
18
@Shefali Sharma the conventional wisdom, which is probably accurate, is that if Bernie continues to do well, the rest of the candidates will fold except for a single challenger, and then the race will be between Bernie and that challenger. So yes, Elizabeth Warren is in that camp, because she is one candidate for that challenger.
The Sanders people, some time possibly before New Hampshire, chunked Warren in as Bernie's VP candidate and took her, in their minds, out of the race entirely.
Pretty sexist, but that's the new Bernie.
@ondelette
I love both Bernie and Warren.
Either could be VP and I'd vote for them.
Another NYT commentary with barely a mention of Elizabeth Warren... You can do better.
6
@MA She didn’t get the debate boost she hoped for. Game over.
1
Bernie always polled well in the swing states. He’s the strongest candidate to defeat trump by far!
16
Bernie will probably win because his message, scary as it sounds, is the same message since he was a mayor many years ago. Bernie equals gravitas. The president, Not so much.
6
I’d feel a lot better about Sanders if his supporters would tone down their praise of him like he's the next Messiah. He's a career politician and as such needs to be scrutinized by voters and the media. I'm tired of the superficial labeling of Sanders as if “socialist” is our biggest concern — it’s not, but low-information voters are. Where are the in-depth analyses of his policies and record? There was an article in the Times this weekend that explained what all the candidate's plans will cost, all but Sanders. Why? Why would the supposed top candidate continue to get a pass on the biggest issue of all: How will he deliver on ANYTHING? I know where Warren and Buttigieg stand, but Bernie? Zippo. And please don't point me to his website or Twitter. Objective analysis only please.
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@Jolton He has no substantive record to run on. His sponsoring bills naming two post offices in Vermont doesn’t tell us anything.
12
@Carol what was trumps substantive record?
1
@steve koralishn There are far better options than Trump or Sanders, but those of us informed voters are being held hostage by voters happily duped by Their Leader.
2
Mr. Sanders programs are NOT ‘freebies’, but paid for.
Unburdened by debt and loans, free from tuitions payments, there will be a huge multiplier effect on the economy. These programs will bring in more money in tax revenue and increased productivity than they cost. It people knew basic economics, they would understand that this is a great benefit to all. More prosperous and secure people also mean a HUGE deduction in crime, medical bankruptcies, and people committing suicide out of financial dispare.
13
Lol, the worst thing Biden has on Bernie is that he may have considered running against Obama?
And Biden thinks the candidates that beat him are holding him back and should just drop out?
And Bloomberg thinks Biden should drop out so he can take his place.
Can we all just wait until the voters get a say, instead of letting pundits try rush everything?
The most popular candidate will rise to the top. Stop trying to game the system. Let the primaries work.
I'm predicting Bernie will win. Trump fills stadiums and Bernie fills stadiums. No one else is filling stadiums. Bernie has the biggest ground organization, the most individual donors, the most widely spread individual donors, a history of winning rural voters because he understands them, and an ability to connect with the rust belt voters. But I'm voting for him because I think he would be the best president, with Warren a close second
Bernie will get things done because he understands that a president has to communicate with the People to put pressure on Congress to force them to do things.
Centrists Democrats keep saying Bernie can't win, because they don't want him to win. Is not the same.
The Democratic Party spent decades moving to the Right, getting nothing in return. Bernie refused to follow. That is why he is trusted by more people than any other candidate
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@McGloin Filling stadiums does not necessarily translate to voters in the booth casting a ballot.
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@Carol
Filling stadiums translated to 1.5 million individual small donors. People vote with their wallets.
1
Come on, NYT!! How about supporting the obvious front runner. It's not about Biden. It's about showing strength to oppose trmp. Instead of dividing us and devaluing Bernie, the obvious peoples' choice, why don't you support him and the people? You weaken the Democratic case by being so divisive. Besides, your credibility as the newspaper of record starts to shrivel around the edges the more you disparage Senator Sanders. He's not just a Mr. He's a Senator.
24
@Trish S Hillary was the obvious people's choice, and what did Sanders do? The man is craven.
1
@Trish S
I don't understand your surprise at the Times' coverage of Sanders' front-running status? After all, the paper endorsed Warren and Klobuchar. It won't be until he's the party's nominee when its editorial view will change...maybe.
I'd feel a lot better about Sanders if his supporters would tone down their praise of him like he's the next Messiah. He's a career politician and as such needs to be scrutinized by voters and the media. I'm tired of the superficial labeling of Sanders. Where are the in-depth analyses of his policies and record? There was an article in the Times this weekend that explained what all the candidate's plans will cost, all but Sanders. Why? Why would the supposed top candidate continue to get a pass on the biggest issue of all: How will he deliver on ANYTHING? I know where Warren and Buttigieg stand, but Bernie? Zippo. And please don't point me to his website or Twitter. Objective analysis only please.
10
I think there are a lot of us who simply will not be blackmailed into voting for Bernie Sanders. We can and will endure four more years of Donald Trump and all that entails including more judges and more Supreme Court justices before we are forced to support Sanders.
5
@Michael You make the assumption that the structures can be changed back once Trump is gone. You assume too much. After 4 more years of Trump the structures may be quite permanent.
5
@Jane I make no such assumption.
1
@Michael The millions of people who aren't as privileged as you are to be able to 'endure' four more years of Trump are likely grateful that you're unable to think of anyone but yourself. You might be able to endure it. The country certainly can't.
6
Bernie as the nominee, will be the McGovern moment in our careening towards disaster election.
13
Wonderful how people say that the primaries are over in that Sanders won a caucus of 14,000 voters when the number of democratic voters registered in Nevada is over 690,000. Granted, the ability to get people to a caucus is what won the effort
7
Seeing more and more of older interviews with Bernie Sanders and they expose some disturbing ideas and views. Such easy targets for the Republicans. Fidel Casto, USSR...
A ten second clip of Sanders speaking and the script writes itself for a Republican ad.
Christmas will come early for Trump if Sanders wins the nomination, sorry. I hope I'm wrong.
34
@Northernd This is a generational fight. Older people are afraid of words like "socialism" while young people have no fear of it. Republican talking points won't dissuade Millenials and possibly even Gen Xers. There is a reason "Ok Boomer" is now an insult.
6
@Northernd The GOP cannot run against the Russians any more.
7
@mempko
Wait a minute! Talk about generalizations. Being a "boomer" living in Colorado, Bernie is preaching to he choir here. Lighten up, mempko!
How can anyone at this point not see Bernie will win this?
The only remaining question, quid diverse states, was answered by Nevada.
Minorities are getting behind Sanders, not behind any of the centrists.
And Bloomberg, he fell out of his advertising exoskeleton and got eaten alive.
Let’s focus on winning the general now and start uniting. Dr. Krugman has set the right tone.
12
@Anne united in defeat?
2
@Anne
I would like to see my vote in the primary counted before everyone starts saying we have already chosen the nominee.
Sorry we have only three states cast their ballots. I think it is way too early to say someone has already won.
It seems time you Sanders supporters were screaming it was not over even when it was. So put your pants back on and lets have some more states vote.
4
@Fred The sample of Democrats from the three states we've had is now largely representative for the country. South Carolina is not suddenly going to change the dynamics of this race.
What do you expect to happen?
Bernie is consistent in support and debates, he doesn't have race altering weak moments. The other candidates take turns doing a little better in some states, but never like Bernie in Nevada. They have no path at this point.
I get it, my vote too counts for little.
3
I'd be fine with Sanders as president though he'll be completely ineffective (At least Trump wouldn't be there) but I'm just depressed because he will lose badly and drag down the party with him. I honestly think Sanders and a subset of his supporters don't care whether a moderate democrat or Trump wins if it isn't their candidate. Sanders and and this cohort despise the democratic party but they don't realize how important the party is as a check against republicans. I'm given to despair when thinking of a Trump 2nd term with both houses of congress in republican hands. The legislative and judicial effects are just scary.
38
@TS The next president will likely replace RBG and Breyer. If Sanders causes Trump to be that president, SHAME on him and HIS rabid supporters.
5
If only Americans could think outside 'Truman's World' - a man-made bubble, hermetically isolated from reality, they would understand, that what Sanders is proposing, as an avowed 'democratic socialist' is still far, far away from traditional (European) social democracy's goals and achievements, that has been largely responsible for the overall economic success of the old continent.
Creating a more equitable distribution of wealth for society, as a whole, providing equal opportunity for all, governed by institutions and not by greed and speculation - what's wrong with that?
16
@waldo Nothing is wrong with that. But the current prophet of it is not electable.
3
@waldo nothing ... if you can get the voters to believe that it will not be their jobs on the line if the Bernie justice, fairness, democratic socialism and excitement comes to pass ...
Pretty clearly, the story of the primary races so far is the age old problem of getting out the vote for moderate candidates. As usual, the extreme candidates create energy that gets supporters to put up with caucus procedures, cold weather and the other inconveniences that cause moderate voters to stay home. This year it is exacerbated by a cluster of attractive but second tier moderates who are dividing up the votes. So, the powers that be seek to influence them to drop out, which we Biden supporters wish they would. And, we wish the coverage didn’t usually emphasize the shiny object. But, realistically, Mayor Pete is running for 2024, Amy and Elizabeth want to win their home states on Super Tuesday to have a presence at the convention, and complaints about coverage come only from the supporters of candidates who aren’t interesting or are doing poorly. Biden can still win, but only if he runs well enough to become critical to the survival of the Democratic Party, in the near term, and to the country’s democracy in the general election, so critical that it overcomes the limitations in his ability to create fervor.
8
@Terry I question why Biden doesn’t choose Buttigieg as his Vice President. The moderates would have a much easier avenue to defeat Bernie who’s only a Democrat when there are presidential elections. Likewise, the moderate package has a considerably better chance of attracting Independents and Republicans who are fed up withTrump’s destructive government when it comes to the general election. Think ahead, Democrats...
2
The problem is that if Bernie Sanders wins the primary, it will not be by the majority of democratic primary voters. And in November he will need the swing voters as well, good luck. The electability finally depends on swing voters and swing states only. Great if he sweeps California in November, the election will not be decided by it. On top of this, his agenda is a wish list for his supporters, but not a check list for his presidency. It is unlikely for many of his projects to pass congress.
The so-called moderates complicate the whole thing since they eat away each other’s chances and indirectly push Sanders forward.
What I see is that the primary process is becoming a freeway for a Trump re-election. And this just because each of these groups only look at their small horizon, the empty promises of Sanders, the unwillingness of the “moderates” to join forces. They say out loud that the most important thing is to beat Trump, but what do they do to assure that outcome? Truth is they do nothing. You won’t win the election by division, only unity can be a solution. And they all work in the opposite direction, all do nothing but reducing the chances of a democratic victory. All just going for their own win, but no-one for a common goal. This goes for the candidates and the voters.
It is again going to be a democratic debacle in November. It is a pity, but I do not believe the democrats have a chance this time unless they chance very quickly …
13
Trump has become a full-fledged corrupt dictator, and the GOP is supporting him.
Trump’s extreme narcissism presents an imminent danger to America and to the world. The GOP caters to Trump’s every whim.
Trump has betrayed our National Security by repeatedly and consistently aiding a foreign power, Russia. The GOP has become the Gang of Putin.
Trump sees enemies among immigrants, refugees, minorities, the Press, our government agencies, and our Allies. The GOP has endorsed all of this.
In the primaries, the Democrats should focus on attacking Trump, not on attacking each other.
In November, we need a “Big Tent” landslide repudiation of Trump and Trumpism at all levels, in order to preserve American Democracy.
Can Bernie Sanders really become the unifying figure who can achieve this? If not, can Biden, or Bloomberg, or Klobuchar, or Buttigieg do this?
11
@AKJersey I doubt that Sanders can unite all Democrats as well as a combination of Biden and Klobuchar or Buttigieg and Biden. I think either of these combinations would have the chance of uniting the Democrats. If the other Democrats would then campaign “to get out the vote”, Democrats would have a much better chance of winning the presidency, the House, and the Senate. Besides, this is a census year, and we need to change many of the gerrymandered states’ districts. Do you have any idea how that will affect the party for ten years? THINK AHEAD, PLEASE.
2
This is Trump's dream come true. A self-proclaim socialist trying to win swing states during one of America's largest economic booms isn't exactly a recipe for success. Dems are in trouble.
33
@Not 99pct And yet he is getting more money from more people than even Trump. Maybe this economic boom is mostly on paper? Growth of 2% isn't exactly an exciting economic development.
2
@mempko Not so much GDP, but low unemployment (3.9%, lowest since WW2) and actual real wage growth (4%+) which is the best gains in 10 years.
Some economic boom. The only jobs he created was from the toxic coal industry which will be shut down when we get in . In Pa in 2018 Trump killed prematurely from using toxic coal and air pollution 3.100 deaths in Pennsylvania alone. Over 2,000 more were killed in NJ,and NY from coal powered plants. Lock him up for crimes against humanity.
2
“But attacks on Mr. Sanders began mounting on Sunday, with Mr. Biden criticizing him as disloyal to former President Barack Obama”
Maybe someday, the corporate media will acknowledge that Obama’s vapid centrism and Republican appeasement did more to fuel Trump’s rise then anything the Russians did.
Biden’s campaign message is basically, I’ll work with (appease) the Republicans. Social Security and Medicare would not be safe during a Biden presidency.
9
This is just what Trump and the republicans want, the democrats stupidly doing their dirty work for them. A vote for Sanders is a vote for 4 more years of Trump. Maybe Sanders can win states like New York , California and Mass, states which lean left. But there is absolutely no way Sanders is winning conservative swing states like Penn, Wisconsin, etc. Which is exactly what Biden can do, and would do.Trump and his minions are obviously working behind the scenes to boost up Sanders and tear down Biden. Everything is going right according to plan. Four more years of Trump in a cakewalk of a general election. This is sad. Let us pray that democratic voters wake up before it is too late.
12
@Lonnie
There is a reason why Russia wants Bernie as the nominee; 4 more Trump years and that worries me.
2
@Les You trust the Russians’ alleged judgment more than your fellow Democrats?
If you’re reading this, please google the population of your home town. Then google the population of South Bend, Indiana.
Now ask yourself whether you think any of your home town mayors (a) could win a national election and (b) are or were ready to be president.
That feeling you’re having? That’s the feeling you get before taking a really big, really unnecessary risk.
8
There are only 8 days until Super Tuesday. No one is dropping out between now and then. California changing their primary date really alters the dynamic considerably.
3
Months ago this paper quoted Buttigieg stating that any Democrat nominated is going to be called a Socialist. So what difference does it make whether it’s Sanders or another candidate if Trump and the Republicans are going to campaign on that
13
Because there are hundreds of clips of Bernie saying that he is. The GOP will have a field day using gojis own words against him.
That’s why.
19
How s he taken as a serious candidate? The guy plays word puzzles well and he shows up in a white shirt, smiles a lot, but why do we need to train someone with no experience and questionable sources of funds?
5
@Rit Democrats must be smart enough to counter the “socialist” tag. Ask them how many American will give up Social Security, Medicare, etc. I’ll bet 95% of Americans would revolt if those 2 programs were suddenly taken from them; yet, these are socialistic programs. Instead, Democrats ought to stand behind protecting these programs which working Americans pay into with every paycheck. Strengthen them by taking the “cap” away and investing the funds so that they make more than 2-4% interest. (Can’t we trust our government to back investing those funds to make 6-10% interest?). That in itself would make the programs viable for many years more than currently expected. If you did both ideas, it probably would keep S.S. And Medicare at the present payout. As it is, we are paying out more each month than is being taken in. That’s NOT good.
5
Bernie's message is about returning power to the American people - all of us. Thats not only a winning message but a unifying one.
33
@josh
When he tells me how he is going to do it, pay for it, and get both the house and senate behind him then you might have a good point. But so far he has not said how he will accomplish any of his policies.
And yes I like many of his positions but that does not make it happen.
7
@Fred
Go search for "health results by country," find a reputable source and read the evidence.
A dozen other countries already get better care for less money, because they stopped letting insurance companies extract profits from the sick.
Medicare for All will get better results for LESS money.
It costs a little more in the first decade and much less in every other decade.
Making people healthy costs leyd money than denying them care until they get worse.
The shareholders in corporate media have shares in insurance companies too , so they won't tell you.
Go do your own research. It doesn't take that long.
@McGloin
This is not other countries. Yes, I would love for everyone have healthcare but Medicare for all is not the answer. I am on Medicare and if I had to buy a supplement I would be paying over $300 a month for it. Most seniors cannot afford that and they get on the Medicare Advatage plans which are good. But the drawback is if you have to go out of plan you it can cost you a arm and a leg. A friend had to have open heart surgery last month and he had to go out of area to have it done And now he has to pay $9000 for being out plan area even though the plan had no one in the area that could it.
All your points are based on other contries. And my question is how he would accomplish all this.
I think you should do a little research yourself instead of putting out the typical Sanders supporter talking points.
And I do wish everyone had as good as healthcare as I do. Since I am retired from the military I have TriCare for life which costs me nothing and it picks up everything Medicare does not. And since I am 100% disabled from wounds received in combat I have the VA also. I am one of the lucky ones.
Do a little research before you make asinine comments.
1
The Democratic Establishment are just as corrupt and depraved GOP. Bernie is our ONLY HOPE for defeating Trump. He is NOT a communist, despite what many have written about him, and even though he has chosen to brand himself as a socialist, he's not really that either. Everything I've heard him say has led me to believe that his primary goal is and has always been to close loopholes that currently make it possible for the uber-rich to avoid paying taxes while middle class people are saddled with a much greater tax burden. When Bernie is president, he will make good on this promise. The billionaires will be forced to be pay their fair share, and middle class Americans will be able to keep more of their paycheck, helping ALL of America to become more prosperous. This is not communism. It's really not even socialism. This is smart, regulated capitalism that works for everyone.
16
@Noah uh huh And how is Bernie exactly going to overcome a Republican Senate?
12
@Noah
You must be listening to a different Sanders then I have been hearing since 2016.
4
Noah, good points, and I agree with you. I think it would help if everyone started referring to Bernie as a "New Deal FDR Democrat." Because that most aptly describes him.
During the 2016 campaign, I was actively supporting Bernie Sanders. But, then came a tsunami of political upheaval that for the last three-plus years has dangerously divided our nation, much like the divisions wrought by the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War. What is important to note, is that to a significant extent, America has healed from its past divisions and, hopefully, we will heal from the present threat to our Democracy. That is why we cannot afford to replace the current POTUS with a person who will exacerbate the divisions with positions too far to the left or right of America's comfort zone. We need a new president who will unite us; put forward proposals that have a chance of passage in Congress; and be a champion of people over corporate greed. It is my hope that the media will spend less time treating this campaign as a sporting event, and focus their attention on the issues that matter.
18
@JP Right. Let's keep to the middle of the road, which since Reagan has crushed the middle class. The U.S. has moved so far to the right that even Eisenhower (beware the MIC) and Nixon (EPA) policies now seem left wing extremism. Sanders is not the extremist he is being painted to be; he is the true moderate candidate.
8
@Dalepues Tuition-free college, single-payer health insurance (that will cause a major loss of employment) are not middle of the road. We agree that the GOP is to the extreme right when in comes to issues such as the environment and economic policy. And I submit, that Bernie (whom I love) is too far to the left.
7
@JP
You misdiagnose the problem.
The Left is inclusive. The Right is divisive.
The Left argues passionately for the principles RATIFIED by super-majorities in the Constitution: political equality for all people, Justice, Tranquility, defense (not a global offense), promoting the General welfare (not the specific welfare of the mega-rich), Liberty for All (not just those with a team of lawyers), leaving a sustainable environment and economy to Posterity which is not measured in quarterly reports.
The Left is aligned with the Constitution. Taxing and spending are in the Constitution. Regulating trade is in the Constitution.
The Right is against all of these things, dividing our Union by demanding inequality against the plain meaning of the 14th Amendment. The Right doesn't have super-majorities to make themselves "more equal," to make their religion the basis of our laws, to replace Justice and Tranquility with unjust law and violent order, to treat minorities differently under the law, to make the owners of capital the center of government largess, to make taxing and spending bad, or to protect a president.
The Left sits in circles where all voices are heard doing the hard work of creating consensus behind win/win solutions designed to make everyone's lives better.
The Right thinks that you must lose so they can win, and calls for political violence against their oppenents, which their base often delivers.
The Right is divisive. The Left is inclusive.
CHOOSE
3
Sanders is an inspirational rally speaker where he pushes his freebie ideas on eager listeners. However, in one to one interviews, he falters because he cannot or won't explain how he plans to fund his health and educational programs. He hints at taxes on the rich and Wall Street, but I've no doubt the middle class will be taxed even more than they are now to pay for all the promised goodies. And how does Sanders can get his proposals passed McConnell, centrist Democrats never mind the GOP congress.
16
@Nancy D Truth be told, even if they did raise my taxes, they could not raise them high enough to match what I'm currently paying my private HMO for just a basic level of care. I don't get insurance through my employer.
The new system would actually benefit me greatly.
41
@Nancy D Except he did answer the question perfectly. He asked how we paid for the 700billion dollar military budget, and how we paid for the trillion-dollar tax break to rich people? The answer is the same as answering those questions.
The answer of course is there is no need to "pay of it" because the government doesn't need to get the money from somwhere. They just write the checks. The thing Sanders needs to answer is how he will handle any inflation pressure from the programs.
Fortunately for Sanders is he has a very excellent economist advising him called Stephenie Kelton.
@Nancy D
Medicare for All costs slightly more in the first decade, then far less in every other decade.
A dozen other countries get better care for less money by making health the goal of health insurance, instead of extracting profits from the sick.
Markets do many things well. I'm a big fan of markets. But health insurance is not a market good. It is more expensive and less effective when health is sacrificed to profits.
Search the web for "health results by country" and pick the most reputable sources to verify my assertions. The evidence is there if you dare see it.
Medicare for a all will SAVE trillions.
1
The Times now has an established track record of writing anything and everything to attack Bernie Sanders' campaign. A casual observer might conclude that "All the news that's fit to print" doesn't include honest and unbiased coverage of the frontrunner during the Democratic presidential primary season.
One look at Joseph Biden's track record and his inability to express himself in a coherent manner in this campaign needs to be enough to chasten those who write about campaigns. Same goes for Michael Bloomberg, whose record is as bad as Biden's.
71
@Howie Lisnoff
Yes exactly. The "liberal" media let's attacking the "liberal" candidates, because the media is not liberal. It is corporate.
The point of view of mass news is the same as it's corporate billionaire shareholders, who also own the global banks, oil corporations, military suppliers and contractors, health insurance companies, and big agriculture.
The news isn't as fake as Trump, but it twists the news in subtle ways.
Read between the lines and follow the money.
11
I remember when Bernie Sanders didn't think Barack Obama should be President. President Obama got us the ACA, what has Bernie really done for you?
19
@Joe Barnett The ACA was better than nothing, yes. It was a significant achievement of the Obama administration. But there were so many compromises with the medical and insurance establishment to get it through that it hasn't fulfilled its promise. These criticisms made sense at the time, and they make sense to me now.
1
@Joe Barnett That’s so true. Bernie has NO major legislation to his name, and that ought to be evidence that he would have difficulty getting his ideas even brought to the floor of the House or Senate. Being an independent has this liability. 40-50 years without backing any major legislation. I believe Trump would emphasize this against Bernie although, he himself never has done anything, either.
1
@Joe Barnett May I remind that Sanders voted for Obamacare at every occasion?
He can be trusted to defend healthcare, Biden is weak and makes me nervous, Bloomberg might turn completely into a Republican once elected.
1
Two Words Sanders could utter--Crime Bill. Biden was part architect of this controversial bill that has been attributed to mass incarcertion. Small oops--Sanders voted for-a lesser mistake but still a mistake. AR Bernard has said it was the genesis of Stop and Frisk so Sanders could've really looked good--tsk. Anyway, Sanders just needs to stay Sanders--he is consistent, stable, and on target. He doesn't "knock" anyone out--that is too aggressive for him. Sanders lets the competition fall away is more like it.
2
@That's What She Said
Have you been listening to him tearing down the others in the race? They all are doing it and that is giving republicans just more ammunition to use.
2
Try to keep things in perspective puh-leez! Sanders’s Nevada landslide is based on fewer than 35,000 votes compared to Biden’s 17,000 votes on the final caucus ballot. How many total votes have been cast for Sanders? The total vote count to date is a drop in the bucket. Talk to me after Super Tuesday.
9
@Deborah Golden So you think him winning both extremely white states like Iowa and NH and diverse state like Nevada isn't predictive of anything?
@Deborah Golden
Yes. We should let the primaries play out, and stop panicking.
Bernie is still the best candidate, plus he would beat Trump.
@Deborah Golden 35,000 is a huge statistical sample which now includes a diverse state (Nevada).
Only an unusual event could stop Bernie now, something like Michelle Obama entering the race. If anything, he’s consistent in debates and support.
A possible silver lining is appearing to having Trump and the dictatorial McConnell running the show, and that is American may finally vote for someone to restore the mantle of F.D.R. in offering government support for all Americans, not the corporations.
Citizens United is still a key indicator of which way the wind will blow with the GOP runing the country; it's in favor of the bankers, not healthy, educated, creative families with a focus on loving children. Children are barely an after-thought for the GOP...shame on these Republican political leaders.
5
Whenever I hear Biden talk about his "support" among African Americans, he says things like, "they know me," or "I had Barack's back." How is that not condescending? Where are the entitlement police who hung on every word that Hillary uttered?
And what is this about Sanders not being "loyal" to Obama? Obama is not trump. He didn't demand loyalty.
13
There is one person whose absence in the Democratic contest for the Presidency is especially notable: Barack Obama.
On the eve of the South Carolina primary, a statement of support for Biden would be most likely be enormously influential. Yet the lack of even a word in behalf of Biden can only be interpreted as a lack of endorsement -- a fatal blow for the former VP.
Also, is Obama reluctant to try to slow down Sanders? Does his silence mean that he has no problem with Bernie's surge? Or is his unwillingness to become involved the latest example of Obama's strange indifference to Democratic Party politics?
Huge, so far, unanswered questions.
15
@PaulB67 Or is it a "strange" inclination to let the American public, the Democratic voters, decide from a pool of qualified candidates, of which the bumbling former Vice President is one of the least appealing?
3
@PaulB67 - I agree and disagree. The day the Biden announced both Barack and Hillary should have both said how great he was since the three of them were the administration. But that didn't happen and last election, it appears that Barack didn't want Joe to run.
It might be that as a former president he is taking the hands off and staying out of politics which is typically what they do.
I really wouldn't listen to a word Barack says though. Thanks to him and Joe, they lost the House, then the Senate, the judges, the Supreme Court and with Hillary as the legacy, they lost the White House. They are the best thing to happen to the Republican Party since Reagan. Its really time for the Obamas and the Clintons to take a long, long walk in the woods with a box of wine and give the Democrats a chance at rebuilding.
3
@Gustav Aschenbach I would accept your argument except that Obama's silence on Biden is tantamount to abandoning his VP of two terms. It is completely undermining Biden's candidacy and I just think that is remarkable in light of Sanders' increasing claim of the nomination.
I live in one of those Super Tuesday states that is getting hit with continual Bloomberg ads, and I can tell you, I don’t even pay attention anymore. Bloomberg has achieved maximum benefit for ads in those states, and he’s still polling behind Biden in most cases - at least for those polls taken after about Feb 16, when his background started getting more scrutiny in the news. He’s also polling behind Biden in all national polls after Feb. 16. All he’s doing by staying in is syphoning off a chunk of Biden’s support with older, white, more conservative voters. Democrats won’t rally around Bloomberg. The debate made that clear. Biden is the only one who has a chance to become a strong challenger to a Bernie.
If Bloomberg and Steyer backed off their vanity projects, Biden does well in South Carolina, and the relentless media narrative that his campaign is over changes to one that he’s winning, he would give Bernie, and later Trump, a run for their money. That’s why Bernie and Trump really want him gone.
9
@Chris
If you actually listen to Steyer's message, it is very similar to Bernie's. I don't trust billionaires, but I see Steyer's voters going to Bernie, not Biden.
2
Here comes nine days' worth of pressure to unite behind the favorite so as not to waste your vote, but the very nature of a primary vote is to choose the person you feel would be the best president, so that even if your candidate drops out the next day, you can live with yourself and your choice. When I cast my first primary vote back in 1988, my candidate dropped out immediately afterwards, but to this day I feel I made the best choice. So it goes this year.
4
It appears that Sanders is winning for two reasons. He is consistent and he does not spend as much time as the others getting personal. I find that refreshing
Obviously the rest of the Candidates are running scared after Nevada. Nevada came as a surprise win because of its Diversity. And that has shaken up the DNC by proving they are wrong about what voters really want.
Maybe instead of throwing bricks at Sanders they should be supporting him. And listen to the voters instead of each other
We need an antidote to Trump and Sanders is it.
22
Bernie Sanders is the most exciting and inspiring candidate in the field. That is because he is clearly challenging the status quo candidates who are preaching “moderation” in the face of an accelerating climate crisis, expanding inequality, a healthcare crisis, a homelessness crisis, and skyrocketing student loans. Bernie’s policies make no compromise on these issues, because he is a realist who knows an incremental approach spells disaster.
Trump defeated the “moderate” candidate last time around. With a global pandemic already upon us and the stock market ready to crash, the status quo is no longer an option.
19
While I will vote for Bernie, should he become my party's nominee, I greatly fear he will be McGovern redux. Bernie's ideological inflexibility (and that of his followers) will make him unpalatable to many anti-Trump independents, who will just stay home--not to mention the brevity of Bernie's coattails.
12
@WiltonTraveler Why is McGovern relevant? Have you forgotten Hillary, Kerry and Gore? All moderates, all recent, all lost. Nominate a moderate and then you'll see Trump vs Clinton redux, with the same result.
Astounding. Democrats have a natural successor to Obama, even a JFK-like figure, in Buttigieg staring them in the face, and they are dismissing it for the lackluster Biden and the extreme and unwindable 80 year old who had a heart attack and how has now hired defense attorneys to deal with Brady Toensing's dirty politics. Btw, Sanders supporters, the reason Warren plummeted was because she was forced to provide a price tag just for her Medicare for all. It was then that she fell. Bernie has avoided, at all costs, answering that question. Why do you think that is? And will not get away with it in the General. Americans in a good economy who are feeling stronger economically are not going to vote for the candidate they believe will give them a whopping tax and take their private insurance away. Not gonna happen.
6
@Virginia
Buttigieg is the candidate that nobody's been waiting for. He's what you'd get if you transplanted Bloomberg's brain into a younger body.
3
@Virginia - I will be interested to see where the Dow Jones finishes today now that Italy is putting cities under quarantine and that European markets are sliding.
As for private insurance? Every person in this country complains about their insurance starting with the co-pays. Insulin should be as cheap as aspirin but the private insurance companies are hosing the country.
2
@stan continople I guess I'm nobody, then. Thank you.
An old saying 'out of the frying pan and into the fire', that what we have with Bernie. I fully intended to vote for the democratic candidate as long as it isn't Bernie.
4
@JackRT Hopefully, you will vote for whoever the Democratic nominee is. If more had that in 2016, Trump would have remained a comic strip hypothetical. I will vote for Warren in the primary. But if Sanders becomes the Democratic nominee, I will vote for him for president. If everyone who wants to rid the world of Trump does that, Democracy as we knew it will be restored. Not voting guarantees a Trump win, just as it did in 2016.
1
There is a virus overtaking the Democrats. PC dogma demands throwing out reason and tradition. When the 20 candidates raised their hands when asked, should there be a penalty for ignoring the US border, all but Biden said no. Sanders takes it too far. He is leading a discontented pack. No one wants to pay their bills, so he says it's all Free. Attack the corporations, cut their profiting based on rules "they" make, but stay in bounds about Free. We will still need to work and pay taxes.
9
Trump isn’t a great person. He is unlikable in so many ways. But I have lots of work right now and am saving money. And there is no way I am going to become a socialist just because I don’t like Trump.
6
Why suggest that Buttigieg drop out over Warren? He is consistently performing well, while she is not.
2
Medicare without private insurance option is failing with ballooning cost, lack of physician choice and catastrophic waiting times. 54 percent of Australians have taken private insurance on top of Medicare and use their private insurance for outpatient visits and elective procedures. The upper middle to affluent segments of the population in UK also have private insurance and are seeing the set up of private hospitals given all the challenges with NHS eg. search about NHS challenges and you’ll find a truckload if information. What you call Medicare in many countries is actually managed competition through private insurance like in Netherlands or Germany which have more success. So why would you take private insurance away and adopt a single payer model? It would be infective, potentially bankrupt the government, take away patient choice of physicians, lead to longer waiting times, lead to job losses with the all the private insurance jobs of over a million people plus dependents. Also, almost all healthcare provision is in the private sector in US, they have to be profitable or shut down. In the UK, Canada and Denmark, most of the healthcare provision is public sector, so they don’t have to turn a profit. to enhance and improve Obamacare with clear caps on out of pocket spendings and deductibles, pricing regulations on medical services, premium regulations on insurance plans and controlling prices of medications and supplies while substituting for generics like Germany
7
@Ahmed Australia’s healthcare system is an interesting comparison. The private insurance industry is in a “death spiral” because millennials can not afford the cost and rely solely on the government plan. They effectively get just the substandard care of any two-tiered system. The wealthy get effective care and the poor get the shaft. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7740925/Australias-private-health-insurance-death-spiral-millennials-cancel-policies.html
2
@Ahmed
You omit the key component of Germany’s healthcare system: the public option. Even more than that: everyone who does not have private insurance is automatically enrolled with the local public health insurance provider (Ortskrankenkasse). The public providers negotiate prices for medical services jointly and hence have so much market share - and therefore pricing power - that they prevent the absurd pricing excesses that characterize and ruin the US healthcare system.
The bottom line is that Democrats should focus on the public option - which was part of the original Obamacare package, and which we would have by now if Joe Lieberman would not have blocked it. Fir unknown reasons that are beyond my understanding to this day. Rarely has one senator created so much lasting damage.
5
@Ahmed - Interesting. I am on medicaid and have never been turned down by any physician. I usually get the top neurologist at any given hospital. I have never experienced long waits like you suggest. I have never paid a nickel in co-pays. You should try it. Your health will greatly improve. Mine did.
5
As much as I hate to say this, I think Trump will win the election, Sanders is not the candidate who will beat Trump. The only way Trump will loose the election is if there is a strong down turn in the economy I don't think this will happen as it is in the best interest of the rich to keep Trump in office.
15
@John Sanders will NOT win the rust belt.
4
@John I think Buttigieg would beat Trump because he is the moderate, decent, civilized, very smart, calm, safe alternative those who voted for Trump but now don't like him are looking for; I think Bloomberg could beat Trump in terms of a two-of-a-kind campaign. But they are the only ones I believe can defeat him, for those reasons. Sanders supporters I know just will not consider the thought processes of those in the more conservative 'middle' states who are looking for a Trump alternative but not someone who they believe is going to raise their taxes to the Heavens. In fact, when I try to explain that to them, they interrupt, start yelling, and start up again defending Bernie's plans. They are as tone deaf to facts and reasoning they don't like as are Trump supporters. And as brutal.
1
@John it won't matter if Trump is reelected if democrats can keep the House and retake the Senate. If democrats controlled the other two branches of government they would be able to truly hold Trump accountable for his behavior and actions. He would probably end up so miserable that he would resign before the end of the first year of his second term. Unfortunately a Sanders nomination pretty much guarantees that people will vote for Republican control of the other branches of government.
2
Democrats (and any independents or republican viewing who also want to get rid of Trump) don't shoot yourselves in the foot like you did with Hillary.
Don't nominate, in her case, an identity/social engineering zealot, Neo con who is out of step with moderate progressive voters in swing states that elect presidents in the electoral college.
While it can be tough to decide, nominate the candidate that will do the best against Trump in these states like you did taking back the House in 2018. It can be done.
Right now its Bernie or Biden with Bloomberg as a long shot wild card.
Which ever one you choose, tell them to not to double down on their weak point like Hillary did with identity/social engineering obsession with a neo con side dish.
If it's Bernie he has to tone down on the socialist tag, ie us vs them, poor vs rich. Americans don't like socialists.
I think Biden still makes a better choice re the best to beat Trump although he is falling in the polls.
Don't nominate Amy K or Warren who fell prey to the identity card obsession or Mayor Pete who although is good on the check list against Trump is an open gay. America is not yet ready for a gay president imo.
8
@Paul "Americans don't like socialists." This is wrong, older Americans don't like socialists, but only because they have no idea what that means.
Trump, for example, loves socialism, that's what got him rich. His big break was buying derelict buildings in NY and getting HUGE tax breaks from the city and cheap loans from the banks.
2
There is still time for Democrats to avoid the disaster of a Bernie Sanders nomination and a guaranteed re-election of Donald Trump. The Sanders people think that because they shout the loudest, that their votes count more than the votes of others. But that's not how democracy works. And Michael Bloomberg also doesn't understand that when it comes to running for president, you can't buy credibility... Bloomberg needs to drop out of the race before Super Tuesday and declare his moral and financial support for Joe Biden... Biden is the one Democratic candidate who is solid enough get the job done in November. Let's give Joe the ball, and he'll bring home a victory.
17
Medicare without private insurance option is failing with ballooning cost, lack of physician choice and catastrophic waiting times. 54 percent of Australians have taken private insurance on top of Medicare and use their private insurance for outpatient visits and elective procedures. The upper middle to affluent segments of the population in UK also have private insurance and are seeing the set up of private hospitals given all the challenges with NHS eg. search about NHS challenges and you’ll find a truckload if information. What you call Medicare in many countries is actually managed competition through private insurance like in Netherlands or Germany which have more success. So why would you take private insurance away and adopt a single payer model? It would be infective, potentially bankrupt the government, take away patient choice of physicians, lead to longer waiting times, lead to job losses with the all the private insurance jobs of over a million people plus dependents. Also, almost all healthcare provision is in the private sector in US, they have to be profitable or shut down. In the UK, Canada and Denmark, most of the healthcare provision is public sector, so they don’t have to turn a profit. to enhance and improve Obamacare with clear caps on out of pocket spendings and deductibles, pricing regulations on medical services, premium regulations on insurance plans and controlling prices of medications and supplies while substituting for generics like Germany
2
@Richard Ralph - Biden can't even win a caucus but he can beat Trump? The guy can't remember if he is in Vermont or New Hampshire. And let's not forget his stellar son Hunter. Or that when Biden was last in the White House, he and Obama lost the House, the Senate, the federal judges, the Supreme Court and then by putting their eggs in Hillary's basket, the White House. Best thing to happen to the Republicans since Reagan.
6
@Richard Ralph
Actually, we think that Sanders is winning because he had the most votes so far.
Also, I am fond of facts and logic, not yelling.
I would vote for Biden if he is the nominee, but I don't see that happening.
It never even occurred to me that Sanders could cost Democrats even the House, never mind a chance to take both houses, which is critical if Trump wins another term. Sanders is an absolute catastrophe not only for Democrats but for this country. Just imagine America with Trump in the WH, the corrupt AG Barr, the SC, and both houses of Congress. I already have such a sense of doom, on top of the trauma of the past three years of Trump, the scurrilous Republicans, and the Trump base. Asking for sanity and reason in this country seems like a pipe dream at this point.
26
I plan to vote Blue for president, House, and Senate, and I encourage all Democrats to do the same.
45
@WJM Yes, vote blue no matter who!
2
Bernie cannot win - step out of your bubble and talk to swing voters in states that matter and you will learn quickly that even those who hate Trump aren't going to vote for Bernie.
Let's hope the Dems of SC are not getting caught up in the Putin-Trump Internet troll plan and hold strong for the Dem Party and don't vote for Bernie. You may be our last hope for a Dem (which Bernie is not) to win in November.
14
You will be destroying our climate voting for Trump. He is committing genicide in Pennsylvania with coal. In 2018 3,100 premature air pollution deaths occurred Shame on you for turning your head.
2
For all their other shortcomings and evildoings, Republicans adhered (mostly) to the commandment of "Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican." Democrats have never mastered that trick.
6
@Tankylosaur
Trump updated that dictum in 2016 to "Thou can speak as much ill as you like of another Republican, and they must still grovel at your feet". Just ask Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Jeff Sessions, among others.
2
@Tankylosaur this is true. Just look at how Bernie treated Warren and how his supporters attack those who disagree with his ideals amd policy proposals. The evidence of how problematic Sanders is can be seen just by looking at the democratic party right now. Look how divisive Sanders nomination has become. If Bernie can't unite the democratic party behind his ideals how will he unite the rest of the country behind it?
3
Democrats have a pivot point ahead. Socialist or other, which will it be?
1
Bernie and Trump are two sides of the same coin!
6
Thanks for the false equivalence, John.
Bernie is an honest fighter for the unrich.
Trump is a career scofflaw, deadbeat, Snake Oil Sommelier and Presidential charlatan.
Reality counseling is available.
11
@Socrates
If people took advantage of "reality counseling," then Bernie would have no supporters. His base is comprised of those who (a) are financially/economically illiterate; and (b) have no understanding of civics, and fail to understand that absolutely nothing that Bernie proposes will ever become law. I call them "reality deniers."
Frankly it’s going to be a struggle for Bernie to implement any of his well intentioned plans, and if he wins, he’s doomed to fail. Medicare for all is unrealistic. It’s funny that comparisons are made with Denmark by Bernie. That is a country of just over 5 million people where over 80 percent of healthcare provision is in the public sector. For a country as large and diverse as the US with each state having its own health system, trying to implement this one size fits all plan with ballooning budgets is set to fail. Other countries that Bernie and John Oliver in his recent episode alluded to such as the UK have significant challenges with the current state of the NHS, where despite good quality care and financial access, the waiting times are really long and have gotten worse along with rising, unsustainable budgets. There’s growing private insurance in the UK with the set up of Schoen Clinic, Germany and Cleveland Clinic setting up a new hospital.
Australia, another eg of Medicare for all, now has 54 percent of the population with private insurance over and above social insurance to mitigate long waiting times and to ensure patient choice of physician. Netherlands & Germany use an insurance based model i.e. managed competition, which is more effective. In all honesty Joe Biden has the best plan and best chance of success to enhance Obamacare and address the challenges in healthcare in a manner that’s realistic.
8
@Ahmed: Yes, don’t ask for too many crumbs from the 1% plate because they don’t want you to have them!
The movement championed by Bernie Sanders is about us and where we want to point our +/- 200 year old nation. It's about the spoils we're prepared to share in the next phase of our nation building. His proposals feel beyond what our myopic view might offer and full realization (if there can be such a thing) is generations away. Take it or leave it, it's nothing less than the next phase in our struggle for civil rights and it should not be squelched.
33
@RA LA if Bernie is so committed to these changes why does he have to be president in order to enact them? He has been a Senator for a long time but he has done very little if anything in convincing others to implement major change with health care or any of the other things that he vehemently promotes right now. If anything he actually undermined health care a few years ago by almost ruining Obama's chance at a second term. It brings to question what his real motivation is for running for president and as I mentioned in an earlier post if he can't unite the democratic party behind him right now how will he unite the other branches of government as president?
3
@USA Too Because the president is the gatekeeper.
1
@RA LA
Bernie has been in Congress for 30-some years. Where has his 'next phase' agenda been hiding all these years?
It's not like he's some political newcomer. He's had ample time to work to get his agenda enacted.
1
Joe Biden represents the past. We want to move forward to a much better and bolder future where everyone matters, especially people from underserved and marginalized communities. And where saving our planet is priority number one.
Bernie 2020
15
@Zareen Socialism has been around a long time, (not in the US) with very mixed results. There is nothing particularly "past" about a properly regulated free market. Sanders has no allies on Capitol Hill, will be able to implement none of his programs. But Trump will win, Ginsberg and maybe Breyer and Thomas will be replaced by young, far right justices, and the Supreme Court will be far to the right of the U.S. people for more than a generation. Bernie people and Greens could stop it.
2
@Zareen
So, one old guy is bad but the other older guy is good?
How does Bernie not represent the past?
1
@Zareen Joe Biden actively promoted the War on Iraq where a million Iraqis died, according to The Lancet. This was a big mistake that cost our country trillions of dollars.
He does not deserve to lead our country anymore.
1
Bloomberg's advisors have been trying to lock up superdelegates, assuming a brokered convention.
But he hasn't even appeared on a ballot yet.
This article implies US Senators, running and debating for months, should withdraw. It does not say anything about the billionaire who's bought his way into an election.
5
@Talbot
Who hasn't bought their way into this election?
Bloomberg is using his own money, the other are using other people's money.
1
I saw in a article what Bernie is for and they are what I am for Remove Our profoundly immoral president get the rich to pay higher taxes. Let’s go after the churches and no more tax breaks. He is for affordable housing and climate He has my vote. Biden needs to drop out and endorse Bernie.
12
This race isn't over; there's still the real possibility that the 78-year-old Senator will have another heart attack, or other major health scare, as the stress of the Presidency (or a humiliating loss to Trump) looms.
I certainly don't wish for that, but it's the truth. And maybe he could continue in the race, but don't forget how the Trump campaign made the most of Hillary Clinton's single moment of illness on the trail.
5
When I see how Bloomberg is shamelessly seeking to buy the Democratic primary with all financial guns blazing (and despite having demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt in the debate that he is an unfit candidate), and when I read in today’s Times how Steyer is seeking to buy influence in South Carolina, then it starts dawning in me that Sanders may be the only non-corrupt option left.
I am not a Bernie fan at all - rather a moderate who would like to see Buttigieg or Klobuchar as candidates. But face it: these folks have zero chance and probably never had, given that they started with little name recognition and can’t buy TV ads by hundreds of millions, or the ‘support’ from influential local lawmakers through direct transfers to the relatives’ bank accounts (sorry: their ‘businesses’).
American politics is about to deteriorate to full-blown plutocracy: only billionaires can be Presidents. The size of a person’s bank account determines his or her capacity to buy TV ads and endorsements, and therefore the chance to run successfully.
Sanders may be the last remotely realistic chance to stop this from happening.
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@HenryK
Don't count out Pete and Amy's Super PAC's. They are already buying and running attack ads for both.
Depending on how much money those backers wish to spend, they could be in for a while yet.
But your last sentence was spot on.
3
@Dobbys sock
PACs have spent a few millions (single digit) on Buttigieg and Klobuchar. Bloomberg’s campaign is almost 500 million heavy to date, and he can easily add one or two zeros if he feels he should.
Fact: these are not comparable dimensions. And facts matter.
@HenryK Good comment, I'm a Bernie supporter, but really appreciate how you've come around to at least understanding where he's coming from and what's at stake, specifically within the context of the race we're in right now. This is a battle between the whole larger concept of whether the middle/working class should have a larger voice in our government that's currently been poisoned by special interests spending millions of dollars to buy our politicians.
Bernie offers us a true way out, one swing leftward powered by a coalition of voters that builds on the multi-racial, multi-generational, and multi-class diversity of Obama's support in 2008.
Trump and Bloomberg are the only two other options at this point, no other candidate will be viable when the convention rolls around; the Warrens and Buttigiegs and Klobuchars have no diversity among their supporters, no whatsoever to anyone but mostly white and moderate liberals (even Warren, I'd argue, Bernie galvanized his progressive base early, many left in Warren's camp are liberals and more moderate).
Bloomberg and Trump, on the other hand, each offer their own frightening (in my opinion) and only slightly different brands of dystopian oligarchy. If Bloomberg wins this year, Zuckerberg will run in 2024, and Bezos will run in 2028, and Elon Musk will run in 2032. We cannot afford to open this box of crazy. The last 5 years have been a repudiation of big money influence and elites, why would we double down?
4
For those who do not have health insurance, Medicare is better than nothing. As long as Sanders keeps insisting on Medicare for all, I cannot support him. My husband is a retiree of a large company. We are guaranteed FREE, LIFETIME health insurance for our family. As long as the physician and hospital participates in Medicare, we can choose any hospital or doctor. All deductibles and copays are small especially as compared to Medicare. Being forced to take Medicare would be a huge financial loss for our family especiall if any family member as an expensive long-term health problem as we do.
8
@george
While Sanders health care proposal is called "Medicare for All," it would in fact represent a significant improvement over the existing Medicare program for retirees. It would almost certainly reduce the healthcare costs of people in your situation.
Medicare for All would eliminate ALL premiums, copays and deductibles. Prescriptions, likewise, would be free. Optical, dental and hearing aids would be fully covered as well.
And the elimination of private plans would mean that ALL doctors -- not just those that currently take Medicare -- would be "in system."
This can all be paid for with a 4% payroll tax on income over $29k because it eliminates the major cause of rising healthcare costs: the massive profits of the insurance and pharmaceutical industries.
Don't let the corporate media, which incidentally relies heavily on advertising from insurance and pharmaceutical interests, fool you into thinking Medicare for All would hurt you. It would almost certainly help you.
14
Two issues here, @george.
First, congratulations on getting such fabulous health insurance, especially as a retirement benefit! Fortunately, Medicare for All doesn’t charge for co-pays, co-insurance or deductibles, so this facet of your health care experience should remain constant.
Second, those retirement benefits are not guaranteed. The Supreme Court rules in the 2015 case M&G Polymers vs Tackett that retirement benefits can be pulled if bargaining agreements change. (https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/27/business/supreme-court-rules-against-retirees-in-health-benefits-case.html). Likewise, being vested under ERISA does not guarantee your health benefits in retirement, per 1992 NMI v Tackett (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationwide_Mutual_Insurance_Co._v._Darden).
Medicare for All will not cause you to pay out of pocket, just like you do now. But it will guarantee you health insurance, a guarantee which you don’t have right now. What do you have to lose?
9
@Christopher What a great reply. Excellent
2
One of Joe Biden's campaign mistakes was not seeking out small donors. As soon as he started dropping in the polls and his primary loses, money started drying up from the big donors. The other candidates like Sanders and Warren have committed supporters that keep their campaign engine running, and can carry them to the convention.
Big donors in the future will likely be a thing of the past, Sanders is proving that. Get a hard core of voters to support your principles and goals, and the contributions with flow in a a steady pace.
3
@cherrylog754
small donors are a gimmick. There are "small donor bundlers" who were charging candidates 40$ for each 1-dollar donation they brought in. That's hardly what i'd call reducing the role of money in politics.
1
I'm not sure if there were deep issues in the party before because I'm only 37 but, to me, the "party" never recovered from the 2016 primary. They basically gave Hillary the nomination by telling her what the debate questions were yet she didn't represent everyone. The race was skewed in her favor but the party didn't realize that a lot of people didn't like or trust her. We found out afterwards how biased the party was and the party gave us reasons not to trust it. So now you want to find someone to be better equipped to beat a racist idiot? You had four years! Did anyone see Bloomberg on the debate stage? Is that who is supposed to represent the regular tired on the way to work, tired on the way home American worker? It's too late to go back the drawing board.
97
@pat
Hillary got the second highest vote total in history.
I'd say she represented a very large number of people.
She beat Bernie in the primary by even more votes.
The 'they' you speak of who gave Hillary the nomination were the millions of people like me that voted for her.
6
Hillary Clinton won the primary in 2016. No one gave her anything. Furthermore, a lot of us do not like or trust Bernie Sanders and his supporters after enduring that process.
Bernie? Biden? Buttigieg? Bloomberg? Democrats are wasting their time. Won’t make any difference. Trump can and will win on 2 issues, immigration and abortion.
5
Wrong. its an electoral college. Republicans always win those states. Trump barely won the midwest states to "beat" Hillary. its 55 plus yr old working class whiye people in MI, WI, PA, OH. he cant hold on to them. they voted for Obama. they are not dumb. life is not better with Trump. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO WILL ELECT THE NEXT PRESIDENT. It will NOT be Trump. They got fooled once by him.
5
@SMS yes..you make a good point. But is going to be very hard for him to win again. Arizona is going blue.
3
@SMS
Wishing won’t make it so:
“Currently, 61% say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while 38% say it should be illegal in all or most cases.” — Pew Research Center
That said, trump could well get re-elected, but not because of the reasons you suggest. After all, he jacked the (already strong upon taking office, thank you very much President Obama) economy via deficit-ballooning feed-the-billionaires tax cuts — tax cuts whose downside will mostly only be felt a few years from now. So the retrogrades who will vote for trump in part because they’re “liking my 401k” won’t suffer from entitlement cuts until it’s too late.
6
Bernie is the best one to take on Trump. Not Biden, and certainly not Bloomberg. Bernie speaks from conviction about what is right for the people. He draws the clearest contrast with Trump, and he motivates his base.
I wish that he would give a speech about Democratic Socialism like Obama did about race (and that radical pastor that he was linked to, can’t remember the name), and then officially join the Democratic Party.
Everyone should calm down about Bernie winning the nomination (this means you, NYT). He is a decent man who can provide a moral vision for this country that it sorely needs right now. He will beat Trump, esp if we unite behind him.
Cory Booker for VP!!
102
@Deborah Goodwin - Sanders/Bullock
It’s time for the Democratic field to form a slate for President, VP, and Secretary of State, and everyone else gets out of the race. Having four moderates, a Republican billionaire, and a neo-progressive running splitting votes and giving the fringe socialist (and I do know what that word means) an opening to break the party he would never deign to join.
3
Regarding Bernie’s recent comments on Cuba and Castro, I am reminded of the observation that ‘of course Mussolini made the trains run on time” even if one disavowed Mussolini.
Even more distressing would be reminders of the joke line about “other than that how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?”
Today many have conflated rigidity of viewpoint with authenticity. Self righteous morality is self serving and leads to a verbal violence (revolutions are often if not always matters of blood as any reasoned view of history indicates, including Cuba) which increases the probability of something more. Bernie’s repeated distancing of himself from those who are exceeding civil boundaries is substance free if he does not actively disavow his rhetoric.
Sanders supporters are simply saying to me that they do not need my older, white male vote, either now or in the General election. They are probably right. In my moderation and wish for understanding and unification I am to them as much the Enemy as as any right wing zealot. I am Danton for the tumbrill or Kerensky for exiling. Such supporters cannot simply await my eventual death in their hurry for the New Jerusalem.
11
@Privelege Checked
I doubt anyone is waiting for your death. I don't even know you but just mentioning it makes me hope you and I are here for quite a long time. If we need to argue well so be it.
4
@Privelege Checked
So which is it?
You talk about moderation, understanding, unification, and self righteous morality, yet condemn the man for pointing out some good things Cuba has done?
Guess, we shouldn't say nice things about Germany either? How about China? Maybe Australia too?
Boy, guess America is off the list too...right?!
Or is it only country's "certain" people don't like?!
C'mon, America invaded and destroyed a sovereign country based upon lies and greed.
Guess all our patriots should actively disavow any 'merica rhetoric huh.
You are free to vote for whomever you wish. A non vote for Blue in the GE is a vote for Trump and authoritarian fascism.
You'll decide, not anyone else.
From an older, white male Sanders supporter.
3
@Dobbys sock
When you compare Cuba to this nation in terms of open politics, judiciary, prison system, and press freedom all of which are not just "by the way" considerations to (as you put it) "merica" I understand that you, as you are welcome to do, consider this country to be a fecal repository of hypocrites "based upon lies and greed." Your anger, your fear, are the foundations of your self assurance and are Why you address me as Enemy rather than as fellow human and citizen, worthy of having my views disvalidated. I hope for you to have less fear which, as our non-revolutionary FDR in direr times said is the only true object of our fear.
For years now Democrats have been hoping for a candidate who can revive the Obama coalition: young voters, African Americans, Hispanics, environmentalists, union members and other groups who failed to turn out in sufficient numbers to power Hillary Clinton to victory.
Well, looking at the results from Nevada, they may just have one. Their response “Aaaagggghhhh!”
Now I don’t know if Sanders will be able to replicate that success but I don’t see any of his Democratic rivals coming anywhere close.
I don’t know whether there are any skeletons in his closet aside from what we already know—Inexpect that will soon be tested. If he survives the amount of mud being thrown his way he could well be on his way to a victory and that I think is not a bad thing.
What Sanders has is the ability to do is to get new voters to the polls. That’s not a small thing. He speaks to the majority of Americans, people who work for a living regardless of race or gender. That is a unifying message. Once again, while others may have similar messages I don’t see other candidates having the same success. Authenticity matters. Political skills matter and Bernie has both.
So please folks, stop panicking. There is no perfect candidate. Let the process play out fairly. Accept whoever wins even if it’s not you have serious doubts about the winner.
62
@Brooklyncowgirl
I agree.
If Sanders had skeletons in his closet, I'm pretty sure the Common opposition research machine would have found it. I don't think he has any.
Before Super Tuesday, the best thing the Dems can do is limit to the top two delegate holders at that point. This is not to "stop Sanders." We just shouldn't have any candidate--Sanders or Bloomberg or Biden or Warren or ...-- winning with a minority of delegates. (Because that, of course, means a majority opposed.) Stop the vanity campaigns. Stop running for VP. Drop out if you are not in the top two after SC.
4
So... NH Iowa and Nevada are in. Not hard to make the argument that, if this is our selection process, it's woefully inadequate and biased. Either that or maybe the AOC/Manhatten/faculty-club set are eager to have it be their Democratic Socialist candidate but there's a long way to go. Klobuchar, Budavich and Biden need to be taken seriously. That can beat Trump and they can govern reasonably
1
Last night’s “60 Minutes” interview shows Sanders nay not be all he says he is. Still think Sen, Warren is the best hope.
2
@Ted come on let s get serious she gor 10% in Nevada.
2
Sanders, aided by early Russia/GOP early and unrelenting smears of Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren's deft knee-capping of Mike Bloomberg in the last debate, sails to causus win with a wafer thin portfolio of legislation. Promising a revolution to demolish both a corrupted GOP and the opposing Democratic encumbents responsible for ACA, Civil Rights, EPA leglsiation, Sanders leads his team to victory?
3
If I were Bernie, I would play some FDR videos from YouTube, the ones where he talks about being a progressive, and is at war with big banks and big money as part of his opening at rallies.
That might help stop people, media people, from trying to marginalize Bernie as a fanatic.He is, in reality, FDR for our times.
Hugh
146
@Hugh Massengill Good suggestion, I agree. I think there are a lot of very effective ways the campaign can pivot to stop Trump. He has American history on his side, former progressives, former anti-establishment Presidents who are beloved; like you said, he can run ads highlighting the historical precedent behind everything he's doing: words from FDR, Eisenhower, JFK, Teddy Roosevelt; that is where he's coming from, his supporters know this, and the establishment (every millionaire and billionaire in a position of power within the party or media who stands to take home just a little less money if Bernie wins) knows this too, but will want to muddy the waters in any way they can so we vote against our own interests (again).
6
@Hugh Massengill You clearly overlook that FDR came to power on the back of a depression.
Sanders is advocating a revolution when the economy is perceived as pretty good and most Americans want to build on this not destroy it.
When the time comes to vote , Americans will vote for the reality of today as they see it.
We want evolution not revolution and I am not a billionaire not even a millionaire I just want steady and sure growth
3
@Hugh Massengill
The Great Depression is what gave FDR the ability to enact Social Security, and he did it with many politicians wanting to beat him down. Yes, things are bad for ordinary people now, but we're not yet in a second Great Depression (though in 2008 we barely missed one).
1
Warren is history. Biden, as much as I love him has had his day. Klobuchar was interesting for a time, but then she got hysterical when Pete went at her and that was the end for her. I appreciate all Steyer has done to spur on Trump's impeachment, but enough is enough. Pete made it impossible for any man to ever tell his son that being gay is evil without the kid thinking my dad is a fool and I think he will make a great VP. Bernie needs to go as far away as we can send him or we will not only reelect Trump, we will not gain the Senate, we will lose the House. It is time to take a serious look elsewhere.
4
@Michael sanders 2020
3
@Michael I don’t support Klobuchar’s policies but it’s concerning to see a man call a woman’s behavior “hysterical”. I don’t even understand how to interpret the misguided statement about Buttigieg and homophobia...
@Kafka
Ok, not hysterical. Is unhinged better?
Klobuchar lost her mind at Pete taking her on.
Without her personal vendetta against him, perhaps Pete would have won NH considering the collapse in Bernie's support from 2016 there and we wouldn't be worrying about Bernie destroying the Democratic Party.
She needs to go.
1
Sanders supporters favor his candidacy because of, not in spite of, his divisiveness. The irony, of course, is that politically, Sanders is really just another Trump - an extremist who will further divide the electorate. Sure he’s a better man, by far, but he is running on a deliberately provocative ideology, a brand of socialism that will disappoint moderates and enrage the opposition, so politically and in terms of his ego, he’s not all that different than Trump. He’s willing to sacrifice the common good for his own advancement. I’m a moderate Democrat, so I want Trump removed from office as badly as every credentialed liberal does. But to replace him with Sanders will only divide the nation even more, at a time when we need a a candidate who can unite, or at least try to unite, a sorely riven electorate. Sanders supporters know this but are charging ahead, excited at the prospect of payback. That’s revenge politics, and there is nothing good that will come of it.
309
@MWR I, too, am a moderate Dem. But I think your characterization of Bernie's supporters is extreme. He is off-putting to many but that is because he believes establishment politics and parasitic capitalism have been destructive and weakened our democracy. I actually agree with him on this. And I believe many of his policies are sound, humane, and workable. The question in my mind is whether or not Americans feel they are ready for, aka "deserve" the public investments he calls for. I think we do. We've "earned" a viable health care system that is paid for by higher taxes on those who enjoy extreme wealth.
For me, it's a question of whether or not "we the people" want to lead ourselves out of this mess, or choose a leader who will do it for us. I think Bernie believes in the former, but I'll take the latter if s/he is a decent and capable human being. "Any thinking adult" will be better than what we currently have.
170
@MWR
Where or where is this "moderate" dream candidate?
Comparing Sanders to Trump is a stretch. He will not be appealing to our baser instincts as Trump did in 2016, he will be appealing to our better angels.
The world is changing, the nation is changing. Please let us leave nostalgia for a mythical past to the conservatives.
Sanders is not a perfect candidate but our political meat grinder politics seems to keep the moderate dream candidates on the sidelines.
Vote blue, no matter who.
111
@MWR
Spoken out of the mouths of the Establishment. Anything else new?
65
Bernie is going to be the nominee and it is time for the rest of the party to rally behind him if they are serious about beating Trump.
No candidate in the history of the modern primary system has done as well in the early contests as Bernie, who has now won the popular vote in IA, NH and NV. You wouldn't know it from listening to the pundits, but more Democrats (66%!) say they would be satisfied with Bernie leading the ticket than any other candidate. And more think he has a better chance at beating Trump than any other candidate. They aren't wrong. Bernie is leading all the other candidates in head to head matchups with Trump both nationally and in the battleground states that Clinton lost in 2016.
It is important to remember that many of the forces expressing "concern" that Bernie can't beat Trump are likely just as worried that he can and probably will. These are the very well paid Democratic consultants, party officials, cable news guests and so on who have done fine under Trump but who would likely have to find other work if the Sanders wing of the party were to not just win the nomination, but also the White House.
Many of these people also have financial interests in Wall Street, and the insurance, pharmaceutical, fossil fuel, and weapons industries that a Sanders administration threatens to raise taxes on.
Voters should not be confused about which side those voices are on in the fight to get the Billionaires and their money out of American politics.
766
@Christopher Bernie will lose in November in a landslide of historic proportions.His candidacy will drag the down ballot candidates down to a massive defeat. As a result the Republicans will extend their control of the Senate and retake the majority in the House.
The Democratic Party , controlled by extremist radical progressives, will cease to be a major force in the political life of America. Bernie will have led the Dems off a political cliff into oblivion.
Bernie will have achieved his decades long goal of destroying the Democratic Party. Historians will be studying the break-up and destruction of the party for generations.
There will be an ascendancy of the Republican Party for a generation.
Mr.Trump can only smile at his good fortune.
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@Christopher. The only polls that matter actual elections, and electorally, "progressives" have consistently lost, and failed to oust a single Republican in 2018.
No-one has really gone after Sanders yet, but when Pennsylvania, for example, learns that Bernie is against fracking, his support will fall. Single-payer health insurance is still a political loser, as are abolishing ICE, free college, and an open border. All of this is a gift to Trump & the GOP. Maybe Trump's awfulness is enough to ensure that any Dem would win, butt hat's a risky bet, and so is a Sanders nomination.
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@Christopher I see three likely scenarios.
Scenario 1 Sanders wins the nomination outright & splits the party if he heads the ticket. Moderate suburban voters won't vote for Democratic Socialism. No matter how you slice & dice it this point can't be emphasized enough. Sanders will lose the overwhelming majority of these voters. His nomination would also compel independent swing voters to hold their nose & vote for Trump again. Sanders has demonstrated time & time again that he doesn't have the temperament to be POTUS. Last year he called for giving incarcerated felons the right to vote. The Boston Marathon Bomber kills three people, maims & injures 280 more. Bernie’s concern? That he gets his absentee ballot. He is on the wrong side of too many issues.
Scenario 2 Sanders arrives at the convention with a huge lead in both votes & delegates but not enough to secure the nomination. His supporters will blackmail the DNC. The Democrats conclude that they have no choice but to let Sanders go down in a McGovern style defeat. Result Trump wins.
Scenario 3 Sanders loses the nomination outright to say, Bloomberg. Bernie Bros claim Russian interference & stay home. Result: Trump wins. If this election is about kitchen table issues: jobs & affordable education there's no way we lose. If it's about Medicare for All & more illegal immigration there's no way we win. We can win with or without progressives. We can't win without swing & centrists voters. Sanders loses in a landslide.
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Everyone is afraid of Bernie Sanders. He's a socialist! He can't beat Trump! He's too old! He's too white! The esteemed "moderates" are afraid he will be unable to appeal to the esteemed "swing voters".
Calm down everyone. As always, first comes the primary, then the general election. Sanders would be a fool not to keep his "base" energized during the primary. During the general election he would surely be able to point out the failures of Trump and his Republican cult members. The election of a President like Sanders is quite unlike Trump's election. Sanders will appeal to our better angels. Trump won by appealing to fears, prejudices, xenophobia, and cultural anxieties.
Vote blue, no matter who.
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@mike Naive,and like Trump supporters, willfully turning a blind eye and deaf ear to any information and facts you just do not like.
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@mike It’s going to be Bernie anyway. Let’s see how all those moderate Republicans in our party, so vocal in the times’ op-eds and the comment sections underneath, who like being absolved of the cruelty inflicted on poor and low educated people with their “Democratic” vote, will respond.
Will it be blue no matter who, or Judge Jeanine Pirro, corruption, environmental damage, and election fraud under Trump II out of spite? Let’s see.
9
@Liz This is what I mean by the obstinance and Trump-cult-likeness of Sanders supporters that is such a huge turnoff and make us loathe Sanders. Liz, I am not a moderate Republican. Moderate Republicans are in the Republican Party anyway. I am a moderate Democrat, registered. Okay? So stop doing what Trump cultists do and declare anyone who isn't fully in the Trump/Sanders camp and mindset must be some scurrilous enemy plotting and scheming and ready to betray Sanders and the Democratic Party. It is deplorable...to use a word. And out of spite? Why don't you read some history of Sanders and his followers re: the 2016 Election. Practice what you preach. I've read comments from Sanders supporters here, btw, saying that if Sanders doesn't get the nomination, they will stay home of vote Green Party. It was Trump is 2016 in party out of spite and a pity-party by Sanders and his supporters. Okay? It is his supporters and comments like yours making me not want to vote for him, FYI, among other reasons. I've had enough of the mindless Trump cult. I don't want another one.
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This is a solid, factual report about the state of the race prior to South Carolina. But what I do find fascinating is that the word "interference" is nowhere to be found, despite the fact the dark-money Super PACs, the Democratic establishment, and an actual Wall Street billionaire are all trying to prevent one specific candidate from winning in order to secure their own material interests. Yet the NYT today posted (by my counting) the third major article about alleged "Russian interference" since last Friday, despite the fact that we have no details nor really any evidence for that happening apart from a deliberate CIA-leak. This seemingly mundane linguistic slip tells me all I need to know about the role the corporate media plays in shaping political events, not just reporting them.
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Biden’s last stand.
Too bad he never had a first one.
He was undone by Pelosi and Schiff exposing his corruption.
I doubt he sends them Christmas cards this year.
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@Ken
What corruption? I mean, really. What corruption?
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@Roger Binion
At least try to follow along.
There is one way I will be voting in the New York Democratic primary and the general election (if it comes to that): against Bernie Sanders. If he wins the nomination I will be leaving the party I’ve been a member of since the day of my 18th birthday.
I’ve voted for the Democratic nominee in the last 6 presidential elections - every one of my adult lifetime. I will not under any circumstances vote for Bernie Sanders. Not only do I not support him on policy grounds, but I wish to make this abundantly clear: his supporters are a nasty, vile group of people who have spent the last 4 years attacking me and everyone like me. I have been told that I’m “Republican lite”, that I “may as well be a Republican”, and the latest is that I am a “radical centrist” that has done as much damage to the country as Donald and Mitch.
Clearly these people think they can win the general without moderate votes. I’ll give them their due - because they’re gonna find out.
#NeverBernieDemocrat
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@Mike
Would you rather have four more years of the Trump cult?
What will "moderate" mean after Trump's neo-fascism?
Why do you want to punish those who disagree with you?
If there were a moderate dream candidate out there why did that person not run?
In the end it should be about "us", not "me". Politics is messy and never perfect, but by threatening to take your dolly home and not play you may well be insuring four more years of Trump unhinged. Will you still be comforted by your "moderate" status?
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@Mike We're a long way from done with this nominating process. So, please reconsider which way you'll vote. A "not Bernie" vote will be a "he who wants to be president for life" vote. We may not survive as a democracy with 4 more years of Trump in the WH.
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@Mike
So you’re basically voting for Trump. If you think Bernie supporters are nasty (I know plenty that aren’t), wait until you see what the red hatters are like.
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The election is far from over.
I believe Bloomberg will win.
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@Luke G [ I’m 12] That's pre-debate hope. It cannot be unseen.
Even Anderson Cooper (hardly the most fleet of interviewers) exposed the lack of substance beneath Sanders’s rhetoric on 60 Minutes last night. Decades in the senate and little to show for it, and if McConnell is still senate leader the green new deal and Medicare for All would immediately be in the trash basket. Sanders is still spouting the same stuff from college bull sessions in the 60s. He’ll be toast in the general.
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@RS
Anderson Cooper has dyslexia. If you had any understanding of this condition you would not be disparaging his language skills. He, like all dyslexics, have to work 10 times harder than their peers to overcome this disability.
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@RS
Bernie can be the one who not only leads to four more years of Trump but who along with his army of crazies will have to take responsibility for us losing the Congress.
I actually look forward to him running so he and the left can be utterly destroyed.
They along with Trump are our true enemies.
Look at Corbyn in the UK. He is their Bernie and his running set his Labor party back 90 years.
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@RS
Anderson Cooper knows who pays his salary.
3
Why don’t pundits ever ask Bloomberg to drop out to consolidate the so-called, “anti-Bernie” vote? When Bloomberg last held public office he was a Republican. He performed so badly in the debate on Wednesday that what ever gravitas he had has been crushed. He has no real base to speak of, yet pundits keep demanding Warren, Klobuchar and Buttigieg go.
Bloomberg’s only justification for remaining in the race is his billions. Why should Warren or any one else drop out to clear the field for him? What an awful message that sends especially within a party which loudly complains about the outsized influence of money in politics.
Bloomberg should drop out.
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If Sanders wins the nomination and then gets crushed by Trump, the real villain for all time will be Michael Bloomberg, who thought he could come in with his billions and displace the other moderate candidates despite being entirely devoid of political talent. If Bloomberg doesn't drop out immediately and endorse Biden or Klobuchar, a Trump second term will be on him, and the Bloomberg name will be mud forever.
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@Ed
Rather than drop out, why doesn't Mayor Mike challenge Donald Trump as a Republican and spread some of his billions around the GOP to buy votes of the ex-Never Trumpers, who probably would sell themselves cheap. Think what a public service it would be if Bloomberg spent his unprecedented ad budget on attacking Trump as a competitor -- rather than competing with progressive Democrats and splitting the vote. Bloomberg, after all, is a right-wing Republican -- why doesn't he run as one?
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@Ed
The central delusion behind all of the talk about candidates dropping out to consolidate the "anti-Bernie" vote is that this vote constitutes anything like a majority of the Democratic electorate. It doesn't. All the polls are clear. Most Democrats like Bernie and would be fine with him heading the ticket even if he isn't their first choice. The second choice of most Biden and Warren voters is Bernie by large margins. Even a good chunk of Buttigieg and Bloomberg supporters have Bernie as a second choice.
Whoever your favorite "anti-Bernie" candidate is -- Warren, Bloomberg, Biden, Buttigieg, etc... -- polls show that they would lose decisively to Bernie if the primaries became a two-person race.
The people who are freaking out about Bernie are a small minority, probably about 15% of Democrats. These are generally high income professionals who often confuse their own views and interests with those of the party's working class majority base. Their anxieties are well reflected among cable news panelists and in the pages of the New York Times. This creates an echo chamber in which they become convinced that "everyone" hates Bernie even when actual voting shows quite the opposite, as it just did in Nevada.
In the larger world, where working people raise money on GoFundMe so that their loved ones can buy insulin, where couples in their 30s can't afford a mortgage or a baby, where an army of low-wage Uber drivers conceals mass unemployment, Bernie is enormously popular.
33
Democrats have good reason to worry. Even if they manage to character-assassinate Bernie Sanders, there is no one in the wings who can galvanize the voters at this point. The question is who is to blame. And the answer is Nancy Pelosi. Why? Because she totally capitulated to the "Squad" and the extreme ideological fringe of the Democrat Party, bestowing upon them a legitimacy they hardly deserved, and a credibility out of all proportion to their actual numbers. This enabled someone like Sanders - a cantankerous, curmudgeonly, ailing, extremist with a very nettlesome history to seize the baton and win the support of a mainstream media all too eager to swoon over socialism while subjecting Trump to non-stop attacks. The irony is that The Squad and its cohorts are just as eager to bludgeon Pelosi and Schumer and all the other pandering senior citizens of Congress. For theirs is not an campaign for enhanced democracy so much as it is a hoped-for coup that would overturn the way American lives and succeeds.
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@JJ Gross
Sorry to disagree. Nancy Pelosi "capitulates" to no one!
4
@JJ Gross
Is telling the truth about Sander actually 'character assassination'?
I think not.
2
Sanders is winning because he has the rare talent to convey his authenticity and empathy to people without talking down to them.
The man genuinely cares. America wins
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@Eric
Bernie cares about Bernie and no one else.
I'll agree that he genuinely cares, but America won't win.
11
@Roger Binion Every bit of empirical evidence, polling, and stats contradict what you're saying. You're making a conscious decision to make divisive statements, not only not rooted in any facts, but counter to what the facts state. Why?
Why do you dislike the man so much? The guy who's polled as the most popular and highest favorability of everyone in the race right now, including Trump; the guy who's winning state after state. What has he done to you?
Don't vote for him, that's fine, you don't need to support him. But why the vitriol? What do you find so loathsome about Medicare For All, Green New Deal, public education? Why are you so hateful of the man when 75% of Americans trust him, and 64% of Democrats (highest of any of the candidates) think he can beat Trump? The vitriol...
19
@Roger Binion I've known Bernie since the 70s. He cares about disadvantaged people and always has. He is the real deal and he's offering nothing more or less than abandoning the Reagan/Gingrich/Trump derelict delusions that capitalism has one flavor and it is the current inequivalence. We need to fix the system and sociopathic capitalism has run its course. He's not talking about a second honeymoon in Moscow, he's simply talking about the intelligence to learn from Stockholm and Toronto.
13
Other than wanting to win there isn't all that much "moderates" share in terms of deep commitments.
It's not devotion to their policies when compromised in the way they are that drives them. The 'center lane" is not a movement.
54
Perhaps Bloomberg is realizing that the Democratic Party is harder to buy than the Republican Party. In 2016, Trump bought the Republican Party, but also made a populist campaign. Bloomberg is doing only the buying part.
22
@Wilbray Thiffault Bloomberg is buying advertisements not votes. He already has a high profile due to his 12 years as mayor of New York. Everyone of the candidates is advertising and fighting for air time. Bloomberg is using his own money. I’d rather he do that and take corporate money. He made every penny honestly, unless you think that being rich is in itself a crime. I don’t. It’s how you made the money and how you spend it that matter. It also matters whether you advocate for a fair tax system, and Bloomberg does just that.
10
Using your own situational, self serving logic of consequences, it seems that the Russian effort in support of sanders therefore trump is greater than Bloomberg’s results in a state where he was... and try to follow along here... not on the ballot.
2
Biden is toast. The logical move for more moderate Democrats is to back Elizabeth Warren, a progressive in her politics but a team player with a proven track record of working successfully to get things done, Raised a Republican, she has been a professor at Harvard Law School, an attorney representing corporations, and a successful lobbyist who gets major credit for the creation of the Consumer Protection Agency. She is down to earth, practical, and successful at achieving things in the real world - not just a rabble rousing slogan shouter.
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@Gibbs Kindermanand if/when Bernie gets the nomination (the sooner the be better the DNC realizes this) I hope to god he brings Sen Warren (my preference) on board as VP. That was the HUGE mistake that was made in 2016. Or even the other way around Sen Sanders better serve as her VP and drop the ego. We need everyone this election.
31
@CJ right. Let's put up two democratic senators from New England, both of whom are far left. What great idea! Totally representative of the democratic party. And taking two senators if by some miracle they won. Mitch McConnell gets a big laugh out of that idea.
12
The logical position of more moderate democrats is to back the woman who proposed destroying American competitiveness by breaking up google and amazon? Do you put anything you type through any sort of filter?
4
Gosh, if only we had a senior statesman in the Democratic Party at such a perilous time. Perhaps a former President respected by all, an eminence grise of international renown. Maybe someone who could embody our collective hope for the future. Unfortunately, the last guy bequeathed us Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump and now Bernie Sanders. If only…
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@Len319 Really? It seems rather telling to me that Obama has not gone out of his way to say "I do not endorse Bloomberg." As "head of the party" he managed to lose both the House and Senate. Never had much coattails.
3
I believe that this country is pretty much destroyed when it comes to politics. Yet people in general are able to continue living their lives as though that doesn’t matter. Do politics matter? I was once an anarchist, of the Emma Goldman variety. The Piotr Kropotkin “Mutual Aid” variety. The Ursula K. Leguin “The Disposessed” variety. What does that mean? An essential belief that no human being has the right to tell another human being what to do. An essential belief in power emanating from the center rather than the top. I find myself gravitating back towards that belief. Yet I doubt the country will ever join me.
@Ben " An essential belief that no human being has the right to tell another human being what to do."
I agree Ben....I don't want to stop at stop signs (can't make me!) and I DO want to go 95 mph in a 35 mph zone. That'll work out double plus good for everybody.
2
Lefty Anarchism, libertarianism, biblical literalism, ska music, reggae, ultimate frisbee. All have their place in our various cocksure formative years then we grow up. Or at least we should.
2
@Swift No, then we grow down.
1
The Democratic Party has and is experiencing an internal revolt. Their lack of unity and message will continue to impede their national standing. While internal strife may upend the party, the radical shift will cost the party votes in November.
As Alexander Hamilton eloquently stated “Real liberty is neither found in despotism or the extremes of democracy, but in moderate governments.”
20
Biden is Toast. The logical move for more moderate Democrats is to back Elizabeth Warren. She is progressive in her politics, but has a track record or working practically to get things done. She was raised a Republican, has represented corporations as an attorney, and has served on the Harvard Law School faculty. As a lobbyist she successfully worked to create the Consumer Protection Agency. She is liberal but practical, and listens to a broad range of people. Warren is a doer, not a slogan shouter.
16
All true! As a Warren supporter, I am at this time sadly reminded of the line from the movie Unforgiven: "Deserve's got nothin' to do with it."
I hope she is still in the running after super Tuesday.
3
Mr. Sanders is not out front because of a surplus of moderate candidates. He is out front because of the LACK of a strong moderate candidate.
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@thebigmancat
I think he’s out front because of his strong message.
44
@LFK That too. But I'm commenting on the context and content of this specific article.
3
@thebigmancat
Bernie's in the lead because the so-called
"moderates" don't stand for anything. What they call a
"return to normalcy" is really another name for Obama 3.0. , something that the DNC tried in 2016. It was Obama 2.0 that gave us Trump.
12
How can one call Mayor Pete, for example, a spoiler? Spoiling what? Biden's chances? Biden has performed terribly so far. He has a track record of disastrous campaigns (1988, 2008) plus huge personal question marks (treatment of Anita Hill, eulogizing Strom Thurmond, inappropriate touching of women, son making 50K a month in a job he was utterly unqualified for). He's 78 years old and occasionally appears out of it. HE needs to step aside.
The Democrats may be doomed if Sanders is the nominee, but they are definitely doomed if he is denied the nomination. Imagine he arrives at the convention with a plurality of delegates. The establishment closes ranks and nominates someone else. You think Sanders voters will turn out for whoever that is? Most won't.
A Sanders-Trump match-up would provide the best contrast and the best political theater. I thought Sanders was finished after the heart attack. I've been surprised at his resilience and the apparent broadening of his appeal. I'm not a Sanders supporter, although I like his foreign policy views. But if it comes down to Sanders vs. Trump I would (albeit reluctantly) vote for Sanders. I still don't see how Sanders gets to 270, but then I didn't think Trump could get there last time.
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@Jon Harrison
Bernie wasn't a fan of the plurality of delegates in 2016 when he was in second and wanted the superdelegates to overturn the results.
And, actually, Hillary had a majority of the pledged delegates going in to the convention and still Bernie thought he should get the nomination.
I'll vote for Bernie if he's the nominee, actually, I'd vote for a toaster oven, to get rid of Orange and his corruption.
But, I'm old enough to remember McGovern, so...
4
If Sanders is the candidate, Trump wins, and the country loses. Trump will probably win the popular vote as well. The moderates need to rally around a candidate. Now. Before it's too late.
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@Dave Every poll shows Bernie beating Trump as badly as Biden. Registration of young people who have never voted before is breaking records and those voters prefer Bernie.
People want change, not the status quo or the quid pro quo.
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@Ken Every poll showed Hillary beating Trump! By 85%, according to the NYT!
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@CJ
What Becky said.
If you believe that Sanders can win in this country, you, and Ken, are fools. Not an insult. A statement of fact. You're not my friend. I'm your reluctant ally. YOU get on board.
If Trump wins, nothing good happens.
15
"However, a number of moderate Democrats, some affiliated with Mr. Biden and others uncommitted, said it was Mr. Buttigieg, Ms. Klobuchar and Mr. Steyer who were only helping Mr. Sanders by staying in the race as spoilers."
This point was well-elucidated by Ross Douthat yesterday, who argued that a key strategy for "never-Sanders" folks was to narrow the moderate field.
As Bernie seem increasingly invincible, Democrats need to ensure his wins are for his candidacy period, not due to an abundance of candidates still in the race.
I have no problem supporting Bernie despite my doubts, but for the sake of the country, I hope his candidacy is being shaped by genuine enthusiasm and support, not by infighting by moderates.
To beat Trump, Democrats not only need luck and strategy, but total unity to ensure the largest turnout in US history.
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@ChristineMcM
All the polling shows that Bernie would beat each of the more pro-Wall Street candidates if it were a two-person race. Blaming his success on the crowded field is a convenient excuse, but the fact of the matter is that Sanders is the strongest candidate we have to go against Trump. He excites the younger poorer and working class voters of all colors who are harder to get to the polls, but who made Obama's election possible (and sank Clinton's when they stayed home in 2016). It is time for all of the other candidates to get out of the race, endorse Bernie and unite to beat Trump.
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@ChristineMcM Moderates have won the majority of votes in every primary and caucus thus far. Moderates out-number progressives in every battleground state. It does not matter who is leading nationally – Clinton beat Trump by 3 million votes. To defeat Trump, the Democratic candidate needs the battleground states.
When I hear Bernie list all his great objectives,
I think, “What next! You’re going to cure cancer?” It’s a laundry list of progressive goals, not one achievable without a majority in the house and 60 votes in the Senate. Even, then, Bernie would have to deal with conservative Democrats in both houses.
Bernie acknowledges this when he tells us that he will need “a social revolution” to achieve his goals. This is the old 60s story: the defeat of unregulated capitalism by the ruling class by inspired radicals, white working class voters and African-Americans. Experience has proven the social and political demographic of Americans to be nowhere near that vision.
I think that Bernie Sanders is a good guy. I also think that he has no chance whatsoever of achieving most of his objectives, even if elected, and that he will not be elected – Trump will win.
I read the comments of Bernie supporters and am reminded of the experience of progressives and other advocates for change over the 250 years of American history. Our laws and values have evolved. They have changed radically only after Civil War. If we don’t learn from history we are doomed to repeat it.
22
@RMC
Sanders and Warren combined to win 57% of the vote in Nevada, unless the center has suddenly decided that Warren is a moderate.
17