Sanders Risks Getting Crowded Out in 2020 Field of Progressives

[left-of-center2012]

Bernie Sanders’ army of fervent progressives will be up for grabs in 2020 even if the Vermont independent makes another bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Sanders may find himself a victim of his own success in driving the party to the left with his 2016 run. The field of Democratic presidential hopefuls includes at least a half-dozen candidates who’ve adopted in whole or in part the platform that helped Sanders build a loyal following of young voters and liberals: Medicare for all, a $15 an hour minimum wage and debt-free college education.

Sanders consistently polls well ahead of the other Democrats who’ve announced plans to run in the 2020 primaries and behind former Vice President Joe Biden, who also is considering entering the race and would be a moderate alternative. But polls also show that Democrats are more focused on nominating a candidate who can beat President Donald Trump than they are with policy positions Sanders used to drive his surprisingly competitive challenge to Hillary Clinton in 2016.

In addition to finding his message echoed by other candidates, Sanders, 77, would be competing with a younger and diverse field of candidates at a time when the votes of women, minorities and young people are driving Democratic politics.

Many of the candidates, particularly those in the Senate, have embraced many of the progressive ideas that set Sanders apart from Clinton in 2016.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-08/sanders-risks-getting-crowded-out-in-2020-field-of-progressives?srnd=politics-vp

[Aristus]

1. Good. The only explanation for the existence of hard-core 'bots is that they are Trumpsters in

disguise.

Spoiling elections and handing them to the Republicans seems to explain their hapless, useless fanaticism.

[ZapataViva]

5. Progressive views the majority in Democratic Party

Since the majority of Democrats have progressive views, I wonder about the existence of soft-core 'bots who are Trumpsters in disguise.

[Aristus]

7. For some people, progressive just isn't progressive enough.

Look at the purportedly progressive Hillary-haters who stayed home on Election Day 2016 because she made some speeches on
Wall Street, and they ended up throwing the whole circus to Trump. Hope they're happy...

[ZapataViva]

8. How Many

"Hillary-Haters" stayed home during the General Election, and where do you get your numbers? I can tell you, for my part, that every person I know who voted for Bernie in the primary (including me) voted for Hillary in the General. I did not care for some of her stances, but I knew the alternative (Trump) was FAR worse than any concerns I may have had about her.

I wanted her to beat Trump too, and like you, undoubtedly, grit my teeth every time that orange Baboon opens his mouth. We are on the same side, Aristus. We're both Democrats. I will never ever vote Goper (as I'm sure you won't). We have differing ideas about who should represent our party and country, and I have no problems with our differing points of view--except when I see my guys or gals attacked.

[shanny]

2. he won't have a problem with that imo

the only reason he ran last time was to inspire the result he inspired: pushing the party to the left

also too: we should take analysis and/or advice from Bloomberg? hah

[ZapataViva]

3. Bloomberg

Yeah, Bloomberg always has the best interests of the Democratic Party in mind--right! Bloomberg's still crapping his pants--the progressives scare hell out of him, especially Bernie and AOC.

[Blue_Tires]

4. Sanders is dead in the water

He has done precious little to distinguish himself since January 2017, there's no boogeyman villain Hillary in the race that he can play hero against, and he still doesn't know how to court the black vote without insulting it...

[ZapataViva]

6. That's what the MSM said during most of the 2016 election

Just like in '16, the corporate MSM is determined to undermine and discount Bernie Sanders. That's because they fear him. Give me an example of Bernie still not knowing "how to court the black vote without insulting it . . . "

[Blue_Tires]

9. Find it yourself, I ain't your personal google.

Maybe you should step your game up?

Welcome to the site, by the way.

[ZapataViva]

11. So . . .

You make an assertion WITHOUT PROOF and tell me it's my job to research it, LOL.

BTW, thanks, the welcome's appreciated. I've been in the Democratic Party since 1972 (the year I turned 18), and I've followed Democratic Underground for many years--basically since I got online in about 2004 or so (I think). I have finally decided to get active on DU, as it is my favorite website.

[SunSeeker]

13. Recent example: Giving his SOTU response same night as Abrams' historic response.

Couldn't he wait just 12 fucking hours? He wouldn't give her the space and spotlight she deserved. He iimplied her response was inadequate, by going forward with his right after hers.

It was tone deaf, considering she is the first African American woman to give the official response to the SOTU. That is how many African Americans saw it.

Link to tweet

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newsweek.com/bernie-sanders-stacey-abrams-state-union-1319571%3famp=1

[SWBTATTReg]

10. Wonderful to hear of the numerous candidates already lining up, we have such a wide and ...

varied field of talent, to compare against the fraud that's in the WH today. I guarantee you though, that they and of course all of us, will pull together and support fully the candidates that emerge out of the chaos that a typical presidential election (especially during the primary season) has. So many talented candidates, so many choices, it is almost like being in a candy store but of course, far more serious business is at hand.

[ZapataViva]

12. I wholeheartedly Agree

Choice and diversity are good things!