Former top Obama adviser explains why Hillary Clinton needs to be wary of Bernie Sanders

[portlander23]

Former top Obama adviser explains why Hillary Clinton needs to be wary of Bernie Sanders

President Barack Obama's former top communications adviser says that Hillary Clinton needs to pay attention to the energy behind Sen. Bernie Sanders' (I-Vermont) rise.

"He has run a great race to date, and the Clinton campaign needs to be aware of the energy behind the Sanders race because elections are just as much about motivation as persuasion these days," said Pfeiffer, now a CNN political analyst. "So they have to understand it. They have to figure out themselves how to channel it."

"We’ll have to see whether the Vice President gets into the race or not, because he’s included in all of the polls but he’s not in the race," Pfeiffer said.

But thought some polls do show that Clinton regains support should Biden decide not to enter the race, the margin is not great in early states.

A recent NBC/Marist poll of likely voters in New Hampshire, for example, found Sanders' would still win the Granite State handily if Biden decided not run.

[restorefreedom]

1. she still will not utter his name

I used to think it was condescension. Now I think it's fear.

[azmom]

2. The less anyone hears Bernie's name

The better. It's strategy.

[restorefreedom]

3. maybe if she closes her eyes real tight

and opens them really fast, he'll just go away.

[azmom]

4. She and her campaign didn't see this

Coming. They are so disconnected from the real America.

[frylock]

11. He Who Must Not Be Named

[jfern]

12. She doesn't want to boost his name recognition

[HereSince1628]

13. And make him seem to be on her level

[hifiguy]

5. She never saw Bernie, or someone like him, coming.

She ran, for all intents and purposes, as an incumbent in '08 and up popped this charismatic young Senator from Illinois, who grabbed the spotlight and left the Clintonistas gobsmacked and in the ditch wondering what the hell hit them.

Since the '08 strategy worked so well she decided to re-run it this year. And up pops a charismatic older Senator from Vermont with nothing but his own truthfulness, integrity and enthusiasm on his side. And he draws people by the thousands wherever he speaks.

Her concept of the political landscape seems frozen at what it was the moment Bubba left the WH 15 years ago.

[gateley]

6. I don't think any of us saw him coming --

we're too used to seeing who we know to be the good guys being ignored. We always hope, then invariably are let down, don't you think?

"They" never saw Trump lasting this long, either.

The difference is, Bernie will get his message heard and attract more supporters; I think at this time Trump will begin to wear off as people realize he doesn't know what the job entails.

[hifiguy]

7. I've been having my hopes for the most liberal primary candidate dashed

most of my adult life. Udall and Brown in '76, Kennedy in '80, Gary Hart in '84, Tsongas in '92, Dean in '04.

I did support Obama in '08, mainly on the basis of the endorsement of Caroline and Ted, and I liked Dukakis a lot in '88. I'd been in grad school in Cambridge from 85-88 and thought he was an excellent governor.

It is genuinely inspirational and heartwarming to see Bernie getting his message out so powerfully and that the kids are flocking to him like no one since RFK.

[gateley]

8. What' EXTRA exciting is that he's getting all this support and he

KNOWS WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT.

He's not making empty promises like some on the other side (although, to be fair, ALL candidates do this to some extent). Those people haven't a clue of what it takes to run the county -- they think it should be run like a business. There's more to us than that.

I don't think anybody really knows what they're in for until they finally sit at that desk in the Oval Office and go "what the fuck was I thinking???" Even Bernie and others who have been in DC for years (maybe a VP, but HW Bush was taken by surprise, too), but they sure as fuck know we're not a COMPANY!

Bernie is the only candidate besides Joe I've ever contributed to. I would feel safe if our country was in his hands.

[hifiguy]

9. So would I;

his judgement and temperament are entirely trustworthy. Bernie's the Real Deal. Always has been, always will be. Accept no substitutes!

[jwirr]

10. "elections are as much about motivation as persuasion"

I am not sure about that. Who's motivation? Not just the candidates - I have watched what supporters of Bernie motivation has created. The young people in WI who created Bernie.TV and the Coders for Bernie that created the site with all his stands on it. All the people who came out on July 29. The crowds that come out to see him. It is not just his motivation - it is ours also.

Persuasion is what Bernie does with his authenticity and dedication to the truth. His understanding of our problems from our point of view. His consistency and genuine concern not only for us but for our country. And I do not think that is something that anyone can just make themselves do.

I do not think that VP Biden is going to run but that is just my thought. But it does not matter if he does or not - I'm with Bernie.