Could it be?

[HerbChestnut]

That the times really are a-changing? According to most of the media pundits, Hillary Clinton won last night's debate. And you know what, in the traditional sense they might be correct. She didn't make any obvious mistakes, she was firm when she needed to be, and she even got a few laughs. But what if that's not enough anymore? What if people are just tired of establishment politicians and have come to expect what Hillary delivered last night?

Hillary Clinton has been around for a long time. Everybody knows that. And at this point in her political career, so long as she doesn't make any eye popping mistakes she is considered by the media as being the prominent force in Democratic politics. But if this election cycle has proven anything it's that voters are fed up with the same old same old. Many folks, myself included, view Hillary Clinton as a relic of the past and someone who represents an old way of political thinking. And the media is tied up in that.

But what if people want something different? Bernie Sanders's campaign is no fluke. He's managed to get a quarter of the vote so far without many pundits giving him a chance. What if he doesn't need to come across as 'smooth-talking' and 'polished' like many in the media think he should? He raised over $1million last night during the debate in what might traditionally be viewed as an 'alright' performance. And despite what the pundits are saying, it appears the people viewed Sanders as the winner, though we will get a better idea of that in the days to come.

The point of this post isn't to demagogue Clinton in any way as I believe she did a pretty good job last night. Nor is it to promote Sanders, whom I openly support. I just wanted to explore whether or not people are looking for different things in a candidate than they might have in previous elections. So far that seems to be the case.

[DanTex]

1. The times sure are a-changing. We're about a year away from our first woman president.

[NCTraveler]

3. Enormous change. +1. nt.

[HerbChestnut]

6. And that would be great...

I just hope the first woman president gets elected based on the issues not her gender. And you know, I think that's what will ultimately end up happening. Sure, there are a lot of people who really want a woman president for a variety of reasons and will vote for a woman simply because of that, but most people, especially younger generations, will vote on the issues, and that's a good thing.

[DanTex]

7. Hillary won't get elected based on her gender. She'll get elected because she's the most

qualified candidate, and she has great positions on the issues that people care about. The first woman president is just the icing on the cake.

[RobertEarl]

11. What issues are those, Dan?

Besides her being a Democrat, I am having a hard time figuring which issues Hillary has a position that most people favor.

Can you name a half dozen?

Bernie has free education, climate change, banksters, big money, minimum wage, and equal rights positions that people care about and agree with.

Thanks for an honest reply......

[DanTex]

12. The ones you posted are a good list.

Debt free college, climate change, Wall Street regulation, campaign finance reform, raising the minimum wage, equal rights.

[RobertEarl]

13. But those are not solids for Hillary

She has been evolving that way, and it appears she is doing so because Bernie is pulling her that way.

She is not for free education, not for doing all it takes to limit climate change, not for Wall Street reform, she takes big money, and not for a real minimum wage, and was against equal rights until recently.

People can't trust her positions... too fluid. Too mushy. Bernie, however, is quite firm on all those positions. He is the real deal.

[DanTex]

14. Most Dems disagree with you. Including me.

[RobertEarl]

15. That's false, Dan

We see how Bernie is gaining steam and getting all those $31 donations.

I get that you can't really back Hillary very well because she waffles so much and it pains some to see how solid Bernie is, but Bernie is the future, Hillary represents the past, and the People want a new future. Not the same old.

[DanTex]

16. Who's "we"? Look at the polls. Most Dems like Hillary.

Most Dems also like Bernie. But not as much as Hillary.

[RobertEarl]

17. The smart and educated and informed back Bernie

Like those on DU who have read all your threads. The polls on DU show close to 90% support for Bernie, even after all your threads.

Hey, you put up a fight, don't feel too bad. Bernie is the real deal, and he is the future.

[DanTex]

18. That hasn't been my experience. For example, people who understand the difference

between scientific polls and internet polls tend to support Hillary.

[HerbChestnut]

19. That's all about perception though.

And I think a lot of people for the first time saw in Bernie last night what many of us have known for months. He is authentic. He says what he believes regardless of the political consequences. I think the more that people are able to compare Hillary and Bernie the more they'll come to realize which one is most likely to champion what they say on stage.

[randys1]

2. I will say it again and again and again, if Hillary were on board with Glass Steagall, you couldnt

stop me from working for her and voting for her OVER Bernie, who I now support.

I am frustrated by her on that.

But, look at the difference between those 3 (forget webb and chafee) and the cons, i mean for crying out loud.

Can you BELIEVE that 45% of america will still vote for the cons over them?

I dont know how we survive with that many dumb people.

[Faux pas]

4. Kickin'

[ibegurpard]

5. I agree with you here

And it explains the disconnect between the punditocracy and the opinions of everyday people. I do think, however, that Hillary did manage to shake off the over-managed and scripted politician shell at times and that was to her benefit.

[questionseverything]

8. yes we are looking for something different this election TRUTH

hc will say anything to win

bernie is the only candidate to have our backs

[Blus4u]

9. I have maintained all along that THIS election cycle is different.

You see this in both parties candidates and polling.
Outsiders lead on the right: Trump, Carson, Fiorina.
The "traditional" right candidates are drowning.

On our side you have a traditional candidate who continues to move their position farther to the left to counter a strong push by a self avowed democratic socialist.

This tells me the populist is completely fed up with the way things are and the status quo is no longer acceptable.

Peace

[mindwalker_i]

10. There is a lot of frustration about regular people getting screwed

In terms of pay, we (as in not the 1%) are taking it up the butt. People are also sick of endless wars taking lots of money, but nothing being available to actually help them here. It's like the country is charged up, similar to the way atoms are in excited states in a laser. We're just waiting for someone to come by so we can release energy into them.

Hillary voted for Iraq, the patriot act, and is against reinstating Glass-Steagal. There were all fuck-ups, and she's defending them. Not only does this not sit well will a llot of people, these issues are things that could easily be attacked in the general election.

On other issue she changes with the wind - also something that could be attacked easily in the general. So in the end, Hillary sticks by the bad decisions, changes on some things (which is good, but leads one to believe she won't stick with those positions once it becomes inconvenient).