Convincing Voters to Make a Change

[MineralMan]

How is that done? President Obama did it. FDR did it. It has happened a few times in our brief history. But what's the way to convince voters that a major change is needed? That's the question Sanders supporters need to ask themselves.

Convincing people to make major changes is very difficult. Calling them names won't do it. Yelling at them won't do it. Pretending voter sentiment isn't what the polling shows it is won't do it. Getting angry at progressive legislators who are endorsing a candidate won't do it. Throwing supporters of another candidate under the bus won't do it. But convincing people is the only way to get what you want.

Convince me. Convince me that Bernie Sanders can actually make major changes in our nation as President. Convince me that he'll be able to get Congress to do anything at all. Convince me that he'll be able to beat whoever ends up being the Republican nominee next November. Show me.

Right now, I'm not convinced of any of those things, even though I admire Bernie Sanders very much. I'm supporting Hillary Clinton for the nomination. If you want me to change that support, you'll have to convince me that Bernie Sanders actually can get elected as President. Right now, I'm not feeling it. The polls tell me that voters aren't feeling it, either.

So, show me that he can win. Show me that his campaign is generating enough support across the country. Failing that, I'll continue on my current path. I'm betting that most other voters will be doing the same. Convince them to change their minds, and when you do, you'll convince me at the same time.

[Autumn]

1. You have convinced yourself to support Hillary. You should concentrate on her. n/t

[MineralMan]

2. Yes. Thanks. I will.

I'm pretty good at convincing people to go and vote, too. I have lots of experience doing that.

[Autumn]

3. I'm sure you do. n/t

[George II]

10. Not speaking for MM, but I believe Clinton and Sanders convinced him to support Hillary.

[Autumn]

13. That's just what happens, what is supposed to happen

The candidate is the one who convinces a democratic voter to support them. Not their supporters. Show me a democrat who picks a candidate to support based on the words or actions of a candidates supporters and I'll show you a silly person. Always support the candidate that earns your respect by their record and how they stand on issues that are important to you. Doing volunteer work for their campaign and getting the word out about them is one thing but trying to get a democrat you know who has made to their mind to switch support to another democrat is futile. Democrats know where any given candidate stand on the issues and they know that candidates record.

[AnarchoDeJesus]

4. Let me start by convincing you Hillary is no progressive

Just follow the money and one should see clearly through the puppet that is Hillary R Clinton. Her money has convinced me entirely she isn't fit to become leader in this new paradigm shift.

[MineralMan]

6. I know her record in the Senate and her record as

Secretary of State. Calling her a "puppet" is not a convincing argument. You'll have to do better than that, really. Name-calling is not a convincing argument. Not at all.

I know Hillary Clinton. I don't know you at all, though. Perhaps I'll get to know you here on DU eventually.

[mcar]

17. This is not a convincing argument

It's your opinion.

[AnarchoDeJesus]

18. Your point?

[Skidmore]

5. Exactly.

Absolutely. Currently, I see only two candidates who are looking toward actual governance, and neither of them is Sanders. I seriously considered him at first. What has lost me is the willingness of his supporters to trash the very people they will need to convince for a GE by using any rightwing resource they can, including passing around Republican attack ads. I don't feel it either.

[MineralMan]

7. Thanks. I'm a very practical sort of person.

When it comes to Presidents, I look at what they're likely to accomplish among the many goals they lay out. There are many things I hope will happen in this country that make it more progressive and humane. I also know how laws are made and bills are passed. Before any change occurs, a President has to get Congress to send legislation that makes the changes.

We've seen that with President Obama. There's only so much a President can do through Executive Orders and the like. Real change requires legislation.

That's our system, whether we think it is the best possible system. Changing the system is even harder than getting legislation passed, so I have to deal with the system as it is.

I know exactly what the powers of Presidents are, so it's easy for me to understand what a President can and cannot do on his or her own. It's not a great deal in the grand scheme of things. To make changes, Presidents must have the strong support of members of Congress in both houses. Even then, if the opposition party has majorities in Congress, it's even more difficult.

My vote for President goes to the candidate I believe can actually do the most, not the one with whom I agree the most, necessarily.

[Fumesucker]

8. Hillary Clinton will motivate a great many voters where I live and I suspect in other places too

They will crawl naked through poison ivy to vote against her in the general, they have been trained to reflexively salivate at the slightest mention of her name and seeing her name on the ballot will drive them into a frenzy that would make a school of piranha look like tadpoles in a mud puddle.

[MineralMan]

9. I see. I'll be watching to see if what you predict occurs.

I doubt your colorfully described scenario will materialize, though, based on past experience. It's looking more and more like the Republicans will field a sure loser as their nominee. That side of the equation also has its consequences in the general election.

One thing's certain: In little more than a year, we'll have our answer. I aim to work toward a different scenario. I hope you'll join in that effort.

[Fumesucker]

11. Eh, I have my little successes sometimes...

Like in 2012 for instance.

http://sync.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=1480985

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021538971#post74

[Sheepshank]

12. You are not the first to ask this important question

And it is an important question since we are thinking, learning, evolving senient beings and we should acknowledge that as of 10-29-15 we dont know everything. We may not have all the knowledge we desire from our own research, and frankly opinions and the preferences of highly held individuals also plays a part.

I have seen this question asked from the perspective of a Bernie supporter wondering why he should consider Clinton. What I have seen on DU is not a sharing of information, but a bludgeoning of the "other side", snark, and hyperbolic one liners...and yes even out right lies.

So while I understand you (in particular) wanting to actually gather more knowledge, more insight, I don't suspect it will come from this site and the responders.

At least you can say you tried.

[MineralMan]

14. DU is an interesting discussion forum, but not

very influential on public opinion. It's just too small and appears to be weighted these days toward the Sanders campaign.

It's the only political forum where I'm active, though, so this is where I post my musings about the election. My views, predictably, are often unpopular here. I can live with that, though, and will continue to post my thinking.

[artislife]

15. I see this post for what it is

Another way for you to say you support h in the primary and in the GE.

There is no convincing you otherwise.

Why should we even bother?

We are off to find those who wouldn't vote at all or those who need an alternative to the republican or the moderate.

Buh bye

[William769]

16. Why should Hillary be the only one to have to do this.

Thanks MineralMan.