In Vermont, substantial numbers of republicans vote for Bernie

[cali]

Part of the reason is simple: Vets and constituent services. We have, like every place else, a lot of Vets and Bernie's dedication to that community is well known. I think he needs to give the work he's done for vets, nationwide, a place of prominence in his campaign. Bernie's constituent services are known for their excellence and for the persistence with which staffers attack problems.

But it's more than that. I know a lot of people think Vermont is all hippies and white steeples and lovely village greens. It's not. I live in the Northeast Kingdom where poverty is high and rusted cars and trailers dot the landscape. Lots of hippies and neo hippies, but also lots of small farmers, loggers and people barely scraping by. Here, there was huge opposition to civil unions back in the late 90's, with "Take Back Vermont" signs posted on barn after barn.

Bernie won over a lot of people who don't normally vote for democrats by showing up, for one thing. Showing up at pot luck dinners and town meeting and talking to people. When he says he's met and spoken to a majority of this state's residents, he's not exaggerating.

Can he replicate this in Iowa or NH with democrats who don't consider themselves progressives or liberals and who are suspicious of the word socialist? Don't count it out.

[Ichingcarpenter]

1. Hey Cali did you see my post in this forum on

just a suggestion?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1280895

[Agschmid]

10. It would be very cool if she did this.

[Agschmid]

2. Yup, they do.

That's how we got Jim Douglas and Bernie Sanders.

Interesting state.

[L0oniX]

3. I hope this spreads out nationally.

[Cleita]

4. One thing I have found with the Independents, who mostly vote Republican in my county,

is that when it comes to issues that affect them, they have no problem switching their allegiance. I think Vet issues, Social Security and Medicare, which they are interested in, will go a long way in helping them decide. Those kinds of voters usually brag that they vote for the man not the party. So let's hope this works for Bernie.

[mmonk]

5. Great points cali.

[daleanime]

6. True....

[smokey nj]

7. I shared the Rolling Stone article on facebook and my rabid rightwing cousin liked the post.

Not sure if anything should be read into that, but it certainly can't be a bad sign.

[BrotherIvan]

8. I have seen a lot of self-avowed moderate/libertarian types saying they would vote for him

in article comments. I think it's his honesty that appeals to them. I think his appeal is very broad actually and he will surprise a lot of people. It's surprising me already.

But the good news is, we don't need Republicans to vote for him. We just need Democrats and Independents to show up!

[rhett o rick]

13. We may not "need" Republicons to vote for him but remember that a Republicon

vote for Bernie is worth two Democratic votes. See if I can explain. If a Republicon votes for the Republicon candidate, it would take two Democratic votes to win. If that same Republicon voted for the Democratic candidate it wouldn't require any Democrats to vote to win. When a Republicon switches it not only adds one to the Democratic total but it also denies or subtracts one from the Republicon's total.

[BrotherIvan]

14. All very true

But trying to flip Republican votes is the excuse that Third Wayers use to go right in the general and hard right once they win. It's why a Tea Party rally with five guys, a bloodhound and a pickup truck makes national news while a rally or protest with thousands doesn't get a whisper. Republicans are given FAR too much credit and legitemacy. If we just stopped caring about them, we would see they are a loud but small minority.

But I think that Bernie can do attract a lot of people if their deal breaker issues aren't gawd, gunz, gay marriage, racism, and abortion. I think a lot of people are fed up and tired of getting screwn. I think, no matter what is beaten into our heads, that the recovery hasn't helped people all that much and they want a change. But they will hear the word Socialist! so many times in the media they will be too afraid. That's our job.

[rhett o rick]

15. While I agree that Sen Sanders should not try to woo Republicon votes,

I think there are some Republicons that would welcome an honest candidate.

Most importantly, we need to get the non-voters to vote. That will be our job to get the word out other than via Corp- Media.

I signed up.

[BrotherIvan]

17. Agreed

[Cheese Sandwich]

11. I'm finding the same. His appeal cuts across party lines.

Bernie can really shake things up.

[Cheese Sandwich]

9. He can appeal to independents and some Republicans

Some people suggest that he is too radical or too liberal to appeal.

I think the whole socialism thing is trumped up.

The right has devalued the word so much by using it against Obama that it just doesn't hurt like it used to.

Iowa and NH have many striking similarities to Vermont, especially among primary and caucus participants.

I think Bernie would have much more appeal to independents, moderates, and working class voters than Hillary Clinton ever could. And that's not something I hear discussed much. Not to say it will be easy, but in some ways he is more electable than Clinton, and that's probably why the establishment is going to work hard to try and nip it in the bud before it has a chance to take off.

[mmonk]

12. I think if you give straight talk on bread and butter issues,

people will listen no matter their background.

[Cheese Sandwich]

31. Yeah. Some Republicans are reachable if you talk to them in plain English...

... instead of in Washington-ese.

[totodeinhere]

16. Yes Bernie can appeal to a broad spectrum of voters.

I look for a Republicans for Bernie group to start up shortly if it hasn't already.

[Cosmic Kitten]

18. Populist values transcend partisanship

Once Bernie is out campaigning
against billionaires buying elections,
and campaigning for our votes,
self-aware voters will join together.

[bunnies]

19. I think Bernies no bullshit style will resonate extremely well in NH.

I saw in a few months ago in little old Rollinsford and there were hundreds of people there. Once he peels off Warrens supporters NH is definitely within reach. IMHO.

[Cosmic Kitten]

20. Yep. The "no bullshit style" also appeals strongly to republican voters.

[bunnies]

21. And anyone who isnt for the coporate takeover.

I'd be really shocked if, once people hear him and his ideas, he doesnt gain a HUGE following.

[Cosmic Kitten]

27. +1

[Enthusiast]

24. I find no bullshit style very appealing.

But that's just me.

[bunnies]

26. lol.

Yep. Just us two.

[Enthusiast]

28. I suspect there are millions of us.

[bunnies]

40. Me too.

But Ive read we dont count. We represent the unelectable fringe.

Heh. Every four years I love living in NH.

[Zorra]

22. It would be ironic, but so perfect, if Bernie is the leader that brings America

together.

[Enthusiast]

23. Kicked and recommended a whole bunch!

That sounds like a formula for success.

[INdemo]

25. I dont beieve Bernie Sanders will just be a candidate to change the debate and

bring about voters attention to the 1% taking over our Democracy. I do believe he can win. He announced in an interview on the Ed Show (MSNBC) that in a matter of hours his campaign has raised over on-half million dollars.So does that sound like a campaign that is not serious?
..Hillary please don't give us this BS that you agree with Bernie.
Hillary has pampered Wall St her entire career. So now all of a sudden she is a progressive candidate too..Not buying it.

[MaggieD]

29. According to National Journal rankings

... there are 36 Dems in the Senate with a higher liberal ranking than Sanders. I can see why he appeals to conservatives.

http://ballotpedia.org/National_Journal_vote_ratings

[TM99]

41. This site is a bit perplexing.

Please show me on this list what does not fit as a 'liberal' stance.

http://ballotpedia.org/Bernie_Sanders

The only one that I can see that might bother some Democrats is his opposition to the pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens.

As most Democrats are now in line with neo-conservatives on foreign policy, I am very pleased to see him scoring so low there compared to Feinstein, Reid, and Boxer for example.

I am very pleased that unlike those three examples, he voted against Brennan for CIA director and did not support Obama's plan for limited military action against Syria in 2013 as points of illustration of difference.

Sanders is pegged as a Left Liberal on the map and yet Harry Reid and Diane Feinstein for example are pegged as solid Moderates, so how and why is Sanders less liberal?

[George II]

30. There were only 280,000 votes cast state-wide in 2012.

[DamnYankeeInHouston]

32. Vermont Republicans are not the same as Republicans in most states.

Vermont is the anti Texas. I wish it was bigger and Texas was smaller.

[George II]

33. That was my subtle point - the fact that republicans in Vermont vote for him doesn't mean...

...that many republicans in other parts of the country will vote for him. Vermont voters are unique, maybe even more unique than any other state in the country.

I even doubt that many Democrats across the country will find him appealing.

I like Sanders, but I want a candidate that has a chance to defeat the republican candidate next year. Sanders is that candidate.

[cali]

37. read the bolded paragraph: I was referring to the primary and whether

he can replicate what he's achieved with republicans in VT, with democrats in Iowa and NH

[DamnYankeeInHouston]

34. I love Vermont politicians. They are the best in the country as far as I'm concerned.

I'm thrilled Bernie will help steer the primaries in the right directions, but I just hope we don't get an independent progressive candidate to split Democratic votes. I hope there might be a Republican spitting third party candidate.

[PatrynXX]

35. bit of a difference

I consider Hillary a Conservative politician. Bernie can't place him. Who votes for him don't care. I vote on issues. not on sexes or races always have always will or I woulda voted for Palin

[OilemFirchen]

36. In the 2014 West Virginia Senate election...

29% of Democrats voted for Capito (R).

Your point?

[questionseverything]

38. central illinois is excited about bernie!

my very repub boss said,

maybe bernie will get us that healthcare we were promised last time!

(lotta peops my age are angry the aca charges those over 55, 3 times as much as a young person)

[carolinayellowdog]

39. I was going to ask you about his reputation for constituent services

...having been sorely disappointed by non-response of Webb's DC office about a matter of serious concern, although his local office had been initially welcoming. Even being told "we have decided to ignore your problem" would have been better than to be left hanging, which now affects my view of his presidential candidacy.

Glad to know Bernie has a solid rep on this important responsibility.