Republicans pray for Bernie as Democratic nominee

[Vidal]

"Republicans like their chances of keeping the Senate in 2020. But there’s one thing they think would all but seal the deal: Bernie Sanders as the Democratic presidential nominee. Some GOP incumbents are practically cheering him on, confident there’s no way a self-described democratic socialist could win a general election against President Donald Trump and that he’d drag other Democrats on the ballot with him.


“It would be good for us to have a nominee like that,” said Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who is up for reelection next year and sounded downright giddy about the prospect of Sanders representing Democrats at the top of the ticket.

Trump and the Senate GOP have explicitly designed their 2020 strategy around Sanders, beating the anti-socialism drum incessantly and attempting to tether every Democrat on the ballot to what they call a creep away from capitalism and toward collectivism. And though he’s consistently trailing former Vice President Joe Biden at this early stage, some top Republicans said they sincerely believe Sanders has a legitimate shot at winning.

"The strategy shows Republicans are much more comfortable talking about Sanders and tying other Democrats to his brand of socialism than they are in defending this year's meager legislative agenda. But Republicans could be making the same mistake Democrats made four years ago, when Trump launched his presidential campaign and they began salivating over the prospect of a Senate sweep."

READ MORE: https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/07/bernie-sanders-republican-senate-1307296

[Merlot]

1. I think they really want Biden

All the "trumpfts afraid of Biden" and Biden tweets. trumpfts not afraid of Biden, in fact probably more afraid of Sanders who could have crossover and would get the younger vote. The "leaks" that his advisors told him not to get involved in the primaries and trumpft tweeting about Biden all tell me that that's who they want.

They're picking our candidate, and they want Biden.

[hlthe2b]

2. I disagree totally. n/t

[oldsoftie]

6. Are they also making up the polls that show Biden with a good lead over trump?

Because there arent any showing Sanders beating trump

[Merlot]

14. I'm not talking about polls or Bidens chances of winning

I'm talking about trumpfts behavior. He treats this like a World Wrestling match. All the tweets about Biden, supposedly with his advisors telling him not to...it's all staging. He's not afraid of Biden, sees Biden as most like himself.

republicans saying they want Sanders as the nominee? Sure they do, that's why they're telling us now? No, they want to scare people away from Sanders and over to Biden, because that's who they want to run against.

[DownriverDem]

20. Oh yes he is

afraid of Biden. There is a narrow path for trump to win. It's a numbers game. BTW I only support true Dems. Forget Sanders. The polls are showing I'm not the only one either. Biden/Harris would be an excellent ticket.

[napi21]

33. The ONLY similariies between Biden & Orangeman is their ages & they're both white males!

Orangeman LIES ALL THE TIME! Doesn't care about ANYBODY but himself. Has NO COMPASSION. Treats women like his personal toys. Hides EVERYTHING. Demands personal loyalty from everyone, and retaliates against anyone who doesn't give it to him.

Joe-NONE OF THE ABOVE!

[ehrnst]

41. He sees someone in the Obama administration, and that makes him unhinged. (nt)

[Skya Rhen]

45. Please explain - Why would Trump want to "run against" Biden, who is beating him in the polls?

I'm confused...

[oldsoftie]

53. I'm sorry, but not a bit of that makes any sense at all.

[redstateblues]

10. No way. Trump is afraid of Biden

[Merlot]

16. If trumpft told you he's afraid of Biden, why would you belive it?

trumpft never tells the truth.

[Qutzupalotl]

18. Trump says he wants Biden

but his actions say he’s scared of him.

[Merlot]

21. His "actions" are an act. It's straight out of the world wrestling playbook.

[Qutzupalotl]

27. You said to disbelieve his lies

so I do.

[JI7]

50. we don't need to believe Trump. there are obvious reasons for why he would

be afraid of Biden.

[ehrnst]

13. They clearly want Bernie as the Dem nominee, and have for awhile

Republican strategist Karl Rove says Bernie Sanders could beat Donald Trump in 2020

GOP superpacs have spent money on ads to help Sanders:

American Crossroads and Bernie Sanders helped Nevada caucus-goers see right through Hillary Clinton's manufactured zeal on immigration reform after spewing virulent Trump-like rhetoric — and that one-two punch shaved Clinton's 50-point lead a year ago to a slim, single digit win. - Steven Law, president and CEO of American Crossroads

And RW sources are working to discredit Biden to Democrats by spreading the edited 2015 clip that many Sanders supporters have been sharing where he expressed, out of context, that he liked Dick Cheney, and had been friends with him.

The Mueller investigation found that Russia was actively supporting Sanders as well as Trump. The GOP clearly thinks that Sanders will be much easier to beat. They won't say a bad word about him unless he gets the nomination.

Then all the oppo they have gathered would be released in a carefully timed manner.

[Merlot]

17. repubs may want Sanders, I think trumpft wants Biden

I'm not talking about either one's electability, just surmising from what I see of trumpfts behavior.

[ehrnst]

19. Trump is unhinged by anyone associated with Obama.(nt)

[Cha]

48. Oh you can read trump's

mind?

[R B Garr]

24. Laughable. They want socialism. They don't have to do

anything but demonize it, and that is all Trump knows how to do. He doesn’t understand our government and can’t speak to any issues, no substance on policy, no sense of history, no sense of how to counter economic failures of the Bush years, can’t explain trade. All he does is name call and demonize.

Biden can easily trip him up and has already. They want Sanders and they especially want to to tie socialism to all Democrats. Biden didnt go for it. Socialism hands Trump the brainless attacks that he can run with.

[yaesu]

28. I agree 100% & I believe MSM will be pushing for the most centrist candidate also nt

[DemocratSinceBirth]

34. I totally disagree.

Bernie's brand is anathema in the suburbs where the election will be won or lost.

[BannonsLiver]

35. Nonsense

Sounds more like sour grapes in that your preferred candidate isn’t ahead at the moment.

[forgotmylogin]

44. How about we just don't let the Republicans write out Democratic strategy.

Whether it's Biden or Sanders or Harris or Warren or whomever, our choice really shouldn't be based on anything they say or pretend they want. Let's not bother guessing what they want or don't want or might be presenting as reverse psychology because they are not playing 4D chess.

Trump's admin has rarely been right about anything they didn't cheat for or misrepresent. The man himself has cratered multiple businesses endeavors (how does a CASINO lose money??) despite being "the high IQ-est ever person ever in history."

[lunamagica]

49. I don't see any evidence of that

[Kahuna7]

54. Maybe you should read the article to see what they're saying. nt

[Gothmog]

57. I disagree

trump is afraid of Joe Biden

Link to tweet

The Republican Party would love to run against Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) because they could make the election all about Sanders and socialism instead of Trump. They want to run against Buttigieg because they think they can use his sexual orientation and youth against him.

The person that Trump can’t figure out is Joe Biden. Trump has tried the “Sleepy Joe” attack but has flopped. Trump has now moved on to trying to attack Biden’s populism by coining him “1% Joe.” This also won’t work, especially coming from Donald Trump. Trump fears Biden’s populism and former vice president’s appeal in Rust Belt states.

Biden scares Trump, and that fear is never more obvious than when Trump starts talking about his potential opponents in 2020.

[comradebillyboy]

3. The Republicans, cable news pundits, the Russians and Trump all want

Sanders to be the candidate. It would be great TV and it would be a Mondale level loss for the Democrats.

“It would be good for us to have a nominee like that,” said Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who is up for reelection next year and sounded downright giddy about the prospect of Sanders representing Democrats at the top of the ticket.

[DownriverDem]

4. You bet

The repubs/trump would attack Bernie as a socialist over and over again. Most importantly, trump does not want to run against Biden. Part of trump's reelection plan is to win Pennsylvania. Biden was born and raised in Pennsylvania. Biden has a close relationship with blue collar workers who know they've been screwed by trump. We even are seeing folks over 55 moving towards Biden. Beating trump is all that matters. A Biden/Harris ticket would be formidable.

[dubyadiprecession]

5. Your absolutely right!

A far left candidate like BS, will only drive up turnout on the right.

[Wounded Bear]

7. I don't really care what Repubs, Russians, or Trumpbots want...

[dalton99a]

9. +1

[walkingman]

8. That is just political bait - who cares what they think? Vote for who you like.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

25. Think I will!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[Hassin Bin Sober]

40. Remember. People on our side pushed for Trump. So there's that...

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

47. Another excellent point HBS!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[uawchild]

11. Republicans want someone older than Trump to run against

I really think they do. I think they are scared of our young candidates who are acute, exceptionally qualified and decades younger than trump.

Trump wants to run against Biden or Sanders, both appear older than him and both have long careers that he can attack as he cherrypicks issues.

If its's Biden, Trump will go on and on about Biden voting for NAFTA.

If it's Sanders, it will be 24/7 socialism=red menace.

[George II]

12. We know from Mueller's February 2018 indictments that the Russians wanted Sanders as an opponent.

[Baclava]

15. Republicans pray for Bernie as INDEPENDENT nominee. Fixed it

Ayep

[ehrnst]

23. Bernie would never run for POTU as an Ind, he's said so. Why would they 'pray' for that? (nt)

[Baclava]

30. Bernie knows this is his last parade, he might pull out all the stops if he gets marginalized

No matter what he says, he could be the "opposition party", like he wants

[ehrnst]

31. He has stated that he needs the funding and media that comes with a Dem candidate.

That's why he becomes a Democratic candidate when he runs for POTUS, even while he votes in the Senate as an independent.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

22. Total fake out... tells you RethugliKKKons fear Bernie the most.

It's so painfully obvious!!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[ehrnst]

26. They certainly act like they want Bernie to be the nominee, and have for awhile.

Republican strategist Karl Rove says Bernie Sanders could beat Donald Trump in 2020

GOP superpacs have spent dark money on ads to help Sanders:

American Crossroads and Bernie Sanders helped Nevada caucus-goers see right through Hillary Clinton's manufactured zeal on immigration reform after spewing virulent Trump-like rhetoric — and that one-two punch shaved Clinton's 50-point lead a year ago to a slim, single digit win. - Steven Law, president and CEO of American Crossroads

The Mueller investigation found that Russia was actively supporting Sanders as well as Trump. The GOP clearly thinks that Sanders will be much easier to beat. They won't say a bad word about him unless he gets the nomination.

Then all the oppo they have gathered would be released in a carefully timed manner.

[R B Garr]

39. Exactly! They want to demonize socialism, but Bernie

also has complimented Trump’s views on trade, some comments to Lou Dobbs about immigration match the GOP talking points about immigrants, and the anti-Democratic establishment talking points help the GOP. They definitely are pulling for Bernie.

[BannonsLiver]

37. Push em back! Push em back!

[NYMinute]

38. lol

[ProudMNDemocrat]

29. So they can use SOCIALISM as a case for winning I suppose..

Bernie Sanders, I believe, had his moment in 2016.

Joe Biden is ahead 30 plus points in the pools as of now. I realize things are early yet. But I do not see Bernie getting the Nomination being that he is NOT a Democrat in any sense.

This is NOT an attack on Bernie Sanders. Just the truth as I see it.

[JaneQPublic]

32. A GOP campaign staffer on Tweety last night trolled for Bernie.

He was "concerned" that if Dems don't nominate Bernie, then all our Millennials and other progressives will sit out the general election.

Of course, Matthews saw right through the GOPer's ploy, interrupting him to accuse the guy of "trying to get Bernie nominated! That's what you really want, isn't it?"

The GOPer looked kind of sheepish, but he didn't deny it.

[NYMinute]

36. Of course they do

Bernie will lose 45+ states.

[IronLionZion]

42. Plenty of Dems said that about Trump for 2016

and we see how that worked out

[pangaia]

43. "self-described democratic socialist" -----WHEN will political writers use their fucking brains and

stop using this phrase... it's like "getcha cold beer.!!"
They just blindly repeat this phrase ALWAYS in this situation, brainless, mindless, stupid, unthinking morons..

Plus if a writer is going to use that phrase, WHY not call trump a ' self-described pussy grabber who likes to fuck porn stars ESPECIALLY really young ones with large breasts..,'

.. Makes me sick.



Obviously this reply is not about Senator Sanders...

[Jakes Progress]

46. They don't even need him to be the nominee.

They just need for his more self-righteous supporters to bad-mouth the nominee constantly and vote for some fringe, russia-supported third party candidate.

Hey. It worked in 2016

[Mike Nelson]

51. That's obvious...

… they are running agonist Socialism - Bernie would be their favorite. I'd rather we not run on Democratic Socialism - unless Elizabeth Warren is the nominee; she explains progressive issues in a non-threatening manner.

[Gothmog]

52. From my twitter feed

Link to tweet

[Blue_Tires]

55. I guess the repubs got word that Bernie doesn't have any plan to

raise hell and discourage turnout if he loses the nomination, so they have to find another way.

[floppyboo]

56. Remember Joe Crowley?

also from the OP: "But Republicans could be making the same mistake Democrats made four years ago, when Trump launched his presidential campaign and they began salivating over the prospect of a Senate sweep."

So, pick the guy at the opposite end of the political spectrum, then go after the centre suburban vote - remember that brilliant tactic?? It's a 2 for 1! NOT!!!

This article defeats itself.