John Nichols: Why Mark Pocan endorsed Bernie Sanders

[Uncle Joe]

(snip)

A savvy strategist who is respected for his knowledge of the politics of his native Wisconsin — a critical swing state — Pocan does not always endorse in primaries. He may prefer a particular candidate, but he often holds back to see how the contenders run their races for the nomination.

(snip)

But what really moved Pocan was the “electability” issue that has so obsessed Democrats as they prepare to take on President Donald Trump.

“We need to make the strongest possible case to the public on why Donald Trump needs to go,” Pocan said. “The toxic political climate that Trump has fostered needs the best possible antidote, and that antidote is Bernie Sanders. I needed to get in this early to help do my part in getting us to nominate the strongest candidate to oppose Trump.”

The congressman is convinced that Sanders has what it takes to flip Wisconsin, a state that backed Democrats for president in every election from 1988 to 2012, but then chose Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton by 22,748 votes in 2016. Noting that Sanders swept Wisconsin's 2016 Democratic primary, and that the senator has kept active in the state, Pocan said, “Bernie Sanders did an amazing job in Wisconsin in 2016. Not only did he win 71 of 72 counties, but also won nearly three-quarters of young voters and independents who voted in the primary. Bernie’s strong and unwavering advocacy for working families resonated in my state. In 2020, he will carry Wisconsin and the upper Midwest.”

https://madison.com/ct/opinion/column/john_nichols/john-nichols-why-mark-pocan-endorsed-bernie-sanders/article_cd34d466-b021-5fd9-908a-e76fe775ed5a.html

[Tetrachloride]

1. I will disagree.

I believe Bernie won because of anti-hillary sentiment somewhat more than pro-Bernie sentiment.

Moreover, this story from Jan 16, 2020

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/01/16/polls-trump-matchups-michigan-wisconsin-florida/4488735002/

shows Biden with a better edge vs Trump than other candidates.

Pocan brings up the toxic political climate.

In the story, neither Pocan nor the editorial writer at Madison.com mentions Joe Biden even once.

[George II]

2. Didn't Marc Pocan tell us why he endorsed him?

[Uncle Joe]

3. It's in the OP.

(snip)

“We need to make the strongest possible case to the public on why Donald Trump needs to go,” Pocan said. “The toxic political climate that Trump has fostered needs the best possible antidote, and that antidote is Bernie Sanders. I needed to get in this early to help do my part in getting us to nominate the strongest candidate to oppose Trump.”

(snip)

https://madison.com/ct/opinion/column/john_nichols/john-nichols-why-mark-pocan-endorsed-bernie-sanders/article_cd34d466-b021-5fd9-908a-e76fe775ed5a.html

[myohmy2]

4. I can't disagree...

" The toxic political climate that Trump has fostered needs the best possible antidote, and that antidote is Bernie Sanders. "

...seriously, if you're being the least bit objective, you would have to agree with Mark and his assessment...

...Bernie's strong, serious, smart, articulate and aggressive...all the traits necessary to kick trump's fat ass...

...Bernie's the best we've got...