Is there anything besides opinion, BS and hurt feelings to this "Bernie Can't Win" trope?

[doxyluv13]

Couple points:
I realize many of the folks on DU object to Bernie not identifying as a Democrat. But how would that affect electability? Most folks either think of him as a Democrat for always caucusing with them, or don't care. The largest part of the electorate--Independents--are more likely to vote for an independent than a Democrat. A brief aside: has anyone else noticed that none of the folks who pillory Sanders for not being a Democrat have a problem with Bloomberg having held office as a Republican?

Bernie is the most popular politician in the US today. And you guys want to nominate someone less popular? Tell me why.

Bernie tops polls for character and for the leader who most shares my values. So it's hard to see how the socialist label hurts.

Bernie has built a grass roots organization of tens of thousands who will fuel GOTV drives that no candidate can match. His endorsements and obvious appeal to labor will likely rev up union participation which was lackluster for Hillary.

I could go on about Bernie's strengths. I'm still either split between him and Elizabeth, or, horror or horrors, fine with either. But I wanted to point another defect in the "Bernie Can't Win" trope. Compared to what? You could make a pretty good case against all of our candidates. Pete's gay and has no youth support. Elizabeth's a woman and her campaign has made serious mistakes. Remember how much of a problem we all thought that was after 2016? Amy is a woman and the Myon Burrell case likely makes her unsalable to the black community. Bloomberg only got money and baggage. Biden often appears like a spent force.

[uponit7771]

1. FACT: Sanders has no historical winning band in swing states outside of MOE. National polls matter

... little and always have. The swing state polling is what counts and Sanders hasn't been doing as well as Biden in them

[Squinch]

2. The fact that russians felt they needed to interfere on his

behalf to make him win?

And PS: When has BS actually gotten out the vote? And don't say 2018, because although more young people voted than ever before, Our Revolution candidates and BS's picks got clobbered. Almost none of them won. Moderates kicked ass.

[stonecutter357]

3. Sociopath beats a Socialist 100% of the time !

[lapucelle]

4. Why are you calling it a trope? N/T

[Moderateguy]

5. The fact he ran as a Democrat in the primary for his Senate seat

because he was afraid a democratic candidate would have cost him the seat

[d_b]

6. Once America finds out he's a socialist

He's done for. His rock hard abs andYUGE playboy charisma won't save him from the Mean Republican Commercial Complex.

[apcalc]

7. I always speak with my moderate R PA friends as examples.

Four of them have told me

Yes-Joe, Amy

Hell no-Biden, Warren

[mzmolly]

8. Sanders is gaining momentum

in swing states, but it’s tough to fathom someone who labels himself a socialist, winning a national election. ... It’s entirely possible I’m too old to be a fair judge? But I work with many middle aged moderates and Indes who think Trump and Bernie are equally ‘bad.’

Also, he’s digging his heals in on Medicare for all vs. listening to voters/union members who prefer a public option.

There is ongoing discussion of his on the record praise of Castro etc.

That said, Bernie has my very enthusiastic vote if he’s our nominee.

[PubliusEnigma]

9. Bernie is Putin's very enthusiastic vote, as well. Why do you think that is?

I'll give you a hint, it's not because he can beat Donald Trump.

[mzmolly]

10. Agree.