I am far from a Bernie fan but the parallels to 1972 are weak.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

Richard Nixon had an approval rating that was hovering around sixty percent on the day of the election in 1972. He consolidated the forty three percent he received in 1968 with the fourteen percent George Wallace received and added a few points. Donald Trump's approval ratings are hovering in the mid forties. Re-election campaigns are largely referendums on the incumbents. If the voters like the job he or she is doing they vote to give them another term. If they don't, they don't.

The electorate in 1972 was ninety percent white. The electorate in 2020 will be sixty eight to seventy percent white. Since we do dramatically better among non-whites that's a lot of votes for us.

George McGovern wouldn't be George McGovern in 2020.

IMHO we are making it harder on ourselves by not nominating a more mainstream candidate but we are where we are. You have to play the cards you are dealt.

I will be crestfallen if we lose but I won't be shocked like last time.The sad thing is Corrupt Don is beatable.

[elleng]

1. I agree, and no 'social media' in those days.

Thanks

[DemocratSinceBirth]

4. Folks bring up McGovern and Mondale.

What they ignore is how popular the incumbent was when the election was held. And thanks to changing demographics Walter Mondale wouldn't be Walter Mondale. He would have lost 52-48 or so and not 59-41.

I still believe we are making it harder on ourselves but coming here and kvetching isn't going to help.

[elleng]

7. We are CERTAINLY making it harder on ourselves here (and elsewhere.)

[Drunken Irishman]

2. I don't think Bernie would lose in a 49 state landslide - or come close to it.

I do worry he will lose, though. I'm not convinced he can win in PA, MI, WI, NH and even Virgina. He'll do well in places like California and Washington but struggle in the more moderate states, which will give Trump an unnecessary opening.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. What's the baseline?

If the economy stays as it against a generic Dem Trump is at worst a slight underdog.

[ibegurpard]

9. I think he does better in PA, WI, and MI

Than some of the other more "centrist" candidates. I agree with you about VA although i think VA may be blue enough to hold no matter what now. Not sure about NH.

[jalan48]

3. Not to mention unions were strong in the early 70's and income inequality was nothing like today.

[philf99]

6. Muskie

In 72 Ed Muskie was the clear front runner (Biden) and the republicans destroyed his character.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

8. Given Nixon's approval rating on election day I doubt he would have fared substantially better.

[philf99]

10. Maybe

Hard to say. But what I do know is the destroy the most viable candidate is straight out the republican playbook. Worked well in 72 and looks like it is working well in 2020.