2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Bernie Sanders Breaks 20% in a National Poll for the First Time; Gaining Support Across Demographics [View all]cascadiance
(19,537 posts)... and known by people over the years who watch or listen to Thom Hartmann. Yes that's a small subset and very liberal part of the population, but he has had a national media presence weekly for many years now, which gives him an advantage that some of the other candidates like O'Malley don't have.
Though O'Malley may be well known and well liked in his own state for his work there, for many in the rest of the country, they know Bernie a lot more than they known him. I'm one of those persons. I haven't had a lot of time to study O'Malley yet, even though I know I'm very much in synch with Bernie and don't feel the need to switch to someone else at this time.
I think that kind of familiarity facilitates grass roots organizations in other states a lot more. Even if most other state residents don't know Bernie much without his exposure in corporate media that they get a lot, those that do know him are able to organize more effectively now with things like DVDs of Bernie's FSTV appearances on Hartmann's show, etc. to help get the word out and build his organization in those other states that much faster. His strength there shouldn't be underestimated.
And the one thing that I think that really wins over independents and even many Republicans is that this guy is honest, consistent, and tries to listen and work for PEOPLE, instead of well-heeled lobbyists. I think that even appeals to some Republicans who have been used to being lied to, and many of them are getting just as tired of this as we are.