Bernie Sanders: the most electable candidate that will build a STRONGER Democratic Party

A Bernie Sanders nomination would be the best thing that could happen to the Democratic Party. Some Democrats say they would support Bernie, but are worried that he won’t be able to win a general election. That’s not true and I hope to ease some concerns in this post. Bernie Sanders has been elected to office 14 times. Bernie won his last Senate campaign with 70% of the vote, including 25% of the Republicans. He also won by 8% more than what opinion polls predicted because of the non-traditional voters that come out to support him. 78% of Bernie’s supporters are enthusiastic.  Lets start with how popular Bernie is with independent voters. Bernie Sanders is polling strongest with independents. The IVN poll of independents shows Bernie is at 45% to Trump 26%, Ben Carson 19%, Rand Paul 12%, and Clinton 9%. In a head to head matchup, Bernie cleans up with independents over Clinton 59-21%. Being an independent himself for so long certainly helps (Bernie is the longest serving independent in the history of Congress), but the greater appeal is with how direct Bernie is and how he has consistently fought for the same things for decades. People of all political persuasions appreciate those things, even if they disagree with some of his issue stances.  Dear Hillary Supporters Wary of Sanders’ Electability.  During head to head match ups against Republican opponents, Bernie Sanders usually does as good as, if not better than Clinton.  Bernie Defeats Trump By a Wider Margin Than Clinton in a General Election. Other polls highlighted here on Kos also demonstrated that Bernie’s lead over Republicans is usually larger than Clinton. 

Bernie Sanders has stellar opinion poll ratings too. 78-6% on Favorability, 86-4% on Honesty and Trustworthiness, 85-5% say he cares about their needs and problems. A whopping 78% of Bernie’s supporters are enthusiastic.  No wonder considering how popular most of Bernie’s core positions are, including over 70% support for many issues. 

Bernie is already demonstrating how he will win the general election: by bringing legions of new people into the process, people rarely included in polls. Much of the Green Party is joining the Democratic Party to support Bernie. He is drawing in throngs of other third party activists too, as well as independents, millennials, and eligible voters who rarely if ever vote. This is how you increase voter turnout: an authentic candidate generating excitement. 

Electoral College: Lean of States with natural Dem Edge

We have a genuine opportunity with an honest, trusted leader like Bernie Sanders to not just win the POTUS election (which we have a huge edge on), but to build a broad New Deal coalition and inspire the WAVE election we need to retake the Senate AND House, as well as state races and Governorships, and finally enact the bold progressive reforms our nation so desperately needs. For the record, we absolutely need a wave election to retake the US House, as it is ridiculouslygerrymandered. 

US House: Gerrymandered districts = YOOG Repub edge

Remember that while winning the Presidency is important, there’s only so much a President can do. As the last 7 years have proven, conservative Republicans are ONLY interested in obstructing anything and everything any Democrat does. That’s why it is so critical to have high voter turnout and the “flashfire” election we need to take back the House of Representatives. The US Senate will likely be ours either way.  Despite spending as much as the GOP, Democrats were spanked in 2014 when only a third of eligible voters voted. Don’t let that happen again. Support candidates that will energize if you really want to win and expand our Democratic Party.

Bernie Sanders is the candidate that will ensure NEW New Deal Democrats have control for many years to come to protect and enhance valuable, useful public programs that help real people’s lives. But that will only happen if we can get over the nomination hump, and that’s where we need your help.