# What's Bernie's remaining realistic path to the nomination? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 5, 2020, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949 "2020-03-05T05:16:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/101 "2020-03-07T18:15:06Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > …Sanders’ problem isn’t his personality; it’s that his campaign, his proposals, his platform - whatever you want to call it - have run into a wall. And that wall is just the simple fact that while most left-leaning and left-center voters strongly agree that Trump needs to go, they quietly disagree with Sanders’ vision for how to change this country, and most of them always have. If you’re following Twitter or Facebook, this might be a surprise, but it’s not a surprise to most people. > > And instead of showing some flexibility, Sanders is doubling down even harder, probably because he sincerely believes in what he’s doing and that he believes he can persuade more people if he’d just have a wider audience… This I can easily agree with. Personally I have always liked Sanders. I agree things need to be changed and I agree those changes need to be radical. But you hit the nail on the head in mentioning flexibility. If people don’t buy in 100% they are considered as bad as Trump’s supporters. This purity policing is a huge turnoff for me. And the yelling and humorlessness. I know I’ve had enough of that with DJT and I don’t think most people want to listen to 4 more years of it even if it is coming from someone they agree with. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/102 "2020-03-07T18:17:15Z")
I’d guess there’s more than a small chance that - provided moderators are fair - Biden gets his head handed to him at the March 15 debate. Could give Bernie a significant boost. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/103 "2020-03-07T21:37:33Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > provided moderators are fair And yet another suggestion that the Democratic Party and the Big Media are out to get Sanders. Just replace “Sanders” with “Trump” and it’s like listening to Rush Limbaugh. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/104 "2020-03-07T21:47:48Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > I’d guess there’s more than a small chance that - provided moderators are fair - Biden gets his head handed to him at the March 15 debate. Could give Bernie a significant boost. The Bros are starting a rigged debate conspiracy already? Some things never change ---
**Author:** ![Manwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Manwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manwich)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/105 "2020-03-07T23:08:18Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > But not women, of course. Your votes have cooties. “Bernie bros” remember? ---
**Author:** ![Manwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Manwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manwich)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/106 "2020-03-07T23:11:49Z")
In one of the debates, tickets started at $1,750 of your American dollars, in a country where the median income is $56,516. The debates are mediated by the same corporate interests that fund Republicans and centrist Democrats. It isn’t some loony conspiracy to say the debates are partisan. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/107 "2020-03-07T23:14:54Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > I’d guess there’s more than a small chance that - provided moderators are fair - Biden gets his head handed to him at the March 15 debate. Could give Bernie a significant boost. That might be too late: he needs to win in Michigan and Ohio. Michigan will already be in the books by the time of the debate, and Ohio will come only two days after the debate, and Biden appears to be fairly strong in both states. And you can probably forget Bernie winning in Florida. Ultimately, it looks like Bernie is going to repeat 2016, winning states that are white, some of which are dominated by Republicans anyway, but not really providing evidence that he could compete in winnable states that really matter. I think Sanders’ success in Nevada and New Hampshire does matter, but he needs bigger, more diverse states, particularly states with black voters, in order to really make the case that he could do as well as, if not better than, Biden in a fight against Trump. I won’t disagree that Bernie is a more exciting candidate and personality than Biden. I respect his organization and his movement. There’s a place for Sanders and his supporters; it’s just not at the top of the ticket. The sooner his fans can accept that and think about how to work within the framework of the Democratic party, the better our chances of getting rid of Trump. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/108 "2020-03-07T23:19:43Z")
> [@Manwich](#): > > In one of the debates, tickets started at $1,750 of your American dollars, in a country where the median income is $56,516. > > The debates are mediated by the same corporate interests that fund Republicans and centrist Democrats. It isn’t some loony conspiracy to say the debates are partisan. Just saying that the moderates aren’t fair doesn’t make it true. How have the moderators treated Bernie unfairly? I think the consensus has been the Bernie has done well in the debates and that Biden has been pretty damn shaky. Maybe there’s more than the debate performances that is hurting Sanders. ---
**Author:** ![Manwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Manwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manwich)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/109 "2020-03-07T23:29:42Z")
Of course Bernie did well. He has retained full mental acuity (of a smart man), mainstream popular policies to talk about, a consistently great record. Also, it has been discovered that your media is quite biased from people with money making it say things that help people with money. Some people wrote books about it. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/110 "2020-03-07T23:38:48Z")
> [@Manwich](#): > > I think Sanders’ basic likability and eloquence will help but I think now is the time for total destruction of his opponent, Biden. > > Sanders should talk facts about Biden’s record on Social Security, Iraq, Clarence Thomas (Supreme Court a big deal in your nation). > > He’s wide open and Sanders has been very polite and tried to work with Democrats, even though the party is riddled with corporate whores. So you’re picturing something like this: \*"I hate you all. You’re whores. Your candidate sucks, your beliefs suck, your opinions suck, and you suck. My goal is to totally destroy you. And then afterwards, I hope I can count on your vote in November. I’m Bernie Sanders and I approved this message."\* ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2020, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/111 "2020-03-08T00:28:42Z")
> [@Manwich](#): > > Of course Bernie did well. He has retained full mental acuity (of a smart man), mainstream popular policies to talk about, a consistently great record. > > Also, it has been discovered that your media is quite biased from people with money making it say things that help people with money. Some people wrote books about it. As I thought, you can’t back it up. Moving on… ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2020, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/112 "2020-03-08T00:49:07Z")
> [@Manwich](#): > > In one of the debates, tickets started at $1,750 of your American dollars “Your American dollars”. Sounds contemptuous, like a line out of a movie from a Bond villain or something. What currency are you more familiar with, rubles? > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > So you’re picturing something like this: > > \*"I hate you all. You’re whores. Your candidate sucks, your beliefs suck, your opinions suck, and you suck. My goal is to totally destroy you. > > And then afterwards, I hope I can count on your vote in November. I’m Bernie Sanders and I approved this message."\* LOL, exactly. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2020, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/113 "2020-03-08T01:00:05Z")
Bernie did a rally in Grant Park, Chicago today on a glorious day. But why? Ok, next Saturday is when Chicago will celebrate St Patrick’s Day, a horrible day for a rally. But, Illinois doesn’t vote until March 17 and Bernie needs to be in March 10th states this weekend. It’s even better given good Midwestern weather since Bernie has abandoned the March 10th state of Mississippi and might not be viable there. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2020, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/114 "2020-03-08T01:00:46Z")
> [@Manwich](#): > > In one of the debates, tickets started at $1,750 of your American dollars, in a country where the median income is $56,516. Gee, it’s a good thing I can watch them on television for free! ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2020, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/115 "2020-03-08T01:25:36Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > Chicago '68-style riots at the convention. It would kill any chance at winning the election, but it might get him the nom. I was there last time. I am a little old for this kind of thing now. ---
**Author:** ![Manwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Manwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manwich)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2020, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/116 "2020-03-08T03:47:15Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > Gee, it’s a good thing I can watch them on television for free! The audience were miced and responding so it’s relevant. I feel like we are talking at cross purposes. Is it really controversial to say that the US media is pro-establishment because it is part of the establishment, owned by the wealthy and run for profit? That would be a whole other thread. You also need to separate Sander’s views from his supporters. I’ve compromised and moved rightwards to support Sanders who is basically a moderate candidate. Of course I want the Democratic party destroyed, they have been ineffective for years. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2020, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/117 "2020-03-08T04:10:05Z")
> [@Manwich](#): > > The audience were miced and responding so it’s relevant. > > I feel like we are talking at cross purposes. Is it really controversial to say that the US media is pro-establishment because it is part of the establishment, owned by the wealthy and run for profit? That would be a whole other thread. > > You also need to separate Sander’s views from his supporters. I’ve compromised and moved rightwards to support Sanders who is basically a moderate candidate. Of course I want the Democratic party destroyed, they have been ineffective for years. You do realize you’re on the very far fringe, correct? ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2020, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/118 "2020-03-08T04:13:14Z")
> [@Manwich](#): > > You also need to separate Sander’s views from his supporters. I’ve compromised and moved rightwards to support Sanders who is basically a moderate candidate. Of course I want the Democratic party destroyed, they have been ineffective for years. Let me guess: the only way you actually “support” him is by making posts of dubious quality on the internet, right? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2020, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/119 "2020-03-08T04:24:40Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > The sooner his fans can accept that and think about how to work within the framework of the Democratic party, the better our chances of getting rid of Trump. Why would Bernie and his Bros start working for a party they don’t belong to and don’t support? ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2020, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/120 "2020-03-08T04:26:43Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Why would Bernie and his Bros start working for a party they don’t belong to and don’t support? …because the alternative is worse. I know, I know - people typically equate democracy with “choice,” as though they can select candidates from a menu. But that’s not how it was intended to function. It’s typically voting for the lesser of two evils. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949.md?page=7)