# Why don't you support Bernie Sanders? (if you don't) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 17, 2019, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632 "2019-06-17T02:58:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/41 "2019-06-17T15:34:10Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > I’ll pile on with the good post. > > Except that I do not believe Sanders is a power in Congress. He is a power outside of Congress. His accomplishments are meager, and I don’t think anyone in either party particularly cares to work with Sanders. He’s the top Dem on the Budget Committee, and even as a low-level DC insider, I’ve never heard of him involved in any significant talks on any budget related matter, from tax reform to the debt limit to the sequestration cuts that are coming up in a handful of months. > > I would add that he did move big parts of the Democratic Party to the left, but now as I look out at the Democratic field, I see two dozen candidates whose position on things are within a fairly modest band (except for Gravel). Better to elect someone in the general policy window who also hasn’t been collecting Social Security for two decades and has more political skills to get things done. I agree with this and find it interesting that a lot of these Sanders supporters tend to either completely ignore or blow up minor differences with Elizabeth Warren. I think they know that Warren has accomplished a good deal more and has detailed policy proposals for her positions while being (at least) 80% as progressive as Sanders. She is a progressive. She’s gotten things done in the Senate - a good reason is that she is able to work in the party in a way Sanders is not. So why would I back Sanders when I can back Warren instead? Of course I was a huge Hillary Clinton supporter in 2008 and 2016, so I doubt Sanders supporters will listen to me anyways. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/42 "2019-06-17T15:48:36Z")
> [@Barack\_Obama](#): > > Give me reasons why you would not support Sanders as president. His SS expansion bill seems pretty good to me, his M4A bill seems pretty good to me, and I agree with pretty much every position he has. Such as criminals having the right to vote, and in prison. Or such as people being automatically registered to vote when they turn 18. … Any arguments about his viability as a democratic front runner I throw out the window… I want to know specifics about what you don’t support that bernie has proposed, and what other candidates propose that you believe is better. …) Sure, the Soc Sec expansion bill is fine, and needed, but it’s not just his idea, in fact the current one was introduced by Rep. John Larson, D-Connecticut. 1. He’s anti-nuke. And in favor of stopping global warming. Nuke power is one of the best ways to do that. 2. He hasnt produced his tax returns. 3. He won’t call off his Bernie-bros, and that possibly put Trump into office. He must know they cheerfully spread rumors and propaganda about his dem opponents, yet he won’t lift a finger to stop them. 4. He \*can’t \*win the general election. The portfolio of nasty dirty trick the GOP has ready for him will make him the biggest loser since Dukakis. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/43 "2019-06-17T15:59:05Z")
> [@Barack\_Obama](#): > > You’re right, he’s much worse. He wants to cut social security and medicare, hes pro-war by every stretch of the term, he’s voted for things that are anti-gay and unconstitutional, was supported mass incarceration and before any centrists point out so did bernie, well bernie was an independent and only supported as a compromise to protect women. … _He wants to cut social security and medicare_= Cite? The only thing that comes close is a bi-partisan idea to limit or halt payouts to the wealthy who don’t need them. That’s not 'cutting social security". > **[Joe Biden on Social Security: 6 Things You Should Know | The Motley Fool](https://www.fool.com/retirement/2019/05/31/joe-biden-on-social-security-6-things-you-should-k.aspx)** > > The former vice president and Democratic frontrunner for the presidency has a more centrist view on Social Security than his peers. Medicare? > **[2020 Candidate Joe Biden Backs Medicare Public Option](https://www.newsweek.com/2020-candidate-joe-biden-backs-medicare-all-policy-you-all-should-have-choice-1409332)** > > Biden's endorsement of a public option comes after Bernie Sanders, another Democratic presidential candidate, reintroduced his Medicare for All plan earlier this month. _hes pro-war by every stretch of the term_= No he’s not. In fact his much touted “support” of the Iraq war is false. he only voted for that resolution after the Shrub gave Joe his personal assurance that GWB wouldnt use it to invade. Pretty much \*Everyone \*voted for that crime bill, even Bernie. No one knew the consequences at that time. Your "facts’ here sound a lot like what trump wants us to believe. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/44 "2019-06-17T16:04:35Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > … > 3) Electability. As I’ve said elsewhere, should Sanders be nominated, the Republican narrative for the remainder of the election season would be “SOCIALISM SOCIALISM SOCIALISM SOCIALISM SOCIALISM SOCIALISM SOCIALISM SOCIALISM SOCIALISM SOCIALISM etc”, and for a large percentage of the country the undefined spectre of “socialism” is a greater evil than atheist child-molesting lepers. I’ve heard the argument that the “socialist” thing is already baked into Bernie’s numbers but it really isn’t; the GOP haven’t even begun to unleash their smear machine on him. And it doesn’t matter that most people would agree with his specific policies; most people also would have agreed with Clinton’s policies but never even considered them because it was all about the emotive narratives, as all elections are. Policies don’t really win elections, alas. > > 1. His base. The “Bernie Bro” contingent (by which I mean the irrationally rabid core of his base) remind me of Ron Paui’s supporters - they are hardcore True Believers who spent the 2016 fucking things up while demanding that everyone bow down to Saint Bernie and claiming that the whole country were really behind them if only the DNC would let them show it and then petulantly whining about how everyone was being so mean and unfair. This was not Sanders’ fault, although his efforts to mitigate their effects were tepid at best, but nonetheless they’re already out in force and likely to fuck things up again. Also: you know that sense of entitlement that Sanders supporters repeatedly accused Clinton of, regarding the nomination? Here’s a mirror, guys. > … Not to mention “COMMUNISM, COMMUNISM,COMMUNISM…” Anyone that thinks the kremlin cant find a picture of Bernie at a Communist rally and cant fake up a communist party card in Bernies name is delusional. And a lot of Americans will beleive it. Example in point= the Op with his GOP based attacks upon Biden right here in this thread. I expect more such attacks. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/45 "2019-06-17T16:05:12Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > First, the caveat: if Sanders wins the nomination, I will almost certainly vote for him over Trump (and to be clear, the circumstances under which I’d vote for Trump are so extreme that, should they come to pass, democracy is pretty much fucked anyway). > > However, while I agree with many of Sanders’ positions, there are several reasons why I would prefer the Democratic nominee to be someone else, some of which were suspiciously excluded in the OP but I’m going to mention anyway. In no particular order: > > 1. Party. He’s not a Democrat. I’m all for a ‘big tent’ but I don’t think it unreasonable to ask the person running for the nomination of a political party to be a member of that political party, and Sanders refuses to do so while still trying to win that position. It’s not a good message and Sanders hasn’t addressed it in any way that didn’t come across as wanting to have his cake and eat it too. That said, I’m not a Democrat either - but then I’m not running for office under their banner. > > 2. Age. For the same reason that I’d rather Biden and Warren weren’t running, I would prefer a younger candidate who doesn’t pose a health risk and is at least somewhat more connected to the concerns and values of post-Boomer generations. > > 3. Electability. As I’ve said elsewhere, should Sanders be nominated, the Republican narrative for the remainder of the election season would be “SOCIALISM SOCIALISM SOCIALISM SOCIALISM SOCIALISM SOCIALISM SOCIALISM SOCIALISM SOCIALISM SOCIALISM etc”, and for a large percentage of the country the undefined spectre of “socialism” is a greater evil than atheist child-molesting lepers. I’ve heard the argument that the “socialist” thing is already baked into Bernie’s numbers but it really isn’t; the GOP haven’t even begun to unleash their smear machine on him. And it doesn’t matter that most people would agree with his specific policies; most people also would have agreed with Clinton’s policies but never even considered them because it was all about the emotive narratives, as all elections are. Policies don’t really win elections, alas. > > 4. His base. The “Bernie Bro” contingent (by which I mean the irrationally rabid core of his base) remind me of Ron Paui’s supporters - they are hardcore True Believers who spent the 2016 fucking things up while demanding that everyone bow down to Saint Bernie and claiming that the whole country were really behind them if only the DNC would let them show it and then petulantly whining about how everyone was being so mean and unfair. This was not Sanders’ fault, although his efforts to mitigate their effects were tepid at best, but nonetheless they’re already out in force and likely to fuck things up again. Also: you know that sense of entitlement that Sanders supporters repeatedly accused Clinton of, regarding the nomination? Here’s a mirror, guys. > > 5. Effectiveness. Sanders is a power in Congress. I think he (and Warren as well) could be far more effective at advancing their respective agendas in their current positions than they could from the White House. If he’s about the agenda rather than personal glory, he should strategically support someone else and force his supporters to do the same. But he and they won’t. > > 6. Effectiveness, Part 2: Were he to be elected, I am not convinced that Sanders could even get the Democrats in Congress to support him, let alone being able to pry some support out of Republicans. He’s a firebrand speaker and this appeals to certain people (see #4 above) but his prior interaction with the DNC suggests that he’s not the best at doing what needs to be done to achieve his goals, preferring instead to rail ineffectively against those who oppose him. We already know what it’s like to have a president like that, and it ain’t good. > > That’s probably enough for now. I’m sure I’ll think of a few more, probably right after I post this. Another full post quote to show support, but especially important to me are #5 and #6. I simply do not think that Mr. Sanders has much chance of getting people to go along with his legislation. I simply don’t see him as having that kind of political capital or the goodwill necessary when capital is lacking. I like many of his ideas, proposals, policies, etc. but I don’t think he’d be a very effective president. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/46 "2019-06-17T16:07:23Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > _hes pro-war by every stretch of the term_= No he’s not. In fact his much touted “support” of the Iraq war is false. he only voted for that resolution after the Shrub gave Joe his personal assurance that GWB wouldnt use it to invade. I think that Biden could legitimately be criticized as being a sucker for voting for that resolution, especially since his speeches made it clear that he didn’t think an unprovoked war was a very good idea. IIRC, Biden attempted to offer amendments to make the war resolution less of a blank check; but he failed and voted for it anyway. Again, that’s more like the actions of a sucker than a warmonger. And if he is such a warmonger, it’s awfully hard to explain why he advised Obama not to conduct the Osama bin Laden raid. Again, he can be criticized for getting it wrong, but it isn’t fair to say that “no raid to get the 9/11 terrorist” is the position of a crazy guy with his finger on the button. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/47 "2019-06-17T16:19:13Z")
> [@Barack\_Obama](#): > > … I’m not going to have this debate if you want to bring up “he lost to hillary” while ignoring the fact every delegate appointed by the DNC voted for hillary, while every non appointed delegate voted Sanders…The democratic party if it wants to survive and not get eaten alive, needs to embrace the likes of Bernie Sanders, AOC, Ro Khanna, etc… … _every delegate appointed by the DNC voted for hillary_+ 😕 ?? _while every non appointed delegate voted Sanders_= Not even close, > **[2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Democratic_Party_presidential_primaries)** > > Barack Obama Clinton won 2205 delegates, Sanders won 1846. There were only 712 Superdelegates and they made no difference at all in the nominations process in 2016. Note that 42 of them voted for Bernie. Generally they all vote for whichever candidate has won in the primaries. Just to make the record clear- 16,847,084 (55.20%) of the popular vote was for Clinton, while only 13,168,222 (43.14%) was for Sanders. The Superdelegates made no difference. In actuality, Sanders only did was well as he did due to the totally **UN** -Democratic caucuses. The old “Bernie was robbed” pops up again. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/48 "2019-06-17T16:28:51Z")
In fact, the Op is a perfect example of why i dont support Bernie. Coming up with that totally and repeatedly disproved canard “He wuz robbed”, and spreading GOP propaganda to hurt leading Democratic candidates. . OP, want to know why we dont support Bernie? Hold up a mirror. \*\*You are why. \*\* ---
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/49 "2019-06-17T16:42:43Z")
I really don’t think I could say it better than Gyrate did. I agree with every one of the points listed. I would only add the following - generally speaking his two largest policy positions of Medicare for All and free college are items I do not support. I am for UHC and I am for improving the ACA but I am not a fan of Bernie’s Medicare 4 All proposition. I think there is some alignment on this general issue of health care reform between Democrats and Progressives and my own desires, overall I am not happy with his specific solution. I am in 100% complete disagreement on the free college position. I disagree with the basic premise. I believe the high costs of college is a real problem but I don’t agree that making it free is the appropriate nor fiscally responsible response. I believe the money needed for this is better spent on other issues like health care, affordable housing, paying off the national debt, infrastructure, and a whole host of other “bigger problems” we have a country right now. Interest free student loans? Yes! Loan forgiveness with civic volunteering? Yes! Investment in trade-schools and better financial support? Yes! Free college tuition? No. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2019, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/50 "2019-06-17T16:49:42Z")
Let’s take [a close look at Bernie’s record](https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/bernard_sanders/400357). Notice the first chart, which ranks both his ideology and his “leadership.” He is the farthest left on the ideology scale of anyone in the senate, but ranks near the bottom in leadership. Now let’s look at his record in getting legislation through Congress. In all his time in the Senate, he’s sponsored [seven bills that passed Congress](https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/bernard_sanders/400357). Two of them were to rename post offices in his home state of Vermont, one of them was to designate March 4, 1991 as Vermont Bicentennial Day, and one of them was the probably important but not exactly earth-shattering [Granting the consent of Congress to the Vermont-New Hampshire Interstate Public Water Supply Compact](https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/104/hjres129) of March 1996. What has Bernie Sanders done to deserve your support? I said this in another thread. Bernie is a prophet, not a Messiah. Let him finish out his career in the Senate, fighting the good fight, and using his seniority to get a few tweaks into legislation that someone else is driving. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/51 "2019-06-17T16:53:42Z")
Personally, I very much favor Sanders’ views. My sole criticism of Obama was that he was too moderate, and that he pissed away too many opportunities trying to negotiate w/ the Repubs, when they had no interest in negotiation. I think some of Sanders’ positions unrealistic or immediately unattainable, but I value having a leader who champions visionary, long range thinking. And if the Repubs are going to reflexively oppose anything a Dem proposes, well, might as well set up the goalposts at an extreme, rather than adopting a reasonable position and presuming the other side will compromise. Not at all a fan of Bernie’s age. I appreciate that he appeals to young people, but at age 58, I’d definitely like to see more folk under the age of 60 assume the roles of party leaders. But I don’t see Sanders as electable at all. Too many people are stupid enough that the Socialist label will scare them off. I doubt he’d attract moderate Dems, and I doubt there are many - if any - Repubs who would cross over. I’m getting more and more resigned to another 4 years of Trump. The economy appears to be going great - which a great many folk will vote on. I think we need someone more charismatic and moderate to have any chance of defeating him. So, despite Biden’s age - and my lack of enthusiasm for him - I’m becoming more resigned to his candidacy. But I live in dependably blue IL. So my opinion really doesn’t matter. The only question is how does a particular candidate appeal to OH/MI/WI/Penn - and maybe a couple of other states that are in play. To tell the truth, there are simply too many candidates for me to really firm up my opinions. My preferences are for someone on the younger side, and/or non-white male. But I think it likely misogyny contributed to Hillary’s loss. So I’ll take another old white male Dem, over Trump. Just fear Biden is more electable than Bernie. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/52 "2019-06-17T16:54:00Z")
Also I think the OP’s post is part of the issue. The issue is framed by Bernie supporters that backing Sanders is the obvious default - so you have to say why you don’t support him. The way the question is framed seems to indicate some sort of incredulousness that people may not back him. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/53 "2019-06-17T16:56:28Z")
double post deleted ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/54 "2019-06-17T17:05:19Z")
I agree with most of Bernie’s policies, and will certainly vote for him if he should become the Democratic nominee. But I have concerns about his extremism. I think he has trouble compromising, and accepting baby steps in the right direction. He is, IMHO the embodiment of _Perfection is the enemy of the good - Voltaire._ He shames those who support “mere” improvements, and his rhetorical style supports the polarization of our government. I would love to see a revolution in our governmental policies and priorities, but it is necessary to have a President who is also capable of managing conflicting views. Someone who can work to repair our image with foreign governments would also be nice. I think Bernie has some of the same social ineptness that President Trump has. They both go overboard with harsh communication, they are just communicating different opinions. I have seen Bernie openly contemptuous of fellow politicians - that never leads to compromise. We need someone with tact, intellect, and negotiation skills. To my mind, Warren fits the bill much better than Sanders. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/55 "2019-06-17T17:12:33Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > Also I think the OP’s post is part of the issue. The issue is framed by Bernie supporters that backing Sanders is the obvious default - so you have to say why you don’t support him. The way the question is framed seems to indicate some sort of incredulousness that people may not back him. While I agree with the reasons listed in this thread for “not supporting” Bernie, I do think the OP raises a fair question. “This guy has policies that should make him popular here, but he’s not. Why is that?” He’s getting his answer. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/56 "2019-06-17T17:28:59Z")
Even though I’m the #1 Sanders hater on the SDMB, I guess I’m a bit late to the party. I’m still tired of debunking all the conspiracy theories in 2016. Every time Bernie, it was the fault of the DNC or someone else. Now, if Bernie wins a Saturday afternoon caucus over Easter weekend? That means he has proven he definitely needs to be the nominee. Losing a big state like the New York primary? ‘It was rigged!’ Even from his earliest days in congress, Bernie got the reputation for not playing well with others. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/04/06/the-case-against-bernie-sanders-according-to-barney-frank/?utm\_term=.5ca6d3e7848a](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/04/06/the-case-against-bernie-sanders-according-to-barney-frank/?utm_term=.5ca6d3e7848a) You can’t piss off those who are your likely allies. Hell, even Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is making gestures to work with Ted Cruz! ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/57 "2019-06-17T18:19:27Z")
> [@Barack\_Obama](#): > > He’s been consistent on nearly every position he’s held since entering office … In the post you first quoted me. I’m curious, **Barack Obama** : Are you aware that nothing you wrote in that long post had anything whatsoever to do with refuting any point I made in my post that you quoted? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/58 "2019-06-17T18:30:40Z")
If Bernie gets the nomination, he is going to have to spend too much time explaining the difference between democratic socialism and socialism, and nobody who isn’t a yellow dog Democrat is going to be listening after the second sentence. Decades in the Senate, and not even one bill that establishes any of the massive reforms and re-orgs he says he wants. LBJ was a powerful President, because he was used to getting legislation passed. Bernie - isn’t. Plus, he’s Jewish. Blacks are not going to turn out for him. And not that they will vote Trump instead - they won’t vote. If it’s Trump vs. Sanders, Trump will be re-elected. I don’t think he will get the nomination, and the BernieBros will complain about it just as much this time too. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/59 "2019-06-17T19:57:33Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > The question itself though is odd. The question in politics is not why _not_ support, but why to support, why is this person the best possible of the choices we have. This. We’ve got plenty of alternatives. Why him? > [@](#): > > **Barack Obama** why do you prefer him over Warren? Good question, given (a) their being pretty close ideologically, (b) Warren’s more productive track record, despite a much more recent entry into politics, and (c) Warren’s much more substantive policy proposals. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/60 "2019-06-17T20:06:16Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > Also I think the OP’s post is part of the issue. The issue is framed by Bernie supporters that backing Sanders is the obvious default - so you have to say why you don’t support him. The way the question is framed seems to indicate some sort of incredulousness that people may not back him. Additionally, by now they’ve been \*told \*the myriad reasons umpteen times over. If they still don’t understand or accept them, the umpteenth-and-one attempt isn’t going to get through either. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632.md?page=4)