# 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:** 37
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/721 "2020-02-11T19:59:13Z")
> [@Damuri Ajashi](#): > > Give me reasons why you would not support Sanders as president.{/quote] > > I don’t support him as nominee. I’ll vote for him but I would prefer someone more electable. But if he is who we pick, I will salute. > > Stuff I disagree with him on: > > He wants to get rid of private health insurance. > > He supports the Green New Deal. > > His ideas of right to a living wage are untenable > > He wants to turn the social safety net into a hammock > > He is pandering to the gun control crowd with an assault weapons ban. > > He wants to cancel all student debt regardless of ability to pay. I can see your point on five of those, though I disagree. But is there any Democratic candidate who DOESN’T support an assault weapons ban? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/722 "2020-02-11T20:06:42Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > He wants to turn the social safety net into a hammock Fair warning - I intend to steal this at the first opportunity. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/723 "2020-02-11T23:11:32Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > I can see your point on five of those, though I disagree. But is there any Democratic candidate who DOESN’T support an assault weapons ban? It depends on how you define “ban”. A ban on sales- yes, I think all the major Dem candidates concur. A ban on possession and door to door confiscation- that is a outlier platform. Bernie has a odd and contradictory position on this? > **[Gun Safety | Bernie Sanders Official Website](https://berniesanders.com/issues/gun-safety/)** > > When we are in the White House, we will move aggressively to end the epidemic of gun violence in this country and pass the common sense gun safety legislation that the overwhelming majority of Americans want. \*Regulate assault weapons in the same way that we currently regulate fully automatic weapons — a system that essentially makes them unlawful to own. \* but then: _Ban the sale and distribution of assault weapons. Assault weapons are designed and sold as tools of war. There is absolutely no reason why these firearms should be sold to civilians._ > **[Bernie Can’t Keep His Position On Banning ‘Assault Weapons’ Straight](https://thefederalist.com/2019/11/14/bernie-sanders-cant-keep-his-position-on-banning-assault-weapons-straight/)** > > Sanders says confiscating existing AR-15s from their owners would be unconstitutional, but that prohibiting people from becoming AR-15 owners wouldn’t be. So,\* confiscation\* or no? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/724 "2020-02-12T10:17:19Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > > [@Barack\_Obama](#): > > > > Give me reasons why you would not support Sanders as president. > > He wants to turn the social safety net into a hammock. > [@Shodan](#): > > Fair warning - I intend to steal this at the first opportunity. There’s no point - the right have always seen the social safety net as a hammock, because that’s what it looks like when you look down on it. ---
**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:** [February 12, 2020, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/725 "2020-02-12T10:52:01Z")
Bernie’s revolution seems to be stalling out. In his neighboring state (how many people can reliably distinguish VT from NH on a map?), he got one-third the votes he did four years ago, the lowest vote percentage by any NH primary winner in history. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/726 "2020-02-12T13:19:56Z")
That’s an interesting way to describe a victory. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/727 "2020-02-12T13:32:42Z")
538 has Bernie as the front runner, with the only choice close as “no majority” (i.e. possible contested convention). It’s absolutely ridiculous to say he’s “stalling out”. It’d also be ridiculous to say he’s a shoe in, or is certain to win – but right now, he’s in the best position by far. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/728 "2020-02-12T13:39:32Z")
See no way Sanders beats Trump. He might win if Trump dies or quits the race. But even then I don’t think Sanders beats Pence or someone else like Rubio, Cruz, etc. If Trump does not run in Nov. the GOP might even pick a woman to run. They are not dumb enough to pick Palin but Nikki Haley would be a good pick. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/729 "2020-02-12T13:46:58Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > See no way Sanders beats Trump. He might win if Trump dies or quits the race. But even then I don’t think Sanders beats Pence or someone else like Rubio, Cruz, etc. If Trump does not run in Nov. the GOP might even pick a woman to run. They are not dumb enough to pick Palin but Nikki Haley would be a good pick. I’m unconvinced by this wild guess. We’ll see. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/730 "2020-02-12T13:48:18Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > 538 has Bernie as the front runner, with the only choice close as “no majority” (i.e. possible contested convention). It’s absolutely ridiculous to say he’s “stalling out”. It’d also be ridiculous to say he’s a shoe in, or is certain to win – but right now, he’s in the best position by far. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/GmBHwjoIFNM/maxresdefault.jpg "7 Ways The Media Sure Is Freaking Out About Bernie Sanders - SOME MORE NEWS") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmBHwjoIFNM&t=3s) The Seven Stages of Bernie Grief 1. Deny Bernie exists 2. Claim Bernie is unelectable 3. Claim Bernie’s popularity is bad 4. Claim Bernie’s ideas are dangerous 5. Claim Bernie doesn’t actually believe his ideas 6. ??? 7. Cycle back to Stage One. Deny Bernie exists. A great video showing how the narrative surrounding Sanders is filled with lies meant (presumably) to kill his candidacy. You’d probably enjoy it. The hypocrisy that some journalists are showing towards Sanders is near Trumpian. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/731 "2020-02-12T13:50:33Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > See no way Sanders beats Trump. He might win if Trump dies or quits the race. But even then I don’t think Sanders beats Pence or someone else like Rubio, Cruz, etc. If Trump does not run in Nov. the GOP might even pick a woman to run. They are not dumb enough to pick Palin but Nikki Haley would be a good pick. > **[2020 General Election: Trump vs. Sanders Polls | RealClearPolling](https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/president/general/2020/trump-vs-sanders)** > > Explore poll data on the 2020 General Election between Trump and Sanders. Gain insights into key trends and electoral dynamics. Most polls have him winning. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/732 "2020-02-12T14:00:01Z")
> "Quinnipiac - 2020 head to head matchups vs Trump: Bloomberg 51-42 Sanders 51-43 Biden 50-43 Klobuchar 49-43 Warren 48-44 Buttigieg 47-43" Still very early, and thus these don’t mean a whole lot. But there’s evidence that Sanders is a very strong potential GE candidate despite the conventional wisdom. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/733 "2020-02-12T14:49:59Z")
> [@BeepKillBeep](#): > > [2020 General Election: Trump vs. Sanders Polls | RealClearPolling](https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2020/president/us/general_election_trump_vs_sanders-6250.html) > > Most polls have him winning. And people thought Clinton was a lock to win last time. Let’s see the polls in October after Trump bashes the hell out of Sanders for 3 months. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/734 "2020-02-12T15:16:26Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > And people thought Clinton was a lock to win last time. > > Let’s see the polls in October after Trump bashes the hell out of Sanders for 3 months. I certainly didn’t claim Sanders was certain to win. In fact, I think Trump wins no matter who the Democrats put up. Sorry, America is lost. But it seems odd given the state of the various polls vis a vis different potential nominees to claim for some reason that there is “no way” Sanders can win. See “Stage 2” in the video I linked. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/735 "2020-02-12T17:39:19Z")
The ability of certain people to insist that their preconceived notions are more reliable than actual data is quite remarkable. ---
**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:** [February 13, 2020, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/736 "2020-02-13T00:53:57Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > The ability of certain people to insist that their preconceived notions are more reliable than actual data is quite remarkable. Knowing your candidate preference, this is a very amusing comment! Bernie is supposed to win by sweeping young voters into the process, but turnout from NH voters under 30 was 50% higher in 2016! He’s got his diehards, but the vast majority of Democrats are not interested. ---
**Author:** ![Tigers2B1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc29f/32.png) [@Tigers2B1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tigers2B1)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/737 "2020-02-13T03:00:36Z")
#FireChuckTodd ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/738 "2020-02-13T03:31:07Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Knowing your candidate preference, this is a very amusing comment! Bernie is supposed to win by sweeping young voters into the process, but turnout from NH voters under 30 was 50% higher in 2016! He’s got his diehards, but the vast majority of Democrats are not interested. If you ask me why I think Bernie beats Trump, I will cite polls showing that Bernie beats Trump. I will not spin some fantasy narrative explaining why it is absolutely certain that those polls will move in one way, and not the other, over the course of the general election campaign. And last I looked, Bernie still has more Democrats who are considering voting for him than any other candidate does, at 45%. So I guess your statement is true for certain values of “vast”, but it’s even more true wrt everyone else. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/739 "2020-02-13T03:38:23Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > …Let’s see the polls in October after Trump bashes the hell out of Sanders for 3 months. I’m afraid that’s right (and much as I dislike Bernie, I would vote for him in a nanosecond over the incumbent). If he gets the nomination, we’re going to see many millions of dollars’ worth of GOP and “independent” attack ads about his honeymoon in Soviet Moscow, his early membership in a Trotskyite organization, his praise for the Sandinistas, his past harsh (and sometimes insulting) criticism of the Democratic Party, his calls to drastically reduce US military spending, etc. It will not be pretty, and it will probably be (electorally) lethal. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/740 "2020-02-13T05:17:44Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I’m afraid that’s right (and much as I dislike Bernie, I would vote for him in a nanosecond over the incumbent). If he gets the nomination, we’re going to see many millions of dollars’ worth of GOP and “independent” attack ads about his honeymoon in Soviet Moscow, his early membership in a Trotskyite organization, his praise for the Sandinistas, his past harsh (and sometimes insulting) criticism of the Democratic Party, his calls to drastically reduce US military spending, etc. > > It will not be pretty, and it will probably be (electorally) lethal. People over 50 remember the Cold War. They also don’t tweet, they VOTE. Even if someone is sickened by Trump, they could just stay home with Bernie as the alternative. And I don’t give a fuck about head to head polls right now. Even if they show Pete winning 80-20 over Trump, I’d dismiss it in a heartbeat. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632.md?page=36) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632.md?page=38)