Although pegged as a "fringe" candidate, Sanders' views are surprisingly mainstream. It's

[Cal33]

the Corporate news media that are smearing him.

The link below gives a university professor's summary of some of his highly regarded views:

http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/more-and-more-americans-agree-bernie-sanders-and-not-just-those-who-identify-left

[brooklynite]

1. Although pegged as a "right-wing" candidate, Clinton's views are surprisingly mainstream. It's

the Sanders faithful who are smearing her.

[Cal33]

2. Hillary and/or her supporters started this aggressive trend first. Sanders and supporters

began to retaliate after a while. I remember during the first Dem. Primary debate,
Sanders even defended Clinton with his remark about being fed up of listening to
criticisms of her e-mail scandals. She appreciated his support, but never did she
return in kind. Dealing with her means dealing with a one-way street. She must
have all the advantages. Doesn't she realize that this sort of attitude in life can
only do her more harm than good in the long run? Apparently not!

[BobbyDrake]

3. Support for abstract ideas is not the same as support for a single concrete plan.

Sure, many Americans may agree with the issues that Sanders addresses, but that does not automatically translate into support for Sanders' specific proposals on those issues.

http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/4/14/11421744/bernie-sanders-tax-revolution

Two in three Sanders supporters don't want to pay more than $1,000, or at all, for universal health care

About 66 percent of Sanders supporters said they wouldn't be willing to pay more than an additional $1,000 in taxes for universal health care. This includes the 8 percent of Sanders supporters who aren't willing to pay anything at all.

[Cal33]

4. Do you happen to have the figures for Hillary supporters on this topic. It would be

interesting to compare them.

[BobbyDrake]

6. I gave you the link to the data. I'm not your Google. nt

[lumberjack_jeff]

5. What should be surprising is how the elite picks views are not mainstream.

The power they have over our ability to choose for rational self interest is quite impressive.

[Doctor_J]

7. Yes, Clinton is mainstream conservative (slightly to the right of average republican), and

Cruz and so forth are fringe right wing. Sanders views on most issues coincide with large numbers of Americans.

[Cal33]

8. Agreed. Clinton and Trump both show negative favorability ratings. Sanders is the only

candidate with a positive favorability rating.

[bettyellen]

9. It's true- he's very much like Hillary politically.... He's just weak on

Actual specific paths to achieve his proposals. He's not much of a wonk.

[Doctor_J]

10. He's not at all like Hillary politically

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=2088700

Plus he doesn't change his principles every time the wind changes.

[Cal33]

11. You've got her there, Doctor J, but she probably isn't aware of it, nor does she believe you.

[bigtree]

12. in other words

...he's as 'establishment' as the people he's smearing.