2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: The reason for such venom at Bernie and his supporters from HRC fans [View all]Armstead
(47,803 posts)I've been an admirer of his since the 1990's, because of his integrity and as one of the few people in politics that was honestly eaising issues and addressing the problems that were avoidable and needed to be dealt with then to prevent worse problems down the road-- but which we ignored and have allowed to grow much worse.
And, as far as "electability" the fact that people in Vermont (where people know their candidates on a more personal level than a larger state) keep electing and reelecting the guy by huge margins, says something. (And Vermont is not Mars.)
But I can see his limitations in terms of packaging. He doesn't have that light touch. And people tend to gravitate to the politician who tells them "Everything's great. We just need a few tweaks" than the person who tells you there's a serious problem that has to be fixed....
It's like a car that needs a major valve job. People are going to "feel better" about a mechanic who tells you that you just need an oil change, than the one who accurately diagnoses the engine and urges you to make the repairs.... When the engine seizes down the road, they may feel differently, or they may not make the connection between the reassuring mechanic and the damage they caused or allowed to happen.
IMO, people are now realizing the vehicle is not running well. The current election is a choice between going back to the reassuring but slipshod mechanic for another quay of oil, or listening to the guy who warned you to fix the engine earlier.
http://robertreich.org/post/132363519655
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251764150
But, Clinton also has her liabilities, in terms of public perception. Sure she has a core of loyal followers, and others who see her as the path of least resistance, the "safe bet" to beat the GOP.
But she too has a limited appeal beyond that, especially when it comes to the segment of the population beyond Democratic partisans and progressives worried about the GOP. She tends to do better when she on the periphery, where her positive attributes are visible, but she's not under close scrutiny or exposed constantly. She's had a good month, but Clinton fatigue may settle in again -- even if it's after the nomination.