Bernie Sanders SOARS: The Democratic Race Is CLOSER Than The Republicans’

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Sanders remains an underdog, but he keeps surging and Clinton keeps sinking. Sanders has won 15 primaries and caucuses compared to Clinton’s 20, and he’s virtually tied four others (Iowa, Massachusetts, Missouri and Illinois). This from an unknown candidate who started at single digits in early polls. His crowds keep growing. The turnout in Washington was “huge,” state officials reported, nearly at the unprecedented levels of 2008. And he’s done this in spite of a mainstream media that can’t cover his campaign without dismissing it. Sanders has now caught Clinton in the most recent poll of Democrats. He raised more money than she did in February (probably one reason the Clinton campaign didn’t blanche at sponsoring a $353,000-a-plate sit down with the Clooneys on April 15 in San Francisco. That number is not a misprint.)


What’s troublesome for Clinton is that she’s getting less popular as the campaign goes on. She’s now viewed unfavorably by over 50 percent of registered voters, the highest negatives – other than Donald Trump – since 1984 when they began asking the question. Voters have valued her experience and electability. But she’s had to walk away from many of her former views. And she continues to fare less well than Sanders in hypothetical face-offs with potential Republican candidates. Those polls are of questionable import, but they do suggest that electability may be a declining asset for the former secretary of state. Even as his candidacy gains traction, Sanders keeps spreading the word and rousing activists. A presidential campaign isn’t a movement. At best, an insurgent can issue a call to action, elevate alternatives, and infuse millions with a sense that there is an alternative. Sanders is doing just that, particularly with young voters who fill his rallies and caucuses. He’s raised a stunning $140 million from some 2 million donors, proving that a candidate needn’t depend on big money to be competitive. This is a big deal. Sanders has shown it can be done at the presidential level. Now, we’ll see insurgents testing out similar efforts in Senate and House races.


The Sanders campaign has also virtually invented what is called “distributed organizing.” His talented campaign team has learned how to benefit from activists that can and are organizing themselves, creating their own communities online and in neighborhoods. This is energy that will continue long after the campaign is over. Clinton operatives suggest Sanders should cool it, and stop challenging the secretary. She is trying to avoid a debate before the New York primary. Sanders is well justified to turn up the heat. He’s driven the debate, with Clinton adopting increasingly populist positions. He’s now beginning to challenge Clinton’s hawkish foreign policy. His speech on the Middle East showed remarkable courage and sense. He ran a moving ad in Hawaii featuring Hawaii veteran, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, former vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, arguing, “Bernie Sanders will defend our country and take the trillions of dollars that are spent on these interventionist, regime change, unnecessary wars and invest it here at home.”


Sanders still faces formidable challenges – including competing with Clinton in her home state of New York where she served as senator. But what’s clear is that he is still building. Wisconsin is next on April 5, with the Wyoming caucuses on the 9th. New York is on the 19th. Instead of continuing their 24/7 Trump fixation, the mainstream media would be well advised to cover the Sanders surge, not dismiss it, and put a bigger spotlight on the Democratic race.


cont'

http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/03/28/sanders-soars-democratic-race-closer-republicans

[Segami]

1. "...Clinton operatives suggest Sanders should cool it,..

".. and stop challenging the secretary. She is trying to avoid a debate before the New York primary. .."

You want Bernie to "cool it"?......ok, coming right up,...just for you....after my drink... ..or two,... and some corn,... and more drink.... ........

[Art_from_Ark]

2. I was talking about this primary with a fellow American here in Japan

He remarked that Hillary and her sometime-friend Trump might be colluding. His theory is that Trump's job was to clear out the weak Republican field, and then perhaps bow out or do token campaigning to let Hillary coast to the Presidency. But Bernie is throwing a wrench in that plan.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Trump has been thinking of running since 1988

Before the Clinton's came to the national scene

[Art_from_Ark]

4. Actually, Bill came on the national scene in 1988

when he nominated Michael Dukakis in a long, rambling speech at the Democratic National Convention.

[NWCorona]

6. I've heard that line of thinking before.

IMHO I think Trump believes that he will win.

Where are you in Japan? I loved my time there and would like to go back soon.

Good times!

[Art_from_Ark]

7. It's hard to put a finger on Trump

The guy has an ego as big as the Astrodome, but he's also close with the Clintons. And apparently he talked with one or both of the Clintons about a presidential run a few weeks before he officially announced.

Anyway, I'm in the Tokyo area. Host of the 2020 Summer Olympics.

[NWCorona]

11. Not that I partake to that theory but I did find this video funny

The relevant comment is towards the end.

Nice I spent some time in Denenchofu.

[Samantha]

14. He talked to Bill Clinton and asked him if he should run

Bill told him yes, if he wanted to run he absolutely should. Bill was probably chuckling to himself the whole time, thinking this would make things so easy for Hillary, if her opponent was the totally inexperienced Trump....

Sam

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8. Are Shenanigans at play?,...of course...

..But anyone watching Testosterone-Trump promote his caustic positions clearly will see a candidate who bows to no one. Would Trump pack up and submit his ego to losing or giving up his presidential quest to someone like Hillary as part of some harebrained scheme?....I just don't buy it at all,...

[Art_from_Ark]

9. But then again, he is close with the Clintons

It's not like they're mortal enemies or anything. And their daughters are close, too.

[Segami]

12. Meh,..thats true, but the chance of becoming POTUS

is an image soaked in power, wealth and control.

Trump & Hillary would enter a no-holds-barred cage match just to secure that title.....

[Art_from_Ark]

15. Of course, even no-holds-barred cage matches are fake

Put on purely to entertain their spectators.

[Segami]

16. LOL!....touchè!

[Betty Karlson]

13. Just had a very naughty thought:

Clinton operative: "Bernie, could you cool it, and stop challenging Mrs. Clinton?"

Bernie: "I'll look into it."

[RandySF]

5. This is a two-person race

Which, by the way, is not as close Obama and Clinton in 2008.

[KitSileya]

10. I see another one doesn't understand the difference between proportional and winner-takes-all

Not an uncommon phenomenon on that side of the primary, it seems.....