The anti-Bernie pundits would be more credible if they'd just say something like this:

[DanTex]

Yes, Bernie's right about policy. All of it. M4A is a great idea, and the whole $Trillions thing is dumb because the cost is actually lower than the cost of the current system. Also, college should be free, obviously, education shouldn't depend on being from a wealthy family. Bernie is the most pro-labor candidate in the field. His climate plan is as good or better than anyone's. He's got an amazingly consistent track record of supporting progressive policies despite the political winds. All the pundits talking about Venezuela and Central Park executions are embarrassing themselves. Also the smears that somehow only white dudes like him are totally wrong.

All that is true, and he deserves credit for bringing progressive policies into discussion and popularity. But he's too much of an electability risk, unfortunately, and we need to defeat Trump, no matter what.

That might actually connect with some progressives. Because at least it's honest about the policy, rather than using right-wing talking points to attack progressive ideas. But when people mash the electability argument together with all the other nonsense smears, then nobody is going to listen, their credibility is shot. And nobody is listening. Witness that as attacks on Bernie have ramped up, his poll numbers rose as well.

I don't believe the electability argument myself, I think his ability to drive enthusiasm and turnout make him more electable. But I do know some progressives who question that. But I don't know a single progressive who is going to be convinced by right-wing talking points that Bernie's policies aren't the way to go.

[Uncle Joe]

1. Kicked and recommended

Thanks for the thread DanTex.

[fleabiscuit]

2. Deaf ears. nt

[Squinch]

3. OR: Bernie hasn't gotten anything much done legislatively in 30 years, so there's not much risk

he will pass any of those things that the electorate fears.

BUT we need to win this or the Democracy is gone, so he's not the best candidate.

[Demsrule86]

11. That was at 13 years ago.

[Squinch]

12. In the Politifact article that comes from, it says that Bernie got an "effective"

score for TWO of his years in the House. TWO. From 1991 to 2006. Two of those years he was an effective House member. For the rest of those years he was below the benchmark score.

And in the Senate, he has passed legislation to name two post offices and get a COLA for Veterans in 2013. Those are the laws that he wrote that passed. Since 2006.

https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2016/mar/24/bernie-sanders/bernie-sanders-was-roll-call-amendment-king-1995-2/

[evertonfc]

4. We like Bernie

but know a Democratic Socialist can not win a GE. Unfortunately his own video and words will be used agianst him. He can't win in southeast and zero house or Senate candidates from middle America want him on top of ticket. Again, he's been defined over decades and big crowds and wild events won't change the fact that he will hurt the party moving forward. I think nationally, he is one of the most unelectable candidates I have seen in decades. The 700 million in paid media that awaits him in August will be devastating in portraying him as a socialist. The ads write themselves.

[gollygee]

5. His policies would be awesome but they won't pass

even if he were to be elected, which I find very unlikely.

M4A could be awesome, but it won't happen.
Some kind of plan for at least the first 2 years of college at least at community colleges would be amazing. I don't know if that'll happen anytime soon either.

I've become a realist.

[Dem2]

6. That's essentially my argument

I've got no issue with any of that. My only issues are his electability risk, well, and also the infuriating abrasiveness of a large number of his supporters who can be oddly hypocritical, yet not see it when it's pointed out in black and white.

[33taw]

7. I don't say it because I don't feel that way.

[Demsrule86]

9. I don't agree with M4A...and electability is the only thing that moves me.

Sanders doesn't have it in the General.

[Sloumeau]

10. Most of the Democrats that I know who do not support Senator Bernie Sanders...

seem to have little problem with his general ideas--they just don't think he can get many of them through Congress. Also, many of these Democrats don't have much of a problem with his being the nominee, except for the fact that they don't think that he can beat Donald Trump.

[fleabiscuit]

13. There is no way people in the United States will vote in a socialist. nt

[SDANation]

14. All those things sound great, but...

How do you pay for it? I mean you can only tax the rich so much? Where do you think the shortfall will land? On the middle class. So unless your idea is literally push moderates and independents into republican arms for the forseeable future a lot of his ideas are non starter at this time.

As far as electability, he will do will in the left bastions of this country but will lose the Midwest and rust belt states because of messaging from the right. It may not be true, but it will be Socialism vs a “growing” economy. We will
lose on the level of 1984. And trump will destroy what’s left with a “mandate”.

[abqtommy]

15. I didn't support Bernie in 2016 and I don't see anything that's changed here in 2020. I know I'm

not alone in this.

[Shanti Mama]

16. Perfect!

Thank you.

[Codeine]

17. My second paragraph would be quite different.

I don’t know if he’s electable. Nobody does. He seems to be doing well at the moment, so perhaps his electability isn’t as much of an issue as many believe.

I don’t want him nominated because I don’t believe he possesses the ability to govern. I don’t think he can form coalitions. His energy is entirely based on resentment and grudges, neither of which bode well for governance.

[Blue_Tires]

18. And the pro-Berners would be more credible if they

1. Didn't stay home or defect to Trump last time around, 2. Had one-tenth of the fire and rage against Trump that they have against so-called "establishment" Dems, and 3. Put their money where their mouth is when it comes to getting off their asses and working a campaign, at least in Virginia's elections...