The Five Nearly Impossible Challenges For Bernie Sanders And His Supporters
Based strictly upon his agenda, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) would be a groundbreaking president, and in a general vote-your-conscience sense, he’s definitely worthy of support from the activist left. Here are just a few of the reasons why: he supports single-payer healthcare; he supports higher tax rates on the wealthiest one percent, especially when it comes to paying for wars; he’d prioritize global warming as the number one crisis of our time; and he’s arguably the most vocal supporter of the middle class since FDR. In many ways, Sanders is a dream candidate…
…On paper.
This is the big “but.” Supporting Sanders for the Democratic nomination is sort of like ordering a new-fangled As-Seen-On-TV exercise contraption. Making a conscious decision to get into better shape is admirable. However, there are about a ten thousand subsequent steps that need to occur after handing over your credit card number. Either you’ll do all of the impossibly necessary work to look like the fitness models in the infomercial, or you’ll have a medieval clothes rack festooning the corner of your bedroom until the big yard sale.
Likewise, there are five impossible challenges facing Sanders and his people.
1) Raising money. Evidently, Sanders raised over a million dollars immediately after his announcement, with the average donation not exceeding $43. That’s significant and respectable. The question is whether he has the continuously generous donors to outspend not just Hillary Clinton, but the other potential contenders including the John Edwards of this election, Martin O’Malley, who’s getting ready to announce soon. In order to do so, will Sanders accept support from big-money donors and various 501(c)3 organizations, along with the accompanying dark money? And how will his supporters take the news? It’ll be impossible for Sanders to make a serious dent in the delegate count without going there.
2) Calibrating expectations. On Sunday’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos, Sanders made it clear that we shouldn’t underestimate his chances, given his track record of victories so far. Frankly, however, I don’t think he seriously, deep down, expects to win. Historically, candidates like Sanders (see also Dennis Kucinich, Ron Paul, Al Sharpton, Mike Gravel and even Ross Perot) never really believe they can win.
If that’s the case… CONTINUE READING
Copyright 2015 Liberaland
By: Bob Cesca
Bob Cesca is the managing editor at The Daily Banter (www.thedailybanter.com) and a Huffington Post contributor since 2005. He's worked in journalism since 1988 as a print writer/editor, a radio news anchor, a digital media columnist/editor, a book author and blogger. He's the co-host of the Bubble Genius Bob & Chez Show podcast and a Thursday regular on the syndicated Stephanie Miller Show. He's appeared on numerous other radio shows including the John Phillips Show and Geraldo Rivera Show in Los Angeles. Bob has been a commentator/analyst on the BBC (TV and radio), MSNBC, Current TV, CNN and Sky News. Following him on Twitter: @bobcesca_go
7 responses to The Five Nearly Impossible Challenges For Bernie Sanders And His Supporters
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Budda May 4th, 2015 at 08:46
All true…however, I think he brings fresh ideas and an honesty to the campaign that is truly needed.
Dwendt44 May 4th, 2015 at 12:52
And he may well push Hillary to the left a bit.
oldfart May 4th, 2015 at 10:33
If either Bernie or Hillary wins there’s still a republican dominated senate and house.
The Democratic party has to not only win the White House but make a serious dent in both houses in order to have a crack at getting this country moving forward. Corporate injection will be necessary for either candidate regardless of a populist approach to wooing voters and their hard earned money. Both Bernie and Hillary know this. Finding the grand bargain with achievable goals, not just the same old worn out platitudes, is what the Democratic party needs to do and it ought to begin with pointing out what this country would look like with republicans in complete control, THAT should scare the hell out of everybody in the party.
Dwendt44 May 4th, 2015 at 12:52
Chances are very good that Democrats will take back the Senate in ’16. Gaining seats in the House may well happen as well though becoming the majority, with all the gerrymandering, is a reach.
rg9rts May 4th, 2015 at 17:36
1/3 senate is up and the entire house is up for reelection….can’t use last weeks news to predict the future
robert May 4th, 2015 at 23:03
unfortunately nobody could continue in the debates in the last election 4 yrs ago without having a billion in the bank ( tv and advertising money ) Hillary and maybe 2 others might squeak by in name only. It would be anything short of a miracle if others are still around to see a presidential nomination.
jstsmlbrlcnsrvtvguy May 5th, 2015 at 14:50
He’s got my full support.