I just don't see that Bernie's progressive platform will gain traction against a red leaning electoral college that seems to like Trump's policies and economy. I also think foreign interference is a powerful factor.

I think it's entirely possible Trump could gain more electoral votes.

I think there are *many* people in this country who would rather vote for Trump than a Democratic Socialist who wants people to have free things.

Do I agree with that characterization of Bernie? Absolutely not.

However, I think Bernie will be a polarizing referendum on the *Democratic party* that has been under fire for the last for years in conservative quarters of the country. All of this as Trump's favorability is *rising* in the aftermath of impeachment!!

If someone can show me the Bernie path to victory, I'm open to hearing it.

A more moderate, status quo, candidate gives Trump tougher competition. Republicans and Independents, like Clint Eastwood, who today, expressed a desire for an alternative *can* be swayed if given the right candidate packaging. Bernie is a horror show for those people.

I think the candidate field, as is, is a lot like 2016.

Bernie, like Trump, has a dedicated base. Like Trump, he may not find a challenger because the moderates are playing politics that keep an alternative candidate vote split. If the moderate Dems consolidate their vote block by dropping out, then there may be more of a race.

Dems like me might vote for whoever the nominee is, but we shouldn't assume that the rest of the electorate is that through with Trump to follow that same logic.