>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.


Yeah that's going to be hard. People in that area still support Trump when farm bankruptcy is up and the tariffs hurt them.

>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!!
>

That label plus the raising taxes rhetoric will give Bernie a fight he has to win.

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

I think his path is some crossing over and a big turnout.

>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.
>

Will a status quo fire up the base ?

>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.
>

Something should happen after Super Tuesday.

>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.
>

True but Biden, Bloomberg, Mayor Pete and Amy is not a better choice.