Watching the queue of recently-departed Democratic POTUS candidates lining up to endorse Joe Biden, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the Democratic party grandees have told the kids to get in line and support their preferred candidate.
This may look like horrible politics, but it will piss off Sanders supporters no end, and right now, the only two people who can energize young voters, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, are being pushed to the margins.
@gshevlin well I know where my vote is going tomorrow in Super Tuesday and it’s certainly not Biden. But at the same time, I think you’re right and I’m sad about it.
@catie @gshevlin
There's more of a case to be made that Warren is being pushed to the margins, which is odd because clearly the DNC feels that Bernie is there greater threat, and he should not get the nomination.
Bernie may be the most energizing of young voters right now, but they are unreliable, and not nearly enough for the Dems to win. They need the moderates, some of whom may have voted Trump last time. Bernie is far too left for those people.
Biden also locks up PA, and maybe MI, too.
@gshevlin
Agreed, and it makes no sense to me. Warren has the potential to draw support from the Bernie wing (no offense intended; just not sure what to call them) but it's just moderate enough for wider appeal. She's actually my favorite of those remaining (if we're talking hearts; not heads - see my other reply), but I'm not sure if the top of the ticket is where she does the most good right now.
I would like to see her in a cabinet position at least.
@catie @gshevlin
Dem voters need to start thinking with their heads and not their hearts.
I am no big fan of Biden. He definitely has problems. But put him on a ticket with Harris, Buttigeg, or even possibly Warren, and that's the best chance of winning.
Bernie at the top of the ticket may not only hand Trump a second term, he will hurt down-ballot races.
It doesn't matter how much his staunch supporters like him. They aren't the group that will make the difference in the election.
@voltronic @catie My biggest fears are that Biden is seen as Way Too Old by anybody under 35.
Also, when Bernie failed to gain the nomination in 2016, I had several of his supporters insist to me that they would vote for Trump (I never found out if they actually did).
In 2000 I had people tell me they were voting for Nader because Gore was GOP Lite (the opposite problem to Bernie of course, but thwarted supporters can be pretty nihilistic if the mood takes them). My ex definitely voted Nader.
@gshevlin @catie
Those people calling him Way Too Old are probably supporting someone else who is even older. I wonder who that might be?
All these people you are describing are idiots.
Nader is a good lesson in how a candidate like that affects a general election. Sadly, many current "young voters" were not there to see it or don't understand what happened.
@voltronic @catie I am aware of the irony of Bernie being supported by young people.
The thing is, he talks their language. They think "socialist" is a hilariously failed attempt at a smear, which says more about the people trying it (and nothing good), and they like his messages about healthcare.
It's not their ages, it's their level of cognitive ability.
Joe forgot the opening words to the declaration of independence.
Joe might be electable but he should not even be eligible.
@catie @gshevlin
Also, before anyone jumps in and says I'm implying that Bernie supporters don't matter...
The center (wherever that is right now) is what will be critical to this election. Trying to swing the pendulum from one extreme to another in one election cycle is totally unrealistic.
The DNC needs the moderate vote to win. If you can't see that, then you've abandoned reality.
Yep. Everyone needs to focus on PA, MI, and WI. There is zero chance of Bernie winning those states, not to mention the fact that Bernie is like Bizarro Trump.
Bernie doesn't really want what's best for the country. He's led by his ego and his ego has convinced himself that he's what's best for the country. He's not.
That said, I will still vote for him if he wins the nom, but I'm voting tomorrow in the hopes that I don't have to do that.
We saw what happened last time those states were not given attention.
Regarding the ego statement: I have a close friend who used to work for the man who would agree with you.
I will also vote for whoever the Dem candidate is, but then again I am not the critical voting bloc who needs courting either.
@H3athers @voltronic @gshevlin I think everyone has good points. Tomorrow, I’m voting Warren. She with the “I have a plan for that” thrills my nerdy, wonky, teacher, researcher heart. I love her enthusiasm and tireless energy for meeting people and listening to them. I love her pinkie swears with little girls. I also love that’s she’s a bitch who gets shit done. I’m of the opinion that centrism isn’t going to cut it when helping people and in the primaries I vote with my heart.
@voltronic @catie The party is ignoring Elizabeth Warren and hoping she will fade quietly away.