It's the very beginning of the presidential campaign and already people are predicting overwhelming defeat for Bernie Sanders if he should win the democratic nomination. ENOUGH already!
Leaving aside that it is early days yet,
leaving aside that we don't know the complete list of candidates on either side,
let's also stop trying to predict future behavior on the past.
Bernie is building a grassroots campaign. Elections are won by VOTES, not directly by money. What Bernie also understands is that winning is not simply about GOTV, but by speaking plainly and clearly about issues that MATTER and in proposing solutions, and being willing to fight for them, as opposed to simply talking about the need for solutions to be found. He is talking about building civic participation, not just asking people to go out and vote for a better future. In 2008 Obama was also very good at this--unfortunately, once in office he did not continue the same momentum. I believe Sanders would not make that mistake.
Bernie is talking about issues that are important to the average American. I agree with those who say that for the younger generation, the GOP has pretty well diluted the effect that the word "socialism" has. What can they say now? "We were only kidding when we called Obama a socialist--now we really mean it!"??
For me (and I'll admit to being of an age between Obama and Sanders), one very appealing aspect of Bernie is his calm demeanor and way of stating, "Well, I'll tell you what I think." And then he goes ahead and does it. He doesn't triangulate for the press, at least not in any way that is discernible to me, and I have listened to tens of hours of interviews and senate hearings in which he has spoken. And he has been around long enough to have made statements on the record on all the issues of the day that show him to be on the "right side of history" (a strange expression by the way!).
He is also very good at fielding questions from the press, even ones coming from openly dismissive reporters. He stays calm and focused on message, not revealing irritation even when provoked, spoken over, etc. Over time the contrast between his sincerity and the politicking of other candidates will become clearer and clearer.
Another issue which is bandied about is that his candidacy is good from the point of view of shifting the debate leftward, with comments about how Hilary will become a better CANDIDATE for it. Our ultimate goal is not to have a "better candidate" per se, but to find the candidate who has our best interests at heart and make that clear to the people. When I hear Hilary talk about women's issues, particularly at a forum of women, she is passionate, clear, committed, and entirely comfortable in her own skin. I feel I know exactly what position she will take on every issue concerning women. However, I don't feel that same comfort when other issues are in focus. When Bernie speaks about ANY issue, I feel I know and can trust that the position he is providing is, in fact, his true position--not one he has decided makes him sound more electable.
So, here's to the Presidential election of 2016: may the best future president win!