Bernie Sanders vs Jeb Bush (and other GOP candidates)

[WVdemocrat]

Could go any number of ways. Like Sanders chances to turn out more disengaged voters than he scares off swing voters against another Bush. I'd bet on Sanders to win.

This. Bernie Sanders could inspire people who have been discouraged by ineffective government.

Who's another Bush going to inspire?

[WVdemocrat]

Could go any number of ways. Like Sanders chances to turn out more disengaged voters than he scares off swing voters against another Bush. I'd bet on Sanders to win.

This. Bernie Sanders could inspire people who have been discouraged by ineffective government.

Who's another Bush going to inspire?

So you think a relatively unknown (until recently) Senator from Vermont who has been in Washington for nearly 25 years can really hit the ineffective government card hard, but not a governor of a large state who turned things around and fixed inefficient systems for the better?

What matters is policy. Sanders talks about reviving the middle class and expanding opportunity, while Bush is a typical "business as usual" politician. And not to mention, he's a Bush.

His brother isn't exactly the most popular guy in the world.

[WVdemocrat]

How exactly is an old white man who has spent decades as a Washington insider going to appeal to disaffected voters?

Let alone when you toss in the fact that he's a socialist, Sanders would be screwed either way.

It's all about policy. Bernie talks of radical change, Bush talks of the status quo. That type of reformist rhetoric is appealing.

But, you're right, Bernie would immediately be on the defensive. Obviously. However, the debates would be to his advantage. He is a very good debater. And so, he could present his policies in a down-to-earth manner as opposed to the red baiting in Bush's attack ads.

All I'm saying is that campaigns are unpredictable, complex things. Who knows what could happen during the campaign. It's anybody's guess.

[WVdemocrat]

A socialist will not be perceived as a moderate by American voters.

Not clear what this has to do with his electability but ok

It's in response to those who think that Sanders can win over undecided or disaffected voters.

Economic populism is alive and well in America. If by "disaffected" voters you mean moderate centrist swing voters, then that's not what I meant at all.

I mean the kind of people who have really given up hope in the political system. The kind of people who are jaded and cynical about government. Those are the kinds of people I think Sanders could appeal to. Nobody can say Bernie Sanders would be a "business as usual" president.