In U.S., Socialist Presidential Candidates Least Appealing

[Beet]

Per Gallup

50% would not vote for "a socialist" even if their party nominated a "well-qualified" candidate for the presidency. Only 59% of Democrats say yes.

[Phony Moderate]

47% is significantly higher than the % knowing what socialism is, methinks.

[Lincoln Republican]

In other words, Cruz defeats Sanders.

[NeverAgain]

Stupid Socialists, lucky Bernie is a Democratic-Socialist.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

55% said Obama was a socialist. And did you know that Tony Blair's Labour party is affiliated with the Party of European Socialists and the Socialist International? That Tony Blair, hardcore socialist.

[Clark Kent]

Good. Socialism has no place in America, or anywhere for that matter.

[SWE]

Stupid Socialists, lucky Bernie is a Democratic-Socialist.

Since when?

[RINO Tom]

Stupid Socialists, lucky Bernie is a Democratic-Socialist.

Since when?

Whatever you want to call him, he's far to the left economically of the vast majority of American politicians, and he's undeniably out of the mainstream.

[Pyro]

47% is significantly higher than the % knowing what socialism is, methinks.

This. From my experience, most Americans don't know the difference between "liberal" and "socialist" other than both are insults used by the cast of Fox News.

[Eraserhead]

Bernie Sanders is no more a socialist than Barack Obama is.

[Clark Kent]

Good. Socialism has no place in America, or anywhere for that matter.

What makes you say that?

Because socialism takes away economic freedom and makes people dependent on the government, does not work and ruins the economies of nations where it is tried, serves as a prelude to communism, and is overall an evil ideology.

[Famous Mortimer]

Good. Socialism has no place in America, or anywhere for that matter.

What makes you say that?

Because socialism takes away economic freedom and makes people dependent on the government, does not work and ruins the economies of nations where it is tried, serves as a prelude to communism, and is overall an evil ideology.

I successfully guessed you were 16 based on this comment.

[Clark Kent]

Good. Socialism has no place in America, or anywhere for that matter.

What makes you say that?

Because socialism takes away economic freedom and makes people dependent on the government, does not work and ruins the economies of nations where it is tried, serves as a prelude to communism, and is overall an evil ideology.

I successfully guessed you were 16 based on this comment.

And what difference would that make?

[Vega]

America at large doesn't know what socialism is. They associate it with communism.

Actually, most of them probably inanely think like the poster above me. The average American would change their tune quite rapidly once said (Democratic) Socialist implemented his policies.

[Clark Kent]

America at large doesn't know what socialism is. They associate it with communism.

Actually, most of them probably inanely think like the poster above me. The average American would change their tune quite rapidly once said (Democratic) Socialist implemented his policies.

I know the difference between liberalism and socialism. I also know the "difference" between socialism and communism. The only difference between the two is that socialism pretends to still support freedom, while communism is at least honest about its totalitarianism. "Democratic socialism" and "social democracy" are oxymorons.

Even if Sanders doesn't intentionally try to eliminate the Constitution, if he becomes president, he will bankrupt the country and send us into a worse depression than 1929-1941, one we may never get out of.

[Lief 🗽]

America at large doesn't know what socialism is. They associate it with communism.

Actually, most of them probably inanely think like the poster above me. The average American would change their tune quite rapidly once said (Democratic) Socialist implemented his policies.

I know the difference between liberalism and socialism. I also know the "difference" between socialism and communism. The only difference between the two is that socialism pretends to still support freedom, while communism is at least honest about its totalitarianism. "Democratic socialism" and "social democracy" are oxymorons.

Even if Sanders doesn't intentionally try to eliminate the Constitution, if he becomes president, he will bankrupt the country and send us into a worse depression than 1929-1941, one we may never get out of.

good lord

[Mercenary]

Well I wouldn't vote for an actual socialist either.
Sanders though is just a left liberal, not a socialist. I find it a little odd though how someone would actually use the label to describe themselves when they aren't really socialist. Unless he is actually
 socialist and just realizes it isn't practical and settles for being a left liberal.

[RINO Tom]

Okay, I'm not agreeing with our Republican from CT or anything, but it is KIND of amusing to watch liberal Democrats do the awkward dance around defending socialism's benefits and adamantly denying any charges that they are at all like socialists.

[TJ in Oregon]

Not terribly surprising. I don't think most people know what democratic socialism is, and some of those Democrats would come home to Sanders in the end. But not all of them would. Torie notes correctly that ideology is often overrated on here, but there are limits. Sanders would get more than 59% of the Democrats' vote but he would not win a general election barring catastrophe.

[Phony Moderate]

I note that, for all the Republican bashing of Obama's socialism and of 'socialist' Europe, no objections were raised when Dubya was best mates with the self-described socialist Tony Blair.

[Rockefeller GOP]

I note that, for all the Republican bashing of Obama's socialism and of 'socialist' Europe, no objections were raised when Dubya was best mates with the self-described socialist Tony Blair.

Dude, you've become QUITE partisan lately.  Yes, it's just IMPOSSIBLE for Republicans to have a soft spot for a foreign leader who supported our President very loyally in foreign affairs.  Doesn't mean every Republican is then approving of all his views.

[YaBoyNY]

Good. Socialism has no place in America, or anywhere for that matter.

What makes you say that?

Because socialism takes away economic freedom and makes people dependent on the government, does not work and ruins the economies of nations where it is tried, serves as a prelude to communism, and is overall an evil ideology.

I successfully guessed you were 16 based on this comment.

And what difference would that make?

You'll think differently when you turn 18 and realize that the world really loves sh**tting on people who think like you do.

Unless, of course, you've got a silver spoon in hand.

[PJ]

economic freedom

This is not an actual concept.

[Clark Kent]

Good. Socialism has no place in America, or anywhere for that matter.

What makes you say that?

Because socialism takes away economic freedom and makes people dependent on the government, does not work and ruins the economies of nations where it is tried, serves as a prelude to communism, and is overall an evil ideology.

I successfully guessed you were 16 based on this comment.

And what difference would that make?

You'll think differently when you turn 18 and realize that the world really loves sh**tting on people who think like you do.

Unless, of course, you've got a silver spoon in hand.

Socialism is evil and I will never change my mind on that.

[Clark Kent]

economic freedom

This is not an actual concept.

Says the commie.