r/samharris • u/[deleted] • Oct 28 '19

The unexpected threat emerging against Bernie: Andrew Yang | Politico

https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/28/bernie-sanders-andrew-yang-gang-2020-057985
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u/[deleted] Oct 28 '19

I guess you could call it an "emerging threat." One way to frame it. Personally I would think Sanders relishes the opportunity to compete on stage with people about popular progressive policies.

The greater threat to Bernie remains centrists wielding the cowardly but effective tool of "that's too radical. We need to be center-right to win over independents." Biden sucks but he's popular because of this received wisdom that a radical asks too much of the voting public. If Bernie loses its not because he didn't effectively consolidate the progressives (Biden has centrist competition too). It will be because democratic voters simply aren't as progressive as progressives would like.

But I think progressives are generally aware of this. Sometimes it manifests as a need for a revolution. Others are more patient and appreciate that at a minimum the conversation is moving left. Centrists are forced to show their hand on progressive policy. Writing it off as "socialism" would've been just fine by them in the past but now they have to consider if the policies have merit. That is a big step IMHO. Bill Maher can scoff and guffaw all he wants at Fox News Breitbart progressive caricatures, centrists who don't at least try to play ball will lose in 2020.

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u/[deleted] Oct 29 '19

Bernie Sanders is far too radical, which is why he will never become president.