Bernie Sanders remains one of Americas most popular politicians
Too bad he'll be too old to run again in 2020. Sigh....
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2017/03/15/bernie-sanders-remains-one-of-americas-most-popular-politicians/?utm_term=.b67cb1bd1a60
A fascinating new survey from Fox News asked Americans their opinions of a number of political leaders and politically relevant organizations. No elected official included in the survey had a larger net favorability — overall favorable views minus unfavorable ones — than Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), continuing Sanders’s strong showing in such polls.
Somewhat surprisingly, the second-highest net favorability was held by Planned Parenthood. Part of this is probably because the organization enjoys strong partisan support, and has in polls in the past. Had the NRA been included, it, too, probably would have been highly popular, thanks to a push from Republicans.
Besides Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Vice President Pence were the most popular politicians on net. Notice that the embattled Affordable Care Act is better viewed on net than President Trump and most of the other Republicans included in the poll.
= new reply since forum marked as read
And President Obama 
like claiming quotes are not true, despite being told where to find them. Would you like someone to help you figure out how to do simple searches? Democrats are skilled at this, and we have no problem instructing those who don't seem to have grasped some basic research skills.
Do you require assistance in discovering how one confirms truth and facts on their own without demanding others do that for them, as our dear friends the CONS flailing in arguments often do?
I'm sure any of the Dems on this site would be more than happy to help you out.
Just say the word
You want me to somehow prove I am a Democrat? To you? On a public board?
I thought DU was where people come for intelligent conversation... with above average intelligence...
Boy, was I wrong...
... is that you abandon this sub-thread. You're being egged-on and "baited" into posting something that could run afoul of the rules.
Don't let them get you riled-up or frustrated or angry. That's when you're most susceptible and at risk of rule-breaking.
It's a Fox poll ... I'm suspicious of it and the motives of the WP "analyst".
"
I'm sorry, but I'll refrain from taking your bait wanting me to discuss events from the primaries in 2016.)" You wrote it and it's a lie. Enjoy the rest of your day.
...that I'm a liar. So, if you want to talk about Donna Brazille that's fine. I won't take the bait and engage in primary 2016 rehashing and finger pointing. No need to get snippy or angry with me. Sometimes I miss the snares, sometimes I see them. I saw this one. It's no big deal, I think you're overreacting.
So, okay, you enjoy the rest of your day too, Tiger! 
with me for just those attributes!
... than there are of the middle-of-the-road and first-time voters, this might be a good plan. But there aren't. People who say such things are flattering themselves and inflating their numbers or sense of importance. Don't get me wrong... I'm not suggesting that subset of people aren't important at all (of course they are! Everyone is important, right?) Instead, I'm pointing out that they aren't more important and their lower numbers do not justify alienating a larger pool of potential members.
But it's clear for me to see that there are some here who are among that subset who remain disenchanted with the Democratic Party and derive a great deal of DELIGHT whenever Bernie slams and smears the party with his public declarations (such as how the party is "intellectually bankrupt", or some such.)
That subset ENJOYS hearing it and that's why they defend Bernie's "methods". His negative comments about the party is a continual validation of the things they still believe and it fans the flames of whatever inconsolable dissatisfaction they still have with the party. But, as happy as it makes them... and as satisfying as it may be to continually hear... it interferes and prevents him from fulfilling his mission of "Outreach". It continues to emphasize the division, in my opinion. Bernie's negativity does nothing to console or build bridges or to find common ground, it seems to me.
Base on my observations, his "target" audience loves it. For that specific groups, his negative words are a public "justification" and "validation" of all their unexpressed anger and pent-up outrage. It's a continual thorn in the side of the party. I imagine for them it's something to be viewed as great entertainment, and every sour word spoken about the party makes those guys grin and pump their fists in the air.
But, at some point, calmer heads will hopefully prevail. Eventually, I hope, they'll set aside whatever pleasure and enjoyment they're getting from this and do something ELSE that's better for the party. (Assuming that they're actually willing to give up their selfish pursuits and made rational decisions that benefit the party... and therefore put the party in a better position to defeat the GOP.)
I don't see the long-term benefit of continually needling the party and it's loyal members in that way. In my opinion, it's a flawed strategy (assuming that an actual forward-looking strategy is in the mix at all). Basically, it's just not a good return on investment. Sure, that are some malcontents to appease and coddle, but there are fewer of them, and they're fickle and unreliable. On the optimistic side, there are more MOTR and LOC voters to gain by taking a positive approach ... and this is a much more realistic way to pursue long-term growth and stability.
I guess everyone has different priorities. Personally, I believe the Party's interests are more important than my own "needs" or "vanities". I'll always put the Democratic Party first. I'm a LOYAL Democrat who has NEVER entertained the possibility of leaving the party to "send a message".
Any message that I have for our party can be best heard when calmly spoken from inside, not angrily shouted from outside.
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Hello, Alerter! This post contains my opinions about the best way to attract large amounts of NEW members to the Democratic party compared to continuing to soothe the hurt feelings of a small number of disaffected people. It doesn't smear anyone, it expresses my belief that Bernie is making a mistake and that our party needs someone in that "Outreach" role who has a better attitude about the party. No politician or group is being smeared. This concerns the activities in 2017, and has nothing to do with the primary.
No. I'm not going to discuss or analyze the primary with you. When it comes to Bernie, I'll limit my words to current events only, thank you very much. (That's a rather obvious snare that I choose to avoid. Sorry. Better luck next time.)
so that they can go on the offensive about how "unfair" I'm being and that he "just wants to help". I think we can agree that he's not a "cheerleader" so it's fair to say that he's not the voice that's needed in the goals of the "Outreach" mission.
approach. It's pretty obvious that he has no interest in actually being serious about anything other than stroking the egos of the type I've mentioned previously.
It's not about me. Stop projecting. It's one thing to be all-inclusive... it's quite another to intentionally drive people away with negativity... but there are some people who've criticized and nagged for so long, that's all they know how to do any more. Do do otherwise would seem "unnatural" to them and would be outside of their comfort zone.
We need someone who DOES feel natural as a "cheerleader" and who is comfortable in that "Outreach" role and mission.
And, FYI, yes... I'm able to detect the contempt and sarcasm in your choice of the word "cheerleader".
but everytime I hear the whole shtick that the "DNC" voted for Hillary and ignored who "the people" wanted, it's as though I .. and many who look like me -- are invisible.
We're spectres, no one saw us support HRC during the primaries, even though we did and we were there....
You'll be in for rude awakenings in 2018 and 2020.
Jobs and economic insecurity are the reality. PA, MI and WI voters believed Drumpf over Hillary, whereas Bernie carried those states. Voters don't give a shit about Russia; they care about jobs, mortgages, health care, college tuition, retirement, etc. Sad, indeed.
"Russia."
Oh, dear, thanks for that.
It's almost as though some people are more interested in rehashing the primaries than joining Bernie in the resistance.
I must have missed where someone asked you to do anything of the sort. Can you point me to the post? I'll be more than happy to explain that you have the right to complain about Bernie in every single positive thread about him if you think that's productive.
If people want to clutch their pearls and hyperventilate every time someone criticizes the party that's their prerogative. Personally I have better things to do than complain about Bernie - I prefer to follow his lead and focus on fighting Republicans but that's me.
Last edited Sun Mar 19, 2017, 05:01 AM - Edit history (1)
In every positive thread about Bernie there will always be some who do their best to minimize whatever good thing he said or did.
"Oh so what, he cured cancer. BFD, he didn't discover a way for us to live forever. Besides he's not a Democrat so it doesn't count."
They are both hilarious and predictable.
Or perhaps they're hilarious because they are so predictable.
I knew I recognized that demeanor from somewhere...
That's it exactly! Given everything that's happened and in consideration of all the facts, it's pretty obvious that JPR wasn't just a harmless (yet annoying) collection of frustrated but well-meaning emoprog malcontents. I think you've hit the nail squarely on the head with that one, and you've chosen the perfect word to characterize it.
...so its virtually impossible to gauge the % of republicans, Democrats, or independents.
Here is a breakdown of the affiliation in the states that actually do ask for affiliation. I think some can't be accurate though (i.e., Arkansas!)
I just read Hillary is going to join him as well, the more the merrier as far as I'm concerned. Time for everyone to come out of the woods and unite.
Perhaps you can explain it to me with some of them there fancy book words.
How is the fact that Planned Parenthood, the ACA and Bernie Sanders are viewed favourably in this survey cause for concern? Why does it seem to upset some people here so much? I am truly befuddled by the responses here.
You seem to be hung up on the difference between popularity and favorability for some strange reason.
You are aware that Bernie has been the most popular senator for quite some time, right?
It's not like this is news.
Facts are hard.
I like honest politicians who tell us the truth instead of mindlessly cheerleading for a team. Bernie is enormously positive when it counts but he's also not afraid to criticize when he thinks it's necessary. I don't need my leaders to sugar coat things.
And he's been bringing people together to resist Trump since last year. I don't know of any senator who's been more actively involved in the resistance.
Phew, nothing brings out the claws more than favorable news re: one Bernard Sanders. They should be happy: Obamacare beat out Drumpf and Paul "Kegger" Ryan!
without PA, MI or WI. Are some really believing that Texas will "go blue" by then?! 
