They don't want to cross over and be Democrats, but they are disgusted with how the Republicans are behaving today and they like Bernie and his message.

The United States is afflicted with hyper-partisanship. Most Americans are politically driven by nothing more than hatred toward the Other Side, and give little thought to policy.

Many astute observers have noted the the real divide in America is not "Democrat" vs. "Republican," or even "Liberal" vs. "Conservative," but instead is "Have" vs. "Have Not." Those who have everything have done a masterful job of keeping us fighting against one another so that we don't notice what they're doing.

It's good for ordinary working Americans to see each other without the partisan lenses. There is plenty of time for us to argue over our differences, but if we want to get our democracy functioning again we'll need to work together. It looks like Bernie has appeal that cuts across partisan boundaries, which Clinton does not have.

I have several Republican friends supporting Bernie. The way I've seen it, it starts with them seeing him as a genuine person and not a typical politician. That gets them to look at his views and one of two things happens. Either they find that they actually agree with him a lot when looking at the actual policies and not media labels, or they still disagree on the left stuff but still want to vote for him anyway because he is in fact genuine and everyone (the common people at least) across the political spectrum is tired of political speak and agrees with his desire to eliminate corruption.

Most Republicans don't agree with Bernie. No surprise there. But here's the (pleasant) surprise. Most Republicans I've talked to respect Bernie. They see him as an honest and decent person, and not the typical politician who bends the message to fit the moment.

And Bernie's courageous stand against the Iraq invasion resonates with everyone, left and right. As most will now admit, he was correct all along.

I hate to say it, but I doubt if Bernie will get the nomination. But he's still doing a great service to the country! He's showing everyone that honesty and principles still do mean something.

P.S. to a2liberal. I haven't been posting much lately. Thanks for helping me get out of my shell. But I guess Bernie deserves some of the credit too!

Except maybe the anti-bankster part. Probably thinking "At least he isn't bullshitting anyone."

some of them do. Maybe not genuine Republicans in the first place, but they were pushed there somehow...

But yes, others just like him for being honest

If Dems won't advocate policies that help working people, the Repubs promise them that they can keep their guns at least.

Bernie is going to get a lot of Republican support.

that Bernie's gun stance IS Reflective of the People he Works for in Vermont as a US Senator. That is what they sent him there For. To Represent what the Majority in VT want.
He fulfilled his promises to the constituency in VT.
Were we All that fortunate to get such a good return from those we elect and send to DC to represent Us in every state? Boy, what a different place America would be, in my view.

If he can get GOP votes in VT of course he's going to appeal to the silent and reasonable Republicans out there across the country who are just as appalled as the rest of us over the shenanigans Both sides are pulling. It isn't the run of the mill Dem or GOP..it's those who are the Senior, Longest Serving Corporate Shills/Celebrity Pols in Both Party's calling the shots and doing the most damage. The majority of the "peons" serving in DC are just being led around by their noses, doing what they're told....imo.

He is bringing us Together at the political level Instead of nurturing and keeping up the great divide, imo.

How can you possibly convince a republican who is mad at Wall Street and the big banks that voting for Hillary Clinton is any more productive than voting for Jeb Bush?

I have republican friends that are very enamored of Elizabeth Warren, to the point where they expressed interest in voting for a Democrat for the first time in years if she ran. Bernie's message will appeal to them.

says that he will vote for Sanders if we can get him past Clinton.