It's a poll of South Carolinian Democrats. A subset that is, in fact, more representative of Democrats than you'll find in IA, NH and some other states. Most don't follow politics closely, however. A large percentage of the electorate hasn't even heard of Sanders much less know anything about his views (or how they compare and contrast with Clinton's). Is Sanders more progressive with policy positions that are more likely to help persons of color, women, persons with disabilities, and so on? Of course. But half of the black folks in SC said they don't know enough about Sanders to make a judgment.
But Clinton is a big name, a brand name (and her campaign is taking the whole brand thing to a new level). Perception and money rules the day. And it doesn't matter that poll after poll shows that a large majority of Americans are closer to Sanders than to Clinton ideologically. Because most don't realize that they're closer to Sanders ideologically. Again, a massive number of people (25% of registered voters, according to a CNN poll) haven't so much as heard of Sanders. On top of that, Corporate America isn't going to allow someone like Sanders to become POTUS. I know Sanders supporters hate to hear this, but Sanders has almost no chance at winning the nomination.
Sanders himself said, "no matter who is elected to be president, that person will not be able to address the enormous problems facing the working families of our country. They will not be able to suceed becuase the power of corporate America, the power of Wall Street, the power of campaign donors is so great that no president alone can stand up to them. That is the truth. People may be uncomfortable about hearing it, but that is the reality. And that is why what this campaign is about is saying loudly and clearly: It is not just about electing Bernie Sanders for president, it is about creating a grassroots political movement in this country."
Now, he isn't outright saying he can't get nominated and elected (as that would essentially end his campaign on the spot), but he is outright saying that he "will not be able to succeed" if elected. His campaign is all about, as he said, "creating a grassroots political movement" that can make it so that one day someone such as Sanders or Warren or Jill Stein *can* get elected and *can* succeed once in office.
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