This old campaign ad from 1971 sheds a lot of light on Bernie Sanders's appeal

[kpete]

Politico's Gabriel Debenedetti posted this old Yale Daily News ad for George McGovern for the factoid that Ben Carson was a McGovern supporter back in the day. But what I think is really interesting about it is the light it sheds on Bernie Sanders:



This is a great ad, and it would apply pretty much word for word to Sanders. It's devastating because it simply recasts the candidate's weaknesses as strengths and asks us to imagine a different, better world in which leading public opinion was a good thing and cashing checks from wealthy interests was a bad thing.

Arguments like this powered McGovern to the nomination where he, of course, lost in a landslide — because it turns out that raising money and placating interest groups and trimming your sails to stay in line with public opinion are all useful political skills.

MORE:
http://www.vox.com/2015/9/14/9323459/mcgovern-sanders




1972 - I proudly cast my first vote For McGovern
I wanted PEACE
I still do,
kp


h/t to mahatmakanejeeves (for having my back this a.m.)

[peacebird]

1. The difference, I think, is the ideas Bernie is promoting are very popular with people

So much so that now even Hillary is spouting the same type of populist stuff. Even TRUMP is touting the populist message.

So the question becomes more - who does the public trust to deliver.

[azmom]

2. That's a no brainier. How about

Trusting the only guy that is being funded by the populace?

[book_worm]

3. McGovern was a great man

and should have won, but didn't win because he was labeled an extremist of the left. I hope that if Bernie is the nominee that won't happen to him.

[CharlotteVale]

4. I cast my first vote for McGovern too. And Bernie will

be the second candidate since then, out of all I've voted for, who I've felt is unequivocally on my side.