This conversation made me happy.
Neighborhood Gentleman: I saw on Maddow that Bernie Sanders is gaining momentum.
Me: Yes. He spoke in a town with a population of 240 and 300 people showed up.
Neighborhood Gentleman: I worry that he won't be able to beat the Republican in the general election. I think Hillary is our only chance.
Me: Well Bernie is polling better than all the Republicans.
Neighborhood Gentleman: Yes, but that's just because there are so many of them. That's not a valid comparison right now.
Me: I guess that's true, but if Hillary wins the primary and runs in the general election, a lot of liberal and progressive voters may just stay home. And all of the people who have had it with politics-as-usual will definitely stay home, like they have been cycle after cycle.
All the rabid republicans will come out in force while many liberals will vote for a third party candidate or just opt out. Some will "hold their nose" and vote for Hillary, but many won't.
But if Bernie wins the primary, that will inspire people. Democrats will vote for Bernie, and anti-establishment voters will vote for Bernie. People will vote who usually don't vote. If Bernie wins the primary, voter-turnout will be very high, and high voter turnout tends to favor the left. I think Bernie has the best chance of defeating the Republican.
Neighborhood Gentleman: I think you're right!
Me: ...so, let's make sure Bernie wins the primary.
= new reply since forum marked as read
which is fairly often, people always say that they like him BUT he can't win....
At which point I ask, why?
His "unelectability" is the only thing his opponents have. Letting people know the facts of the matter may make them think.
This is a conversation from reddit last night.
"Im going to keep saying this. Everyone on this sub has to at minimum get 10 people to like or want to vote for bernie."
"And its so easy! All you need to do is tell them that Bernie exists and they jump right on....
Everyone I talk to who is a supporter of hillary only support her because it's the only candidate they know about, and most of the time they aren't even enthusiastic to support her, as if it's a chore."
"I was in that boat, so I can see it. Most people only get their news and political updates through the major news outlets, and if those stations don't want someone on the ballot, they just ignore him/her. The same thing's happening with Rand Paul on a couple big stations. When you only ever hear about Hillary, and maybe about Warren, it becomes easy to see those as the only people who have a chance. It's kind of sad, but I think when people see through it, they really get excited at the idea of voting for someone that the big media companies don't want getting elected."
This is actually a very true statement. If he wins an early primary, people might just get the courage to vote for who they really want to.
We have to get any Democrat Senators or Representatives re-elected or elected to Congress. We don't want Bernie faced with a Republican Congress!!
I was recently completely shocked by what seemed like a willful irony-deficiency. I know the old days weren't perfect. I often served as moderator (and not just in the lounge) so I know there was conflict, but I did feel a bit of culture shock when I jumped back in.
But it's been so great to reconnect with old friends.
It's great to see you, my friend! 
