Sanders: My Supporters Aren't 'Registered Dems,' Just 'Ordinary People' (Meet the Press)

[Playinghardball]

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said on Sunday that the tens of thousands of people who turn out to his rallies aren't "registered Democrats," just "ordinary people" — and that's one of his main advantages in the race.

"When I speak to 28,000 people in Portland, Oregon, and 27,000 people in Los Angeles, the vast majority of those people, they're not, quote, unquote, 'registered Democrats.' They are ordinary people who are sick and tired of politics as usual," he said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Sanders argued that his independent status and broad appeal could be an asset if he wins the Democratic nomination, as he'd turn around "abysmal" Democratic turnout.

"One of the real advantages, I think, of me winning the Democratic primary, is that we can get a lot of young people, a lot of working people involved in the political process, getting them out to vote in a way that establishment politicians can't," he said.

"Democrats are losing because voter turnout is abysmal. I think we can change that."

More here: http://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/bernie-sanders-im-talking-about-life-or-death-issues-n410686

[Demeter]

1. I think so, too! Go Bernie!

[Live and Learn]

2. He's got a lot of us 'registered Democrats' that are sick and tired of politics as usual too. nt

[Dustlawyer]

18. For sure! I "unregistered" when corporate money and the policy that followed went against my

interests! The official Democratic Party stopped being a party for the people and became a subsidiary of Wall Street, the MIC, oil companies... Corporations are NOT PEOPLE my friend!

[sabrina 1]

25. That's true, but I believe he was trying to show that no one can win with just the base of either

party. Which is even less likely now that both parties have lost so many registered voters over the past number of years.

The largest registered voting bloc now is the Independent vote. An even larger demographic, which Bernie and his supporters are hoping to re-engage or engage for the first time are non-voters.

That is why the polls we see most of the time are not reflecting his growing support, and won't especially in open primary states.

Just ordinary people is who he is talking to. And they are listening in larger and larger numbers.

[Live and Learn]

26. Very true. I know many uregistered Republicans and Independents that are now supporting Bernie. nt

[merrily]

3. Whoa. Perhaps ALL of his supporters are not registered Dems, but many of them are.

Also, as I keep posting, over half of registered voters in Massachusetts are registered "unenrolled," yet the entire Massachusetts delegation is Democratic and the only Republican Presidents who got Massachusetts electoral votes in recent memory are Eisenhower and Reagan. So, registration alone does not tell the entire story.

Democrats for Bernie 2016!

[libdem4life]

4. This will be my first happy vote, since George McGovern...my first vote.

I think the technology/social media and the portability of cell phones have had a tremendous impact, and Bernie has used it masterfully. Candidates can no longer speak out of numerous "side of their mouth".

The political process is having to reinvent itself. I remember when Congressman Foley got caught sexting...he thought that if he deleted it, it was gone. Now, Hillary's emails and server issues are causing her political misery.

[merrily]

5. i was over the moon in 2008. Then I learned about the DLC for the first time in my life.

[libdem4life]

6. I voted, but politically sat that one out.

I would love to have a woman president, but will not vote gender...ever.

Maybe it's almost time to start some speculation about a Sanders running mate before too long. Before Bernie ran, I was impressed by Julian Castro from Texas, now Director of HUD, and could see him with Hillary.

[merrily]

8. I don't know. I think it's more likely that he would have been Hillary's running mate, if she were

to win the nomination. IMO, that's why he got appointed to HUD, to give him a more national presence. If it's any indication at all, his brother is a member of the Congressional New Democrat Coalition, not the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

[libdem4life]

12. That's what I meant. I loved a photo of he and Hillary way back when.

And I agree about the call to DC. But I didn't know the difference between the Coalition or the Caucus.

He'll at least be in any Democratic Cabinet, I'm sure. But don't see him fitting so much with Bernie? I was thinking more ethnic woman...a first Black Woman VP?

But I suspect Julian will end up being the first Hispanic President with Joaquin pretty visible somewhere...they are only 40 and his family has lifelong Left credentials.

[merrily]

14. Choosing a running mate is Bernie's job. Gettiing Bernie the nomination is our job and his.

Heaven knows, he's doing his part. I wish I were as sure that all his supporters are doing theirs.

[libdem4life]

19. I know, but still it's had to cross someone's mind. It's really just

positive thinking wondering who would be his VP. No harm in that.

[merrily]

36. No, no harm, but my focus right now is elsewhere

It would hard to overestimate the obstacles Bernie is up against to win the primary.

And I am not at all sure a bout Castro.

[sabrina 1]

27. I would like Barbare Lee, she is so close to Bernie on most of the issues. She and he were among the

few brave members of Congress to vote against the Bush/Cheney war criminals' obvious lies, on the War in Iraq and on the Patriot Act eg.

They have collaborated on many issues over the years, and THAT would be my choice for a woman in the WH after Bernie's 8 years are up.

[libdem4life]

29. Yes, she would make a great VP for Bernie.

Well, now that we have that out of the way ... LOL ... back to Bernie For the Primary.

[JDPriestly]

33. Are there any likely candidates among Black Southern women?

[Fawke Em]

34. Shirley Franklin?

Former mayor of Atlanta.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirley_Franklin

[JDPriestly]

35. Strong on the environment, and has done public works projects.

Those are certainly selling points. Lots of experience. Well educated. A thoughtful person. And looks good.

I like her from what I know about her.

[LiberalArkie]

22. I was hoping a liberal like a Castro or someone around that age would run and bring

youth back into it. I was feeling like I was living in Israel where the same people and ideas alternate back and forth. I wanted someone young that would change things like Kennedy did. But the youth and vigor is being brought by someone in their 70's. Who would have thunk?

I am hoping that he does bring in someone as young as possible as VP. Someone who doesn't have the old baggage. I want new ideas. I want someone who believes this nation has a future and rejects the idea that our days of doing good are in the past.

[libdem4life]

28. I think we needed a very grounded elder statesman to shift the political scene

and take the impact and brunt of the initiation of a new kind of power. Then, yes, a young protege-type running mate. The more I think about it, Castro could work.

But then again, with all the women's rights issues and racial issues so front and center...thank goodness, a black woman would also be appropriate. I just think we'll see a Hispanic President before we see a Black Female President. But just being able to voice thoughts about it gives me a good feeling.

[merrily]

37. I'm not at all sure Castro is a liberal.

His brother is in the New Democrat Coalition and Obama does not have a record of appointing many liberals.

[Robbins]

7. right there with you

on 2008.

the Hillary email server story may not go away.not everyone concerned about it is republican.

pretty much all the GOP has against bernie is he's radical leftie but that's not going to be enough.he appeals to non-dems including even some republican voters out there.

Remember too when bernie says unemployment is much higher that is actully a critism of obama economic record.

[merrily]

9. I knew polls say people will vote for her, but they also say they don't trust her and

don't think she understands their needs. At some point, I think those people may reconsider whether that is someone for whom they wish to vote.

[Robbins]

10. I find it hard to believe

with her high negatives that people will rush out to vote for her.People may not like Republicans but if there isn't any enthusim for
her hard to believe people will work hard for her.She isn't obama or Bill Clinton.

[merrily]

11. She doesn't need volunteers to work for her. She can pay people to do that.

She only needs them to vote--and even then, who knows?

[Robbins]

13. I'm not sure the clinton strategy of trying to buy election

will work.that seems to be the strategy.raise a billion dollars and pay people to vote for her.

It's laughable when she says she wants to take money out of politics.

so far she seems unable to buy crowds for her.

[merrily]

15. Obama raised a billion. I think Hillary's goal is around 2.5 billion.

Someone else posted the other day that she is taking money out of politics one large donation at a time. Something like that, anyway.

[Robbins]

16. I was generalize about amount

she will raise all she can.the idea she would take money out of politics is so laughable.

[libdem4life]

21. Oh, that's good. Almost went right by me.

[merrily]

17. BTW, I said she could pay people to work for her, not to vote for her.

[Robbins]

20. I understand that

I am not sure she can buy her way into white house.

[libdem4life]

23. I'm hoping this will be the first election not bought, and that President Sanders

will sponsor an ammendment or whatever to get rid of that Billionaire Citizen's United Against the Power of We, the People.

[SoapBox]

24. You are the man, Bernie!

Can you just imagine the debates?

He's going to eat them, simply by speaking truth and fact.

[PatrickforO]

30. Yeah, Chucky thinks he 'scored big' with the BLM apology question and Bernie's response,

but THIS is the real story.

[cascadiance]

31. And many if not most of those 28,000 that came to see him will be registering as Democrats...

... here in Portland if they aren't Democrats already to vote for him in the primary here in Oregon, unless those that were attended were coming from the Vancouver, Washington area right over the border, since Washington state has open primaries.

[Stevepol]

32. ONE reason Dems are losing

is that "voter turnout is abysmal." Another reason is that the vote is counted on electronic voting machines that are tilted one way and the tilt is adjusted in accordance with how important the contest is, how close the results are likely to be, and a number of other factors.

And there are other reasons as well: gerrymandering, voter suppression laws, etc.

I think Bernie will increase the turnout by quite a lot, but we'll see how significant that turns out to be.

[SandersDem]

38. I support Bernie

but I do have to say, everybody on this planet is simply an "ordinary person". I would have preferred him to phrase that a bit differently, but its kind of a moot point.