Stalled Sanders campaign orchestrated reboot after first debate

[brooklynite]

Politico

DES MOINES — A little over a month ago, despite putting on a brave face publicly, Bernie Sanders’ aides privately concluded that a shakeup was needed for his presidential campaign.

The Vermont senator had neglected to practice in mock sessions before the first 2020 debate, and failed to aggressively take on former Vice President Joe Biden on stage. On the trail, he was sticking to the old hits: His stump speech sounded remarkably similar to the one he delivered in his first presidential bid, and he gave a major address touting democratic socialism that mirrored his talk on the same subject in 2015. Even some of his diehard supporters wondered how he would distinguish himself in a crowded field of candidates, especially when many claimed to embrace his left-wing ideals.

Now, Sanders and his team have settled on a new strategy designed to make him stand out in the massive field: They’re betting that a renewed focus on his signature proposal of "Medicare for All" is the key to jump-starting his candidacy and overtaking Biden as the race ramps up this fall.

Sanders has raised more money and has more donors than any other candidate in the Democratic primary — upwards of $36 million from over 850,000 people. But as support in some national and early-state polling stalled or gradually eroded after Biden jumped in the race, it became clear that what worked in 2016 in a one-on-one primary against a moderate wouldn't necessarily succeed in a multi-candidate race with more than one progressive.

[lapucelle]

1. Is "BS is a victim of a media conspiracy" part of the new messaging?

Washington Post editor responds to Bernie Sanders: Your 'conspiracy theory' is wrong

https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/12/politics/bernie-sanders-washington-post/index.html

Washington Post editor calls Sanders claim about campaign coverage a 'conspiracy theory'

https://thehill.com/homenews/media/457191-washington-post-editor-calls-sanders-claim-about-campaign-coverage-conspiracy

[Hassin Bin Sober]

2. Awww. Poor put upon corporate media.

[lapucelle]

3. It's not the media crying and whining.

It's Jeff Weaver.

[ehrnst]

13. Poor Jeff. It's just so HARD when journos aren't being NICE. They should be NICE!!

[lapucelle]

16. "WaPo's being mean! And CNN and MSNBC and the New York Times!"

[ehrnst]

17. It's just TERRIBLE....Awful, I tell you!

[lapucelle]

20. No wonder poor Jeff is running around in circles!

[ehrnst]

22. Bezos is just HORRIBLE to Bernie! How could anyone even shop at Amazon after hearing about this?

[mcar]

24. Oopsie

[Eliot Rosewater]

27. LOL no kidding right!

[George II]

21. Mahalo!

[NurseJackie]

32. LOL!

[George II]

14. You might want to see the source of the complaints, unless you're agreeing that BS is off base here.

[ehrnst]

12. Well, others have certainly gone that route.

[lapucelle]

18. Wow...Trump really said those things about WaPo based on a "Bezos is against me

conspiracy theory"?

Seriously...WTF

[ehrnst]

19. Go figure.

Old white millionaires just can't catch a break from the media, can they?

[George II]

25. Bazinga!

[Gothmog]

26. sanders is not a victim of any conspiracy

Link to tweet

[George II]

5. Uh oh, affectionately known in geek circles as the "BSoD":

[Vegas Roller]

8. It doesn't get to the screen this time

Press the power button and you hear 3 beeps -- DRAM failure in BIOS.

[JoeOtterbein]

6. Once again you scooped me on my own daughter's article:

The senator is betting that a renewed focus on his signature proposal — 'Medicare for All' — is the key to jump-starting his candidacy and overtaking Joe Biden.

By HOLLY OTTERBEIN and ALEX THOMPSON 08/13/2019 09:50 AM EDT Updated 08/13/2019 11:56 AM EDT

snip

Thanks!

[Eliot Rosewater]

28. Good daughter you got there, wow!

[JoeOtterbein]

30. Thanks!

Of course I'm 100% biased, but she's the best!

[TreasonousBastard]

7. That's it? All he's got is pushing Medicare for all? Liz Warren didn't spend much time...

on healthcare, but she did a hell of a lot more for the Average Joe before she got into the Senate than Sanders did in all those years in Washington. And if she gets to focus on healthcare, watch out!

I'm thinking she could do a lot more good as a Senator then President, but either way she's doing a lot more good than Sanders.

I would be extremely happy and relaxed if she got the nod. And just as happy if Harris got it.

[squirecam]

23. Nah

Joe/Amy is what I’m hoping it comes down to.

[Vegas Roller]

10. "Stalled" is overstating it.

BS should drop out and give refunds to the dreamers who naively thought socialism was just around the corner.

[comradebillyboy]

11. Someone has a really thin skin...and it isn't Jeff Bezos.

[ehrnst]

15. He certainly doesn't adapt to new strategies or ideas very easily. That's gonna be a challenge. (nt)

[Eliot Rosewater]

29. I wonder if sitting alone at a luncheon is a tip off to how well one works with others

[Gothmog]

31. But it's become clear that what worked in 2016 against a moderate won't necessarily succeed

Link to tweet

[SouthernProgressive]

33. Seems there has already been another reboot.

It's now all about attacking the media. They aren't able to stay on any kind of message.