Bernie Sanders Is Struggling With Older Voters

[ehrnst]

In a Quinnipiac University poll released on Dec. 10, he had a grand total of 2% support among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independent voters aged 65 and older, and 6% of the same voters aged 50 to 64.

For former Vice President Joe Biden those figures were 47% and 35%, respectively; for Buttigieg ― the youngest candidate in the race ― they were 11% and 12%; and for Warren they were 9% and 10%.

Of course, candidates can be competitive with lower support among older voters. Thanks to his vastly higher standing among younger voters, Sanders has a strong overall standing in the polls.

But seniors are generally the most reliable voters in elections, and it’s a constituency that can’t be ignored or discounted.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bernie-sanders-older-voters-iowa_n_5dfa9d7be4b0eb2264d37f17

[comradebillyboy]

1. One big reason is us oldsters remember George McGovern losing 49 states to Nixon in 72.

And Bernie isn't half the man McGovern was.

[NYMinute]

2. Young people like to win and are impetuous

When Sanders starts losing, they will go back to partying or find a new hobby.

[Binkie The Clown]

3. People in that age group (myself included)...

were constantly brainwashed to fear and hate the word "socialism" which was equated with communism, which was equated with the Soviet Union which was equated with the threat of nuclear annihilation. All many of them have to do is hear the word "socialism" for that fear and hatred to bubble back to the surface.

[Fresh_Start]

9. bullshit, you'd have to be 80s to be brainwashed into socialism communism

60 year olds were the vietnam protestors who clearly weren't confused about whether or not socialism/communism was a threat

[Binkie The Clown]

17. I grew up in the 50s, and I got the brainwashing.

And would you say "bullshit" to my face, or does Internet anonymity make you feel bolder than you are in real life?

Clearly civility was something that fell out of fashion before your time.

[The Valley Below]

18. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics only collapsed in 1991.

And one would have to be brainwashed to think a nation that murdered more people than the Third Reich and was well-armed with nuclear weapons pointed in our direction wasn't a threat.

People are not that easily gaslighted. Are they?

[MineralMan]

23. No. 60 year olds were 10 years old in 1970.

The Vietnam protesters are in their 70s now. I'm one of them, and I'm 74. How old are you? Do the simple math.

[emmaverybo]

33. Many immigrants from socialist or communist countries also feel this way.

[whistler162]

71. Or we just have better BS detectors

and BS ain't for Bernie Sanders! Or better put able to detect the BS from BS.

[George II]

4. Older voters are the age group with the highest percentage turnout. Younger voters the lowest....

That doesn't bode well.

Plus, many in Sanders' so-called "base" are under 18, too young to vote!

[redstatebluegirl]

5. A lot of us in that age group volunteer a lot of time to the party.

When I volunteered in 2016 I was very put off by the Sanders supporters and his lack of concern for their behavior. When they did show up to volunteer, many were verbally abusive to any of us who did not support BS in that election. I walked precincts and made calls. We rarely had any assistance from Sanders supporters, most of the time they showed up and sat around and complained about our party, a party I have worked for since I was 17 years old. That doesn't sit well with me or many other of my age group.

I will support the nominee of my party, I just pray it isn't Bernie Sanders.

[ritapria]

6. The older voters showed up in droves to Bernie's Decorah , Iowa Rally Last Night

Last edited Sat Jan 4, 2020, 09:08 PM - Edit history (4)

I had never seen that before ..It looked like a Biden Rally … Interesting... Bernie drew another Big Crowd in Dubuque, Iowa Saturday afternoon... ….Again, lots of people over the age of 45 attended .. The Telegraph Herald : "Sanders gets Rock Star Treatment during Dubuque Campaign Rally" ……. In Grundy Iowa (population 2701) Bernie drew a crowd of 300+ this Saturday afternoon ….Only 392 votes participated in the Grundy County Iowa Democratic Caucus in 2016 ……….

[BannonsLiver]

12. Uh huh

[brooklynite]

16. If rally crowds were a reliable measure, Sanders would have been the 2016 nominee...

...and Dean would have won n 2004. Rallies are fun; they don’t require any effort.

[ehrnst]

25. Iowa. Yes, that's certainly more representative of the U.S. than Vermont.

Not.

[sheshe2]

38. Per ABC news.

Security said their were 533 people at the event.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SandersForPresident/comments/ejq25q/photo_full_house_at_the_decorah_iowa_rally_on/

Image at the link. Reddit doesn't let me copy.

[ehrnst]

48. Stop bringing facts into this....

[highplainsdem]

7. Older and wiser voters.

[Fresh_Start]

8. when you are young, you think you know it all and act like you know it all

when you are older, you know that you don't know it all but you act with the wisdom gained over a lifetime...assuming you have the ability to learn from your mistakes and grow....if you don't have the ability to learn and grow you get stuck in the same beliefs

[MineralMan]

10. I'm one such "older voter."

I'm 74 years old. I've seen a lot during my lifetime, and that influences my political decisions, particularly with regard to choosing candidates to get my vote.

Here's one of the things I've seen: Old guys who have chips on their shoulders and who can't say anything without sounding angry. I've seen lots of guys like that. Typically, they don't ever listen to anyone else, but always are ready to tell you "how things are."

Impatient guys who have a few fixed ideas they carry around with them and use as bludgeons. They point fingers and gesture and speak too loudly and forcefully. A lot of them were once bosses where they worked, and they're used to people listening to them and doing as they say.

A lot of other older folks had plenty of experience with guys like that when they were younger, and have no time for it now.

That's part of Bernie Sanders' problem with older voters. And, yes, we're very reliable voters. We go to the polls and cast our vote for people who we think will get a job done and can convince others to get on board with their proposals. Joe Biden is one such older guy who uses a different approach - an approach that convinces rather than gives orders.

A lot of us older voters took orders all our lives. We did what people told us to do because they were our bosses. We aren't interested in any more of that. So, Bernie - calm down. Moderate your voice. Listen more and talk less. Don't point and shake your finger at us. Tell us why you want to do things your way. Explain your plans in a way that shows us you're right. Don't just tell us that we have to go along with your ideas. We're past that stage in our lives.

Just saying...

[Skya Rhen]

14. +1000

[betsuni]

28. +1

[zeusdogmom]

34. Bingo!!!!

[emmaverybo]

35. Nailed!

[The Mouth]

69. Correct

Look at the absolute freak out every time Joe talks about working with Republicans!

We actual adults understand that yes, we will *HAVE* to work with Republicans, and COMPROMISE with them, and that most of them aren't evil, they simply have different opinions. But you get the brainless shit-flinging howler monkeys who crap themselves at any such mention. And then they get pissed that they aren't taken seriously.

Yes, we will have to communicate, and compromise, and work with Republicans, Joe understands this, many of the followers of other candidates think they have some grasp of some eternal, capital-T 'Truth', or that demonizing anyone who supports a Republican is actually going to do anything other than make them appear like a little kid pissing themselves while screaming for candy in the middle of a store.

I like what Bernie has to say a lot of the time, Warren, too, but their followers need to stop acting like ANY candidate is so godamned pure, or that there is some great Democratic Ideal, when what there is is a very messy process for running a very diverse country where 30+ percent *ARE* Trump supporters who ARE going to have just as much input as any of us; it's ALL a compromise, always has been, always will be; adults understand this.

[Sparko55]

11. Not Surprised. Many in my generation can't come to terms with their myriad of mistakes through life

I'm not surprised. I was more surprised in 2016 weeks prior to the election when I was back in Ohio and heard many of my college educated friends openly stating their support for Trump. These folks are the suburban "white" folks who decided back in the 80's it was easier to go along to get along. They voted against their interests over and over starting with Reagan, then Bush Sr., Bush Jr., and just couldn't grasp how all around them life kept falling apart in the old industrial cities and towns they grew up in, in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York or Michigan. At many points I wanted to play the Cher moment in Moonstruck where she slaps Nick Cage and says "Snap out of it".

Sadly, that's not to be. A large part of the baby boom can't come to terms with their mistakes though life. No introspection - much like Dubya - and now wallow in 70's and 80's retro bands and continue to vote Rethugs and wonder why their social security, medicare and other benefits are constantly under attack.

And now the big scare of WAR - will animate their minds of fear of everything.

[msongs]

13. older voters know bernie types better nt

[Scurrilous]

15. They're not buying it.

[crazytown]

19. The same Quinnipiac poll had Bernie winning Big against trump 51-43%,

winning 65+ years against trump 48-46% and, overall, doing little worse than Biden's 51-42%. Breaking down the figures, the reason why is, that 6% of more millennials had decided to vote for him, rather than sit it out or go third party.

[bluewater]

21. Shhhh.

Please don't ruin the mood.

[ehrnst]

24. In a hypothetical matchup before the GOP turns it's guns on Senator Sanders.

They're certainly treating him with kid gloves now.

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/07/bernie-sanders-republican-senate-1307296

So there's that.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

51. There you go again crazytown, letting facts get in the way of a good Bernie bashing... for shame!!

Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join the revolution!!

[NurseJackie]

20. Older voters are tend to live in the real world and are more realistic...

Older voters are tend to live in the real world and are more realistic. And speaking for myself, I consider myself to be a skeptic and generally do not believe pie in the sky promises. I'm also a traditional and stalwart and loyal Democrat (as are many Democrats in my general age range) who cannot trust any candidate who routinely smears and attacks and denigrates the Democratic part and Democrats and the party leadership.

All I'm saying is... with age comes experience and wisdom.

[sheshe2]

22. I am one of those voters.

I want a candidate that speaks to me not at me. I have had bosses like that. The only way he will get my vote will be if he is the candidate, frankly I don't see that happening. Fact, I will vote not refuse to my duty as a citizen, I always do. I will not even have to hold my nose to do it...after all it is not about ME it is about US!

[vsrazdem]

26. Thanks for using Bernie's slogan, Not Me - Us.

[ehrnst]

29. Using it accurately....rather than....

[sheshe2]

31. You are very welcome.

I believe it with all my heart. I am not and never been in it for myself. I am not a Sarandon, Turner or Joy that brag about voting third party. I have never actively worked against the candidate elect or ever called them worse than _____________ (insert name). I have been a Democrat my whole life and voted that way.

I will vote for Democrat every dayum time.

[ehrnst]

32. +1000.

[vsrazdem]

36. Right there with ya.

[sheshe2]

37. I believe you mean that.

However the three that I mentioned, the ones that proudly proclaim their third party vote in 2016? Two are admins in the Sanders campaign.

[randr]

27. As one of those elder voters, who was a Bernie delegate in the last go round

I want to pass the baton to our next generation. Bernie and Joe both need to mentor the next Democratic leadership and campaign not for them selves but for Democratic ideals. We will be long gone, in all likelihood, before the needed solutions to the fix we are in will start to work.

[ehrnst]

30. That would mean giving up the cheering crowds.

That's some strong juju....

Especially for someone nearing the end of their career who is resentful that they haven't been given the praise they think they deserve from their peers.

[Drunken Irishman]

39. Right now the best way to do that might be to select on as his (Biden)'s Veep...

[betsuni]

40. Because they know to look at what a person is and does rather what they say they are and will do.

Talk is cheap.

[David__77]

41. Is it time for a criticize-the-young session?

I think so. I think that’s unfortunate.

[ehrnst]

44. Attacking a strawman is also unfortunate and not called for.

By that metric, you defensive reply could be construed as an unfortunate "criticize-the-Seniors" statement...

But I'll bite. How are stating facts like "Seniors are generally the most reliable voters in elections, and it’s a constituency that can’t be ignored or discounted," criticizing-the-young?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

53. The young are the usual victims of the mistakes of older generations...

while the young are left "holding the bag" for those mistakes. Thankfully, Bernie is stepping up to end this cycle of victimization... we need to let Bernie know we have his back the way we know he has ours!!


Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join the revolution!!

[ehrnst]

43. You mean like Bernie's Sanders' age? Paul Wellstone? Nancy Pelosi? Elijah Cummings?

And those in the generation of Stephen Miller and Sarah Sanders Huckabee, and the Proud Boys and all the Blondes on FoxNews, and Ivanka and Jared and Brett Kavanaugh are "generally" less selfish?

Don't make sweeping generalizations like that.

[NurseJackie]

50. You illustrated your point perfectly. Thank you.

[George II]

59. I'm an "older voter", and I'm far from what's been said about us. We older voters become....

...more benevolent, generous, forgiving and LIBERAL (dare I use that word).

[myohmy2]

45. "...Struggling With Older Voters"

...not this older voter or most of my old voter friends...

...not sure where they're getting their info...

...it doesn't jive with what I see...

[ehrnst]

49. ....just like someone who works in a podiatrists office....

...would say that most people they see have foot problems....

...therefore most people have foot problems....

...my Trump supporting father says most people he knows support Trump, so he doesn't think most people support impeachment...

...both of those contain what is know as 'sampling' errors. The fallacy of simply believeing the people near you are a "sample" of the overall population, based on what is called "anecdotal evidence" leads to many errors....

When compared to other types of evidence, anecdotal evidence is generally regarded as limited in value due to a number of potential weaknesses, but may be considered within the scope of scientific method as some anecdotal evidence can be both empirical and verifiable, e.g. in the use of case studies in medicine. Other anecdotal evidence, however, does not qualify as scientific evidence, because its nature prevents it from being investigated by the scientific method. Where only one or a few anecdotes are presented, there is a larger chance that they may be unreliable due to cherry-picked or otherwise non-representative samples of typical cases.

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

...and since you didn't read the OP, here's where "they" are "getting" their information again...

https://poll.qu.edu/national/release-detail?ReleaseID=3651

...here is the methodology....

https://poll.qu.edu/images/polling/us/us12102019_demos_uwhp13.pdf/

...you're welcome...

... ...

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

57. Nothing jives when it comes to bashing Bernie... all that matters is the Bernie bashing!!

But, the more Bernie gets bashed, the more you know he's gaining in strength and that all the bashing is just the "fear the Bern" factor... as the saying goes, when you're catching flak, you know you're over the target!!!

Thankfully, Bernie's not taking crap anymore, which is the very crap that got us to this place in history, where we're stuck with the ultimate warmonger occupying our White House, while wealth inequality, racial inequality, and other injustices continue to grow at a rapid rate.


Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join the revolution!!

[ehrnst]

65. Stating facts is "Bernie bashing?"

[Hortensis]

46. Experience. 1930s socialism rehash is been-there, said-no-already.

The same for the kind of recurrent extremism that bizarrely longs to embark on a national experiment with the lives of 325,000,000 and maybe even have our very own failed socialist revolution. At last!

The oldest generation lived their lives over the several decades of stability and growing prosperity that regulated capitalism was huge in enabling. Most know beyond doubt that it can work well (and are aware it could work even better). Until the 1980s, when too many Americans, grown up spoiled and complacent, enabled dismantling of what their parents had created.

Older people lived it all, and most are smart enough to take lessons from it.

[ehrnst]

47. It has been noted that Bernie's philosophies track more with 30's Trotskyism than they do with 60's

socialism which has a strong grounding in social justice issues.

[aidbo]

52. Meh, more like 'older voters are struggling with Bernie Sanders.'

[ehrnst]

54. So why do you think that is? Apparently they aren't struggling with

getting registered and voting.

Why then is Sanders a "struggle" for older voters?

[aidbo]

55. they're scared.

They’d rather vote for the candidate that told them “nothing will fundamentally change”.

[ehrnst]

56. You think Nancy Pelosi is "scared?" Along with Elijah Cummings, John Lewis,

Jimmy Carter, Hillary Clinton, Maxine Waters, and by the way... Bernie Sanders.

When they reach a particular age people "get scared" of challenges and change?

Perhaps they have reached a point in life that they would rather vote for a candidate who actually has created change, and therefore is capable of doing it again, rather than one who simply talks about it for years.

[aidbo]

61. What a weird conclusion to jump to.

I thought we were talking about voters.

The electorate, not a bunch of politicians. But also yes many of those politicians are scared too. For different but related reasons.

Also, Joe Biden has reassured them that “nothing fundamentally will change.”

Even Bernie isn’t ready to go as far as we need to go to save our planet and our democracy but he’s the one that wants to go the farthest and has the best chance to do so. so I’m backing him.

[ehrnst]

64. I believe all of them are voters...

[ehrnst]

67. And yet you feel compelled to respond.

[ehrnst]

70. No "BS" to see in my posts. But do go on.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

58. THIS!!! YOU NAILED IT!!!

Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join the revolution!!

[ehrnst]

60. Or they want to vote for a candidate who has actually created change, rather than someone

who simply talks about it for years.

[Gothmog]

63. Older voters are the ones most likely to turn out