Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumHelp me understand this "down the ballot" discussion?
The gist of the argument is that if Bernie were to win, it would hurt the candidates down the ballot.
Are they saying if Bernie got more votes than anyone else and became the nominee, his supporters would not vote for those "down the ballot"?
Or are they saying that all those folks that did not come out to vote for another candidate in the primaries, for whatever reason, will not come out and vote for Bernie Sanders in the general election, but will come out and vote for the person they did not want to come out and vote for in the primaries?
Help me understand this argument. It's a little confusing for me.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Qutzupalotl
(14,327 posts)from the nominee. Thats tricky. Not impossible, but can be difficult. We would have a better chance of keeping the House if our nominee could be universally supported.
There are people with a knee-jerk reaction to anything labeled socialist. The fear is that some portion will stay home, which might be enough to offset the enthusiasm with young voters. Certainly Trump will paint Sanders as something un-American, and that could galvanize the right. That would be harder to do with any other candidate, particularly Joe.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Liberty Belle
(9,535 posts)Whoever wins, expect to see the Clintons, Obamas, Carter, and every one of the Dem primary contenders talking up down ticket races in places where they may have influence.
Dem candidates in red or purple districts could also take some stances not in line with the progressive wing, on issues such as gun rights or Medicare for all, if that's what they need to beat a Republican. One guy running in a red district locally is talking about letting people buy into Medicare early, for instance, while saying we can't currently afford Medicare for All. I know Republican office holders who have told me they like that idea.
The key will be to convince red voters that a Dem in such districts won't be a rubber stamp for everything Sanders wants, though being supportive on some things such as stopping the politics of hate and demonizing of minorities, and standing up to protect people from Trump's rollbacks of clean water and air protections, and doing more to help working class people who were largely betrayed by false promises made by Trump.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
dsc
(52,166 posts)and likely won't even campaign here which will make it exponentially harder for us to beat Tillis and for Cooper to win his reelection. I would be amazed if Sanders is within 10 here. In comparison Obama won here in 2008, lost in 2012 by a couple, Clinton lost by about 3, we won a Senate race and governor's race when Obama won, we lost a governor's race when he lost, and we won a governor's race and lost a senate race in 2016. Plus the GOP convention is here in 2020.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
4139
(1,893 posts) In the House, the Republican Party picked up twelve seats, but Democrats easily retained a majority. In the Senate, the Democratic Party picked up two seats, increasing their majority
some panicky people are mentioning 1972 so I looked it up
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
wyldwolf
(43,870 posts)Democrats had an overwhelmingly large advantage in the House that didn't break until '94.
Even a 12 seat loss today would be more consequential than a 12 seat loss in 1972. A Sanders run could wipe out the advantage we won in conservative districts. It will likely put Jeff Sessions back in the Senate in AL.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
loyalsister
(13,390 posts)Nixon was corrupt but very competent as a president. The extent of his corruption was also not known when he was re-elected in 72. Trump is not knowledgeable about anything outside his tiny sphere of self interest bubble much less competent to serve the public interest, severely corrupt and voters know it.
Sanders is generating enthusiasm and increasing turnout of voters who are willing to endorse his candidacy has great potential to help down ticket.
The fires Bernie is lighting are very exciting to me and I underestimated him at first.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
wyldwolf
(43,870 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Peacetrain
(22,878 posts)In fact I do not think one AOC backed candidate won.. Sanders does not have the coat tails and that is what people are worried about down ballot..
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
wyldwolf
(43,870 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Peacetrain
(22,878 posts)Sometimes the memory gets things mixed up
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
kentuck
(111,110 posts)..or whenever their primary happens to be? But, if the majority in those states vote for Bernie, then it seems logical that the "down ballot" candidates would need those voters to compete? If he won, I would assume he would have more supporters to contribute to their races?
But, those are the states that will determine the nominee, would be my guess.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Mz Pip
(27,453 posts)theyll stay home on Election Day. Those are lost votes for Senate and House seats, as well as local state elections.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
wyldwolf
(43,870 posts)RBG is hoping for a Democratic win in the White House and the Senate. A Sanders nomination reduces our chances. She may retire and leave another vacancy for Trump to fill.
Sanders could hurt us down the ballot and the courts.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
msongs
(67,441 posts)downticket dems are members of the dreaded democratic establishment, i e winners
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
mgcgulfcoast
(1,127 posts)What will hurt down ballot democrats is if Sanders gets the most delegates and doesnt get the nomination.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided