"Bernie Sanders's quest for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination is very unlikely to succeed, but his campaign has become an unlikely internet sensation, with Sanders content dominating social shares and driving coverage decisions. He's changing the conversation in American politics with an unusual — and effective — brand of politics."They point out that the attention he's attracting does not indicate that he has a chance to win but, rather, "from the fact that he isn't even trying. Most politicians are trying, on some level, for mainstream influence. . . . "
"Sanders isn't like that. He's not going to win no matter what, and he knows it. After all, he is an avowed socialist with zero interest in big-dollar fundraising who's not afraid to say he thinks the US should fundamentally transform itself into a different kind of country.And that is what makes him really stand out. It's so refreshing. People sit up and take notice. And some of those people will agree with him and wonder why our liberal politicians haven't already been saying the same thing.
"That leaves him free to just come out and say things that nobody making a serious bid for national office would say. Case in point: his recent exchange with ABC News's George Stephanopoulos. Here, Sanders praised the Nordic social model. When Stephanopoulos said it would be impolitic to say America should emulate foreign nations, Sanders said he didn't care. Sanders isn't going to be president no matter what he says to George Stephanopoulos, so he might as well say what he thinks."
According to Yglesias and Posner, they haven't because they're afraid they can't say those things and win. And I think they're right.
No, I doubt that Bernie Sanders will actually win. But he's going to attract a lot of attention. He's going to make a lot of people think about a single-payer health care system and other progressive ideas. And he may have a powerful effect on Hillary Clinton's positions. In fact, he already has.
Ralph
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