Why is Bernie Sanders stuck in neutral?

[brooklynite]

CNN

Something has happened to Bernie Sanders over the last few months in the 2020 presidential race. Or, more accurately, not happened.

Sanders, the self-described Vermont Democratic Socialist, is stuck in neutral. And that's a very bad place to be with the day when actual voters will cast votes is getting closer and closer. (Just 138 days until the Iowa caucuses!)

Take the NBC-Wall Street Journal poll released Tuesday night. It showed Sanders at 14% -- in 3rd place but trailing both Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden by double digits.

But, that isn't even the real story for Sanders out of that poll! It's actually this: While Biden gained five points from a similar poll in July and Warren gained six, Sanders' support stayed right where it was -- up only a single point from the summer, which is a statistically insignificant change.

Suggestion: Bernie isn't that popular; his policies are; and Elizabeth Warren is a more appealing candidate to advocate for them.

[Funtatlaguy]

1. I voted for Bernie in 2016 primary.

Love his positions but he somehow seems angrier this time.
Warren is a better package for the progressives, imho.

[HerbChestnut]

2. You might be right.

I think Bernie's weakness as a candidate is that he has a difficult time connecting with people on an emotional level the way someone like Warren does. Quite a bit of that has to do with messaging. If he can figure it out and make changes with enough time left before Iowa, watch out.

[comradebillyboy]

7. If Bernie Sanders can just change who he is...

[ehrnst]

14. And isn't a big part of his brand based on "I don't change?" (nt)

[ehrnst]

13. I don't think that messaging can stand in for interpersonal skills.

No number of "please get in line over here for a selfie" declarations will change a lifelong personality trait.

Bernie is very proud of saying that he doesn't change.

[HerbChestnut]

15. Right, I was just trying to be polite about it...

[ehrnst]

16. There are certainly places where gadflys are useful

The WH isn't one of them. Diplomacy is key to doing the job well, as we've learned the hard way with the current occupant.

[BlueMississippi]

3. I thought he is in reverse

and slowly accelerating backwards.

[Me.]

4. Exactly

Dissension, chaos in the campaign according to reports. Keeps whingeing about being treated unfairly, just like he did last time around.

[still_one]

6. Obviously, he is not familar with driving a stick shift

[Moostache]

5. I supported Bernie in 2016...

But only because Warren did not run!

I remain hopeful for Buttigieg but realistically see this becoming two races: Sanders vs. Warren for the progressives and the winner of that against Biden for the nomination.

I think Joe comes down a little every time I see him stump or answer questions. Bernie is saying pretty much the same things in the same manner, but Warren is becoming seen as more relatable...

WARREN-BUTTIGIEG 2020 works for me too!

Regardless...my vote is straight Democratic ticket in 2020, period.

[NurseJackie]

8. I think voters are looking for someone who has the temperament and demeanor to be...

I think voters are looking for someone who has the temperament and demeanor to be the leader of the free world. It's obvious that he turns-off more voters than he turns-on... and the ones he turns-on aren't a very reliable voting bloc to begin with (as history and stats show us).

[Act_of_Reparation]

9. A more diverse primary field split his base.

Four years ago, he was only the game in town. Now he's not. Simple.

[OKNancy]

10. Why?...

A large field that includes Warren
Hillary voters have long memories
His demeanor reminds people of Trump, and folks are tired of raging

ETA: I haven't read the article, which I should do. LOL

[JI7]

11. Hillary supporters don't like him

[Cha]

12. Good.. whatever the reasons.. I

can think of more than a few but I'll keep them to myself.

[Tarheel_Dem]

17. Ditto! n/t

[Cha]

18. ...

T!

[betsuni]

19. Because conspiracy theorists are a minority of the population.

[Gothmog]

20. sanders loses more key staff

Link to tweet