Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
Joe BidenCongratulations to our presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden!
 

TwilightZone

(25,342 posts)
4. Sanders had four years to build a coalition or adjust tactics.
Tue Mar 10, 2020, 02:49 PM
Mar 2020

Instead, his campaign strategy was to get 30% of the vote, get a plurality, and then demand the nomination.

When your entire strategy is based on luck, timing, and then demanding something from the very people you've been targeting for decades, it shouldn't be a surprise when it fails in the end.

Some would argue that he almost got away with it, but I would argue that the race was always closer than it appeared, especially going into SC. Biden was always going to do well in SC, and the wild swing in the projections based on a couple of states never made sense.

Yes, the coalescing of candidates and the party behind Biden undoubtedly helped, but if Sanders had built a coalition of his own over the years instead of alienating those would who have formed said coalition, it might have been an entirely different race.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
I think Warren Turin_C3PO Mar 2020 #1
Indeed. Warren was much closer to a "practical" progressive. honest.abe Mar 2020 #2
I ageee ismnotwasm Mar 2020 #3
Sanders had four years to build a coalition or adjust tactics. TwilightZone Mar 2020 #4
From the beginning of Bernie's campaign he painted the Democratic party as the enemy still_one Mar 2020 #5
a candidate incapable of team building and welcoming a variety of views fares poorly nt msongs Mar 2020 #6
Many have realized that many others don't want 'transformational change,' elleng Mar 2020 #7
People got bored with Sanders. NYMinute Mar 2020 #8
The left practices "Linear Politics" (I am trademarking that phrase.) Yavin4 Mar 2020 #9
That's a good description, almost like bit or boolean logic Hav Mar 2020 #17
I trashed this NYT op because it's not accurate. Democrats didn't lose in 2008 and 2012 when abqtommy Mar 2020 #10
I dont think the author is referring to past elections. honest.abe Mar 2020 #13
I don't really talk too much about the popular vote from 2016 because I feel it lets James Comey StevieM Mar 2020 #23
Personally I think the Democratic Party has gotten old and comfortable* and scared pecosbob Mar 2020 #11
Well that's helpful. honest.abe Mar 2020 #12
I know it's not...I get this way every four years pecosbob Mar 2020 #14
Thank you for expressing the losing attitude referred to by the NYT so well. highplainsdem Mar 2020 #16
The fact is I vote...every time...attitude has nothing to do with it pecosbob Mar 2020 #19
Thanks for voting anyway, every time. I've voted in plenty of elections where I highplainsdem Mar 2020 #21
This isn't about being fat and scared Hav Mar 2020 #20
And I would agree with most of your points pecosbob Mar 2020 #22
The inability to compromise was meant more in a general way Hav Mar 2020 #29
Absolutely pecosbob Mar 2020 #30
... or no one wants to burn the house down to save it? tia uponit7771 Mar 2020 #25
Good analogy, but wasn't that Matt Gaetz I saw playing with matches in the cloak room? pecosbob Mar 2020 #27
+1, he was trying to burn the mask off his face ... he forgot how he put it on uponit7771 Mar 2020 #28
KnR NCProgressive Mar 2020 #15
Perhaps a 'socialist' can't be elected in the US. At least 'socialist' ideas are acceptable. pampango Mar 2020 #18
You could be right. CaliforniaPeggy Mar 2020 #24
Agreed. I am wedded to the ideas/policies, not the candidate. pampango Mar 2020 #31
"The biggest lesson is simply this: The American left doesn't care enough about winning." Ferrets are Cool Mar 2020 #26
the biggest lessson for me... stillcool Mar 2020 #32
I Think ArroganceIs Part Of It Me. Mar 2020 #33
Sanders and Warren split the "Left", whatever that is. maxsolomon Mar 2020 #34
Because they always run against the Democratic Party Hortensis Mar 2020 #35
Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Democratic Primaries»NY Times Op-Ed: The Simpl...»Reply #4