He could certainly be considered a corporate Dem.

It is possible. I do not know what other skeletons he has in the closet. But I have heard him speak. That was good.

But you just hate corporatism or think he not electable?

@St-Sinner

Both. I'm going to generalize quite a bit here, but remember that Dan Quayle was selected to be GHWB's running mate as an attempt to cash in on Robert Redford's movie, The Candidate. It was thought thst a handsome male would win over much of the female vote. A similar view was in play with Sarah Palin on McCain's ticket. Goopers went wild for their outspoken MILF.

What's that have to do with the Dem field? Well, from my perspective, a lot of them are running/ran because they looked suitably presidential, and had multiple pluses in terms of diversity. Men and women of color, a gay mayor, a rocker, etc. But when you examine many of them closer, they largely echo the status quo, with a few otherwise distinguishing platform positions.

Patrick is well spoken, and probably represents a sensible mainstream choice on the whole, but times are too critical to go that route. The progressive voting block is quite wary of the flood of candidates, and view them in terms of the attempt to steal Bernie's thunder. Many Dems call for Blue no matter who, but not as far as Bernie goes it seems. Progressives won't accept a mediocre substitute. It's early, but I think Bernie's showings bodes well for his campaign.

These candidates all sat out 2016 because the field was cleared for Hillary. Some parrot Bernie's views now, but they're late to the party as far as I'm concerned. Expect more DNC panic as their favorites fall by the wayside.

@WilliamCharles

Your explanation for Dan Quayle and Sarah Palin (MILF .. lol) was right but I do not agree that a moderate cannot win the election. In fact, all talking extreme left will move to the center in the general to win votes on the other side. They will bash, cuss and blast the other side until the primaries are over and slowly move to the center to win the general. That is what I have seen since Jimmy Carter.

Why so many Democrats are running? I think because they sense the anger among people against Trump, they see Trump will disintegrate even before 2020, they see a window.... to get in easier than usual. How many ran against Obama in the second term? He was not vulnerable.

Do you not agree that it it is becoming clearer that people are not satisfied with the current Democratic field? There are exciting candidates for particular sections but not someone will fire the entire Democrat voters imagination at large. Else Bloomberg, Patrick and possibly more would not be jumping in this late.

It is true that many are talking Bernie's language. Bernie's message is appealing but impossible to implement. That is why he is not making the sale. But I will say this and you will not agree. Let us set that aside.

Although I do not know him enough, based on what I have read and heard, Duval Patrick will make a splash in NH primary or else he will be out and will most likely be a VP choice.

@St-Sinner

On whose ticket in particular do you feel he'd be a good pairing?

@WilliamCharles
Not Warren's because both would not be from MA. There is really not a strong candidate in the current field that I can think of. Bernie, Biden and Buttigieg will not be elected. The rest are discounted already. Sorry I do not have an answer for the top of the ticket.

@St-Sinner I disagree totally!
That was the thinking of 2016 and Dem voters stayed home rather then support another business as usual candidate, and many even voted for Trump!

The days of moderate corporate Dems are numbered, Millennials will see to that and after 2020 they will represent a major voting block in this country. A block that totally embraces Democratic Socialism at high levels!

One thing so many discount is that Bernie is the Trump of the Left! Totally ready to burn it all down and start fresh but for few still... Unlike what Trump promised but turned out to be fake news....
You can best believe Bernie has a much bigger chance then any of the Dems or corporate media outlets would like anyone to realize!

@Channeler1
We have different takes on the situation.

1. Taking the ideology of the Democratic party to the left will never win Presidential elections. A big tent, moderation - that is not what the Democratic party is built on. Bernie has already done a lot of damage to the party brand that will take years to recover. Alienating the moderates will destroy the party
2. Hating and taxing and punishing the rich all the time will not work in the most successful capitalist nation on Earth.
3. People are not desperate, not angry at large and the economy is doing well. In order to get healthcare, we have options other than Bernie, more moderate options. Obama did it but he was not an extreme.
4. You are forgetting that we on the left are are not the same as the far right. We have more moderates and independents supporting us. That is how we win elections. Our base is not as crazy and motivated as the far right. Religion is the the best motivator and rallying cry than anything.
5. The fact that the Democratic party voters are not currently excited with the current candidates and more new candidates are seeing an opening proves that Biden, Bernie or Warren and not highly preferred by voters. The winner they want is not in the top tier.
6. Bernie cannot burn anyone down. If at all, he is just melting his base which is limited to North East progressive states. Bernie cannot burn down his opponents in 5 long months before the first primary. He melted himself in 2016 after all that hoopla, now after starting at number 1 is has slid to number 4. What does that tell you? He is not glowing and he is not burning anything down.
7. Bernie is a bad news for the Democratic Party. He does not belong in the party and not be allowed to hijack the platform to seek the highest office of the land.
8. What millennials? Presidential elections are decided by the silent majority in the American heartland. Young people there vote as Ma, Pa, God and church say.

@Channeler1, @WilliamCharles The Bernie euphoria is limited only to the Bernie's base but I understand the passion.

@St-Sinner

As has been said, we'll be better able to gauge the validity of our assertions once some actual votes are cast.

I think your assessments are not accurate.

@WilliamCharles
I want a Democrat to win but I am just very nervous about electing a radical that would lead to a disaster for the history books. Bernie has raised expectations to the level of an Utopia. You know as well as anyone that you cannot get a bi-partisan supported bill like infrastructure done in Washington for over 11 years, cannot get gun control measure done with 86% support of voters on both sides. I cannot imagine how free healthcare, fee college is going to happen. I am worried that people will say "Never Again" and Democrats be an outcast afterwards for the next 30 years. I do not want that punishment because of Bernie.

@St-Sinner

Shrubya announced a mission to Mars, Obama was going to close Gitmo, Trump bragged about eliminating the deficit.

I have no problem advocating for something the rest of the developed world already has. We will reduce costs and not have people dying from lack of care or going bankrupt from getting sick.

We have an endless money supply for killing people around the world, but plead poverty when it comes to helping our citizens.

Fvck the concern trolls.

@WilliamCharles
Philosophically what you say makes sense but I do not want to run after the mirage any longer. I want to hear what we can really get done, maybe not next year by at least in 4 or 6 years. Lifetimes are going by while we raise our hopes every time and the Presidents don't deliver. I am weary of people promising a pie in the sky.

You talk about what other advanced nations have. Do we always deserve or get what others have? There are a lot of variables in the case of an individual, e.g. income, qualifications, ability, skills etc. Similarly, our nation is not where those societies are. We are conservative, we are religious, we are under the grip of capital. We cannot get what others have unless we solve these problems first. Promising the moon without building a rocket and fuel won't get us there. That is what Bernie is doing.

@St-Sinner

What sort of qualifications might you insist upon that people get adequate health care or not get bankrupted by illness?

We're pretty much done. We're talking past each other. If you want to keep your expectations low from people that don't even deliver on that. Have at it.

I know who's earned my vote.

@WilliamCharles
The goal is right but the messenger, leader and the path are not right.

We all want everything. I am desperate to stop illegal immigration. Someone is passionate about stopping American military and CIA intrusion in civilian lives overseas. We have to see what we can achieve in the current circumstances. That is pragmatism. None of this is likely under the current circumstances... a revolution, universal health care, free college, free health care, taxing the rich to fund everything. The message is badly articulated, the messenger is ineffective and what Bernie is promising is a pie in the sky.

If you are debating if we want health care and stop insurance companies and hospitals loot of the common people, the answer of everybody is a resounding "yes". But when you start thinking if Bernie can deliver is, the answer is "no" except of the few passionate single issue Bernie followers.