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Hermes the goat's avatar

What do you mean? Progressives have a great future. Now they've taken up the neoconservative flag they can never fail and will be promoted to the high heavens.

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Matt C's avatar

We sometimes talk about presidential candidates without referencing their personal ability to communicate and connect with voters, separate from their policy positions.

Sanders, like Obama in a different way - is a one-off candidate as a communicator. He is really good! Clear, strong, simple, and you never question his sincerity. Those who would take his mantle - albeit candidates with some appeal - don’t seem to have that kind of skill/talent at this point in their careers.

Part of this perceived “skill and appeal” probably involves some buried sexism among many voters, who are clearly still more comfortable with an (politely termed) “established figure” and a more familiar style.

But you can’t deny that Bernie is a standout campaigner. We have seen time and again that you can still win without that, but his successor will have to measure up there as well.

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