Yeah, I don't disagree that it's likely to throw a bunch of fence sitters into Warren's camp. A lot of it depends on how he looks at the next debate. We disagree though about Biden. Bernie is still very sharp mentally where as Biden's brain is turning to slush on him. Mental competence is much higher on my priorities list. But I've also always viewed Bernie's VP as vital for long term progressive momentum and realize that he is likely a one term President. Thus, this not fazing me personally as much. I don't view Bernie as some savior, I view him as a movement builder and would see his election as one victory in a long war.
I was typing from my phone at the soccer practice of my god family's 2nd grader and questioned whether I should include the union part right before I hit "post reply". Before I elaborate further, I should clarify that I think Warren AND Bernie have clear paths to victory against Trump and it was in no way meant as a jab at Warren's electibility. It was meant as a jab at people who think Bernie isn't electable and a nod to the fact that I think their are substantial differences in policy and approach that make Bernie preferable as a conduit of systemic change (see the fact that Warren signed a pact to not support candidates or organizations who primary incumbent Democrats for example) .
Warren's path to victory = solid youth turnout, winning centrist, suburban households throughout the country + your typical DNC voter
Bernie's path to victory = flipping the working class white vote that went from Obama to Trump, high youth turnout, solid minority turnout + the disinfranchised that might not vote if he isn't the nominee.
Since I think the typical DNC die-hard is likely to swallow their bitterness and vote for Bernie should he be the nominee, I think his path to victory is easier. But also I think Trump is basically toast at this point either way-- unless Biden is the nominee which risks deeply suppressing turnout among people under 40, progressives and the already disinfranchised. Yes, suburban whites matter, but they are only one portion of the populace-- and their status-quo-as-usual flavor candidate (Hillary, Kerry, Gore) keeps losing elections because they are completely out of touch with the plight facing younger generations and rural communities.
As to the union thing- I should have been more careful with my words. Teachers & Nurses (both of which are awesome unions) are two of his top 5 donors. The others, I believe, are Amazon workers, fast food workers and Wallmart employees because OF his support in attempts to unionize and raise wages. UE (United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America) has endorsed him for the same reason- Bernie was at their picket lines and an advocate of their cause.
United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) credits Sanders for joining their picket line earlier this year when it led the first major manufacturing strike of the Trump presidency.
www.vice.com
There was also an article from the LA Times a while back from a reporter on the ground at the GM strike and it indicated that most of those people were Sanders supporters in 2016 who went with Trump over Clinton because they were desperate for change. Sounds like most of them are behind Sanders / Warren this go round.
Many striking GM workers voted for Trump over Clinton. Remember that when you hear pundits say Sanders and Warren aren't electable.
www.latimes.com
Personally, I have only had good experiences with unions. When the unions were strong at Safeway during my teenage years, the contracts were great. Then they cracked down during a strike during my college years and the contracts you get in 2019 are lower paying with less benefits than people received back in 04' (source I still have friends there). Meanwhile, the unions are the only reason the film industry isn't more exploitative than it already is. Great health insurance, workers rights and very solid pay help make up for the long hours. Meanwhile, the video game industry is a complete shit show of worker exploration- and surprise, isn't unionized. And as I mentioned earlier, my friends who are teachers and nurses have good things to say about their unions. That is not to say that unions don't have their downsides or potential for corruption. The police union is the perfect example of that.
And for some reason I'm having trouble finding that exact data I quoted. Google doesn't work is well as it used to. Or maybe I don't Google as well as I used to. But there have been several write-ups (back in August?) on the fact that Warren's base is extremely educated, white and wealthy versus Sanders being more working class and diverse. Think the #'s come from a combination of polling and donor data. You see it linked fairly regularly on r/politics.
Some random links:
Joe Biden is second.
www.latinorebels.com
A large majority of Latinos say they plan to vote for the Democratic nominee in the general election next year,
www.politico.com
Polling shows the 2020 candidate’s supporters aren’t just “Bernie Bros.”
www.vice.com
Voters of color are more likely to vote for Sanders and in some cases more enthused about him running than whites, according to recent polling.
www.businessinsider.com
With 99.95 percent of those who gave still able to do so again, 2020 candidate says record milestone—reached faster than any other campaign in history—"is astonishing."
www.commondreams.org
