Isn't the characterization of Bernie supporters generally pretty naive? The fact that they offered it to him may be enough to sway many, if they're such an irrational bloc. Getting the name out there alone is probably putting them in touch with people they never would have reached otherwise.
I'm saying that if Sanders supporters were the sort of people to support the Green party then they would have been supporting them, and not Sanders, from day 1. Already, those who go with the most practical choice will go for Hillary, and those who like Sanders for his policies are sticking with Sanders until the bitter end. The green party isn't appealing to Sanders voters. Anti-establishment sorts will vote for Trump or Libertarian, a fraction of those will vote green. Democrats who wanted a more leftist party will still be voting democrat. Who does that leave? They get a fraction of a fraction, that's not enough to have an impact in my opinion.
Anecdotes don't really mean anything, but Kansas solidly went to Sanders in our caucus while Missouri eked out a Hillary win. I can think of three Sanders supporters that I've talked to about where they are going after the convention. On party affiliation: - One was a Green party member before the primary season and is planning on going back to them. - Two were Independents who registered as Democrats for the primary season and are planning on going back to being Independents. On presidential candidates: - The Green party person is planning on voting for Stein. - One Independent is trying to decide between Johnson and Stein - One Independent is planning on voting for Johnson, but would be open to Trump if he came out in support of electoral reform. BONUS ANECDOTE I've met way more Trump supporters at work than anything else. A distant second is Bernie, and I've yet to hear anyone support Hillary. Some of the Trump supporters have been paying their union dues for longer than I have been alive. My social circle is kinda weird, though.
Sorry to perform necromancy here, but do you think it's within the realm of possibility that Kansas would swing? I remember during the caucus there was a very strong anti-Trump atmosphere among Kansans, do you think that has faded? I ask because as much of a bad taste it leaves in my mouth I feel I should vote for the lesser evil if it's at all possible that she can win. If my vote's not going to matter, however, I'd like to vote for the candidate that's closer to my own ideals. What do you think?
I didn't caucus with the Republicans this year, so I'm not super in tune with them right now. I'm also not living in a rural area any more. JoCo republicans are pretty different from rest of the state, in my experience. It it tells you anything though, Kansas wasn't one of the delegations calling for a Roll Call vote to unbind delegates yesterday. That statement is more or less a carbon copy of why I don't think Kansas could swing. Kansas Republicans dislike Trump. They hate Hillary. The only path I see right now for Kansas not going Republican is if Johnson manages to get into the debates and somebody like the Koch brothers throw their weight behind him. Johnson was pulling from both sides pretty equally last time I checked, but there are a lot more Republicans here than Democrates, so he'd probably hurt Trump more than Hillary here.I remember during the caucus there was a very strong anti-Trump atmosphere among Kansans, do you think that has faded?
I ask because as much of a bad taste it leaves in my mouth I feel I should vote for the lesser evil if it's at all possible that she can win.