Democratic Socialists or main stream Dems. We've been electing "main streamers" for over 50 years and for

[QueerDuck]

137. Thanks for sharing the link! It's an interesting read...

... but I think there's a big difference between having the best "net favorability" in a crowded field of heavily polarized politicians and actually being "the most popular politician in the country" as you've said.

Having a 46% favorability rating means more than half the country still views him unfavorably, neutrally, or doesn't know him. He certainly has a high floor of support and incredible crossover appeal among independents, but a net positive in a single poll doesn't quite equate to a national consensus. It's a great data point for progressives, but the overall national landscape is still incredibly fragmented.

As for West Virginia in 2016, that primary is a classic case of unique context. Let's be honest here... a massive chunk of those registered Democrats who voted for Bernie over Hillary were conservative "Dixiecrats" who went on to overwhelmingly vote for Trump in the general election.

I think it's also fair and important to look at his challenges within our own party's base. For example: while he does well with younger demographics, his net support among the broader Black electorate has historically remained too low to build a winning national coalition. The Black voters who form the actual backbone of the Democratic coalition have consistently chosen more mainstream candidates over Bernie in the primaries.

Bernie definitely has a unique lane and interesting local numbers, but national polling as a whole shows a country that is heavily divided, rather than united behind one figure.