I think it's a legitimate question to ask. This graph shows that the real story of the election is that Democrats didn't show up like they did for President Obama. Donald Trump actually recieved fewer votes than both MCain and Romney.

 

Looking at Thrillville's graph tells me the answer to the question who would have beaten Trump is .... anyone but Hillary. And that is what almost everyone was saying through the whole campaign. Enough voters stayed home that the vocal minority was able to get Trump in.

Bernie tapped into the same disgruntled voter. I could see more voters cross the aisle. I know several personally who would against Trump if the campaign against him was the same.

 

I don't think his socialist ideas would hurt as bad as many of you think. Global Capitalism put in the shape that angered many voters.

I would have voted for Bernie over Trump. Just as Trump was my lesser of two evils vs. Hillary, Bernie would have been against Trump.

I think it's a legitimate question to ask. This graph shows that the real story of the election is that Democrats didn't show up like they did for President Obama. Donald Trump actually recieved fewer votes than both MCain and Romney.

 

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Doing some checking on this and it seems incorrect.

 

Looking at Politico and NYT:

 

Trump does outdrew Romney - 60,270,000 vs 59,134,000 (and there are still votes out in 2016).

Clinton is less that 2012 Obama but only slightly - 60,839,000 vs. 62, 611,000 (and there are still votes out in 2016).

 

Just not sure if that chart shows the accurate picture in terms of magnitude. 2012 and 2016 are very similar in total numbers and it was just some movement in the swing states that made difference.

To answer could Bernie have beaten Trump...

 

First after looking more at the key swing states lets state what caused those to flip from blue to red.

 

The urban Dem strong holds may not have been 'enthusiastic' for HRC, but they did turn out. In Ohio, the Dem vote was down only 10K between Toledo, Columbus and Cleveland. In Florida, Miami-Dade delivered 80,000 more votes for Clinton than Obama in 2012. Orange County delivered 50,000 more votes to Clinton that Obama. All the urban strong holds were up or even in Florida.

 

The difference was that the non-urban blue counties flipped in a lot of cases. And in some cases (Erie County, OH) they flipped hard. In Florida, St. Lucie flipped pretty strong.

 

So did Clinton lose the urban stronghold votes due to apathy or defection - mostly no. What she did lose was the blue-collar and probably mostly white democrats in the suburbs. It was this group that blatantly abandoned HRC when compared to Obama in 2012.

 

So, back to Bernie. Would he have prevented this defection? Would it have been enough to change the result?

 

I think he would have done much better for sure with the white, blue collar suburb Dems. Big gov vs. small gov, socialist label, etc. does not really impact working people who just want a good job and are worried about their family. Beyond that, he was far, far more 'likable' than HRC. The other thing is Bernie was (is) a strong veteran advocate. That would have played well with this group. As for the strongholds - the Dems know to deliver that vote - regardless of candidate.

 

So I think Bernie at least runs a lot better where he would have needed to - the blue collar suburban Dems. Not sure if he wins. But definitely better in terms of getting back the lost swing states.

^ Good breakdown. The more I think about it, the more I think Bernie would have beaten Trump. To beat Trump, Bernie only needed to move 1% of the voters that did vote and/or get more of the traditional Democratic voters to turn out. I think there is a very good chance he could have done both of those.

^ Good breakdown. The more I think about it, the more I think Bernie would have beaten Trump. To beat Trump, Bernie only needed to move 1% of the voters that did vote and/or get more of the traditional Democratic voters to turn out. I think there is a very good chance he could have done both of those.

Many traditional Democrats would not have voted for an avowed socialist. Trump was able to portray Jeb Bush as "low energy." Bernie's resume would have made him defenseless against such an attack.

Here is a good way to find out. Run Bernie in 2020 vs Trump.

Here is a good way to find out. Run Bernie in 2020 vs Trump.

 

That would prove nothing about Bernie vs. Trump in 2016.

Here is a good way to find out. Run Bernie in 2020 vs Trump.

 

Trump loses against me in 2020!

 

His record vs what he promised will kill him.

Trump loses against me in 2020!

 

His record vs what he promised will kill him.

Please run.

Trump loses against me in 2020!

 

His record vs what he promised will kill him.

 

More predictions like this years election results?

Trump loses against me in 2020!

 

His record vs what he promised will kill him.

 

That remains to be seen. President Trump already looks much different (better) than candidate Trump. Incumbency is very hard to overcome.

The lesson to be learned by the DNC is the primary process allows the electorate to select it's representative. Hand selection by a few of a candidate because it seems to be their turn,is counter productive to the will of the people.