U.S. Presidential debate

[kandrathe]

You can believe what you like, but if Hillary Clinton had *that* much clout, how on earth did she lose to Obama?

Because he was more of the *darling* of the DNC in 2008. Even though, her ~7 years (in 2006-07) as NY senator was more than Obama's ~2 years as Senator of Illinois. Obama was *all* non-specific "Hope and Change" while her (and Bill's) semi-progressive very neocon agenda was pretty clear. She was resoundingly attacked by left and right, the same as this time. Although, this time she managed to get leverage in the DNC (2016 DNC chair Tim Kaine was made into VP candidate, versus a 2008 political opponent Howard "YeeHaa" Dean). But, as much as you'd like to look at overall votes -- Sanders almost won. He just needed the oomph given to Clinton by the DNC favoritism.

The rules about open and closed Democratic primaries were set before the election season even started. This didn't just go one way; Hillary didn't get to overturn caucus states, where Sanders had a big edge because of the enthusiasm gap - he had fewer but more enthusiastic supporters, who would turn out to caucuses in the states that used them. Why would Sanders get to change the rules halfway through in the states that required you to be registered beforehand?

I'm not saying they should, but it's a factor that when preparation is needed, like a voter id, that you get more party loyalists, and not enthusiastic grass roots such as the kind Sanders attracted. The places he lost big, were places where a "get out the vote drive" would have been effective.