This won't be a very long one, and I would ask people to refrain from snide remarks against your opposing candidate, as this is really to find out what would tip the balance for some people. If you're a mild HRC supporter but like what Bernie has to say, what would win him your vote? If you're a tepid #FeelTheBern-er but might be persuaded to vote for Clinton, why?
As for me personally, I am a lukewarm Clinton supporter at the moment, although I like Sanders' integrity, and I very strongly support his take on economic policy.
my own quick take, below the fold:
Here's why I'm supporting Clinton at the moment:
a.) I feel that she is strong on social issues
b.) Her experience, foreign and domestic, is an enormous asset
c.) I feel that she would be a "power-player", and mostly in our corner. The clintons are seasoned politicians and hardballers. These are essential assets to have, and I think that she would be quite a bit stronger in her first term than Obama was in terms of pressing her agenda.
d.) I know many won't agree on this site, but I'm not a Chomsky-ite when it comes to foreign policy, and think that her level of limited interventionism is, IN SOME CASES, what's needed. For example, I would ilke to see the drone attacks sharply scaled down, which Clinton may not do. However, I would have liked to have seen more pro-activity in Syria, which Clinton supported but Obama was against.
Reasons why I'm opposed to Clinton
a.) tired of the dynasties
b.) tired of status-quo corporatism
c.) wish she were more forthright/honest and less political
d.) Would like to see a more diplomatically-oriented foreign policy, more even-handedness on the I/P issue, less demonization of Iran, less reliance on drone and proxy warfare.
IN SHORT: I don't support many of Clinton's policies, but feel that she would retain the level of liberalism I'm currently seeing from the Obama administration, but imbue it with more strength than the current administration. The S.C. nominees would be on the right side of justice. And frankly, I like the Clintons.
Sanders:
Reasons to support:
a.) Strongly supportive of his economic inequality message.
b.) First since Edwards to pay attention to real poverty (and Edwards was a sleaze--I trust Sanders)
c.) Honesty, integrity. He's a politician, but I think he would do the best he can to stand by his convictions
d.) Strongly supportive of his message on health/education access
Reasons that I'm unsure:
a.) I'm not sure I get a feeling of hardball/strength that is required at this level
b.) His demographics remain highly limited--e.g. 4% of the African American vote in the most recent yougov poll--these numbers have got to change
c.) Unclear on his foreign policy stances, as well as experience with F.P. at this level
d.) call me age-ist if you want to, but age IS a factor to consider. I want to make sure he's got the energy for the position.
e.) I DO feel that if he won the nomination, he would absolutely be "electable". But I"m not sure yet how electable he is in the primary.
WHAT WOULD CHANGE MY VOTE FROM CLINTON TO SANDERS:
a.) I'm not going to waste a vote, so I will only vote for Sanders if I feel he's viable. If he were polling at 10%, i wouldn't vote for him. 30%, I might. I'd like to see polling numbers continue to rise, and show that he's pulling some supporters away from Clinton. Otherwise, he would just be expanding into his own demographic.
b.) this is related to A--but I want to see changes in the polling numbers of other groups (blacks, Latinos, youth, women, etc). He really needs to demonstrate broad appeal.
c.) I need to see a strong foreign policy statement, message, and demonstration of a firm grasp of geopolitics.
d.) I want to see real strength in an adverse political arena, both foreign and domestic. I think how he performs in the debates will be a good illustration of that.
So I'm definitely open to a Sanders vote--but I"m not there yet. You guys?