The Sanders Campaign threw a lot of mud at Hillary Clinton over the past two weeks. You've read a lot of it here. Some of you Clinton people might have complained about that, but as you all know I have no problem with elections as a vicious bloodsport in which you do whatever it takes to win. Right up to the line of the law (and sometimes slightly over it). So I have no problem with the attacks. Politics aint beanbag.
What strikes me, however, is just how incredibly ineffective the Sanders attacks are. I mean it drives up Clinton's negatives, but people vote for her anyway. The definition of screwing up a negative attack has to be when you use it, it works, and you still don't get the vote!
I think the problem is the Sanders Campaign has been attacking along the wrong front. Anyone who really gives a shit about the campaign finance laws so much that its their number one issue and they will elect a president over it is probably voting for Sanders already. Same thing for people who don't like to see rich people making a lot of money. Or people who are tossing and turning at night over bank regulations. Sanders' attacks seem aimed at shoring up the people who are already with him.
The guy just can't seem to broaden that sermon beyond the choir.
I suppose this goes to heart of the matter with Sanders which is that he has still not grown into a full spectrum, presidential caliber candidate. Even with all this time on the campaign trail, he's still running the exact same campaign he started. Even after seeing where his weaknesses are and where he needs to expand his appeal. I suppose when you have spent a lifetime as an ideologue in a small, rural town, old habits can be hard to break.