Quote (IceMage @ 15 Apr 2020 01:32)
That case can definitely be made, but I'm not sure the internet agrees.
It's interesting because the sort of candidate who can build a coalition to become a major party nominee is pretty much never popular on the internet, with Trump being an obvious exception. All the qualities that appeal to normal voters, like experience, working across the aisle, making compromises when necessary, supporting ideas that could actually get passed, etc, are negative attributes to many who post on Reddit or here.
I think part of it is a fundamental misunderstanding of why Washington works the way it does. People think electing Andrew Yang, Bernie Sanders, or Donald Trump will fundamentally shift our politics, but it won't. Our polarized politics will continue, change will be almost impossible, and Joe Rogan will talk years later about how Bernie or Yang were corrupted, or somehow gave in to the establishment by supporting lukewarm legislation that could actually pass.
1. the internet skews young, and younger folks are more receptive to promises of bold policies.
2. only people who are really passionate about politics will spend a significant amount of time and energy on it on the internet. And that's correlated with strong ideology and a strong desire for big sweeping change. It seems only natural to me that "I largely like the status quo, but I would adjust this and that detail" doesnt create the same kind of energy and passion as "medicare 4 all!!!" or "build the wall!!!".