Sanders has a more coherent message than Dean did, and is more credible on the stump. (There will be no “yeeerrrrauggggh!” from Bernie.) Philosophically Sanders wants to channel FDR, and is doing a pretty good job of it so far. He is selling socialism to huge base that has discovered they like the sound of it. He could very well win the nomination in the primaries, especially if Biden stays out. The Republicans need to start thinking about what it will be like if they wake up one morning and find they are running against a full-blown socialist populist.
I am right in the middle of reading James MacGregor Burns Volume One on FDR. I would say, based on what I am reading, that Sanders blows past FDR in all categories.
Burns’ book has been pretty good in the things I did not know about FDR. Actually FDR was a practicing Capitalist back in the 1920’s when he was in private law practice and a VP for an Insurance Company. He loved to take risks in interesting stocks and companies. Overall he did okay.
I have to keep in mind also that FDR was very much a product of the early 20th century progressive politics which really has no comparison to today’s politics.
Yes FDR was a Liberal Progressive but so far my reading doesn’t put him where Sanders is, I am early on the book and right now I am where he becomes President so I have a lot of ground left to cover.
I have been saying on here for about six years now that 2016 is going to be all about Populism.
Apparently a Populist Socialist (Sanders) vs. a right-leaning Populist (Trump).