As I understand it, Sanders needs to win a lot of votes to clinch the nomination. Given how few people (relatively speaking) are enthused by Clinton’s candidacy or policy agenda, there a lot of Democrats out there who are receptive to a new candidate. However, there is just one problem with wooing these people. They are Democrats!
For reasons that are probably fairly obvious, people in this category (unenthused by Clinton, but loyal Democrats) actually like the Clintons. We don’t think they’re evil corporate sellouts. We think they did the best they could given the political system they had to work with. Actually, we really like them. They’ve been working on behalf of the Democratic party (however imperfectly) for the last 40 odd years. Also, they win. For someone who isn’t the “right” color, this actually means something given the alternative.
With all that said, a lot of us are Sanders-curious (in my case, were). Clearly, the status quo is unacceptable and we are questioning the value of incremental change. A lot of us want to live in the America Sanders wants to usher. So why aren’t we voting for him? There are a lot of reasons and I am sure you have already heard most of them (from people like me).
But if there’s anything that you should take away about us, it is this — (a) we’re loyal Democrats, and (b) we have a good deal of affection for the Clintons. This is a Democratic primary so you’re stuck having to woo people like me. The good news is we’re persuadable. The bad news is that you might have to modulate your appeal based on (a) and (b).
Sanders’ movement is the future. How soon we get there is entirely up to you.