MSNBC political pundit Steve Kornacki said the data backs up the danger that moderate Democrats have been warning their party about if it embraces ultra-progressive policies proposed by some in the 2020 field.
Decriminalizing border crossings, a Medicare for All system that eliminates private insurance, and the creation of a program that gives healthcare to illegal immigrants are all unpopular with potential voters in a general election, according to data Kornacki analyzed in real time after Tuesday night’s Democratic primary debate.
“There are some interesting divides here,” he said.
According to his numbers, 54% of general election voters think eliminating private insurance is a bad idea. While Democratic voters are generally split on the issue of decriminalizing border crossings, 66% of all American voters are against it.
Plus, while most Democratic voters support a program that makes government healthcare available to illegal migrants, 62% of general election voters oppose the idea.
“So you see, those sort of moderate candidates, this is what they’re trying to express,” Kornacki said. “But when the energy on the Democratic side is somewhere else, that’s the power behind those comebacks you heard from Warren and Sanders.”
Leading candidates on the debate stage last night, Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts spent the evening fighting off attacks from more moderate challengers seeking to gain momentum and stay relevant in the crowded 2020 field.
Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper warned ultra-progressive policies proposed by Warren and Sanders would lead to “massive government expansions.” Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, meanwhile, characterized those same policies as unrealistic.
Parroting Kornacki, Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio predicted that Democrats will lose virtually every state to President Trump if they seriously consider ending private health insurance.
