I get confused by your posts and honestly not sure which way you lean. That said Bernie motivates a lot of people that usually sit out the election. Add to that if he is the candidate he will get a lot of "I just vote democrat" crowd supporting him just cause like they do Hiliary now.
He has managed to not just split Iowa but realistically split the polls too. IF the wrong candidate wins the Republican nominee Bernie could take it. I don't like it but I see the movement of the country right now and it's very 3rd world scary!
As far as Rubio, Cruz and Trump. I have spoke on Rubio and his inconsistent issues, but Cruz just comes off as holier than everyone prick that just knows he knows what's best for all of us despite not having a clue. Trump is Trump and I'd love to watch him on TV just make an ass of himself and the idea that the president is important, but he has to have the right VP for me to truly trust him. I'd be fine if it was Rand Paul but if not I'm not sure who fits the bill.
With the promise of putting people in the right places and delegating as much as possible makes me want to believe trump, and then I think about is time in WWE and wonder just WTF he is even doing!
Isidewith.com ( probably a sham) says I'm centrist with left leanings. Kinda hate all of politicians, except local. Probably why Kasich is most appealing to me.
Think government should do certain things (roads, police, sewers, etc) but stay out of a lot of things. For certain social services, but not as long term solutions, which they have become. For gay marriage only in the fact government shouldn't be involved in religious ceremony, all marriages should just be civil unions in government eye. You want religious marriage, go to church. I'm for free expression of religion and anti government involvement (1st amendment) as long as it doesn't discriminate or break laws. Etc
I like Sanders approach that the whole system is corrupt. We need that. Same reason Trump appeals to people. However, while he advocates personal responsibility from Washington, his policies don't. I'm for certain social services, but not entire generations of people that feel entitled to free stuff.
Bernie doesn't get it. I genuinely think he's a Kennedy democrat in that he thinks public service comes first, but there was an advocation of volunteering, doing your part to contribute to the greater good. Now, a lot of people don't want to pay their fare share. So his intentions are good, but the entitlement we have as a culture is too strong for him to attack the way he's doing. Most people aren't radical. They just want shit to go right. Bernie is scary to people. Dukakis lite.
Trump is probably best when it comes to economic policy, but frightening when comes to domestic and foreign policy. Who knows. Missing something, besides being complete liar and fraud.
Rubio just looks young and inexperienced. Not sure what else.
Cruz looks like he actually has a game plan for how he's going to run his administration.
I really don't know much about Clinton. I really don't. Other then basic democrat stuff, no clue, other than her qualifications, which are impressive. Well, that whole fbi indictment is pretty bad, but just don't believe it's the smoking gun it's been played out to be.