Greetings, MMC and Polgara. :2wave:
Just have to look at who is supporting Bernie. It's the same segments of the electorate that supported Obama.
Those voters clearly haven't learned how dishonest the Democrats are (and are probably issued talking points to parrot that it's the Republican's fault which they bleat), and it's unlikely that they'll come to that conclusion between now and election day either.
Seems like one of the larger issue on which Bernie is gaining traction with them is that the economy is rigged, and that all the wealth is migrating up to the 1%ers. Face it, with the middle class disappearing, it's hard not to come to that conclusion, it lies there plain as day for all to see.
Well, yeah, there is some truth to that, the problem becomes how to address it, both from Republican messaging as well as actual changes to grow the middle class (in strength and numbers). Giving away other people's money (government directed wealth redistribution) isn't a solution, not a real one anyway. Should the Republicans come up with a reasonable and viable solution, and message it well, that would be the greatest defense against the Obama - come Bernie - hordes.
I don't think that Trump is serious about going 3rd party, because he's gotta know that it'll sink his chances of winning, right along the Republican's chances. It's just a threat from him to the GOP to tell them that he won't be marginalized out of hand, and I think that's fair. Just look at Carly's struggles to get on the main stage (yeah, I know, different controlling interest, but same problem of marginalization - so yes, it does happen).