@hightor,
It is indeed a stretch, and I agree with your overall assessment of the potential effectiveness of any essentially socialist candidate in actually enacting his/her program, in the unlikely event one is elected.
However, considering only the evolving struggle among Democrat contenders, I believe Sanders has, so far, a good deal more credibility and demonstrated effectiveness as a campaigner than any of the other declared far left Democrat candidates, including Harris and Booker. Either of the latter may be a good deal more effective than Bernie in mobilizing Black voters, but by the terms we have been considering, that still leaves a minority - a perhaps vocal and active one, but still a minority. How these and other Emerging Democrat contenders form their professed platforms will likely be a very important and interesting process. So far all have spoken favorably of the radical left agenda, or at least key elements of it Medicare for all, etc.
The 2016 election defeat was a bitter outcome for Democrats (and Clinton). The lackluster Clinton campaign and the unexpected enthusiasm for her approved proforma contender Sanders set the stage for the subsequent emergence of far left wing forces (and presidential contenders) within a party that has repeatedly learned the adverse electoral consequences of a swing too far to the left. Among the consequences of the 2016 defeat are (1) A carryover from the Sanders campaign of the likely delusional assumption that their enthusiasm alone can overcome the traditional majority voter resistance to obviously left wing policies on the part of candidates. (2) The sudden emergence of new, very visible, radical left wing figures in the Democrat Congressional delegation, now capturing much of its air time; (3) A pronounced shift to the left on (in terms of their declared platforms) on the part of nearly all likely contenders for the nomination in 2020; (4) Renewed independence on the part of a DNC, now led by fairly radical left wing figures.
All this creates a very challenging situation for elected Democrat leaders as they enter the nominating season for the 2020 election. I suspect Speaker Pelosi will work hard to retain control of the evolving party platform, and by means of that, the advancement of favored candidates who have a chance to win. However, in a milieu in which the word "Socialism" is cast about with increasing frequency ( and reduced accuracy) by the emerging new figures; and a DNC, perhaps seeing its own opportunity, this is likely to be very difficult situation for her to manage.
Recent polls indicate that Trump has so far held on to the support of his core voter supporters. The Trump era boom in our economy continues, total employment remains at a several decade high and unemployment at a low, particularly among minorities. Consumer confidence and business investment levels all suggest a continuation of excellent economic performance through at least 2019. Significantly the Mueller Investigation is winding down so far with little to show for the two year effort, while at the same time documented evidence of the bias of the cabal of Obama era Justice Dept. and FBI officials who conducted both the softball Clinton classified material investigations and the near contemporaneous very hardball Trump investigations is coming fully into the public eye. The next two years of this drama may well be as positive for Trump as the first two were negative.
Overall, despite the somewhat childish radical enthusiasm of Democrat newcomers, prospects for the next election look increasingly good for Republicans.
