Bernie Sanders (D) vs. Ron Paul (R)

[FerrisBueller86]

This is the battle of the mavericks.  Bernie Sanders is the Vermont Socialist congressman and Ron Paul is the libertarian Republican congressman from Texas.  Since Ron Paul is already a Republican, I decided to give Bernie Sanders the Democratic nomination in this thought experiment.

Interestingly enough, I read that Bernie Sanders and Ron Paul vote the same way nearly 70% of the time even though their ideologies are supposed to be directly opposed to each other.

Whom do you vote for?  Who wins?  And what does the electoral map look like?

[NewFederalist]

Both men have principles which is why they vote alike so often despite being nearly polar opposites. Kinda says something about how principled most legislation is doesn't it? BTW, I would enthusiastically vote for Ron Paul but Bernie Sanders would probably win. (I think I screwed up how I voted by voting Paul and also saying he would win... I wish it were so but probably not.)

[Speed of Sound]

Bernie would obviously be my choice, but I certainly couldnt even come close at conjuring up a realistic map.

[adam]

Paul/Paul in a Reagan-esque landslide.

[Colin]

Paul/Paul

Ron Paul is anti-abortion and only for Civil Unions, IIRC, so he would probably be able to bring in the social conservative vote, especially against Bernie Sanders, as well as moderates, libertarians, and mainstream conservatives. Paul would win with Bernie taking the Northeast and maybe parts of the Pacific Coast.

[True Democrat]

Even though Paul is socially libertarian, on the social issues that matter most to Republicans (abortion and gay marriage), he seems to be conservative.  I say Paul wins by about 54-42.

[Lincoln Republican]

This would be a hard fought election, with two clearly contrasting views of the future of the nation.

Sanders is simply TOO far out there on the left, however, to be able to appeal to enough of the electorate to put together an electoral win.

Sanders makes absolutely no headway in the south.  Paul wins a good percentage of independent voters. 

Ron Paul                 317 EV  54% PV
Bernie Sanders       221 EV  46% PV

[Rob]

Sanders/Paul.

Paul wins 300-238; 52-47 in the popular vote.

Yes, Sanders is a socialist... but Paul is an extremist libertarian fruitcake. With a moderate or even a typical conservative running for the GOP, you'd see a blowout, but in such a polarizing election the map wouldn't be all that different from the last couple elections. Given the current tilt of national politics, Paul does win solidly- but it's nowhere near a landslide.

[Bdub]

Paul/Paul

[MasterJedi]

Paul/Paul

Ron Paul is anti-abortion and only for Civil Unions, IIRC, so he would probably be able to bring in the social conservative vote, especially against Bernie Sanders, as well as moderates, libertarians, and mainstream conservatives. Paul would win with Bernie taking the Northeast and maybe parts of the Pacific Coast.

I agree with what Colin has said above.

[MaC]

Paul-420
Sanders-118

And obviously I vote Paul-best man in congress!

[TeePee4Prez]

Paul-420
Sanders-118

And obviously I vote Paul-best man in congress!

Paul winning Maryland??  He HATES government workers.  I can see NJ, CT, and ME, but MD would NEVER vote fro Paul.

[WalterMitty]

sanders (normal)

[Colin]

sanders (normal)

Change your avatar now. Seriously change it and become a green you silly Populist.

[WalterMitty]

sanders (normal)

Change your avatar now. Seriously change it and become a green you silly Populist.

sanders seems like a swell guy.  most of is positions are stupid.  but still...

ron paul is an arrogant attention whore.

[NewFederalist]

sanders (normal)

Change your avatar now. Seriously change it and become a green you silly Populist.

sanders seems like a swell guy.  most of is positions are stupid.  but still...

ron paul is an arrogant attention whore.

Wow! And I used to like you...

[Nym90]

Sanders.