In the 2020 general election when 47% of Independents tell you they will not vote for a self-identified Democratic socialist, believe them. If you add the 22% who are unsure that is 69%.
From the crosstabs of the YouGov poll up on 538 posted today on the issue of socialism. There are a series of additional questions including asking which countries are socialist and what type of activities are socialist. (Eg government run health care, banking)
The format would not hold so the link is to 538 and if you hit any of today's YouGov head to head polls it will take you to the pdf.
In a theoretical head to head within the Democratic party Sanders leads, I think every one. They do not have a head to head up on 538 with dt at the link, although it might be on another section of 538.
The problem is while Democratic party LV have no real problem voting for a socialist the 47% of Independents say they will not vote for a Democratic socialist.
Bottom line would you vote for a Democratic socialist?
Total yes 35% , no 46% , not sure 18%
D yes 62%, no 14%, not sure 24%
I yes 31%, no 47%, not sure 22%
R yes 9%, no 84%, not sure 7%
"1B. Vote for a Candidate Who — Called themselves a ’Democratic socialist’
Gender Age Race
Total Male Female 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ White Black Hispanic Other
Yes 35% 36% 35% 51% 43% 30% 26% 34% 45% 34% 28%
No 46% 51% 43% 32% 38% 51% 57% 51% 18% 41% 59%
Not sure 18% 13% 23% 17% 19% 19% 17% 15% 37% 24% 13%
Totals 99% 100% 101% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 99% 100%
Unweighted N (1,526) (678) (848) (165) (293) (664) (404) (1,194) (151) (111) (70)
Party ID Registered 2016 Vote Education
Total Dem Ind Rep Voters Clinton Trump HS or less Some college College grad Postgrad
Yes 35% 62% 31% 9% 35% 62% 8% 29% 32% 42% 48%
No 46% 14% 47% 84% 46% 13% 87% 49% 49% 44% 39%
Not sure 18% 24% 22% 7% 18% 25% 6% 22% 19% 14% 13%
Totals 99% 100% 100% 100% 99% 100% 101% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Unweighted N (1,526) (546) (472) (508) (1,526) (585) (625) (353)3.
View of Socialism
Do you have a favorable or unfavorable view of socialism?
Gender Age Race
Total Male Female 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ White Black Hispanic Other
Very favorable 10% 11% 10% 16% 19% 6% 5% 10% 11% 14% 12%
Somewhat favorable 16% 15% 17% 19% 18% 15% 14% 17% 14% 14% 14%
Neutral 19% 16% 22% 26% 18% 18% 18% 16% 37% 23% 14%
Somewhat unfavorable 9% 8% 9% 7% 7% 9% 9% 9% 7% 6% 9%
Very unfavorable 38% 44% 33% 22% 28% 44% 48% 42% 11% 34% 49%
Don’t know 8% 5% 10% 9% 10% 7% 5% 6% 20% 10% 2%
Totals 100% 99% 101% 99% 100% 99% 99% 100% 100% 101% 100%
Unweighted N (1,526) (679) (847) (165) (292) (663) (406) (1,196) (150) (111) (69)
Party ID Registered 2016 Vote Education
Total Dem Ind Rep Voters Clinton Trump HS or less Some college College grad Postgrad
Very favorable 10% 15% 8% 6% 10% 15% 4% 8% 8% 15% 15%
Somewhat favorable 16% 30% 12% 5% 16% 29% 4% 11% 15% 21% 24%
Neutral 19% 29% 21% 6%"
Bottom line we can not afford to lose 47% of Independents against dt. I also believe that we definitely would not take back the Senate (even though it would be hard even if Sanders was not top of the ticket).
From everything dt has done, including encouraging Republicans in SC to vote for Sanders in the primary, I have to assume that their internal polling shows similar results.
538 link to YouGov PDF