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Comment by bun_at_work | Hacker News Reader

> See the small group of vocal Bernie Sanders "superfans" who would rather vote for Trump than for Biden,

While I agree with the majority of you comment and take on superfans in general, I think it's important to note that a large amount of those "superfans" for Sanders are actually astroturfing efforts.

I don't have sources handy, so take it with a grain of salt, but it seems pretty clear to me that on Twitter and Reddit those "superfans" are just trying to promote the idea that voters shouldn't vote for Biden as a way to remove their vote in the general.

Again, I agree with what you said here, just want to point out the astroturfing happening.

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That's no doubt part of it in the case of Sanders, but I think that also fuels the effect that turns real supporters toxic.

Also because you can see the same thing happen in other areas where people identify extremely strongly with something. In fact, the history of Christianity is filled with moments when Christians acted completely contrary to their teachings due to toxic identification with their brand. Although I guess in that case there were also politically motivated people pushing them in order to take advantage of it.

I agree here - obviously the astroturfing turns real supporters toxic in this case, otherwise there wouldn't be a reason to do it.

During the last election, I saw that attitude expressed for real among people I knew. They were almost certainly provoked by astoturfers but they were themselves sincere.

I don't know what they're saying this time around. I removed them from my life. They may have had a change of heart but I am far too angry at them. It's going to take the rest of my life to undo the damage. Possibly longer.

Many of them see through the facade of false choice, and the fact that their is only one political party in this country when it comes to a large % of issues. I don't blame them, you shouldn't either.

That used to be the case perhaps, but right now there are two very different parties.

I can totally understand voting third party when the Republican Party is putting forward someone like Romney or McCain. They're not going to rock the boat. Trump is trying sink it, and what remains of the Republican Party is eager to go down with him.

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