The idea of Bernie Sanders is that he's authentic. He's not Hillary Clinton. He doesn't change positions with the polls. He has principles.
In reality, Bernie Sanders is a lifelong politician who gets elected because in his own way he is every bit as skilled at playing the political game as Hillary Clinton. But, like Obama, his image is his asset because he doesn't appear to be playing it.
Except he does.
Bernie Sanders took the positions on gun control that he did, weak as they were, to appeal to voters. He admitted as much at the first debate. Now, as with the other issues he had to evolve on during the campaign, he's flipped. And flipped without appearing to flip by claiming that it was his position all along.
Bernie pulled a Hillary.
It's less the position that's interesting. It's more the timing.
For the first time, Bernie Sanders seems to have a shot as a general election candidate. As ridiculous as it might seem, Bernie Sanders could become the Democratic nominee and, if the Republican primaries remain a disaster, the President of the United States.
In other words, Bernie Sanders might never have to worry about what Vermont voters think ever again. Even New Hampshire now matters less. And so his positions on guns are subject to new revisions.
That's how politics works. It's just not how Bernie Sanders is supposed to work. But Bernie Sanders is a successful politician. His absurdity disguises that much as it does for Donald Trump. But it's not the mannerisms that count. It's the track record. And Bernie Sanders, by his track record, is very good at getting elected to things. Better than Hillary for that matter.
No matter how wacky Bernie seems, he's a guy who has spent decades getting people to vote for him by telling them what they want to hear.
The alternative to Hillary isn't an authentic politician. There is no such thing. The alternative is a better politician.
Think of Hillary as the sleazy car salesman. The obvious one in a cheap suit with a smirk who desperately keep badgering you about floor mats. Bernie Sanders is the one who seems like your grandpa, who waves away all the talk about extras, really loves hearing about your job and then screws you twice as hard.
Bernie Sanders is a successful politician whose secret is that he doesn't seem like a politician.