Matt Taibbi: Give 'Em Hell, Bernie: Bernie Sanders is more serious than you think

[cali]

Many years ago I pitched a magazine editor on a story about Bernie Sanders, then a congressman from Vermont, who'd agreed to something extraordinary – he agreed to let me, a reporter, stick next to him without restrictions over the course of a month in congress.

<snip>

I got the go-ahead and the resulting story was a wild journey through the tortuous bureaucratic maze of our national legislature. I didn't write this at the time, but I was struck every day by what a strange and interesting figure Sanders was.

Many of the battles he brought me along to witness, he lost. And no normal politician would be comfortable with the optics of bringing a Rolling Stone reporter to a Rules Committee hearing.

But Sanders genuinely, sincerely, does not care about optics. He is the rarest of Washington animals, a completely honest person. If he's motivated by anything other than a desire to use his influence to protect people who can't protect themselves, I've never seen it. Bernie Sanders is the kind of person who goes to bed at night thinking about how to increase the heating-oil aid program for the poor.

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/give-em-hell-bernie-20150429#ixzz3Yiujk2wG
Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook

[underpants]

1. Marking for later read

[LondonReign2]

2. Kick

[Koinos]

3. Great and timely article!

Thanks, Cali!

K & R

[think]

4. Excellent synopsis. TY /nt

[Marr]

5. I'd volunteer for a Sanders campaign-- I really hope he enters the race. /nt

[ChisolmTrailDem]

8. Look for his announcement tomorrow. He's jumping in - as a Democratic candidate. nt

[donnasgirl]

9. I am happy he is going as a democrat

But to be honest I wouldn't care if he ran as the man in the moon party, simply Because Bernie is the real deal and when people see him they will know because of his sincerity.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

12. He said he wouldn't be a spoiler so he has to run as a Democrat. nt

[donnasgirl]

14. Chisolm i understand that

But in my opinion that is what stands out about the man, he is also an unselfish human being.

[stillwaiting]

6. K&R; nt

[seabeyond]

7. i took sanders, seriously. nt

[smokey nj]

10. Thanks for this, cali!

[KoKo]

11. A bit more of the article which is a great read!

I remember the first time I was sold on Bernie Sanders as a politician. He was in his congressional office and he was ranting about the fact that many of the manufacturing and financial companies who asked him and other members of congress for tax breaks and aid were also in the business of moving American jobs overseas to places like China.

Sanders spent years trying to drum up support for a simple measure that would force any company that came to Washington asking for handouts to promise they wouldn't turn around and ship jobs to China or India.

That didn't seem like a lot to ask, but his fellow members treated him like he was asking for a repeal of the free enterprise system. This issue drove Sanders crazy. Again showing his Brooklyn roots, Bernie gets genuinely mad about these things. While some pols are kept up at night worrying about the future profitability of gazillionaire banks, Sanders seethes over the many obvious wrongs that get smoothed over and covered up at his place of work.

That saltiness, I'm almost sure of it, is what drove him into this race. He just can't sit by and watch the things that go on, go on. That's not who he is.

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/give-em-hell-bernie-20150429#ixzz3Yj4EcZMT
Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook

[smokey nj]

21. My favorite quote from the article

" 'Bernie Sanders...That's the one who cares, right' "

[840high]

96. Like.

[polichick]

13. As usual, Matt says it like it is - just like Bernie! k&r

[lewebley3]

15. Matt just wants another white Male for President!!

Hillary and Bernie argree on almost all the issues, Hillary has
been a loyal Dem.

Bernie is just joining to get elected, using the party he refused to join for years!

[polichick]

20. Nice try.

[smokey nj]

27. Take it from where it's coming, polichick.

I think it's hilarious that "HE'S NOT A DEMOCRAT!1!!1!1" is the worst thing they can say about Bernie Sanders.

[polichick]

29. It really is hilarious - and we're just getting started. We're in for a fun ride!

[PatriceKelly]

35. Bernie Is A Real Democrat

That's the problem.

A Roosevelt Democrat, not a Wall Street, Exxon, Coal sell out half Republican.

It may be Hillary that isn't the Democrat.

I volunteered for Bernie's campaign months ago in Seattle.

I look forward to having someone that wants to prosecute the
real criminals in the White House.

[appalachiablue]

48. +200 Bernie Sanders IS a Real Democrat, a Roosevelt one, not a Wall Street one.

That I'd like to have for a Tote Bag and a Bumper Sticker-
-Appa

[lewebley3]

33. Hillary!!

[Dragonfli]

93. It's all about her, no one else matters!!!!

[tiredtoo]

52. Good one Polichick

and timely.

[truebrit71]

22. Really? THAT is your take away from this article?

[smokey nj]

24. Based on the response, I suspect that person didn't bother to read the article.

[truebrit71]

26. Oh, based on that response I think that person lives under a bridge...

...and has a severe aversion to sunlight....

But I thought I'd be nice about it....

[smokey nj]

28. You were much nicer than I was going to be. I started responding but deleted before posting.

I figured it just wasn't worth it.

[Eleanors38]

30. Isn't the stuffing already out of the punching bag? sheeesh.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

43. That statement is literally too stupid to insult. n/t

[Aerows]

46. If that is what you got out of the article

well, you get what you put in and get what you deserve.

[arcane1]

47. LOL You're going to have to try much harder than THAT!

[hifiguy]

69. Owl rly?

[frylock]

74. run along now

[SoCalMusicLover]

79. Hillary & Bernie Agree On Almost All The Issues

That's where you lost me.....in the very first sentence.

[MaggieD]

99. That's pretty much true

In specific HRC has been very adamant on the very issue highlighted in this article - no tax breaks for companies that off shore American jobs.

[Dawgs]

106. Agreeing on the issues and fighting for the ones that are most important are 2 different things.

[Buns_of_Fire]

82. You're playing to a tough audience, kid.

People here, be they Hillary supporters or Bernie supporters, expect a little better than that. As you'll soon find out, if you haven't already.

[ChiciB1]

91. WOW, Kind Of Living In La-La Land...

I said this some time ago and it's proving to be true. There's an ALL OUT EFFORT to make Hillary into a criminal in so, so many ways. I'm betting there will be no let up from here on out and IMO there are just TOO MANY people who will believe anything negative, but NEGATIVE from here on out does NOT bode well!

I'm not one of her supporters, but even if I was I don't think I have it in me to EXPLAIN stuff over and over. The shit is hitting the fan & walls.... I have a feeling there's going to me stuff sticking everywhere!

[Dragonfli]

92. How adorable! I just want to pinch yo widdle cheecks!

[Logical]

97. LOL, Hillary supporter I assume? nt

[cantbeserious]

100. I'm Ready For Oligarchy - Are You? - Vote HRC - Yeah Right - "Won't Get Fooled Again"

[marmar]

111. You have no actual criticism, so you just fabricate some baseless accusation.

Pathetic.

[lewebley3]

121. How is the fact tha Bernie is white baseless accusation: Its a fact Bernie is a white male!!

It just the truth!!

[wendylaroux]

119. you're a real lewlew

and wrong wrong.

[Octafish]

16. ''Sanders genuinely, sincerely, does not care about optics.''

"He is the rarest of Washington animals, a completely honest person." -- Matt Taibbi

That's what we need the most of to right the ship of state, people of INTEGRITY.

Consider those who do consider "Optics ueber Alles." They're the ones who don't want you to see what's really there, or, in the case of Banksters, what isn't there any more.

[arcane1]

49. I think people will notice that, too.

While everyone else speaks in pre-approved platitudes, he'll be calling out the Koch brothers and giving hell to the corporations.

It will be a dramatic and noticeable difference between him and the other candidates. Talk about "optics"!

[hifiguy]

65. He reminds me of a modern-day Harry Truman.

Harry told it like it was - no focus groups, no tidy, corporate-approved language. Just good old-fashioned honesty.

[cyberswede]

17. "But Sanders genuinely, sincerely, does not care about optics."

and...

If he's motivated by anything other than a desire to use his influence to protect people who can't protect themselves, I've never seen it. Bernie Sanders is the kind of person who goes to bed at night thinking about how to increase the heating-oil aid program for the poor.

Right on!

[arcane1]

51. I liked this one:

"In this manner we're conditioned to believe that the candidate who has the early assent of a handful of executives on Wall Street and in Hollywood and Silicon Valley is the "serious" politician, while the one who is merely the favorite of large numbers of human beings is an irritating novelty act whose only possible goal could be to cut into the numbers of the real players."

[cyberswede]

55. Jimmy Carter had no $ when he started. He slept on people's couches in Iowa.

I know times have changed, and the big $ in politics changes the dynamic, but I think people really are ready for Bernie's message.

[arcane1]

56. And people are sick of big money running everything.

What a refreshing option!

I know I'll be donating to him!!!

[smokey nj]

61. Indeed and that frustration transcends ideology.

[arcane1]

62. Exactly. And I bet Sanders will not hesitate to NAME where his opponents get their $$

Republican and Democrat alike!

[hifiguy]

66. On a smaller scale, no one gave Paul Wellstone a chance in hell

to unseat a wealthy and well-financed Raygun lapdog, one Rudy Boschwitz, when he ran for the US Senate here in Minnesota. Wellstone worked his ass off, spoke anyplace he could get six people together and won the respect (and more importantly, VOTES) pf many who didn't necessarily agree with him on all the issues.

But no one ever was able to say that they didn't know where Wellstone stood or what his principles were. His straightforward honesty won over many who never imagined they'd be voting for him.

[cyberswede]

70. I truly miss him.

[hifiguy]

71. Indeed.

Bernie is the first officeholder I have seen since that gives me that flicker of hope that someone out there genuinely gives a shit about the people.

[LuckyLib]

95. Bernie is the closest to Paul Wellstone we have. Those values are few and far between in today's

political scene. I'm putting my money and my energy on Bernie. Until if and when there is another nominee.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

107. Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan agreed to run on ZERO campaign contributions....

Both campaigns were publicly funded.

[cyberswede]

115. Yeah. We definitely need campaign finance reform. nt

[G_j]

18. He said he wouldn't run

unless he was serious about winning, and I believe him.

[Cheese Sandwich]

19. A very enjoyable piece to read!

[WillyT]

23. HUGE K & R !!! - THANK YOU !!!

[PufPuf23]

25. Go Bernie -- hopefully honesty is contagious but

that is an unrealistic thought alas

[fredamae]

31. I believe he is serious and

I'm very serious about supporting him.

[hifiguy]

32. That sums up why I am 100%

behind Bernie.

[Aerows]

44. Me too!

[markpkessinger]

72. Me three! n/t

[Suney]

34. FDR candidate

Let's labet Sanders as the FDR candidate.

[Cleita]

78. Great suggestion and welcome to DU!

We have a Bernie Sanders group if things get too rude in General Discussion.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12801#post1

[marlakay]

36. I have ticket to see Matt locally Friday

Small town in mountains in WA state he must want to hike this weekend. He's giving a talk at our local eco resort.

Can't wait to talk to him since its small venue.

[mother earth]

37. K & R, for Taibbi & Bernie! Give 'em hell, Bernie!

[Proud Public Servant]

38. This is an especially great read when placed alongside

Taibbi's recent assessment of Bill and Hillary

The Clintons have always been cynics. They invented a brilliant formula for competing with the Republicans in the big-money era of politics. They brought people like Goldman chief Bob Rubin into the tent to implement enough deregulation to score vital fundraising dollars, while electorally, they used welfare reform and remarks about Sister Souljah to triangulate back just enough of those Southern "silent majority" votes (the ones seemingly lost forever in the Nixon days) to rework the electoral map in the Democrats' favor.

It worked. It was ingenious. But over two decades into our relationship with the Clintons, it's still really hard to know what motivates them, beyond getting off on being smart politicians.

They're not idealists. In fact, they were pioneers of a sneering attitude you find everywhere in Washington these days, one that rolls its eyes at "purists" who don't have the stones to do what it takes to win (like voting for the Iraq war so as not to look "soft on defense&quot .

They clearly love the game and they love winning. They're both masters of it, Hillary maybe even more than Bill. But that's not the same as having a belief system.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/hillary-clinton-is-turning-into-richard-nixon-and-bill-belichick-20150314#ixzz3YjMoSdPR

Go Bernie go!

[woo me with science]

90. +1000000 The contrast exposes Third way frauds and predators for what they are.

We've come to accept the flat-out lies and constant propaganda assaults of corporate government as business as usual. Bernie is a blast of fresh air making us aware by sheer contrast how sick and predatory the standard, manipulative MO of our corporate politicians really is.

Bernie Sanders reminds us of what our representatives are supposed to be. He is an honest politicians who does not campaign on one agenda and then govern from another. That is why the PTB and their propaganda brigades are so threatened by him. He reminds Americans what we have a right to expect from our representatives....but never get to see from our corporate politicians except in their lying corporate advertisements.

[Flying Squirrel]

39. Check out this line... Priceless!

It's a little-known fact, but we reporters could successfully sell Sanders or Elizabeth Warren or any other populist candidate as a serious contender for the White House if we wanted to. Hell, we told Americans it was okay to vote for George Bush, a man who moves his lips when he reads.

[Aerows]

42. The media is both corrupt

and arrogant.

[hifiguy]

73. The only remaining question is whether they are more arrogant

or more corrupt. There is so much of both it's hard to decide.

[Aerows]

75. You are right

that's the only question. A mouse would starve on the difference, though!

[Enthusiast]

108. You nailed that one.

[truebrit71]

45. I love that last line "moves his lips when he reads"..

[mountain grammy]

57. Isn't it though? I had just copied that to post..

doesn't this say it all? It's as if most of the press owed their livelihoods to the oligarchs..

oh wait, they do!

[arcane1]

63. They are the biggest recipient of all the SuperPac cash, after all!

[hifiguy]

67. That is one of the pithiest and funniest takedowns of the Chimperor

ever.

[DJ13]

103. Yep!

[red dog 1]

40. K&R...Thanks for posting, cali

Bernie running as a Dem would be great news!

[Aerows]

41. Run, Bernie - RUN

make this country a better place for all of us.

[AzDar]

50. Bernie!!

[BrotherIvan]

53. With Rolling Stone beating the drum, here comes the youth vote

Off to read the article. But if a famous cynic like Taibbibi is this smitten, I think he can turn some heads. There is a lot of enthusiasm around here today. Good to see.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

54. classic showdown

[mountain grammy]

58. A great article, sorry about re posting the first paragraph but it's needed for the second.

It's a little-known fact, but we reporters could successfully sell Sanders or Elizabeth Warren or any other populist candidate as a serious contender for the White House if we wanted to. Hell, we told Americans it was okay to vote for George Bush, a man who moves his lips when he reads.

But the lapdog mentality is deeply ingrained and most Beltway scribes prefer to wait for a signal from above before they agree to take anyone not sitting atop a mountain of cash seriously.

Indeed, in-fucking-deed!



Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/give-em-hell-bernie-20150429#ixzz3YjW8Shfv
Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook

[turbinetree]

59. Double YEAH................

we have a progressive liberal candidate who knows what the hell is going on in this country.

He really gets it and I remember Taibbi's article on this man---great reporting.

How the middle class, working poor, and the just poor and homeless are just getting screwed, and every time I hear him say what the issues are and what is causing these issues---yes.

Go for it Bernie run.

I want you (Bernie) to appoint the U.S. Supreme court nominees-------yes I do.
Because this election is about the U.S. Supreme court------always has been, and always will be-------we need a progressive court, just like the FDR court and the Johnson Court-------it made the middle class

I will do whatever I can to make you win, volunteer, phone bank, whatever it takes.

He has tried to filibuster the criminality of what Wall Street, Banks, hedge funds and the absolute corruption in the voting campaign system (Citizens United) from day one, and how the greed is turning this country into a oligarchy---from day one

Like Thom Hartmann says every Friday on his radio show "Welcome Senator Sanders ", would it not be nice to hear him say "Welcome Mr. President" to your town hall meeting

[redruddyred]

60. bernie is coming to visit my town this saturday.

can't wait to see him!

[Maedhros]

64. Man, does this quote hit the nail on the head:

In this manner we're conditioned to believe that the candidate who has the early assent of a handful of executives on Wall Street and in Hollywood and Silicon Valley is the "serious" politician, while the one who is merely the favorite of large numbers of human beings is an irritating novelty act whose only possible goal could be to cut into the numbers of the real players.

And this:

Thus this whole question of "seriousness" – which will dominate coverage of the Sanders campaign – should really be read as a profound indictment of our political system, which is now so openly an oligarchy that any politician who doesn't have the blessing of the bosses is marginalized before he or she steps into the ring.

[LWolf]

88. That quote needs to be pinned, large and up front,

somewhere.

[winter is coming]

123. That should be an OP. n/t

[democrank]

68. Go Bernie!

Many years back I was driving through a Vermont village in the "Northeast Kingdom" and noticed a sign tacked to a telephone pole.... FREE SPAGHETTI DINNER WITH BERNIE TONIGHT AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER. I made a beeline for it because I love this guy.

The place was absolutely packed with the same folks you see at most of Bernie`s get togethers: old veterans, mechanics, schoolteachers, farmers-organic and otherwise, hippies, carpenters, deer hunters, store keepers, unemployed people, real estate salespeople, cooks, artisans, librarians, loggers, yoga instructors and curious bystanders. After Bernie gave a few prepared remarks, he turned the gathering over to the citizens and asked what was on our minds. The discussion was so enlightening, so uplifting.

Bernie Sanders is a true man of the people and if he says something....believe it. He will never, ever have to hire a consultant to tell him what he needs to believe in.

And, I am so thankful for his long-standing advocacy for veterans.

[haikugal]

76. It's been many years since we've had an honest person running for office,

and talking about real issues and real solutions. I've lived through many assassinations of such people and felt that it was an effort by the PTB to control us. I hope Bernie is careful and has security. I know he's aware of this, Bernie is a smart, courageous man, and I know he's committed to doing what needs to be done.

Bernie you're my hero, you have my support and my gratitude.

[orpupilofnature57]

77. He's got my Vote !!!!

And anything else I can do for him, for us and most of all for myself . He's the 1% of the politicians who actually Like us .

[SoCalMusicLover]

80. I Would Like To Believe He Has A Chance To Win Nomination

But realistically, I think Hillary is not going to allow herself to be beaten a 2nd time in the primaries.

Literally anything she must do, if she feels her frontrunner status is threatened, she will do. I don't put anything past her.

Bernie will be comfortable in his own skin, moving forward if he does not get the nomination. Hillary, however, has a win at all costs attitude, and views this as her legacy. She was taken by surprise when Barrack came out of nowhere to challenge her, and she is not going to let a politician far to her left, get any traction in 2015.

I hope Bernie is still in the race when CA primaries come around, as I intend to vote for him.

[NorthCarolina]

86. I hope America doesn't blow this chance. May be the last

opportunity we have before the oligarchs put the final clamp down on government, sealing their complete control.

[Cosmocat]

104. Not for nothing

I am probably going to support Bernie in the primary, and I do tend to believe he is about as good as you can get, both in terms of personal integrity and also in terms of policy.

But, if he were to win the nomination, if he were to win the presidency, we still are probably headed where we are headed.

Make no mistake, Bernie Sanders will not be immune to the treatment any democrat receives.

Bill, Hillary, BHO, Kerry, Gore, Dean ...

They republicans will find SOMETHING to slander and marginalize him, the media will gleefully go along for the ride with it, and democrats will leave him twisting in the wind.

[Autumn]

81. cali, here's the link to the Bernie Sanders group

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1280

[cali]

83. thanks, Autumn

[Enthusiast]

84. K&R! This post should have hundreds of recommendations!

I love Bernie and Matt Taibbi.

[silvershadow]

85. Yep. Bernie or bust! nt

[hotrod0808]

87. K&R

[woo me with science]

89. Huge, huge K&R

[Thespian2]

94. K & R !!!

[MaggieD]

98. Good article

[fadedrose]

101. I don't think Sanders knows how to lie

about anything of consequence that is important to him and the country. It's just not in him.

[Oilwellian]

102. George Bush moves his lips when he reads?

Great article!

K&R

[Evar]

105. The right man at the right time

Sanders' motto could be A Man for the People, because he is just that, exactly the leader that America needs now. With his common sense, end corruption approach, he has appeal for the majority of Americans, regardless of party affiliation. He is my candidate.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

109. wow, thanks for this, cali!!

Must read later!

[Overseas]

110. K&R.

[Orsino]

112. "Completely honest"? In the US Senate? No.

Impressively honest is plenty for me.

[sabrina 1]

113. Thanks Matt Taibbi, it is Bernie's honesty that might just win this race for all of us.

[raouldukelives]

114. K&R Don't have the time left to play footsie with oligarchs anymore.

It has brought our democracy to its knees, our country to the brink of ruin and it has brought our very time on this world to the brink of extinction.

Give em hell Bernie. Before they finish creating it.

[BeanMusical]

120. Kick and R.

[AtomicKitten]

122. Matt nailed it. Again.

k&r