Hillary Clinton's Not-So-Subtle Message to Bernie Sanders - NBCNews

[WillyT]

Hillary Clinton's Not-So-Subtle Message to Bernie Sanders
by Alex Seitz-Wald - NBCNews
Sep 28 2015, 6:15 pm ET

<snip>

Hillary Clinton still refuses to engage with Bernie Sanders head on, but with the first Democratic presidential debate just two weeks away, the Democratic presidential front-runner subtly called out one of her challenger's biggest weaknesses in a new interview with NBC/MSNBC's Chuck Todd.

Clinton has for months refused to even utter Sanders' name on the campaign trail. But as the leading Democratic candidates approach the first debate next month, both have edged bit-by-bit towards confrontation.

"Well, I'm not in any way going to criticize Sen. Sanders," Clinton told Todd in an interview for the new MSNBC show "MTP Daily." "And he's running a great campaign and I respect that."

But Clinton went on to note that Democratic lawmakers, who have worked with both Sanders and Clinton in Congress, have lined up behind her, not him.

"But the fact now that I have so many of my Democratic colleagues, present and former, in the House and the Senate, out in state Houses who are lined up to say, you know, 'This is the person we want to see as president,' is very gratifying," she said. "Because they look at what they think I can do for them."

She didn't mention Sanders' name, but she didn't have to.

<snip>

More: http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/hillary-clintons-not-so-subtle-message-bernie-sanders-n435236

"Because they look at what they think I can do for them."

[Renew Deal]

1. She's correct

It's startling that Bernie doesn't have a single congressional endorsement. Even Ted Cruz has one.

[WillyT]

3. It's Not Startling At All... They're All Scared Shitless Of Her !!!

She keeps lists, remember?

[MineralMan]

8. Highly doubtful, actually.

She has the endorsements because those people actually endorse her candidacy. Why? Because they're Democrats and think she'd be the best choice for 2016. There are many reasons to think that, including her high probability of beating the Republican nominee. These are mostly seasoned legislators who have been elected multiple times. They understand elections and how to win.

Lists? Everyone keeps lists of their allies and opponents. It's part of the the game.

You don't like Hillary? That's fine, but lots of people do.

[WillyT]

11. Do You Think Bernie Keeps An Enemies List ???

I don't.

[MineralMan]

19. I have no idea. I do not know him.

Does he know who supports and who opposes him? Certainly he does. He's been in politics for a very long time. I'm sure he'd like a long list of elected legislators endorsing him, too. He has some, but not really at the Congressional level. They all know him. They count on him to vote with the Democratic Caucus, because he has done that over time.

Getting an endorsement for a presidential run is a different matter, though. Don't forget that those Democrats elected to Congress are long-term Democrats and proud of that. They're endorsing a Democrat for President. Anyone who expects something else is not thinking about actual political reality.

Sanders has considerable popular support from voters. Will that be enough to get him the nomination? Looking at all 50 states, I don't think so. In fact, I think he will be out of the running on March 2, 2016. We'll see, won't we? I only get to vote in Minnesota. There are 49 other states in the primary season.

Each and every one is important in determining who the delegates will be at the convention. Start counting.

[Android3.14]

41. Didn't ask if you "know"

Just from an observation of character, who do you think is more likely to keep a list of enemies?

The conclusion is obvious.

[MineralMan]

58. Nothing is obvious. Knowledge is power.

[kenfrequed]

95. So are platitudes.

By that I mean platitudes are obvious, obviously. Also, they are the opposite of knowledge as they generally don't say anything. Such as when you toss out "knowledge is power" in this thread.

False equivalencies are also fairly bad in terms of argumentation. I.e. "everyone does it" in the event you might have missed what I was referring to.

[roguevalley]

109. actually, they endorsed her when no one understood this would be a horse race

I imagine some of them are already sorry. Having a bunch of endorsements are nice, though congressional endorsements don't really mean much. No one my state endorsed would get my vote. The endorsements that count are the votes. She is covered in shiny things but they won't matter if no one buys her. No one I know does. Keep hanging the baubles. THey are in the end meaningless.

[AgingAmerican]

68. They all feed at the money trough

nt

[hifiguy]

147. Like swine gobbling swill. nt

[Renew Deal]

33. That didn't stop the hundreds of endorsements that Obama got.

Or the few that O'Malley has.

[Divernan]

107. Bill & Hillary have a spread sheet of those who "betrayed" them.

Last edited Tue Sep 29, 2015, 05:17 PM - Edit history (1)

I can’t stop thinking about the news that, according to a forthcoming book, HRC: State Secrets and the Rebirth of Hillary Clinton, she and Bill kept a list of the people who had betrayed her during her presidential campaign in 2008. When I say list, I’m not talking about some names scrawled on a beer mat after a drunken bout of slagging off senators down the pub. This is Hillary Clinton we’re talking about, after all. She didn’t keep the names on a Post-it note stuck in her diary, nor stuck to the mirror in the hall so she could flick the Vs at it as she left for work in the morning. She allegedly had two aides compile a spreadsheet of her enemies, what she’d done for them and the exact way they had stuck a knife in her back.

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/hilary-clintons-revenge-list-is-no-bad-idea-9070431.html

Most of us are familiar with information in the diary kept by Hillary's close friend and confident, Diane Blair, which detailed Hillary, for purposes of "revenge", keeping track of people who'd opposed her health care initiative.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/02/12/confidants-diary-clinton-wanted-to-keep-records-for-revenge/

First on CNN–Confidant’s diary: Clinton wanted to keep records for revenge'

Fayetteville, Arkansas (CNN) - Shortly before Hillary Clinton’s effort to pass health care reform died in the summer of 1994, the first lady asked a close friend and confidant for advice on “how best to preserve her general memories of the administration and of health care in particular.”

When asked why, according to the friend’s June 20, 1994, diary entry, Clinton said, “Revenge.”

Her thirst for revenge has apparently just grown over the decades, but now it's more formalized, i.e., into spreadsheets. One of the people she & Bill destroyed? My very own Congressman, Jason Altmire.

http://www.saintpetersblog.com/archives/133900

Florida Blue’s Jason Altmire featured in new Hillary Clinton book

Today marks the release of a tell-on book on Hillary Clinton, and in it, some telling narrative on Florida’s Jason Altmire — formerly a congressman from Pennsylvania and now the Senior Vice President at Florida Blue.

The book, titled “HRC: State Secrets and the Rebirth of Hillary Clinton“, is a stark depiction of revenge, strategy and political warfare carried out by the Clintons following Hillary’s 2008 defeat to Barack Obama. But it also seems expressly intended to foster or substantiate the dialogue of Hillary as a phoenix rising; of Hillary as the next and rightful United States President.

Authors Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes — both White House correspondents and journalists — pieced the 448-page book together following more than 200 interviews with Hillary’s inner circle, supporters and enemies. (continued below)

[Divernan]

108. For Clintons, revenge is a dish never served too cold.

Last edited Tue Sep 29, 2015, 05:20 PM - Edit history (2)

If Shakespeare were alive, he'd do a whole trilogy on the dark, tangled web of the Clintons' personal and political history. Background: After the data from the 2010 census came in, congressional districts were reapportioned, and two blue districts were gerrymandered into a district which stretched across some 5 counties in the shape of a dragon in a Chinese new year's parade. This pitted 2 Democratic incumbents against each other. My Congressman, Altmire was favored to win, until Bill Clinton jumped in and started throwing his weight around. Billary's boy, Critz won the primary but went on to lose in the general election in 2012, and we've had a fucking arch-conservative Republican Congressman ever since. Thanks, BILL! and HILLARY, too! For frigging NOTHING!

http://www.saintpetersblog.com/archives/133900

But more than any other, it is Altmire’s story that “HRC” digs into. “If there was a poster boy for the betrayal-and-revenge narrative, it was Altmire, a tall, broad-shouldered former Florida State University football player who had won his western Pennsylania House seat in the midterm Democratic landslide of 2006,” wrote Allen and Parnes. They continued by describing how Altmire had earned some early stripes as a congressional aide when selected to work on Hillary’s health care reform task in 1993.

Regardless of the time lapse (FIFTEEN YEARS!) and Altmire’s success in his own right since then, Hillary felt pretty sure that Altmire owed her one. Hillary saw Altmire as one of her prime targets as she courted superdelegates in 2008. But things didn’t go that way. She didn’t get around to meeting with Altmire and others “in earnest until after Super Tuesday in February” at which point she had assumed the nomination would be hers. Obama, for his part, had reached out to Altmire in the summer if 2007, and he and Michelle continued to court him.

From there, Altmire was heavily lobbied by both of the Clintons and Obama for his endorsement as a superdelegate. While Altmire came to the point where he wanted Obama to win, he felt it would be right and best to keep his thoughts to himself. He never did endorse her, and stayed neutral throughout.

The details of Altmire’s many exchanges with both Clintons are extensively portrayed in the book — fascinating details and relatable ones for those who have felt similar tensions. Likewise for Altmire’s exchanges with Obama. But as popular knowledge and this book make clear, the Clintons keep a list of those they consider traitors.

“The bill for Altmire’s neutrality would come due nearly four years later, to the day, in the 2012 Pennsylvania Democratic primary,” the book reads. “A full presidential cycle later, Bill was still determined to get payback.” Altmire was heavily favored to win his primary against Democratic representative Mark Critz — at least before Bill got involved.

Needless to say, there’s a reason why Jason Altmire today leads Florida Blue. Altmire is a sure gain for Florida, a loss to the people of his Pennsylvania district, and a warning to others who dare cross the Clintons, even if all they do is remain silent and neutral.

[jfern]

169. We need to stop having these people destroy the party with their grudges

[hifiguy]

148. The similarities between the Clintons and Richard Nixon

increase every day. The truthlessness, vindictiveness, ethically-challenged nature and power-hunger are indistinguishable.

[HereSince1628]

46. How is it startling that establishment politicians line up with the establishment choice?

They scared of Wasserman-Shultz. Hell knows no wrath like... well... a New Dem scorned.

[nolabels]

61. How is it that lemmings follow each other?

Social instincts are inbred, it's really not rocket science

[6chars]

101. Pretty startling?

[jwirr]

104. Exactly. They are DLC establishment. And one other reason.

Bernie did not think he would get the kind of support that he is getting. No one jumps on the band wagon until they are very sure that it is going somewhere. IMO they are cowards but they will wait until they are sure.

Remember DWS and her establishment players hold the campaign finances in their hands.

[AlbertCat]

76. Bernie doesn't have a single congressional endorsement.

Well, all those Congress critters DO SUCH A GOOD JOB and are SO POPULAR!

Right? Right?

[peacebird]

102. Bingo!

[Gothmog]

78. The fact that Carnival Cruz has more congressional endorsements than Sanders is amusing

[frylock]

111. It's nice that you can find solace in that.

[Gothmog]

130. Solace and amusement are two different things

Most people do not think that Sanders will be the nominee. If the Clinton campaign imploded, then Biden would step in. For me to find comfort in the fact that Carnival Cruz has more congressional endorsements than Sen. Sanders, I would have to be willing to ignore Nate Silver http://fivethirtyeight.com/ , predictwise http://www.predictwise.com/ and every other source predicting the outcome of this primary season. I need no comfort as to the current state of the primary process https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=solace+definition Solace is very very different from amusement. Carnival Cruz is hated by the GOP leadership and the fact that Carnival Cruz has more members of congress endorsing him compared to Sanders amuses me.

You are welcome to support the candidate of your choice based on whatever criterion that you deem appropriate. Other Democrats may by using different criterion including endorsements in deciding which candidate these Democrats will support

[frylock]

137. I'm one of those idiots that use policy positions and past performance for my criterion..

other people use race or gender.

[Gothmog]

153. So am I

I look at such factors as resume, positions, accomplishments, support in the party and viability in the general election. Endorsements are a factor that show support in the party and viability.

[frylock]

158. Endorsements are a factor only to party honks..

go out and ask any young voter how the endorsement of Gov Hassan will influence their vote.

[Gothmog]

170. Endorsements also show how effective a candidate will be if they are elected

The ability to get things done is a valid criterion in the primary process. A candidate needs to be able to get things done once elected and the fact that Sanders' fellow democrats are not supporting him raises an issue as to how effective Sanders will be if elected. I am not the only one concerned about this issue http://www.vox.com/2015/9/29/9413889/bernie-sanders-iowa-democrats

[jeff47]

123. I think you're missing the current state of affairs.

Why, exactly, should endorsements from people with an approval rating lower than several diseases be such a critical measure?

Because that's what everyone has always done before? How's what everyone has always done before worked out for us over the last three decades?

[HooptieWagon]

2. $2.5 B buys a lot of Congressmen.

[Fawke Em]

4. I don't care.

Congress's approval rating is lower than snake snot.

I guess I'd care if I wanted the status quo.

Being endorsed by corporate bought-and-paid for wienies doesn't really do it for me.

[tecelote]

80. +1

[Fred Sanders]

5. Actually the comment was so subtle as to be non-existent as a "message to Sanders". The fact

there is no evidence means the evidence has yet to be found...the logic of children. And the GOP.
And the theme for all of them is Get Hillary! Get her soon before she is The Runaway Candidate!

So obvious.

Sometimes speculation is all the news media has to stir up a storm when the winds are so frustratingly calm between Bernie and Hillary.

All Clinton was doing was the math after Iowa and NH, who is familiar with her OWN
Party's rules and procedures and respects them, because she has been a lifelong leader of HER Party.

Without conflict to stir up where would the likes of Chucky be?

Weak conclusion by the author...very weak.

Now here is a real message requiring zero speculation and based solely on the evidence:

"Bernie, do the math!"
Or, "HOW much money do you have to spend?"
Or, "EGazhi taking me down? In the GOP's dreams!"

[JoePhilly]

105. The logic throughout this thread is rather humorous.

On one hand, Hillary saying she has lots of support among Dems in congress is a "dig" at Bernie.

But on their other hand, the fact that Hillary has lots of support among Dems in congress is actually a BAD thing, and proves how pure Bernie is, and how evil Hillary is.

So in their pretzel logic world, the same exact reality (Hillary has lots of congressional Dem support) can be viewed as a positive for Hillary (and therefor its used as a "dig" at Bernie) or it can be viewed as negative (Bernie is pure) for Hillary.

[leveymg]

6. She has a machine, he has a movement.

Both of them can crush a politician. But most politicians prefer to ride in comfort rather than to march.

[artislife]

44. Perfect! nt

[tularetom]

7. "Because they look at what they think I can do TO them"

[restorefreedom]

9. SHE IS MAKING THE POINT OF HIS WHOLE CAMPAIGN

this is a heavy antiestablishment year on both sides. of course the establishment dems are lining up behind her...bernie is a threat to all of them.he is going to change the status quo.

The fact that she thinks this is a point to brag about just shows how clueless she is and shows why she is going to lose. The wave is not with incumbents or with establishment politics as usual. The wave is against them. She might as well just brag about all the money she gets from corporate tax cheats.

if that she thinks this is going to play well at the debate she's in for a big surprise.

[WillyT]

22. + 1,000,000,000 What You Said !!!

[restorefreedom]

23. thanks willyt and thx for the thread

we need to call this out every time they try it

go bernie!!

[haikugal]

35. + very well said...

Thank You!!!

[restorefreedom]

51. :) nt

[daleanime]

36. Actually, my take away is that it shows....

how little she has to brag about.

[restorefreedom]

50. how true!

and how sad, kinda

[cantbeserious]

56. + 1,000,000

eom

[restorefreedom]

63. no more establishment..go bernie! nt

[cantbeserious]

74. No Citizen Need Settle For The Lesser Of Two Corporate Evils - Go Bernie Go

eom

[magical thyme]

71. this ^^^^ exactly. Not to mention, that's why your donors are lined up too, Hillary.

To see what you can do for them.

Once again, a tin ear. We *know* that the establishment wants you. That in itself is warning enough!

[restorefreedom]

119. amazing how they can't see that. nt

[Fairgo]

159. A Machine in isolation

Well said. It's not the numbers, but their intent: the implied quid pro quo that greases palms two realms removed from the public. No mention of vision or policy, just power. The Machine unites in its own interest, agreed...it has forgotten its primary mission as public servant. And the public is leaving in droves, in search of a new servant. As it rises in power, it sinks in legitimacy.

As the Titanic was sinking, an optimist was heard to say, "Hey look! Its a submarine too!"

[hifiguy]

149. The Corpodems are terrified of Sanders for one reason.

He will derail the comfortable corporate money train they have been riding since the DLC and the Clintons started selling off the party piecemeal. And then he will rip up the tracks and brick up the revolving door to Wall Street.

No wonder they are shitting bricks.

[MisterP]

157. each whispering campaign, each camera-perfect presser, each stacked deck, each dollar circulating

among the professional pollsters and speechwriters and spin doctors and poll-massagers (masseurs?) and million-dollar ads and plush think tanks in fact only makes it harder for her

[smilingwen]

10. Of course not

Why would ANY corporately financed congress critter endorse Bernie. Duh. They need the status quo

[deutsey]

16. It seems self-evident, doesn't it?

And welcome to DU!

[smilingwen]

45. Thank you

Glad I found this site

[99th_Monkey]

12. As I recall, DNC's "inevitable" candidate locked-down all those endorsements before Bernie even announced.

or at least most of them.

Once committed, it's more than a little awkward to change horses midstream.

[AlbertCat]

85. As I recall, DNC's "inevitable" candidate locked-down all those endorsements before Bernie even anno

Yeah, like in 2008.

And lost.

[monmouth4]

13. Oh Hillary, get over yourself. The people will decide, not your minions...n/t

[99Forever]

14. Ya mean the crew with single digit approval ratings?

Im-fucking-pressive Hill.

[winter is coming]

25. ...

[INdemo]

15. Corporate Mafia owned Congressman that

Endorsed Hillary speaks volumes.
Hillary has the Wall St cronies and now has its assets with 144 Wall St yes men

I am curious as to how many of those Congressional colleges that endorsed her are Republicans?

[riversedge]

20. IF

Sanders should by a miracle get elected to Oval office he will need to work with these 'corporate' folks. They are Democrats--not republicans. I do not think DU should be talking about them like you do. IMHO

[INdemo]

34. So then you are saying there aren't

Any Republibans that aren't camaflodged by the "D" in front of their name nor Demcrats that are owned by the deep pocket corporates?
With Hillary being sponsored by Wall
St. It is really difficult to take her serious when she tries to impress us a working class defender.

[LiberalArkie]

89. If Sanders wins, I think the congress critters will understand that the wind has shifted

from business as usual. I think we will know pretty soon if indeed the winds are shifting by the governors race in Louisiana coming up in October. If Edwards pulls it out, then I think some people might be rethinking some attitudes. Just have to wait and see.

[randys1]

93. Yes, they are Democrats. I truly wonder what some of these Bernie folks think

Bernie can accomplish as President.

I know why I want him to be president, and I know what he cant accomplish because of the way the power is divided.

But I wonder what some of these other folks think he can actually do.

For instance if the Dems control the senate and not the house, what could Bernie do that Hillary wouldnt do in the first few years?

What is it he would do that is so important, or could do, that it is worth risking LOSING the WH?

[frylock]

112. Republicans will show up in record numbers to vote against Hillary.

[randys1]

114. Care to answer my question?

More of them will show up than did in either or both Obama elections?

Really?

[frylock]

116. have republicans been chomping at the bit for 20+ years to vote against Obama?

[randys1]

117. So no, you wont. Too bad

[frylock]

118. I need a clarification of your question.

Are you suggesting that establishment Democrats will obstruct Sanders, much like Republicans obstruct Obama?

[randys1]

120. Here it is again

I truly wonder what some of these Bernie folks think

Bernie can accomplish as President.

I know why I want him to be president, and I know what he cant accomplish because of the way the power is divided.

But I wonder what some of these other folks think he can actually do.

For instance if the Dems control the senate and not the house, what could Bernie do that Hillary wouldnt do in the first few years?

What is it he would do that is so important, or could do, that it is worth risking LOSING the WH?

[frylock]

121. what could Bernie do that Hillary wouldnt do in the first few years?

that's your question? here's the answer: nobody fucking knows. What is Hillary going to do in the first few years?

One thing we do know for certain is that the policies that Sanders will push will be of benefit to the citizens of this country. Not the banks, not the multinational corps.

[randys1]

122. So answer the rest of my question. Since you dont even know what he COULD do

is it worth risking the WH?

By continually attacking HIllary to the point where if she is the candidate the repeated attacks harm her?

[frylock]

124. I answered you question. You didn't like the answer.

Comparisons of congressional votes and policy proposals isn't bashing, unless you're ashamed of your candidate's congressional votes and policy proposals. You're not ashamed of your candidate's congressional votes and policy proposals, are you?

Now a question for you: how do we risk losing the WH?

[randys1]

127. You didnt answer my question, other than by asking one.

You just said yourself that RECORD numbers of cons will show up to vote against Hillary.

Now I dont believe more will do that than did Obama, but lets say you are right.

And lets say WE dont get the candidate WE want, Bernie, and it is Hillary.

Are you willing to risk the WH to the cons by either not supporting Hillary or not voting at all?

Or for that matter, by continually attacking her?

Do you understand why Thom Hartmann and BERNIE himself DONT attack her?

[questionseverything]

135. repubs did not show up to vote against obama,at least not in 2008

many repubs that i know either stayed home or voted dem because they really wanted a public option,wanted some kind of relief with rising healthcare costs

mclean county, illinois voted democratic in the presidential election that year for the first time in a long dang time but by 2012 with the disappointment and confusion of the aca it went red again

the repubs want to run against hc, but bernie in large part because of his votes against the patriot act, the iraq war and getting the fed audited has cross over appeal...that and people want single payer or at least want the aca fixed

talking about her policy are not attacks

[randys1]

145. You have to be kidding me, you really are going to say rightwingers did NOT show

up to vote AGAINST the Black liberal named Hussein?



Dear GOD I think I have heard it all now

[questionseverything]

151. many voted for him here in mclean county

we had really high turn out in 08 and we were blue for the first time in my lifetime,we even got a dem congressperson for a change

/////////

McLEAN COUNTY

Registered voters: 110,621Voting Tuesday: 75,976% voting Tuesday: 68.6116 of 116 precincts reporting

State notice

For the calling of a constitutional convention?Yes 16,003No 53,710

PresidentMcKinney-Clemente, G 233Obama-Biden, D 37,551McCain- Palin, R 36,657Barr-Root, L 383Polachek, N 15Baldwin-Castle, CP 142Nader-Gonzalez, I 518

U.S. SenatorKathy Cummings, G 1,849Richard Durbin, D 41,121Steve Sauerberg, R 29,522Larry Stafford, L 924Chad Koppie, CP 314

U.S. Congress

15th DistrictSteve Cox, D 12,919Tim Johnson, R 26,031

11th DistrictJason Wallace, G 3,409Debbie Halvorson, D 18,240Marty Ozinga, R 11,491

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-19381013.html

[frylock]

136. You have asked a question that cannot be answered..

thus my answer, which I will reiterate: nobody fucking knows. And again, comparing voting records and policy positions isn't bashing. Moreover, what I post on DU has zero influence on people IRL. I live in California, so my vote is inconsequential. I will vote my conscience, regardless of who the candidate may be.

[uponit7771]

172. Great, why take a chance on "no one fuckin knows" then!? and Hillary isn't Teh Evil to anyone but

... the far right and the extreme left

[hifiguy]

150. Eeyup. HRH at the top of the ticket guarantees

an extra 1-2 million Repig votes, nationally. No one can motivate the cave orcs to come out and vote more than HRH.

[riversedge]

162. Nothing is worth losing the WH over. Nothing.

[INdemo]

161. yes but there are lot of Republicans posing as Democrats

and a lot of Democrats that have found favoritism with the corporate elite and respond to their demands.

Progressives are not in the "click" and that's why we will never see a long list of "Democrats" on Bernie's bandwagon.
Because they are corporatcrats.

[Historic NY]

17. Actually the message is one works and plays well with others...

the other doesn't. Getting things done. and who you can reach out to

[djean111]

81. So, you are saying that if Bernie got elected, then the DINOs in Congress will treat him

just like the GOP treated Obama. Good to know. And good to know who to vote for down-ticket.

[Historic NY]

167. No your saying that.

and your calling all Democrats Dinos.

[AlbertCat]

82. Actually the message is

she forgot he was an Independent, not a Dem.

[frylock]

113. Clinton and Sanders voted the same 93% of the time..

So Bernie didn't work or play well with others a whopping 7% of the time on issues like opposing IWR and USAPATRIOT. Oh, the horror!

[Uncle Joe]

18. Democratic Party favoribility rating

Over the years, Americans' perceptions of the major parties have tended to conform to two patterns. At times -- such as in 1992, 1996 and in the post-9/11 years of 2001 through 2005 -- Americans viewed both parties favorably. At other times, the public viewed one party -- typically the Democratic Party -- much more favorably than the other. This was evident in late 1998 as the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives pursued impeachment proceedings against then-President Bill Clinton, as well as from 2006 through 2008 as President George W. Bush's popularity waned during the Iraq war; in 2009 at the start of President Barack Obama's presidency; and again in 2013 during the government shutdown, when Republicans' favorable rating plunged to 28%.

Except for a brief spike to 51% for the Democrats after Obama was re-elected in 2012, both parties' ratings have registered below 50% since 2010. The descent to sub-40% ratings for both parties marks a new low in an already inauspicious trend.


http://www.gallup.com/poll/181985/neither-major-party-cracks-favorability-latest-poll.aspx

Congressional job approval polls.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/congressional_job_approval-903.html

Thanks for the thread, WillyT

[WillyT]

24. Thanks For The Info Uncle Joe !!!

[twii]

21. NBC wanted to start some juicy drama

I didn't find it dramatic.

[cyberswede]

72. LOL. Welcome to DU

[Lil Missy]

26. She's right. No real drama here. n/t

[Godhumor]

27. That is a really weak "dig"

Sanders is running a great campaign, so I am grateful that so many of our colleagues have chosen to back me for nomination.

That is the essence of her interview response. It takes a lot of twisting to turn that into "edging towards confrontation".

[daleanime]

32. How often has she mentioned his name?

[Godhumor]

37. In this interview, right before talking about how grateful she is

In general, both she and Bernie have talked about Republicans not about each other.

Always worth remembering that Hillary and Bernie are friendly with each other.

[daleanime]

49. So you're saying that was the first time on the campaign trail....

now, has Bernie shied away from using her name?

And yes, they are friendly with each other, thank goodness. Hopefully that doesn't change.

[roguevalley]

110. she is a fool to ignore him. she is lucky he doesn't do negative.

[demwing]

28. "Because they look at what they think I can do for them."

What she meant, I'm sure, was:

"Because they look at what they think I can do for their constituents."

Oops!

[MuseRider]

66. oops

the truth is out.

[Wilms]

165. ^

[fredamae]

29. In My view ;)

She has cited One problem in congress...and given credibility to the case as to Why we MUST Clean Congress of NeoCons AND NeoLibs!

In my (and others) opinion...the Majority in congress ARE Corp Shills. I wouldn't be out there Bragging about support from those folks. It's nothing to be proud of.

[cherokeeprogressive]

30. The support of a group whose collective approval rating is in single digits.

Diggity.

[oasis]

70. Democrats have the good sense to separate the two opposing parties.

They know the GOP is to blame for the nosedive in the approval rate of congress.

[cherokeeprogressive]

99. Go with that.

It's what I'd say too.

[oasis]

131. Of course you'd say it because you know it to be true.

[daleanime]

31. "Because they look at what they think I can do for them."

Not what she will do for us. It's all about the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

[haikugal]

38. Odd isn't it???

We don't even come to mind.....

[bread_and_roses]

97. Exactly so - not what she will do for US

That was my first thought as well -

[in_cog_ni_to]

39. Good thing WE THE PEOPLE get to vote and choose who WE want

And NOT your >>>>>>>Democratic colleagues, present and former, in the House and the Senate, out in state Houses What a bummer, I know. Damn citizen voters.

[FloridaBlues]

40. Just stating the facts not a dig.

[Autumn]

42. That says it all. Her colleagues

"Because they look at what they think I can do for them."

[restorefreedom]

53. the handwashing continues....

or back rubbing, or palm greasing, whatever expression

it is so transparent

they are all in it for themselves

bernie is in it for US

[Autumn]

62. That's the strangest thing isn't it? Such a clear window.

what they think I can do for them That none of them have endorsed Bernie is such a plus in my eyes.

[restorefreedom]

65. what amazes me

is that they don't even try to hide quid pro quo anymore

they brag about it!

shows how out of touch they are

[ibegurpard]

43. of course she does

Anyone with a clue about political culture would not be surprised by this. Politicians aren't going to stick their necks out against a front-runner until it becomes safe to do so.

[pinebox]

47. Party line bullshit

and nothing but. Dems are mad because he's not been "one of them" despite him being more progressive than anybody else in the senate (Warren comes close, very!) and as such, they see him as a rogue candidate. This actually bodes very well for him with the American public and people seeing as how they're completely fed up with the 2 party system and Washington in general.

[INdemo]

160. You did not see Elizabeth Warren on that list so

she hasn't endorsed anyone..

What the Hillary supporters fail to see and are quick to respond with is" Bernie will be unable to do anything with Congress" but here is the catch..

If Bernie Sanders is the nominee he will have plenty of time to ask the voters to send with him to Washington progressive Congressman that will support his agenda and they will respond.

[Avalux]

48. Oh please. They're being good little Democrats and following orders.

With the DNC, establishment Dems, the media, and all that corporate dough behind Hillary, there's no way Democratic lawmakers are going to rock the boat. There would be hell to pay for their own political futures if they did.

So instead of doing the right thing, the wimps are playing it safe.

[brooklynite]

60. Where's that Elizabeth Warren and Alan Grayson endorsement for Sanders?

Too timid are they?

[Armstead]

69. No, cagey

Elizabeth Warren is great. But she's also a politician. She knows she's in the catbird's seat by not throwing her support to any candidate until the race has become more apparent.

Grayson? Kind of a loose cannon.

[Ed Suspicious]

52. This is not a bug. It's a feature.

[cantbeserious]

54. HRC - Greatest Friend Of Oligarchs, Corporations, Banks And Their Political Minions And Henchmen

eom

[brooklynite]

55. Don't be shy...tell us how you really feel.

[cantbeserious]

57. Just Did

eom

[ozone_man]

163. The truth to some people

sounds like hell.

[CrispyQ]

59. "Because they look at what they think I can do for them."

Help them land cushy jobs with Wall St. after their term in Congress, cuz of their association with you?

What about what you can do for The People, Mrs. Clinton, not just members of Congress.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

64. Not to mention the corporations that pay the politicians and finance her campaign.

[PatrickforO]

67. OK. But one thing sticks out here, like a sore thumb.

"...because they look at what they think I can do for them."

What about doing stuff for US, the American people. You know, the people who elected them and sent them to get treated like royalty as members of the US Congress. So, they serve two terms and get a lifetime pension and healthcare and don't have to worry about a thing, while most of us live from check to check praying that something doesn't happen to the car or our health. Most of us have real problems saving anything because there just isn't enough and we get nickel and dimed to death. Some of us work two jobs just to make ends meet and never have much time to do anything else.

So, I'd MUCH rather back a candidate who can do stuff for me and the rest of the American people rather than do stuff for already rich members of Congress.

What about the American people, Hillary?

[Bonobo]

73. She's so out of touch that she doesn't realize how bad that sounds.

It's pretty disgusting.

[SheilaT]

91. I saw that too. If she said something about all the

wonderful things she could do for the citizens of this country, I'd be thinking oh gag me, but what she did say shows EXACTLY where her priorities are.

And it's not seeing to it that things get any better for us little people.

[AlbertCat]

75. Hillary must not be into details....

..... like Sanders was an Independent, not a Democrat, in Congress.

[Gothmog]

77. The fact that no member of Congress will endorse Sanders is meaningful

The complete lack of endorsements of sanders by the people who work with him is meaningful.

[djean111]

84. Only to Hillary supporters, methinks. I see Congress as being prudent, this early in the game.

If the implication is that the DINO Congress will treat Bernie like the GOP treats Obama - then fuck them all.
That would be another reason not to vote for DINOs.

[oasis]

90. I get it: DINO bad, INO good.

[Gothmog]

133. Calling other Democrats names is not a good way to win support for your candidate

Many other democrats will not react well to being called DINOs

[frylock]

115. Not really..

do you think independent and unaffiliated voters care about congressional endorsements?

[Gothmog]

132. Democrats voting in the Democratic primary process will consider this important

Sanders needs to become the nominee before your independent voters matter

[frylock]

138. He's well on his way, thanks to indies and unaffiliated voters like myself.

[Gothmog]

152. And yet the polling does not reflect this progress

Lets see how you are feeling after Super Tuesday

[frylock]

156. nah, lets see how that polling plays out in a couple of weeks..

after that first debate.

[JoePhilly]

79. Grapes have thicker skin.

[msanthrope]

96. Stealing that.....nt

[JoePhilly]

100. Absolutely ... you could make a lot of wine ...

... or should I say whine, with all the grapes getting skinned around DU recently.

[Armstead]

126. I haven't seen Sanders suppoeters slink off to a special website to whine

If you;re making wine, you can get those grapes from every faction around here.

[JoePhilly]

139. This OP ...

... could make many barrels.

[Armstead]

140. Maybe so but there;'s a veritable vineyard among Hillary backers

O'Malley supporters not so much. But if he starts making headway, I'm sure you'll see a lot of attack and whine around him too.

[JoePhilly]

142. I'll be waiting for a Hillary supporter to take something this silly ...

... and complain about it.

Hillary says lots of Dems in congress support her and that is (a) a dig at Bernie, and (b) a BAD thing, because those Dems in congress suck!!!!

It does not get much more ridiculous.

[Armstead]

143. The OP was a posted news article and alaysis from a mainstraem source

Not a lot of whining there.

The posts below responded to it. Call it whining of you want, but you'd prefer no replies? DU would be an awful empty spot if it were just "attaboys" all around.

But I guess it's more fun to dismiss anything you disagree with as "whining" than to either ignore or engage based on the actual subject at hand.

[JoePhilly]

144. Weak analysis, weak responses.

The rest of your response to me is ironic.

I have engaged the topic of the OP directly.

Logically speaking (see my prior posts in this OP) its a nonsense OP, with even more ridiculous responses. And as I point out, the people in this thread are happy to claim Hillary's support among Dems is both a positive and negative thing, depending on which attack on Hillary they want to make next.

So clearly I did not DISMISS them ... I called them out. Their logic is for shit.

The high horse you now sit on, is a barely a pony.

[JoePhilly]

146. Weak analysis, weak responses.

The rest of your response to me is ironic.

I have engaged the topic of the OP directly.

Logically speaking (see my prior posts in this OP) its a nonsense OP, with even more ridiculous responses. And as I point out, the people in this thread are happy to claim Hillary's support among Dems is both a positive and negative thing, depending on which attack on Hillary they want to make next.

So clearly I did not DISMISS them ... I called them out. Their logic is for shit.

The high horse you now sit on, is a barely a pony.

[Bluenorthwest]

83. Some of Harvey Milk's primary campaign posters did not even name his opponent, they just said:

Harvey Milk Vs The Machine

[merrily]

86. Democrats are under pressure to endorse her and she's been running and lining up commitments forever

Also, what she can do for her fellow politicians and has done for them versus what she (and they) will do for average Americans are two different things.

The super delegates will go with the primary vote.

And, as soon as the primary is over, Democrats should seek to end this bogus anti-democratic institution.

[Geronimoe]

87. Hillary has the support of the do nothing Congress

The same people who said impeachment and single payer healthcare is off the table.

[Zorra]

88. Lining up behind the Wall St. Establishment Candidate may well be political suicide

at this point in history.

[ALBliberal]

92. I wonder if the pace of HRC endorsements has fallen off. nt

[jkbRN]

94. Is it just me

Or is the whole superdelegates ordeal a total hijacking of democracy

[Phlem]

98. From the Republican playbook

Say exactly how your going to fuck things up but make it sound insignificant.

All she has to do is open her mouth and I want to vote for Bernie even more.

[abakan]

103. I think the smart ones, and contrary to their actions, there are a few.

Are waiting to see who emerges as the candidate. I would if I was in their shoes.

I also would not be surprised to find the ones who have endorsed her. Have done so to stay on the good side of, DWS, and the DNC, since Mrs. Clinton is their chosen one.

[frylock]

106. All the kids are basing their vote on Hillary's congressional endorsements.

The best part of these posts is all the Hillary supporters that all but admit that the people's vote is meaningless. Hillary is gonna win because of the super duper delegates!

[Gothmog]

134. Lets see how Sanders does in the Super Tuesday states

I really doubt that super delegates will play a role after Super Tuesday

[azurnoir]

125. so what happens when/'if' the rank and file that's the common folk want Bernie

but the party machine forces Hilary down the collective throat? Food for thought indeed

[TM99]

129. Then no one votes for her.

Only 27% of voters are registered Democratic. I would be surprised if the establishment could even get all of those to vote for her.

[arcane1]

128. "what they think I can do for them" like Super-PAC spending on their campaigns?

[randome]

141. Oh, no! WillyT has broken the code!

[hr][font color="blue"][center]The truth doesn’t always set you free.
Sometimes it builds a bigger cage around the one you’re already in.[/center][/font][hr]

[november3rd]

154. They are behind her

Because Sanders will kick their behinds. Clinton's pals love the status quo. Sanders will put the brakes on the gravy train.

[AtomicKitten]

155. I look forward to the Clintons losing their shit when endorsements switch to Bernie.

#PastIsPrologue

[WillyT]

164. Me Too... And I'd Love To Hear Their Fears At This Moment...

Fly on the wall and all that.

[AtomicKitten]

166. WHAATS HAPPPEEENNNINGGGGGG!!!!

LOLOLOL.

[mhatrw]

168. With friends like members of Congress, who needs enemies? n/t

[uponit7771]

171. They are all poopy heads and Sanders is not