Steven Leser has proven that Bernie can win the general

[Fumesucker]

If someone with political opinions as objectively held as a professional pundit can switch in a mere seven years from believing a candidate is a lying Machiavellian manipulator who should never be allowed to hold office to believing that same person is the very best available candidate for President then anyone can change their mind about Socialism and vote for Bernie Sanders.

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_steven_l_080320_hillary_clinton_s_re.htm

The only things Hillary's experience seems to be good for is perfecting how to talk out of both sides of her mouth, engaging in the politics of personal destruction and other aspects of her ruthless pursuit of power that remind one of what a Karl Rove might do. That kind of person ought not to be the Democratic nominee.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026276064

If that's all her detractors have got, I'm more confident than ever that she is the right candidate.

[JI7]

1. you do realize 2008 was during the Primary Campaign ?

[MannyGoldstein]

2. So? nt

[Fumesucker]

3. Steve compared Hillary to Karl Rove

As we all know by now, Steven is a professional political journalist, someone whose judgment in these matters is far superior to that of we mere amateurs. If a seasoned professional can change their opinion 180 degrees in a brief seven years then political opinions are much more fluid than most of us would tend to believe.

[JI7]

4. he has always been politically partisan

[Fumesucker]

6. Rove or Leser?

[A Simple Game]

10. Yes. n/t

[merrily]

20. Nicely done.

[A Simple Game]

37. Thank you, your praise means more to me than a

Steve Leser endorsement of Hillary means to the general public.

Sorry if that sounds like faint praise, I didn't mean it that way.

[merrily]

44. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm just so completely underwhelmed!

[JI7]

40. this website itself is politically partisan

[cui bono]

63. Tell me about it!

There's many on here who don't believe you are allowed to criticize the policies of Obama. Sheesh.

[Exilednight]

43. That's a pretty loose meaning of the words

"professional" and "journalist".

A journalist follows the evidence to a conclusion, not the other way around. A professional knows the difference. If you're going to call Steve Leser a professional journalist, then by that logic O'Reilly and Hannity are now credible sources.

[shenmue]

5. It doesn't matter

GDP has become a nuclear waste dump in the past few days.

[Fumesucker]

7. We can't help it if Steven expressed our thoughts more eloquently than we can

I mean who here would think to compare Hillary with Karl?

That's why he gets the big money as a professional wordsmith.

[artislife]

35. And he should be on the approved list of sources, too.

His newest piece is tainted though.

[sabrina 1]

34. And how does calling a Democratic Camdidate a 'Liar' help the Democratic Party? He was specific

when he outlined the 'lies' he accused her of. No doubt Fox et al were salivating over a self described 'Democratic Strategist' calling a top Democratic Candidate a 'Liar' and then outlining those lies.

So now, he has done a complete about turn, he has NOT explained why he would support someone he stated was 'not fit' to be President of the US, explaining why in great detail.

What stuns people here is the proof of what many people have observed about political operatives for a long time now.

THEY dare to lecture US on ETHICS and on how 'Politically Naive' etc we are.

It's true that the people in general DO have principles, laughed at by people who do not.

Thanks is all I can say to him for demonstrating so clearly why we the People will reject their talking points and 'advice' and stick with basic principles held by most decent people.

And the more we see of this kind of thing coming from supposedly within our party, the more Bernie Sanders and his campaign are a true Breath of Fresh Air to a growing number of people.

Not to mention how imperative all this makes getting the dirty Corporate Money out of our system of government.

[haikugal]

36. Oh my YES!!!

t many people have observed about political operatives for a long time now.

THEY dare to lecture US on ETHICS and on how 'Politically Naive' etc we are.

It's true that the people in general DO have principles, laughed at by people who do not.

^^^^^THIS^^^^^



You rock Sabrina 1....

[senz]

42. +100 -- great comment, sabrina.

All of it, but this one has hit me repeatedly as rightwingers call us "bleeding heart liberals," laugh at our concern for the poor and minorities, our opposition to war and the death penalty, our criticism of selfishness and greed:

It's true that the people in general DO have principles, laughed at by people who do not.

And then they have the nerve to call us "immoral" because we aren't obsessed with everyone else's sex life. It especially galls me when they call themselves "Christians," as if a mere label could make anyone into a good person.

[MrMickeysMom]

50. TO BE SURE ^^^^^^^^^

In due time... it becomes more and more clear...

Take a bow, Sabrina, for pointing it out nicely (as usual)

[hifiguy]

53. You can drop the mic now, sabrina.

[historylovr]

55. Yes!

[LittleBlue]

57. This. All of this

[DisgustipatedinCA]

60. He called Obama a liar too. So there's at least that. :).

[WorseBeforeBetter]

61. Anything for a paycheck. (n/t)

[LWolf]

66. What I've learned about

politics right here on DU over the last 13 years:

1. Any talking point can be spun any way to support a Democrat.

2. If your candidate and/or politician of choice has changed, he or she is "evolving." In this case, evolution is a good thing. If your opponent "evolves," though, then it's "flip-flopping," and can't be trusted.

3. Democratic voters are expected to evolve/flip-flop on issues along with their candidates/politicians.

4. Issues don't really matter. Only winning elections matter. Winning issues is not a priority.

5. If you criticize a Democrat, you want Republicans to win.

6. It's understood that nothing said in a primary race is supposed to leave that primary race or be acknowledged outside of the primary race. That would be disloyal, and,

7. Partisan loyalty oaths are part and parcel of every primary race.

8. There is no hope in electing anyone worth electing, so shut up, get in line, and vote for the CCC: the "current corporate candidate" supported by the DNC.

9. The Democratic Party is not exempt from race and gender wars, even though the party is supposed to support both racial and gender justice.

10. Partisan politics IS a team sport which takes priority over issue integrity.

[DanTex]

8. I proved it too! I used to like Coke, now I like Pepsi!

Obviously, this means the entire country can suddenly change their whole political worldview in the next 12 months.

[Fumesucker]

9. Thanks for kicking my thread

[Bluenorthwest]

14. I get people who used to like Coke and now like Pepsi, what I don't get is those who liked Coke and

spewed venom at Pepsi and those who drank it who suddenly not only like Pepsi but also hate Coke and spew venom at those who drink it- 'I just don't understand those Coke drinkers at all' they say as the recycle the last of their Coke cans.
That's what I don't understand. The pretense of always having been the banner you now wave. That's inherently dishonest.

[DanTex]

16. Thing is, Coke's not on the menu anymore. Last time had Coke and Pepsi.

But now it's Pepsi or some cheap generic cola they only sell at gas stations. And, sure, if we were catering a hipster wedding in Bushwick, everyone would probably love the cheap stuff they never heard of, because it's "different." But let's get real. We try catering a serious event with gas station cola, and we go out of business.

[merrily]

21. LOL!

[John Poet]

49. HOW DARE YOU refer to Hillary as

"some cheap generic cola they only sell at gas stations" !

[randome]

18. Anyone who drinks soda is not be trusted. Period.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]“If you're not committed to anything, you're just taking up space.”
Gregory Peck, Mirage (1965)[/center][/font][hr]

[JI7]

41. it's how primary campaigns can get. especially with something like 2008

Where it was close

[Renew Deal]

11. You know it's possible to believe both things.

Also people learn, change, and grow over time. For instance, Bernie hasn't always been fully supportive of marriage equality.

[Renew Deal]

12. .

[Enthusiast]

13. Evidence based! What's not to like?

[darkangel218]

15. K&R!

[hrmjustin]

17. Of course it is possible he could win. I just don't think it will happen but of course it can.

and if he does win I won't act like some of these Sanders supporters here who say they won't vote for HRC if she wins.

Puma sucks.

[Zorra]

19. True. However, evolving from supporting Third Way candidates to supporting Bernie

is a monumental evolutionary leap in personal consciousness and socio-political awareness.

[merrily]

22. Steve Leser proved a lot about Steve Leser and nothing else.

It's up to Bernie Sanders and the donations and work of Bernie's volunteers to prove Bernie can win. To do that, we will have to fight our way through a LOT of doo doo. At the same time, in many ways--yooge ways--Bernie has already won--but none of us can get complacent.

[Fumesucker]

26. I didn't say Leser proved Sanders *would* win the general, ~could~ is the word I used..

[merrily]

33. I apologize for 1 letter. Either way, Steve Leser only proved something about Steve Leser.

[OilemFirchen]

23. Thanks for turning me on to Steven's editorials.

Bereft of cable or satellite, I've only seen him a few times, courtesy of clips here and elsewhere. I wasn't aware of his journalistic chops until now. It's refreshing to read quality writing in light of what passes for journalism these days.

Much appreciated!

[Fumesucker]

25. Which Leser do you prefer?

v 2.0.08 or v 2.0.15?

They seem quite different.

[OilemFirchen]

29. I have no preference, really.

Which Glenn Greenwald do you prefer? The Ron Paul version, the Rand Paul version, or the freewheeling Pierre Omidyar version?

[Fumesucker]

46. I prefer the verision who was on stage at the Oscars

Life just isn't fair, is it?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026276064#post317

[OilemFirchen]

47. Meh.

Mediocre documentary wins Oscar. Meanwhile, the Maysles brothers are still dead.

News at eleven.

[senz]

24. Leser's former view of Hillary had the ring of truth. The current one rings of paycheck.

His previous statements about Hillary expressed a deep sense of disgust at her artificiality and duplicity that most liberals recognize as a genuine reaction to who she actually is.

I do not believe Leser's about face. He currently works for Fox News. Fox is always strategic; they know who Republicans prefer to run against because they know Hillary's baggage would lose her the GE. But they also cover their bets: their rightwing masters, members of the 1%, would much rather have fellow rightwing Hillary in the Oval office than a champion of the people, Bernie Sanders.

Either Leser's situation changed or Fox made an offer he couldn't refuse. The new Leser does seem to have a lot in common with Hillary.

This is an exceptionally clever, interesting OP, Fumesucker!

[edited for a grammatical error]

[emulatorloo]

28. Fox attacks Clinton 24/7. Kinda odd to suggest Fox paid/bribed Leser to promote Clinton

[senz]

30. Hedging their bets. Leser is their token "liberal."

By the way, emulatorloo, it's a bit confusing when someone who sports a "Bernie" avatar makes so many comments that don't sound the least bit supportive of Bernie. I began noticing this a few days ago.

[OilemFirchen]

32. Well... given that Kucinich has gone all Trumpy,

maybe there's merit in that "argument".

[nashville_brook]

48. could be the strength of the messenger ploy. could be that they have

a niche that he fits where they can tee off another talking head.

[arcane1]

51. Those attacks are ratings-magnets, too.

[virtualobserver]

31. I just think that it is pragmatism combined with a belief in conventional wisdom

It is inconceivable to status quo Democrats that Bernie could either win, or govern if he did win.

[senz]

38. That's an interesting take, virtualobserver; it does seem possible.

As one who is moved mostly by gut feeling and moral/ideological conviction, hopefully tempered by logic, I can see how short-sighted I may be in some areas, especially in underestimating the power of conventional wisdom, or group think, over other people's thought processes and decisions. (Lol, even writing this, I'm feeling the same disgust and contempt of decades ago while researching David Hume's ideas on ethics). If this is Leser's motive, it doesn't seem particularly admirable -- but again, I may be unfair to his need for authority and the safety of what he considers conventional wisdom, a need that could represent basic survival for some people. I've noticed the same needs/assumptions on the part of quite a few Hillary supporters around here, which could account for the odd rightwing tone of so many of their comments. Yeah, it could be that in 2008, Hillary was less mainstream as a women, while in 2008, her establishment backing makes her seem safer than Bernie, who stands outside conventional wisdom.

Eh, I'd almost prefer that he be a crass materialist/opportunist than this. But what you write is resonating, so it must have truth to it (subjectively speaking.)

Okay, I need to think about this. Many thanks for broadening my mind, virtualobserver. I'll try to withhold judgment on Leser.

[BainsBane]

52. He doesn't work for Fox

He appears as an unpaid guest. Dennis Kucinich works for Fox News.

I see no logic in the OP. How does one person's opinion guarantee an election? You'll need to teach me the Bernie math that translates one vote for another candidate into 160 million votes for Sanders.

[grasswire]

58. This is what I note.

Leser worked very hard to destroy Hillary when she was a legitimate prospect for the WH in 2008.

Leser is working hard to destroy Sanders when he is a legitimate prospect for the WH now.

Leser is affiliated with a news organization that seeks to destroy Democrats.

Read the tea leaves, friends.

[panader0]

27. Does this mean Steve won't be Vice President?

[senz]

39. Maybe he could be press secretary.

Why not? I'll bet she'd love him.

[reddread]

45. "more confident than ever"

how cute

[Thinkingabout]

54. Except Steve Lesser will not be in enough voting booths to make this dream come true, in fact I

Doubt he will force any votes for Sanders, so the dream remains a dream.

[LittleBlue]

56. LOL

[hootinholler]

59. But the spreadsheet!

Did you even look at the spreadsheet?

Apparently Hillary did such a tremendous job as The Secretary that her inevitableness became irresistible. But perhaps Machiavellian bent is a desirable trait in a Secretary of State? After all, Kissinger is revered.

Especially by Hillary.



Jeeze guys, get a room!

[Doctor_J]

62. quite interesting that, after posting that screed, Steven calls us "Hillary haters"

Does everyone realize what a hypocrite he looks like?

[LWolf]

64. I don't think HE realizes it. nt

[LWolf]

65. Well, now it's official.

We shouldn't be considering HRC.

Good to know, and straight from the Democratic Donkey's mouth.