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2016 Postmortem

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pat_k

(9,313 posts)
Thu Apr 28, 2016, 09:23 PM Apr 2016

I've gotta say this. [View all]

Sending as many Sanders pledged delegates as possible is about demanding a New, New Deal in America. It is a declaration that we are out here, and are a force to be contended with.

Threatening to withhold support from Hillary undermines that message. It is NOT the way to be heard. Cynics are not taken seriously as a political force. People so ready to "pick up their ball and go home" are not taken seriously. Cynics don't inspire action. They do the opposite.

It is the ULTIMATE in cynicism to believe all is lost without Bernie. It is the ultimate in cynicism to believe WE are POWERLESS to bring about real change in the Democratic party. It is the ultimate in cynicism to believe there is "no difference" between Clinton and Trump.

There is a difference. Bernie sees it. He has said repeatedly that on her worst day she is 100 times better than Trump. He has committed to do everything in his power to make sure we do not see a Trump presidency. He recognizes that the damage a Trump presidency would do to this nation would take decades to undo. A Trump presidency would undo and undermine the things he as fought a lifetime for; things he has kept fighting for despite set backs. It mystifies me that so many who profess to be such strong supporters discount his convictions on this point.

We need to cultivate the hope and confidence in our own power to fight for a New, New Deal. Even if, against the odds we are up against at this point, Bernie is nominated, we would be facing an uphill battle to reshape Congress, and get the necessary legislation through.

I've generally refrained from expressing my frustration, but can no longer keep quiet and watch as the thing most central to Bernie's campaign -- empowering people -- is being stamped out by his own supporters.

I have zero expectation that anything I say is going to change any minds, but the level of cynicism and pessimism expressed by many of the Bernie supporters here has gotten too painful to watch. The attitude is the OPPOSITE of what Bernie stands for.

He tells us it was NEVER about him. He means it. It was about lighting a spark in us. He fought to be our torch barer, but it looks like that is not to be.

If the hopelessness expressed in predictions that Trump will win against Hillary takes hold it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. I can't remain silent in the face of the apparent glee some appear to take in seeing an outcome that Bernie shudders at. Where is the confidence that WE can make sure that does not happen?

If enough of us stand up we CAN reshape Congress. We CAN get good legislation through. If we do that, who do you think is more likely to sign that legislation into law? Trump? I don't think so.

It is not about voting for lesser of two evils. It is about maximizing OUR chances of success. It's about setting up the most favorable conditions possible. Sitting it out and allowing Trump to take the White House sets up the most UNFAVORABLE conditions possible. Enabling Republicans to determine the make up of the Supreme Court sets up the most UNFAVORABLE conditions possible.

On the notion of going "third-party." We do not currently have a functioning multiparty system and Bernie knows it. It's why he ran as a Democrat. The way to create a multi-party system is to implement instant runoff voting. Unless and until that happens, the barriers to third-party success are almost insurmountable. But that is a subject for another post. With regard to Bernie, I don't think he would ever even contemplate a third-party run. If he did, I would lose respect for him. The chances of victory are too low, and the consequences of loss are far too great.

So, What Do We Do?

We fight for every vote from here on out. We send as many Sanders pledged delegates to the convention as possible. We leave any lobbying of superdelegates to Bernie's campaign. Harassing them is damaging the cause.

It's not about Bernie. Stop making it about him. It's about what he stands for. And it's about telling the Democratic Party that we want them to commit to making the Big Goals a reality. We know it can't happen overnight. We are not idiots. But it will NEVER happen if our party writes off real change as impossible, and tells us to just shut up about it.

A vote for Bernie is a way of saying, Hey, I'm not going to shut up about health care as a right; I'm not going to shut up about the need for workers to be paid a living wage; I'm not going to shut up about demanding that the wealthiest among us pay their fair share in taxes; I'm not going to shut up about cutting carbon emissions. These things are too important to our future. They are too important to our children's future.

Declaring that you are bowing out of the fight if we don't win this time around is NOT the way to get that message across.

Bernie delegates on the convention floor are there to stand for real change. They may not be a majority, but if we are committed to getting as many votes as possible in the remaining states, at least 45% of the pledged delegates on the convention floor could be Bernie delegates. And those kind of numbers are hard to ignore. (You don't "dis" that many people at a televised event.)

Apologies for the length, but my frustration has been building for awhile.

On Edit: Related thread (clarification and a possible way to keep the fight going):
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1280&pid=188164

153 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I've gotta say this. [View all] pat_k Apr 2016 OP
i bet a lot of the bernie ppl, like me, will vote for the nominee, even if we don't like her. dionysus Apr 2016 #1
That's not it at all. bkkyosemite Apr 2016 #2
what's not it? dionysus Apr 2016 #5
K&R Jeffersons Ghost Apr 2016 #34
You forgot the first time voters like me, who only got involved for Bernie and his message. Joob Apr 2016 #9
well, i hope you vote for someone, anyone... as long as you don't stay home. why wouldn't you dionysus Apr 2016 #13
Part of the problem is our politics, and we didn't know politicians like Bernie existed. Joob Apr 2016 #17
I have seen this too. northernsouthern Apr 2016 #103
They really don't. VulgarPoet Apr 2016 #117
I hope you aren't in the Reserves. Aerows Apr 2016 #140
No, served just 4 years. Joob Apr 2016 #141
But we never had you to begin with. nolawarlock Apr 2016 #25
It's called party building Armstead Apr 2016 #50
I'm all for having people at my birthday party that want to be there ... nolawarlock Apr 2016 #55
That's toxic thinking for a political Party, to reject new voters rather than encourage them. Bluenorthwest May 2016 #148
30+ years as a dem, I have until Novemeber to decide timmymoff Apr 2016 #39
tell that to hillary supporters, not me. you have the right to do whatever you want. ;) dionysus Apr 2016 #47
Yes. We need to embrace the victories. pat_k Apr 2016 #71
Love the math ---> Petrushka Apr 2016 #89
Same here. BigMin28 Apr 2016 #73
I was explaining I am not an indy or green timmymoff Apr 2016 #49
i know i was kidding around. dionysus Apr 2016 #54
Every time I hear some yahoo DEMANDING I support someone I truly find despicable... 99Forever Apr 2016 #3
i find it insanely annoying but i still plan on voting. it will be with a held nose though... dionysus Apr 2016 #7
OT bunnies Apr 2016 #130
i had to move back home to take care of dad in home hospice for the last dionysus Apr 2016 #131
I'm so sorry to hear that... bunnies Apr 2016 #132
thank you so much for the kind words! dionysus Apr 2016 #135
i can't remember if i already responded, but thanks for the kind words; it means a lot dionysus May 2016 #151
I cant even imagine how difficult it must have been. bunnies May 2016 #153
2 years back my wifes dad last year mine SwampG8r May 2016 #150
i really hope so. thanks for the hopeful words. dionysus May 2016 #152
If you're not going to support the progressive candidate in November... TekGryphon Apr 2016 #10
Hillary Clinton IS NOT a progressive by any stretch of the imagination. 99Forever Apr 2016 #18
My god, you're going to give yourself an aneurism ... nolawarlock Apr 2016 #26
:) Dem2 Apr 2016 #28
The only thing I've been able to feel on this site so far ... nolawarlock Apr 2016 #35
Uh-oh! The math! The math! Don't be too sure Bernie's gonna crash 'n' bern ---> Petrushka Apr 2016 #88
"...people who are actually conservative and riight wing,..."?? Ps-sst! Don't look now, but---> Petrushka Apr 2016 #38
When you're dealing with people at the level of the Koch brothers, nolawarlock Apr 2016 #46
There's the flip Hillary. There's the flop Hillary. And then there's the flip-flop Hillary. Petrushka Apr 2016 #70
I don't disagree with her. nolawarlock Apr 2016 #72
We cross-posted. I edited my previous reply. Petrushka Apr 2016 #76
Not sure what you mean. nolawarlock Apr 2016 #77
I edited my reply at #70 by adding additional comments. (eom) Petrushka Apr 2016 #80
Oooooh ok. nolawarlock Apr 2016 #82
She already tweeted her opinion of that Rovian move. moriah Apr 2016 #100
Good comeback! Thanks for the link. (eom) Petrushka Apr 2016 #111
so what? rethugs call the most conservative dems out there commies and whatnot. last thing i would dionysus Apr 2016 #48
I would think they know how to define themselves better than we do. nolawarlock Apr 2016 #57
i don't like her, but i'll vote for her over trump any day of the week. she's too centrist for me dionysus Apr 2016 #61
That would be me with Bernie. nolawarlock Apr 2016 #65
I don't get my definitions from conservatives. 99Forever Apr 2016 #109
"...people who actually ARE conservative and right wing... truebluegreen Apr 2016 #115
The facts disagree with your echo chamber... TekGryphon Apr 2016 #30
Which progressive? Ed Suspicious Apr 2016 #31
For you? Trump. TekGryphon Apr 2016 #33
I trust my research. No FOX involved. Ed Suspicious Apr 2016 #36
Who is the progressive candidate? timmymoff Apr 2016 #40
If Bernie loses, the only progressive candidate will be on the Green ticket. Lizzie Poppet Apr 2016 #126
No one is DEMANDING that you do anything. NanceGreggs Apr 2016 #11
The fuck they aren't. 99Forever Apr 2016 #20
Sorry, bro. NanceGreggs Apr 2016 #23
We will keep the WH in our hands ... nolawarlock Apr 2016 #27
"Some of these people don't even qualify ... NanceGreggs Apr 2016 #42
Post removed Post removed Apr 2016 #69
You've been here 5 weeks. How do you know how ugly DU was in '08? riderinthestorm Apr 2016 #87
Oops. progressoid Apr 2016 #119
I'm not your fucking bro. 99Forever Apr 2016 #108
Who, exactly, are the people in your 'our hands' group? RiverNoord Apr 2016 #137
Many here are Duckhunter935 Apr 2016 #56
What ev. n/t NanceGreggs Apr 2016 #58
As I said... pat_k Apr 2016 #16
This is the sanest thing Ive read from a Bernie fan on GDP in months. JaneyVee Apr 2016 #4
Unfortunately, your post is in the range of snark we've come to expect from the HRC side of DU. n/t Gore1FL Apr 2016 #120
Much appreciated! pat_k Apr 2016 #124
Won't Quit noretreatnosurrender Apr 2016 #6
The math ---> Petrushka Apr 2016 #90
Thank You noretreatnosurrender Apr 2016 #107
In case you're interested.. pat_k Apr 2016 #125
So do what Hillary Clinton did in 2008. joshcryer Apr 2016 #8
The campaign is going all the way to the convention. pat_k Apr 2016 #12
A platform is mere words on a paper when you can't trust the nominee. Skwmom Apr 2016 #19
Yes, but the platform can be leveraged in efforts.. pat_k Apr 2016 #127
Yes, of course there will be platform votes. joshcryer Apr 2016 #43
Is it too soon to stop looking at the math? ---> Petrushka Apr 2016 #91
Since the Democratic party kicked me out against my will by purging my affiliation Dragonfli Apr 2016 #14
Eloquently said! latebloomer Apr 2016 #51
aened? did you get kicked off the rolls? dionysus Apr 2016 #52
My party affiliation was changed from 37 years as a Democrat to "unaffiliated" Dragonfli Apr 2016 #60
it's when i type "what happened" and this POS keyboard only registers a few letters of it... dionysus Apr 2016 #62
LOL, I have 4 sticky keys and three that only work when they feel like it, I get it Dragonfli Apr 2016 #64
since, despe being a programmer, i can't type, i look down at the keys and hit post without dionysus Apr 2016 #67
Well stated Duckhunter935 Apr 2016 #59
+ another one nt riderinthestorm Apr 2016 #75
Well said. redwitch Apr 2016 #106
The question then becomes, what now? pat_k Apr 2016 #143
That is the question, I had an answer but it was hidden, look at the top post in my journal ;-) Dragonfli Apr 2016 #144
K and r. cwydro Apr 2016 #15
Thanks! pat_k Apr 2016 #24
What an excellent post! Dem2 Apr 2016 #21
Thanks! pat_k Apr 2016 #128
The Bernie Democrats will vote for the nominee. We will take the Maalox and hold our nose like LiberalArkie Apr 2016 #22
Don't speak for me. MsFlorida Apr 2016 #29
I do not anticipate that the people who were on the streets risking their lives during Occupy LiberalArkie Apr 2016 #32
But they never had you anyway ... nolawarlock Apr 2016 #37
Certainly a long game does not include ensuring millions of millenials timmymoff Apr 2016 #44
Systems aren't changed in a day ... nolawarlock Apr 2016 #53
You love many of Bernie's ideas but you support Clinton. It is a remarkable contortion that I've seen JumpinJehosaphat Apr 2016 #74
I don't see them as all that different. nolawarlock Apr 2016 #79
I wish I could feel the same. Clearly Hillary has changed her positions on a number of issues since JumpinJehosaphat Apr 2016 #85
You may be right. nolawarlock Apr 2016 #86
No more Carfuffle Apr 2016 #41
STOP! Hold up. Let's see if Skinner will set up a new site: a Progessive Underground JimDandy Apr 2016 #68
I suggested that the other day too mindwalker_i Apr 2016 #83
Great post! Buttons3345 Apr 2016 #45
Thank you! pat_k Apr 2016 #129
I sort of feel your pain but what good is the rant? We don't have control of the floor. snowy owl Apr 2016 #63
What lies beyond the convention. pat_k Apr 2016 #123
HRC better than Trump? Sure. But so would Ronald Reagan. aikoaiko Apr 2016 #66
Withhold? She is entitled to my support? Barack_America Apr 2016 #78
Perhaps a poor selection of words. pat_k Apr 2016 #84
I read yours, and I would ask that you consider what I think you've got wrong. RiverNoord Apr 2016 #81
It isn't over until it's over. Meanwhile, check the math ---> Petrushka Apr 2016 #93
Oh, I haven't given up on Bernie Sanders. RiverNoord Apr 2016 #136
Exactly! Petrushka Apr 2016 #142
Totally agree! Goldfish Apr 2016 #94
Thank you. pat_k Apr 2016 #95
Thanks for replying back :-) RiverNoord Apr 2016 #134
Thank you so much for the thoughtful post. pat_k Apr 2016 #138
I don't see the incongruity. Sanders is a willing conduit and Clinton is an obstacle. TheKentuckian Apr 2016 #145
How do you propose to put on the brakes? pat_k May 2016 #146
That was the point of electing someone to the executive that would be inclined to do so. TheKentuckian May 2016 #147
I do not "bow out" by not voting Hillary PowerToThePeople Apr 2016 #92
Ultimately, it's not the vows not to vote for Hillary.. pat_k Apr 2016 #96
Movements have strength PowerToThePeople Apr 2016 #98
"not a sign of a failing movement" pat_k Apr 2016 #101
Many people here have not supported Hillary Clinton for years Samantha Apr 2016 #97
Thanks Sam. pat_k Apr 2016 #99
Well I think you might be correct about the legislation because she will compromise with Republicans Samantha Apr 2016 #104
I mean we have a better shot at having... pat_k Apr 2016 #105
Long post, sort on reality. northernsouthern Apr 2016 #102
It comes to this Arneoker Apr 2016 #110
Bullshit pengu Apr 2016 #113
Yep (and a lot more succinctly) pat_k Apr 2016 #139
Everyone should absolutely keep fighting, but in the end we can't tell them how to vote. GreenPartyVoter Apr 2016 #112
Of course not. pat_k Apr 2016 #118
K & R massively. Surya Gayatri Apr 2016 #114
Thanks! pat_k Apr 2016 #121
A new New Deal is more or less the goal of the movement... Orsino Apr 2016 #116
Its nice to still find quality posts here from time to time. nt. BootinUp Apr 2016 #122
Where would that be? bvf Apr 2016 #133
I'm not there yet on who I will support IF Bernie loses. As long as Bernie is still in the race, I B Calm May 2016 #149
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