Plan B for Bernie Sanders: Make the Democratic Party platform more progressive

[TomCADem]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by tammywammy (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: USA Today

WASHINGTON -- The results of Tuesday's five Democratic presidential primaries will almost certainly force Sen. Bernie Sanders to acknowledge a hard reality -- it's time for Plan B.

Sanders hasn’t said if he has a strategy for changing the focus of his campaign, and he insists he'll continue fighting through the last contest in June. But rather than insisting that victory over Hillary Clinton is still within reach, he said after Tuesday's contests that he'll go to the Democratic Party's national convention in July "with as many delegates as possible to fight for a progressive party platform."

Sanders' campaign believes the delegates he’s collected so far will give him significant clout to achieve that goal.

* * *
Sanders has said he will work to prevent a Republican from becoming president. But he also said he wants to see Clinton embrace some of his top priorities if she's the nominee. He said Tuesday night he wants a party platform that calls for "a $15 an hour minimum wage, an end to our disastrous trade policies, a Medicare-for-all health care system, breaking up Wall Street financial institutions, ending fracking in our country, making public colleges and universities tuition free and passing a carbon tax so we can effectively address the planetary crisis of climate change.”

Read more: http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/plan-b-for-bernie-sanders-make-the-democratic-party-platform-more-progressive/ar-BBskj93?ocid=spartandhp

---

Interesting change in focus on influencing the party platform, rather than a drive to win the nomination. The question is whether folks will continue to contribute toward this cause if it appears that the new focus in on the party's platform, rather than the Presidency. Personally, I am glad that at minimum Sanders appears ready to wield his delegates to influence the party's platform.

[Buzz Clik]

1. This is Sanders showing maturity and statesmanship.

Are you listening, Bernie fans?

[ronnykmarshall]

15. Thank you!

[LovingA2andMI]

16. This is Bernie Sanders...

Continuing the Political Revolution He Started and Allowing His Supporters to Choose Either To Vote for President in November --- or Just Skip On Pass That Area of the Ballot.

No One Is Required To Check Every Section Box, Fill In Each Section Oval or Punch The Card In Each Section.

Absentia!

[dinkytron]

18. Neither Bernie nor his fans need you to insincerely define what maturity is.

If you would have said "way to go Bernie", or something like that, it would have been real cool, especially because he's out there fighting for everyone. But your remark is adversarial. So why don't take your snarky "are you listening" and stick it with her unreleased transcripts and her big money donors. We're going to California.

[eggplant]

20. +1.

[840high]

23. +2

[Thespian2]

26. +3

[stopwastingmymoney]

42. Damn Straight nt

[GummyBearz]

58. Well said

The reason so many people said they wont vote for bernie was his supporters "mean language".... well, think about it.

[JonLeibowitz]

19. "maturity" -- Bernie "fans"

Mirror Mirror...

[Scootaloo]

22. Are you?

I wrote about this a month ago. It looks like you and your fellows are still in the "shit on everyone else" mode, though.

We'll be waiting to hear from you good folks. Think up something nice to say.

[Dustlawyer]

31. The Movement will achieve some of its goals and keep on growing.

He is not stopping in his fight for s political revolution. At his heart is ending the root problem of the corruption that our current system allows, legalized bribery of almost all of our politicians. This in turn prevents any meaningful attemp to reducing and reversing climate change before it is too late, thus the hurry. There is no time to stop this political revolution and wait for the next election. We will keep going and pressuring for these core issues, but not leaving out the issues that have resulted because of this corrupt system.

[alfredo]

34. The real test will be how he handles defeat. He has nothing to gain by

taking his ball and glove and going home. If he shows his power by bringing in money and votes, he will gain power and stature within the party.

He's got the tough job of cooling the anger and disappointment of his supporters. Cooler heads should prevail.

[Bill Todd]

47. You seem confused

Bernie doesn't give a damn about his 'power and stature within the party': what he cares about is policy, and his power to influence that comes from the money and votes that he influences.

Shape up or shut up, Hill.

[alfredo]

54. If he doesn't have any power or stature, do you think they would listen to him?

His base is what gives him the power.

[mjvpi]

39. It will take statesmanship from both candidates

To bring the party together. One would hope that HRC will make an acknowledgment of the numbers of people and the ideas that have been the Sanders campaign. Her easiest path to the Whitehouse will be to convince the Sanders supporters that she has taken them to heart. If we turn out to vote, we win. It's as much, or more, up to her than it is Bernie.

[pkdu]

2. Platform? How many actually read the party Platform?

[TomCADem]

3. Well, I Am Not Sure I Support The Open Primary and Closed Caucus Idea

If you want to be more democratic, then go open primary, but then you need to do away with caucuses, which are limited to party activists with time on their hand. Or, keep closed primaries and caucuses. Otherwise, it looks like cherry picking those rules that specifically benefit Bernie and suggests that the results of the primaries are not legitimate. Go one way or the other.

[pkdu]

7. Me either. Registered Dems should pick the nominee. Let

Indendents and others weigh in in the GE.

[TomCADem]

11. I Am Not Necessarily Against Open Primaries...

...but I just don't see how you can then also keep caucuses, which are far more insular than even closed primaries. This just serves to marginalize regular Democrats who may not actively participate in a caucus like a Democratic activist, but whose votes would get diluted in open primaries by votes from non-Democrats.

[Kittycat]

25. So now IL doesn't count.

Okay, bye.

[pkdu]

28. Nope. Registered Dems matter. But you read that already

[Kittycat]

32. Take it all or leave it all.

You can't have it both ways. I'm a reg. Dem, and believe strongly in open elections. Why would you want to make it more difficult for anyone in this country to vote? That is so disgusting and Undemocratic to me.

Do you know why open elections matter? Because many candidates are having debates all the way up to the primary. When 40+% of voters are independent or new to your district, you want to encourage them to join your party. The goal is expanding the base, not excluding people. It takes time to get to know candidates. They need to be sure, and you want them informed of who they are voting for. You want them to be part of the whole process, not some of it, or they won't be back next time around.

In IL, for the first time this year, we even allow grace period registration. Meaning not only can you declare your party at the poll, but you can register the day of. So if you move here within 28 days, come vote with us. These issues impact you. Study up, register and vote on voting day. Especially local & state elections. We vote these the same time as our presidential preference. Damn straight I Want everyone involved. If they're not, we could go in to fall with our county board seats predetermined by a small number of voters vs a majority.

[BlueMTexpat]

72. The GE = open elections.

Primaries = the time for political parties to select their candidates. It is more fair than not to require that those who are voting to select the candidate for the party at least be members of that party. There is certainly nothing undemocratic about that.

If one wants desperately to vote in a closed primary, all one has to do is to register and declare a party affiliation. If they want, they can change that party affiliation after they vote. But they should at least have declared some affiliation with a party if they are voting for that party's candidate. Otherwise, what happens is what has happened in the open D primaries this year. Too many people with no affiliation to (or apparently knowledge of) Dems voted and their votes skewed the results somewhat. Some were sincere in voting for their candidate; others were definitely interested in causing mischief. Closed primaries help to weed out the latter group because they are usually too feckless and lazy to exert themselves other than to complain, but the former only need to comply with registration rules.

How is this making voting more difficult? No one is preventing anyone from voting so long as they comply with the primary party registration rules. This is not anything like specific voter ID requirements that are intended to PREVENT people voting. But yes, if one wants to be considered "independent" and still vote in a closed primary, it means paying attention to the rules that govern registration in a particular state so that one gets one's registration changed in time. Apparently, that is still too much work for some.

While I was carrying signs for Hillary at the polls during early voting in MD, one woman came up to me after she had voted to tell me that she was an I, but that she had specifically changed her registration to D so that she could vote for Hillary in the MD primary. She also noted that she was changing her registration back to I for the GE. She did it. Anyone can. It's not all that difficult.

Why is it that those who are truly motivated can inform themselves and do this, while others simply bitch and moan because only now have they begun to pay attention to the political process?

[Pryderi]

4. Let Bernie pick the next head of the DNC n/t

[TomCADem]

5. Why Not Make Bernie The Next Head of the DNC?

Howard Dean helped lead to a Democratic majority in the House and Senate.

[riversedge]

9. Someone who sures the DNC is not going to be its Chairperson

[TomCADem]

14. I Recall That Howard Dean Ran for DNC Chair...

...because he thought that he was marginalized by the DNC during his Presidential run. I think Bernie could win it if he ran for it, particularly if the focus is on the 2018 mid-terms, which Democrats typically do bad in.

[mdbl]

35. Squandered that pretty quickly didnt they

[TomCADem]

41. Recall That Some Progressives Opposed 50 State Strategy...

...because it meant reaching out to and supporting Democrats like Mary Landrieu in Lousiana or Claire McCaskill in Missouri to be able to compete in all 50 states. Howard Dean expanded the map, but to do this, he supported Democrats who might not be to the right of most Democrats. So, you really can't have it both ways.

Personally, I liked Howard Dean, volunteered for his campaign when he ran for President, and thought he was great Chair for the DNC. I would love to see DWS replaced by someone who can be a progressive voice for the party.

[newthinking]

6. This is speculation not news

[JPnoodleman]

8. Ha, the party will shit on its platform the minute Clinton gets office, if she gets office. n/t

[GoneFishin]

12. The platform is basically a list of empty campaign promises. They get used for toilet paper after

the election.

[blackspade]

10. I'll contribute again so he can continue his efforts on my behalf

[eggplant]

21. Yep. And glad to do it.

I'm voting for him in the GE even if I have to write his name in.

[840high]

24. Me 2

[KPN]

60. I did yesterday.

[beastie boy]

13. The question that dogged Bernie his entire campaign, still remains.

How?

Threatening non-cooperation will surely backfire, just like it did during his primary campaign. I just don't see him having any leverage.

[reACTIONary]

30. Exactly. First vote and he's out....

.... the only leverage he has is to promise to stop now and he already said he's not going to do that.

[KPN]

62. Oh, that'll buy him a lot.

Are you friggin kidding me? Bernie's about changing the system ... you don't change the system by bowing down to it.

The system's going to try to drown him out regardless .. and will at the convention.

So it's gotta be Bernie or Bust!

[rpannier]

33. Use the Minority Report

Under the rules of the Democratic Party and presidential candidate who gets 1/4 or more of the delegates gets an equal share of members on the party platform. If Sanders had 33% of the delegates, he gets 33% of members on the party platform
Sanders and/or his supporters can insist on adding their positions to the platform. If they're denied in committee they go to the convention floor for discussion and a vote.
There appears to be no limit on the number of positions they can take to the floor. I am not sure how many speakers can talk.
The nominee (or President) cannot prevent or limit the discussion because they oppose something

In 1948, Hubert Humphrey spoke in favor of adding Civil Rights to the platform. President Truman opposed adding it, but there was nothing he could do to stop it.
The motion was narrowly carried. Strom Thurmond walked out with much of the delegations from Alabama and Mississippi

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/huberthumphey1948dnc.html

Jesse Jackson used the Minority Report at the 88 Convention

Politico covered the Minority Report back in February

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/02/bernie-sanders-2016-delegates-nomination-convention-213622

He will have a lot of leverage because he can insist that his ideas be taken to the floor for discussion and a vote and, just like then President Harry S Truman, she cannot stop him even if she really hates the idea. She can only lobby against it.

[stopwastingmymoney]

43. +1 nt

[beastie boy]

56. He will get to discuss what he wants in the platform allright.

But then comes the vote. What do you think will happen? It's not like he gets to add amendments to the platform or filibuster the vote...

[alfredo]

36. If he heals the rift, he will gain power.

[beastie boy]

57. I doubt he is able or willing to do that.

He has been in this race for himself, not the party. He is already advancing unreasonable conditions for even making an effort to heal the rift.

He has pissed off too many people in the Democratic party to even demans additional power, let alone gain any. Maybe some concessions on the fringes, no more.

[KPN]

65. Bogus comment ... "in it for himself".

Small minded as well.

[beastie boy]

69. He sure isn't in it for the Democratic party...

... or building a movement. He keeps making enemies rather than allies, and he puts no effort into advancing downticket candidates who share his ideology. None.

Yeah, he throws great parties, but even that doesn't quite translate into votes. And the parties only attract Bernie's groupies, not serious activists who can get shit done.

If you can't show me the money, don't call me bogus. Things like that usually backfire on you.

[KPN]

77. Sigh!

I would Ignore you but I don't believe in ignoring others.

[KPN]

64. The same holds true for Hillary. No?

[JDPriestly]

40. We aren't looking for leverage. We are looking to continue our movement

and really change our government top to bottom.

It's just a matter of time.

And Hillary does not yet have the nomination. Anything can happen between now and November.

We are only a couple of weeks into our primary campaign in California. Lots of work to do. We had a meeting tonight and walked precincts on the weekend.

This campaign is really just starting for Bernie in California.

We are building a movement, not just campaigning for an election.

[beastie boy]

59. If you are just starting to build a movement two months before the primaries,

you can't expect it to make any difference by then.

Where were you (or Bernie) two years ago? And how will you build a movement outside of Bernie's campaign? Let me give you a hint: you ain't gonna do it from the top down. Bernie has no allies at the top. And building a movement from the bottom up is very hard work. I have yet to be convinced that you people have it in you, and that your movement can evolve into something more than Bernie's cult of personality.

I really hope I am wrong, because I sincerely believe this country needs to take a turn to the left and quickly. I just don't see much momentum or dedication on Bernie supporters' part to do the job.

[KPN]

66. Yup.

[KPN]

61. I fear you are right.

Which is why I'm voting Bernie by writing him in. It's Bernie or Bust ... and it appears bust we must!

[beastie boy]

63. A shot in the foot, for sure.

But it's your foot, and we live in a democracy. Can't help you there.

[KPN]

67. See it how you will.

[ananda]

17. Liberal would be great!

I don't like the word "progressive." It's the new mantle
of the moderate Reeps in Dem clothing.

[demwing]

46. With all respect, we shouldn't care what we are called

we shouldn't quibble over minutiae. You like the term "liberal," then call yourself a liberal. No one should care. Reverse is also true - you shouldn't care if others use the term progressive.

There are MUCH bigger fish to fry right now.

[KPN]

68. Not to mention

that many of Bernie's positions were moderate in the 50s and 60s, some even in the 70s and 80s.

Refuse to be labeled!

[Fresh_Start]

27. That would be a great thing nt

nt

[SoapBox]

29. I will continue to contribute.

We MUST get some say versus the filthy Turd Wayers calling the shots.

[GoLeft2004]

37. + 1 nt.

[andym]

38. It's the smart move and the right move

to move the platform leftwards.

I really hope that Bernie calls for the creation of a real movement that works at the local level to get young progressives involved in politics to set the stage for single payer and other legislation that advances the common good. For most of the changes Bernie wants, there needs to be political support in place to make it happen and this will take a bit of time and a lot of effort.

I think Bernie is a long shot to win the nomination, but it's not impossible. I would at least like to have Mrs. Clinton, if she is the eventual nominee, support the public option or expand Medicare. Remember, the expansion of Medicare to 55 year olds came one Joe Lieberman vote away from happening. That would have changed everything.

[Bill Todd]

48. Medicare could have been expanded without Lieberman and 9 others like him

had it been done via the un-filibusterable Senate budget reconciliation process that was used to pass the fix-up bill (to satisfy the House) that had to accompany the ACA itself.

But the party leadership didn't want that just as they didn't want the public option (which could have been passed the same way).

[demwing]

71. Except Bernie is still saying he's on plan A

So this thread is bullshit

[stopwastingmymoney]

44. This is exactly what I've been hoping he would say

This movement is much more than one presidential election, it continues

[demwing]

45. "But rather than insisting that victory over Hillary Clinton is still within reach"

Sorry chum, that's EXACTLY what Bernie DID say:

33 seconds in:

"And let me also make this clear so that there is NO confusion...We are in this campaign to WIN and become the democratic nominee"

How much more do you need to hear? This "News" isn't latest-breaking, nor is it even news. In fact, as shown above, it's the opposite of what Bernie said, which makes the USA Today story propaganda, and it makes the author (not the OP) a damned liar.

[Democat]

49. The candidate who isn't the nominee should keep working for Democrats

Whether it's Clinton or Sanders.

[apnu]

50. This should have been plan "A" from the start

Real change comes when the party changes -- all of it. Not just one guy at the top and magical thinking from some supporters that one person will fix everything simply because he is there.

I'm glad Bernie is pivoting to this, but honestly, this should have been the first thing, not the fall back.

But I can also understand why Bernie wouldn't think of that to start. He's been an independent for decades, doing it all on his own. So he probably has learned to think of things and strategize as though he's the only guy. Being part of a party is a new thing for him.

Still, doesn't change the fact that Bernie should have been trying to make the platform more progressive from day one. And he should have been working on democrats to do the same. Its great that he's come in and brought so many people on the Left who have lukewarm support of the Democratic Party and got them fired up. But he also needed to convince party members that his goals are their goals.

[KPN]

70. You mean like the Repuglicans?

BTW, he did convince party members that his goals are their goals. For some of us, he already did that years ago. Registered Dem for 44+ years here.

Why are you so stuck on Party loyalty/support, being a member? The whole idea is cultish and kind of creepy to me. But that's me ... I'm not much for clubs and such.

[killbotfactory]

76. It's been part of his message from the start

a political revolution doesn't begin and end with one candidate.

people just didn't notice because he has been surprisingly successful

[pengu]

51. Pointless

The platform is non-binding and ALWAYS ignored. It's a fig leaf for actual liberals so they think they're involved. Once governing starts, the platform is ignored.

[KPN]

73. SAY WHAT????

"Hillary can actually break the logjam in this country by tacking slightly more right than she already naturally is on just a few issues. She ought to come out against common core and overuse of standardized testing.

For women's issues and rights this is more critical than it is for economic justice or climate action or anti war constituencies. "

You just have to be kidding -- or a rabid feminist. I'm sorry if that offends you, but this comment offends me. How can you possibly think that any issue is more important than climate action? Women's issues and rights are important, but not to the exclusion of climate action, economic justice or global peace -- and that's kind of what you just said.

I'd like to think that you really don't mean that, but this other comment won't let me: "the anti-trump coalition looks to me like moderate middle-class democrats ... and more conservative and educated suburban women whose idiot ex husbands are voting Trump." Aside: does that mean you include me in the anti-Trump coalition? I'm a moderate middle class Democrat -- who also supports Bernie.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

53. He can move the platform all he wants.

Once Hillary is nominated, the platform is ignored. Once she's elected, all promises are ignored.

HRC and DWS just want BxS to stop. Stop campaigning, STFU.

[Maeve]

55. Honestly, that's what I thought Plan A was

Don't misunderstand--I like and voted for Bernie. But I thought his main goal from the beginning was to move the party to the left; I never thought he'd do as well as he has. And I still wish we'd see a Clinton-Sanders ticket.

[KPN]

75. This isn't Plan B!

It's part of Plan A! Bernie has always been about moving the country left, and that includes the Democratic Party. This article is absurd.

[tammywammy]

78. Locking

Post the latest news from reputable mainstream news websites and blogs. Important news of national interest only. No analysis or opinion pieces. No duplicates. News stories must have been published within the last 12 hours. Use the published title of the story as the title of the discussion thread

You can repost in General Discussion: Primaries