Democrats just moved up the 2020 convention earlier than ever before

[brooklynite]

Source: Axios

The Democratic National Convention will be held on July 13-16 in 2020, CNN's Dan Merica reports, which is earlier than they've held in two decades.

Why it matters: An intra-party divide was created among the Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton wings of the party. Democratic leaders anticipate a similarly combative election next cycle (because more than 20 candidates are expected to run,) so they're moving the convention to allow more time for those tensions to cool after a nominee is selected.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/dnc-moves-2020-convention-earlier-than-before-22b70ab3-2e78-4913-8ce6-b1397804ccd3.html

[angrychair]

1. No tension at all

“Trump is a narcissistic, racist, bigoted and xenophobic fascist. We must all be united in our fight against his agenda because we will all be a victim of it.”

Angrychair, 2016

[Doitnow]

25. And considering what's going on at the border, you can add sadistic.

[Hortensis]

44. We united in 2016 and will in 2020. We have to accept

that there will always be those who reject the choices of the solid, other 90% who are capable of uniting to fight for the common good.

The real truth is that, due to enormous external threats, our magnificently diverse coalition has almost never been so united. Another era was during and after the Great Depression when we came together to put a leash on the wealthy and create the New Deal.

“I would cite you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in Romans 13, to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained the government for his purposes,...” ~ Attorney General Sessions spitting on the constitution

[louis c]

2. I hope everyone can figure out we have a common enemy...

...I, for one, will not support a Dem in the primary who attacks another. Issues are fair game, but any personal attacks that we can't walk back will cause us to suffer 4 more years of Hitler and I'm afraid this country can not survive that.

I will, however, support the Dem nominee as though that candidate was my own brother or sister and that if my life depends on it.

[DownriverDem]

6. Well said

I totally agree!

[IronLionZion]

9. We had a common enemy in 2016

and our blue wall crumbled like it was made of sand

[ChiTownDenny]

34. + 1

[riversedge]

45. It had cracks in it but it did not crumble.

[IronLionZion]

46. And a corrupt orange-faced pervert slipped through the cracks

and stole our lunch money

[LiberalLovinLug]

10. I can't recall any Democratic candidate attacking another personally.

And that is the way it should stay. But I don't think you have anything to worry about there.

[NurseJackie]

11. My recollections are different that yours.

[ChiTownDenny]

35. + 1

[LiberalLovinLug]

47. Really?

I can't recall any time Hillary went after Bernie in a personal way, or Bernie went after Hillary in a personal way. Same can be said for O'Malley and Chafee. Unless you regard criticizing policies or donor associates as "personal".

Please list any examples if you can.

[ChiTownDenny]

50. Did you watch any of the debates?

Just for starters, mind you, do Goldman Sachs speech transcripts ring a bell?

[sheshe2]

51. Ding ding ding

[LiberalLovinLug]

56. lol. You call that "personal"?

As I said, " Unless you regard criticizing policies or donor associates as "personal".

I guess you do.


"personal" to most people is insinuating your opponents wife is ugly
its saying your opponent is too short
its saying a certain female reporter must be "bleeding everywhere"
its saying you opponent can't physically handle the job
its saying your opponent is a crook, even when no crime has ever been charged.


Please list some personal insult Hillary or Bernie or Martin or Lincoln leveled at the other if you are going to accuse our party of allowing that kind of thing to happen.

[ChiTownDenny]

57. Your arbitrary rules for what constitutes as an attack are unimportant.

What's important is that Bernie's attacks on Hillary altered my perception of him, to his detriment. And Bernie's attacks on Hillary altered a lot of voters perception of him, just read this site. But to be clear, questioning someone's integrity is personal.

[LiberalLovinLug]

58. Altered your perception of him?

Thats nice. His public refusal to jump on board and attack her for the bogus email and Benghazi 'scandals' and stick to the issues, also altered my perception of him.

You have a pretty wide scope of what you consider a "personal" attack. It was still a competition, a primary, you can't expect everyone to just pat each other on the back. I guess by your definition it must include questioning Trumps affiliations and moneyed connections and donors as well? Is that off limits to you too?

And if anyone did, Sanders especially had that right to question her on that as he was coming from a place where he refused to accept corporate money and his donations were on average $35. So the issue of corporate influence was one of the most vital centerpoints to his campaign. To dismiss his questioning of this of an opponent in a primary battle as being 'personal' is frankly absurd.

[ChiTownDenny]

59. This is why Democrats can't have nice things.

Because too many want to fight a war that was already lost. Bernie lost. Then Hillary lost. Let it go!

[betsuni]

60. When questioning someone's judgement because they're unduly influenced by

Wall Street and corporations, it's a good idea to have at least one example to back up your claim. When you can't come up with even one little example, makes you look bad.

[liberal N proud]

52. There lies our problem in 2016

There were too many my way or the highway voters who refused to consider the consequences of not resolving those feelings.

[Honeycombe8]

3. I wonder who the nominee will be. Could be someone who's not even on the radar yet. nt

[DownriverDem]

4. Except

There is no Bernie wing of the Democrat Party. Bernie is not a Democrat. His supporters have no idea how the repubs would have crushed him with his socialist past. He should just stick with the Senate. I am so sick of hearing folks connect Bernie with the Democratic Party. Go away Bernie.

[LiberalLovinLug]

12. Except

There is a large contingent of Democrats that back Bernie Sanders more progressive platform, and a lot of Democratic voters as well.

That is the reality whether you like it or not. Bernie and his supporters in the House, Senate, and the public are not going to "go away" , sorry. And your response is only feeding the bots. And is the exact reason why the Democrats moved their convention up. So folks like you can 'get it all out' beforehand.

[Power 2 the People]

14. Exactly

[LiberalLovinLug]

17. Welcome to DU P2P!

[Power 2 the People]

22. Thanks Lug!

I've been a DU reader for years. Was turned on to it by Thom Hartmann. I recently decided to contribute since November is so important for us.

[MrsCoffee]

23. Lol. Nice try.

Bernie is definitely the reason for the early convention. But not the way you are trying to state it. We all know why this was done. No way are they going to allow Bernie a repeat hold out. They will need the extra time for him and his supporters to get over it.

[Me.]

32. It's ABB For Me

[LiberalLovinLug]

33. For all sides to "get over it"

"Earlier conventions have historically been better for the Democratic Party," Daughtry said, "because if there has been any sort of contentiousness in the primaries, it just gives more time for people to come together."

Its too bad there are STILL some that haven't gotten over the last one.

[Doitnow]

26. Ditto. Bernie is out there reminding people who and what the Democratic party

stood for and what the majority of the country wants done.

[sheshe2]

55. Ummhmmm

Doitnow
26. Ditto. Bernie is out there reminding people who and what the Democratic party

stood for and what the majority of the country wants done.

This way?

Barack Obama supporters outraged by Bernie Sanders' 'deplorable' attack on Democratic Party on anniversary of Martin Luther King assassination

Bernie Sanders has triggered a backlash by making comments interpreted as an attack on Barack Obama on the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King.

The senator for Vermont appeared to criticize the first black US President as he branded the Democratic Party a "failure".

snip

"The business model, if you like, of the Democratic Party for the last 15 years or so has been a failure,' said the Vermont Senator.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/bernie-sanders-obama-anger-martin-luther-king-death-assassination-jackson-mississippi-a8289456.html

[DeltaLitProf]

41. The other reality

The next nominee will need to adopt more progressive positions in order to bring out more of the base than Hillary did.

[Devil Child]

20. Sen. Sanders and Democratic voters who support him are not going anywhere.

The "Sanders Wing" is a reality and our support along with the support of ALL of our Big Tent is going to be needed for the Democratic nominee to destroy Trump in 2020.

[mwooldri]

38. AFAIK Bernie Sanders and Angus King are in coalition with the Democrats.

So these two people will be connected with the Democratic Party to some extent.

We will have no idea whether we would be looking at at President Sanders if Bernie had won the Democratic Presidential Primary election.

[Wellstone ruled]

5. And the Russian Bot Farms are already

amping up their efforts to create a Dem Party split.

They are Here!!!!!!

[DownriverDem]

7. Only

if we let them. Hear that Stein and Bernie?

[Power 2 the People]

18. Don't lump Bernie in with Stein

Last edited Fri Jun 15, 2018, 05:35 PM - Edit history (1)

He got out and graciously and enthusiastically endorsed Hillary. Stein stayed in to siphon off votes from Hillary for reasons still unknown.

[Wellstone ruled]

21. Interesting response.

[MrsCoffee]

24. Lol.

Stein doesn't have shit to do with the Democratic convention. And Bernie holding out when it was obvious he had no path to victory is exactly why the convention is going to be early. But I can surely see there will be a whole lot of effort to pretend it's any other reason.

[Power 2 the People]

36. You obviously didn't read the preceding comments

The response was to "DownRiverDem" commenting to "Wellstone ruled" comment about Russian bots splitting the Dem Party:

Wellstone Ruled: And the Russian Bot Farms are already amping up their efforts to create a Dem Party split.

They are Here!!!!!!

DownRiverDem: if we let them. Hear that Stein and Bernie?

P2P: Don't lump Bernie in with Stein. He got out and graciously and enthusiastically endorsed Hillary. Stein stayed in to siphon off votes from Hillary for reasons still unknown.

[IronLionZion]

8. Yet Republicans don't seem to have such problems

They run 20 candidates, nominate the absolute worst one they can find, and enough dumbasses vote for that piece of shit to elect him president.

GOP doesn't even have superdelegates

[Power 2 the People]

15. It's all Fox News

The minions march (goose step) to whatever drum they are told do by the mind control masters.

[IronLionZion]

19. Yup, we Dems have "liberal problems" like too many thoughts and questions

GOP is much better at getting their people to blindly do as they are told. They are like Russia and North Korea that way.

[eggplant]

13. I'm perfectly happy to cast my irrevocable 2020 POTUS ballot today for "the Democratic nominee".

[Power 2 the People]

16. Same here

Looking forward to an inspiring presidential ticket on 7/13/20.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

27. Ignorant headline writer at Axios. 2 decades is not "than ever before". . . . nt

[Drunken Irishman]

28. I don't like this.

Not because of the reason (not sure I buy it) but because the Republicans will likely hold their convention at the end of summer, and maximize the exposure of it. Does anyone remember the 2004 Democratic Convention? It was held July 26-29, 2004, which, at the time, was extremely early.

What the Democrats ran into is that most America was on summer vacation and not paying attention to the conventions. Because of this, they struggled maximizing the overall exposure of the event.

2004's Democratic Convention was the least-watched convention of the last 46 years.

The gap between the conventions is going to be so wide that I don't think the Democrats will gain anything out of having THAT early of a convention. Bummer.

[nevergiveup]

29. Exactly what I was thinking.

This was not a wise and well thought out decision. The Democratic convention in 1988 was held in mid July and Michael Dukakis came out of that convention up 17 points in the polls. The Republican convention was in mid August and we all know what happened in the general election.

[Drunken Irishman]

31. Exactly. The same thing happened in '04.

Kerry-Edwards came out of the convention leading Bush 49-47 and by the time the GOP convention started, Bush was ahead 50-47 and never really looked back until the debates narrowed things considerably.

I don't think a convention bounce plays as big of a role as it did 30 years ago (due to 24 hour media) but it just seems silly to handcuff yourself like this.

It's not about convention bounces - more about maximizing air time.

As I said, most of America is enjoying summer in July. They're not paying attention to politics. It's said that the true presidential campaign, when Americans start really paying attention, doesn't happen until September - right around the time the GOP is probably holding, or ending, their convention.

So, what we're going to experience is that most Americans will be too busy enjoying summer to tune into the Democratic Convention and when they finally decide to tune into the actual presidential campaign, they'll be greeted with the GOP Convention and no counter argument from the Democrats.

Why do you think networks air reruns in the summer?!? Because no one is home to watch the goddamn TV.

This is beyond stupid. I am shocked the entire party signed off on this idea.

[tomp]

42. Ohio was stolen. kerry won.

The democrats delayed in taking voting integrity seriously after 2000. Inexplicably, I might add.

Convention date? Meh. Ensure voting integrity. Dems have lost three elections due to voting irregularities.

[Drunken Irishman]

48. Democrats never lose!

[Seasider]

49. It's can be a 2 edged sword

Well the 1992 convention was held in mid July and I seem to recall things turning all right for Bill Clinton that year. The 1976 and 1960 conventions were also held around that time as well. Of course the media and how the public perceives it is a lot different today than back then but my point is there is no magic date range on when these conventions should be held. At the end of the day, if you don't have a candidate who excites people and fires up the base, it doesn't matter when or where the convention is. I think Dukakis, Kerry and Hillary would've been much better Presidents then their respective opponents but they were not the most charismatic of politicians.

That being said, I don't really see it being a major factor either way. Yes, we live in a 24 hours media cycle but we also live in a time where more and more people simply don't watch live TV at all and if they do tune into the convention, it will be through apps and video clips and whatever spin someone in social media puts on it. And that's where the DNC will need to do their homework, they were embarrsingly outflanked by the Trump campaign in 2016 with how new technology can impact how people vote.

[Yavin4]

40. Then again, Trump's convention may be a giant shit show

Or should I say, Mike Pence's convention.

[lunasun]

30. Good idea ! Even if like last time there is discord and booing at the DNCon. It ends mid July with

more time to get the truth out against republicans

[questionseverything]

37. starting the debates early would make the most difference

when the dnc let the repubs have 2 freaking months of air time on us...trump picked up support from many low info voters that should of identified as democrats

[Yavin4]

39. I'm not sure that an extended period of time will allow for tensions to cool.

Given foreign, and mostly likely domestic, trolls and social media, factional tensions will be stoked no matter when the convention is held.

[Hortensis]

43. 90% of Democrats are the head, trunk and base, not a wing.

False equalizations about and against Democrats are everywhere, including Koch-owned Axios.

That more than 20 candidates thing is interesting. Should be lively.

[JackRiddler]

53. Strategically it's better to be the second convention.

For half the electorate, it's in the period when they start to pay attention, and there is almost always a convention bounce.

[Laffy Kat]

54. Where is it going to be held? nt