Let's talk negotiation strategy

[TCJ70]

We've got two candidates: Bernie and Hillary. One of their platforms can be described as "Go for the gold!" while the other is more of a "Slow and steady wins the race." One of these candidates has been on point with their message for 30 years, while the other relies on an evolving message to win people over. One of them will end up on the other side of a table from people who's position will be "Do absolutely nothing!" as they did with Obama.

While we're here, let's talk about Obama a bit. When he had the opportunity to go to the table, he immediately took things off the table while getting nothing in return for them. This is one my, and I think many peoples, frustration with Obama. That and he veered to the right after he was elected, not harshly to the right, but he certainly wasn't as left as he portrayed himself.

Back to our two candidates. Let's take three issues: Minimum Wage, Healthcare, and Education Policy.

Minimum Wage: Bernie wants $15/hr, Hillary wants $12. You always lose something in a negotiation, that's a given. If you start at $15, where might you end up? $12? 13? If you start at $12, where might you end up? $9? $10? This is a problem as we had the opportunity to go to bat harder.

Healthcare: Bernie wants Medicare for All. Hillary wants incremental improvements to the ACA. Do any of us really see incremental improvements getting through Congress? If you had to negotiate down from Medicare for All, you may end up with an open enrollment system for Medicare where people could voluntarily join if they wanted to.

Education: Bernie's looking for 4 year college for all who do well enough in school. Hillary is looking for free community college. There isn't anything wrong with community college. I happen to be enrolled in one right now and it's already pretty cheap.If you negotiate from free community college, where might you end up? Probably not far, maybe some student loan reform? If you negotiate down from paid 4 year college, you may get student loan reform and free community college.

The point I'm making is, why negotiate from an already lesser position? If your opponents position is "Do nothing", which is will be, your position has to be "Do everything". That's the only way to find a true middle. The Dems have been negotiating from the middle for too long.

[Broward]

1. Your analysis of negotiating strategy is spot on.

Hillary and her fellow corporatists don't want any significant change. If anything, I suspect they're fine with the status quo or with even moving things further to the right.

[Skwmom]

7. She'd promise, blame the GOP for not delivering while working with the Corp GOP to pass the TPP, the

TISA, tax breaks for the wealthy...

[Arazi]

2. +10000 eom

[brooklynite]

3. If Sanders wasnt $15 an hour, then why isn't he opening with $25?

If it's just a matter of negotiations, then that would be the smart move.

UNLESS proposing an irrational opening position damages your ability to negotiate with the other side.

And as far as negotiations goes, how do you apply that principle to his absolute position on health care?

[TCJ70]

6. I addressed healthcare in my post...n/t

[snagglepuss]

4. Spot on. What I wold add is that Bernie will not make any comprise without

a fight. He is not going to be a corporate lapdog, taking orders.

[djean111]

5. Hillary would only move further to the right.

With a big smile.