Sanders campaign's new strategy on superdelegates leaves some unimpressed

[ProudToBeLiberal]

Retired teachers Rosie Skomitz and Ron Stouffer, part of the raucous crowd that packed an old theater here last week to cheer on a Bernie Sanders revolution, have no love for Democratic superdelegates, the party insiders who have helped Hillary Clinton pad her lead in the race for the nomination for president.

"It takes votes away from people and gives them to the elite," Skomitz said, summing up the typical complaint from the Sanders faithful that the nomination process is undemocratic.

But as Sanders falls further behind Clinton in amassing delegates who will choose the nominee, some of his supporters have replaced their criticism and occasional outright virulence with appeals to those Democratic elites — some of whom have long memories.

"You're trying to woo us now, but we remember when you were trashing us," said former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, one of 21 superdelegates from the state, the largest of five that hold primaries Tuesday.

More at http://www.baltimoresun.com/la-na-sanders-superdelegates-pennsylvania-20160424-story.html

[CentralCoaster]

1. Fuck Ed Rendell, lackey

[RandySF]

2. Yeah

Screaming in someone's face is typically not persuasive m.

[Igel]

3. Part of the problem is Sanders himself.

He's treated the Democratic Party and its members as a tool.

When it suits him, he'll use it, their efforts, their infrastructure, for his goals. When it suits him, they're evil incarnate and need to be swept into the dustbin of history. It's a tool, and those who are (D) are tools, nothing more. You don't put effort into building the rake you have; few see a point in taking care of a tool if it's single use once it's been used.

Meanwhile, some have been involved in building the Party, having it help them and in return helping others in the party, and they've been doing this for years. They've been elected in the past and have served their constituents, their judgment was valued, and are rewarded by having some say in Party decisions. Their loyalty to the Party has been rewarded and their loyalty has rewarded others in the Party. They're not all rugged individualists, all of whom saying, "I did this by myself."

Sanders couldn't have pulled off what he did without being in a party. He couldn't have built a party--perhaps if he flops this year he'll be able to, but I don't think he's interested in that. He's about his vision, which for most people who are about their vision most of the time means "about themselves." He's not a party player, and has no loyalty to anything or anybody but his own drumbeat. Such often can get a lot done, but usually that's not a good thing; most of the time, such get nothing done as long as they're the "I've done this on my own" folk. He may even find that if he returns as an independent to the Senate that he's spurned enough allies to have weakened his position there.

[JimDandy]

7. You said Sanders "couldn't have built a party..."

I am sure all you Hillary supporters will be happy to know that Sanders and all his progressive supporters in the Democratic Party won't be treating the "Democratic Party...as a tool" anymore. Sanders has not only energized and lead the progressive movement, he has inspired a new political party. Soon he and his supporters will be realizing their progressive goals using all their own tools, databases and infrastructure in this party they built themselves. So, say "Hi" to your new neighbors on the left side of the political spectrum: the United Progressive Party.

This new party is discussed here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512015041. It is headquartered in my state, Washington, that, with massive support from the Democratic base, went 72% for Bernie, a fact which we are very proud of.

After the Democratic Convention, Sanders supporters will ramp up a campaign called 'Brand New Congress' to replace all 535 Congress members all at once with honest, accountable people ready to enact Bernie's program.

You are wrong to think Bernie believes he can do all of his platform on his own. Bernie has endorsed and is providing financial support to political candidates who strongly support his platform. The Berniecrats is a network of current political candidates who publicly endorses Bernie (Twitter, Facebook, website) and supports his platform. Their website provides a list of all those candidates.

[JSup]

4. It feels like...

...all delegates are 'superdelegates' anyway if the number of pledged delegates sent to the convention doesn't match the number voted for in the primary. What's the point of voting if my vote can be taken away by 'packing'?

[JaneyVee]

5. The death rattle of a campaign.

[silvershadow]

6. And leaves others completely inspired.