CBS News: Democrats press Bernie Sanders to leave race

[DCBob]

WASHINGTON -- Pressure is mounting on Bernie Sanders to end his campaign for president, with Democratic Party leaders raising alarms that his continued presence in the race is undermining efforts to beat presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump this fall.

"I don't think they think of the downside of this," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, a Clinton supporter who hosted the 2008 meeting that brokered post-primary peace between Clinton and then-Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

"It's actually harmful because she can't make that general-election pivot the way she should," Feinstein said. "Trump has made that pivot."

"I would just hope that he would understand that we need to begin consolidating our vote sooner rather than later," said New York Rep. Steve Israel, a Clinton backer and former chief of efforts to elect Democrats to the House. "Democrats cannot wait too long."

"It all sort of slows the takeoff of her general-election campaign," said Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, a member of the party's liberal wing from a perennial battleground.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/some-democrats-press-bernie-sanders-to-leave-race/

===============

The calls for him to resign are going to intensify. He can work out some sort of a deal peacefully and retain his credibility or push this all the way to Philadelphia and end up looking like a desperate power hungry loser. That would be a shame after everything he has accomplished this election.

[LexVegas]

1. Bernie isn't a Democrat...he doesn't care. nt

[HERVEPA]

2. Votes and caucuses with the Democrats all the time. Stupid ignorant post.

[Mnpaul]

6. and he has a better record voting with the party than Feinstein

why should we care what she thinks?

[redstatebluegirl]

7. Nope, he isn't a democrat and neither are a lot of his supporters.

[Dawgs]

51. Forgot the link?

[wendylaroux]

64. Well I never!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lbrtbell]

70. 4th generation Democrat here

Sanders is more of a Democrat than Hillary will ever be. His supporters, whether Dem, Independent, or Republican, stand with him because they see he stands for traditional Democratic values, rather than DLC Republican-lite.

[frylock]

86. What makes you a Democrat?

[redstatebluegirl]

88. 42 years of voting for and working for Democrats, not independents.

[frylock]

90. What did you do to become a Democrat 42 years ago?

[DCBob]

8. Now is the time to show he really cares.

He needs to drop out or really tone it down. He has no chance to win... he's simply helping Trump and burning bridges.

There are no benefits to him staying in this race and continuing to bash Hillary.

[HERVEPA]

11. Now is the time for DCBob to drop his bashing of Bernie and alienating Bernie's supporters

if he cares about defeating Trump.

[DCBob]

15. HA.. I don't bash anyone personally.

I have been bashed but I dont normally return the favor.

[asuhornets]

17. Nothing ignorant about the above post

Sanders has no allegiance to the Democratic Party..That's why he is always bashing the Dem. Est.--he's been doing it for years.

[scscholar]

42. If you're not a member, are you a member?

That's how it be.

[DCBob]

4. I hope this is not the case.

He could be a big asset if he wanted to be.

[LexVegas]

5. He is making himself irrelevant. nt

[HERVEPA]

14. You already are. Give it a rest.

[workinclasszero]

80. Bingo

He is making many democrats aware of that fact now.

[frylock]

85. He registered as a Democrat.

Is there a prerequisite to checking the box on the form?

[Warren DeMontague]

91. Funny, I thought Feinstein was busy holding "reefer madness" hearings with Chuck Grassley

Nice of her to take time out from that to lecture us on what constitutes real progress.

[snagglepuss]

3. Bernie's going to go all the WAY! GO BERNIE GO!

?t=4

[CrowCityDem]

9. We've been saying for weeks now...

that there wouldn't be a problem with Bernie running, if he stopped his character attacks on Hillary and the DNC. He won't.

Day after day, he is still out there calling Hillary corrupt and untrustworthy. It's no wonder that a large percentage of his voters are reluctant or unwilling to support her when she gets the nomination. By this point in 2008, Hillary was still running, but pulled back on the attacks. That's what you're supposed to do, rather than put your nominee in between two firing squads.

For being a guy who said he will "do everything in [his] power" to stop Trump, Bernie doesn't act like it.

[Armstead]

20. It's May 13....Look at what Clinton was saying through early June in 2008

[pengu]

50. Her disgusting RFK comment was later than this

<iframe width="854" height="480" src="

" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

"We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assasinated in June in California."

[wendylaroux]

53. facts aren't attacks

[lbrtbell]

71. No, she didn't pull back on her attacks

She dragged her feet all the way to the convention. Why should she be spared the type of treatment she gave Obama in 2008?

[frylock]

89. What character attacks on Hillary?

Do you have an example?

[firebrand80]

10. Bernie doesn't give a damn about the downsides

He's staying in the race until June 7, no amount of hand-wringing is going to change that. May as well accept it and move on.

For the record, I don't think the downsides are a huge deal, none of this will matter come November. Also, there are some potential upsides to him staying in as well.

[DCBob]

12. You are probably right...

but Bernie could help himself and Hillary and the party by dropping out.. it's unfortunate he cant see that.

[BootinUp]

28. You also can't stop people from telling him the truth. So both will continue nt

[Armstead]

13. It's that "general election pivot" he is trying to both stave off and effect

What that means in Democratic Establishment Speak is "Let us concentrate on what an awful man Trump is, and paint the GOP as the Only Problem....and forget those other pesky issues and give voters a tepid meaningless semi-conservative message and platform that sounds nice but avoids core problems."


http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511954521

[DCBob]

19. The GOP is not the "only problem" but they sure are the biggest problem..

by far.

[Armstead]

24. That's where we disagree

They are a terrible problem....But if you read the article at the link, you'll understand why many people believe this election should be about much more that that.

[DCBob]

32. I scanned the article..

Its interesting and may be correct in some ways but when youve got a freight train about to run over you have to focus on one thing.. survival.

If we dont stop Trump we are doomed. Hillary is our candidate.. its time to rally around her to stop a maniac from occupying the White House.

[Armstead]

46. You should read the full article when you have a few minutes

We're on two tracks. Trump and the GOP are the frieght train that is currently on the electoral track. I agree with you on that.

But the other track is ultimately more important. That's the track on which the elites and the giant corrupt corporate empires and Wall St. banksters have been running over us for 40 years, regardless of which party is in power.

And, in a strictly partisan sense, the Democrats would do a whole lot better electorally if they actually represented the majority against the elites.

That is what I was referring to as the "pivot" back to a politics of avoidance of real issues.

Sure it will help if Bernie goes out and tells people what a pathological liar Trump is and how bad the GOP are. But if that, and a few select politically correct issues are the sole focus -- and remain the sole focus after the election -- that bigger train will keep rolling over the majority. And partisan team sport will continue to be seen as irrelevant by most people.

[DCBob]

47. I understand the point you and the article are making..

but I would rather have that debate after we win this thing.

[pengu]

57. But we won't - we don't ever

The only time the establishment listens is when they're threatened electorally.

[TransitJohn]

72. I appreciate the tone with which you state your case.

If you would like to know how the argument you are making sounds in my ear, all I can equate it to is when gun rights activists insists after yet another mass shooting tragedy that, "now is not the time to talk about gun control." It's never the time, because it's always the election.

[Dustlawyer]

66. Hillary needs to bring in Bernie and add some of his proposals that reflect what a very large part

of what we believe in. I am not saying she has to put in everything we support, but she needs to compromise with Bernie/us to better reflect the needs /wants of the whole Democratic Party than just her agenda and her agenda only. It's called unifying the Party. She and her supporters want to skip that part and as one Hillary supporter here told me, "It's winner take all!"

If she wants to defeat Trump she will win on the issues and policy, we (Democrats) have it and he doesn't. She needs to reach out and work WITH US instead of yelling about Bernie needing to drop out!

[pengu]

54. Every single election it's the "We're doomed" spiel

It's tired.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

16. The Empire Strkes Back. The bosses intervene to save poor Hillary.

[Turin_C3PO]

18. He should

concede the nomination night of the June 7th primaries. I do hope the DNC allows him to have a little input on the platform, I think he deserves that.

[DCBob]

23. That's probably what will happen and I would be ok with that..

but the sooner the better though.

[wendylaroux]

60. oh thank God you'll be ok with that nt

[TheCowsCameHome]

21. Gee, that's too bad.

[oasis]

22. Bernie's Mt. Rushmore aspirations are first and foremost.

[Armstead]

29. And Hillary is already measuring a spot on those rocks for herself

[oasis]

35. Glenlivet Scotch "on the rocks" after she wraps up the nomination.

She'll settle for a Presidential Library when she's done presidentin'.

[Fawke Em]

67. I didn't know they allowed you to have Scotch in prison.

[frylock]

92. Perhaps some fresh raisin wine instead.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

25. Hilary will be the presumptive nominee on 6/7.

All this hand wringing over two and one half weeks.

[DCBob]

34. I would hope so.

Will be a big day to celebrate!

[BootinUp]

26. I echo your comments and everything in the OP. nt

[bobbobbins01]

27. Once again the Democratic party screws up.

I can only assume they're scared of the looming indictment and want Bernie out of the picture so they can move Biden with less fuss. If Bernie is still in the race and they try to name him the nominee, all hell will break loose.

What they should be doing is asking Hillary to drop out, her numbers are in the tank against Trump, and the FBI is zeroing in. We couldn't have a worse nominee if we let the Republicans pick it for us.

[DCBob]

40. There will be no indictment..

This is simply about focusing on the general especially now that all Trump's competition has dropped out.

[LenaBaby61]

56. Agree ....

Not feeling an indictment either.

And you're right:Hillary Clinton IS starting to focus on the GE.

[bobbobbins01]

58. Are you part of the investigation?

Because otherwise you're just making things up.

[glowing]

68. That's exactly why the establishment is pushing big time for Bernie to end his campaign.

Then it would be much easier for them to bring Biden in as the new establishment nominee. If Bernie doesn't suspend and they try inserting Biden in, the entire party will become obsolete.

She needs to drop out and deal with her legal issues and let the Democrats have a chance against Trump in the GE.

[whatchamacallit]

30. FUCK THEM!

[Red Oak]

33. Bernie - tell the Hillbots to pound sand

Maybe the continual "pivoting" over the years is why the Hill hasn't won the primaries yet.

If the Hill can't beat Trump with Sanders still in the race until the convention, then maybe the Hillbots should select a stronger candidate.

[CharlotteVale]

36. Screw 'em. This is not a coronation!

[NewImproved Deal]

62. Absolutely Not!

[link:|

[Matariki]

37. Not THIS Democrat

THIS Democrat urges the candidate under FBI investigation and with historically high unfavorably ratings to leave the race

FUCK these people. Whiners. She hasn't clinched the election yet so these assholes pretending to speak for 'Democrats' can take their psyops crap and choke on it.

[JPnoodleman]

38. If the party doesn't respect the Sanders vote and voters, then F' them. n/t

[FlatBaroque]

39. Sounds like a plan.

Let's leave the field to an unethical and corrupt politician, who has a -17 approval, distrusted my most, and under FBI investigation. Yeah, I like what I'm hearing.

[me b zola]

41. me b zola to the establishment:

Go fuck yourself.

[CountAllVotes]

44. CountAllVotes

CountAllVotes says the same to the "establishment"!

[me b zola]

83. It felt good to do that

Seems like no matter when, it is never a good time for the establishment to make a little room for the little people to have a voice. The issues that matter to us are rarely mentioned in the media, let alone be discussed in a meaningful way by someone who actually represents the people. If the media had covered the Democratic primary as they have done in other years, and not brush Bernie and his campaign off, I am certain that Bernie would have already locked up the nomination. But no. Anointed.

[CountAllVotes]

93. Good for you!

If it makes you feel any better, I've yet to find a solitary person that plans to vote for HRC. So, no it is not you or me, it is the majority of the whole of the USA that is not going for her.

[DCBob]

43. Disgusting the crude and vile comments many of the Bernie supporters are making here.

Sound alot like Republicans. Sick.

[Fawke Em]

77. Crude and vile? Try truth.

She IS under a criminal investigation.

She DOES have high negatives.

She IS in a dead heat with Trump of all people!

What's crude and vile is ignoring those issues.

[frylock]

95. You poor thing.

I'm sorry you had to read those.

[Mike Nelson]

45. The line is burred, now...

...in the once the legitimate contest between two candidates who respect each other. There are, I now believe, a large group of Sanders supporters who believe Hillary is akin to Nixon and GWB - worse, in fact. They will never support her, as they've stated. Now, sometimes it seems like Bernie is part of that camp... and sometimes not... we shall see. I still hope they get together after he drops out, but it's possible he will continue to lead the "revolution" - which he should, if he believes Hillary is worse than Nixon and Bush.

[arcane1]

48. "Stop helping people realize the truth about Hillary, dammit!"

[TheFarseer]

49. Oh no

She has to pretend she gives a damn about progressive causes for a few more weeks. The horror. I'm sure it would be much easier to just focus on how much of a bafoon Trump is than try to pretend you care about our manufacturing base or something. It's not as if Bernie has only won his home state or something like kasich.

[Eric J in MN]

78. Yeah, I don't think Bernie Sanders will be upset

...if he reads that he's delaying HRC from a pivot to the right.

[highprincipleswork]

52. What utter bullshit. First of all, he's still got a shot at this, and supporters would like him to

take it. Secondly, there's nothing wrong with Hillary that Hillary herself can't cure. Third, they ought to learn from the success of his campaign and join up with him, not try to force him out of the race. They ought to learn that the time of Reagonomics is dead!!!!!

Get with the program. The people have spoken, including those Hillary supporters here who proclaim how Progressive they are all the time.

This is the time for the Democratic Party to seize the power of its Progressive, Populist roots and ride roughshod right through the enemy line!!!!!! Heck, before Trump uses Populism to run the charge back the other way.

Onward!!!!!

[riderinthestorm]

55. That FBI report must be imminent. They want her crowned before it comes out

I want him in to gather more delegates and keep his message out there for as long as he can, to whoever he can...

Go Bernie!

[highprincipleswork]

59. You know, one reason they could want him to drop out is that if Hillary does run into legal problems

it would be much easier to ignore him and his supporters in the event she chooses to drop out and has to be replaced.

They are fools. This is not the year for Establishment bullshit, forged out of the ruins of the Reagan years.

This is the year for something new. The American people will have it, even if it's name is Trump.

[wendylaroux]

63. good point!! one or the other. yup

[Fawke Em]

73. This is exactly why her surrogates are out there shilling.

If she has to drop out due to the ongoing criminal investigation by the FBI, they'd rather another corporate Third Wayer be able to swoop in and take her place.

I swear, I think the party would rather Trump win than allow the party to take the left, FDR turn is has so needed to do for a decade or better.

[highprincipleswork]

79. And now there's documentary evidence that the time is ripe to abandon the Reagan-sucking policies

of the past for a New Progressivism and New Populism. A New New Deal - that is exactly what is needed, and what the country is hungry for.

They could ride in like banshees on the winds of that political storm, but no, they'd rather lose in disgraceful, disgusting, old, vapid habits.

[Eric J in MN]

61. If they're confident she'll win the remaining primaries

...then they should look forward to headlines about her winning states where they competed.

[larkrake]

65. Since she has already "won", why not pivot now?

[katsy]

69. Then why bother with the farce of a primary?

Let everyone vote.

It's always one big long emergency election! Waaaaaa we must pivot or die! Our candidate so sucks she needs more fucking time to pivot waaaaa!

What HRC can't beat a narcissistic fucking racist? Thats scary! Or maybe the party bosses can pick 10 states that'll choose our nominee and see how well that goes.

Whiney shit.

Let everyone have their say. HRC can pivot now. No one is stopping her. Fucking babies. Feinstein is being manipulative.

[Fawke Em]

74. This headline should read: CLINTON Backers Press Bernie Sanders to Leave Race eom

[Eric J in MN]

75. +1 (NT)

NT

[liberal N proud]

76. About damn time

[Tom Rinaldo]

81. "a Clinton supporter who hosted the 2008 meeting that brokered post-primary peace..."

So what's wrong with this picture? Oh yeah, unlike in 2008 when those efforts to broker unification were being made, this is not post primary. In 2008 Hillary was still running full speed ahead at this stage.

[lumberjack_jeff]

82. Democrats press Clinton to leave race too.

If by "democrats" one means actual voters and not the corporate shills who have infiltrated it.

[bjo59]

84. They've got nothing else in their desperate

attempt to get Hillary to the position of being the only viable alternative to Trump. They need Hillary's descent in the polls to stop right now. This most certainly not the time for Bernie to hand it all over to the corporatists. And he's not going to do it no matter how much the corporate owned media and corporatist DNC harp away on it.

[Warren DeMontague]

87. Oh, by all means, lets allow her to pivot the way DiFi would like her to.

Barf.

[azurnoir]

94. was Hillary's presence in the undermining the Democratic effort against McCain? Nope weak excuse

the DNC and it's cronies seem in an awful hurry here, if she's so got this why the rush?

[jillan]

96. Oh ffs. The only thing that hurts Hillary is Hillary.

Quit blaming her poll numbers on Bernie.