Sanders Will Win, Despite Rigged Debate Schedules, Skewed Polls, and Clinton's 'Inevitability'

[Skinner]

H. A. Goodman
Posted: 12/11/2015 1:00 pm EST

The American political establishment is trying desperately to shift public opinion towards the belief that voters will elect a person they don't trust and don't like. It's not a conspiracy, however, it's simply the same dynamics that allowed Enron to seduce financial markets before its epic collapse. BusinessWeek wrote a glowing cover story on Enron in February of 2001, stating "Enron's success has not gone unnoticed, but it has a few advantages that competitors would be hard pressed to match." Ten months after this glowing review of Enron's prominence within the energy field, it went bankrupt.

The same dynamics are at play with Hillary Clinton and poll numbers, as well as Clinton's "inevitability." Conventional logic is often rooted in a herd mentality, wrapped in a cloak of groupthink, and justified by doublespeak. It's the reason that television gravitates away from honest individuals and towards anyone who will sell commercials. According to a Philly.com article by Will Bunch, More Americans support Bernie than The Donald -- but he gets 1/23 the TV coverage.

To certain people, Hillary Clinton is definitely going to win, simply because of poll numbers. However, people forget that in December of 2007, Gallup reported Clinton Maintains Large Lead Over Obama Nationally. Of course, in American society today, looking back only eight years is ancient history.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/h-a-goodman/bernie-sanders-will-become-president_b_8780730.html

[randome]

1. But of course, Mr. Goodman. Of course.

Numbers and voters don't matter in the big scheme of things.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]There is nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it.
Nothing.[/center][/font][hr]

[pnwmom]

49. Yes. So says the guy who endorsed RAND PAUL for President just a year ago.

And claims he's a big progressive.

Uh-huh. Of course a Rand Paul libertarian supporter would be drawn to Bernie. Makes perfect sense.

[yallerdawg]

2. Was this the DU reset?

[cui bono]

6. Haha...

.

[navarth]

29. Skinner want to maintain a measure of impartiality IMO

Which ain't bad

Your post is funny though

[yallerdawg]

35. What was that whistling by overhead?

I think it was the sound of irony!

[totodeinhere]

52. Or he's covering all his bases just in case. I suspect that a lot of Clinton supporters view

Bernie's candidacy much more seriously than they let on.

[FSogol]

3. There is an important force in politics that all of us that mock HA Goodman's writing forget about.

I'm speaking, of course, about wishful thinking.

[thesquanderer]

7. Yeah, I support Sanders, but I think Goodman's glasses are too rose-colored

As in this...

things will change once more media attention is given to Clinton's prison lobbyist donors, use of race and Islamophobia against Obama in 2008, and almost three week delay in addressing questions about Ferguson.

I would be surprised if any of these things actually get much media attention.

[senz]

19. Yes, if the media refuse to cover Hillary's seamier side, many won't know.

That's one way she can win: an uninformed populace.

[nxylas]

23. I'm sure that the media will cover them

After the primary season is over, that is.

[senz]

25. I fear that, too.

[VanillaRhapsody]

27. hahahahahaha...Uniformed about Clinton???

hahahahaha oh please...

First its the candidate with "name recognition"....now its not???

[upaloopa]

32. You can always make stuff up to satisfy

the need for seaminess

[senz]

45. What is, is. It doesn't magically disappear

to satisfy the need to maintain a cherished but carefully concocted image.

I understand how you feel but believe you are making a mistake if your goal is a return to healthy, democratic government that serves the needs of the people.

If you have a different goal, then we don't have much common area in which to converse, do we?

[MissDeeds]

60. The Republicans will make sure her seamier side is covered

if, god forbid, she "wins" the nomination. They couldn't ask for anything better.

[MoonRiver]

69. Hillary has been vetted for over twenty years.

Right wing haters, and others now, have continually tried to destroy her with half truths, innuendos, Sand, more often, outright lies. She's still standing tall. And the reason isn't an uninformed public. It's because she hasn't done anything wrong.

[nxylas]

21. I agree

He reminds me of columnists like Peggy Noonan who could "feel in their bones" that Rmoney was going to win in a landslide in 2008. Not that I don't *want* Sanders to win, but it'll take more than Facebook posts and Google searches to get him there.

[PatrickforO]

39. They won't get much attention, except.......................

on social media.

It's a different world now because the establishment, as much as it desperately wants to, can no longer control the narrative. Because of social media, Americans are waking up and understanding how propagandized they have become.

I mean, think about this site. I LOVE being in here because I get to comment on articles, write my own posts, and argue with people on positions that mean something to me. If you'd have told me in 1990 how much time I'd spend daily on the internet and social media (which I didn't even know existed back then), I'd have said you're crazy.

Now, not so much, and it is changing the game. My daughter came over yesterday, and she said her in-laws, who are SERIOUS conservatives, but not the crazy religious type, actually like Bernie. Whoa. I mean these people were touting the tea party incumbents on our county's school board less than a month ago............and now they are going around saying they LIKE Bernie, don't like Rump and Cruz is too religious-crazy.

So there it is....

Reminder, everyone - the primaries HAVEN'T HAPPENED YET. We'll know how Bernie's REALLY going to do when that happens. Like the author of this HP article, I believe a LOT of people are in for a serious surprise. Because the only people who really LIKE Bernie are the American people, because he has our back, is honest and has a great track record. People like that.

We'll see, won't we?

[senz]

62. Good comment. However

it points to two key areas we, as Democrats and democrats, must protect: 1) a free and open Internet (net neutrality at least) and 2) voting rights and honest, accurate results.

These would be the two easiest ways for the oligarchy to disempower the people.

[PatrickforO]

73. You're sure right on those.

And every time we defeat efforts to get rid of net neutrality, it shows up again, over and over and over and over, 24/7/365 because billions of dollars in profits are at stake and the big telecomms will never, ever relent.

As to voter suppression, yep. Bunch of that going on. People do have time and GOTV efforts may work, as well as just the anger of the voting populace that has been suppressed. I think a lot of minority people look at those measures and decide, "Nope, I'm gonna vote no matter what, hell or high water."

At least I hope so.

But, yeah, until we can get the corporate corruption out of DC and get politicians in there that are actually trying to govern, we're going to have to dramatically increase our level of political awareness and interaction with the system. That's Bernie's 'political revolution.' He's not gonna get anything done without massive social pressure from all of us.

[Baitball Blogger]

4. You're sweet Skinner.

It's very kind of you to post this thread. And in return, you know we will vote for Hillary if she wins the Primary.

[cui bono]

5. Is this a trap?

.

[MissDeeds]

63. It's snark

Look no further than the Hillary avatar.

[wildeyed]

8. HA!

[Blue_Adept]

9. I see what you did there.

[img][/img]

[sufrommich]

10. ..........

[zappaman]

11. !!!

[NurseJackie]

13. Well ... if HA Goodman says so, then Hillary is doomed!

[bigtree]

14. 'facebook likes'

...lol.

[SidDithers]

15. Almost as good as his "Clinton will finish 3rd in Iowa" article...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/h-a-goodman/hillary-clinton-will-fini_b_8717248.html

Goodman is writing for The Onion. He just doesn't know it.

Sid

[Fuddnik]

17. Well, she finished 3rd the last time!

[Fuddnik]

16. Somebody stole Skinners username!

[yardwork]

18. Rec for the writer's deft equation of Hillary with Enron.

That's a new one for me. I've seen Hillary equated with Margaret Thatcher, Hitler, and Trump, but not Enron.

Next headline.... Hillary responsible for Great Depression.

[workinclasszero]

20. HA H.A. Goodman

[Betty Karlson]

22. Skinner,

first of all congratulation on switching servers with such alacricy.

Second, could you tell me why you posted this article. Because the debate about it seems rather onesided and predictable.

[yallerdawg]

36. More important...

where exactly are you keeping your new server?

Very important, as you know!

[Motown_Johnny]

55. I am betting it isn't his basement n/t

[senz]

24. Bernie is the best candidate for the people of this country,

so let's help him win the nomination.

[VanillaRhapsody]

28. except of course

Democrats seem to disagree with that....

[Starry Messenger]

26. Is this a test of the servers?

lol

[Gamecock Lefty]

30. Skewed Polls?

Has Sanders become Romney II?

[1StrongBlackMan]

38. No but Goodman is trying to be ...

And so are some of his supporters.

[Agnosticsherbet]

31. The author should have picked a photograph that doesn't make Sanders look grumpy. nt

[72DejaVu]

33. Where would he find one?

[Agnosticsherbet]

34. I am sure the Sanders campaign could provide one or two if given enough time.

[MineralMan]

37. "Shark Jumping Made Easy," by H. A. Goodman

This is probably the silliest thing he has posted at HuffPo.

Either that, or Ariana has forgotten to create a satire page for his posts.

[DaveT]

40. This thread demonstrates yet again

that the main rationale for the Hillary Rodham Clinton campaign is

Vote for me because I am going to win anyway.

Or, going by the logic of her supporters here, Resistance Is Futile.


So anybody who suggests otherwise is deserving not refutation, but ridicule.


We'll see who gets the last laugh. Enjoy your lead while it lasts. You all have very short memories.

[senz]

50. +1

I do believe you're right, Dave.

[shwnrob]

41. Sanders wont win !

Cant wait to see the faces of these Bernie Sanders cult members when he drops out of the race.

[ismnotwasm]

42. When H.A. Goodman speaks

Everyone listens...

[DFW]

43. After the 2016 election, I predict that H.A. Goodman will:

If Bernie wins, become press secretary to the President of the United States

or

If Hillary wins, do what Barbara Eden as did Genie when she was upset with her Master: *poof*

Nuanced is one thing this commentator is NOT

[colsohlibgal]

44. Hope So

Hillary will be comfortably preferable to whoever the crazy party puts. But that bar is incredlbly low.

Historically once the Robber Barons wear out their welcome populism breaks out. But that has all happened pre Fox and Corporate News, FDR did not have Rush and Hannity hammering him 24/7.

Hillary is just too third way. Too cozy with Wall Street and the Defense Industry. Also some if us are still bothered by her Iraq War vote. Hillary is a smart lady and it is hard to believe she bought what the Bushies were shoveling. That would be bad enough but even worse would be her voting for it because she was afraid it would be used against her.

[Bobbie Jo]

46. Totally rec'ing this.

[senz]

47. Quick! Let's trash H.A. Goodman!!

and anyone, anyone, who doesn't worship the great, the amazing, the miraculous ... Hillary!

Me, I prefer the give-and-take of public discourse, opposing views, that sort of thing.

But then, I'm a Democrat who still believes in democracy. Not at all "ready" for Third Way collusion with oligarchs.

[zappaman]

51. Quick! Let's trash Ron/Rand Paul supporter H.A. Goodman!!

Fixed it for ya.
Fuck Ron and Rand Paul.

[greatauntoftriplets]

53. I second that FRP.

[oberliner]

48. How many times can HA Goodman write the same article?

He doesn't even really vary the content much from one to the next.

[elleng]

54. 'Conventional logic is often rooted in a herd mentality, wrapped in a cloak of groupthink.'

[William769]

56. You forgot the dripping with sarcasm smiley.

[modestybl]

57. Just came out today, HRC trails Rubio, Carson in nat'l polling...

For well over a month now, national polls show Sanders doing as well or better than HRC against all the major GOP candidates... yet you'd barely know that by the coverage THAT fact has gotten.

True, national polls are highly volatile, but that is the info we have, and it has been consistent. HRC supporters have this mistaken belief that Sanders would definitely lose in the GE, and the HRC is the stronger candidate... by any evidence we have, that is NOT TRUE.

Sanders has more supporters than the Donald, yet gets 1/31st or less of the coverage. People up and down the political spectrum are disgusted at the system that HRC's candidacy thrives in. Sanders calls it out, the corruption, the money, the utter lack of representation that for the vast majority of people.

HRC defends Wall Street. And the corporations, so naturally all of the networks are quietly (and not so quietly) rooting for here. Fortunately, we have other outlets.

It will be difficult, but not impossible.

[SmittynMo]

59. Well, if you put it that way, which coincidentally is 100% true.

I find it a miracle she has any support at all. Personally, I don't get it. His approval rating should be 70%, or better. I mean, how can America go wrong with his policy?

[senz]

65. Very well said.

Thanks, modestybl!

[tazkcmo]

76. Sanders kill her in Independent support

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/9/17/1422117/-Poll-of-Independents-Sanders-45-Trump-26-HRC-9

Independents make up 40% of the voters. Sanders also has better Republican support. Sec Clinton has already announced to 30% (Registered Republicans) of the electorate that they are her number 1 enemy. Good luck in the GE.

[DocMac]

58. K and R

Happy to see this, Skinner. I'm ok with Hillary but, I'm too old to pass this chance to see some serious change in this country. Besides, a Sanders Presidency would take the Republicans into another universe, and who wants to miss that? lol

[Android3.14]

61. The logic is pretty sound

If Bernie represents your values more so than Clinton, then it is smart strategy to vote for him in the primaries. If he wins, he has as good, or even better, chances against the GOP nutballs as Clinton does, and we might have a freakin' awesome president.

If he loses in the primaries and Clinton is the nominee, then vote for Clinton in the general. We won't have as awesome a nominee and potential leader, but she still has a reasonable chance to beat the GOP.

Despite the mean spirit of The Swarm, many who currently support Clinton are kind thoughtful people who are just now realizing that a vote for Bernie is smart strategy and smart democracy.

[senz]

67. In real life, I have no problem with Clinton supporters

when I encounter them, which isn't too often. However, they tend be nice, uninformed, gullible people who know the name and approve the gender.

There is so much more at stake.

[YOHABLO]

64. It's getting to where when I see a blue and Red 'H' I just skip it.

Last edited Mon Dec 14, 2015, 07:16 PM - Edit history (2)

Whatever.

[senz]

72. Yeah, I know what you mean.

I put the worst on ignore and read the others selectively.

[brooklynite]

74. Good idea! Limit your intake to voices that agree with you!

Oh, you didn't read that. Never mind.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

68. We really need to see some primary wins

before we can make any real sense about the state of the race. Polling and endorsements are currently with HRC and, frankly, I believe that she is the more well-rounded and stronger candidate with lots of experience and comprehensive knowledge of politics and world affairs. Bernie is a scrappy populist who says the right things and is able to connect with people and has some good policy ideas whom would probably make a great cabinet official but I don't see him as having the wide-ranging knowledge and experience that Hillary does. I know that he's been a Rep and now a Senator for many years but he just doesn't seem to have the kind of gravitas that we need as POTUS. I will, however, gladly throw my support to Bernie in the GE if he wins the nomination.

[senz]

71. I wouldn't call Bernie "scrappy."

Serious and sincere is not the same as scrappy. He is not the least bit quarrelsome or feisty; some of us might wish he were more so at times.

Also, he has plenty of gravitas there. I've seen his speeches in the House and Senate chambers; no lack of gravitas. He was also a successful executive as Mayor of Burlington, with sufficient gravitas. Where he may fall short in the "appearance" department is not joking around enough. But he could probably learn that; I get the impression he joked around as a younger man, so the humor is in there. I realize Hillary bursts into a loud laugh at various times when being interviewed and find it hard to imagine Bernie doing the same, so she has that.

His knowledge and experience are good. He has extensive knowledge of our government, as well as domestic and foreign issues, from 25 years of service in both houses of the U. S. legislature.

[leftofcool]

70. Good one, Skinner!

[wendylaroux]

77. good one!

glad your doing good!!