General Discussion

merrily

(45,251 posts)

78. If you drop labels and don't try to change minds, USians poll liberal by something like 70%

Fri Aug 29, 2014, 08:32 AM

Aug 2014

Poll on issues, rather than labels, and don't propagandize and USians poll liberal overwhelmingly.

All parties have done their best to make "liberal" into a dirty word and to make words like "middle," "moderate," centrist" etc. sound like the only rational, reasonable position. They have also done their best to pretend center left is liberal--and liberal is extreme and undesirable. That did not come from the people.

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Run, Bernie, Run! [View all] ChisolmTrailDem Aug 2014 OP

I'm down with the fund-raisers if they call them "Weekend at Bernie's"! WinkyDink Aug 2014 #1

He just all but confirmed that he is exploring the possibilty of running for president. ChisolmTrailDem Aug 2014 #2

PLEASE, Universe, have him become a Democrat! (Well, he IS what one ought to be already!) WinkyDink Aug 2014 #5

A frank concern about a Sander's candidacy ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #3

In a nation where a Purple Heart = cowardice and 9/11 = "kept us safe," does reality matter? WinkyDink Aug 2014 #6

He should own it and turn it back from being a dirty word. Cleita Aug 2014 #7

No it won't ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #15

I'm sure camp Hillary will try to smear him if they feel he's a threat. That true. eom Cleita Aug 2014 #19

That would be a violation of ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #23

If you say so. Cleita Aug 2014 #27

I guess you didn't hear my sarcastic tone. eom. 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #32

Maybe too subtle for me. Use the emoticon to dispel all doubt. n/t Cleita Aug 2014 #41

No, the "socialist" label will be used to smear Democrats, as it always is. They say Obama is a pnwmom Aug 2014 #33

This is our problem. When we refuse to own it, they will continue to make it into a dirty word. Cleita Aug 2014 #38

Your daughter-in-law is a reasonable, rational person. The people who accuse Dems of being pnwmom Aug 2014 #39

Not all ignorant people are tea baggers. They are misinformed because they weren't taught the Cleita Aug 2014 #40

But a "firebrand" is less likely to change minds. Angry politicians tend to turn people off, pnwmom Aug 2014 #42

Bernie is not angry. Where do you get that? Cleita Aug 2014 #44

Did you read about his most recent Town Hall? He told a questioner to shut up. pnwmom Aug 2014 #45

I stand corrected and maybe the asshole needed to shut up. Cleita Aug 2014 #48

I think Elizabeth Warren could be a successful national candidate, if she had the organization. pnwmom Aug 2014 #49

They did the same to Dennis Kucinich and will do the same to Warren if she runs. Cleita Aug 2014 #50

LOL! Barney Frank has zero room to talk about offending people. merrily Aug 2014 #76

I guess this explains ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #82

I am a huge fan of Bernies, however mimi85 Aug 2014 #135

I agree with your first three points ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #136

When the repugs can make a big deal about a tan suit JaydenD Aug 2014 #131

Let's not worry so much about what the reThugs will say. Fuck em all. Go Bernie. JaydenD Aug 2014 #130

I agree this is a concern and it is what they would use against him in the general. Can we educate jwirr Aug 2014 #8

I am far less optimistic ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #16

I see what you are saying. Maybe we cannot educated a people who do not want to be educated. jwirr Aug 2014 #24

I would love for him to be in the primaries ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #26

Oh, yes economics is not the only issue. I want to know a lot of other things she things. This world jwirr Aug 2014 #36

I'm pretty comfortable ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #37

If we were going to educate people on that, we should have started years ago. n/t pnwmom Aug 2014 #43

Can't be as bad with that element as being black was.... nt ChisolmTrailDem Aug 2014 #9

I don't know about that ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #18

He could do a lot of good just by destigmatizing that label Jim Lane Aug 2014 #46

Probably not in our time now, but I will support him all I can until he withdraws or we have Dustlawyer Aug 2014 #55

Which is why we MUST have a Democratic President ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #60

That is beginning to seem like a possible happening. Bohunk68 Aug 2014 #95

I suspect that Silver will disappoint ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #96

He has run and self-identified as an Independent for years. merrily Aug 2014 #77

Look again ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #80

I do not know who changed his wiki or why, but it does not reflect the reality. merrily Aug 2014 #83

Why are you attempting to distance Sanders from his Democratic Socialist belief ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #92

Erm, you raised a point. I responded. But: how is running as an Indie merrily Aug 2014 #116

He should embrace it and EDUCATE people what he wants to do. GIVE US A REASON Vincardog Aug 2014 #101

For me, the GOP and SCOTUS is reason enough. eom. 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #102

I set my sites higher. We need strong leadership in opposition to the Corporate Vincardog Aug 2014 #103

I agree ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #106

I believe you criticism speaks more to the disfunction of our Legislative Vincardog Aug 2014 #107

The legislature would have changed with a Sanders Presidency. eom. 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #109

Hopefully it WILL change with a Sanders Presidency. Vincardog Aug 2014 #111

And, if it doesn't? eom 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #120

It won't be due to lack of effort on MY part. Can you say the same? Vincardog Aug 2014 #121

Yes ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #122

I am a local precinct captain and support every liberal Candidate I can Vincardog Aug 2014 #123

Very good ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #124

Him going to Iowa for an appearance seems to indicate he's going Cleita Aug 2014 #4

He said he's exploring his options but he's also trying to ChisolmTrailDem Aug 2014 #11

Both he and Thom Hartmann, whose show he's a regular on, have Cleita Aug 2014 #12

The "R" word? eom. 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #20

Revolution? Cleita Aug 2014 #25

Running? ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #31

Meh. Bernie should stick with his independence. He should not cynically take on a label just for... Tarheel_Dem Aug 2014 #10

He'll be in N. Carolina in the next day or two. Perhaps you could ChisolmTrailDem Aug 2014 #13

I know what he has to say. He's been saying the same shit for a couple of decades, but his..... Tarheel_Dem Aug 2014 #17

Why you keep whacking at the bee hive with that stick of truth ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #22

I've asked that question nearly everytime one of these Bernie/Kooch lovefests get underway. Tarheel_Dem Aug 2014 #29

You're gonna get sent to bed without dinner! ... 1StrongBlackMan Aug 2014 #35

Some Dems like to support Independants... adirondacker Aug 2014 #14

Was Liebermann running for POTUS on the "Democratic" ticket in that photo op? Tarheel_Dem Aug 2014 #21

I think he was running for endorser of McCain and Palin at the time, while supporting the decider*. adirondacker Aug 2014 #51

Care to elaborate what those amendments were? How many bills has he authored? Naming post.... Tarheel_Dem Aug 2014 #56

"Bernie will wear the exact same "extremist" label that follows Ted Cruz, Sarah Palin," adirondacker Aug 2014 #62

Senator Barack Obama knew what the rest of us knew, that Bernie belongs in.... Tarheel_Dem Aug 2014 #64

Someone has to bring sanity to the party adirondacker Aug 2014 #65

"Someone" coulda done that years ago by joining "the party". Joining now just reeks of desparation. Tarheel_Dem Aug 2014 #66

Why would you want him to split the party up and become a pariah like Mr. Nader? adirondacker Aug 2014 #67

He should hold true to his values, and his party affiliation. I prefer Bernie leave my party alone. Tarheel_Dem Aug 2014 #68

Did he run on Clinton's ticket? Was it someone else? nt. NCTraveler Aug 2014 #99

If Bernie runs as a Dem, he will not do so cynically. I cannot think of a single thing he merrily Aug 2014 #84

"Bernie won anyway". That's exactly my point. He ran on his own ticket and his own money. Tarheel_Dem Aug 2014 #100

I don't think that was the point of your prior post, but there's no probem with ANY strategy. merrily Aug 2014 #110

It's been "my point" all along. Switching to access Dem dollars & infrastructure is beneath Bernie. Tarheel_Dem Aug 2014 #117

You think it "should" be. Principled people can disagree about that. merrily Aug 2014 #118

My "principles" weren't at issue. I was born a Democrat, and have never shunned the label. Tarheel_Dem Aug 2014 #119

Everyone, include you, me and Bernie, is entited to his or her own opinion on this matter and merrily Aug 2014 #133

This might give him a chance sadoldgirl Aug 2014 #28

Sanders has been around for decades, so his low visibility is more of a factor than it was for Obama pnwmom Aug 2014 #30

Bernie did not seek the national spotlight. No reason to assume it will elude him if he seeks it. merrily Aug 2014 #85

He'll get a spotlight all right, because the media loves a horserace. But eventually pnwmom Aug 2014 #90

I don't think the media turned on Dean all on its own. But never mind that. merrily Aug 2014 #108

2014 will be a telling election Politicalboi Aug 2014 #34

K & R !!! WillyT Aug 2014 #47

I got nothing against Barry Sanders bluestateguy Aug 2014 #52

Who knows, you may be right. But that was also said about electing a black man. nt ChisolmTrailDem Aug 2014 #53

And our punishment is Neo-Liberal centrists or Neo-Con radicals, Both who serve 1% orpupilofnature57 Aug 2014 #58

He's not a socialist. He's not Barry either. merrily Aug 2014 #86

A true servant of the People or the 1% ,, orpupilofnature57 Aug 2014 #54

Bernie Sanders will turn 75 in 2016. Laelth Aug 2014 #57

Yes, he is a few years older than both Hilary and Warren. None of them is young, though. merrily Aug 2014 #87

"Barack Obama is proof that Hillary is not a given." Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #59

Subscribing to " Expertise " is harmful to your brain . orpupilofnature57 Aug 2014 #61

I know,...to listen to them Libaralism is wildly unpopular because they can cite a poll about Obama. Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #63

Let's step back from "expertise".....lets look at FACTS brooklynite Aug 2014 #69

The fray may very well be the Wall Street Wing this time around... adirondacker Aug 2014 #70

Funny how the Republicans don't worry about someone being too Conservative. Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #71

Funny how the Republicans have lost 5 of the last 6 Presidential elections brooklynite Aug 2014 #72

Exactly. The argument is that we need to go to the Right to follow their success. Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #73

or, the argument is we need to go to the center where the most votes are brooklynite Aug 2014 #75

If you drop labels and don't try to change minds, USians poll liberal by something like 70% merrily Aug 2014 #78

+1. To move to the true center, we'd need to go left. n/t winter is coming Aug 2014 #91

The media has been taken over by the Right.... Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #97

We are center right. merrily Aug 2014 #113

It's time the hand wringing over being "hurt" comes to an end. Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #98

I'm very sorry but I am not sure what your reply to me means. merrily Aug 2014 #112

The majority is with us but too many Dems are afraid of a fight.... Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #127

Ah, thanks for the explanation. merrily Aug 2014 #132

The Republicans blamed the media for the loss of Vietnam and for Watergate.... Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #137

Sorry, spitfire, but the fairness doctrine was not eliminated under Reagan. merrily Aug 2014 #138

You assume Clinton was a Liberal. Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #140

Oh, no I don't. He was a founding member of the DLC and the first Presidential merrily Aug 2014 #141

If Hillary wins then all those people will return. Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #143

Yes, but a lot of them returned to Obama's administration and merrily Aug 2014 #144

Obama had a lot of very Liberal people on his team.... Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #145

Obama practically duplicated the Clinton admin team when Obama got into the White house, merrily Aug 2014 #146

The DLC used the Dukakis loss and the Clinton win to justify their shifting the party to the right. Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #147

They used McGovern and Mondale more. merrily Aug 2014 #148

You will discover a lot of the folks under Carter were members of the Trilateral Commission. Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #152

I am not familiar with that. Was/is it something like the Bilderburgs? merrily Sep 2014 #154

The Trilateral Commission was dismissed as a conspiracy theory during the Vietnam war... Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2014 #156

There are certainly many organizations like that today! merrily Sep 2014 #157

It goes back to what is considered "fact".... Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2014 #160

Here is my reply to someone who cited Mondale and McGovern. merrily Aug 2014 #149

The major gas lines everyone remembers were in 1973 under Nixon... Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #150

I don't think those were the ones they remembered when they voted against Carter. Maybe, but I merrily Sep 2014 #155

People voted against Carter because the media was railing about the hostages.... Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2014 #158

I think it was both, the hostages and the gas lines. And more. merrily Sep 2014 #161

There was no manditory rationing under Carter. There was panic buying by a hysterical public.... Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2014 #162

There were gas lines and a lousy economy and Koppel and media and the hostages and more. merrily Sep 2014 #163

True, then Reagan and Daddy Bush spent the next 12 years blaming Carter for everything. Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2014 #164

Republican posters still refuse to give him credit for anything, even peace merrily Sep 2014 #165

Well sure,...they claimed trickle down didn't work because Carter left them in a hole... Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2014 #166

Meh. In private, when no sane person is around to contradict them, they probably do find a way to merrily Sep 2014 #168

They still say Ollie was a patriot. Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2014 #170

And that's where sane people can hear them. Imagine what they say in private. merrily Sep 2014 #171

In private? They'd like to haul every Democrat out for public execution by hanging for treason. Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2014 #172

By "center" that means further to the Right than Reagan. Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #93

GAy rights, reproductive rights, opposing Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, health care coverage... brooklynite Aug 2014 #104

It isn't 1980 anymore either, though. In the 1990s, Clinton signed DOMA and asked Congress to pass merrily Aug 2014 #115

Reagan was a Marxist compared to today's GOP. Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #125

correcting my prior post: USians poll traditional Democrat, as opposed to New Democrat. merrily Aug 2014 #134

It is a fact that Obama ran to the left of Hillary and won both the primary and the General-- merrily Aug 2014 #81

The media also said Obama would be President as soon as he finished his 2004 speech. merrily Aug 2014 #89

Matthews had more than a leg tingle over Rudy. Not to mention Bush in a flight suit. Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #94

When Bush was in a flight suit, MSNBC was very different than it is now. merrily Aug 2014 #114

Tweety has "issues".... Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #126

Bernie..pplllllleeeeeeasaassssee RUN! undergroundpanther Aug 2014 #74

I am all for Bernie running. Whether he wins or loses, people need to hear again what they knew in merrily Aug 2014 #79

If he runs, he'll fold quick--he doesn't have the ground organization. And woe to him if he msanthrope Aug 2014 #88

+1 Tarheel_Dem Aug 2014 #128

-1 adirondacker Aug 2014 #139

Would love it if he ran as a Democrat. NCTraveler Aug 2014 #105

I like this news JaydenD Aug 2014 #129

K & r. n/t wildbilln864 Aug 2014 #142

Hell Yah!!! Go Bernie! ~nt 99th_Monkey Aug 2014 #151

I support Bernie Sanders completely MissDeeds Aug 2014 #153

I understand why you might disagree, but why is it troubling? brooklynite Sep 2014 #159

Obama always seemed eminently electable to me. Unvanguard Sep 2014 #169

He should run, I would vote for him, he would lose the primary but that's fine Unvanguard Sep 2014 #167