General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Does today's Democratic Party speak for you? [View all]calimary
(83,477 posts)OR the libertarians. CERTAINLY more than the teabaggers! Not the Socialists, or even the Greens or Peace & Freedoms. The Independents? Meh. They wind up being little other than spoilers when it counts the most. Remember: we can thank Ross Perot, TWICE, that Bill Clinton was a two-termer, especially the first time! So that helped our side. But it can work the same way, the other way, too!!!! That's what terrifies me about a Bernie Sanders campaign.
PLEASE understand - I LOVE Bernie Sanders!!! He dovetails a lot more frequently with my views than even Hillary does!
But I'm also realistic. Wish it weren't necessary! But it IS!!!
I fear, seriously, that if Bernie Sanders runs as an independent, he will mess it up for the leading Democrat - presumably Hillary Clinton. It will be close, no matter who it is, just by virtue of the avalanches of money that the bad guys can spend and we can't. Their money WILL be an advantage. Which means we ARE gonna have to fight for this one. Even Hillary, the alleged "sure-thing," won't just cakewalk her way into the White House - it'll be a fight. Between now and then, rand paul has plenty of time to sweet talk the know-nothings and lull to sleep those with some reservations about him. So does marco rubio. So does ted cruz, for that matter! And if romney sees an opening he thinks might be easier this time, don't count him out, either. SERIOUSLY.
I want to WIN again in 2016. Sending some sort of "message" for the sake of purity doesn't get you into the White House. I wish that's all that was needed. But we've got to get some of theirs to vote for our side to make sure it works. Remember, there are some asshole voters out there - YES. I SAID IT. They're ASSHOLES if they don't get out there and vote EACH AND EVERY time they get the chance to do so - there will be those in 2016 who figure "Hillary's (or whoever it is)" got it in the bag. Think I'll just kick back, today..." or some such lame-ass excuse. Sorry to be crude but there it is (besides, they deserve it!). I guarantee you some people, especially on our side, will stay home that day and not vote. And if there's ANY way the bad guys can wriggle in, that would help because I bet the kochs and shel adelson will be willing to bet the house on this. They've lost twice in a row and they don't like losing, so they're gonna go ALL OUT to win it this time.
And the "message" you'll send... is only the one that comes back to you from the OTHER SIDE's guy whose win YOU enabled with your "message." That message coming back at you and the rest of us will be - "Thanks, CHUMPS!" Guaranteed. They can't wait to wipe their muddy lug-soled boots on you! And they're PRAYING you'll help them. They're doing that THIS ELECTION, TOO. Bet on it.
AND ONE MORE THING:
I wouldn't be surprised if there are GOP operatives at this very moment, making sure Bernie Sanders gets more than the usual campaign donations. It wouldn't be the first time that's happened, either, where the bad guys come in and shore up the spoiler who's gonna make it a sure thing that the leading Democrat doesn't get enough votes to win.