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In reply to the discussion: The Uncurious, Continuing, Stubborn Refusal to Grasp Bernie Sanders [View all]markpkessinger
(8,401 posts)114. Thank you for this, Babylonsister!
That piece in the Post was truly execrable. I posted a couple of comments to it, which I'll share here. First:
Fine. So Kick Bernie and his supporters to the curb. Hell, hire Debbie back. And just continue doing what we have been doing. Because that has worked out SO well for us!
Look, whatever may be said of Putin's meddling, or of Wikileaks, or of Comey's despicable actions, at the end of the day, nobody had a gun to their head forcing them to vote for Trump, nor was anybody who stayed home from the polls kidnapped to prevent them from voting. When a candidate fails to make the sale, or fails to make it compelling enough for people to want to turn out in droves in order to vote for that candidate, the ownership for that failure belongs to the candidate himself/herself. Those emails and speeches of Hillary's that Wikileaks leaked wouldn't have had the power to do the damage they did to Hillary if their content hadn't been as damning as it was. And the responsibility for that content rests with those who wrote the emails and gave the speeches, not those who leaked them. Fair or not, there was a widespread suspicion of Hillary that she is often duplicitous, and those emails and speeches, when considered next to what she was saying on the campaign trail, hardly did anything to dispel that perception.
There is one overriding reality that I think many Democrats simply have not faced: that neither party can win national elections by appealing only to their most loyal base. A candidate of either major party must draw support from a significant chunk of independent, unaffiliated voters in order to win. That is what Bernie has been tasked with doing -- finding a way to reach these folks. And whether you agree with his approach or not, at least he is out there on the front lines trying to do something -- which is more than I can say for a lot of establishment Democrats!
Look, whatever may be said of Putin's meddling, or of Wikileaks, or of Comey's despicable actions, at the end of the day, nobody had a gun to their head forcing them to vote for Trump, nor was anybody who stayed home from the polls kidnapped to prevent them from voting. When a candidate fails to make the sale, or fails to make it compelling enough for people to want to turn out in droves in order to vote for that candidate, the ownership for that failure belongs to the candidate himself/herself. Those emails and speeches of Hillary's that Wikileaks leaked wouldn't have had the power to do the damage they did to Hillary if their content hadn't been as damning as it was. And the responsibility for that content rests with those who wrote the emails and gave the speeches, not those who leaked them. Fair or not, there was a widespread suspicion of Hillary that she is often duplicitous, and those emails and speeches, when considered next to what she was saying on the campaign trail, hardly did anything to dispel that perception.
There is one overriding reality that I think many Democrats simply have not faced: that neither party can win national elections by appealing only to their most loyal base. A candidate of either major party must draw support from a significant chunk of independent, unaffiliated voters in order to win. That is what Bernie has been tasked with doing -- finding a way to reach these folks. And whether you agree with his approach or not, at least he is out there on the front lines trying to do something -- which is more than I can say for a lot of establishment Democrats!
And also this:
What "isn't helping Democrats to come together" is the refusal of the DLC/Third Way/"New Democrat" types. who have led the party for nearly four decades, to finally recognize that they have led the party on a ruinous path. You had your chance, and you screwed it up big time. Now kindly step out of the way so that people with new, fresh ideas can bring what they have to offer to the table.
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The Uncurious, Continuing, Stubborn Refusal to Grasp Bernie Sanders [View all]
babylonsister
Apr 2017
OP
So when BS' candidates lose, it's not BS' fault, but "the establishment" DNC? Got it.
Tarheel_Dem
Apr 2017
#1
The Establishment is only thing protecting us from Trump: Sanders his helping the GOP
lewebley3
Apr 2017
#171
Another thing folks don't get (especially here on DU) is that Sanders doesn't care what you think.
mikehiggins
Apr 2017
#5
does sanders speak for Ben and Jerry's? Is he trying to lift taxes on Ice Cream job makers? nt
JCanete
Apr 2017
#115
He's still running around talking about "the elites". Most divisive shit I've heard from an "ally".
Tarheel_Dem
Apr 2017
#53
Symone Sanders: "In retrospect, she said, Maybe Bernie Sanders isnt the guy for the unity tour.
Cha
Apr 2017
#83
"Sanders doesn't care what you think." Oh, my, what a ringing endorsement! That's exactly what
lunamagica
Apr 2017
#106
The thing is he SHOULD have been following Ossoff's campaign, and he SHOULD have known...
George II
Apr 2017
#47
You didn't read the article, did you. Whatever, we can agree to disagree,
babylonsister
Apr 2017
#68
Or someone is a passionate Democrat on a forum called Democratic Underground which is for
betsuni
Apr 2017
#190
I've met Bernie, followed his political career and can say he means what he says
flamingdem
Apr 2017
#29
Bernie can do, say, and align himself as he wishes. But have the guts to do so
WinkyDink
Apr 2017
#30
Just who is this so-called "Democratic Establishment"? Is it those Democrats who don't walk
still_one
Apr 2017
#36
It's the +4 million more of us who chose the other candidate. It's obvious he's still smarting....
Tarheel_Dem
Apr 2017
#57
it was also interesting that it wasn't really the "Washington Post" with that
ProfessorPlum
Apr 2017
#54
He is helping us, he doesn't have to march in lockstep. If he helps on balance, and he does far
JudyM
Apr 2017
#75
And who is saying that Sanders won't come around before the runoff and support him?
YOHABLO
Apr 2017
#59
That's because "the establishment" is a meaningless bogeyman. It's a campaign slogan, nothing more
stevenleser
Apr 2017
#85
It's not disengenuous, it's spot on. Sorry if you were fooled but that's not my fault.
stevenleser
Apr 2017
#193
One could say similar things about some people not being able to handle a word spoken against
mythology
Apr 2017
#93
"The Establishment" is a meaningless slogan for folks who want to seem cool and edgy.
stevenleser
Apr 2017
#86
It's as meaningless as the "cool kids" in high school trying to start a fashion trend
stevenleser
Apr 2017
#99
So, you're using a pejorative to argue against the use of what you consider a pejorative.
aikoaiko
Apr 2017
#130
Exactly. There's new blood, and I'm hoping that if BS doesn't give up the spotlight willingly.....
Tarheel_Dem
Apr 2017
#124
I will support a politician to the extent he or she champions good policies ...
Martin Eden
Apr 2017
#126
lol, skimming the headline, I read this as, "The UNICORNS continuing, stubborn refusal....."
R B Garr
Apr 2017
#138
Are you talking about progressive candidates running against Republicans in national elections?
beastie boy
Apr 2017
#159
I sincerely applaud your activism, even if I may or may not disagree with your positions
beastie boy
Apr 2017
#172
Most you refer to DO grasp Bernie. Thus, is the reason they don't like him. n/t
Lil Missy
Apr 2017
#156