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DonViejo

(60,536 posts) Sun Feb 26, 2017, 04:07 PM Feb 2017

Democrats must overhaul party and attack big business: Bernie Sanders [View all]

Source: Reuters

26 FEB 2017 AT 14:56 ET

Former U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders on Sunday urged a major overhaul of his party, calling for more aggressive efforts to court working-class voters and fight big businesses from Wall Street to the pharmaceutical sector.

Sanders, who spoke a day after Democrats chose Tom Perez, a veteran of former President Barack Obama’s administration, as their new party chairman, said it was also crucial for progressives to do more to mobilize grassroots supporters to take on Republican President Donald Trump.

“We need a total transformation,” the 75-year-old U.S. senator from Vermont said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

“We need to open up the party to working people, to young people and make it crystal clear that the Democratic Party is going to take on Wall Street, it’s going to take on the greed of the pharmaceutical industry, it’s going to take on corporate America that is shutting down plants in this country and moving our jobs abroad,” he added.

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/2017/02/democrats-must-overhaul-party-and-attack-big-business-bernie-sanders/

157 replies

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Democrats must overhaul party and attack big business: Bernie Sanders [View all] DonViejo Feb 2017 OP

watch out for incoming! NRaleighLiberal Feb 2017 #1

yep. Bernie is supposed to shut the fuck up. Only Hillary videos posted on twitter allowed! m-lekktor Feb 2017 #34

No, he should feel free to attack the party forever bluedye33139 Feb 2017 #46

This is NOT an attack! ananda Feb 2017 #49

It is an attack and since he left he party after the ill advised primary run...he has Demsrule86 Feb 2017 #105

Butbutbut.... Bernie is the only pure candidate EVER!!!!! SHUT UP and listen to the ONLY ehrnst Feb 2017 #56

fake news. :))))) pangaia Feb 2017 #67

Or so he thinks Cha Feb 2017 #86

I think it's not that he needs to shut up as he is more than free to offer advice from the sidelines cstanleytech Feb 2017 #47

That's right.. when he lobs attacks.. he can expect pushback Cha Feb 2017 #100

Because Democrats Are Currently In Lock Step With Trump? TomCADem Feb 2017 #2

To be fair I see areas even that I could work with Trump, I also see me winning a Powerball jackpot cstanleytech Feb 2017 #57

I'm With Him! jalan48 Feb 2017 #3

Me too! joet67 Feb 2017 #27

Me three! Sparky 1 Feb 2017 #145

I don't think attack is the right word here Sherman A1 Feb 2017 #4

Reforming Capitalism bucolic_frolic Feb 2017 #5

Go Bernie! zentrum Feb 2017 #6

It isn't his party. He's an Independent. nt msanthrope Feb 2017 #7

He's allowed to have an opinion...just like every other American. nt StubbornThings Feb 2017 #11

Opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one. nt msanthrope Feb 2017 #14

Okay. StubbornThings Feb 2017 #16

Except Hillary, apparently. (nt) ehrnst Feb 2017 #50

Uh-huh. But his message is spot-on. TheCowsCameHome Feb 2017 #15

Yeah.....this one was fucking brilliant.... msanthrope Feb 2017 #17

Bernie is so pure, isn't he? (nt) ehrnst Feb 2017 #58

Yes. Why isn't he out there telling the Rs what they need to do? stopbush Feb 2017 #26

Also the Greens. Bernie seems to be such a font of wisdom ehrnst Feb 2017 #59

"seems" is the operative word Cha Feb 2017 #92

This message was self-deleted by its author SharonClark Feb 2017 #113

Without Independents, we lose elections. tecelote Feb 2017 #32

Independent *voters,* sure. Orrex Feb 2017 #36

Unless they are the right candidate for the time. tecelote Feb 2017 #40

They can already. Just ask Sanders. Orrex Feb 2017 #76

Or how about Republicans, if we're going to stop letting the party decide who the candidate is. (nt) ehrnst Feb 2017 #120

True this. Few "independent" voters actually vote for "independent" candidates. (nt) ehrnst Feb 2017 #51

Exactly. Orrex Feb 2017 #77

Except poll after poll show that most Americans agree with our positions. tecelote Feb 2017 #81

Again, that's for the voters Orrex Feb 2017 #103

When 54% of white voters went GOP in 2012, I don't remember people demanding that the DNC ehrnst Feb 2017 #128

actual voting matters more than what they say in polls. they vote for people like Sessions JI7 Feb 2017 #143

+1000 stonecutter357 Feb 2017 #41

Bernie's right and should bring it up at the OnDoutside Feb 2017 #8

You mean like the Kansas Democratic Partys annual convention.... Talk Is Cheap Feb 2017 #10

Try it and buy it ? OnDoutside Feb 2017 #12

I have to wonder what Vermont constituents think about this. (nt) ehrnst Feb 2017 #61

They keep on electing him - sort of says it all... Talk Is Cheap Feb 2017 #69

I know facts are really important truebluegreen Feb 2017 #82

In a very very white, very lefty, very small population ehrnst Feb 2017 #127

Moving the goalposts, are we? truebluegreen Feb 2017 #129

I don't know what his constituents think, and they are very not very diverse. ehrnst Feb 2017 #133

This message was self-deleted by its author ehrnst Feb 2017 #125

Totally agree with Senator Sanders on this... Talk Is Cheap Feb 2017 #9

Yes, he proved that such candidates can get as far as losing the primary Orrex Feb 2017 #37

Millions and millions of people and Democrats... Talk Is Cheap Feb 2017 #45

Millions and millions of people and Democrats... LenaBaby61 Feb 2017 #68

My speculation is that.... Talk Is Cheap Feb 2017 #70

That's simply a fantasy Orrex Feb 2017 #80

I guess then that applies to any candidate running in a race... Talk Is Cheap Feb 2017 #91

Obviously not Orrex Feb 2017 #104

Precisely, Orrex. Cha Feb 2017 #95

He has shown bad judgement in keeping Weaver on. Who knows how that judgement would have ehrnst Feb 2017 #121

You may be right, the... Whiskeytide Mar 2017 #156

...Senator Sanders would have clean tRumps clock in a General... LenaBaby61 Feb 2017 #116

Due to the former DNC chair, who resigned for what reason? LS_Editor Feb 2017 #62

Are you blaming the former DNC chair for Sanders multi-million voter deficit? Orrex Feb 2017 #78

Nope he didn't. Cha Feb 2017 #85

So, are you suggesting that Democratic candidates... Talk Is Cheap Feb 2017 #89

They're not. Cha Feb 2017 #90

Ohhhh Keee Doooo Keee then... Talk Is Cheap Feb 2017 #93

Like Barney Frank? Who took Wall Street money and wrote Dodd Frank? (nt) ehrnst Feb 2017 #122

Alright Bernie! Lets all channel our inner Roosevelt - both Teddy AND Franklin - Dem party tends to Kashkakat v.2.0 Feb 2017 #13

Like 1992 George II Feb 2017 #19

Yep not fooled Feb 2017 #138

You don't overhaul anything from the outside looking in. George II Feb 2017 #18

Sure, because appointing Wall Street Executives to cabinet positions works so well (NOT!) Ned Flanders Feb 2017 #24

Did you read the OP? George II Feb 2017 #28

Funny, I was going to say the same about your post. (nt) ehrnst Feb 2017 #123

"We need to open up the party to working people, to young people and make it crystal clear that the Charles Bukowski Feb 2017 #20

exactly, it's grotesque actually, under the circumstances Fast Walker 52 Feb 2017 #55

Thank you, Charles Bukowski! Cha Feb 2017 #94

Except then they would have 0 support from the people with power,and thus would never get elected. athenasatanjesus Feb 2017 #21

Please stop pissing in our tent. It causes odors and nastiness. bravenak Feb 2017 #22

BS needs to stick it to trump.. We have new leaders now Cha Feb 2017 #97

Yes, a bit of respect would go a long way bravenak Feb 2017 #98

That's one outsider's opinion. It would probably carry more weight coming from someone ... NurseJackie Feb 2017 #23

Post removed Post removed Feb 2017 #25

Was going to ask the same thing. "We" who? George II Feb 2017 #29

Are there any Democrats standing up to Wall Street? milestogo Feb 2017 #38

depends how you define standing up Fast Walker 52 Feb 2017 #53

Have you ever heard of Elizabeth Warren? nini Feb 2017 #99

That is so funny...we have a situation where Wall Street is going to get big rewards from Trump Demsrule86 Feb 2017 #106

+1000. (nt) ehrnst Feb 2017 #63

yeah, 'cause he's always trying to tear down our Party.. and Cha Feb 2017 #96

Wall Street, Wall Street, Wall Street OKNancy Feb 2017 #30

Good point, we are not purists, neither is Sanders, if his decision to chastise Thinkingabout Feb 2017 #102

I have pension money in Wall Street and that is not a winning message to take down Wall Street. Demsrule86 Feb 2017 #109

Gag order. democratisphere Feb 2017 #31

cut the cord to wall street definitely. OLD school business not crapitalism. pansypoo53219 Feb 2017 #33

You mean like not accept money from the NRA? (nt) ehrnst Feb 2017 #64

Labor unions used to be the main source of funding - no longer. Until another group steps up ehrnst Feb 2017 #126

finance has become an end in itself rather than a means to an end. yurbud Feb 2017 #132

Doesn't change the fact that money is needed to run for office. (nt) ehrnst Feb 2017 #135

problem is, what politicians do to keep getting that money is coming back to bite them on the ass yurbud Feb 2017 #136

That's also a function of short terms. Congress is constantly having to raise money. ehrnst Feb 2017 #137

that informal "all my constituents work in X industry" is more what they are supposed to do yurbud Feb 2017 #139

Devos isn't a politician as such. She has never run for office. ehrnst Feb 2017 #149

my point was that she was a buyer of politicians yurbud Feb 2017 #150

I don't know what Bernie means when he says "we need to...? calguy Feb 2017 #35

+1000. (nt) ehrnst Feb 2017 #54

He's an American citizen. Occulus Feb 2017 #131

Shh...not supposed to bring up Wall Street. Rex Feb 2017 #39

who? stonecutter357 Feb 2017 #42

.. Cha Feb 2017 #83

Maybe if he was a member of the party... wysi Feb 2017 #43

Actually, being an independent has helped him get more bills passed womanofthehills Feb 2017 #112

Not true. He is an amendment guy. He cosigns the bills that OTHERS write. bravenak Feb 2017 #117

most of the working class whites voted for trump over social issues JI7 Feb 2017 #44

Yeah, he's so concerned that he might actually JOIN the party. (nt) ehrnst Feb 2017 #48

does Bernie Sanders really have the best interest of the Dems in mind? Fast Walker 52 Feb 2017 #52

Ellison not being the new DNC head shows the party still doesn't get it. LS_Editor Feb 2017 #60

Because "it" is totally up to Bernie? (nt) ehrnst Feb 2017 #65

Doesn't get "what"? George II Feb 2017 #84

It shows the Democratic party has a working brain...I like Ellison Demsrule86 Feb 2017 #108

There sure is still a lot of misplaced Bernie hate here. He did NOT lose the election for FailureToCommunicate Feb 2017 #66

I will always believe Bernie running in the primary caused the loss...that being said ...time to Demsrule86 Feb 2017 #110

I don't know what party Bernie belongs to Progressive dog Feb 2017 #71

Thank you Bernie gopiscrap Feb 2017 #72

Sanders definition of working people seems very limited. I don't think he sees many of us as workers delisen Feb 2017 #73

i think he is talking about white men because non white working class went for Clinton JI7 Feb 2017 #74

I agree. (nt) ehrnst Feb 2017 #124

One trick dead horse. OilemFirchen Feb 2017 #75

Why are Democrats Jamaal510 Feb 2017 #79

If Bernie cares so much about Democrats Blue Idaho Feb 2017 #87

Stick it to the repubs, BS.. We have our new leaders Tom Perez and Cha Feb 2017 #88

Saying that the party should 'take on' is not the same as saying they 'must attack' mr_lebowski Feb 2017 #101

Right let's give the GOP a chance to make more people believe Demsrule86 Feb 2017 #107

Threads like this -with the ... Whiskeytide Feb 2017 #111

Build walls inside our own tent? murielm99 Feb 2017 #118

Was He An Uninvited Speaker, Muriel? ProfessorGAC Feb 2017 #119

I can't convince you of ... Whiskeytide Feb 2017 #141

Because I don't want to see it? murielm99 Feb 2017 #142

Why is it "re-fighting the primary" every time Bernie is brought up? Sparky 1 Feb 2017 #146

I work with many people IRL who supported bernie. murielm99 Feb 2017 #148

As I said, " Why is it "re-fighting the primary" every time Bernie is brought up?" Sparky 1 Feb 2017 #152

I am through trying to convince you or any other murielm99 Feb 2017 #153

OK. It's possible I'm wrong and you're right. Sparky 1 Feb 2017 #154

I'm not lecturing or trying to compare... Whiskeytide Mar 2017 #155

What was the purpose in posting this op? To fight the primary again? SharonClark Feb 2017 #114

Umm no... MedusaX Feb 2017 #115

Yes, stop pandering to Wall Street and Silicon Valley alarimer Feb 2017 #130

So join the damn party, Bernie. Or start one yourself. (nt) ehrnst Feb 2017 #134

The party wasn't open to working people before? Blue_Tires Feb 2017 #140

Sort of. Read "Listen Liberal" by Thomas Frank to learn how it has changed. n/t Sparky 1 Feb 2017 #147

You don't gain new allies by attacking them. Where do you think good paying jobs will come from? nikibatts Feb 2017 #144

"urged a major overhaul of HIS party" brooklynite Feb 2017 #151

Message auto-removed Name removed Mar 2017 #157