2016 Postmortem

Fawke Em

(11,366 posts)

76. Why not?

Sun Nov 8, 2015, 10:20 PM

Nov 2015

If a sitting president has a primary challenger, it gives that president some practice for debating with Republicans.

I see nothing wrong with an open airing of new ideas. In fact, this used to happen more often than it does now. It's not a personal issue.

I see this as no big deal, but I'm familiar with history.

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Today Sanders AFFIRMED that he said that there should be a primary opponent to Barack Obama. [View all] Vattel Nov 2015 OP

This is consistent with other statements by Sanders Gothmog Nov 2015 #1

Well on the Tom Hartmann show he said there should be a challenge.. Historic NY Nov 2015 #92

If Thom Hartman runs for office, he can defend this position Gothmog Nov 2015 #135

I supported Obama, but his stand on Social Security was a real problem for me. JDPriestly Nov 2015 #153

No, he has not...yeesh, this gets tiring TiberiusB Nov 2015 #173

So EVERY President should be Primaried? VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #2

Just the black one maybe, and then the woman too maybe. Idk. bravenak Nov 2015 #8

Also the one who campaigned as a progressive and governed as a "moderate Republican." Scuba Nov 2015 #86

So he called for Bill Clinton to be primaried also, then? Or just Obama? bravenak Nov 2015 #159

LOL jalan48 Nov 2015 #88

Wow TiberiusB Nov 2015 #166

Did I call him racist? No. I did not. Stop beating that strawman. bravenak Nov 2015 #168

Yeah, you did TiberiusB Nov 2015 #172

Straight up I asked if that was his reason, why didn't he call for a primary of Mr. DLC.? bravenak Nov 2015 #174

Well, there is a very likely reason why Clinton didn't get the same scrutiny TiberiusB Nov 2015 #177

Bernie has no control over his grassroots. Period. bravenak Nov 2015 #178

and the one fighting the Vietnam War? nt mhatrw Nov 2015 #198

Is the vietnam war still going on? Cause i do not get it. bravenak Nov 2015 #199

THIS one? What do you mean by that? azmom Nov 2015 #9

Was he asked about every Democratic President? earthside Nov 2015 #27

So are you saying it IS just about THIS one? VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #30

Good grief. n/t earthside Nov 2015 #33

grief indeed... VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #34

Don't you just want to say... Ned_Devine Nov 2015 #163

Do you now??? VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #164

If I recall, even Howard Dean was... Ned_Devine Nov 2015 #167

Care to back that up then? VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #183

And that proves what, exactly? TiberiusB Nov 2015 #179

It proves that this meme every President should be VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #182

I like the way you purposely miss the point so it fits your narrative Ned_Devine Nov 2015 #190

I did not miss any points.... VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #192

What about when Howard Dean hinted at doing it? Ned_Devine Nov 2015 #194

Prove that then....don't just say it...prove it. VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #196

defeinatly this one. Obama has been for the most part a disater bowens43 Nov 2015 #36

He's achieved more than any other president since LBJ. askew Nov 2015 #64

LBJ, and maybe all the way back to FDR. nt PosterChild Nov 2015 #120

Yep, which is why I find the idea that he should have been primaried absolutely offensive. askew Nov 2015 #143

Probably any president who veers rightward. thesquanderer Nov 2015 #48

Who decides that? VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #53

I thought you were asking who *SANDERS* thought should be primaried, no? thesquanderer Nov 2015 #63

I am....asking that VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #67

I dont know who would be sufficiently left... FDR? (n/t) thesquanderer Nov 2015 #85

In say ever? Eugene Debbs,,, PosterChild Nov 2015 #125

yeah.....in the annals of dustbins...Eugene Debbs? VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #138

Even more importantly for Bernie's "model"... VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #140

I'll raise you one that is real that does not come with a disclaimer and is based on methodology Dragonfli Nov 2015 #89

Umm- Hillary isn't president. left lowrider Nov 2015 #54

Where have I said she is? VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #59

Why not? Fawke Em Nov 2015 #76

I think most Democratic presidents have had challengers even on their second term. LiberalArkie Nov 2015 #95

actually no they didn't....damn few do...because... VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #155

Well, Kennedy thought it was helpful to primary Carter Babel_17 Nov 2015 #102

Depends Rosa Luxemburg Nov 2015 #109

Yes. Every President. The term is four years, not eight. n/t winter is coming Nov 2015 #127

Sanders made Clinton flip flop on TPP in a primary shawn703 Nov 2015 #154

It's called a democracy, get over it. jkbRN Nov 2015 #162

After seeing the TPP, maybe someone azmom Nov 2015 #3

/\_/\_This_/\_/\ Scuba Nov 2015 #87

+1 Jack Rabbit Nov 2015 #90

^^ This^^ ! mindwalker_i Nov 2015 #100

WOW, I haven't seen BASIC in years Jack Rabbit Nov 2015 #170

I slipped in a little Perl just for completeness mindwalker_i Nov 2015 #189

^ Absolutely. Especially after his forgotten 're-negotiate NAFTA' campaign promise... AzDar Nov 2015 #150

Thank you. HerbChestnut Nov 2015 #4

So is Bernie saying EVERY President should be Primaried? VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #10

Probably any president who puts SS on the chopping block. beam me up scottie Nov 2015 #14

What's wrong with having more points of view every election? Hydra Nov 2015 #18

EVERY President? Or just this one? VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #19

Sure, every president on our side should be subject to review about what they've done for 4 years Hydra Nov 2015 #29

Primaried is not "reviewed"..... VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #31

Oh, so we're not allowed to review our candidates when they are seeking rehire by us? Hydra Nov 2015 #39

That is not a freaking review...that's splitting the party! VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #42

*LMAO* Hydra Nov 2015 #55

Yes really! VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #60

Indy butting in here.... smiley Nov 2015 #103

That's fine.... VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #105

Because an Independent is going to disagree with this.. VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #106

Slight interjection VR angrychair Nov 2015 #165

Whatever does that have to do with it? VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #184

Again, don't care who wins this angrychair Nov 2015 #188

Performance art, it has to be. beam me up scottie Nov 2015 #61

Regardless of intent, it's very revealing Hydra Nov 2015 #97

Well they won't be here long. beam me up scottie Nov 2015 #101

Well said. Laser102 Nov 2015 #148

They don't do political strategy. It doesn't exist in their version of reality. stevenleser Nov 2015 #186

For Obama Rosa Luxemburg Nov 2015 #111

Its like half the people on this site are just plugging their ears. bobbobbins01 Nov 2015 #5

lalalalalal is right....I have asked this twice... VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #12

I don't think he's been asked that question bobbobbins01 Nov 2015 #17

Perhaps his supporters should....My God if Hillary had of said that..... VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #22

Well yes, because she is to the right of Obama bobbobbins01 Nov 2015 #26

cool so it is just about Him and Her...things that make you go hmmmm VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #32

No...it has nothing to do with him or her at all... bobbobbins01 Nov 2015 #35

Who do we use as a yardstick? Bernie Sanders? VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #94

Criticism and Accountability does not equal opposition. bobbobbins01 Nov 2015 #98

A primary is not criticism it's opposition. Pure and simple. nt. PosterChild Nov 2015 #139

And, once again, what primary are you referring to? TiberiusB Nov 2015 #180

Let's be straight here.... PosterChild Nov 2015 #187

Well after Hillary race-baiting her way through the 2008 election, it would be askew Nov 2015 #71

Inconvenient fact, ignore the actual racist campaign and pretend Bernie is the one with a problem. beam me up scottie Nov 2015 #104

Like Kennedy's goal when running against Carter Babel_17 Nov 2015 #112

I would expect nothing less from Bernie and Obama did tell us to hold his feet to the fire. beam me up scottie Nov 2015 #129

Bernie needs to own the fact that he wanted to primary Obama and that he has been askew Nov 2015 #113

He did own it and he has also been very honest about his opposition to some of Obama's policies. beam me up scottie Nov 2015 #121

He hasn't owned it. He said that's he's been loyal and worked hard for him which just isn't true. askew Nov 2015 #142

And I disagree about the loyalty, I stand by Bernie and his reasons for suggesting it. beam me up scottie Nov 2015 #144

I don't think he's racist, but I think this quote sums up a lot of issues w/ some white progressives askew Nov 2015 #161

No offense, but people have to stop stretching the facts a bit about the "wanting to primary" thing TiberiusB Nov 2015 #171

Nicely stated points, all spot on. Welcome to DU! Vattel Nov 2015 #191

THIS one is no way to refer to president Obama. azmom Nov 2015 #28

Your record is broken passiveporcupine Nov 2015 #146

how else does one respond to this drivel? VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #156

There certainly are a lot of criticisms against Bernie that... HerbChestnut Nov 2015 #13

I think Bernie is the one bending the truth here....that is what we are pointing out VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #24

He was right. Obama should have been primaried. Tierra_y_Libertad Nov 2015 #6

He should run on that. JoePhilly Nov 2015 #41

Or, maybe not. Tierra_y_Libertad Nov 2015 #52

Then, stand up and say that. Don't cling to Obama now and pretend that you are big askew Nov 2015 #77

I'm not a big supporter of Obama. Tierra_y_Libertad Nov 2015 #82

And you are not representative of the Dem base. askew Nov 2015 #91

I think she is. Fuddnik Nov 2015 #149

Polls and election results show you are wrong. askew Nov 2015 #157

Now can you see why we don't want him? Cause we don't. bravenak Nov 2015 #7

Is that the royal we? Scootaloo Nov 2015 #38

Should be. We as in the majority of blacks. bravenak Nov 2015 #46

How's the fishing up there in Alaska this year? Scootaloo Nov 2015 #70

My brother in law keeps stuffing my freezer. bravenak Nov 2015 #72

Uncle-in-law ain't sharing shit. 'course shipping it down ain't cheap. Scootaloo Nov 2015 #75

You know what's fucked up? bravenak Nov 2015 #78

Red is good. Pink is cat food. Scootaloo Nov 2015 #84

Shhhhhhh, they're on a roll! beam me up scottie Nov 2015 #11

Sounds like a Fox Snooze roll Autumn Nov 2015 #45

I agree with him! in_cog_ni_to Nov 2015 #15

So which is it? In another OP Sanders supporters are vigorously arguing he never said it. stevenleser Nov 2015 #16

The quote is in my OP Vattel Nov 2015 #21

I happen to think you are right and the other Sanders supporter is wrong. But what this shows is stevenleser Nov 2015 #25

So what? JonLeibowitz Nov 2015 #43

The "so what" is your first sentence in your message text. And remember you said it, not me. stevenleser Nov 2015 #49

It's not an offensive sentence, it is asking you to defend why it is relevant JonLeibowitz Nov 2015 #57

The first sentence in your message text, not your title. nt stevenleser Nov 2015 #58

.. JonLeibowitz Nov 2015 #62

I could say the same sort of thing about many Clinton supporters. Vattel Nov 2015 #65

Thank you for putting the fly swat in your sig line artislife Nov 2015 #74

Looks like the Bernie supporters in that thread are saying that Bernie did say it Autumn Nov 2015 #40

The words "Sure what's wrong with a primary situation" means I said no such thing Autumn Nov 2015 #20

ok Old Codger Nov 2015 #23

Most of Bernie's DU supporters wanted a primary for Obama. JoePhilly Nov 2015 #37

A good point, but Sander will do what he thinks is the right thing n/t Hydra Nov 2015 #44

Yes ... JoePhilly Nov 2015 #50

You mean the non Democrats...the same people now claiming their loyal to BS... Historic NY Nov 2015 #66

in Orwell's world, and the Clinton supporters', up is down, Doctor_J Nov 2015 #47

Obama's ex-aides who aren't affiliated with any candidate now call BS on Bernie. askew Nov 2015 #51

Careful what you say... Historic NY Nov 2015 #68

Thank you Bernie 99th_Monkey Nov 2015 #56

So what? Le Taz Hot Nov 2015 #69

I definitely agree that it is much ado about nothing. Vattel Nov 2015 #73

If it is much ado about nothing, then why is Bernie trying to play it down and pretend askew Nov 2015 #81

He has been loyal. Vattel Nov 2015 #107

your position isn't going to be shared by Dem base who know that primarying the first AA askew Nov 2015 #110

Why would it have permanently split the party? Vattel Nov 2015 #115

Seriously? Primarying the first AA president because he isn't "left" enough would absolutely askew Nov 2015 #118

Meh, no challenger to Obama would have had enough support to split the party. Vattel Nov 2015 #193

Just having a group of white progressives backing a white savior over Obama would have askew Nov 2015 #195

I doubt it. Vattel Nov 2015 #197

they say "don't vote third-party, vote in the primaries!" then they foreclose on primaries or MisterP Nov 2015 #83

They know it's not true. The point is to get you to talk about it. Cheese Sandwich Nov 2015 #79

. RandySF Nov 2015 #80

Having a primary opponent and being primaried are 2 different things jfern Nov 2015 #93

Well according to Websters.... VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #96

But then... VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #99

In any case Bernie never said that Obama should be defeated jfern Nov 2015 #108

Okay...that explanation I posted.... just means you run fake Primaries against them? VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #116

What does being an independent have to do with it? jfern Nov 2015 #119

Because you don't understand the dynamics of being a member OF a party... VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #122

Feathers need to be ruffled in DC jfern Nov 2015 #123

I can't get this thread to load, but, has anyone else mentioned Kennedy? Babel_17 Nov 2015 #114

One difference there is that Carter was in a much weaker position than Obama. Vattel Nov 2015 #117

Yes, that's true. Here we're talking about a run just to get a message out Babel_17 Nov 2015 #126

Well-said Vattel Nov 2015 #132

Its just not done....generally speaking....and when it is...its pretty extreme. VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #131

Well, upthread people are claiming it would have destroyed the entire party. (nt) jeff47 Nov 2015 #133

Not even...sorry VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #128

Ted Kennedy (nt) Babel_17 Nov 2015 #130

Equal but still not to his Left! VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #134

I take that back...I mispoke VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #136

Ok, now I think I get a sense of what you're saying. But ... Babel_17 Nov 2015 #141

Exactly and THAT is practically verboten....its frowned upon....hardly ever happens VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #145

So Kennedy's deadly serious run to eliminate Carter was ...? Babel_17 Nov 2015 #151

My original post had two quotes Babel_17 Nov 2015 #137

The discussion is WHO is to the Left of Bernie Sanders that has run for President VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #147

It is? News to me :) Babel_17 Nov 2015 #152

"The 1 Percent’s Earnings Could Be Stagnating — At $671,000". Whew, better. So, back to Dancing with jtuck004 Nov 2015 #124

This "loyalty" stuff is getting silly. Liberals question authority. It's how we roll. Spitfire of ATJ Nov 2015 #158

Ikr? I sincerely doubt that Obama wants a bunch of lap dogs. Vattel Nov 2015 #169

Remember the "team of rivals"? Spitfire of ATJ Nov 2015 #175

Are you crying? jkbRN Nov 2015 #160

And he will support the next Dem prez in the same fashion, no doubt. Hekate Nov 2015 #176

Gawd forbid we be given a choice in a Democracy. Live and Learn Nov 2015 #181

Well done, Bernie! Enthusiast Nov 2015 #185