Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumProgressives, now is the time to unite behind Bernie Sanders.
Inequality has been soaring for decades. Worker pay has barely risen since 1980, even though productivity and GDP have increased greatly. Union rights have been steadily been chipped away. And the climate is reaching a point of no return. And yet, right now, we have a historic opportunity to elect the most progressive president in decades, and begin to reverse all that. The best opportunity in my lifetime.
With ST tomorrow, we're getting to the delegate-heavy states where the Democratic nominee will be determined. And it is becoming clear that it will come down to Bernie versus Biden. Which, for practical purposes, means that a vote for anyone but Bernie is effectively a vote for Biden.
Biden is a fine person, a million times better than Trump, but the unfortunate truth is that he is a slightly weaker version of Hillary Clinton, who I supported enthusiastically in 2016. And trying the same thing and expecting different results, we cannot risk another four years of Trump. Biden's weaknesses have been apparent on the campaign trail and in the debates. And this is with the media largely behind him, he hasn't taken much incoming, it is difficult to imagine him holding up in the face of the full Trump onslaught.
At the same time, Bernie has held up and risen with every attack against him. He's been called communist and his campaign compared to the Nazi invasion of France. And on policy, particularly on climate, we don't have time for incrementalism. Returning to the pre-Trump status quo won't cut it. This isn't about unicorns, it's about science. The planet doesn't care what centrist pundits say, it's a matter of the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Bernie Sanders is not only the best candidate to defeat Trump, he's also the only one with an agenda bold enough to curb the climate disaster, to guarantee healthcare to all Americans, and to reverse the decades-long economic losses that the working class has ceded to the corporate elite.
Yes, I understand that Bernie isn't popular in certain circles, including DU. And I'm about to get attacked from all angles for this post. But spreading Bernie's message is especially important in places like this. Talk to your friends and neighbors, not just the ones who support Bernie, but the ones who don't. The vast majority of Democrats support Bernie's policy agenda, top to bottom. The main hesitation is that, after decades of watching the nation slip to the right and the wealthy taking more and more of the economic gains, people stop believing that a progressive transformation of society is possible.
Well, it is possible. It can happen, if we vote for it. Right now. In the end, it's not the pundits, or the corporations, it's the voters who decide. This is the best opportunity we've had in my lifetime for real progressive change. And it starts tomorrow. Remember FDR's words: we have nothing to fear but fear itself. Bernie has shown tremendous courage fighting against the odds to get us to this point. Now it's up to us. Let's do it!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
samnsara
(17,734 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
jimfields33
(16,650 posts)What happened?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)And I would think that 35+ years as a career politician on the Hill would have at least yielded Sanders one bill like the Brady Law, or at least as something as consequential as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Or the support of their colleagues for the job of POTUS.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Vivienne235729
(3,407 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
pamdb
(1,337 posts)A Republican House and Senate after 2010 happened.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Amishman
(5,568 posts)A lot of people in here forget we can only be as progressive as the 218th Rep or 50th / 60th senator allows.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
JudyM
(29,402 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
beastie boy
(9,902 posts)reducing the deficit in half happened, economic recovery happened.
The most progressive administration in half a century happened.
...You are not impressed, are you? I am.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Skidmore
(37,364 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Docreed2003
(16,953 posts)What happened??
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
katmondoo
(6,459 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)much of a voice, and there was very little in the way of civil rights activism...
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LenaW
(51 posts)Last edited Mon Mar 2, 2020, 11:39 AM - Edit history (1)
You act like he wasn't doing anything in all that time.
He was busy voting for the Iraq War.
and DOMA.
And NAFTA.
and the Patriot Act.
and the 1994 Crime Bill.
and opposing cannabis legislation.
and opposing single payer health care.
and working for the US Drug War
and working for the banks
and opposing fracking bans.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
jimfields33
(16,650 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,143 posts)Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join The Revolution!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
MontanaMama
(23,422 posts)the Bernie supporters that were slinging homophobic slurs at Mayor Pete when he gave his speech? Im curious.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,143 posts)Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join The Revolution!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Meadowoak
(5,640 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
blm
(113,253 posts)about the problems while people like Elizabeth Warren did the heavy lifting and actually built something this nation needed to address the exploitation of working families by financial industry.
Its a pretty sad reward system some have when they stand with words instead of competence and action.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
awesomerwb1
(4,281 posts)More Bernie Sanders alternative facts? Unreal.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)aren't behind him to earn the nomination to change whatever he's already planned to do?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
wyldwolf
(43,875 posts)"Progressive" (noun) see also progressive fundamentalism or Puritopian.
A self-described liberal or progressive whose political orientation is to be angry, dissatisfied and unhappy with the state of the nation, because in their view, liberal policies are not being implemented quickly or forcefully enough. They have particular contempt for Democratic presidents.
They are ideological purists who disdain compromise and incremental change, which they see as "selling out" liberal ideas like full employment, an end to war, and liberal social policy. Their views can often sound like utopian fantasy where opposing views never exist.
"Progressives" dislike Republicans but reserve their greatest disdain for Democrats, whom they relentlessly attack for not meeting a set of ideological goal posts that are constantly adjusted to ensure that the president will be deemed a disappointment, "not progressive enough" or "just like a Republican" no matter what policy achievements are made.
"Progressives" routinely dismiss or ignore congress' role in making or impeding policy, believing presidents can simply "use the bully pulpit" in order to overcome constitutional or legislative obstacles.
"Progressives" have an affinity for 3rd party politics as a way to punish Democrats. They are especially hostile to Presidents Obama and Clinton, and deem anyone who expresses a lack of ill will toward them to be enemies of liberalism.
Example: "Progressives" dismissed Obamacare as a failure, saying President Obama should have used the bully pulpit to achieve a single payer system, despite the fact that Sen. Harry Reid made it clear that such a plan could not pass the Senate.
What meaningful change has a "progressive" like Bernie Sanders brought about? Answer: ZIP.
I'm progressive (adjective), not a "progressive" (noun.)
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)So, in reality, those who refuse to compromise and seek common purpose and mutual benefit with others end up going NOWHERE... which actually PRESERVES THE STATUS QUO.
Go figure.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)is just a career politician...
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Both Russia and team Trump have been working to make Bernie the nominee because
he will all but a sure Trump another term in the White House.
Bernie knew about Russia helping his campaign and never said word one about it until
the news of the Russian efforts came out.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
IluvPitties
(3,181 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TheCowsCameHome
(40,169 posts)No. Thanks.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
peoli
(3,111 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
TheCowsCameHome
(40,169 posts)That's where the rubber meets the road.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
peoli
(3,111 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
HockeyMom
(14,337 posts)My daughters and their spouses (Gen X and Millennials) aren't again either.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)Well, you did get attention, so there's that.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
padah513
(2,538 posts)Why he didn't show up in Selma. It can't be because he had a previous engagement. He knew the date and the date hasn't changed in 55 years.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
kcr
(15,337 posts)I wasn't the least bit surprised he made a decision not to hurt his support with the Joe Rogan/ChapoShithouse crowd. It's exactly why he didn't go and it's why I don't support him.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to padah513 (Reply #30)
Post removed
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)It appears he felt out of place.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)on why it's ridiculous and a SMEAR to comment on someone who considers himself to be a civil rights icon not attending this milestone civil rights commemoration....because he Marched with MLK!!! Which other Democratic candidates can say that, huh? So it's hypocritical to even mention Sanders not being in Selma if your candidate didn't attend the 1963 march.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
AkFemDem
(1,837 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Happy Hoosier
(7,609 posts)I favor a lot of Bernie's goal. But his "and then a miracle happens" approach to implementation is snake oil. And his past is full of crap that will be paraded in front of us 24/7 on TV. He will lose and lose big. I can't accept that.
I SO wish my pick (Liz) would have won. She was better than Bernie in every possible way, IMO.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
oldsoftie
(12,850 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
honest.abe
(8,709 posts)Sorry.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
brutus smith
(685 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)Acknowledging Trump's success in taping into economic resentment in his astounding electoral win Wednesday morning, Sanders cast Trump's candidacy in a light similar to his own failed presidential run during the Democratic primaries.
Donald Trump tapped into the anger of a declining middle class that is sick and tired of establishment economics, establishment politics and the establishment media," the senator said in a statement released Wednesday.
Trump And Sanders Try To Show New Hampshire They Can Reach Across The Aisle
As WBUR's Fred Bever reported both men were out to demonstrate that they are practitioners of the art of compromise.
http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/9/14/sanders-reaches-across-aisle-at-liberty-university.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/19/us/politics/bernie-sanders-2020.html
Bernie Sanders Republican Buddy Reaches Across the Aisle To Endorse Clinton
Said Pomerleau:
I am a loyal Republican born in 1917 and the first time a woman could vote was in 1919, the letter reads. I will be most happy to cast my vote to the first woman president of the United States of America. I am a loyal friend of Bernie Sanders and in Vermont they call us the Odd Couple.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
brutus smith
(685 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to brutus smith (Reply #26)
ehrnst This message was self-deleted by its author.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
brutus smith
(685 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
rzemanfl
(29,630 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
4139
(1,898 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
lostnfound
(16,240 posts)Infuriating to me how much of a hurry the media and netizens are ready to paint this a two person race.
One single state ago, Bidens campaign was in trouble. Now the false choice is Bernie Vs Biden. No chance for a three way race.
Go Elizabeth.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Farmer-Rick
(10,388 posts)Were swarming all over your post.
But you said it well, without insults or whining.
Keep up the good work.
One of the reasons I post pro Bernie is that DU is just swarming with Bernie haters. When they swarm like they did here, it just makes me wonder why they protest too much? Me thinks they are backed by big money to be so efficiently negative all the time.
Like when Trump tried so hard to nuke Biden, it made me want to support Biden. I think their constant negativity backfires a lot.
But now it is Bernie haters all the time...there is just no end to it. So, I think big money is very afraid.
You are brave to speak up and support a very liberal candidate on a site that is so filled with anomisty towards him.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
kwenu
(2,470 posts)It's the split vote of the center-left that needs to resolve itself.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
dgauss
(891 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
AGeddy
(509 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MrsCoffee
(5,803 posts)We've seen this shit show before.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)crowd that cannot tolerate any doubt in the aura of inevitability of their candidate.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
highplainsdem
(49,380 posts)trying to encourage his followers' paranoia that Democrats are rigging everything against him.
He's the ONLY candidate running that the GOP will have absolutely no trouble shackling with the "socialist" or even "communist" label, thanks to his own past statements and actions.
He's the ONLY candidate running who can credibly be accused of failing to support his family when he had a young child.
He's the ONLY candidate running who was a presidential elector for a socialist party when their presidential candidate was known for having advocated American soldiers turning their guns on their officers. A party that sided with Iran during the Iran hostage crisis.
He's the candidate who's been most critical of the Democratic Party, and whose own words can be too easily used to disparage the party. He seems to revel in viewing himself as a threat to the party.
He's the candidate whose more problematic supporters are infamous enough to be the subject of MSM storiees and an SNL cold open.
And he's the candidate who despite have suffered a recent heart attack, and having promised to release full medical records, has reneged on that promise, raising even more concerns about just how bad his health is and what disqualifying medical conditions he's hiding.
He's a potential disaster for the Democratic Party, just waiting to happen if we nominate him.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
peoli
(3,111 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
highplainsdem
(49,380 posts)going after Biden, who still beats Trump in most polls despite a year of nonstop attacks.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
peoli
(3,111 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
The Velveteen Ocelot
(116,531 posts)A Biden administration will likely include Harris, Buttigieg, Warren and Klobuchar.
A Bernie administration will likely include Nina Turner, David Sirota and Tulsi Gabbard.
QED.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hermit-The-Prog
(34,069 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
peoli
(3,111 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Hermit-The-Prog
(34,069 posts)My preferred candidate is Elizabeth Warren. My second choice is Joe Biden. A close 3rd is Amy Klobuchar. BS is just above Tulsi Gabbard in my list.
A Biden supporter with a history of factual commentary gave a nice summary that you may want to review:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=609600
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
peoli
(3,111 posts)Warren is my 2nd preferred
Thanks for the link.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
stonecutter357
(12,708 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
blm
(113,253 posts)That may work for less-informed voters, but not for informed progressives who pay attention to competence and action and RESULTS!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TwilightZone
(25,671 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NoMoreRepugs
(9,662 posts)make progressive (incremental) improvements to reverse the damage done by the Orange Menace. Just my 2cents.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
AGeddy
(509 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Uniting behind Sanders is a sure fire way to not only lose the Presidency, but the house as well. Sanders is a career politician, that has very little to show for his nearly four decades in Congress, which Trump will pound in advertisements calling him a dweller of the swamp. Sanders health issues will be played up by Trump, especially since Sanders has refused to release his medical records after saying he would, which is a clear red flag that something is wrong. Sanders love of Socialism will be pounded through a barrage of advertisement, in order to scare the voters, right or wrong, most voters have a negative view of Socialism. You can just see the ads now, telling the voters that Sanders wants the USA to be the next Venezuela. Sanders has been spared the attacks by Trump and his minions, because he is their preferred choice to run against. Nominating Sanders IMO would take Ohio, PA, and likely Mich out of play for the DEMS, and would erase any gains they have made in Georgia, Texas and Arizona.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Celerity
(44,469 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Jakes Progress
(11,142 posts)See a pattern?
Bernie people hate "moderates" like Bill Clinton and Barack Obama - you know - the ones who win presidential elections.
(No shade on George, John, and Al. Loved 'em. Campaigned for 'em. Donated to 'em. Voted for 'em. Good men all.)
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
DanTex
(20,709 posts)The pattern is clear.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
JudyM
(29,402 posts)about Sanders.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Jakes Progress
(11,142 posts)It has to do with understanding where the country is. Were Bernie able to work with other people and draw people to him, it might be different. His "my way or die" pattern is a sure path to failure. He alienates half of the party he wants to lead. A little sacrifice on his part would be a good thing. If you think that any compromise if failure, you are guaranteed failure.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Kerrycrat
(159 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
DanTex
(20,709 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Kerrycrat
(159 posts)Its what he saved and shared from a DSA group that was doing a grotesque little dance of glee at the news of Petes departure.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)So innocuous sounding, eh?
Let's do it!
(craft yet another banal bumper sticker that is... )
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
peoli
(3,111 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
dumptrump1
(236 posts)Thanks for the post, dantex!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Doremus
(7,261 posts)I talk about Bernie with friends, family and people I meet. When we stick with the issues we find quite a lot of common ground. Unfortunately if the sport team mentality takes over, communication devolves into argument for the sake of it. That's most of what's here on DU.
Just wanted to tell you I and others appreciate your posts. While we know we're not stupid, treasonous, Communists, secretly plotting to end Democracy or any of the other epithets tossed our way on DU, it's nice to see affirmation of it once in a while.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
LizBeth
(9,965 posts)but as a progressive I am not willing to get behind Sanders and will settle giving my support to the least progressive, Biden.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden