Bernie's army in disarray - Politico

[seaglass]

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/05/21/bernie-sanders-democrats-2018-599331

"...But an extensive review of the Sanders-inspired group depicts an organization in disarray — operating primarily as a promotional vehicle for its leader and sometimes even snubbing candidates aligned with Sanders. Our Revolution has shown no ability to tip a major Democratic election in its favor — despite possessing Sanders’ email list, the envy of the Democratic Party — and can claim no major wins in 2018 as its own."

There is quite a bit here. Donations are dropping, Lucy Flores quit, process for selecting OR candidates is not transparent and/or fair, Nina Turner is setting herself up for a presidential run if Bernie bows out and people are not having it .

I admit that I do not support the OR org in any way - however I do support progressive candidates running in open races, against Repubs and against very conservative Dems. I appreciate that even though OR did not support Kara Eastman in the NE02 primary, she is more progressive than the Dem who ran, she won and they seemed to have a respectful race based on policies rather than personal attacks and will work together (this is the way you do it!).

Timing on this is interesting as I thought Bernie was announcing his re-election run for Senate today (and possibly making a statement on 2020?)

[Gothmog]

1. The local Our Revolution group attacked an Asian candidate

I was shocked by the actions of the local Our Revolution group http://www.indoamerican-news.com/local-democrats-infighting-attempts-to-smear-sri-kulkarni/

Like many other youngsters going through their tumultuous teen years, Kulkarni attributed the episode to youthful indiscretion, similar to what George W. Bush, Barak Obama and Bill Clinton experienced in their youths.

But Beaton, who is backing candidate Steve Brown in the primary, is throwing out all sorts of minor issues to sideline Kulkarni’s bid. He has challenged Kulkarni’s full name, his residency in the district, his voting record and even his registration application saying he wanted to run in Massachusetts.

Inspite of these diversions, the Indian American community as well as the rest of the South And East Asian communities are staunchly behind Kulkarni and they have shown it by the sheer numbers who have come to his events and are donating funds to his campaign, sensing a chance to have an Asian in Congress from the Metroplex. They came together last night, Tuesday, February 20, at Madras Pavlion to rally behind Kulkarni and push back against these charges.

Encouraged, Kulkarni is counting on their support. “We’re pushing back against this stigmatization and slander,” Kulkarni said. “The Asian communities need to come out and vote to get us over the top in the primary.”

From another article http://www.indiawest.com/news/global_indian/texas-congressional-candidate-sri-kulkarni-acknowledges-teen-drug-arrest-youthful/article_54a39be6-1e55-11e8-8db1-6f520552146f.html

Doug Beaton, the leader of the chapter, warned Fort Bend County Democratic officials on Kulkarni's previously undisclosed past in a letter posted on social media, it said.

The letter suggested that Kulkarni, whose full first name is Srinivas, is running under an assumed name and that he had previously registered with the Federal Election Commission to run for a congressional seat in Massachusetts.,,,,

Fort Bend County's past Democratic chair, Don Bankston, a member of the party's state executive committee, said the attack on Kulkarni is off base and potentially slanderous, according to the report.

Again, I am good friends with the Muslim precinct chairs in my district. They are still pissed as this attack.

[stevenleser]

11. I'm not surprised. This is what we have seen from those folks. They immediately datamine all

political opponents social media and news articles and try to use what they find to attack them.

It's a very Stalinist approach to politics and they don't see that they are doing something wrong. They think this is the right way to behave in politics and Sanders and his folks have not discouraged this behavior even though it has to have come to his attention multiple times.

(This is a repost of my comment under the OP I posted about this)

[stevenleser]

2. Oops, didn't see that you had posted this before I posted mine. Sorry! nt

[MineralMan]

3. The showing of Our Revolution-endorsed legislative candidates

has been dismal. It's almost a total loss so far. This, I think, is due to their endorsing primary candidates who are running against popular Democratic incumbents or challengers of Republicans. What I'm waiting to see is whether Our Revolution, having lost in various districts, will now shift to support for the Democrat who won in those primaries. If they do, that will be fine. If not, then we will see that OR does not really have the good of those districts as a overriding goal.

[comradebillyboy]

7. It seems to me that Nina Turner won't support anyone

that beat her candidate in the primaries. Notice that OR never got around to endorsing Jones or Northam in the general election.

[MineralMan]

10. Yes, I'm afraid you're right.

That's terrible, especially in a year where we need unity if we're going to regain control of legislative houses.

[Cha]

18. Yeah, Nina's actions since

I've read about her make it easy for me to take the article as factual.

[Hortensis]

60. Turner's always been a divisive troublemaker.

When she became a leader of this group I was sure it would fail. Not just because of her, though, but because dissident groups, regardless of ideals, usually draw fatal numbers of rejects from other groups and/or who just don't play well with others.

The Turners couldn't do nearly as much harm if only more people remembered that disposition to bias (bigotry), and its hostility and aggression, comes from within. Scratch someone displaying hostility and aggression toward one group (and Turner's nothing but),and you will discover bigotry on other bases, color, religion, whatever. Right along with that, of course, is always a whole package of other character and judgement flaws.

So, of course OR isn't doing well. Sanders dissociated himself some time ago, though not as definitively as Howard Dean had to after the similar group he so hopefully started got flooded and taken over by dysfunctional dissidents. The Green Party another example, destroyed almost as soon as founded.

[comradebillyboy]

4. So Our Revolution has morphed into a Nina Turner

vanity project. And Bernie's precious mailing list isn't getting Nina's pet candidates elected. Oh well Bernie and his OR group have never been good at cooperation and team work.

[Cha]

8. The Nina

Show.

Who could possibly have seen that coming?! I am so shocked.

[stevenleser]

23. And if you don't support her, you are anti-equality, according to one person downthread.

[Cha]

24. Oh I know.. same ol same ol

it's all about victimhood.. when they can't debate on the merits or lack there of.. they pull some card out.

Nina is her own worst enemy.

[Cha]

5. Two weeks ago, the group's board of directors nixed Turner's attempt to install her personal..

political consultant and friend as her chief of staff, even though the person had no experience in political organizing and had praised President Donald Trump repeatedly and attacked immigrants on Fox News."

Say What?!

In a conference call two weeks ago, the board’s executive committee overruled Turner’s attempt to install her consultant and friend Tezlyn Figaro as the group’s chief of staff, according to people on the call. Not only had Turner sprung the decision on the board, but Figaro had no experience building a political organization.

Board members flagged Figaro’s frequent appearances on Fox News praising Trump. She has said on the network as recently as the end of April that the president’s critics mostly don’t like that he’s shaking up the system. And last year she said immigrants are “coming into the country and getting benefits that Americans do not get,” and getting away with crimes while African-Americans go to prison.

From your link..

Both fans and detractors of Sanders pin Our Revolution’s problems on Turner, the former Ohio state senator who became the group’s president and public face a year ago. Though some sources involved in Our Revolution said she’s been an effective spokesperson, several others told POLITICO they think she’s seeking to increase her profile and collect chits to run for president herself as the leader of the Sanders movement if the 76-year-old senator ultimately sits out 2020.

Yeah, trump shaking up the system like a MFr.

[aikoaiko]

6. This is how Democracy works.

Sometimes grassroots efforts take hold.

Sometimes they don't but still influence.

Sometimes they just go away.

That OR still gets political coverage by wonky blogs and at DU shows that that OR is still engaging.

[stevenleser]

9. This is how people react to a poisonous and mismanaged attempt at astroturfing.

This isn't a grassroots effort, its an attempt to turn a cult of the personality into a political movement. And like all such attempts it is going to fail.

[aikoaiko]

19. Lots of cults of personality that were framed as political movements failed in the Democratic party.

That is what Democracy looks like.

[stevenleser]

20. Nope, this is the first, at least at the National/Presidential level. nt

[BeyondGeography]

53. Hey Steven, as an early Obama supporter in 2007

I’m sure you remember being called a cult member by fellow Democrats. I know I do. You can object to Bernie and his supporters without going there.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

55. They always go there... it's all about divide and conquer, zero-sum game... sad to see.

[stevenleser]

57. I call them as I see them.The fact that one cult doesnt exist doesnt disprove the existence of cults

I am sure you will agree with that logic.

[mountain grammy]

15. Exactly!

[Demsrule86]

44. I am hoping for going away...despise OR.

[Exotica]

12. Great article.

[disillusioned73]

13. Nice hit piece..

[stevenleser]

14. Well, you guys are always laughing at us, does that mean we are going to win? nt

[disillusioned73]

16. I don't know who "we" is when it comes to you..

are you corporate media??

[stevenleser]

17. Democrats who haven't fallen for a cult of the personality. That's who 'we' are. nt

[disillusioned73]

21. I am not the one posting corporate hit pieces about

a black female progressive on a so called progressive site.. "cult" is relative to your intentions, anyone who claims to value democracy shouldn't have a problem with primaries and voters deciding on whom they best believe represents their districts..

[stevenleser]

22. Politico is corporate media now? Who isn't to you, Intercept? ROFLMAO. Dude, give it up

how many exaggerations and failed attempts at pandering can you post in one message?

Civil rights are not that important to you so I would give that up. I know that because we never see you in the African American forum.

[disillusioned73]

26. Maybe cause I'm Puerto Rican..;)

& I don't pretend to know everyone's life experiences.. unlike yourself apparently

this "writer" has a hard on for hit pieces when it comes to B. Sanders.. not hard to see the trend, but keep on keeping on..

[link:https://www.google.com/search?q=EDWARD-ISAAC+DOVERE+%2B+Bernie+Sanders&oq=EDWARD-ISAAC+DOVERE+%2B+Bernie+Sanders&aqs=chrome..69i57&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8|

[stevenleser]

31. And there it is, the datamine, on top of a strawman and an attempt to misdirect.

A veritable gish gallop of logical fallacies.

So lets start off with the fact that we were talking about Nina Turner and how you accused me of not being progressive because I didn't support a progressive african american. To which I said civil rights arent that important to you and now you are saying "But I'm Puerto Rican" and you add an accusation that "you pretend to know everyone's life experiences"

So lets sum this up:

1. You made an accusation against me that I don't support African American rights because I don't support your politician, even though, you never participate in the AA forum here. (I have, and for years, btw).

2. When called on the fact that you don't participate in the AA forum, you couter with "but I'm Puerto Rican". Um, ok. I'm both Latino and have AA heritage. What was that you were saying about pretending to know everyone's life experiences"

3. And then, rather than attempting to address the article for the facts in it, you present a link to a datamine of the authors other articles. Sorry dude, the article stands on its own. Posting links to the author's prior articles is not a defense against the facts in his current one. I realize supporters of OR like to try to do this kind of stuff to discredit people, but its a disgusting tactic.

[disillusioned73]

37. I didn't realize you wrote the absurd article..

"Bernie's army is in disarray" - you can stand by that article if you like, I see you posted it as well.. the reality is quite the contrary, it seems to me lots of folks sphincters are tightening up the closer we get to election season 2018 & 2020..

Oh, & stop distracting with talk of what forum you or I post in.. irrelevant, I look for issues based posts (not that there are many to find anymore) - It's a hit pc plain & simple.. you might not like it being called what it is.. IT'S A POLICIAL HIT PIECE - it's probably related to the NY governors race getting a bit contentious and OR endorsing Nixon.. always look for the angles

[Demsrule86]

46. She is not progressive. She enabled Trump's win and has stated she will endorse Republicans

but Democrats have to 'prove' themselves...I am sorry I ever voted for her in Ohio...disgusted by her rhetoric and her actions.

[LanternWaste]

48. I don't see anyone arguing against the concept of primaries...

I don't see anyone arguing against the concept of primaries... that seems to be your own construction allowing you something to argue against.

What I do see is criticism of a candidate; which is both part and parcel of, and falls well within the window of "voters deciding on whom they best believe represents their districts.."

But I get it... criticism against sacred cows are never genuine nor sincere, merely the machinations and hit pieces of corporate interest. Articles, editorials and news pieces illustrating him in a good light however, are "real" and worthy of merit.

[SidDithers]

29. ...

Sid

[stevenleser]

33. It's amazing how some rely on pithy sayings as life guides. These things are meant to amuse, they

are not meant to organize your entire life around them.

That silly Gandhi quote has been used by that group so often and it's so obviously crap.

[SidDithers]

35. Yup...

It's the epitome of lazy thinking.



Sid

[disillusioned73]

38. Not when it applies..

[Demsrule86]

47. It doesn't apply.

Turner is a self serving opportunist...she is not progressive and she hates Democrats...she ran primary challengers for sitting Democrats as a means of revenge against the party. Did she take on Trump or the GOP...no she didn't.

[LanternWaste]

49. Or when it's merely a cover to avoid critical thought.

Or when it's merely a cover to avoid critical thought.

But no doubt, you'll allege critical thought without bias, evidences to the contrary.

[Gothmog]

50. LOL

[Demsrule86]

45. Turner put a hit on the Democratic Party...good riddance when she goes.

[Gothmog]

51. Has Our Revolution won any races yet?

[RandySF]

54. Which part is untrue?

[disillusioned73]

58. Looks like someone has taken exception to the articles veracity..

Link to tweet

[RandySF]

59. The OR staffer confirmed on Facebook that she was fired over DACA

And another did go on a public anti-immigration rant.

[kstewart33]

25. Bernie has never demonstrated an ability to organize.

His strength is advocacy, not implementing what he wants to achieve.

We're seeing the results on a national scale.

[stevenleser]

28. Yep, and this is what it would be like if he became President. And I knew that all along, he doesn't

have what it takes to get things done on even a small state scale, let alone a national one.

Quite frankly, he doesn't even talk that good of a game. He has the superficial stuff down, but as soon as you get past that, you realize he doesn't have a good concept of most issues. let alone something like the economy.

He would be a complete disaster as President.

[sunRISEnow]

39. Yes. We have one now, we see the harm. No follow thru, he has proved it out his whole career.

[Blue_Tires]

27. Good... Get Konst and Turner the fuck outta here...

Let them start working for Fox News since all they're good for is pissing on Dems...

[NurseJackie]

30. "Our Revolution has shown no ability to tip a major Democratic election in its favor" -- This is...

Our Revolution has shown no ability to tip a major Democratic election in its favor

This is something that's been very obvious for quite some time.

...operating primarily as a promotional vehicle for its leader and sometimes even snubbing candidates aligned with Sanders.

Yeah, that's something that hasn't gone unnoticed by many. It reveals much about their motivation and intent.

[SidDithers]

32. DU rec...nt

Sid

[Nitram]

34. It's an old story. Revolutionary purists always manage to find ways to criticize others in the

Last edited Tue May 22, 2018, 09:51 AM - Edit history (1)

movement for not being pure enough, for not being true believers, for not being radical enough. If by chance they won, they'd dissolve into a civil war of infighting. I saw a lot of that in the 60s.

[Cha]

40. Yeah, and they're

so fantastic.

[JI7]

41. They aren't even purists or real revolutionaries

They overlook many things even it comes to those they like.

Their being a so called revolutionary consists in just attacking others for not being good enough.

[Nitram]

43. I'm afraid a lot of "revolutionaries" are like that.

You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well, you know
You better free you mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow

[wallyworld2]

36. Everyone is entitled to their opinion

That's it

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

56. ... unless you're a Bernie supporter.

[wallyworld2]

62. So it seems

[Gothmog]

42. Our Revolution and DACA

Link to tweet

[stonecutter357]

52. K&R !

[R B Garr]

61. LOL, looks like Nina Turner is turning up the divisiveness

on her own. Soon we’ll see Nina vs. Bernie camps and their own purity wars.

[AtomicKitten]

63. The False Narratives Used to Try to Derail Bernie's Army / Politico Criticisms Are Unsourced & Unquo

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/21/false-narratives-used-try-derail-bernies-army?amp&utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=socialnetwork&__twitter_impression=true

[seaglass]

64. Lol.

Did the author think we forgot about OR's endorsement of Heath Mello for Mayor of OMAHA?

"Anchored with this baseless criticism is one that Our Revolution didn’t endorse Kara Eastman in Nebraska or John Fetterman in Pennsylvania. As Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb serves on the Our Revolution Board, the organization would seem unlikely to intervene in one of the state’s primaries."

[Gothmog]

65. Two candidates opposed by Our revolution won in Texas

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Gothmog]

66. From my twitter feed

Link to tweet