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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsStaffers lash out in Bernie world meltdown
Long simmering tensions within the Sanders campaign have gone public.
By HOLLY OTTERBEIN
06/03/2020 09:04 PM EDT
Updated: 06/03/2020 09:35 PM EDT
Bernie world is tearing itself apart.
As election results across the country rolled in on Tuesday evening, current and former aides to Bernie Sanders abruptly laced into each other on social media, trading accusations of being tone-deaf, not giving a shit about the base, and even stealing infrastructure from the 2020 campaign.
The clashes made public tensions that had long simmered below the surface among different factions in Sanders team during the primary. But they also demonstrated how difficult it is for top Sanders lieutenants to control even their own former staffers, which could hamper efforts at party unity during the general election.
For progressives and ex-Sanders staffers worried about how to keep the movement alive after the Vermont senator dropped out of the primary, the feud set off a round of soul-searching since it came against the backdrop of nationwide civil unrest and protests against police brutality.
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more at link
Response to JoeOtterbein (Original post)
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Kashkakat v.2.0
(1,752 posts)ehrnst
(32,640 posts)GulfCoast66
(11,949 posts)Anytime a movement is more a cult of a person than anything else, it always flies apart when that person fail to keep winning. Hummm...
Grokenstein
(5,722 posts)The assorted goobers and nutjobs surrogating for "Bernie World" were out of control long before he dropped out of the race.
If they want to tear each other to ribbons in public, that's fine. But if Benihana Joel Grey or any of his other little pet shits try the usual "throw your vote away and stay home" nonsense again, I hope the entire world comes down on 'em like a ton of bricks.
marlakay
(11,451 posts)After Bernie quit said Trump crossed a line this last week during protests that made her vote for Biden instead of third party and a bunch of her friends agreed with her.
I know how most of us feel about the people that believe this way but I am glad for any more votes.
sheshe2
(83,746 posts)Steven Maurer
(459 posts)Although I do question his political acumen, what he wants isn't bad at all.
The issue is that, much like we're seeing with these protests against Police Brutality, some people wanted to hijack his movement for their own personal projects - in this case, trying to harm the Democratic party out of the belief that Accellerationism would actually work.
I am glad that at least Senator Sanders himself has explained why that is not a good idea.
renate
(13,776 posts)One I hadnt actually made myself until I saw what you wrote.
He has/had some pretty crappy surrogates (some of whom he deliberately chose, and that is his fault), but I still like his ideals and goals and his lifelong genuine belief in them.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)take a close look at the banner. Every campaign draws some odd types willy-nilly, but large numbers are never an accident -- they're an identifier.
Btw, research has found that the leader-follower influence goes both ways. Once having accepted a leader, followers adopt the attitudes and goals of that leader, BUT leaders also come to reflect at least some the attitudes of the people they draw.
Sanders is an illiberal socialist (self identified) with followings among those drawn to his anti- liberal Democratic call for revolution and to universalist ideas. AND he campaigned as a LW class-warfare populist leader, competing with Trump for the aggressively antagonistic energy of those drawn to attacks on "the establishment." Trump didn't self destruct early enough so Sanders could draw the additional numbers needed to beat Biden. And, of course, he overestimated the appeal of socialist solutions to mainstream liberals.
But then and now, populist aggression dominated Sanders' campaign, as it always does. And also, the more prone to extremism, the more all are unable to get along with others, and the more ruthless. Sanders and both of his factions are that way to varying degrees. Amusing that the more aggressive one stole his email list, but of course. If it's the big one, it cost someone many tens of millions of dollars to develop, but add in the time factor, and it's effectively priceless to wannabes.
Aristus
(66,325 posts)I'm shocked.
This is my shocked face:
budkin
(6,700 posts)Come on.
obamanut2012
(26,068 posts)Some of that group helped HRC lose to Trump, and are now attacking Biden, instead of Trump. Hell, many crowed about voting for Jill Stein, and some even voted for Trump. AND THEY ARE STILL ATTACKING THE DEMS EVEN WITH ALL OF THIS GARBAGE GOING ON NOW.
So, who are the 7th graders, Budkin? Not the OP. Not me.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)still_one
(92,168 posts)everything in their power to undermine Hillary in the general election in 2016, and encourage impressionable young people to not vote for Hillary by either voting third party or not voting
Sirota is still at his ugly game of bashing and undermining the Democratic party, and now that he has become editor at large for Jacobian, he is continuing his divisive rhetoric
Sanders should be given credit for not listening to those whose selfishness whose divisiveness only serves trump and the Republicans, and instead will work within the Democratic party for unity, and work with Democrats to try and push the issues that were part of his campaign. He isn't going to play the game, either my way or I will take my marbles and go home like the Sirotas and Grays want to do
We do not need the Sirota's and Gray's to win the election. The vast majority of Sander's supporters and those part of his campaign realize it is much productive to work within the Democratic party then against it, and will enthusiastically vote for the presumptive Democratic nominee
One thing we don't need is the divisionary elements of the Sirota's and Gray's at the convention. What they did in 2016 is unforgivable, because they are still pushing the same anti Democratic party garbage in 2020, and have no regrets for what they did in 2016
comradebillyboy
(10,144 posts)what the were. They are a reflection of Sanders himself. He is far from blameless.
still_one
(92,168 posts)LymphocyteLover
(5,643 posts)still_one
(92,168 posts)LymphocyteLover
(5,643 posts)there were a lot of worries he would create as much dissension as 2016
still_one
(92,168 posts)ehrnst
(32,640 posts)He sent a VERY clear message with their hiring.
still_one
(92,168 posts)hissy fit
In my perspective it does little good at this time to rub it in since he has endorsed Joe, and he already has paid for it in the primaries
Cha
(297,154 posts)What on Earth was he thinking?!
Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)when you hire toxic people in the first place.
DURHAM D
(32,609 posts)to be a big fish in a little pond instead of a little fish in a big pond.
Maru Kitteh
(28,339 posts)I'm sure they fancied themselves bold new leaders, envisioned themselves commanding throngs of citizens who would hang on their every word. They pretended, may have even convinced themselves that they were so very concerned for us but it's pretty obvious they were most interested in their own power, above any professed goal or outcome.
Children.
zak247
(251 posts)These folks are political ideologues who dont realize this is about issues and what can be gotten in real political reality, not political dogma that doesnt reach the mainstream Americans.
The vital issue facing America and the world is Donald Trump and another GOP presidency that will despoil the SCOTUS for decades if they win again and other issues where progressive gains are threatened, even Bernie understands this but not these small-time radical dreamers who are deluded and dangerous and Trumps only hope that they again tear apart the democratic unity for the sake of their own vanity and selfish political egos.
They see clearly the utter danger America is in if Trump, the liar and lunatic in chief, wins again, yet they still are bickering about irrelevant things from the last election.
Indykatie
(3,696 posts)Their threats to withhold their support until Biden "earned" their votes is turning out to be a nothing burger since Biden has captured a very high % of voters that identify as Dems and is polling well with Independents. I'm still stunned that they only had a plan to captured the far left voters which would have given Bernie a lead in delegates in a crowded field but no where near 1991 delegates. Since 2016 they failed to expand their base of support and paid the price when the field narrowed so quickly, much to their surprise and chagrin.
UTUSN
(70,684 posts)betsuni
(25,472 posts)we should go in."
Limiting the people who are 'progressive enough' was what it was about though. The very long list of enemies who "will stop at nothing to defeat us." Supporters enjoy the delicious righteous indignation of being victims of all the terrible enemies out to get them. Of course they will lash out at each other.
mvd
(65,173 posts)Sanders made some mistakes in staff, and that is too bad, because he has excited me like no other candidate. Some are right that it is overly hard to break into the Party machinery, but now is not the best time to tear down Biden or other Democrats. We need to have that discussion, but Trump is the immediate concern.
Gothmog
(145,130 posts)Sirota, Grey and Turner are not nice people
obamanut2012
(26,068 posts)lolz
Baclava
(12,047 posts)myohmy2
(3,162 posts)...could be...
Maru Kitteh
(28,339 posts)myohmy2
(3,162 posts)...we may "fuck 'em" at our own peril...
Cha
(297,154 posts)Maru Kitteh
(28,339 posts)The ones that approve of him putting babies in cages, calling for combat paratroopers against peaceful protestors on American soil, decimating social and environmental safety systems?
Yeah. Fuck em.
The Finn Al Analysis
(63 posts)They're not gonna show up for Biden in November? News Flash: They wouldn't show up for Bernie in November, either! They demonstrated this on Super Tuesday, when they could've put Biden away and made Sanders a virtual lock for the nomination. BUT THEY DIDN'T SHOW UP TO VOTE!
The Essence of the Bernie Bro: All Talk, No Action.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)...
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)...
LymphocyteLover
(5,643 posts)aikoaiko
(34,169 posts)ehrnst
(32,640 posts)These are Bernie's top people tearing at each other...
aikoaiko
(34,169 posts)Its classic Politico shit-stirring article. They also know the anti-Bernie people will click, share, and reclick.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)But if you say so...
oasis
(49,376 posts)Their incompetence and overreach would guarantee an immediate GOP return to power in 2022 and 2024.
Cha
(297,154 posts)Ouch..
Oh Winnie