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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSanders Supporters Realize Their Party Is Bigger Than They Are
The parade of GOP defectors speaking on the DNCs first night seemed to confirm progressives worst fears about a potential Biden administration.ELAINE GODFREY AUGUST 18, 2020
The messages in the Zoom chat were snide at first, but not despondent. One person observed that the Democrats would rather listen to young people singing the national anthem than to their political opinions. Another noted that the event felt like a highly produced infomercial. Just 30 minutes in, a mustachioed man with a palm-tree Zoom background gave up on the whole production. Ive got to get some sleep, he wrote to the group. Ive got Bernie taped.
For two hours last night, about 20 members of the Ohio chapter of Our Revolution, the political organization spun out of Bernie Sanderss 2016 presidential campaign, watched the Democratic National Conventions kickoff with, it seemed, varying amounts of bitterness. Some watched with their camera turned off, as speaker after speaker extolled the virtues of Joe Biden, while others could be seen hunkered over their computer in some dark corner of their home.
But when John Kasich, the former Republican governor of Ohio, appeared on-screen, the chat descended briefly into despair. Oh lord, someone wrote. Drinking now, said another. A third person could muster only a digital sound: UUUGGGHHHHHHH.
The parade of GOP defectors who spoke last night was meant to demonstrate the bipartisan solidarity behind Biden, and to show anti-Trump Republicans and swing voters nationwide that the Democratic tent is a place where they will be not merely tolerated, but celebrated. The former vice presidents team wants silent Biden voters to know that they are not alone in crossing party lines to support the presumptive Democratic nominee, Representative Cedric Richmond of Louisiana, a chair of Bidens campaign, explained on a press call yesterday. Michelle Obama made national unity the theme of her well-received speech too.
(much more....)
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/08/john-kasichs-dnc-speech-angered-progressives/615361/
msongs
(67,441 posts)Mariana
(14,860 posts)The overwhelming majority of Sanders supporters voted for Hillary in the general in 2016.
Gothmog
(145,556 posts)Gothmog
(145,556 posts)OAITW r.2.0
(24,610 posts)"there's not a dime's difference between Republicans and Democrats". Even fucking Bernie gets it...this is black and white time. Pick a side or don't bitch when the hammer falls again.
Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)They just want to feel morally superior to everyone else.
Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)He realizes a convention that plays to everyone is the best path forward to doing that. I don't take anything away from the convention beyond the fact Joe Biden is doing everything he can to be the next President of the United States.
Demsrule86
(68,667 posts)you message vote and Trump is way worse than Hillary...she never said what she did...but I do believe the refusal to vote for Hillary in 16 by some on the left cost them influence as moderates will be sought out to make sure we defeat Trump. We are a big tent part. This has to be understood.
Gothmog
(145,556 posts)comradebillyboy
(10,175 posts)Sure some OR folks might be Democrats but notable OR people have been known to vote Green and oppose actual Democratic candidates. There is no reason for the Democratic Party to cater to folks who's loyalty cant be counted on.
Indykatie
(3,697 posts)It is this fringe element that has the loudest voice online which makes it seem like they speak as the collective voice for Sanders' voters. Our Revolution is not a Dem group in my opinion.
comradebillyboy
(10,175 posts)They choose to keep themselves outside Biden's big tent. But they expect to be catered to.
George II
(67,782 posts)....was a super delegate at the convention.
At least on paper she's still a Democrat, although she boasted about voting for Jill Stein in 2016.
Gothmog
(145,556 posts)Demsrule86
(68,667 posts)many GOP have left the party.
betsuni
(25,618 posts)his word about the policies he wants to accomplish? This guy?:
"A couple of days later, Schriock, Franni, and I headed over to the White House for a meeting with Vice President Biden, who I'd always been a big fan of. ... 'I've been in this town forty years,' he said. 'And let me tell you how you succeed in this town -- how I got here.' He leaned toward me to bring home the import of what he was about to say. 'Never promise anything you can't deliver. Never. Promise. Anything. You can't deliver.' I nodded. I understood. I wasn't going to do that. I. Wasn't. Going. To do that." -- Al Franken
Well, at least the Our Revolution people aren't calling our candidate evil like last time.
Gothmog
(145,556 posts)octoberlib
(14,971 posts)SpaceNeedle
(191 posts)Wisdom sometimes takes 4 years of regrets.
Gothmog
(145,556 posts)aidbo
(2,328 posts)..than it does for folks on the left.
JI7
(89,264 posts)while the republicans that were invited want Democrats to win.
Demsrule86
(68,667 posts)she can't help us win Arizona. I hope the left will consider attempting to win hearts and minds in places like Arizona, Georgia, Texas and the Mid West...I know we can do it if we try. And party loyalty really matters IMHO. We must always vote for the Democratic candidates.
Hav
(5,969 posts)The Dem party won't throw out those who want to fight he fascist but they cannot force those into the tent who only pout and would rather see another Trump term.
Ohio Joe
(21,761 posts)Another thread declaring those of us who supported Sanders as rooting for Trump.
GulfCoast66
(11,949 posts)Ironically, the majority on DU are to the left of me.
But anyway, we move our very center left population slowly. Or with a flurry of left activity followed by a period of reactionary pushback.
The ACA survived, barely. Now Biden, assuming he wins, which is far from assured, must carefully pick his battles.
If he can expand the ACA to insure no Americans go bankrupt from health issues, secure SS and Medicare for the foreseeable future his administration will be a success.
Do I want him to be able to do so much more? Of course. But I understand how hard these things are. Once Americans get used to these changes than we can move things more left. But it wont be quick.
This is very hard for so many people who want immediate change. As I certainly do. But I realize the limitations of our system.
At the same time I would love to see congress strip many of the unbelievable powers they have given the president over over the past 60 years. All these EO trump does? Congress gave him that power. Same as they gave them to Obama. Ironically that will slow down change even more. But that is the way we currently roll.
Gothmog
(145,556 posts)frazzled
(18,402 posts)when you get so attached to a candidate that they become a cult figure and you can't see the bigger picture. It's about Bernie (just like it's about Trump), not about the good of the nation. It's called "Follow the Leader."
Saaaad. I hope they outgrow it.
My advice to everyone: never fall in love with a candidate. They are not symbols, they are not icons, they are just people, hopefully with the skills to do the job you are picking them for.