It will be interesting what the impact of Bernie Sander's endorsement of Jon Ossoff does

[still_one]

MSNBC was just discussing this, and I see where the Atlanta Journal Constitution is talking about it.

https://www.ajc.com/politics/politics-blog/ossoffs-embrace-of-bernie-sanders-highlights-shift-for-georgia-democrats/NCA2ITBYOZGLPJN5PD3XJUJBQA/?outputType=amp

If we win the Georgia runoffs, which we really need to, I think the case can be made that at the minimum the endorsement does not hurt us in the runoffs, and at the maximum, the endorsement helped us in the runoffs

[liskddksil]

1. As Meghan Trainor alludes, this election is "all about that base" nt

[redstatebluegirl]

5. There is a large portion of the base who are not fond of Bernie.

I know that many in our party don't get that, but it is true if you follow the way we lost House seats in the last election.

[liskddksil]

7. Our house losses had numerous factors, having little to do with Bernie

1. Obviously not door-knocking this cycle was problematic, but our field problems especially with voters of color go way beyond that. Instead of full-time engagement on the ground, Democrats too often just show up weeks before the election to beg for votes. This does not work as well.

2. DCCC leader Cheri Bustos made the decision to blacklist competent vendors (polling, mail, television, etc.) who worked for those who worked for candidates who challenged incumbents in Democratic primaries. They basically forced candidates to use firms who do not have strong track-records the last few decades (2010, 2014, 2016 cycles in particular) or not receive funds. Giving campaigns the freedom to hire the people who know what's happening on the ground rather than top-down dictates is a critical change that must happen immediately for us to have any chance in 2022.

3. Our inability to respond to Republican framing on issue after issue. We constantly let them define the narrative instead of going on offense and doing it ourselves. That leaves us always 2 steps behind out-of-the-gate. This is not just a 2020 problem - this is a problem decades in the making. Some of this is on the candidates, but its also on their campaigns and the national and state parties to address. It also relies on fixing our digital problem, especially in Social Media. We know that Facebook memes and Whatsapp groups had viral content negative to our side in Latino and Asian communities, which were red-flags.

[redstatebluegirl]

9. And having our candidates be tagged as socialists who want to defund the police.

[liskddksil]

14. If we had addressed points 1-3 we would have been able to counter that quite easily. As I

said these problems are not 2020 problems, they go back decades. If we don't fix them now, then they will just find another cudgel to use against us next cycle.

[Demsrule86]

19. None of that mattered...two things Defund the police and socialism...that was what caused our

losses. Damn it ...shouldn't work but it does. I would add we were also blamed for a lack of a stimulus package...unfairly but there it is. Clyburn said this and he has years of election experience.

[liskddksil]

20. Thats just window-dressing that avoids getting into the more underlying issues that

explain our losses over the last several cycles, not just 2020. If we don't fix those, than they will just find another cudgel to use against in 2022 and 2024 and 2026.

[Demsrule86]

24. Sorry no. Those issues I mentioned hurt us...now Ossoff has been endorsed by Sanders and

I fear that could hurt more than help in GA... They ran Ossoff is a socialist ads in Georgia using Sanders,Nancy and AOC during the election. We have to face reality. Our progressive message is not popular in more than a few states that we must win to hold majorities. We need to work on that...starting with local. In the meantime run a 50 state strategy to shore up elections in2022 and 2024...and lets be careful not to help the GOP by using the work 'socialism' or the phrase 'defund the police'. And if we can't get a stimulus, then beat the GOP over the head with it every day...American...held hostage stuff.

[Demsrule86]

25. We won in 18 on a health care message and some won on local issues...We won since Trump

was elected and this year...it's defund the police and socialism...why our side did not run on on the ACA is beyond me.

[katmondoo]

27. Me being one!

[Demsrule86]

11. No it is not...you have to win some moderate voters. I have no idea why Sanders would do this.

Didn't he notice that in GA they use him in ads against our side.

[liskddksil]

17. Bernie did better with Latinos in the Primary then Biden, and there

are not an insignificant number of them in Georgia. So that could be a plus. I trust Mr. Ossoff's judgement on this per the article.

[Demsrule86]

26. It hurts us...because we still need moderate voters.

[liskddksil]

32. We need as broad a coalition as possible and that includes over 25,000 18 year olds

who are now eligible to vote but weren't old enough in November, many of whom probably like Bernie and could be mobilized by his endorsement.

[Demsrule86]

51. Sanders and AOC were used in Georgia in campaign ads. Georgia Democrats are

more moderate...even the young ones in my experience...I lived there and my sis still does. She wasn't sure if it helped or not.

[Demsrule86]

28. He should not go to Georgia or talk about it anymore.

[liskddksil]

30. If Mr. Ossoff wants him there, he will go and I defer to the candidate's judgement on that nt

[octoberlib]

57. Bernie most definitely doesn't represent the base.

The base shows up to vote every single election. Black women.

[Me.]

2. I Wish He Hadn't Done It

The socialist tag may now be attached to Ossoff.

[lamp_shade]

4. Exctly my first thought. Ugh!

[DURHAM D]

10. Same here. nt

[Demsrule86]

12. I don't get it.

[Me.]

34. Don't Get What?

[Demsrule86]

50. I am not sure why Sanders did this...and will it help Ossoff or hurt him? I am not sure.

[Hortensis]

18. Already attached. If only Sanders followers were more reliable voters,

perhaps it would bring out enough to counterbalance the few who might be swayed. But too many are illiberal leftists or social-conservative populists who won't like Ossoff because he's a liberal Democrat, and of course, there are Sanders' own bane, all those who never get around to voting, or even registering.

Hope I'm wrong and it makes the right kind of difference.

Wondering Sanders is. He might believe he could be nominated as labor secretary if he could claim he swung the senate to the Democrats, or more realistically and usual, that the "injustice" if Biden refused to add an unqualified quarrelsome anti-Democrat to his team could be used anger his wandering followers. Populist SOP.

[Me.]

39. Your THeory Could Prove Decisive If They Would Just Come Out

But, as you know, we also need those moderate Cons and the Republican propaganda machine has had a field day with socialism and defund the police. I haven't heard the word commie batted around so much for a long time.

As for BS as the labor secretary, I think that would lead to one fight after another if he could even get past the committee vote.

[Hortensis]

41. Yes, and yes. Sanders of course will claim it's his doing if we win,

and if we don't he'll claim his followers came out but the Democrats blew it. Predictable as the rain that's already fallen all night.

He reportedly raised some money for Warnock, but he and others on the illiberal left have also been badmouthing Democrats six ways from Sunday back then and while these crucial battles continue...

I just saw that the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's headline describes "Ossoff's Embrace of Bernie Sanders," as he accepts the endorsement, so another for that portrayal of Ossoff embracing the "radical left." Ossoff (like Warnock) notably does not support Sanders' snake oil campaign issues -- MfA and GND.

But Sanders is endorsing, so there's nothing to lose in hoping it helps more than hurts.

[Me.]

44. Sigh

"redictable as the rain"

[LizBeth]

42. +1

[redstatebluegirl]

3. It will hurt him, no doubt.

Moderate Republicans who might have been considering voting for Ossoff will not do so if he is tied to Bernie. Bernie, I have said this before, you need to just go back to the Senate, and be quiet for a while. If any of our candidates get saddled with the "socialist" label, they will LOSE! Yes, we all know that is nuts, but it is reality!!!!

[MineralMan]

6. I doubt it will have much impact at all.

Bernie's endorsement really doesn't mean a lot in Georgia, I suspect.

[NurseJackie]

35. I agree and disagree (depending).

If by "impact" you mean "positive impact" then I agree. But I do think it's possible (and quite likely) that there will be a negative impact in the way it could motivate Georgia voters who find New England-style politics (and socialism) to be something that they reject. Those who support Ossoff may not care one way or the other, but I fully expect that it will bring out the anti-socialism/anti-Bernie voters to "vote-against-Bernie" by proxy.

[awesomerwb1]

8. I hope not many people hear about it

[Demsrule86]

15. Trump and the GA GOP will broadcast it far and wide.

[Blue_true]

52. They already have. One of the republicans in the race featured it in a Tweet. nt

[DURHAM D]

13. I hope BS does not plan to campaign in Georgia for him. nt

[Demsrule86]

16. That would be sabotage if you ask me.But I doubt he will.

[still_one]

21. That won't happen

[liskddksil]

22. Bernie will be there if Mr. Ossoff want him there and I defer to the candidate's judgement nt

[dubyadiprecession]

23. Tying Ossoff to Bernie is a dream come true...

For republicans in a runoff in Georgia. Sadly, Bernie endorsement will only drive their numbers up.

[Demsrule86]

31. It could cost us a close election. Why would he do this?

[NurseJackie]

33. It will be interesting to see how Ossoff responds to this. Will he embrace Bernie...

... and alienate voters who reject New England-style politics (and who reject socialism)? Will it motivate the Republicans to get out THEIR voters to vote against anyone who embraces socialist endorsements? I don't know the answer to those questions, but they're certainly valid questions to be asked.

[empedocles]

36. trump's 2016 feverish dream was that Dems could force Clinton to name

Bernie as VP. Then better yet, to have Bernie as the Dem Presidential candidate.

Bernie in 2016 'barnstorming' red state [yes, that was a bernieq quote] to drum up support for Dems. :facepalm

Yes, it nice to know that Ossoff declares he and Bernie support 'healthcare as a human right'. However,

'Within minutes of his [Sanders] CNN appearance, Perdue’s campaign sent out a press release slamming him for “casually praising radical socialists and their dangerous agendas” in TV interviews.

“Ossoff isn’t hiding his radicalism, he’s telling us who he really is,” said Perdue spokesman John Burke. “We should believe him.”

And Savannah Viar of the Republican National Committee urged Ossoff to appear on more Sunday shows “so you can tell Georgians even more about your shameless support for self-described socialists.” . . .

Ossoff and Sanders differ on key policy debates – notably, the Georgian opposes the Green New Deal climate change plan and the Medicare for All healthcare proposal that Sanders championed.- the Hill 12-1-2020

[Which is the messages that most Georgians will hear, be far?]

[NurseJackie]

29. I get the feeling that Georgia voters aren't particularly receptive to New England-style politics...

It will be interesting what the impact of Bernie Sander's endorsement of Jon Ossoff does

I get the feeling that Georgia voters aren't particularly receptive to New England-style politics... or socialism. Bernie's endorsement may help some candidates in some specific states... but I'm afraid that this isn't one of them.

[George II]

47. Not just Georgia voters. Other than on the two coasts....

....(some like to call them "coastal elites&quot American voters don't warm up to Northeast politics, New England in particular. We saw quite a bit of that in the 2018 and 2020 down ballot primaries.

[doc03]

37. About what an AOC endorsement would do

that's all I have to say.

[LuvLoogie]

38. Bernie wants to be labor secretary. He does not care about

Democratic control of the Senate.

[Arazi]

40. None. This is a red team vs blue team race. It's about turnout

The more people we turnout, the better our chances.

This race is not about ideology at all.

We must get our voters to vote

[NurseJackie]

43. The Vermont Senator's presence in Georgia politics may end up causing an unwanted backlash and...

This race is not about ideology at all.

When out of state people start nosing in, I get the feeling that Georgia voters aren't particularly receptive to New England-style politics... or anyone so closely associated with socialism. The Vermont Senator's presence in Georgia politics may end up causing an unwanted backlash and motivate the "red voters" to come out and vote (by proxy) against Bernie and socialism.

I believe this was a mistake that will hurt us.

[NurseJackie]

46. "We must get our voters to vote"

We must get our voters to vote

This is something we can agree on. We're already at a disadvantage in Georgia, it serves no good purpose for anyone to do (or say) anything that would only serve to outrage and motivate the Republican voters.

[George II]

48. In my 55 years of following politics I've never seen an election that wasn't about ideology.

[NurseJackie]

49. I know, right? That...

... was a bizarre claim.

[Blue_true]

53. I wish that Senator Sanders had just stayed out of that race.

Why didn’t he endorse the other Democrat also, given that we need to win both seats?

[mtnsnake]

54. He did endorse "the other Democrat"

He endorsed Warnock some time ago

[mtnsnake]

56. He already endorsed Warnock, so how would it look if he didn't also endorse Ossoff?

Maybe all the Bernie naysayers here would rather that Bernie endorsed the Republican candidates instead? Good grief, it's an endorsement, not a marriage.

[Blue_true]

58. I would prefer that he stays out of it and let democrats in Georgia fight the election.

Georgia is not Vermont.

[Gothmog]

59. Here is an attack ad being used in Georgia

Link to tweet

[Cha]

60. omg.. we don't need this.

[Meowmee]

61. Terrible

Couldn’t just stay out of it.