The Most Ineffective Strategy To Elect Hillary.....Attack Bernie Sanders and his Supporters

[LovingA2andMI]

This post will be kept short and to the point.

There are many Progressives who are either Democrats or Left-lending Independents that are too proud Senator Bernie Sanders is giving it a go to run for President.

He has every right considering Senator Sanders has stood with the Middle and Lower Classes in regards to sound economic policy nearly every time.

Many Progressives admire Bernie who does not take corporate, lobbyist or Wall Street "Quid Per Quo" money to turn around and support a job killing trade policy called the TPP.

Senator Sanders Caucasus with Democrats, however, is not afraid or timid to call out Democrats when their potential votes, policy or politico speak are with the 10% instead of 90% of folks who are not ultra-rich, have tax havens off-shore or who owe a "political favor" to those making big dollars (by cheating the rest of us) on Wall Street.

Yet, SOME not all but SOME Hillary Clinton supporters -- feel threaten by Senator Sanders running for President. So much so, they are calling him Ralph Nader or worse a spoiler candidate.

And others are going as far to nearly label Progressives of both Democratic and Independent Left Lending ties -- Junior Teabaggers for supporting a Senator Sanders Presidential Candidacy.

Here are the raw facts: Keep this Modus Operandi up -- i.e. Attacking Bernie Sanders as Ralph Nader II -- and watch your candidate of choice LOSE come the first Tuesday in November of 2016.

Why?

Unjust attacks and lies on Senator Sanders will do NOTHING but encourage those who MIGHT consider voting for Hillary Clinton, if Bernie Sanders cannot win or secure the Democratic Nomination to -- JUST STAY HOME. Or worst, skip right pass the ballot where voting for President is a option.

So, for those Ultra-Pro Hillary -- allow Bernie to run without deploying a scorched earth, PUMA style 2015/2016 attack on Senator Sanders. No one wins by using this highly ineffective strategy -- except possibly a Republican -- which neither side should NOT want.

#FoodForThought

[gwheezie]

1. I supported Hillary in 08

I was never a puma. Hillary lost fair and square. Supported Obama right away. I plan to vote for Hillary again for 16. But I love Bernie. I love that my nephews who did 4 fucking tours each in Iraq/Afghanistan have hope because Bernie is going to run. They lost faith in their country and government but got it back when they found out Bernie is going to run. I have encouraged both of them to get involved and fight like hell for Bernie.
If Hillary can answer a challenge from Bernie they might support her in the end but if Bernie didn't run they wouldn't listen to her. If Bernie does get the nomination I will vote for him.

[Hekate]

7. I like what you say in this post, gwheezie. All the best to your nephews.

I was never a puma either. I was totally torn between Obana and Hillary, but when the California election finally came, I was very pleased to vote for Barack Obama, and have never regretted it for a moment.

I hope we have a robust primary so Hillary can hone her arguments and show her stuff. Then she can face the GOP in the General Election stronger than ever. Or if she doesn't make it, whoever the Dem nominee is can do likewise.

[Jackpine Radical]

30. McCain. Palin. Romney. Ryan.

I doubt there are very many of us who would actually say we regret voting for Obama both times.

That, of course, is very different from saying that we agree with him on everything.

[patricia92243]

2. As long as he does not run as the nominee of a party other than

Democratic, there is no way he can be another Nader. He has every right to run in our party and I hope he does. When I find out more about him, I may even vote for him - as long as he is a Democrat. No syphoning off the votes like Nader.

But as a Democrat, all I can say is "Go, Bernie, Go!"

[smokey nj]

16. He has said many, many times that he would not run

as a spoiler candidate.

[Hekate]

3. You mean like the constant attacks on HRC and her supporters? Yes, that is...

....most definitely an ineffective strategy.

The only "attack" I've read on Bernie here is that he is not a Democrat, can't be nominated as a Democrat, and hasn't the capability of winning a national election. OTT, people love the guy. I myself love the guy.

[MaggieD]

6. My thoughts exactly

[Ken Burch]

12. Running in Democratic presidential primaries IS a declaration that one is a Democrat.

It doesn't matter whether or not he says the specific words.

You just want a guarantee of no progressive challenge to the corporate militarist of your preference. A campaign like 1996, 200, or 2004.

[KittyWampus]

20. LOL! No, the point is for a Democrat to win in a national election the Democratic party

infrastructure would have to be there to support the candidate/nominee.

Sanders has zero chance in hell of getting the Democratic nomination because of party politics.

And I happen to like and appreciate Bernie Sanders, look forward to him pushing the primary debate to the Left and look forward to his contributions.

[seabeyond]

4. Your post doesnt make sense. He is in the primary. I gavent heard any Clinton supporter diss sanders

What are you going on about? Is there anyone who even dislikes sanders? I haven't heard it. Some say he doesn't have a chance. Me? Who knows. Let's see what he has

[betterdemsonly]

44. Here is a post where a Hillary supporter argues a candidate can't run

if the candidate's state has no party registration. Vermont has no registered democrats. http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6585959

Here is a post that argues that he is a Nader even though he is running as a democrat. http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6585010

[seabeyond]

47. big fuckin deal. two posts. should i? could i? link to ALL hit pieces and character assassinations

and untruths toward clinton the last couple weeks, year?

and you have two that questions legalities and nader. big fuggin deal. without even going in, where there plenty to dissimulate the attacks?

i, as a sanders supporter, think that is pretty damn great.

[MaggieD]

5. Oh good lord, there is no horde attacking Bernie Sanders

And I can't imagine anyone is too worried he will beat their preferred candidate. I'm glad if he enters the race as a Democrat. He will help shift the debate within the party to the left.

[Ken Burch]

13. That's what declaring for the Democratic nomination means.

Nothing else is requiured.

[Lil Missy]

8. That isn't happening. Faux poutrage.

[blkmusclmachine]

9. Obama was a Reagan Republican.

[Hekate]

55. That is an untruth, but an out of context soundbite never dies

[joshcryer]

10. What's there to attack Sanders on?

[zappaman]

11. Fail.

I get the sense that everybody truly likes him.
Nice try though...

[FSogol]

35. I agree. Everyone on DU seems to like Bernie, some people feel he can't get elected, but

now that he is in the race, he has an opportunity to make his case.

Spare us the outrage.

[DFW]

14. Any Hillary supporter who feels threatened by Sanders

Needs to chill out seriously.

This is not the Cheney/devil whispering in Bush's ear, but rather the Bernie/angel whispering in Hillary's ear.

As long as it doesn't get nasty, and there's no reason it should, there is no reason to get riled up about it.

[brooklynite]

24. Any Bernie supporter who thinks the Clinton supporters are out to get him REALLY needs to chill out

Nobody has attacked Bernie Sanders, or said he shouldn't get in if he wants to. The only things laid at his feet are legitimate questions about whether he can win a NATIONAL Primary and then a National Election (with, you know, Republicans and Independents voting)

[DFW]

25. No argument there

I don't see any reason for supporters of either one to feel threatened.

Nobody in their right mind has any illusions as to what either one of them is out to accomplish.

[JaneyVee]

33. Yup.

[youceyec]

15. HC

Will not go after bs tooth and nail unless he forces her hand. It's up to him.

[cali]

19. lol. what is she going to go after Bernie for?

Being a big bad "Socialist"? Too liberal? Too hard on corporations and the 1%? His voting record?

[smokey nj]

22. Right now the only weapon in their quiver is his party

affiliation and they've already beaten that poor horse to death.

[stillwaiting]

23. And they might want to rethink that strategy because A LOT of Americans are sick of both parties.

That strategy could heavily increase support for Sanders. It's basically an ad that would resonate with a lot of Americans.

"Sanders isn't a DEMOCRAT!"

America: "Tell me more, tell me more like does he have a car?"

[Katashi_itto]

17. I will be voting for Bernie regardless.

[Agschmid]

42. Waffles.

[Katashi_itto]

49. If Hillary is the Nominee. Yes Waffles.

[KittyWampus]

18. The Irony- IT BURNS! Many DU'ers Have Been Attacking Hillary

relentlessly. And often for the stupidest crap. It's almost too perfectly ironic.

[Evergreen Emerald]

27. My thoughts exactly!

I had to just laugh at the irony.

[AuntPatsy]

36. My thoughts as well

[Katashi_itto]

50. :)

[Adrahil]

21. My only complaint about Bernie is that he can't win.

But i welcome him in the campaign and wish him the best of luck.

I haven't seen this outpouring of attacks on Bernie, though.

[JaneyVee]

26. HOLY PROJECTION!!!! THE OPPOSITE IS THE TRUTH.

I get it, people write these op's solely for the recs, not for the truth.

[leftofcool]

28. Ineffective like the attacks on Hillary?

[JoePhilly]

29. That strategy is so ineffective ... that no one is using it.

I keep checking the greatest page, GD, Latest Threads, and Politics 2015 for an OP attacking Barnie and his supporters, but I don't see any.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

31. Please provide me with a list ...

Thank you in advance.

I refuse to attack any main stream Democrat and have been pretty good about it.


DemocratSinceBirth

[Starry Messenger]

32. I've only seen one person say anything referring to Nader

wrt to Saunders. It was silly, but this is not a widespread problem. I like Bernie just fine.

That sad feeling you got at reading something negative is what Hillary supporters got to feel all week she announced.

And PUMA? The only people I've seen vow they won't vote for a President are people who aren't Hillary supporters.

[Agschmid]

41. This...

[Orsino]

34. Yep. Attack Sen. Sanders' positions, and you are supporting something different.

I don't want something dfrerent.

Show me instead how your favorite candidate would do better, or even as good.

[Thinkingabout]

37. As a Hillary supporter I am not threatened by Bernie running, I think Bernie supporters are

threatened by Hillary running. Looking forward to the primaries to get started, I don't think we will have the Clown Car show of the GOP. Let the chips fall where they may.

[Andy823]

38. Can you at least

Give us some links to those attacks here on DU by anyone trashing Bernie. I keep hearing about them but haven't found one yet,

[jwirr]

39. I think a good example of this kind of situation is the Obama attack on Elizabeth Warren. A lot of

us who are against TPP were very angry at him for a personal attack. I try to remember that Hillary may be the candidate I have to support in the general even though I do not want her to be. I think Bernie can win on his stand on the issues. I will not trash her for that reason.

[Agschmid]

40. If you can't handle the heat...

[boston bean]

43. Oh, so Hillary Rodham Clinton is the only one allowed to be attacked? hahaha

funny how when the shoe goes on the other foot, eh?

Don't worry, I won't be attacking him... but I also don't think he has a snowballs chance in hell of winning a general election... But I do like him and if he were the nominee I would cast a vote for him.

[Maedhros]

53. I don't think it's an issue of "allowing" Sanders to be attacked,

but that attacking his stance on the issues is a losing proposition - because it sets the attacker on the other side of those issues, which are core Democratic principles.

[OilemFirchen]

62. Really?

No one can disagree with Sanders on any issue?

That's interesting.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

45. The Most Ineffective Strategy To Elect Hillary? Attack ANY Democrat, especially President Obama!

Black folk will stay home!

And I don't give a fuck what anyone says:

The Democratic Party *STILL* needs black voters to win anything. It doesn't matter how much the party dismisses us, derides us, degrades us. Democrats STILL need us!

And we love Bernie Sanders, too! And Elizabeth Warren.

But most of all--we love President Obama.

Hillary should not attack ANY Democrat. It's o.k. to have disagreements on policy and to voice those disagreements with tact.

[Capt. Obvious]

46. Not a single HRC supporter is attacking Bernie

They're just laughing at him and belittling his supporters.

It's a much more effective strategy.

[Fumesucker]

48. Yep, and almost as much fun as swimming in the money bin

[VanillaRhapsody]

51. and you know this how?

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/2016_democratic_presidential_nomination-3824.html

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

52. HRC Supporters are going to criticize Bernie, rightfully so, on legitimate differences the same

way HRC and Obama folks did in 2008.

Not sure what the issues they will do this on are right now but this is legitimate.

I will criticize both, probably.

And Bernie supporters will criticize Hillary, and they should.

But that is the game

[Beacool]

54. Ahhh, the hypocrisy of the Left.

The vast majority of Hillary posts on this site are negative ones. The attacks are constant and sometimes not even about politics.

So Sanders should be untouchable because he's the Progressives' darling, but it's OK to trash Hillary 24/7?

I personally have no issue with Sanders running. Although, I think that he has as much chance of becoming president as I do.

[wyldwolf]

58. Here's a quote for you from WAAAY back during DU's first primary battle

"My own feeling is that the only real Democrats are those who will support the party's eventual nominee, end of story. There is an awfully distressing tendency among a minority of Dean supporters to serve up no end of lacerating comments about other candidates and then to react with a sort of stunned and outraged shock when anyone criticizes their guy."

~Josh Marshal

Replace 'Dean' with Warren/Sanders/O'Malley...

[Beacool]

63. Good quote and quite apropos.

Thanks.

[cherokeeprogressive]

56. I'm wondering if Bernie will pull enough primary votes away from Hillary to allow O'Malley to win...

We could be looking at O'Malley/Sanders bumper stickers sometime soon.

[Thor_MN]

57. The Warren and Sanders crowds were perfectly fine with using Right Wing attacks

Personally, I'd prefer not seeing bat shit Right Wing attacks here, but the "Ready for Someone Else" crowds were all for using RW attacks.

[seabeyond]

59. further, i am seeing some pump up this faux outrage accusing clinton supporters of stuff and

stating that the need to be mean. cause sometimes, it is important to be mean.

this.... has been really interesting this afternoon watching this to develop.

and i am a sanders supporter.

[Thor_MN]

61. I'm not even sure what that means.

It's certainly not Bachmann quality, but it is "word salad" like.

The sentence fragment at the end is fairly clear, the rest sounds like the tail end of happy hour, or a misplaced post.

[BainsBane]

60. Maybe they figured turn about is fair play?

And they'd give back a tiny bit of what they've faced over the past several months? Perhaps you all should have thought of that before posting thousands of thread attacking Clinton and insulting her supporters as allied with Goldman Sachs and the 1%?



I wonder if you all have any awareness of how hypocritical this complaint sounds after all that, or if you truly believe yourselves superior to members of the site who have the audacity to fail to despise another presidential candidate on command?

Unjust attacks and lies on Senator Sanders will do NOTHING but encourage those who MIGHT consider voting for Hillary Clinton, if Bernie Sanders cannot win or secure the Democratic Nomination to -- JUST STAY HOME. Or worst, skip right pass the ballot where voting for President is a option.

In other words, don't treat us like we've treated you, or we will take our ball and go home.

You know, I'm ideologically disposed to favoring Sanders, but the sense of entitlement of his supporters on this site and the notion that they should be treated with kid gloves while doing everything they complain about in others is a major turn off. If I judged Sanders by his supporters on DU, I would never be able to vote for him. I am going to have to block all of you out of my consciousness to make a reasoned decision about whom to caucus for, and that is easier said than done. If you all behave in real life as you have on this site, you will only hurt his campaign.