From Steven Rosenfeld / AlterNet June 8, 2016

[CaliforniaPeggy]

Sanders Supporters Need to Grieve, But Have Achieved Much and Still Have Big Role in Philly

A longtime party activist says reach out, show respect and continue.


As anybody who has suffered a loss knows, there needs to be a grieving and healing process before moving on.

This certainly applies to Bernie Sanders supporters. Despite Sanders' pledge Tuesday night to press on to next week’s final 2016 primary in Washington DC, the national progressive movement that formed around him is now feeling a different kind of burn. Hillary Clinton clinched the nomination, with more votes, more pledged delegates and more superdelegates willing to ratify popular vote results from their states than Sanders. Ouch.

Although Clinton is the nominee, that doesn't mean Sanders has no significant role to play at the Democratic National Convention or after, longtime Democrats say. They point out that this is especially true considering his supporters, as Sanders has said many times, skew young and represent the party's and the country’s future.

“I understand the political grieving process,” said Deb Kozikowski, Massachusetts Democratic Party vice chair, who has been a vocal critic of the Democratic National Committee, including chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. “The thing to do is to find your way to get through and don’t lose your desire for making things better… I know the feeling. Keep in mind, [1988 Democratic nominee] Michael Dukakis was my friend… If you don’t think that hurt, I was devastated… You find something that gets you through the grieving process.”

Kozikowski and other party insiders contacted Wednesday said there is plenty for the Clinton and Sanders teams to be doing, even if the Clinton team is ebullient and Sanders team disconsolate. She tellingly added, “I don’t think the party is reaching out in any appropriate way at the state or national level. I’m not sure they know how. The bottom line is respect. The bottom line is appreciation for their interest in politics. They are not jaded old political hacks. They are disheartened now. Give a little space. Be kind.”

All of it at the link: http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/sanders-supporters-need-grieve-have-achieved-much-and-still-have-big-role-philly

[djean111]

1. I am not "grieving". More like disgusted.

All of these screeds and homilies seem to assume that the candidates were so similar that all of Bernie's supporters just need to haz a sad, and then will cheerfully chuck out all of their principles about the issues and jump on board.

All the kindness in the universe cannot induce me to support war and fracking and the TPP (no matter what HRC says at any point in time) and no to single payer and crushing student debt and less Wall Street regulations and cluster bombs and increased H-1B visas and enthusiastic bloody regime changes and interventions and means-testing Social Security instead of lifting the cap. This is not a personality-driven thing.

[840high]

3. 100%.

[RobertEarl]

6. Write on, DJean

It does seem for some, this is just a game. Guess if you have power, standing and money, the rest of the world is a mere playground?

Then there are those of us who know life is not a joke. We see, feel and taste the woes of the voiceless, powerless and beaten down, who are asking for justice and a piece of the pie.

Bernie is not playing around. Bernie is a voice, loud and clear, for the voiceless. His not smashing the establishment is a major problem for so, so many, that would have benefited greatly from him having a higher office.

Well, it has ever been thus. The royals have feasted off the lives of so many for so long, they feel nothing for the 99%. Our efforts continue, and maybe one day we do overcome big and really begin to see the changes.

[pangaia]

2. What is this over and over, Sanders supporters

need to get through their grieving. GRIEVING !

Whaaaa is that?
I mean, if I had lost a child, I would be grieving.


"We" lost a primary election, (probably) for Pete's sake...

[djean111]

4. It is condescending twaddle.

And it does not really "fit" the current situation. That's why it rings so oddly false.

[pangaia]

5. Bernie actually won.

But 'some' do not understand that because they do not know that has been fighting a different battle.