Bernie Sanders: TPP and Standing Rock victories show path to beating Trump

[portlander23]

Bernie Sanders: TPP and Standing Rock victories show path to beating Trump
David Weigel
Washington Post

Bernie Sanders, who rallied against the Dakota Access Pipeline in front of the White House, is declaring victory after the Army Corps of Engineers denied the permit that would allow the project to be built on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's land. In a statement, he twinned the pipeline victory with the quiet death of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, saying that both victories proved that progressives can win if they organize.

“In defeating the TPP trade agreement, we had to take on corporate America, the pharmaceutical industry, a majority of Congress and the president of the United States,” Sanders said Monday afternoon. “We won because we stood strong, were smart in our tactics and fought for what the American people wanted. In defeating the Dakota Access Pipeline, we had to take on the entire fossil fuel industry and, once again, a majority of Congress. When faced with a strong grass-roots movement, led by the Native American community and environmentalists all across the country, President Obama did the right thing — and deserves credit for it.”

Sanders, who last month became the leader of outreach for Senate Democrats, had previously run ahead of the party on both issues. While campaigning for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, he told protesters that he wanted to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline — even though the Democratic nominee remained neutral. He opposed TPP when the Obama administration worked to pass it, and played a role in turning Clinton against it.

“These are lessons that must not be lost as we enter the Trump era,” Sanders said in Monday's statement. “Whether the issues are economic justice, climate change, women's rights, immigration reform, health care, education, campaign finance reform, criminal justice reform and many other struggles, when we stand together we can accomplish great victories. This is not a time for despair. It is a time for being smart and going forward in building a strong and victorious grass-roots movement.”

[FarCenter]

1. Except that Bernie's efforts had nothing to do with defeating TPP -- he lost.

[Generator]

2. U know what?

I'd take 400 hundred thousand TPP's to never hear Donald Trump's name again. Sanders one issue dude that achieved squat. Meanwhile the Nazi's are taking over. No health care no abortion no Gay rights no education no science. UGH I really never want to hear about that fucking TPP again. I am very pleased about Standing Rock though.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

3. Bernie is all we got right now... he's leading the opposition to the Nazi-Elect! Please show Bernie some respect.