Congressman Alan Grayson Endorses Bernie Sanders After Online Poll

[Omaha Steve]

Source: buzzfeed

Nathan McDermott

Rep. Alan Grayson of Florida told BuzzFeed News in an interview on Monday that he will endorse Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

Grayson, who is also a superdelegate, decided his endorsement after asking his supporters to take part in an online poll to determine who he should support. The results were overwhelmingly in favor of Sanders, who received 84% of the 376,000 votes cast.

“We deliberately structured this so people could not only vote and but also gave their reasons,” Grayson said. “The overarching theme of the comments was that the country is in desperate need of a revolution to combat inequality, and only Bernie Sanders is attempting a revolution that is likely to succeed. He is the only candidate giving voice to the deep anxiety people feel about the economy and widening income inequality.”

Grayson described the results as an “earthquake” and pointed out that more people voted in the poll than in South Carolina’s primary on Saturday, and more than voted in New Hampshire and Nevada combined.

FULL story at link.

Read more: http://www.buzzfeed.com/natemcdermott/congressman-alan-grayson-endorses-bernie-sanders-after-onlin#.lydYJk0AO

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Donate to DU for Grayson for US Senate here: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/duforgrayson

Donate to DU for Bernie at Act Blue here: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/duforbernie

[frazzled]

1. Not exactly the endorsement anyone would want

A multimillionaire hedge-fund manager who is currently under investigation.

[Omaha Steve]

3. A Wellstone Staffer on Why the Attacks on Alan Grayson Are to Be Questioned

Funny the Hillary DUers didn't bring this up when they thought he endorsed her in several posts last year.

And Hillary has an email problem under investigation. Guess that means she won't get your vote.

OS

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/roger-wolfson/attacks-on-alan-grayson-are-to-be-questioned_b_9224300.html

02/13/2016 11:19 am ET | Updated Feb 13, 2016

Roger Wolfson

It seems hard to believe, now - but four years ago progressives (such as myself, in two Huff Post articles) were standing up for Elizabeth Warren, whose Senate campaign was threatened by a fallacious "scandal" about her heritage. Warren withstood the attacks against her, and went on to become the heart and soul of her party, the best fundraiser, advocate, and leader of progressive issues we've known in decades.

So it saddens me that progressives now have to put pen to paper to defend Alan Grayson; a man who, in the last Congress, has not only proved himself the most effective Liberal in the House - having passed more legislation promoting progressive causes than anyone else - but the most effective Congressman, period, having passed more legislation than any member of Congress from either party.

Today, he's leading the pack to become the next Senator from Florida. Progressives of course should be celebrating, because of the key position he could serve in the largest swing state in the nation; but Florida should celebrate as well: the single most effective Congressman is now running to replace a Senator without notable accomplishments, Marco Rubio.

That's why it broke my heart to read the article in Thursday's New York Times, claiming Grayson lives "A Double Life," as Congressman and Hedge Fund Manager. The article, to me, reads more like an opinion piece than journalism. It drips with the kind of innuendo that makes for terrific attack ads, noting that the hedge fund used to have operations "in the Cayman Islands," referencing Grayson's "highly unusual dual role," and suggesting that Grayson "scuttled a plan" to highlight a proposal for larger increases in Social Security Benefits because Grayson turned his attention instead to his Fund.

FULL story at link.

[Amimnoch]

17. We're not the ones that normally display outrage at support period.

If it wasn't for the fact that his endorsement is a matter of hypocrisy for the campaign, it wouldn't be an issue at all.

I can say pretty unequivocally that we'd take the endorsement gladly. Then again, our side isn't the one that places all kinds of self imposed restrictions on who does / doesn't support us.

IMO he's a good endorsement. And good for the Senator for having him.

[DhhD]

30. Superdelegates have a responsible to their constituents not the voters. Voters can leave a box

empty on Nov 2016 ballot. It is a form of getting primaried that will become very important by 2018 and for sure by 2020. For instance, a President that leaves his/her campaign promises on the Convention side of the
General Election date. What would have happened to Social Security in 2015 if the Republicans would have agreed to help President Obama in 2014 with the Chain? They too would be getting primaried over messing with the Peoples Trust Fund.

We have another New Democrat running for the office of the President in this, Nov 2016 General Election. Superdelegates are responsible for and - to - their constituents.

[MgtPA]

5. Yeah, seems more like a Hillary fit.

[ALBliberal]

34. Rather Grayson than a lobbyist superdelegate vote. Doubt Bernie gets those nt

[shawn703]

6. Well, Clinton has Rep. Meeks

If we're talking about endorsements candidates probably shouldn't want:

http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/mostcorrupt/entry/gregory-meeks

[frazzled]

8. But nobody's touting it in multiple threads

That's all I'm saying. Look, there's 435 Representatives, and candidates don't have the ability to say "you can't endorse me." I'm not condemning Sanders or Clinton for any endorsements that come from anyone, whether an elected official, a Hollywood actor, a musician, or anyone else. But I wouldn't go around cheering the ones that are not so advantageous to your campaign on the national level. I suppose an endorsement from Grayson will bring in some votes from his own supporters in his Florida district. So it's important in that sense.

[Freddie Stubbs]

16. Meeks represents a much smaller percentage of Hillary's congressional support compared to Grayson

and Sanders.

[silvershadow]

9. Oooh. Thanks for the reminder! I off to donate to Grayson again! nt

[senz]

11. Well that sounds like Hillary and her family.

Her son-in-law is a hedge fund manager and she herself is under several investigations.

[Shadowflash]

19. Haha!

Minus the hedge-fund manager part, we are supposed to get in line and vote somebody similar in as president.

[Duval]

2. We took the poll! Have always supported Grayson.

Thank you, OS! I didn't know the results before your post.

[Faux pas]

7. Kickin'

[Corey_Baker08]

10. This Was Scam Poll To Draw Democrats To His Site As A Fundraising Effort...

He Has Sent Out A Variety Of Emails To His Supporters Over The Past Few Months Indicating He Was A Staunch Supporter Of Bernie Sanders.

Then He Came Up With This Scam Spread Around Social Media & To Democrats To Come To His Website & Vote Whether You Support Bernie Sanders Or Hillary Clinton, Vowing To Award His Superdelegate To Whoever Gets The Most Votes.

Conveniently After Voting You Were Automatically ReDirected To A Page Soliciting Donations.

The Whole Thing Was A Scam From The Beginning...

[Omaha Steve]

13. "he will endorse Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders"

Bottom line. His quote!

OS

[INdemo]

18. He endorsed Hillary about three weeks ago (see link)

You will get about 3 or more emails per day asking you to contribute.
He endorsed Hillary(link below) about three weeks ago. Look under the Rep. Fla. heading on the list


This is a ploy to get contributions and if you even give a $1 he will harass the hell out of you and when you unsubscribe you will get a really nasty email asking why.

http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/238912-2016-hillary-endorsement-list

I just dont trust a guy that endorses one candidate and then a few weeks later endorses the opposing candidate

[Omaha Steve]

20. Thom Hartman in LBN on Grayson didn't endorse Hillary back in December

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017315714

[INdemo]

23. Check out the link I provided,he is on the list

[Omaha Steve]

26. So was Bob Kerry

She sent out a letter in Nebraska with his name he didn't approve. Padding her list.

[INdemo]

29. Ok then ...so she just goes to the Senate members list

and lists all Democratic Senators and the the same for Congressman..Too bad she dont list all of her heavy hitters from Wall St

[DhhD]

31. They have the right to vote for whom ever they choose at the convention. They have the right to

endorse and withdraw that endorsement. Ask him to clarify.

[Corey_Baker08]

21. In Reference To The Poll He Vowed To Award His Superdelegate To The Winner...

Of Course An Endorsement Would Go Along With That But In Emails He Sent Before The Voting Ended It Was Clear He Already Had His Mind Made Up.

I Really Don't Care For Him So His Endorsement Doesn't Bother Me. What Bothers Me Is The Out Right Scam He Used On Democrats Voting In His Poll.

I Expect That Kind Of Malicious Activity From Republicans, Not A Democrat Running For US Senate.

[DhhD]

33. He has many flip-flopping constituents in his District. He listens every time they flop.

[AllyCat]

24. Not a scam. Every politician from Feingold to Clinton does this

If you answer their poll or sign a petition, you are on their list.

[senz]

12. Grayson always stands up to the crooked establishment.

He is courageous and holds deeply Democratic values.

[Freddie Stubbs]

14. He courageously stands up to gold diggers

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/05/alan-grayson-lolita-grayson-annulment-battle-118084

[Freddie Stubbs]

15. He courageously stood up to congressional ethics rules to run his Cayman Island hedge fund

http://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2016/02/12/nyt-alan-graysons-hedge-fund-work-sometimes-interfered-with-congressional-duties

[Omaha Steve]

25. Hillary courageously posted he endorsed her

But he didn't.

Hillary sent out an endorsement in Nebraska that Bob Kerry endorsed her, and he didn't either.

What was that about ethics?

[AllyCat]

22. I voted in that poll!

[RussBLib]

27. Grayson would be a tremendous asset in the Senate

and replacing Rubio, a bonus!

[Kalidurga]

28. I don't really care about the endorsement form Grayson as much as...

315,840 endorsements from the people who voted.

[LiberalLovinLug]

36. + 100

This is where the Hillarians have nothing.

Most of her Superdelegates endorsed her early on, before Sanders even was a factor. Almost as a chore they had to just get over with, after all she was the inevitable One. I'd like to see how the votes would go if every one of them put it to a vote from their constituents today.

[Judi Lynn]

32. So glad to hear the results of his poll. Best wishes to Alan Grayson. n/t

[Cavallo]

35. Thank you, Congressman.

[Jitter65]

37. So, anyone could vote in this poll...even Republicans??

Grayson...really?