Slate: "Bernie Blew It"

[SunSeeker]

Sanders wasn’t going to be the Democratic nominee, but he still held a good amount of leverage in the form of his voters. After a tough primary, they were hesitant to back Clinton, a fact apparent in the polls. Clinton stood ahead of Donald Trump, but not by much: Her lead was weakened by the party’s unbridged divisions. By holding off on a concession and an endorsement, the Vermont senator was keeping this leverage in reserve ahead of the Democratic National Convention. It made sense.

Still, it was a risky move. Whatever influence or leverage Sanders had was tied to his voters. As long as they stuck with him—and didn’t move to Clinton—he could make demands and win concessions on items like the Democratic Party’s platform, a key object of his rhetoric over the past month. But if his voters moved without his endorsement, either pushed by fear of Trump or support from other Democrats, then the value of his support would fall accordingly.

Which is what happened. In his nonconcession speech, Sanders told supporters their “major political task” was to “make certain that Donald Trump is defeated and defeated badly.” It turns out that was the message that landed.

In the most recent poll from ABC News and the Washington Post, Clinton leads Trump 51 percent to 39 percent, expanding her previous lead by 5 points, as Trump has seen a complete collapse in his support. And what’s driving the move toward Clinton? Democrats and independents who supported Bernie Sanders. In May, 20 percent of Sanders supporters said they would back Trump over Clinton in the general election. In June, that number is down to 8 percent. Overall, 81 percent of Sanders backers have rallied to Clinton, surpassing the 74 percent of Clinton supporters in 2008 who fell in behind Barack Obama. By any measure, the Democratic Party is unified.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2016/06/bernie_sanders_blew_it.html

[Cha]

1. OH YEAH!

Mahalo, SunSeeker~

[Jitter65]

2. Yes he did! nt

[SunSeeker]

3. Great picture!

Thanks, Cha!

[Cha]

4. Her Sister posted that

for me!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1107171459

You're,

[beachbum bob]

5. I think sanders inability to bow out gracefully will be remembered more than his

so called "revolution"....he could have been on stage with hillary in Cincinnati.....instead he chooses to fade into nothingness....

[KitSileya]

6. I agree. Depending on the GE, he'll become a laughingstock or a whipping boy.

If Clinton wins, people will think him ridiculous. A grown man refusing to accept he was beaten by a woman is laughable. - and contemptible. If Trump wins (God forbid), he'll get much of the blame. He'll be compared to Clinton'08, and his pettiness will not do him any favors.

[Haveadream]

7. K&R!

[Walk away]

8. Poor Bernie

[LiberalFighter]

9. Sanders didn't really have experience with campaigns.

His experience was limited to Vermont that involved a small state and more importantly very little competition. Also, guided by advisors that had no experience or involved in failed national campaigns. The experience he gained from this campaign will be lost because he will not be a national candidate in 2020 or after.

[Politicub]

10. It's what happens when you believe your own hype

Bernie only had bare majorities in caucus states. While he could draw a crowd, it wasn't enough to win the nomination.

I am grateful he introduced some important topics into the national dialogue. And I agree with this article that he held out too long on conceding. But that's armchair quarterbacking. Who really knows. He could have conceded after Calif. and still fizzled out.