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Rose Siding

(32,623 posts)
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 11:19 AM Mar 2016

Traditionally, the losing candidates endorse the party's nominee

Most of what I've seen leads me to believe that will be the case this time around. But take a look at how Sanders' addressed a question about that on TYT yesterday:

Uyger: But! You have convinced them that Hillary Clinton is the establishment candidate. If you were to lose, and the Democratic Party comes to you and says, "Okay, now take this movement, that is full of energy and is against the establishment, and make sure they vote for the establishment candidate," what do you say?

Sanders: Well, you know, what I say— Number One, I'm not big into [air quotes] being a leader. You know, I much prefer to see a lot of leaders, a lot of grassroots activism. Number Two, what we do is together, as a nation, as a growing movement, is we say, "All right, if we don't win"—and, by the way, we are in this thing to win; please understand that—"what is the Democratic establishment gonna do for us?"

Uyger: Oh, that's interesting.

Sanders: All right, for example: Right now, you have a Democratic establishment which has written off half the states in this country, you know that?

Uyger: Mm-hmm.

Sanders: And they've given up on the slate in the South, the Rocky Mountain area—are they gonna create a 50-state party? Are they gonna welcome into the Democratic Party the working class of this country and young people, or is it gonna be a party of the upper middle class and the cocktail crowd and the heavy campaign contributors? Which to a significant degree it is right now. You know, I've talked to Democratic Party leaders and said, "You know what? Instead of going around and raising all kinds of money from wealthy people, why don'tcha meet in some football stadium and bring out fifty, a hundred thousand people; bring the damn Senate in there, Senate Democrats, and start talking to people—ask them what they want you to do. How about that?" Better? Radical? So, in other words, if I can't make it, and we're gonna try as hard as we can 'til the last vote is cast, we wanna completely revitalize the Democratic Party, and make it a party of the people, rather than just one of large campaign contributors.

http://www.shakesville.com/2016/03/this-is-getting-real-old-sanders.html


There's a ton to unpack right there (He's running for leader of the free world but isn't into being a leader?), but I don't see word one about any support for the eventual nominee. Melissa's take down at the link is excellent.

As part of Hillary's "cocktail crowd", I naturally recoil at the notion of governing via stadium mob. Is that really where he plans to take his revolutionaries? He has just folded the significant Democratic majorities that already voted for Hillary Clinton into the opposition to his Movement. Of course, it's all as vague as his plans for an encampment beneath McConnell's window, but there isn't even a whiff of party unity in there. What am I missing?
50 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Traditionally, the losing candidates endorse the party's nominee (Original Post) Rose Siding Mar 2016 OP
Sanders should also go and campaign for Hillary. FarPoint Mar 2016 #1
He's not into being a leader... LisaM Mar 2016 #12
Noticed that too Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Mar 2016 #22
He could make a difference in the future... FarPoint Mar 2016 #23
No, he's setting up an excuse for not endorsing. KitSileya Mar 2016 #2
I think the cheering crowds, rather than a means to an end, Rose Siding Mar 2016 #9
Bingo! Surya Gayatri Mar 2016 #18
Very true, and very sad bellicosecello Mar 2016 #42
He's setting up for a Naderesque run in the general. LuvLoogie Mar 2016 #32
I don't understand him romana Mar 2016 #3
Right? LisaM Mar 2016 #14
You hit that one. LiberalFighter Mar 2016 #44
He seriously confuses Republicans with Democrats. yallerdawg Mar 2016 #4
Thank you jehop61 Mar 2016 #5
This one-on-one interview just brought it home... Surya Gayatri Mar 2016 #19
I suspect you are missing nothing ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2016 #6
Right! LiberalFighter Mar 2016 #45
In my fantasy political world ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2016 #46
Didn't Obama? LiberalFighter Mar 2016 #47
Shhh ... Yes, he did ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2016 #48
"Revitalize the Democratic Party"??? otohara Mar 2016 #7
Self-righteous dilettantes. Basic LA Mar 2016 #8
You nailed many in the 3 words of your title..... Tanuki Mar 2016 #25
I can't stand this man anymore. kjones Mar 2016 #10
You expressed it beautifully. LisaM Mar 2016 #13
What is worse, Bernie or his followers Jamie Mayfield Mar 2016 #16
Well said... Surya Gayatri Mar 2016 #20
Thanks for simplifying bernie's entire life in a aptly worded paragraph misterhighwasted Mar 2016 #26
Stated with perfection. Dawson Leery Mar 2016 #27
"I'm not big into being a leader." johnp3907 Mar 2016 #11
"Number One, I'm not big into being a leader..." Surya Gayatri Mar 2016 #15
It won't work Treant Mar 2016 #17
Early on, people like Michael Moore, Noam Chomsky signaled they will go with the nominee robbedvoter Mar 2016 #24
Bernie is a Quisling! He has no interest in helping the Democratic party. Walk away Mar 2016 #21
I do think Warren will work WITH Hillary. riversedge Mar 2016 #34
Absoutely! She will be part of a powerful team! Walk away Mar 2016 #36
We've givin up on half the states? He's the one who ignored most of the Southern book_worm Mar 2016 #28
I read that and just shook my head!! riversedge Mar 2016 #35
That not being into being a leader is downright scary liberal N proud Mar 2016 #29
I think Sander's ego is getting the better of him.nt sufrommich Mar 2016 #30
He's right. He's not a leader. He's an agitator. Bernie--Party Of One. LuvLoogie Mar 2016 #31
you just gave the perfect conclusion! Her Sister Mar 2016 #37
Nice otohara Mar 2016 #38
I was just going to post your OP.... riversedge Mar 2016 #33
He's "not big into being a leader"? jmowreader Mar 2016 #39
Makes you want to holler! Rose Siding Mar 2016 #40
"Number One, I'm not big into being a leader" DesertRat Mar 2016 #41
Disgusting all the way around SharonClark Mar 2016 #43
Once more: BERNIE'S NOT A DEMOCRAT charlyvi Mar 2016 #49
coup d'etat Her Sister Mar 2016 #50

FarPoint

(12,209 posts)
1. Sanders should also go and campaign for Hillary.
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 11:24 AM
Mar 2016

He is running as a Democrat presently... Needs to show commitment and that he is not just hitching a ride on the Democratic Presidential Primary Bus....

FarPoint

(12,209 posts)
23. He could make a difference in the future...
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 01:12 PM
Mar 2016

If he is currently passionate and sincere.... I would expect him to do nothing less...otherwise, he will be judged harshly by the community in the future.

KitSileya

(4,035 posts)
2. No, he's setting up an excuse for not endorsing.
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 11:26 AM
Mar 2016

And it's a f&%king ironic excuse, that he would prefer many leaders, when he isn't doing a damn shit to help these leaders get elected.

And governing via football stadiums is so disenfranchising huge swathes of the Dems I don't even know where to start. People who work two jobs, single parents, people with health problems, people who don't speak English - check, check, check, check. No wonder Sanders would prefer football stadiums, the only voters who could meet and spend whole days talking there would be his beloved college students. Someone archly asked if one of these football stadiums were in North Carolina - where transgender people can't go to the bathroom during breaks in this "democratic" dream of his.

Rose Siding

(32,623 posts)
9. I think the cheering crowds, rather than a means to an end,
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 11:56 AM
Mar 2016

have become for him the prize he wishes to retain. That he made this specific statement makes me think he's thought of how he can still have that after this election is history.

 

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)
18. Bingo!
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 12:57 PM
Mar 2016
"I think the cheering crowds, rather than a means to an end, have become for him the prize he wishes to retain."


He's rapidly becoming a bad joke.

bellicosecello

(22 posts)
42. Very true, and very sad
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 10:36 PM
Mar 2016

Sen. Sanders will rue his behavior once he has ceased to be the flavor of the moment. I'll be gravely disappointed if he does not do the right thing and endorse Hillary despite his disappointment just as Hillary did for our wonderful current president back in 2008. If he just stomps home to Vermont without being gracious and doing anything to help the party beat those troglodyte imbeciles on the GOP side, there will be a reckoning and it will likely not turn out as Sen. Sanders expects.

LuvLoogie

(6,854 posts)
32. He's setting up for a Naderesque run in the general.
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 02:52 PM
Mar 2016

His plan was to win and decline the nomination. Then run as Independent. That's his MO.

"I will only be your leader if you agree that I am right."

romana

(765 posts)
3. I don't understand him
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 11:26 AM
Mar 2016

He's the one who gave up on the southern states, Obama's coalition, not the Democrat in the race.

LiberalFighter

(50,496 posts)
44. You hit that one.
Fri Mar 25, 2016, 01:00 PM
Mar 2016

For the general election it would be foolhardy to have a true 50 state approach. Unless he wants to help fund the DNC and Clinton's campaign so they can accomplish it that plan would more likely cause defeat. The campaign needs to be effective in their strategy.

Hillary has been raising funds for states to help them for congressional and other campaigns.

yallerdawg

(16,104 posts)
4. He seriously confuses Republicans with Democrats.
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 11:31 AM
Mar 2016

Just fade away, please.

Quite a statement from a politician who just blew off the votes of the first half of 50 states!

jehop61

(1,735 posts)
5. Thank you
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 11:43 AM
Mar 2016

For posting this. With these comments, I am convinced Bernie Sanders is unfit for the presidency. Just what we need, more years of inaction and obstruction in Washington. That's a guarantee with him. At least with Hillary we have some chance of busting deadlock. As for Cenk, meh!

 

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)
19. This one-on-one interview just brought it home...
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 12:58 PM
Mar 2016
"With these comments, I am convinced Bernie Sanders is unfit for the presidency."
 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
6. I suspect you are missing nothing ...
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 11:44 AM
Mar 2016

Last edited Fri Mar 25, 2016, 01:14 PM - Edit history (1)

What happened to the days of, "We fought a valiant fight against a worthy opponent and shined a spotlight on many, many important issues; but, alas, we came up short. Now, is the time to use the momentum we gains to propel the Democratic nominee into the Whitehouse to continue our work. Our voice has been heard and will have effect in the coming administration and the hundreds of down ticket races across this land. Our movement is not going away.

{Then spend the rest of the time, drawing distinctions between the Democratic nominee and the gop opponent}"

But, I guess ... "movement" happened.

LiberalFighter

(50,496 posts)
45. Right!
Fri Mar 25, 2016, 01:07 PM
Mar 2016

There is a time to use a big stick and other times to use a carrot. If he plays it right he could make some of his ideas part of her campaign and pursued once in office.

 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
46. In my fantasy political world ...
Fri Mar 25, 2016, 01:17 PM
Mar 2016

candidates would be free to adopt planks/pieces of their Primaries opponent's platform, that makes sense, into their own campaign ... without everyone yelling, "He/she is stealing our ideas!"

Basic LA

(1,707 posts)
8. Self-righteous dilettantes.
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 11:49 AM
Mar 2016

We'll have to somehow win without him & his followers. They're not into politics; they're into showing each other how above-it-all they are.

Tanuki

(14,893 posts)
25. You nailed many in the 3 words of your title.....
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 02:16 PM
Mar 2016

self-righteous dilettantes. I've never seen so many, all gathered in one place.

kjones

(1,053 posts)
10. I can't stand this man anymore.
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 12:01 PM
Mar 2016

I don't think he's ever given an honest thought about actually
governing. I think he came in expecting nothing except a quick
buck and some publicity. He may or may not believe the shit
he says, but I sure as hell don't believe that's why he ran.

He ran for Bernie.
A self-indulgent pinnacle to an uneventful career.

Every time I have to watch him stammer and beat around
the bush, I'm embarrassed that I used to hold him in such
high regard. I can't even remember why now...

It's a good thing you don't want to be a leader Bernie,
because you'd suck at it...and you won't be.

LisaM

(27,759 posts)
13. You expressed it beautifully.
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 12:17 PM
Mar 2016

Last edited Thu Mar 24, 2016, 01:45 PM - Edit history (1)

I, too, have lost regard for him. Instead of spending his last day in Washington State talking to real people about their issues, he's doing another stadium event the night before the caucus.

Jamie Mayfield

(11 posts)
16. What is worse, Bernie or his followers
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 12:45 PM
Mar 2016

Bernie supporters always harp on and on about Bernie's voting record, which they have to because Bernie has managed to actually get so little done in his long "established" career in Washington. I think Bernie is pretty arrogant and comes across as a white elitist. He would rather get nothing accomplished so he can have the high ground later. His followers are following suit when they say they will not vote Hillary. This is the same actions and mind sets of the republican party. If they don't get their way then they block it or do nothing at all. And we all have seen how well that works out.

Also, Bernie has never given a specific answer to anything except for why he protects the NRA. His supporters follow him on that too. They just say that Hillary supporters have been lied to by the media and act like we know nothing about politics. In the mean time, all the media has done is torn Hillary down, and she still has a huge following because Hillary supporters, unlike Bernie Bros, don't fall victim to political slander as easy.

I don't know if I have started to hate Bernie because of Bernie, or because his followers are like a delusional cult of angry, entailed, white college students. My tolerance and my ability to not engage in conflict with Bernie supporters is wearing thin. I use this forum as a place to vent and see other Clinton supporters. I think Clinton supporters don't voice their support as often because the Bernie boys will spew so much hate and sexism your way that you want to never go online again. I have had more negative responses from Bernie supporters online than from republicans. Something is wrong when I get more respect from republicans than my fellow "democrats."

misterhighwasted

(9,148 posts)
26. Thanks for simplifying bernie's entire life in a aptly worded paragraph
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 02:21 PM
Mar 2016

He no longer has any credibility.

Dawson Leery

(19,348 posts)
27. Stated with perfection.
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 02:35 PM
Mar 2016

BS Bernie can never take a solid stance when it comes to governing. Presidents do that you know.

 

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)
15. "Number One, I'm not big into being a leader..."
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 12:39 PM
Mar 2016

Wow, I can't believe he went so far to "unmask" the real Sanders.

"...why don'tcha meet in some football stadium and bring out fifty, a hundred thousand people; bring the damn Senate in there, Senate Democrats, and start talking to people."


Jeezus, no wonder he says he's no leader. Talk about a plan for mass chaos. So, this is the way to govern?

In the beginning, I felt that entrusting the nation to the Bern could be an option. No longer.

This BS pandering to the rabble is an alarming wake-up call.

He's obviously been seduced by his own populist rhetoric.



Treant

(1,968 posts)
17. It won't work
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 12:49 PM
Mar 2016

Refusing to endorse Clinton will cost him the support of anybody who's not strongly Sanders specifically for revolutionary purposes. Everybody else will find their respect for him severely eroded.

The end result is that he'll look cranky, ineffective, and bitter. I'm firmly convinced that somebody's going to point that out to him.

robbedvoter

(28,290 posts)
24. Early on, people like Michael Moore, Noam Chomsky signaled they will go with the nominee
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 02:10 PM
Mar 2016

of course, I recall BS himself saying a while ago "I will not be responsible for the 🐘 taking power" or something to that effect, But that was BEFORE all that sweet, sweet 🐀🔩💰 came in, and especially the media adulation. That's a powerful drug. So, in the end "Establishment" will take over the Universe, while BS will be cornered with a few shrill devotees, electorally insignificant. They'll get undue media attention, but look increasingly pathetic.

Walk away

(9,494 posts)
21. Bernie is a Quisling! He has no interest in helping the Democratic party.
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 01:07 PM
Mar 2016

I wouldn't hold my breath. However, Elizabeth Warren will give Hillary a great endorsement!

liberal N proud

(60,300 posts)
29. That not being into being a leader is downright scary
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 02:44 PM
Mar 2016

Not being into a leader but the BSers all see him as their savior and leader.

They guy just doesn't cut it to be President.

I have to bookmark this thread just for the link to that interview, so revealing.

LuvLoogie

(6,854 posts)
31. He's right. He's not a leader. He's an agitator. Bernie--Party Of One.
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 02:48 PM
Mar 2016

I've made three $20 contributions to Hillary, and Miller High Life is my after work beer. Bernie is still in college.

 

Her Sister

(6,444 posts)
37. you just gave the perfect conclusion!
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 03:29 PM
Mar 2016

BS stll n cllge!!

Viva la rallies!!!


```````````````````
STILL WITH HER!
TRUST ONLY HER!!!

riversedge

(69,718 posts)
33. I was just going to post your OP....
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 03:12 PM
Mar 2016



I think it is very unprofessional of Sanders to dismiss Hillary like he did. They were yuking it up. Shame on them for their rudeness.




http://www.shakesville.com/2016/03/this-is-getting-real-old-sanders.html

This Is Getting Real Old, Sanders
Posted by Melissa McEwan at Thursday, March 24, 2016



Yesterday, Bernie Sanders sat down for an interview with The Young Turks, and once again proved my point that he's running against the Democrats as a Democrat. Following are just two clips from the interview; more are available here.

First up, Sanders responds to a question about whether he'd put Hillary Clinton in his cabinet:


Interviewer Cenk Uygur: If you win, is Hillary Clinton liberal enough to be in your cabinet?

Senator Bernie Sanders: Oh stop. Stop getting me in trouble here! [Uyger laughs] There are other people that I would probably go to before Hillary—people like Elizabeth Warren, for example.

What I love (ahem) about this response is how it functions as two jabs in one: One at Clinton for not being good enough for his cabinet, and one at Obama for thinking she was good enough to serve in his cabinet.

Next up, Sanders responds to a question about whether Sanders will ask his supporters to support Hillary Clinton if she's the nominee:


Uygur: Now, a lot of people in the—in the movement have decided that you are their leader, partly because you're running for president, but, you know, you look at some recent polls of millennials, ah, they have you as by far the most popular politician, but they actually have you as more popular as a person they'd like to meet above Beyoncé, okay? [Sanders belly-laughs] Now that's a hell of a thing, right?

Sanders: Yes!
..........................

jmowreader

(50,451 posts)
39. He's "not big into being a leader"?
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 08:53 PM
Mar 2016

THEN WHY IN FUCK IS HE RUNNING FOR THE JOB OF LEADER OF THE FREE FUCKING WORLD?

Rose Siding

(32,623 posts)
40. Makes you want to holler!
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 09:11 PM
Mar 2016

Me too, til I return to that image of US Senators being tossed into an arena filled with angry Sanders supporters.

Then I'm just...

DesertRat

(27,995 posts)
41. "Number One, I'm not big into being a leader"
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 09:15 PM
Mar 2016

That jumped out at me. Wow, does he understand the job he is campaigning for?

Also, I've noticed that at his rallies, his supporters BOO whenever Clinton is mentioned, and Bernie says nothing in response. That is concerning to me.

SharonClark

(10,005 posts)
43. Disgusting all the way around
Thu Mar 24, 2016, 10:37 PM
Mar 2016

The loaded TYT questions and Bernie's responses, just good old boys chatting away and dissing the Democratic Party.

charlyvi

(6,537 posts)
49. Once more: BERNIE'S NOT A DEMOCRAT
Fri Mar 25, 2016, 04:06 PM
Mar 2016

So why should he endorse a candidate from a party of which he is not a member. Thanks for the donor list and the party apparatus, Dems, but now I'm outta here!

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