Why Black Voters Are the Most Rational Voters of 2016

[YoungDemCA]

Contrary to some nimble-minded pop-culture notions that either we’re not politically sharp or we don’t care about elections or we just vote for people who look like us, black voters (for the most part) are a rather strategically sound bunch. But that’s because the stakes are always ever so high for us. There’s little margin for error, little wiggle room when the wrong people are put in power. When election outcomes go south—or, in our case, symbolically Deep South—we can’t accept it because we’re so busy mentally preparing to pull our political rip cords on a proverbial parachute.

We’re not simply jumping out of a crashing national plane, so to speak (because where else can we go, considering our statistical lack of social mobility, anyway?). Yet we do suddenly find ourselves escalating communitywide survival mode.

White commentators, prognosticators and comedians may yuk it up daily and hurl jokes at orange-faced billionaire Trump, but none of that is changing the 52 percent of white voters supporting him in this Public Policy Poll (pdf)—or how Forbes’ Jeffrey Pfeffer pegged it way back last summer: “Narcissism, not modesty, and self-confident, even overconfident, self-presentation lead to leadership roles.”

All because most white Americans—through dominant social, political and economic norms—still maintain the privilege of shredding up institutions and starting from scratch when the mood strikes. Sure, many may get nervous when visualizing “President Trump.” But that doesn’t stop 30 percent of white Democratic Sanders supporters in this McClatchy-Marist poll from saying that they won’t support Hillary Clinton in the general election. For them, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. You shouldn’t be surprised, then, when Megyn Kelly softball-interviews Trump or when Operation Humanize Trump proceeds at full media speed.

Nonwhite voters, on the other hand—particularly black voters—have a better, more practical sense than that ... given expertise with dark tunnels, broken promises and lots of busted streetlights. We’ve actually been in this episode before. There’s nothing really funny about Trump’s political rise, nothing really reassuring about it. And so, even when 35 percent of African-American voters (in that same McClatchy survey) might say they’d like to see a Sanders nomination, only 18 percent of “nonwhite” voters opt out of voting for Clinton. In the latest YouGov poll (pdf), you also catch that disparity in common sense between insane white voters and largely rational black voters: A near 40 percent of whites believe that Sanders shouldn’t help Clinton win the general at all, compared with a combined 63 percent of African Americans who are like, “Really, son?”

http://www.theroot.com/articles/politics/2016/05/why_black_voters_are_the_most_rational_voters_of_2016.html

[BlueMTexpat]

1. A hearty and enthusiastic

K&R from this 70+ white grandmother!

[Bad Dog]

2. I think Black Americans have a far better bullshit detector

than their white countrymen.

[rusty quoin]

65. Yeah. It's the same way I thought in 2012.

The majority of white voters were for Romney. BTW I'm a older white guy, who looked like, and still does, a tea party Republican.

The white majority has no political common sense, because they have not gone through the stress and experience that black people have. Not since we came out of the Great Depression and had decades of white greatness, has such a burden been placed on the middle white class.

It's now back to blaming scapegoats and other things. If you want to be honest, I think the majority of white Americans think that white is better than brown, and especially darker than that. After all, the majority of white Americans went for uber rich guy Romney.

[Bad Dog]

70. I'm not American, I'm English.

And some white Americans I've met on holiday will believe any old bollocks. I've spun some real yarns that have been believed, no other race or nationality would give them the time of day. What started off as a bit of a laugh became something of a social experiment and I wondered how ridiculous my stories would have to be before I was called out on my bullshit. With some, I never found out. That wasn't the case with Black Americans, they knew bullshit when they heard it.

No Black American has ever asked me if I know Bill from Loughborough or Sid from Doncaster. They've never assumed that I would know all the other 65million + people who live in the UK, because it's a ridiculous notion.

[Coolest Ranger]

3. This is why so many of us

have been made fun of, targeted by people who don't support us, silenced through ridiculous hides, told to sit down and shut up, told that our voice doesn't matter, told by some folks to sit our behinds home every election cycle. We have power, we have common sense and we use it.

We may not be as loud as everyone else we show our stuff through our actions

[Number23]

6. Tell them, Coolest Ranger. TELL THEM

We have power, we have common sense and we use it.

And the ignorant masses have had to deal with it firsthand this primary and will hopefully deal with it again in November. We Have POWER. And hopefully we now know it and understand it. And we are not going to be insulted and shamed back into the powerless state we've been in for centuries and anyone that wants us to can fuck off in the most imaginative ways possible.

[Surya Gayatri]

4. Enormous K & R. Thanks for posting.

[Number23]

5. Most black folks don't even HAVE a damn parachute to save our asses if things go too badly

And I really, really love this article and the fact that it OPENLY and loudly acknowledges that it is white people supporting Trump.

So these white "liberals" that keep screaming that black people are low information voters, that the South shouldn't count, that we have "slave mentalities" and "Stockholm Syndrome" need to worry about their own community, families and neighbors before they worry about us.

insane white voters and largely rational black voters

For me, this point has been the huge takeaway and the issues of this primary in a nutshell.

[Jackie Wilson Said]

7. White people openly supporting Drumpf and other white folks supporting him in a backdoor

manner by refusing to vote if they dont get their way.

Drumpf already admitted his campaign was meant to be a protest campaign (not that he has the first clue what that is) and had no intention of actually winning.

I think he figured if he said the things he said there is NO way America would get close to electing him.

He underestimated the hate, racism and bigotry of many (not all, of course) white Americans.

[Number23]

26. You absolutely nailed it.

He underestimated the hate, racism and bigotry of many (not all, of course) white Americans.

When a man who goes out of his way to be as racist, sexist and bigoted as possible STILL appeals to large swaths of white voters, that gives you a pretty good idea of where America is right now.

[Jackie Wilson Said]

29. Thanks Obama!

Sarcasm aside, I do want to thank him.

It is time all this under the radar racism (a majority of white people, plain and simple) comes to light.

We cant get to the next evolution of our society until this is put to bed.

All the while, climate change is preparing to make a mockery of our squabbles.

[Number23]

32. So much of the anger from the white left and right I think is largely because of Obama.

And for very similar (though PASSIONATELY denied) reasons.

So yeah...thanks Obama.

[zappaman]

117. lol!

I've never seen that before!
Man, I'm gonna miss that guy.

[Number23]

118. Note to zappaman: NEVER bake cookies that are too big to dunk

[fleabiscuit]

97. +1 OK, I'm stealing that too. n/t

[YoungDemCA]

9. White people don't consciously think of themselves as a community - especially white liberals

They have the privilege (yes, privilege) of voting Republican, Democratic, third-party, or not voting at all, and having little to nothing horrible happening to them as a consequence of an election's outcome.

Individualism is for white folk; Black folk don't have the luxury of being individualistic in their political behavior, because white supremacist American society has never treated Black folk as individuals.

Racism is alive and well among both parties - and among all political stripes. As a white person, I have been realizing this more and more. It's long past time for sympathetic whites to speak up and speak out about it.

[Number23]

30. I was already a massive fan of yours

And have just become a bigger one from this post.

Individualism is for white folk; Black folk don't have the luxury of being individualistic in their political behavior, because white supremacist American society has never treated Black folk as individuals.

Racism is alive and well among both parties - and among all political stripes. As a white person, I have been realizing this more and more. It's long past time for sympathetic whites to speak up and speak out about it.

I literally could not agree more with every word of that.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

83. PREACH! It is the very height of white privilege to be able to assert that we'll all let the house

burn down because we didn't get what we want.

The vast majority of black voters cannot think this way.

You're always on point, my friend!

[fleabiscuit]

98. +1

[brush]

56. Yep! We don't fall for the hype, as we've seen it all before.

I ran into a poster just last night who continued to argue with me over several posts that Cornell West was extremely popular in the AA community. He said something to the effect that he was a black intellectual and the other black intellectuals he knew were very proud of West and his writings, and I obviously was not an intellectual.

I responded back, stiffling incredulous laughter, that no, I wasn't a black intellectual and I disgreed with him about West's popularity with the rank and file in the black community. I mention that Michael Eric Dyson and Melissa Harris Perry would also dispute his high regard for West.

Then I told him to "you go you black intellectual you". I got banned from the thread but I couldn't help myself. I mean who goes around saying they're a black intellectual?

In his next response he got dangerously close to the Stockholm Syndrome poster who got banned from DU. He wrote:

(this was his post title — talking about the rank and file in the black community and their disdain for West)

If they weren't so damned ignorant

like most Americans, no matter what color, race, creed, or gender, then he would be (for West).

His works are seminal and the Future of the Race, Race Matters, and the Rich & the Rest of Us should be required reading for every minority kid in America.

Our community has achieved 'equality' with white America. We cling to celebrities, cults of personality, and are frightfully uneducated.

I couldn't believe what I was reading and told him so in my response. I also told him he reminded me of the Stockholm Syndrome guy, and told him again to "go you black intellectual you".

That second time of urging him on must have got to him as I was soon banned from the thread.

I've indeed seen everything now.

[Number23]

57. I think I saw the dude you had that chat with. 15 hides and talks about being a "psychologist"

Lord, lay your hands down on that man's clients because I shudder at the thought of the type of "treatment" they must be getting from someone so fucking out of control that they have FIFTEEN HIDES and they are pro-Sanders on a board that is 85% pro-Sanders.

One of the main ones who loves to race around DU screaming that the AA forum "bans people for supporting Sanders." The fact that we have regular posters and even fucking HOSTS that are Bernie Sanders supporters means absolutely nothing to these people. It's far easier for people like him to scream that they are being silenced for who they support instead of their own unhinged and absolutely moronic behavior. No wonder the Sanders campaign has devolved into one psychotic conspiracy theory after another.

West is not popular in the AA community and has not been for years, no matter how many bitter, white "leftists" and their friends try to pretend otherwise.

[MisterP]

8. that's the same reasoning deployed in Chicago: didn't work out too well

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150409/englewood/poor-black-chicagoans-overwhelmingly-picked-rahm-over-chuy
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/04/07/us/how-chicagoans-voted-and-why.html

Sanders isn't tearing down, he's restoring what's been lost for all too long

[YoungDemCA]

10. Oh FFS

If Sanders was really "restoring what's been lost" for Black people then why the hell are the vast majority of them not buying it? Maybe they all have Stockholm Syndrome after all.

[ananda]

18. I don't have a label for it.

But Sanders really is the best candidate for all people, including Blacks.

[Number23]

28. So what does it tell you that black people have overwhelmingly REJECTED Bernie Sanders?

If you as a (I'm assuming) non-black person are CONVINCED that Sanders is the best candidate for "Blacks" as you so charmingly call us, and black people have overwhelmingly rejected Sanders, what do you believe that means?

[Jackie Wilson Said]

33. I have repeatedly said, as some of you know, that I fully believe Bernie Sanders

political positions and historical actions, better supports POC and all Americans than anyone else.

But I have also said repeatedly that he didnt make that message clear, and it was very much undermined by the lack of outreach at the beginning.

His campaign looked then and now to some degree, way too white, it is that simple.

This is his fault, not the black community.

[Number23]

35. We have alot of Sanders supporters in this forum, including black and other minority ones

And they have all pretty much said the exact same thing.

[uponit7771]

123. Or... or Sanders was way to dismissive of PoC votes? His team claimed overtly that he didn't compete

... in the south states, it wasn't a message it was their lack of concern.

They admitted more than once they didn't compete for the PoC vote and the dollars spent show it no?

tia

[Jackie Wilson Said]

134. All that too

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

84. In YOUR opinion. Black people will decide for themselves who's best for them.

Oooops, looks like we already have, and it ain't Sanders. Deal with it!

[uponit7771]

122. Because he says so? Not because of his record no doubt

[1StrongBlackMan]

16. Restoring what ... The primacy of importance of the white male?

[brush]

59. Heehee!

Straight to the heart of the matter.

[lovemydog]

11. k & r

Clinton & most of her supporters get this much better, imho, than Sanders & his supporters. That's why I'm voting for Hillary in June and in November. I'm more closely aligned with Sanders on policy proposals but I care most about actually getting good things done. That's why I supported President Obama and was not a fair-weather friend. The perpetually whiny brigade is mainly comprised of folks who reserve their sharpest criticisms for liberals.

I have the feeling they wouldn't have my back at any time. They're always crying wolf. When the time comes to vote, they're nowhere to be found. Weekend warriors. Armchair quarterbacks. Bleeeccccchhhh. That's not loyalty. It's whining nonchalance. Got no time for that nonsense or those jabronis. I'm using the word jabroni a lot lately 'cause I like it. I think it's italian for asshole, lol. I learned it from watching some old youtube video of the iron sheik and the rock and folks like that. But I digress very far!

If the Sanders supporters are serious about their desire for genuine change, they'll have to continue working on getting much better legislators in local state and congressional elections. And listen a hell of a lot better to other people without hysterically calling everyone a liar, corrupt or a fraud or phony. You get what you give. You go around self-righteously 'calling people out' - people who are good committed liberals in their personal and ethical lives - you're gonna get a 'WTF?' reaction.

Excellent article from the root, thanks for sharing.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

86. I could not have written this more beautifully. Sanders' candidacy is over. However...

for his supporters, it doesn't have to be.

If they truly cared about what Sanders stands for, they'd start working right now to recruit Sandernista candidates to lower office. They'd make sure to groom these people and prepare them for higher office.

People who truly support Sanders' agenda would remain involved, not take their ball and stomp home like whiny little brats. They'd ensure that everyone is registered to vote and will work for the 2018 midterm elections.

And if the Sanders supporters hate the Democratic Party that much, they'd leave it and create a liberal party or a viable Democratic Socialist party, and they'd build that party from the grassroots level.

My guess is that these things won't happen because, as you say, most of these people are "armchair quarterbacks". And that's always been the problem with us liberals. We give up too quickly. It took the conservatives 40 years to build their brand. They never gave up, understanding that revolutions do not occur overnight. Now they finally got what they want--young, ultra-conservative candidates dominating state and local politics and now Congress. They never gave up. And now we see our fundamental rights under assault. Why? Because conservatives never gave up. They patiently fought and continued to slowly chip away at what they could, and now we're teetering on the brink of a total destruction of our rights and a regression to 1950s policies.

[LS_Editor]

12. If they were really that pragmatic they would be supporting Sanders.

He has been fighting against racism, and social and economic injustice for decades, and his record is consistent.

You know, unlike someone else who may have supported Goldwater and was on the board of Walmart, among many other offenses.

[YoungDemCA]

13. Sanders is the antithesis of pragmatism

nt

[LS_Editor]

89. Haha. And that's that, huh?

If the Congress of one of its houses are still Republican-controlled after this election Hillary will likely have more issues than Bernie Sanders would, considering the opposition party has made hating her a hobby since the early 1990s and they have been calling her a war criminal for Benghazi and a traitor for the State Department e-mails (none of which I am endorsing as legitimate attacks).

But hell, that's okay because HRC will be more than willing to screw over the left in the name of bipartisanship as she hammers out deals to cut Social Security and other social saftey nets, give Wall Street even more control of our already rigged economy, and consult American heroes like Kissinger before pressuring Congress to go to war with Iran or something.

You know, if she can even beat Trump.

[uponit7771]

125. That's a fact that he doesn't dispute, Why is this called into question? tia

[forjusticethunders]

15. Bernie Sanders hasn't fought against racism in 40 years.

Hell until BLM got on the stage with him he was still wondering about how we were gonna get the working class whites back. And I'm not opposed to getting them back, but it's gonna be as part of a coalition.

This is where you post some snippet where he was kind of there, like an oasis in a vast 4 decade desert. But voting the right way isn't enough, you have to do it on a day to day level.

[1StrongBlackMan]

23. +1 ... AND, much more politely state than my...

now, self-deleted before hitting the "Post my reply!" button response would have been.

[LS_Editor]

88. I was open to considering your points until you created my own reply and responded to it yourself.

Screw honest dialogue, though. Straw man arguments are way more fun.

[LanternWaste]

93. Try holding yourself to the same high standards you hold others to before you indict them for it.

"Screw honest dialogue..."

No more and no less that pretending you know who the best vote is for any particular demographic.


Try holding yourself to the same high standards you hold others to before you indict them for it.

[LS_Editor]

94. Where's the rest of my quote?

If you're going to defend someone who thinks constructing straw man arguments is a good way of discussing things at least be honest about it. The arrogance of thinking you know what someone else will say, so you just say it and respond, is epic. Not uncommon in this place, though. For all the condemnation of rushes to judgment made by bigoted whites against blacks, it's not uncommon at all here. Find a mirror for you and your friend.

[uponit7771]

126. +1, while BLM was staging sit ins on bridges he was still thinking white votes mattered more

[underthematrix]

34. LBJ was a racist but he passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act

of 1965.

I'm glad HRC grew up in a wingnut home because she'll be able to talk to the angry white voter crowd. She understands why they're really mad.

HRC came from a Republican family so when she entered college she joined the Young Republicans at Wellesley. She subsequently found their core beliefs inconsistent with her evolving ones.

Bernie Sanders grew up in Brooklyn and he like the Jewish family my mother worked for probably had a black housekeeper who also doubled as the family's child care provider. I doubt he'll ever tell that.

[LS_Editor]

87. So you don't know anything about Bernie Sanders. Clearly.

He is not from a wealthy family. I love the lack of facts, and the truthiness you present as evidence after you casually dismiss HRC's conservative past, and ignore her conservative present. HRC and Bill supported legislation that has led to the dismantling of welfare programs by state governments, resulted in the mass incarceration of African Americans resulting in more of them being imprisoned now than were enslaved prior to the Civil War, and openly supports the plutocrats screwing the vast majority of Americans of every race by rigging the economy so virtually all wealth goes to the top.

But fuck facts, because Bernie Sanders "probably" had a black housekeeper, because he is Jewish. Are you fucking kidding me?

[underthematrix]

91. I'm 65. Bernie is 75. Back in the day white folks didn't have to be wealthy to hire help.

Try reading a history book. My point was both Bernie and HRC lived in a white world of privilege.

Bernie reminds me of this white female doctor who once told me I vote like a Democrat but I live like a Republican.

[LS_Editor]

92. There's that truthiness again.

Show me evidence outside of your gut that he had a black servant. This is such a bullshit argument, and is the same type of generalization bigoted whites can make about blacks. It's absurd you don't see it. But hey, those damn Jews, right?

[underthematrix]

95. Let's ask him. I'll tweet Bernie

You act like this makes Bernie a bigot. Only a white person who hasn't addressed their own privilege would say such a thing. I'm simply stating that Bernie and HRC come from similar white worldviews. And yes, I think Bernie's family had a black housekeeper and yes the person would have been subservient because that was the nature of the relationship between black and white folks back in the day. That's it.

I had a much longer post but then I remembered where I am. So I'll just leave it at that

[LS_Editor]

96. That's right. How dare I ask you to prove your assertions.

How dare I call you out for what you are clearly insinuating about Bernie Sanders.

I clearly forgot where I am, too.

Let me know when Bernie replies to your fictional account of his childhood.

[underthematrix]

99. Oh you definitely know where you are and you fit right in.

You've got that fake outrage going on and this is the place for it.

[LS_Editor]

101. Projection much?

[underthematrix]

116. LOL! nope can't be projection

[LS_Editor]

120. Did Bernie reply to the fictional account of his life in your head?

[underthematrix]

121. LOL!

[brush]

60. Fighting racism in Vermont? How? Are there even any black people there?

[LS_Editor]

85. You make a generalization of Vermont then you erroneously focus your attention there - exclusively.

Wow.

Fail. Twice.

[brush]

90. Ok, pls explain then what Sanders has done in Vermont for the AA community.

[fleabiscuit]

100. Don't know about you, but I'm hearing crickets. nt

[brush]

103. Yep! Nothing but crickets.

[uponit7771]

127. Loud crickets too

[uponit7771]

124. Sanders camp OPENLY admitted to NOT compete in the "southern states" and the dollar amounts spent

... show it.

So how is the onus of Sanders NOT getting the PoC vote not placed squarely on the heads of the people who admit not "fighting" for it?

tia

[davidthegnome]

14. Hmm

Sanders will absolutely do what he can to help Clinton win the general, but some of his supporters will not. I do understand their anger, their distrust - even disgust with established politics. However... in a choice between Clinton and Trump, there is no real need for deliberation within the minds of sane people, regardless of the color of their skin. We'll go Clinton in a landslide.

I think there's at least a couple good questions to ask ourselves here. One of them being: If African Americans are overwhelmingly in favor of Clinton, why is this the case?

Another is: Why couldn't Sanders get more support or enthusiasm from African Americans? Was it something he or his campaign failed to do? Or was it something that Clinton accomplished particularly well? How much of it has to do with the Clinton legacy?

Sorry, I guess that's a few questions all in one.

I support Sanders primarily because of economic issues, painful ones which I have lived (and am living) and learned all too well. Issues that I think are important, regarding greater economic equality, even some notion of economic justice. I do think Clinton is the safer choice. Much greater recognition, much more attention, much more power and influence in the grand scheme of things. Then there's the matter of her experience, which is unquestionably superior to Sanders in regards to foreign policy and other particular areas.

The bigger question seems all but answered now in any event. Clinton's victory in regards to the nomination is almost a done deal. I may have preferred Sanders over Clinton... but against a monster like Trump? Hell yes I'll support Clinton.

We really... do not want a man like Trump to have any power or authority over our Country as a whole. Many, many people, seem determined to put him in the seat of the President - and that troubles me, as it reveals a disturbing ignorance and utter lack of competence or meaningful education within our society at large (American society, in particular).

Come hell or high water, I'm voting for the democrat. If Trump somehow wins anyway.... well, maybe it will time to start seriously considering moving to any and all places elsewhere. If we are broken enough, stupid enough - angry enough and just, generally... fucked up enough to elect a man like Trump, then this isn't a place for the sane, the rational, the reasonable, or the intelligent anymore.

[1StrongBlackMan]

45. You seem sincere in your query, so I will provide an ...

amalgamation of the responses to the questions that have been provided (seemingly) a million times ...

If African Americans are overwhelmingly in favor of Clinton, why is this the case?

Because African-Americans (as a political collective): 1) do not expect ANY politician (white or Black, BTW) to do much FOR us; but, we do know that politicians (white and Black) can do much TO us; and 2) know that in order for us to prevent a politician from doing the worst TO us, we must pick the candidate that will do the least TO us, that can win. It is a calculation, unaffected by lofty and aspirational promises, unless will are confident the candidate can win.

(Note, Candidate Obama was aspirational; but, largely, unsupported by African-Americans ... until we saw white people would vote for him in numbers that would allow him to win.)

which brings me to:

Why couldn't Sanders get more support or enthusiasm from African Americans? Was it something he or his campaign failed to do?

The Bernie camp failed to convince the African-American community that he could win ... and his sometimes loud, sometimes quiet; but always constant message was heard to be, "I'm going to ride the white working class vote to victory. And, I can get there without you."

[davidthegnome]

66. I never thought of it that way.

I'm sure this question has been answered before, but never to me - and never so well. Thank you, you've given me something to think about.

[uponit7771]

128. +1, Weaver and Divine OPENLY admitted on 2 different calls that they didn't compete in the "Southern

... States" and the amount of money they spent on those states establish their claims.

While in the non "southern" northern red states they spent much cash and time.

It wasn't just subtle words it was their deeds...

Sanders basically claimed the same thing Trump did; that he can gen up enough white votes to win the general..

tRump in most if not all national polls has lost the white vote by 5% compared to rMoney in flip states...

[gollygee]

21. This is the African American group and this post is not appropriate here.

Were you aware you were posting in this group? Please stop.

[Jackie Wilson Said]

24. Translation, black people who voted for Hillary, i.e. most, are stupid.

I think it might be time for you to go back to wherever hatred of black people or insulting them is a normal thing.

[Number23]

37. Do you think that you could slither back from whence you came? TIA!

We don't allow people who insult the black community in this forum and your post was so nasty and inappropriate that where we normally give 2-5 warnings, this will be the only one you get.

[UMTerp01]

38. So since Black voters went for Hillary about 70-30, 75-25 you saying most of us are what???

Go ahead and actually say it. I dare you to.

[1StrongBlackMan]

47. Wrong spot, buddy.

[Coolest Ranger]

72. I am really offended by this

You need to take that post down Hoppy. Getting tired of being disrespected by people like you mad because we didn't support Bernie.

[ismnotwasm]

81. I suggest you delete the post as the edit is easy to see.

And it is still very offensive,

[ram2008]

19. I don't think voting for someone with 37% favorabl rating and who is under investigation is rational

or strategic. Quite the opposite. Voting for Hillary is making Trump the likely winner of the election.

[JustAnotherGen]

44. I haven't voted yet

[pnwmom]

48. Anyone who doesn't realize that Bernie's favorability has never been tested

against Rethugs in a national campaign is neither rational nor strategic.

[ram2008]

68. Hillary has failed the test

Just look at that horrible trend. Pretty much as bad as Trump, except his numbers are going in the opposite direction.

http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/hillary-clinton-favorable-rating

I'd be surprised if she makes it to the convention without talk of replacing her with Biden.

[pnwmom]

69. His primary is over. Hillary's is still ongoing. n/t

[1StrongBlackMan]

55. Well, I don't find ...

the notion of winning over independent voters, even anti-establishment independent voters, who are (largely) low tax/small government proponents, by promising to raise taxes and grow government, particularly, rational or strategic.

Do you?

[ram2008]

67. Winning is winning

If people want to vote for Bernie and they hold different beliefs, he's still going to get their votes.

[JustAnotherGen]

71. That's interesting

Winning is winning . . .

[1StrongBlackMan]

78. Interesting; but, consistent in it's inconsistency ...

while completely ignoring my point ... the millions of independent voters (in open primary/caucus states) didn't show up.

[uponit7771]

129. Thinking someone who has a 10% approval rating in Florida among Latinos can win a national GE

... is not rational either.

See how that goes?

Also, Sanders hasn't not had 10s of millions of federal dollars to drive down his ratings as you'll admit that Hillary had from the GOP.

Yeah, some of it is her doing ... no one is perfect but you'll admit... cause you remain objective... that Sanders didn't have that national GOP preasure than Clinton did.... not in the least.

[Rafale]

20. If the GOP acquiescence to Trump is any indication...

I wonder if any of us know the direction of the Dem Party if Sanders asks his supporters to forgo the "revolution" and tow the line for the establishment candidate. People are unlikely to fall in line after feeling betrayed. The secondary effects of that will likely have an impact on several ethnic voting "blocks." Just what type of effect is the unknown as this situation is quite unique for the Postbellum Period.

[Jackie Wilson Said]

25. The rationale alleged Bernie supporters are coming up with to ABANDON Bernie

when, not if, Bernie supports Hillary, is astounding.

Almost as if there is an agenda, afoot.

I said a while ago, if Drumpf wins, black people will be blamed when it will be Bernie or bust who are to blame.

[Rafale]

39. So then....

The FBI investigation for criminal malfeasance and the speeches to various banks that will be released by Trump's friends will not be a major factor then? It will just be Black people, who are to blame? Wow. If that's a consensus view, the Dem Party is finished.

[Jackie Wilson Said]

40. That is who some here will blame, yes, just black people, or mostly black people.

Your GOP list of issues is old and tiring.

I have been doing this way too long not to know what I am seeing when I see it.

[Rafale]

41. The GOP Party is also finished

You hang tough. You're belief system is about to be challenged in just a couple of months less. Wow.

Continually amazed at how anyone could support the two corrupt front runners like they were cheering for a football team. You just can't seem to understand we are almost hitting rock bottom.

[Jackie Wilson Said]

42. Oh I know liberals are being challenged, trust me. As an old warrior who

knows bullshit when he sees it, I am very familiar with the fight.

GOP is not only not finished, they will be entirely behind their candidate as will stay at home whiners who might as well vote for the prick if they are gonna not vote at all.

[Rafale]

43. the thing of it is, friend

that the Left-Right paradigm is falling apart. It's morphing into just the Haves and Have-Nots.

[Jackie Wilson Said]

46. That is the thought process of someone who has no racial issues or gay/str8t issues

[Rafale]

49. Not a compelling argument

It's just calling me a name/label. That's twice now. It's somewhat Trump-like.

I strongly believe Black lives do matter and everyone/everyone deserves equal rights. Also believe a woman president is just what the country needs. Women are smarter than men. I just happen to believe that Warren is the most viable candidate.

[Jackie Wilson Said]

50. You didnt get up early enough to deal with me. LIke i said, as a liberal who has

fought right wing garbage for decades, including since the early days of the internet, i know what I know when I know it.

I didnt call YOU any names, but if you took my observation personally, then you have a reason to do that.

[Rafale]

52. That's quite an accomplishment in life

I salute you. You must be very proud indeed. Good timing on this Memorial Day weekend.

[ismnotwasm]

80. Nobody who posts regularly in THIS group is "Trump-like"

You owe a number of people an apology

[Jackie Wilson Said]

107. Thanks, I didn't even address the insult because I know who I am and I can tell who that is.

[JustAnotherGen]

61. You don't understand the group

And your entrance is abrasive.

Please back away from the Group Until after the Convention.

I'm sick of blocking personas.

[1StrongBlackMan]

62. That will be moot ...

after the convention, most of those being blocked, will be gone.

[JustAnotherGen]

75. I think you hurt his feelings :-(

[Rafale]

73. Open civil, discussion is good but

I think it would be a good idea if you block me. Calling someone a name like abrasive is not civil. I have not engaged in attack the man attacks. Block me.

[JustAnotherGen]

74. I didn't call you a name :-)

I stated that your approach is abrasive. This may be how you normally deal with people in real life - I don't know. It might be acceptable to your spouse, your supervisor at work, your customers, etc. etc. However, it is not acceptable in this group.

Where does this sense of 'persecution' come from?

Where did he attack you?

Why are your feelings hurt by what is posted back here?

Go where you are celebrated - not tolerated.

[Rafale]

76. Oh no

I rather stay and deal with Internet bullies: Much more fun than killing Taliban, who "hurt my feelings." You are interesting.

Merry Memorial Day,
me

[JustAnotherGen]

79. Do you live in Southern Ohio or Northern Kentucky?

ETA - Just got word someone alerted on your post. I would probably take that killing the Taliban thing out of your post. It could be misconstrued.

Good luck out there!

[Rafale]

105. Lots of threats

No. I do not live in those locations. Where do you live?

Press the ignore button (all good). Report me (also okay). Situation is so weird dude. You act as if posting on DU is the end all be all and that people would die if they are not allowed to post on DU. That's truly weird stuff. Whoa. Hope you are okay; not joking.

I would be grateful if some of you pressed the ignore button. Please do. I intend to say what I believe. Don't care if you like it or agree. I expect you to behave as an adult as well. Enjoy your day, sir/ma'am.

[JustAnotherGen]

108. Nope - I'm a Group Host

And yep - our members are being threatened. So anyone is suspect that obviously looks down their nose at posters in this Group.

That's not name calling. That's an honest observation.

[Number23]

102. You come in here all puffed up and raring for a fight with the few minority members of this board

and those that respond to you are the "Internet bullies?"

Yeah, like JAG said, go where you're celebrated. There is a group here that loves folks like you. Everyone like you calls it home. But this ain't it.

[Rafale]

104. Gee, why would I come here

Think it through. <rolling eyes>

[JustAnotherGen]

110. To ask us to put you on ignore?

[Number23]

111. Why indeed? Wait...are you suddenly black or something?

[Rafale]

112. How old are you?

I just lost interest. I feel my IQ getting lower just responding to this silliness. Goodnight angry Internet people.

[Number23]

113. So I'm guessing the answer to that question is...no??

I love when the rude, aggressive, angry folks show themselves out. Makes things sooooo much easier.

[JustAnotherGen]

114. She thinks we are angry

This one is funny.

[Number23]

115. I know. Why is it clueless, rage-filled people always think everybody else is as angry as they are?

I think it's pretty obvious that I'm laughing. Not in their face though. Never that.

[1StrongBlackMan]

119. LOL.

[JustAnotherGen]

109. He's asking group hosts to put him on ignore

After he threatened me?

[pnwmom]

51. The FBI won't result in criminal charges and her transcripts will look like nothing

compared to many speeches Trump has made.

She's never said, for example, that she hoped for a real estate bubble so she could profit off other people's misery.

[Rafale]

54. Well yes, yes of course

Everything will be fine as you say. omg

[uponit7771]

131. No, not at all... FBI fairy isn't coming; no one cares about the TPS report cover page missing and

... if they wanted to sink her they would've done it in the primary with leaks from transripts... they have none

[uponit7771]

130. The fact they're "feeling" betrayed is from the voices of the whiny racial establishment telling the

... them such and those voting blocks taking the bate.

When it comes to Sanders its a slap a true face, the long shot black guy won in 08 with a similar situation that Sanders has now and won it with a similar coalition Clinton built now.

Sanders could've done the same but his team openly admits on multiple calls that they didn't compete in the "southern states" and the money they spent in those states show it too.

It's open Sanders to build back the trust ... I suspect he wont, his over whining has painted him into a corner.

Either way, Sanders losing by the amount of votes he didn't "compete" for is his fault... it wouldn't be right or correct for him to be chosen to do anything.

[lark]

22. I must have been born the wrong color.

I fit the description of the black voters much more closely than that of the white Sanders voters, yet am a somewhat elderly white woman. Maybe it's my hippie youth that does it?

[MFM008]

27. I expect voters of color

will have to save this country from Trump. White voters seem to screwed up .

[UMTerp01]

31. Sounds about right to me

[rock]

36. I strongly support your referenced article

A 72 year old white male. Thanks.

[Agnosticsherbet]

53. Educational and informative. thanks.

[gwheezie]

58. Good analysis

Black people have been the backbone of not only building this country and economy but have been the catalyst for the expansion of rights for all Americans.
Most of the time white politicians have not acted to expand rights without considerable courage and determination from black people to force the issue. Why supporters of any white politician would presume black people don't know this baffles me. It is not the white politician who redeems the sins of bigotry, it is the black voter who pushes him/her, not the other way around.

[SaschaHM]

63. Wow..

Jfc... African American Group... One nice thing about African American voters and folks things it's ok to basically insult us for not voting for their savior. I'm going to file this under "And this is why your candidate is losing and why your revolution is starting to look like artisanal white supremacy"

[The Polack MSgt]

77. Artianal white supremecy.

Bravo.

That was awesome.

[Starry Messenger]

64. I wish my white-voting brethren would come to their senses, but it is what it is.

Those of us who vote out of a sense of social cohesion and preservation have got each others backs this year, and I couldn't be happier to be a part of the Obama coalition. The first thing about socialism is that you want to help the largest number of people. Letting Trump win, or voting for him, is the opposite of that.

I wish we could have millions more Black and Latino people this year, just to feel comfortable that the Orange One will be smashed, but I'm in here for the fight.

[Thinkingabout]

132. I will jump in and say I have come to my senses, I also wish more white voters would also

Come to their senses also, I'm with you. I like your Orange One getting smashed. I cringe at the thought of having to wake up and see those ugly faces every day and to think his wife wakes up to that every day.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

82. We've always been the most rationale voters, as many of us have demonstrated over and over again.

[highprincipleswork]

133. the mass swiftboating of Bernie Sanders by especially the AA community

is one of the tragedies, so far, of this election season.

I guess if he was nominee, the shoe would be on the other foot. Would PoC vote for this man who marched, was arrested, stood behind Jesse Jackson, had a more productive response to BLM, and generally has been a way solid advocate for racial justice for decades, or would they "vote for Trump"?