How does Bernie explain his votes on crime bills, gun control bills and others?

[fun n serious]

This is how: " They where large complicated bills."

[berniepdx420]

1. How does hillary explain the hundreds of millions of dollars she receives from

Wall Street and the 1% Do they give all this money just for kicks.. no they do not.. Our system is rigged and the Clintons deserve quite a bit of the blame...

[JonLeibowitz]

3. This is nonresponsive to the question -- this question deserves an answer.

However, I am not at all sure Bernie should have to "explain" things like the PLCAA which seem fine to me.

[berniepdx420]

4. I haven't heard a clinton supporter answer a freakin question since your

asses were handed to you in NH..

[JonLeibowitz]

5. I support Bernie....

[Darb]

12. Way to go, first out of the box with a non-sequitur!!!!!!!

Way to go Bernies!!!!

Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!
Keep BU pure!!!

[berniepdx420]

16. As I said before...the reason for the non-sequitur !!!! Is because the hillary supporters haven't

answered a freaking question since y'all got your asses handed to you in NH.. it seems to be a campaign wide tactic... So pony up and answer some questions specifically why do you think a few people contribute millions to a candidate.. crickets... crickets... You all know the system is rigged and the clintons are right in the middle of that rigging... you know it , I know it, anyone applying the slightest bit of logic knows it. Sand...Head...Stick

[Darb]

20. Keep up the bad work.

I'd venture a guess that nearly every single Hillary supporter would vote for Sanders if it came down to it. For now anyway, but keep trying.

However, the Bernies are doing their level best to cut their noses off to spite their face and say anything to disparage Hillary Clinton, much to the pleasure of the teabag set. I'm sure they are thankful. You might want to go find some and see.

The point being, support your guy and quit acting so suspiciously with regard to the other DEMOCRATIC candidate on the DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND.

Thanks in advance. I am certain that you will ignore it.

[berniepdx420]

44. oh my.. as if you all don't live in a Glass house...should I run some tape on the race baiting from

the Clinton campaign from 2008...

As I pointed out you all don't answer any more questions... like your 2 post...

It's most likely because you know the system is rigged and the clintons take a chunk of the blame.. No one in our life time has played the political money game as well as the clintons with the Bushs close by

We are trying to change that paradigm while you are trying to maintain the status quot via quid pro quot... it's understandable why you are trying everything to keep from looking into those back smokey rooms your candidate gets her money from.....

I believe in the quiet moments of your life this is clear to you as well... Don't be afraid... We are many they are few.. jump on the Revolution in American politics help elect a True Progressive

[Darb]

83. Quit whining about the "other" and promote your guy.

Who gives a shit what happened in '08? Not me, that's for sure. I was with Obama and saw the whole thing. Quit it. Promote your guy.

Damn you guys just don't get it do ya?

[fun n serious]

45. Yes indeed. If Bernie were the nominee

I would vote for him. I will NOT allow a republican into office our of spite for MY own party. I feel like I am in freeper land here.

[fun n serious]

46. They contribute millions

Because they feel passionate about our country, feel Hillary has teh qualifications and they have the funds to do it.

[berniepdx420]

47. that's funny...keep saying it... and you just might start believing it

[Darb]

85. They pay her because they want to hear what she has to say.

She is quite famous and accomplished. You can fondle that quid pro quo shit until you find satisfaction for all I care. It didn't happen. If it did, document it for me, real documentation, not teabagger innuendo shit. Real, actual, documented facts, like Bernie would do.

[roguevalley]

35. if this is about explaining, I want to know why she voted for the Iraq war. I'm still waiting.

[Snotcicles]

56. She hasn't said a word about the money she made sitting on

BOD and as a shareholder of this country's largest firearms and ammo retailer either.

[JonLeibowitz]

2. Please convince me that gun manufacturers should be held liable for lawful sales. Thank you! n/t

[JonLeibowitz]

6. Bernie was mostly opposed to the crime bill *except* for the violence against women act.

That takes care of the crime bill. See post #2 concerning the PLCAA. The Brady bill is more challenging (though if I were Bernie I wouldn't have voted for it; for one thing it was clearly anti-LGBTQ).

[casperthegm]

15. That's what I was about to post

Found this quote; “However, there were too many important provisions within the bill for Sen. Sanders to cast a vote against the entire package. Importantly, the bill contained an assault weapons ban that Sen. Sanders supported — which even turned him into a target for the NRA during his reelection — as well as the crucial Violence Against Women Act.”

Basically, it was a very imperfect bill but one that had provisions worth considering. Not everything is black and white in politics, that's for sure. I was reading the article where I found this quote and it sure looks to me like this was signed by Bill Clinton and supported by Hillary. Interesting...

But yes, the question is worthy of an answer. It's a legit issue and I wish we had more of these discussions here.

[Deny and Shred]

7. They were, in fact, large, complicated bills

That is how money and influence works. The monied interest gets someone on the committe to insert a paragragh or two into an unrelated bill on their behalf. That is how Enron got to own water rights across South America, for example.

Any bill that has been deemed 'sure to pass' gets immense amounts of pork inserted over time. By the time is is voted on, there are dozens of riders that are unrelated to the purpose of the original bill. The beauty of being in Congress is you can support a bill for its good points, or vote against a bill because too much pork was inserted. Either way, you have a good argument to your constituents.

If you want to use it as a cudgel, feel free. Then find me any member of Congress that hasn't voted on a bill that contains some aspect they didn't campaign on.

[intrepidity]

14. ^^^^^^This^^^^^^^

Exactly. Imagine him trying to go into those details during a debate or rally? He could, of course, but the audience would cry foul or fall asleep. I have no doubt that he could explain in significant detail why he voted the way he did on every bill. He seems to be quite detail oriented about such things.

[Deny and Shred]

18. He is detail-oriented

It is to his credit that he has kept his message succinct. As you say, not too wonky for a TV debate.

For Clinton to have attacked him on these votes, Phil Graham's sneak-in of the Commodities' Modernization Act, for example, is disingenuous. She knows every Senatorial vote accepts some bad elements with the good for which you are voting.

I am impressed that a 74-year old accustomed to speaking his mind has been this disciplined so far and has rarely 'popped off. 'I do think he will have to broaden his stump speech soon. I have no doubt it will be equally succinct and effective.

And a hearty Welcome, might I add.

[intrepidity]

19. As a wonk myself, I wish he would

but I know he can't. Yes, his discipline is exemplary and almost unfathomable to me. That just speaks more to his qualification for the office he seeks.

Thanks for the welcome; I am a long-time lurker.

[berniepdx420]

8. Bernie Sanders’ NRA report card: D-minus is most recent grade

By Katie Sanders

Sen. Bernie Sanders is wearing a bad grade as a badge of honor.

The Democratic presidential candidate is under fire since Sunday’s debate for his votes on gun legislation, with chief rival Hillary Clinton eagerly highlighting his flip-flops on immunity for gun dealers, among other issues.

Sanders got his chance to explain himself in Underwood, Iowa, when an audience member asked him about his past positions, which she said seemed more Republican. Sanders said that impression wasn’t right.

"I have a D-minus voting record from the NRA," he said. "Does that sound like a tool of the NRA? D-minus."

We wanted to know if his statement earned perfect marks.

A spokesman for Sanders’ campaign said Sanders’ NRA grade came during the 2012 election cycle, as shown in the lobby group’s subscriber-only database. The group awarded Republican John MacGovern, Sanders’ unsuccessful challenger, an A.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2016/jan/20/bernie-s/bernie-sanders-nra-report-card-d-minus-most-recent/

You can also check out his stance on the issues here... if it is facts you want..

http://feelthebern.org/bernie-sanders-on-gun-policy/

[Armstead]

9. Because they often are

I wish people would get their memes straight.

Is Sanders a rigid ideologue who simplistically votes without regard for the consequences?

Or is he an opportunistic creep who votes whatever will benefit him personally?

Truth is he has a strong ideology and stands up for it and follows his beliefs and values. But he is also an intelligent politician who understands the need for compromise and negotiation.

[JRLeft]

10. I wish he was more conservative on gun rights.

[JonLeibowitz]

21. Lol! Yep!! Me too. The Democratic party (and base) is too far left for my taste on guns.

Or to be much clearer they are far too left-authoritarian on guns. You can be a left-libertarian on guns too: you just choose not to own one

[JRLeft]

36. Thank you, I knew I wasn't alone.

[Bluenorthwest]

11. Bernie has talked about the Crime Bill, he voted for it due to the Violence Against Women Act which

was included in that bill. He voted with the vast majority of Democrats many of whom voted yes because of the VAWA aspect. Only 64 House Democrats voted No on that bill, only 2 Senate Democrats voted no on that bill. This means of course that Kennedy, Biden and Kerry all voted yes and neither Biden nor Kerry were asked about when they were candidates. Hillary Clinton strongly promoted before the fact and both touted and defended it in all the years since, sometimes in very strong terms.

In actual fact, of all the people involved Bernie is probably the only one who has explained his vote and his position on that bill in great detail many times over the years.

Just yesterday on DU, I saw a Clinton supporter who has criticized Bernie's vote on the Crime Bill list the Violence Against Women Act as a Clinton accomplishment. So how does that work, exactly?

[fun n serious]

40. That's the way it works.

You have to COMPROMISE. A lot of what Hillary has voted on was compromising just like Bernie but none of y'all will recognize that. You ignore it.

[bigtree]

73. nuance for Bernie

...none allowed for Hillary.

[fun n serious]

75. I see.

When you roll your sleeves up, serve our country and work hard there will be more to criticize, naturally. When you sit back and do nothing but vote oh a senate for 30 years there will be less to be critically about. I mean, you can't criticize nothing.

[Darb]

13. Oooooooh, this is gonna get hidden.

Gotta keep the BU clean from strife.

[JonLeibowitz]

23. Exaggerate much? There are quite a few substantive responses explaining and answering the Question.

[Darb]

24. Gotta keep the BU friendly.

Jussayin'. I mean, we can't have those damn Hillary supporters around here now can we?

[JonLeibowitz]

27. Posts #2,6,15,7,18, 8, 11 are all substantive responses to the question. You are off topic here.

[Darb]

29. I am not questioning Bernie, I am

calling out those with no nose.

[JonLeibowitz]

31. And I am saying your complaints about the posters here are somewhat off base since the question was

addressed...

[Darb]

34. Your concern noted.

I find the "it's too complicated" excuse fine. That is not the point. The point is that Bernies are thin skinned and have made DU into BU and it is unrecognizable and without a nose.

[fun n serious]

38. Yes. Thin skinned just like Bernie. nt

[frylock]

48. Right, just like Bernie.

Remember when Jane stood on stage with a list of mean things that all those meanies said about Bernie?

[fun n serious]

52. Yes. In interviews yesterday

He lost his cool and started yelling. Refused to answer many questions and instead said, " health care for all Americans."

[frylock]

54. Sure, I believe you.

[TCJ70]

17. Hmmmm...vote against women, or...

...vote against minorities? Kind of a rock and a hard place, right? You tell me what the right answer is.

[pinebox]

22. How does Hillary explain her stance on guns?

Her weathervaning when it comes to guns and pandering to the NRA?



Or maybe it was from 2008 when she painted Obama as being "too liberal" on guns?



Or was it her outright flip flop?

One thing is for sure though, this is certainly the case.

[Darb]

25. Nicely done,

where is your nose again?

[pinebox]

28. In reality.

[Darb]

30. Alternate reality.

Same thing though, right? Don't answer.

[pinebox]

42. No try the real world

where most people agree with Bernie http://www.politicususa.com/2015/06/03/polls-americans-socialists-bernie-sanders.html
But you wouldn't know that would you.

When in doubt go ad-hom like you did, says it all

[Darb]

82. Real pony world.

Just promote your guy and let that be enough. Is he not wonderful? Is he not the perfect candidate? Then why all the attacking of Hillary. Promote your guy and................

[pinebox]

84. Pony's work

[Darb]

86. Sure they do.

Good luck with that. Trump and Cruz and Rubio love it, you can bet on that.

[pinebox]

87. Indeed they do

but reality

[Fearless]

26. How does Hillary explain her vote on the war in Iraq. It was a simple easy bill.

[fun n serious]

37. She was Senator of NY ( where the attack happened) and..

She was lied to by the Bush admin.

[Robbins]

39. bullcrap

bernie didn't believe bush.neither did ted kennedy,robert byrd,and paul wellstone.

she was very much pro-iraq war.and has shown since then she would do it again.

[fun n serious]

43. There was a lot of pressure from her constituents since she was Senator of NY at the time nt

[frylock]

51. Link?

[fun n serious]

55. Common knowledge. nt

[frylock]

58. Link?

[frylock]

50. Did you buy into Bush's lies too?

I didn't, and I'm on record here at DU.

[fun n serious]

59. Nope. I am also on record HERE on DU nt

[frylock]

61. Which account were you using?

Your profile shows that you joined in 2005.

[fun n serious]

63. My mistake.. I have ONLY been here 12 years..

There are other people HERE I knew from other boards who know me. I don't have to disclose that to you.

[polly7]

74. I know you.

I remember you from that 'other place' and I remember you from years and years ago here. You're a good person, Fun, and will always be my pal. We did fight in the trenches there, didn't we!

[fun n serious]

76. Thank you Polly!! Yes we did. I was against the war in a time few were.

I guess I am next to have Hussain's baby.

[polly7]

78. We even changed a few minds, I remember at least two of those RW'ers telling me that.

So, we did good! I've been preggers with my Saddam baby for ... omg .... 13 years now and am still not even in maternity clothes! We'll have to go on baby play dates when our little ones finally arrive.

(I remember once when I brought up a whole bunch of facts re why they were going to bomb Iraq vs. their propaganda crap how a few of them threatened to come up and kill me! Those were a craaaaaazy bunch.)

Carry on, I just wanted to verify that yes, you are exactly who you say you are.

[fun n serious]

81. Thank you my friend. nt

[Fearless]

90. I'm sorry who did Iraq attack??

And bush co lied to everyone. Some, like Sanders, realized what it was.

[bravenak]

32. Only he is allowed to do that

All the credit, none of the blame

[uponit7771]

33. IOKIBDI, nuance for Sanders ... none for anyone else

[Robbins]

41. bernie as congressman

often voted for bills bill clinton supported and signed into law.

[frylock]

49. Is this one of those purity test you guys are always bemoaning?

[Perogie]

53. where?

you might want to try the edit button

[fun n serious]

57. Nope. He was said that often. Google it nt

[frylock]

60. Link?

[fun n serious]

62. ok

https://www.google.com/#q=Bernie+on+voting+record+%22They+were+large+complicated+bills%27

[d_legendary1]

69. You google search does not yield those exact words

But keep spreading those lies. You make camp weather vane look authentic:

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

64. I'm not a gun guy, but many Americans are, and Hillary will alienate them, Bernie won't

This is another reason Bernie can get Independents. I don't understand why this hasn't been mentioned by anyone, anywhere.

[fun n serious]

65. Why didn't he run as an independent? nt

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

66. Now you don't know how to behave

Your response = point conceded

[fun n serious]

67. This is your response?

Why didn't Bernie run as an independent? Take a step back and look at how Bernie supporters have behaved here on DU before you lecture me about my behavior.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

68. OP: How does Bernie explain his votes on crime bills, gun control bills and others?

1. Go take a nap. You're acting like someone whose been defending Hillary around the clock for a week. You're getting delirious, now. You need to sleep.

2. I can't believe this isn't a rhetorical question. You're probably the biggest Nader Haters and you're wondering why Bernie didn't run as an Independent. Seriously, you need to take a nap. Who can take you seriously at this point?

[fun n serious]

72. If you saw him yesterday...

You would be telling him to go take a nap.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

89. Lol

I don't know why you guys are worried about Hillary and Bernie. I really paid no attention to the "black vote is Hillary's firewall" meme. So I did my research. Turns out they really are. Blacks are going to save(?) America from white people, like me. I've come to terms with another (barf) Clinton presidency. I hope you guys, have, too. Maybe after Saturday?

Bernie may not get past Clinton, but he's at least as electable as a black Kenyan socialist with a terrorist name and a radical reverend. People don't take the Rs and their labeling seriously, anymore. But some people remember the old days when it was effective, and are terrified. Can't let the media gin up fear. Socialist polls favorably today.

[bigtree]

70. the revolution

...don't need no stinking questions.

[LexVegas]

71. Big banks! Wall Street! nt

[jeff47]

77. Why should Sanders have voted against the Violence Against Women act? (nt)

[SheenaR]

79. I find it comical

That a guy who actually reads all of the provisions of a bill and votes with his conscience is badgered. A bill is not simply the name of the bill. People willfully choose to ignore that fact

[uponit7771]

88. Not the point, Sanders is afforded nuance and HRC not

[Duckhunter935]

80. and he would be correct

Should he have voted against the violence against woman's act?