Charles M. Blow: "Bernie or Bust" is Bonkers

[MrWendel]

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/3/31/1508408/-Charles-M-Blow-Bernie-or-Bust-is-Bonkers

By teacherken

Today’s New York Times has a pointed column by Charles M. Blow written in response to the now well known recent remarks by Susan Sarandon, a highly visible surrogate for Sen. Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nominee.

It is column that should be read by ALL partisans during this Democratic primary season, even as its occasion is in response to a Sanders supporter.

Blow certainly takes Sarandon directly to task with these words:

The comments smacked of petulance and privilege

No member of an American minority group — whether ethnic, racial, queer-identified, immigrant, refugee or poor — would (or should) assume the luxury of uttering such an imbecile phrase, filled with lust for doom.

But his point is far broader than that, and is expressed succinctly in this part of his column:

Be absolutely clear: While there are meaningful differences between Clinton and Sanders, either would be a far better choice for president than any of the remaining Republican contenders, especially the demagogic real estate developer. Assisting or allowing his ascendance by electoral abstinence in order to force a “revolution” is heretical.

This position is dangerous, short-sided and self-immolating.

If Sanders wins the nomination, liberals should rally around him. If Clinton does, they should rally around her.

This is not a game. The presidency, particularly the next one, matters, and elections can be won by relatively small margins. No president has won the popular vote by more than 10 percentage points since Ronald Reagan in 1984.

(Rest in link)

[NWCorona]

1. I think it's ridiculous to expect one side to fall in line with the other when the race isn't over.

Besides there's plenty of talk of Hillary or bust.

[djean111]

3. I agree - now is not the time.

I think all the bullshit "time to fall in line behind Hillary" is to dampen enthusiasm for Bernie. Does not work.

[NWCorona]

8. Exactly!

[beam me up scottie]

37. Yeah the purity pledges got old last May when Bernie first got in the way of the coronation.

[LonePirate]

7. Why is it ridiculous to discuss voting blue in the GE? He covered both nominee scenarios.

He never said only vote blue if Hillary is the nominee. He also said to do it if Bernie is the nominee. Anybody who defends "Bernie or Bust" or "Hillary or Bust" is an uneducated voter.

[NWCorona]

9. That's like asking Mayweather to contemplate loosing before a fight.

[LonePirate]

13. That is patently absurd. The issue is about the NEXT fight, not this one.

The better sports comparison is saying regardless of who wins the North Carolina-Syracuse game, that winner needs to defeat the winner of the Oklahoma-Villanova game.

[NWCorona]

15. So it's absurd to focus on the race at hand?

Please look in the mirror

[LonePirate]

18. The point he was making was about the general election, not the primary election.

He said backers of both candidates need to support the other candidate if that candidate wins. How is this simple concept so difficult to comprehend?

[NWCorona]

21. I get that but again

We are focused on the race at hand.

[LonePirate]

22. So you're admitting you can't multi-task?

[NWCorona]

23. If you think that's the issue then you'd be wrong

Carry on.

[LonePirate]

38. We both know what the issue is but I'm the only one of us two willing to discuss it on DU.

[revbones]

26. Perhaps if the assumption wasn't there that both candidates are "blue"

Many feel that's the difference.

[Jackie Wilson Said]

27. There is? Plenty? Please direct me to them so I can scream at them the way

I scream at the Bernie or Bust people.

[whatchamacallit]

2. Tell me again why anybody's supposed to care what this guy thinks

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

4. A-FREAKING-MEN

Why do these Third way shills think that telling "Bernie or Bust" people how "crazy" or "insane" they are is going to magically make them change their mind?

Bernie has a lot of support from newly registered voters. Chastising these voters for how they want to vote is a quick way to send them back to being cynical again.

[brush]

33. Did you not get the part where he said dem should vote for either . . .

Sanders or Clinton in the general so Trump win the presidency?

Sanders or Clinton.

[DanTex]

6. He's a liberal columnist. Trump supporters don't read him much.

[whatchamacallit]

11. Lol!

You know, although I've indicated I will not vote for Hillary in the general, when I'm in that booth I may well change my mind. Trust me, if I make that decision, it will be in spite of, not because of, foaming internet zeros.

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

20. Maybe DanTex is a secret Trump supporter

He seems deadset on trying to make as many Bernie supporters not want to vote for Shillary.

[revbones]

31. Truth exposed! Boom! nt

[Wilms]

39. Hey, GP. Your post was alerted on.

It did survive the jury. I have no doubt folk are trolling for hides, BUT you did violate the ToS with that post to DanTex. While many would understand, it's best to avoid.

Welcome to DU!

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

40. What did I do wrong? (so I avoid doing it next time)

[Wilms]

41. Wondering aloud if DanTex is a Trump supporter.

That's not allowed.

Here are the ToS: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=termsofservice

Don't sweat it. Just watch the speed limit.

[revbones]

30. Um, cuz he's pro-Hillary and therefore not a right-wing source, which means he's credible...

[HumanityExperiment]

5. Counter...

Take a peek at the HRC group forum... and get back to me about ""Bernie or Bust" is Bonkers", there's as much there with HRC and her supporters to write about as well


http://www.democraticunderground.com/110786962

"media is incapable of writing about a movement"... that's a great quote by Robert Reich and nails it when it comes to describing current media and reporters reporting this election cycle

[LyndaG]

10. I get it

Either of the Democratic candidates are far better than what the GOP has to offer. I will definitely vote for the Democratic nominee. I have no problem with that. I've done that ever since I was of age to vote.

[Betty Karlson]

14. "Hillary or else" is insane.

[Prism]

16. Worry about PUMAs after the primary

Bothering about it now is just masturbation.

[CrowCityDem]

17. It is crazy...

... and here's why:

Through the simple act of casting a vote in November, we can prevent millions of Americans from the widespread suffering that a Republican administration would cause. What moral argument is there for allowing those people to have to endure at least four years of misery and hardship, all because we might have wanted the other primary candidate to win?

I saw the case made a few weeks back that Hillary's health care plan had to be rejected because it would leave too many people suffering while universal coverage was worked on. I can appreciate that argument, and in that spirit, I ask how there is any option other than casting the vote in November that will ensure the least amount of suffering for the American people?

[Bluenorthwest]

19. It's a Primary Chuck! And I'm still waiting for your candidate to explain her Reagan Love, which

seems to be just fine with you, Chuck. Don't win the Presidency with popular vote, Chuck. Ron and Nancy were not heroes of the AIDS era, Chuck. You are old enough to know that, Chuck. Plenty old enough.


Meanwhile, I'm in the middle of a Primary supporting Bernie Sanders and not the Reagan loving AIDS denialist.

[frustrated_lefty]

24. It appears

that Susan Sarandon doesn't necessarily accept the premise that "either would be a far better choice for president than any of the remaining Republican contenders." I suppose it depends on how much damage you think a Clinton presidency would do to the country.

[LyndaG]

34. Isn't that what Senator Sanders said?

[tonedevil]

25. In any primary...

some supporters of one candidate will say they can not vote for the other candidate if they get to the general election. This comes from both sides, but the underdog side will be most likely to say this because it is more likely they will be forced to make the choice. To me it makes sense to basically let those statements go until the heat of the contest is over.
I'm a Senator Sanders supporter so my feelings in that regard may be biased, but I hope if the shoe is on the other foot I can be more gracious than to demand the other candidates supporters give blood oaths they will support my candidate before the contest is settled.

[Trust Buster]

28. It's called narcissism. Sarandon is just one of many examples that we have observed.

[dchill]

29. And "Hillary Is Inevitable" is a loser's game.

Bernie or Bust is real, whether one votes or not.

[pengu]

32. Good luck with that

Young people don't like her. The left doesn't like her. Indies don't like her.

[Gothmog]

35. I agree with Charles Blow's analysis

[Waiting For Everyman]

36. He doesn't seem to understand UNACCEPTABLE.

Sanders and Clinton are not similar or comparable in any way. They represent opposite agendas and constituencies. Sanders the 99%, Clinton the 1%. And if that weren't enough (which it is)...

Hillary is under FBI investigation for a reason. That reason is, the IGs of the State Department and the Intelligence Services both sent a referral to the FBI to look into. That would ba a "FAIL" as Secretary of State.

When she set up a private server and did all of State's business on it for 4 years, nevermind her ridiculous claim that nothing in that time was classified, that creation of the server itself was gross negligence, which is a crime. I don't care if she gets charged with that or not, and I don't care if she gets convicted. As far I the voter am concerned, she COMMITTED CRIMES in her last public office, and that means she has no business running for a higher one.

UNACCEPTABLE.