2016 Postmortem

Ken Burch

(50,254 posts) Mon Apr 11, 2016, 03:32 PM Apr 2016

Bernie is willing to compromise, too...WHEN IT'S WORTH IT.

If he wasn't, he wouldn't have gotten dozens of progressive measures passed as amendments to other bills over the years.

To make compromise worth it, you have to start with a strong, principled undiluted ORIGINAL proposal, which you then mobilize mass public support for. Then, if you must, you compromise...but you compromise from strength, and with a clear commitment to push hard for what you didn't get in the original at the earliest possible opportunity.

IF you START by proposing a half measure, you'll get less than half. You usually get a quarter-measure at best.

You can't get anything done at all by announcing at the start that you'll settle for next to nothing.

7 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Bernie is willing to compromise, too...WHEN IT'S WORTH IT. (Original Post) Ken Burch Apr 2016 OP

So true, about negotiating. Like Bernie says "dream big" nt 99th_Monkey Apr 2016 #1

I fail to understand why this simple truth is so hard for some to grasp. Armstead Apr 2016 #2

Because the negotiator has to have ideological differences with the people floriduck Apr 2016 #3

yeah, I know...... I was being polite and giving benefit of the doubt Armstead Apr 2016 #4

I was pretty sure it was a rhetorical question. nm floriduck Apr 2016 #6

This is very true... Mike Nelson Apr 2016 #5

He's very pragmatic. His whole career has been about making worthwhile compromises. Cheese Sandwich Apr 2016 #7

99th_Monkey

(19,326 posts)

1. So true, about negotiating. Like Bernie says "dream big" nt

Reply to Ken Burch (Original post)

Mon Apr 11, 2016, 03:36 PM

Apr 2016

Armstead

(47,803 posts)

2. I fail to understand why this simple truth is so hard for some to grasp.

Reply to Ken Burch (Original post)

Mon Apr 11, 2016, 03:37 PM

Apr 2016

floriduck

(2,262 posts)

3. Because the negotiator has to have ideological differences with the people

Reply to Armstead (Reply #2)

Mon Apr 11, 2016, 03:58 PM

Apr 2016

they negotiate with. What we have seen so frequently is people with similar beliefs negotiating from the middle and ending up where the GOP benefits. In other words, moderate to right wing or conservative to right wing. A progressive to right wing hasn't come into play for way too damn long.

Armstead

(47,803 posts)

4. yeah, I know...... I was being polite and giving benefit of the doubt

Reply to floriduck (Reply #3)

Mon Apr 11, 2016, 03:58 PM

Apr 2016

floriduck

(2,262 posts)

6. I was pretty sure it was a rhetorical question. nm

Reply to Armstead (Reply #4)

Mon Apr 11, 2016, 04:10 PM

Apr 2016

Mike Nelson

(10,943 posts)

5. This is very true...

Reply to Ken Burch (Original post)

Mon Apr 11, 2016, 04:02 PM

Apr 2016

...but he may not wish to highlight working "with the establishment" to get things done. It's a strength though...

Cheese Sandwich

(9,086 posts)

7. He's very pragmatic. His whole career has been about making worthwhile compromises.

Reply to Ken Burch (Original post)

Tue Apr 12, 2016, 03:16 PM

Apr 2016

Finding common ground, even with people on the other side.

Reply to this discussion

Kick in to the DU tip jar?

This week we're running a special pop-up mini fund drive. From Monday through Friday we're going ad-free for all registered members, and we're asking you to kick in to the DU tip jar to support the site and keep us financially healthy.

As a bonus, making a contribution will allow you to leave kudos for another DU member, and at the end of the week we'll recognize the DUers who you think make this community great.