Today I voted in MD for HRC thanks to two outstanding Bernie supporters

[Stinky The Clown]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Hassin Bin Sober (a host of the 2016 Postmortem forum).

Let's go for the back story:

My wife, Sparkly, posted this thread that was ultimately locked:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027762586

In that thread, two obvious Bernie supporters, reacting solely to Sparkly's HRC avatar, hijacked the thread in the most amazing and disgusting way. They bullied and mocked. They acted like two predators. There is no need for me to name the two. Just read the early part of the thread.

If anyone thinks this sort of shit is going to help the candidate you support, think again. This sort of performance gets you the opposite reaction. At the outset of this primary I was for Bernie, even though I would have been happy with either candidate. Lest anyone (are you two reading this, you bullies?) think that isn't true, read this thread, where my point was urging continued mutual respect. In the OP I make clear my view of both candidates - which was pretty positive.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511685050

Over the last few weeks, Sanders supporters have only gotten nastier and more bullying. Never in my life have we faced more dangerous GOPee candidates. Instead of fighting against them, far too many Sanders supporters have instead chosen to inflict as much damage as possible on Clinton. I've been through primary wars before, but this one is nastier than any I can recall.

I hope you two predatory posters are pleased with yourselves. My one and only vote went the other way; and not the way I'd imagined voting. I wanted to vote for Sanders. But I didn't.

Keep it up. I hope you have your reservations for one of the Drumpf inaugural balls.

[Buddyblazon]

1. You didn't want to vote for Sanders...

that's why you voted for Clinton.

The difference for me...I voted for Bernie because I wanted to. Not because a Clinton supporter made me.

It feels way better than your reasons for voting. I can assure you. Actually liking the candidate I chose.

[NastyRiffraff]

5. Mind reader are you?

I'm in awe of your special talent!

[Buddyblazon]

12. The OP...

Said they wanted vote for Bernie...but mean Bernie supporters made him vote for Hillary.

That's not a very pleasant way to vote. I voted for my candidate because I liked that candidate. Not because someone forced me to vote another way.

It's really quite simple. Try to keep up.

[NastyRiffraff]

23. Reading comprehension

is useful. The OP clearly said he leaned Sanders but voted for Hillary because of the rude, disgusting, stalking, even threatening crap posted by Sanders supporters. You guys may want to deny that your nastiness influences how people think of your candidate, particularly since he has made little or no effort to tell you to stop spewing poison. You are getting a reputation, and it's not a good one.

And the OP said nothing about being "forced" to vote for Hillary. He said some Sanders supporters turned him off, and I don't blame him. Actions have consequences, something many Sanders supporters don't get. Have a nice life. I'm not responding to you any more.

[Buddyblazon]

30. Look at how snippy you became...

Supporters snippiness doesn't force me to vote for or against a candidate. Perhaps it does for you. For me, I vote for the candidate I want most. Not against the one I want to lose because I don't like their supporters.

But you have seen no venom or poison from me like you yourself just hurled at me in your above post.

I'm sorry you're so angry. But that's on you. Not me. Learn the difference and meditate on that. You can control your anger...if you actually want to.

[PyaarRevolution]

36. Have you ever considered?

That some of those "supporters" might be trolls for Hillary or even Republicans?

I'm not saying they don't exist but I just believe they're clearly in the minority.

Also, I have my doubts whether anyone is leaning anywhere if a few asshats are enough to change their vote. I'm just going to list the facts about Hillary vs. Bernie and I believe that speaks for itself. I don't think anyone needs to act like a douche to convince someone to vote for a candidate. Applying hard logic when it comes to a person's positions speaks volumes as far as I'm concerned.

[bjo59]

2. I'm quite certain that you don't vote based on what people do on an internet message board.

I'm quite certain that you vote based on who you think the best candidate is based on careful research and thought.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. I am sorry, both for the bullying, and that it influenced your vote. *hugs* to you and Sparkly.

[ibegurpard]

4. you were always going to vote for her

Quit lying.

[NastyRiffraff]

11. Another mind reader!

Wow, two of you! Probably more lurking too!

[Jackie Wilson Said]

37. Am I also one of those people you are going to call a liar when I say I am a Bernie voter?

[hrmjustin]

6. Glad to have you aboard and sorry what they did to Sparky.

[riderinthestorm]

7. Really? Anonymous internet posters on an open forum have that much power over you?

I'm actually sorry for you that that's true.

[NWCorona]

15. Agreed!

How someone you know nothing about can influence your vote is beyond me.

[TheCowsCameHome]

8. This is a two way street.

It works both ways here on DU.

You win some new supporters, and you lose other supporters.

[JaneyVee]

9. Welcome to the real political revolution.

Hillary has the most diverse base in campaign history. Sorry about the bullying.

[azurnoir]

18. wow so you're negating Barack Obama's diverse voters

Thank-you for that

[TheCowsCameHome]

20. Edit: "divisive"

You're welcome.

[PyaarRevolution]

38. There's nothing that smacks of a real revolution about Hillary's campaign.

As far as I'm concerned. One need only compare each candidate's platform and judge.

[Maedhros]

10. Blah, blah, blah.

/ignore.

[NastyRiffraff]

13. Buh-bye

You will NOT be missed!

[Agschmid]

14. IBTL, sometimes we all just have to realize there are people here just to stir the pot.

And yes they exist on both "sides".

It's best to call them on it, but not engage.

[azurnoir]

16. and shines a light on the difference between Hillary's folks and Bernie's

Hillary's folk's use Bernie's supporters as an excuse while Bernie's as nasty as Hillary's as Hillary's folks can be aren't voting for her because of Hillary herself - nothing to do with what's said on-line

[zappaman]

17. That was pretty shitty what was done on your wife's thread.

So can't say I blame ya.

[robbedvoter]

19. There were originally 2 votes for Sanders in my NY household

Until he called Planned Parenthood "establishment". That made 2 votes for Hillary. So, yeah. I know how it works. I used to like him too when this started. Now,

[herding cats]

21. I saw that mess.

I reached out to her after I saw the nastiness there.

She seemed like a very nice, and together person. You chose well!

[NCTraveler]

22. Great job voting today!!!! nt.

[DFab420]

24. It's nice to know your political convictions can be used in such petty and trivial ways.

Congratulations you sure showed those two strangers who doubtfully thought about you or your wife ever again what for.

If you had any actual political conviction, any actual care about this country, you would've voted your conscious. But, if this story is true, then you are nothing more than a petty, petulant child.

[MoonRiver]

25. Sorry you and Sparkly had to endure that disgusting shit storm.

I used to like and admire Bernie. This campaign has totally turned me off to him, and NOT just because of his supporters, although they haven't helped him.

[alcibiades_mystery]

26. The behavior of a good number of Sanders supporters is terrifying

As always, demagogues attract fanatics.

[NastyRiffraff]

27. Sorry that happened to you, Stinky

and It seems that they're trying to hijack this thread, too. Never mind, it's what they do. They'll crawl back into their hole very soon.

[bigtree]

28. in a nutshell

..behind that dubious support turned out to be an equally dubious candidate.

I've seen 'revolutions' in my lifetime. Never seen one so geared and focused on elevating a career Democrat and tearing down another one.

I'm almost grateful to these Sanders supporters for opening my eyes and forcing me to look beyond my ideals and revealing their very flawed candidate.

[me b zola]

29. I am sorry that Sparkly was bullied like that, there is no excuse for it

...but I cannot see voting for someone to get back at someone on the internet who treated me or mine badly. I have been treated worse than that before the primaries by someone here who is pro-Bernie. But that poster's aggressive and mean behavior toward me has nothing to do with Bernie. Sigh.

I wish you and Sparkly the best.

[Capt. Obvious]

31. In a similar vein I am no longer a Beyonce supporter

Good luck not losing to Beck next time Bey

[demwing]

32. So you expect us to believe that you gave your vote

based on something said in a chat room?

If that's true, you automatically lose whatever moral high ground you think you've claimed. People have died fighting for the right to vote.

[SDJay]

33. There Are Assholes Supporting Each Candidate.

That's really not debatable. If you take any large group of people, a portion of them are going to be assholes. The only difference I've seen in the political world are the teabaggers - it seems that the vast majority of the really 'passionate' ones are nothing but big, giant assholes. But there are exceptions to every norm, and the teabaggers prove that.

I'm certain that the majority of folks who support either candidate are good people.

What I'm saying is that I can't imagine I'd ever decide on a vote based on a candidate's supporters. If you do, that's obviously your right and I support that. It's just not what I would do.

[mike_c]

34. whatever happened to respectful disagreement?

DU is a parody of itself these days. Rancor and ugliness dominate discussions, and the tone has become exceedingly childish. It's a nasty poo slinging playground fight. I don't post here much anymore, and it's hardly worth a lurk, either. Maybe it will improve after November.

[zazen]

35. those posts to your wife are AWFUL--I'm so sorry

I've seen some really bad behavior on both sides, but that is the worst I've ever seen from "Sanders" supporters.

Neither Clinton, nor Sanders, nor any candidate, can control who supports the and what they say.

I suppose the only silver lining here is that I can recommit myself to examining Clinton's actual words and actions and not judging her by the comments of any rude supporters. I like to think I already do that but this reminds me how far-removed supporters can be from their candidate, because I'm ashamed to share the term "Bernie supporters" with those posters.

I have that problem in the family too, and it's simply heartbreaking.

[k8conant]

45. I think this whole thread belongs in the Hillary Clinton group

I see people condoning whatever Hillary supporters say and denigrating whatever Bernie supporters say.

[Trust Buster]

39. The way in which Sanders supporters behave is very relevant. It shows the real intent for them.

They attack anyone that doesn't agree with them. The two knuckleheads that hijacked Stinky's wife's heartdriven thread about her families ongoing heroin struggle by attacking Hillary was heartless and pathetic. These are the same people that claim they care about the little guy and inequality. It's a sham. They really only care about handouts to themselves personally. The biggest hurdle Sanders has had has been the over the top behavior of his supporters. I welcome your vote.

[Nanjeanne]

40. I see. You really wanted to vote for Sanders but two nasty people who have nothing to do

with Sanders or his policies made you change your mind. Is that right?

Or did you always intend to vote HRC?

Because changing your vote because some people were nasty to you is why we wind up with the politicians we get. Voters really should have better reasons?

Or did I miss the whole point of this thread?

[Skwmom]

41. Thanks for the chuckle. If you are for a candidate, stuff like that does not matter - especially on

a message board where a poster could be anyone.

[immoderate]

42. Is this right: You voted for the inferior candidate, because some trolls on the internet

offended your wife? You want a reward for that?

--imm

[Cali_Democrat]

43. What happened to your wife was awful

That really sucks.

Just remember there are a lot of good people here who would never do what those two vultures did.

[JSup]

44. I remember that thread...

...she was so upset and I was so appalled I couldn't even think of a response to help her out of the abuse. And that's what it was; pure abuse.

Edit: But I do remember the nice Berners coming into the thread later to help her out; I think they were as angry as I was.

[Punkingal]

46. For Pete's sake.

You did that, and then came here and posted it?