Bernie Sanders? Who is Bernie Sanders?

[Ninga]

Bernie Sanders, Senator from Vermont, virtually unknown, has received nearly 9 million primary votes to date, that's who he is!

This is astounding. That his messages resonated with nearly 9 million people. The importance of this can not, and must not be left at the curb.

Hillary Clinton is known world wide. She is the most well-known woman in American politics.
To date, she is only 3 million popular votes ahead of Sanders. This is astounding. This is meaningful that she did not stop him, the unknown, in his tracks earlier in the primary season.

Bernie Sanders, the unknown, did not and does not have the support of many progressive Democrats, like Sen Sharrod Brown - very few to no nationally known progressives have taken the stage to stand in solidarity with Sanders and his message because the Clinton's spent their life time doing political favors, rasing money and collecting political chits to cash in for a Hillary Clinton presidency. Senators like Brown owe the Clintons. This is a simple and true fact.

Elizabeth Warren did not show up for Sanders, not because he and his message isn't valid or worthy, but because she blinked. Hedge for one second...and the moment is lost.

Who will step into Bernie Sanders shoes and lift the movement to their shoulders to carry it on?
That person will need to introduce themselves to the American primary voter, Sanders at their side.

While I am heart broken Sanders has not catapulted over Clinton, I am hopeful that this is time the progressive movement will not wither away...like it did with McGovern and the death of Bobby Kennedy...

Please tell me you are with me and won't go away...please tell me you are in it for the duration.

[Punkingal]

1. More than 9 million I would say.

Those are just the ones who got to vote for him so far.

[Ninga]

3. Of course. And ther will be more who vote for him...much to the dismay of the

establishment.

[Punkingal]

6. Yes. I would be one of them, but I voted for him in March.

And I will know for the rest of my life it is the best vote I ever made in 65 years of living.

[Ninga]

11. Yep. I'm with you. I am 72 and fighting like hell to restore progressive values. Hopefully you

and I will get to celebrate such a vote in the near future.

[2banon]

12. Yes, in my 65 years it will be the Best Vote I'll ever make come June 7th,

When the largest populated state in the union finally has our voice. Yes California is in the bag of HRC but there's a hell of a lot of Bernie supporters here.

[BernieforPres2016]

28. Only 16 of 40 Democratic primaries or caucuses have been open

Add in independent voters plus more voters in the caucus states and Bernie would have millions of more votes.

[Kip Humphrey]

2. yes (dare say no more).

[Armstead]

4. 40 percent is certainly nothing to sneeze at

[Ninga]

5. Point taken. It is astounding to say the least. It means there is a foundation for a true

progressive movement.

[Punkingal]

8. Yes, and I am all in for that movement.

[2banon]

7. We're not going away, we're still moving onward.

DU might diss us, they are after all working on behalf of Hillary and the DLC, but DU isn't the be all of our movement.

Take Heart, and stay strong!

In Solidarity!

[djean111]

9. I am in it to stay.

And - I am out of the Democratic Party, if Hillary is the nominee.
Too right-wing for me, can't do it.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. I'm not going away.

I always figured Bernie was a long shot so I'm not surprised at the outcome, especially considering how the odious DWS put her heavy thumb on the DNC's scale. I'm delighted that he exceeded everybody's expectations and regardless of what happens after this, he proved there are an awful lot of people who don't want more of the same old, same old that we've been getting from what's left of the Democratic Party. The only positive thing I can think of to say about Hillary is that she's not as bad as Donald Trump. If the GOP had been able to nominate somebody who is not criminally insane Hillary would get trampled in the GE; it's only the rank awfulness of Trump that can save her. Isn't it pathetic that each party is set to nominate a candidate who is deeply unpopular?

But onward and upward, regardless. It takes a long time to build a movement, and I hope the people who are disappointed that we're stuck with yet another tool of the financial industry won't give up; that there will be a unified effort to support progressive candidates at the state and local levels (all politics is local), and eventually push the Third-Wayers onto the scrap heap of history where they belong.

I'm sure as heck done with DU if it turns into an echo chamber for Hillary.

[Ninga]

13. Spot on! I intend to be viligent in auditing the new Clinton administration from day one.

I intend to be vocal in a fact based concrete manner, if required, to underscore the conservative elements in Clinton's programs.

[BernieforPres2016]

16. The DNC and establishment Democrats will be fighting against those local progressive candidates

Just like they knocked off progressive Senate candidates yesterday in PA and MD.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/26/politics/pennsylvania-democratic-senate-primary-joe-sestak-katie-mcginty/

<The Democratic establishment struck back Tuesday with major victories in the Maryland and Pennsylvania Senate primaries, showing the strength of the party leadership over the liberal base.

Nowhere was that clearer than in Pennsylvania, with a furious effort stretching from the White House to local party leaders who sought to prop up Democrat Katie McGinty, who was struggling in the polls just a few weeks ago.

But with millions poured over the airwaves by the Senate Democrats' campaign arm, and Joe Biden stumping alongside McGinty in recent days, the Democratic establishment helped McGinty secure a victory over a man party leaders have long viewed as a persistent agitator: former Rep. Joe Sestak. McGinty, a former chief of staff to Gov. Tom Wolf, will now face off against first-term GOP Sen. Pat Toomey -- in one of the country's most high profile Senate races.

"Katie McGinty has the best chance of beating Toomey -- we always felt that way," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, the likely next Democratic leader who helped recruit McGinty to run against Sestak. "We want to beat him.">

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

17. Yup, it will be a tough fight.

The establishment candidates have the money and the support of the party. And sometimes even when you think you've managed to elect a good progressive, once they get elected suddenly they aren't so progressive any more - the need for constant fund-raising and the pressure from TPTB gets to them. Exhibit A: Al Franken.

[BernieforPres2016]

25. I think it will take a 3rd party committed to no corporate money and repealing Citizens United

Both major parties are too addicted to corporate and top 0.1% money, not just for getting elected, but for the financially lucrative revolving door to lobbying, Wall Street, etc. that it has opened up to them. I think we'll be seeing fewer career politicians. There is too much money available by turning a stint in politics into big bucks afterwards. People like Dick Gephardt and Tom Daschle are making far more money and have a much easier lifestyle now working as lobbyists than they did as politicians. No fundraising, no campaigning, no commuting between DC and their home states. Sell out and cash in. That's the new name of the game.

428 former members of Congress are now lobbyists:

https://www.opensecrets.org/revolving/top.php?display=Z

A chart on Government Sachs from a few years back (and you could do one on Citigroup in the Obama administration):

http://www.muckety.com/897792228FFFA019E542A0A86226FE6D.map

[Ninga]

38. I never thought I would say this..but the Democrats have morphed into the DLC..taking on the

conservative mantle...making it Bill Clinton's legacy.

[mindwalker_i]

24. We need liberal underground

Now there are two republicans/corporatists running for prez, after a thoroughly fucked up primary, followed by "Get in line _____."

[NurseJackie]

14. Good post (in spite of the relatively gentle swipes at Hillary) ...

... I like that it's forward looking and reflective and shows optimism.

Who will step into Bernie Sanders shoes and lift the movement to their shoulders to carry it on?

My only recommendations would be that it be an actual Democrat without the baggage and stigma that Bernie's vanity label of "socialist" carries with it. Someone younger would be to their advantage, and someone with a less angry demeanor, and someone that doesn't despise or resent the party, and who sees the value of down-ticket competitiveness, and in getting people to register properly. That should get the ball rolling.

[rhett o rick]

18. Good Grief. Your side has disparaged the Progressive Wing of our Party continuously.

You've essentially told us to sit down and shut up. Now you are mocking us by insinuations like "getting people to register properly". Like all the many voter discrepancies that favored Clinton were the fault of people not getting registered properly.

I can't speak for all progressives but I am not buying your condensation. I will fight you and the Oligarchy you revere so deeply.

[NurseJackie]

29. Or, you can just continue to do the same things that clearly aren't working.

It's your choice.

Your side has disparaged the Progressive Wing of our Party continuously.

Because with your 6-to-1 majority at this site, the Bernie supporters have been so put-upon. And so many Bernie supporters have been juried into forced-time-outs with the lopsided Hillary-favoring juries.

Now you are mocking us by insinuations like "getting people to register properly".

You can either learn from the campaign's mistakes or ignore them. It's not like you haven't been told or experienced the consequences for inaction and poor planning. I don't care.

I will fight you and the Oligarchy you revere so deeply.

So does that mean we should put you down as a "no" in helping Hillary to defeat the GOP nominee?

I can't speak for all progressives but I am not buying your condensation.

Okay.

[forjusticethunders]

31. Nothing wrong with the "Socialist" label

http://www.people-press.org/2011/12/28/little-change-in-publics-response-to-capitalism-socialism/?src=prc-headline

If we parse this poll, we see that Hispanics are split, and black people support the concept, and this was 5 years ago. Socialism is also net positive among young people.

In short, the base of the party sees socialism favorably. Maybe not enough for one to win the general against a candidate that isn't Trump/Cruz, but it isn't the anchor it would have been even in 00.

Bernie lost for a bunch of reasons. I don't think him calling himself a "Socialist" was one of them.

I agree with the rest though.

[NurseJackie]

33. It's an invitation for all sorts of easy-pickin's attack ads. Unfair or not, it's a liability.

[forjusticethunders]

34. Well you do have a point

Slapping a hammer and sickle on Obama's head didn't work but it may work with someone who embraces the word "Socialist". I'd like to think it wouldn't though, at least not outside people who wouldn't vote for this hypothetical progressive candidate to start with.

[Ninga]

35. Hello back! I have no quarrel with your assessment of Sanders, he is who he is. it is astounding

that in spite of who he is, that his message was embraced and understood by millions, and many more to come. This is very meaningful and should foreshadow an huge opening for the progressive movement

[CrispyQ]

15. I would feel more hopeful if more people would participate in the mid-terms.

The problem is that too many people only participate in the process during a presidential year. I have friends who would never miss a presidential election but never vote the mid-terms. Some of them can't even name our state's senators.

[rhett o rick]

21. Millions don't vote because the Oligarchy has rigged the system. This election made that clear. nm

[oldandhappy]

19. I am very eager for a national structure for this movement.

I want to see this keep happening. I know things take time. But we need to get started. We need to be grooming and nurturing young progressives to move into local positions and be ready to take on county and state positions. We need to build!

[Orsino]

20. He was always a long shot...

...and he might not be a great speaker, but his message obviously resonated with those left out of the new economy. He has executed well and performed superbly at just about every step, but that was the minimum requirement for remaining in the race against a celebrity with the kind of enormous easy money he deliberately swore off.

Yeah, he handicapped his own campaign, but that choice is what made him so attractive to so many. He hasn't been bought, or not nearly so completely as as every opponent has been. He's not proceeding according to the playbook, and that drives the party leadership BUGFUCK. Everything Clinton does easily, he has had to do backwards in high heels, and he is much loved for it.

Winning now would be great, but I think Sanders is just the first major figure of a revolution just now gaining visibility. The need is growing.

[aikoaiko]

22. Hillary had the lead from the very beginning and has been very slowly losing support

Bernie's campaign platform, on the other hand, attracted a coalition of those who didn't want the status quo. This coalition nearly overtook the presumed candidate.

[Jitter65]

39. She slowly lost support because of the many attacks by our other candidate and supporters.

Running on the issues is what he should have been doing all along instead of reaching back into the administration of Bill Clinton for fodder to use against Hillary. We all have a chance to get over that now but it looks like few are willing to.

[aikoaiko]

40. You seem to forget the Clintons' "2 for the price of 1" stance.

HRC was an active politician (albeit unelected) during Bill's presidency and she appeals to her politics from that time period in her own campaign.

Bernie has been very focused on issues.

There is no getting over HRC's past. I might have to be quiet about it from June to November, but the issues will resurface.

[ThePhilosopher04]

23. 9 million is conservative when you account for fraud and voter suppression.

Just think if our election process wasn't a sham and the true will of the voters was allowed to shine through. The clock is ticking on the establishment, however. They are getting very nervous.

[northernsouthern]

26. It is not over yet. There is still 30% left. We are in it to win. NT

[warrprayer]

27. in to the end

it's not a choice, it's life and death.

[happynewyear]

30. The Many Reasons People Love Bernie Sanders

&feature=youtu.be

[livetohike]

32. What movement? Did any of his acolytes win the right to run in November?

Fetterman came in third here in PA's Senate race. He was an early Sanders endorser. Sanders has no coat tails.

[Kittycat]

42. Yes. They are winning DNC seats for starters.

And not all state races are done.

[femmedem]

36. I'm here, a progressive member of my Democratic Town Committee. n/t

[Kittycat]

43. ..

[Uncle Joe]

37. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Ninga.

[Ninga]

41. Thanks, Uncle Joe..it came from my heart. I hope Bernie racks up as many votes as he can.nt

[Uncle Joe]

44. I have no doubt he will, Ninga and

Bernie's impact on the American Electorate has legs, it will be felt for decades.

Peace to you.