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bkkyosemite

(5,792 posts)
Sun May 1, 2016, 12:12 AM May 2016

Dear Democrats: Stop Bullying Sanders Supporters into Backing Hillary Clinton

http://usuncut.com/politics/democrats-dnc-bullying-sanders/

"

Democrats are setting themselves up for a crushing loss in November unless Clinton backers stop bullying Bernie Sanders supporters. Here’s why.
Neither candidate will clinch the nomination before the convention

After losing four out of five primaries on Tuesday, the overwhelming question from Hillary Clinton supporters is whether or not the legions of voters backing Bernie Sanders will fall in line, accept Clinton’s inevitable coronation, and vote for her to stop Donald Trump from becoming president. This is an unfair and illegitimate question, and completely ignores why Sanders was able to activate so many people across the country and persuade nearly 9 million people thus far to vote for him.

That question of whether or not Bernie Sanders’ voters will support Clinton ignores the fact that out of the remaining 1,016 pledged delegates, neither Hillary Clinton nor Bernie Sanders will reach 2,383 pledged delegates before the Democratic National Convention in July. Almost half of those delegates will come from California alone.

This is significant, as Sanders is steadily closing in on Clinton’s polling edge in the state, cutting her lead down from double digits to just two points. As such, he has a very good chance of winning the state, given that California’s primary allows independent voters to vote in the Democratic primary. In terms of pledged delegates, Sanders may very well be within two percentage points of Clinton at the DNC if he wins 60 percent of the remaining pledged delegates. This is not an unlikely scenario, given the favorable outlook of the remaining states.

In other words, Hillary Clinton will only be the Democratic nominee if superdelegates tip the scales for her on the first ballot. Assuming Clinton already has the nomination locked up, with over 1,000 pledged delegates still at play in states mostly favorable to Sanders, is unrealistic and naive. Democrats’ bullying of Sen. Sanders supporters to betray their candidate and vote for his rival is premature and divisive.
The Democratic Party desperately needs new blood

By attempting to turn the Democratic primary into a coronation for Hillary Clinton, Democratic Party leaders have shown they aren’t interested in cultivating new leaders or increasing engagement among younger voters. The fact that the Democratic establishment’s only choice to lead the party in 2016 is the candidate who lost the last contested primary eight years ago speaks volumes.

Establishment Democrats have a bad habit of running loser candidates. In Wisconsin, moderate Democrat Tom Barrett, who lost by 5 points to Scott Walker in the 2010 gubernatorial election, was the state party’s top choice to run against Gov. Walker after activists successfully triggered a recall election. Despite Barrett’s establishment endorsements from Bill Clinton and Rahm Emanuel, he lost by an even wider margin to Walker in the recall election.

In fact, aside from re-electing President Obama in 2012, Democrats have been losing badly across the nation for six consecutive years. There are only 18 Democratic governors currently in office, the fewest in over a century. Only 43 percent of all state legislators across the United States are Democrats while 56 percent are Republicans — a trend of waning Democratic power at the state level continuing unabated since 2012. If anything, Democrats should be welcoming Sanders’ supporters and their ideas into the party if they’re interested in having any hope for future elections.
Current Democratic Party leaders are fresh out of ideas

Democrats currently holding office have shown little in the way of strategy for how to enact progressive policy victories. As US Uncut reported earlier this week, leading Democrats in Congress, like Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, are actually aligning with the pharmaceutical industry to fight their own president’s efforts to lower prescription drug prices. And even though they’re bending over backwards to elect Hillary Clinton, Congressional Democrats have no strategy or will to retake the House of Representatives.

Even if Hillary Clinton, who is running as a “progressive who likes to get things done” is elected, how does she plan to get things done with Republican majorities in the House and Senate? And if the Democratic Party’s leader in the House is already scheming against a Democratic president, how does Clinton plan to even rally her own party to pass meaningful legislation?

Bernie Sanders, on the other hand, has brought new blood and new ideas to the Democratic Party, and manages to fill arenas full of supporters and break voter turnout records in many of the states he’s won. Sanders is the first Democrat to bring New Deal policies back to the Democratic Party since the Clinton-led corporate takeover of the Democratic Party in the nineties.

These policies — like tuition-free public universities, universal healthcare as a human right, and a massive investment in millions of new public sector jobs — motivate young people and independent voters to register as Democrats and vote for Sanders. If Democrats want to keep the White House in November, they should push Hillary Clinton to adopt as many as possible.
Hillary Clinton and the DNC have no interest in bringing in new blood or new ideas

As The Hill reported on Friday, Hillary Clinton is already promising to resist the pressure to adopt Sanders’ policies as her own if she wins the nomination. This will undoubtedly turn off the millions of voters who showed up for Sen. Sanders throughout the primary process from voting for Clinton in the general election. In addition, Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz has already stacked the deck in Clinton’s favor by rigging the party’s national convention process.

Earlier this week, the New York Times reported that the heads of the two most important standing committees at the DNC are Clinton superdelegates. Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy is co-chair of the platform committee, where policies Democrats will run on for the next four years are adopted. The other co-chair is Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, who is a senior advisor for Ready for Hillary.

Former Congressman Barney Frank (who is very vocally anti-Sanders) is heading the rules committee, which decides the convention procedures, along with former Texas State Senator Leticia Van de Putte, who endorsed Clinton and stumped for her on the campaign trail.

Several months ago, Schultz also made sure the members of these committees were favorable to Clinton:

In January, the party chairwoman, Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, appointed dozens of Clinton supporters and advisers to the three standing committees of the Democratic Party convention. Of 45 potential members submitted by Mr. Sanders, she appointed just three, according to Mr. Sanders’s campaign.

Even if Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders enter the convention with a 51-49 split in pledged delegates, party bosses could rig the process to make sure Sanders won’t be the nominee. Barney Frank has the power as rules committee chairman to schedule Bernie Sanders’ speech to delegates for 10 AM on a Friday morning, or make sure the DNC’s first ballot vote, in which superdelegates can give Clinton a plurality, happens before Sanders has a chance to address delegates.
Bullying #BernieOrBust voters won’t help Hillary Clinton

Nearly one-third of Sanders’ supporters are pledging to not vote for Hillary Clinton in the general election, and some have pledged to not support her even if Sanders stumps for her.

In recent months, Sanders supporters have endured constant bullying, having been labeled sexists and “Bernie Bros” more times than can be counted; they’ve been told by Clinton herself that they don’t do their own research; they’ve been called “unrealistic” in pushing for progressive reforms despite massive victories in the fight for a higher minimum wage; they’ve even been told there’s a “special place in hell” for women not supporting Clinton. What’s unrealistic is expecting Sanders supporters to put their feelings aside and vote for the candidate who has directly insulted them.

If Clinton secures the nomination, she will lose unless Bernie Sanders and his supporters are lifted up by the party, and the ideals they uphold are taken seriously and adopted into the Democratic platform. Anything less would ensure at least four years of Donald Trump as president.?









39 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Dear Democrats: Stop Bullying Sanders Supporters into Backing Hillary Clinton (Original Post) bkkyosemite May 2016 OP
Hillary supporters do not threaten to cut people's tobgues out RandySF May 2016 #1
So what's your point? You are using the fact that some wacko threatened someone rhett o rick May 2016 #3
Peace out RandySF May 2016 #4
Thought that is all you would have Duckhunter935 May 2016 #29
Bernie supporters don't post kiddie porn on opponent's FB pages and then report it. cui bono May 2016 #10
Go Bernie liberal from boston May 2016 #25
paid trolls are a choice oldandhappy May 2016 #28
Oh poor little helpless ones mythology May 2016 #2
Bernie supporters dont post child porn on clinton supporter sites. Katashi_itto May 2016 #13
I called up, AS a Bernie supporter, and supported her position. PyaarRevolution May 2016 #34
thanks for posting this. It is comprehensive and clear and compelling. However, bbgrunt May 2016 #5
They can bully all they want, it's not going to happen. nt Live and Learn May 2016 #6
K&R for (uncomfortable) truth Betty Karlson May 2016 #7
nobody is bullying sanders supporters. usuncut? as a source? nt msongs May 2016 #8
you're kidding right? because you forgot the sarcasm tag. nt silvershadow May 2016 #9
Bhahahahahaha! Katashi_itto May 2016 #11
I don't feel bullied. djean111 May 2016 #12
These screeds are getting outright delusional.nt sufrommich May 2016 #14
I used to think I was naive. Then I came to DemocraticUnderground and learned otherwise. randome May 2016 #15
Why don't you vote as is in your best interests? treestar May 2016 #16
Hey treestar angrychair May 2016 #35
I don't get it treestar May 2016 #36
Not my point angrychair May 2016 #37
ROFL Patiod May 2016 #17
Post removed Post removed May 2016 #18
Shame on Democrats stating why it is so important to get a Democrat in the WH. seabeyond May 2016 #19
Please let us know when a Democrat is running for the WH other than Bernie. Katashi_itto May 2016 #21
Comments like these are simply useless. seabeyond May 2016 #22
But accurate. Katashi_itto May 2016 #23
Clinton is the top 15% most liberal in congress. seabeyond May 2016 #24
She's not in Congress bkkyosemite May 2016 #33
Shhssh! Never tell the enemy they are making a mistake. Katashi_itto May 2016 #20
Please! Just until the primaries are over! oldandhappy May 2016 #26
if this is the courtship, mooseprime May 2016 #27
We should all be better than this... Fresh_Start May 2016 #30
I will not be bullied or frightened or guilt-tripped Merryland May 2016 #31
Well, I have from the first insisted that he stay in the race rock May 2016 #32
Thanks for Posting pmorlan1 May 2016 #38
No one is bullying Sanders supporters into supporting Hillary. hrmjustin May 2016 #39

RandySF

(57,641 posts)
1. Hillary supporters do not threaten to cut people's tobgues out
Sun May 1, 2016, 12:16 AM
May 2016

Last edited Sun May 1, 2016, 02:26 AM - Edit history (1)

They do not call superdelegates at 2am. And they do not post journalists' home addresses over unfavorable articles.

 

rhett o rick

(55,981 posts)
3. So what's your point? You are using the fact that some wacko threatened someone
Sun May 1, 2016, 12:47 AM
May 2016

to justify your behavior. You don't like the OP because what fun is it here if you can't gloat, mock and ridicule.

Well I am surprised that I can still see your posts. I won't from now on. Go gloat to your hearts content. Bob-Bye

25. Go Bernie
Sun May 1, 2016, 01:48 PM
May 2016

I Remember it was Hillary supporters who lost their minds that Senator Sanders accepted an invitation to speak at a Vatican Conference on moral economics. Their hateful rhetoric, lies, smears were disgusting--all of which were proven false. Clinton Campaign has Super Pac that spent $ 1 Million on paid trolls to post lies about Sanders Campaign.

Bernie is in this to the end-- A Federal Judge has ordered that over 45,000 NYC Provisional Ballots be counted, CA polls showing a statistical tie, etc.

oldandhappy

(6,719 posts)
28. paid trolls are a choice
Sun May 1, 2016, 01:55 PM
May 2016

Sometimes things happen outside the control of the campaign. I understand that. Explosive posts happen. But paid trolls? That is a choice at a high level. Now talking unity. Giant giggle.

 

mythology

(9,527 posts)
2. Oh poor little helpless ones
Sun May 1, 2016, 12:35 AM
May 2016

I could have sworn I've heard that the Sanders revolution was going to make Republicans back down by protesting. And yet apparently they are let timid as a result of something that falls far short of any useful definition of bullying.

You want bullying? Let's talk about Sanders supporters and how they treated Elizabeth Warren for not endorsing Sanders:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/bernie-sanders-fans-blaming-elizabeth-172600569.html?ref=gs



There are 48.1% of the Democratic Voters in #MaPoli who need to organize to primary @SenWarren in 2018.

This is how est. politics works. Now they love Warren for standing on the sideline. But had she stood on her progressivism, they'd hate her

And now for something I thought I'd never say: Fuck Elizabeth Warren. You've betrayed your values, state, and country.

Let's not forget which candidate had to come out and say "Look, we don’t want that crap." to their supporters?

There has been ugliness in both directions in the primary as there is in any primary.

PyaarRevolution

(814 posts)
34. I called up, AS a Bernie supporter, and supported her position.
Sun May 1, 2016, 04:32 PM
May 2016

I told them I totally understood where she was coming from.

I like Ms.Warren and I don't envy the position she was in on endorsement.

While she likely sides with Mr.Sanders on most issues, Hillary has a political machine that she can bring to bear and make life MISERABLE for her if she was to endorse Bernie. HOWEVER, if Elizabeth stays neutral and endorses neither, if Hillary brought big pressure and the news got out, she would look like an enormous ass. In this way, her best position for all of us who support the movement is her staying neutral until the nom. In the process, Hillary didn't get a bump from her endorsement and Bernie isn't hurt by it. Additionally, I think that Ms.Warren would've lost a decent amount of supporters if she backed Hillary as the "Warren For President" backers largely went over to supporting Sanders I would argue.

bbgrunt

(5,281 posts)
5. thanks for posting this. It is comprehensive and clear and compelling. However,
Sun May 1, 2016, 03:03 AM
May 2016

don't expect many of the Hillary contingent here to even read it. They don't want to accept these realities and seem to only be interested in vanquishing those they perceive as the enemy: true progressives.

 

djean111

(14,255 posts)
12. I don't feel bullied.
Sun May 1, 2016, 06:14 AM
May 2016

More like revulsion. Or distaste. One would have to be afraid of someone to be bullied.

 

randome

(34,845 posts)
15. I used to think I was naive. Then I came to DemocraticUnderground and learned otherwise.
Sun May 1, 2016, 08:20 AM
May 2016

[hr][font color="blue"][center]“If you're not committed to anything, you're just taking up space.”
Gregory Peck, Mirage (1965)
[/center][/font][hr]

treestar

(82,383 posts)
16. Why don't you vote as is in your best interests?
Sun May 1, 2016, 08:22 AM
May 2016

Why do otherwise in an attempt to control the words of others? Does that have more value to you than your own interests?

angrychair

(8,593 posts)
35. Hey treestar
Sun May 1, 2016, 04:39 PM
May 2016

Isn't this you that recommended a OP that used anti Semitic, neo-nazi, holocaust denying websites and their batshit crazy conspiracy theories to attack a Democratic candidate of Jewish heritage?

Why do you recommend OPs that use neo-Nazi hate sites as a source?

treestar

(82,383 posts)
36. I don't get it
Mon May 2, 2016, 06:06 PM
May 2016

I didn't see any such site there, but you evading the question.

This is all more important than voting in your best interests? Why would you not do that because I recommended a post that may have cited bad websites. Even if I am all those bad things, why would that make you vote against your interests just to prove I am a bad guy?

angrychair

(8,593 posts)
37. Not my point
Mon May 2, 2016, 06:17 PM
May 2016

How I vote has nothing to do with you and/or what you say or don't say.

I just feel that people that endorsed the use of holocaust denying hate sites and their batshit crazy conspiracy theories and claim to be Democrats should be called out for it.
So, do you normally go to or endorse sites like tomatoebubble or Stormfront or was just a good way to stick it to a Jewish candidate you don't like?

Patiod

(11,816 posts)
17. ROFL
Sun May 1, 2016, 10:32 AM
May 2016
Bullying? Really?

Have you VISITED or READ DU this past year? You know, the DU where Hillary supporters are summarily whipped out branded "Republican plants" for expressing support for her?

Response to bkkyosemite (Original post)

Fresh_Start

(11,330 posts)
30. We should all be better than this...
Sun May 1, 2016, 01:58 PM
May 2016

There is no need for bullying in either direction
There is no need for name calling in either direction
There is no need for nose tweaking in either direction
There is no need for gloating in either direction

As much as some people want to ignore this, we actually need each other to have any hope of changing the status quo

rock

(13,218 posts)
32. Well, I have from the first insisted that he stay in the race
Sun May 1, 2016, 02:38 PM
May 2016

So we can kick him around. And by the way, why do some Bernie Supporters spout the slogan, "Bernie, He's NOT an asshole?" One of my favorites.

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