Bernie Sanders At National Press Club May 1st "It will be a contested convention"

[imagine2015]

Prepared Remarks

National Press Club
May 1, 2016

There are a total of 4,766 Democratic delegates – 4,047 pledged, 719 super delegates. A candidate needs 2,383 votes to win. Let’s be clear. It is virtually impossible for Secretary Clinton to reach the majority of convention delegates by June 14 – the end of the primary season – with pledged delegates alone. She will need super delegates to take her over the top at the convention in Philadelphia. In other words, it will be a contested convention.

Currently, Secretary Clinton has 1,645 pledged delegates – 55 percent of the total. We have 1318 pledged delegates – 45 percent of the total. There are 10 states plus D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam remaining. We believe we are quite strong in many of these remaining contests and have an excellent chance to win California – the state with far and away the most delegates.

For us to win the majority of pledged delegates, we need to win 710 out of the remaining 1083. That is 65 percent. That is, admittedly, a tough road to climb, but not an impossible one. And we intend to fight for every vote and delegate remaining.

In terms of super delegates, I want to say the following.

Obviously, we are taking on virtually the entire Democratic establishment. Secretary Clinton has an estimated 520 super delegates. Many of those committed to her even before we got into this campaign. We have all of 39 super delegates. In other words, while we have won 45 percent of the pledged delegates up to this point, we have only 7 percent of the super delegates.

Two points:

First, those super delegates in states where either candidate has won a landslide victories ought to seriously reflect on whether they should cast their super delegate vote in line with the wishes of the people in their states.

Let me give you just a few examples.

In the state of Washington, we won that caucus with almost 73 percent of the vote but at this point Secretary Clinton has 10 super delegates. We have zero.

In Minnesota, we won the caucus there with 61 percent of the vote. Hillary Clinton has 11 super delegates. We have three.

In Colorado, we won that state with 59 percent of the vote. Secretary Clinton has 10 super delegates. We have zero.

In New Hampshire, we won that state with more than 60 percent of the vote. Secretary Clinton has six super delegates. We have zero.

And that pattern continues in other states where we have won landslide victories.


Secondly, and extremely importantly, Secretary Clinton and I have many differences on some of the most important issues facing the American people. We disagree on trade, on breaking up Wall Street banks, on raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, on imposing a carbon tax to combat climate change, on insisting that the wealthy and large corporations pay their fair share of taxes, on fracking and on a number of other issues.

But where Secretary Clinton and I agree and where every delegate to the Democratic convention agrees is that it would be a disaster for Donald Trump or some other right-wing Republican to become president of the United States.

Therefore, it is incumbent upon every super delegate to take a hard and objective look at which candidate stands the better chance of defeating Donald Trump. And in that regard, I think the evidence is extremely clear that I would be the stronger candidate to defeat Trump or any other Republican. This is not just the subjective opinion of Bernie Sanders. This is based on virtually every national and state poll done in the last several months.

Look at some of the very recent national polls.

In a Morning Consult survey, we beat Trump by 16. She beats him by seven.

An Investor Business Daily poll, we beat Trump by 12. She beats him by seven.

In the USA Today poll, we beat Trump by 15. She beats him by 11.
A George Washington University poll, we beat him by 10. She beats him by three.

Fox News, we beat Trump by 14. She beats him by seven

And it’s the same story in battleground state after battleground state. In Arizona, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina and many other states we defeat Trump by larger numbers than she does.


Further, what recent elections tell us is that Democrats win elections when the voter turnout is high. Republicans win elections when voter turnout is low. There is little doubt in my mind that the energy and excitement we have created will, in fact, create a large voter turnout in November, which will mean not only victory for the White House but for Democratic candidates in the Senate, the House and in governor’s races.

This is an important reality that super delegates cannot ignore.

Read the full statement at:
https://berniesanders.com/remarks-national-press-club/

[Chasstev365]

1. We have not had an exciting Poltical Convention in Decades!

In the summer of 2016, we might have two! Get the popcorn ready!

[Qutzupalotl]

13. If the Repubs hand it to Kasich, we're screwed if we stick with Hillary.

Thankfully, they go first so we might have time to react.

[RobertEarl]

29. Supers can save us. Call them!!

Why have super delegates?

If the pledged delegates are enough to select a nominee as so many here are yacking about, then why even have super delegates?

The reason is to make sure that we nominate someone who can win in the GE. There being evidence that H can't win indies and therefore will lose the GE, then the supers are the party's last hope to ensure a GE win.

They know and most of us know it. Bernie will be the real winner!

[Demsrule86]

79. Kasich is a tool

And could never win a general. I live in Ohio and know.

[Demsrule86]

25. There will be no contested convention

Hillary first round...he won't get anywhere near enough delegates...Bernie has presidentialitis...but soon he will have no choice but to admit defeat...Hillary first round. She won. I do believe Bernie just destroyed what is left of his career.

[jcgoldie]

2. So your point is...

Bernie Sanders is a hypocrite?

[Buzz Clik]

5. Hells bells, that goes without saying.

It's far worse than that.

[RobertEarl]

10. How dare you?

Why is it you post such mean bitter words about a good man?

You must hate Bernie. What did he do to you to make you hate him so much that you post such trash?

[jcgoldie]

16. Oh for fucks sake

Pretty sure you should be an expert about posting trash. If Bernie Sanders really thinks that he should somehow win a nomination after getting his ass kicked by the voters and still calls himself a "democratic" socialist then yes that makes him a hypocrite.

[RobertEarl]

20. There you are again

Showing disrespect for a good man who has millions of Democrat party supporters.

I guess the internet makes you brave?

[jcgoldie]

22. wut?

There's an argument here. If you don't want to engage in it then why the fuck respond?

[RobertEarl]

26. Because you are hurting

And it is a progressive ideal to try and help those who are hurt.

What did Bernie do to you to hurt you so badly you lash out like this?

[jcgoldie]

40. seriously?

I don't give a fuck about Bernie. And I'm pretty sure I'm not hurting him by pointing out that if he thinks he should win an election without getting more actual votes then he's a hypocrite.

[RobertEarl]

48. I feel your pain

It must be awful to be in such misery. But it looks as if you are rejecting all help?

Bernie will win the nomination when the wise super delegates decide that H will cause the most pain. Maybe then you can heal?

[jcgoldie]

53. haha

I'm fine thanks. My candidate is winning the election and I am glad. Yours... not so much.

[RobertEarl]

57. Then why post trash?

You think you will persuade others that you are fine? I don't think so. I think we all feel bad for you. Even H supporters.

Why have super delegates?

If the pledged delegates are enough to select a nominee as so many here are yacking about, then why even have super delegates?

The reason is to make sure that we nominate someone who can win in the GE. There being evidence that H can't win indies and therefore will lose the GE, then the supers are the party's last hope to ensure a GE win.

They know and most of us know it. Bernie will be the real winner!

[jcgoldie]

59. riiiight

Can you pinpoint that moment in this primary campaign when those superdelegates went from being tools of the party elite subverting the will of the people to guardians of the democratic ideals of Bernies revolution? I can. It happened as soon as you became desperate realizing you cant win. Thats still where you are now isnt it? Have fun with that.

[RobertEarl]

64. Bernie will win

And after a while you will heal and feel the Bern. Nice and warm and soothing. And you'll get to have SS and health care in your old age. Ah yes, Bernie is your best chance to heal. That's why I don't reject you like others would. You can change and become healed!! There is hope for you!! Rejoice!!

[jcgoldie]

69. hmm

Now I understand. It seems to be a clean break with reality. Enjoy your world.

[RobertEarl]

73. I will

But first I would like to know you are healed from posting such trash as you have tonight. Can you stop now or will you reply?

[jcgoldie]

76. the trash is mostly on your side

I keep responding since I'm bored. You really only addressed the issue in one of I don't know how many replies. That's the one in which I realized you are delusional. Your serve

[jcgoldie]

94. Oh and btw "Democrat party"?

Explains a lot.

[Demsrule86]

30. He is not a good man

A good man would not attempt to overturn the will of millions of voters.

[uponit7771]

51. +1

[Buzz Clik]

3. Damn. Just damn.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

4. Hillary 2165 Bernie 1357

Per Real Clear Politics

Superdelegates matter - whether you want them to or not.

[morningfog]

7. They do not matter until the convention, whether you want them to or not.

[Demsrule86]

34. That is baloney

If Bernie does not stop this crap soon, he is finished. Attacking Secretary Clinton this morning...bringing up the Clinton Foundation which does great work as if it is a bad thing and now this. If he does not concede after California, he is done politically. He will be naming post offices.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

49. This is likely to be Sanders' last election in any event

He'll be 77 when the Senate reelection comes up in 2018.

[Demsrule86]

58. I think so too

You would think he would want to go out with some dignity and integrity.

[morningfog]

92. Maybe he wants to go out with a fight, leave it all on the floor.

If he so chooses, I say more power to him.

[silvershadow]

89. Yep. nt

[RobertEarl]

11. Think. Use your brain.

Why have super delegates?

If the pledged delegates are enough to select a nominee as so many here are yacking about, then why even have super delegates?

The reason is to make sure that we nominate someone who can win in the GE. There being evidence that H can't win indies and therefore will lose the GE, then the supers are the party's last hope to ensure a GE win.

They know and most of us know it. Bernie will be the real winner!

[griffi94]

23. The superdelegates are actually there

to stop an insurgent candidate from being chosen by people other than registered Democrats.

Say if the GOP candidate was running unopposed so disrupters in open primary states or even closed primary states if they switched can't pick our nominee.

It's to give the Democratic Party more control over the nominating process
in case there's crank candidate.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

39. I think they were, at least in part, a response to Lyndon LaRouche

[Algernon Moncrieff]

61. Nevertheless, we have them

The rules are the same as they were the last time Hillary ran. Based on RCP's totals -- and I have no reason to doubt them, as I believe they'd love to see a floor fight -- Hillary needs about 200 more delegates to wrap this up.

[RobertEarl]

66. Let's hope the supers don't idiot out

Let's hope they are wise and smart and care about the future. It may come down to them.

Why have super delegates?

If the pledged delegates are enough to select a nominee as so many here are yacking about, then why even have super delegates?

The reason is to make sure that we nominate someone who can win in the GE. There being evidence that H can't win indies and therefore will lose the GE, then the supers are the party's last hope to ensure a GE win.

They know and most of us know it. Bernie will be the real winner!

[Algernon Moncrieff]

78. You do realize Hillary Clinton leads in pledged delegates as well?

So I would disagree that most off us know Senator Sanders will win. Most of us know that his loss is far more likely.

[bkkyosemite]

12. Look at the states he won. It is not legit to have Supers do this! Supers are not in the totals yet.

[onenote]

33. Using Sanders' measure -- double digit victories

Clinton gets 286 super delegates so far. Sanders gets only 130.

[Vincardog]

15. A candidate needs 2,383 votes to win

[Algernon Moncrieff]

28. True. There are many more primaries to go.

Who is more likely to get to 2383? The candidate that currently has 2165 delegates or the one that currently has 1357?

[Vincardog]

47. We work our butts off and count the votes after the primary.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

63. By all means, do what you feel is right.

I have deep misgivings about Senator Sanders' candidacy, but if he is the nominee, he'll get my vote. However, I recall the words of Damon Runyon: "The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong -- but that's the way to bet!"

[Demsrule86]

38. We are not the GOP

The candidate that has the most pledged delegates will be put over the top by the Supers and it won't be Bernie Sanders. He has shown his true colors and given the supers less reason to vote for him.

[Vincardog]

74. We are not the GOP we have no need 4 a corporate candidate. See you at the convention.

[rhett o rick]

19. We will fight you for a fair and honest election. Millions of Americans are sick of the corrupt

culture of Wall Street domination that you hide behind, apparently afraid to fight for your own freedoms and liberties and worse, afraid to fight for the 2,500,000 American children homeless. Homeless because of the greed of those corporations that you revere.

Which side of this class war do you support? The 99% with Sen Sanders or the 1% and Clinton (worth $150,000,000).

[Algernon Moncrieff]

36. Yes, yes, yes...it's a black and white world

You are either with us or against us, etc., etc., etc.

I will vote for the nominee of the Democratic party. That, in all likelihood, will be Hillary Clinton, unless you believe the Senator from Vermont laid off staff because he thinks he'll be helped by fewer operatives on the ground in California.

[RandySF]

6. Hillary will be nominated on the first ballot. Period

Bookmark it.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

83. She could still win on pledged delegates alone

She's have to get about 67% of what remains. Tall order, but not impossible. More likely, she'll take about 55% of what remains, and she'll need about 100 supers to put her over the top.

[BootinUp]

8. Bernie as the Black Knight: "None Shall Pass!"

[griffi94]

9. Bernie means he won't concede until the convention

He'll probably try to flip some superdelegates.

He'll be unsuccessful at that and Hillary will win
on the first ballot.

There's not going to be a floor fight or even a 2nd ballot.
IMHO Bernie is just throwing some red meat to the faithful.

Even he knows it's not going to happen.

Those huge blowouts he suffered in the south in those states with
lots of delegates just put Hillary too far ahead.

The closest he's been was 200 delegates behind.

[BootinUp]

14. Yep. nt

[rhett o rick]

21. Interesting how you guys really don't believe in Democracy. You wanted Hillary to be anointed queen

without a contest. How democratic is that. Oh yeah, you've sided with the rich and powerful because you choose wealth over helping those struggling. Well the oligarchy are playing you. They really don't love you and won't trickle on you even if you beg.

[BootinUp]

27. The vote/delegate lead has spoken, I don't know what you are confused about

The lead is insurmountable. Democracy and Party unity is being held up until Bernie concedes as he already should have.

[griffi94]

32. I believe in following the rules that everyone agreed on.

Bernie always knew some of the states had closed primaries.
Hillary always knew some states had caucuses.

It's nobodys fault but the Sanders campaign that they didn't contest any of the southern states.
Or that Bernie didn't get his supporters to register or re-register so they could vote in the closed primary states.

Bernie has spent more money that Hillary. It doesn't seem as if he's spent it wisely.

Bernie didn't do a lot of outreach to POC until it was too late.
It's nobodys fault but his own that he wasn't prepared to win.

[Demsrule86]

43. Bernie's idea of Democracy is very odd.

You call it democracy when Bernie Sanders wants to disenfranchise millions of voters? I call it something else.

[rhett o rick]

85. Who has been disenfranchising voters? Not Sanders. In state after state people are finding

that their registration has been changed. AND NOT ONE OF THEM IS A HILLARY SUPPORTER. Your friends, the Rich and Powerful that you revere so much don't like to lose and will do what ever it takes to win. And isn't that why you chose to side with them? Afraid to fight for those among us that are struggling?

[Beacool]

62. The one that appears to want to be crowned king of the party is Sanders.

It's outrageous of him to suggest that super delegates should switch at the convention when Hillary is ahead of him in pledged delegates and also the popular vote.

I guess the will of the people should be ignored in favor of the losing candidate?

[rhett o rick]

84. In the state of Washington, 74% of the Democrats favor Sanders and yet zero Super

Delegates favor Sanders. Tell me about the will of the people.

[mythology]

87. That is an individual state

Not the overall primary electorate which pretty clearly favors Clinton over Sanders. She's also substantially ahead in pledged delegates, which given that the super delegates are going to vote for the candidate with the most pledged delegates invalidates your argument that the super delegates are overthrowing the "will of the people".

[Algernon Moncrieff]

88. Math

Last edited Mon May 2, 2016, 01:24 AM - Edit history (1)

I'm not good at it. I haven't mastered it. But I believe in it. I believe In it more than I believe in Democracy.

See my response here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511879227

And now, I'll ask a favor, because we disagree frequently, but I respect you as a poster. If you have any pull with the Bernie Sanders group, could you please repeat my plea for them to ban me? Their banned list includes many great DUers that I'd like to be counted among.

[JonLeibowitz]

37. More lies from Hillary supporters. He led the pledged delegate count after NH.

[Demsrule86]

44. What

Isn't New Hampshire the second state? And teeny tiny as well. Ha.

[JonLeibowitz]

55. So what? It was a lie, and I Corrected The Record.

[griffi94]

60. Correction noted

He fell disasterously behind on Super Tuesday
with all of his blowout losses in the south.

[Tarc]

17. The umpteenth post by the same user who doesn't really understand how the process works

The superdelegates are not going to abstain on the first ballot, they will vote ten and there for the candidate with with most pledged delegates. That's how it has always gone, there's no reason to think it'll change now.

[Bleacher Creature]

18. There's no chance he really believes this nonsense.

He knows it's over, but he needs to give his supporters their money's worth.

[rhett o rick]

24. Seems you are worried otherwise why even mention it? We are fighting for our democracy while

you are fighting for larger corp profits.

[KelleyD]

35. Wow, thank you so much ....The Donald!

[Demsrule86]

52. We worry about the general

Unlike you folks who feel Trump is just peach apparently. Bernie has no chance and is destroying any credibility he still has.

[KelleyD]

31. No, he needs to get as much money as he can so he can pay off the lawsuit...

so his wife can be absolved of the Fraud charges that the Catholic Church will file! Google it.She is in deep shit!

[Demsrule86]

46. Or

He needs more money.

[Surya Gayatri]

93. Money's worth? He's making sure his duped donors bring more!

[Waiting For Everyman]

41. The supers who ignore their state's votes

in this important convention vote should expect to be primaried. I'd be pretty sure that will happen by the midterms. And if the party tries to shut challengers out, I expect to see a new party to do it.

This is a convention vote that lots of people will be keeping notes on for a long time. And if it isn't recorded, it will still be found out.

[Demsrule86]

50. One vote

Almost unanimous...if Bernie behaves like a decent person...it will be unanimous...done in one.

[Demsrule86]

54. So primary them.

It still won't help Bernie...you think you Bernie folks can blackmail and threaten super delegates. It won't work.

[ucrdem]

42. I think he must have meant "congested infection"

as in, The medication I'm taking for this congested infection is starting to make me hallucinate.

[CobaltBlue]

45. Not a problem

If it is necessary, I’m okay with both major political parties having contested conventions. The whole process is not easy. And if there are problems with the primaries processes, and there is need to take that to a party’s convention, this is not a problem.

[Demsrule86]

56. The convention will not be contested

This is fantasy.

[CobaltBlue]

68. You may be correct

But if you end up not being correct…I’m fine.

[felix_numinous]

65. K&R I'm listening to Bernie

he is the only one representing us.

[amborin]

67. yes, contested; off topic--Obama says today is "loyalty day"

which is straight out of the McCarthy era

[joshcryer]

70. More shit Sanders will have to walk back.

Weaver is feeding him such garbage.

[Demsrule86]

80. His staff let him down

I no longer like Bernie...but I don't like to see any Democrat destroy himself like this. His staff let him down. If you think about it...Bernie started losing big when he went negative. It does not suit him.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

81. eh -- it's like that Houston Rockets player that guaranteed a playoff win

...and then his team got smoked. His comment at the post game presser was that he said it to motivate his teammates. At this point, I think Senator Sanders wants to keep it close. If he were serious, he would not have laid off staff, and wouldn't be wasting his time in Indiana. He'd put all his chips on California and he'd campaign non-stop there from now to June.

Having said all of that, I agree that Weaver is not serving him well. I also suspect Weaver is trying to talk him into running as an Independent/Write-In.

[Beacool]

71. So, Mr. "democratic socialist", decided to skip the "democratic" portion of his self description

and go directly to autocratic socialist.

Great way to try to divide the party even further, call out for super delegates to vote for you when you will make it to the convention lagging in pledged delegates.

Nice democratic ideals you got there, Senator.

[SFnomad]

72. BS is as delusional as the BS cheerleaders ... the convention will NOT be contested

Secretary Clinton will secure the nomination on the first ballot ... now BS may take it all the way to the voting by delegates, pretending he has a chance ... but he's just leading his cheerleaders on and they will sorely be disappointed.

[NanceGreggs]

75. Bernie will be free to "contest" HRC's nomination ...

... at the Convention. He certainly has some good arguments on his side:

The clear winner of more votes/delegates should be forced to step aside so that the loser can be the nominee instead. It's only fair.

Super-delegates should ignore the will of the voters - the very thing Bernie railed against when he thought HE would be the front-runner, and the SDs might overturn his win.

Democrats should hand the nomination over to the guy who has demeaned their Party for thirty-plus years, and has continued to do so while running on their ticket.

You really can't argue with that kind of BernieLogic.

[tonyt53]

77. Dream on Bernie

[Renew Deal]

82. Plouffe correctly called this argument a fraud

[PATRICK]

86. In sum

our party establishment and its machinery with enough cooperation from the voting public can overcome an insurgency that has claim to superiority to both platform and success in November. They can win that fight just with the final party power play. They can sour themselves further by doubling down against any amendments of reform or strong, clear progressive planks. This really why they don't want the insurgency to endure.

The GOP establishment, hoisted on its own petard, has lost this power in its own rigged playing field! they have the power only to choose what kind of coup de grace they will receive from the insurgent and lose control of their already mindless, fake platform.

A calm assessment of this general state of madness makes the angry or ignorant voters roiling in the voting booths or virtual voting tabulations seem reasonable and undeserving of even having either of these two parties as an option for anything in the fall.

[Lil Missy]

90. I used to have a lot of respect for Bernie until I discovered he has such a fraud and sore loser.

[AzDar]

91. K & R

[Nonhlanhla]

95. It is delusional to think that Bernie will win with fewer pledged delegates

Apart from the fact that Bernie has fewer pledged delegates than Hillary, and will still have fewer heading into the convention, think of the optics. Women and African Americans are the backbone of the Democratic Party. They have voted in overwhelming numbers for Hillary. You think the SD's are going to stab their most loyal voters in the back by once again nominating a white guy, despite the fact that women and African Americans overwhelmingly voted for the woman (who also happens to be running on the first African American president's legacy)? And this while the white man has FEWER pledged delegates?

To think that the SD's will nominate Bernie is absolute, 100% pure grade DELUSION.