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BeyondGeography

(39,276 posts)
Thu May 12, 2016, 01:37 PM May 2016

Here's what Sanders thinks he can still win

$!5 min wage, fracking ban, more open primaries, etc. Doable.

By Albert R. Hunt

Bernie Sanders is still telling supporters he can win the Democratic presidential nomination, but his practical goal is slighter: to win concessions on the party platform and nominating rules for future elections.

Sanders, according to people close to him, realizes he's not likely to be the nominee. He wants to leave a mark on the party and agenda without causing general-election problems for Hillary Clinton, the presumptive nominee. He's not interested, they say, in weighing in on her selection of a running mate.

...Sanders is likely to insist that at the party's July convention in Philadelphia, the Democrats should declare a commitment to a $15-an-hour federal minimum wage. Clinton favors raising it to a lower figure from its present level of $7.25. Sanders will look for expanded health care coverage, though he knows it will fall well short of the government-run universal insurance he has advocated.

Those close to him also say he expects a bold climate-change plank and will push for a ban on fracking. Clinton is likely to resist that as it might hurt her in November in important states like Pennsylvania. Sanders wants a carbon tax, which Clinton will probably oppose.

Sanders will urge changes in party nominating rules to reduce the future role of super delegates -- elected officials who are free to vote for whomever they choose. He also wants to create incentive for parties to let independents vote in party primaries. It's hard to imagine the Clinton forces waging a fight on this...

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/05/heres_what_sanders_thinks_he_c.html
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Skwmom

(12,685 posts)
1. When you have to be FORCED to declare a commitment it BEGS the question - Are you really committed?
Thu May 12, 2016, 01:45 PM
May 2016

The only common sense answer to that question would be HELL NO.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
2. He can scribble all over much of the platform.
Thu May 12, 2016, 01:54 PM
May 2016

It generally is an aspirational document on a good day.

He should not expect to make "demands" though. If he goes in with that attitude, he'll get the hand. He'd do well to lose a little of that. I think his reception at the convention will depend on how well he rallies his supporters to See The Light and rally around in a unified fashion. If he doesn't do that, he won't even get a good speaking slot--there will be a vote, Clinton will be nominated, and he will sit down. They can do it with him, and they can do it without him. It's his choice.

As for the nominating rules? I think he's in no position to tell long term Democrats--actual Democrats--how we should run OUR party. Maybe when he gets a half decade or more under his belt he can contribute some thoughts in that regard.

He hasn't bothered to change his party affiliation at the Senate.gov website--so I think his association with us is PURELY a matter of convenience for him: http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=S000033


We'll see if he runs in 2018, what he calls himself. That'll make it clear. Of course, he may retire, or take a cabinet job. Time will tell.

uponit7771

(90,225 posts)
4. Nope, its team used car salesmen who need more money from 27 dollar donations who keep telling him
Thu May 12, 2016, 02:10 PM
May 2016

... that he can win

procon

(15,805 posts)
5. How would he do any of these things as long as the Republicans hold the House?
Thu May 12, 2016, 03:34 PM
May 2016

Hillary has no control over how the Republicans are going to vote for her legislation. If she wins with a clear and decisive victory. the party might go bold and declare a public mandate to push their policies, and maybe, possibly force the Republicans to agree to incremental changes in the minimum wage. Healthcare changes is out of the question and isn't going to improve until they are out of power. Likewise, Republicans are so irrevocably tied to the fossil fuel industry that anything that hints of climate change or fracking is dead on arrival.

There might be small changes to super delegates, but they are too useful to the party leader to disappear. Many states already allow crossover voting in Dem primaries, so this could be doable nationwide.

The columnist's opinion is an utter fantasy. Sander's should get some concessions from Hillary, but most of these aren't viable options.

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