Bernie Sanders Campaign Is Split Over Whether to Fight on Past Tuesday

[geek tragedy]

http://www.wsj.com/articles/bernie-sanders-campaign-is-split-over-whether-to-fight-on-past-tuesday-1465171997

A split is emerging inside the Bernie Sanders campaign over whether the senator should stand down after Tuesday’s election contests and unite behind Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, or take the fight all the way to the July party convention and try to pry the nomination from her…

Tad Devine, a senior Sanders strategist who advised Democratic nominees Al Gore in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004, among others, suggested the “path forward” is uncertain, hinging on the outcome in California and other states that have yet to vote. He voiced a conciliatory note, describing how the two campaigns might set aside differences that have grown more pronounced in the heat of the year-long campaign…

Campaign manager Jeff Weaver, who has worked in Mr. Sanders’s congressional offices and Vermont-based campaigns dating to the mid-1980s, takes a more aggressive approach…

“The plan is as the senator has described it: to go forward after Tuesday and keep the campaign going to the convention and make the case to superdelegates that Sen. Sanders is the best chance that Democrats have to beat Trump,” Mr. Weaver said. “The trajectory is the same regardless of the outcome in California.”

Weaver's path may be tempting, but it would piss away all of the leverage Sanders has. A unity approach and endorsement mean a lot more than they do on July 29, when they'd be effectively worthless. And, there would be a lot fewer concessions, including no prime time speaking slot. He'd be viewed as a vanquished foe, not an ally, and would be treated accordingly, as well as becoming a pariah after Warren, Obama, Biden all endorse Clinton.

Weaver seems to think Sanders has nothing to lose by trying to overturn the will of the voters. That's not correct. His reputation as a rational human being would be at very serious risk, as would his ability to influence policy going forward.

[tonyt53]

1. The ink on Weavers resume is not dry yet - the resume he is sending to the Trump campaign.

[HerbChestnut]

3. Oh please

Weaver has been by Bernie's side for decades. It's no surprise to me that Jeff wants to see him continue. They're very good friends outside of politics.

[geek tragedy]

6. that's why a lot of us suspect Sanders will take his advice and go scorched earth/kamikaze.

Sanders will lose an awful lot if he takes Weaver's advice.

[HerbChestnut]

2. You mean campaign strategists have disagreements? No way!

I thought campaigns ran on the hive mind...

[geek tragedy]

4. strategists usually disagree on how to win, here they're disagreeing on how to lose. nt

[CrowCityDem]

5. I don't think they get that poking someone in the eye until the end doesn't get you leverage...

... it gets you hated. All these 'concessions' Bernie wants will only happen if he gives the establishment a reason to give them. And spending another month tearing down the nominee isn't going to do that. All it will do is further anger everyone, and make it more likely they tell Bernie to stay home.

[tonyt53]

7. If he takes Weavers advice, Bernie might have a seat at the back of the room in Philly

[geek tragedy]

8. No, he'd be sitting on the floor with the Vermont delegation. nt

[larkrake]

45. those "consessions " are lip service. The DNC has no intention of honoring them

[KingFlorez]

9. Foolishness collapsing under it's own weight

This is quite entertaining to see.

[firebrand80]

10. Devine cares about the party, Weaver doesn't

Ultimately it will be Bernie's call, I'm hoping rationality will win out

[calguy]

11. Bernie is no more than a gnat on a dog's ass right now

He ran a great campaign, accomplished far more than he was expected to, but now it's time to throw in the towel and get behind our nominee.
I hope after tomorrow's vote, he will do the right thing and endorse Hillary. Anything less and he loses all that he has gained.

[andym]

12. Bernie has two ways forward

1) try to take the campaign to the convention and convince the delegates not legally pledged to a candidate on the first round of voting to vote for him instead: the superdelegates. Reagan did this in 1976 in the GOP under somewhat similar situation (Ford had a majority of pledged delegates, but not enough to secure the nomination) and almost wrested the nomination away from a sitting President at an open convention. You can be be sure that Weaver knows this. The differences are that now the Democratic superdelegates have mostly already let their preferences be known, and the recent tradition in the Democratic Party is to back the candidate with the most pledged votes. The real difference is more significant: Reagan had the advantage of ardent conservatives in position of power in the GOP that had been gained by the conservative "revolutionaries" that had taken increasing power since Goldwater's defeat 12 years before. Contrastingly, the progressive wing of the Democratic Party is much weaker than its counterpart in the GOP in 1976. Many of the superdelegates would be considered moderates and establishment by Sanders. It will be difficult to convince them to change their minds.

2) Suspend the campaign in return for power in a potential position in the Clinton administration (or course not a legal quid pro quo). The most obvious thing to ask is that Bernie or a person he designates be made Vice President. Why? If he believes that the email server scandal will really take Clinton down, then having control of the VP position would make a strong case that Bernie or his designated person would be the nominee. If the email scandal is really much ado about nothing, then the VP can have the bully pulpit and maintain constant pressure on Hillary to be progressive.

[geek tragedy]

14. a deal for a cabinet position is as unlikely as it is inappropriate

Sanders isn't an executive/administrator type, and he's not the type to call someone else boss.

1976 Republicans was still too close to call due to a lot of delegates remaining uncommitted. there are very few uncommitted superdelegates, and they ain't switching for Bernie.

[andym]

20. VP's aren't always the subordinate type

LBJ is a good example, he was also not the type to be number 2, but he accepted anyways. Alos VP doesn't have much administrative work I suspect. I doubt Clinton offers this however.

[redstatebluegirl]

32. He is no position to dictate a VP, this is absurd.

The nominee shapes the platform and chooses his or her running mate. Sorry, these are the rules, I'm sure they are "rigged" to hurt Bernie (sarcasm), but they are the rules. I really don't understand where anyone would think the loser in a primary season could demand these things.

As far as a cabinet position, Bernie could not work for anyone, especially Hillary Clinton. He is not an administrator.

[anotherproletariat]

13. I may be in the minority, but as a Hillary supporter, I want Sanders to continue.

I think it will solidify what we've been saying about him all along, that he is not in this for the right reasons. It will show that he's out for himself, without regard to the good of the party. It shouldn't harm Hillary once she clinches, because the media attention will naturally shift to the general election. Since he is going against such a powerful machine, he will quickly be pushed into near obscurity, and those of his supporters who are really thinking about what is best for the country will have their eyes opened. Any media attention he gets will expose him for what he really is. And... if he continues to push back against the DNC and the Democratic Party, he will gradually lose any power he might have gained from having received so many primary delegates.

Honestly, I think he missed his window of having maximum leverage to bargain with the Dems to get out of the race. Now that Hillary will clinch tomorrow, his power is rapidly diminishing.

[geek tragedy]

15. the 'crash and burn' would be karma but it wouldn't help get Clinton elected nt

[anotherproletariat]

19. I think it actually might. By having him 'crash and burn' in the public eye, more of his

supporters are likely to change support to Hillary than if he rides off into the sunset as a hero.

[geek tragedy]

21. nah, they'd be encouraged to follow suit nt

[anotherproletariat]

22. I agree if you are talking about the hard-core Sandroids here on DU, but the generic supporter,

who doesn't seem to be able to articulate how Sanders will accomplish his lofty goals, is much easier to sway.

[geek tragedy]

28. we'll have to see how he reacts when the ground shifts underneath his feet.

it's one thing to say hypothetically "to the convention" it's another when Elizabeth Warren and Barack Obama start campaigning on Hillary's behalf and the only question the media has is "why are you still here?"

[larkrake]

43. warren will endorse the nominee be it Hill or Bernie. Obama has no choice

[geek tragedy]

44. What do you mean Obama has no choice?

Warren will endorse the nominee, but she doesn't need to wait until the convention.

[larkrake]

46. wrong, mistreat Bernie and voters in great numbers will not vote Pres

His movement doesnt allow him to cave in unless he gets a real good deal from the Hillary camp. VP is not a goal, it is a toothless position unless she is dying(not likely). They are in-capatible.

Whether he supports her, or he endorses her is all up to back room deals with her. She knows that progressives and Indies are not sheep to be led by the nose, she will have to give Bernie a foothold, or punt.

[Cheese Sandwich]

16. Bernie Sanders Campaign Is Split Over Whether to Fight on Past July

ftfy

[aikoaiko]

17. What path is there for Bernie to influence policy above and beyond his Senate position?

What position could he have in the Clinton team that would ensure such influence? I don't see it happening.

While I agree its time for Bernie to stop talking about winning the primary and switch to talking about maximizing votes and delegates even as Hillary will be the nominee, many of his supporters thank him for fighting for the agenda until the bitter end.

What can Hillary offer Bernie that would outweigh Bernie doing right be his supporters, specifically, and the liberal agenda, more generally?

[geek tragedy]

18. they can talk about reforming the nominating process, the platform obviously, and he can be a

stakeholder in her election.

And that's an underrated thing--the Clintons don't forget people who helped them.

His ability to influence policy as a Senator would be diminished if he looks like the "Crazy Bernie" that Trump describes as opposed to "principled but realistic Bernie."

[aikoaiko]

23. Maybe, but that would involve trusting HRC and DWS to do right by any promises.

With the recent President Obama's endorsement of DWS, I'm not so sure Bernie should trust her or the DNC. That was a clear signal that nothing meaningful will change.

Again, I'm skeptical that HRC can offer anything substantive. Maybe she'll prove me wrong. I've always seen the Clinton's as arm twisters more than deal makers when they have the upper hand, but they can't hurt Bernie.

[geek tragedy]

24. they certainly can hurt Bernie.

Schumer will be the incoming majority/minority leader.

Bernie's chairmanship of a committee is not guaranteed.

[aikoaiko]

25. I don't think that would hurt Bernie too much. He enjoys that Chair

but its not a power position and it wouldn't stop him from working for veterans.

[geek tragedy]

26. he'd cost himself chair of the banking committee nt

[aikoaiko]

34. I didn't think he was on that committee let alone chair

http://www.banking.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/membership

[geek tragedy]

39. oops, not banking, Budget Committee

Also he'd be in line as the chair of the subcommittee for the medicare and social security subcommittee.

[aikoaiko]

40. Ok, there is that.

[larkrake]

38. what chair? Warren is Banking, Bernie is Veterans

[geek tragedy]

48. I goofed, meant Budget, as well as Social Security/Medicare subcommittee

Not to mention, he'd be viewed as a crank consumed by his own ego and at war with reality instead of as a leader of a movement.

[GulfCoast66]

37. Hell

His membership on any committee is not assured.

If he causes too much damage he will be limited to floor votes only.

Committee membership is not guarenteed.

[larkrake]

49. Bernie is the most trusted senator in the Senate. Schumer would not replace him .

[geek tragedy]

50. wish upon a star ... nt

[larkrake]

42. no, you are right, the Clintons use revenge and threats, not diplomacy.

They cannot hurt Bernie, he is respected and followed by half the population if not more, and Clinton's scales are visable to all but a few worshipers

The only reason Obama is on her side is he doesnt want the republicans to undo all he has done. He has always supported the DNC. He trusts or wants to believe in the wrong people. His faith in the human race is his weakness. Politicians are not human with rare exceptions.

[larkrake]

47. talking to Hill is not productive- she doesnt listen to anyone- shes always right

[larkrake]

35. He cannot influence Clinton, she is deaf, he can and does influence the people

the worse they treat him, the more angry the public will become. She will lose voters during the GE. The public would rather have congress stop Trump than live under Clintons blatant corruption. It is an unacceptable risk either way.

[apcalc]

27. Fights ng past Tuesday will probably bring him exactly nothing.

Except , most likely, scorn.

[larkrake]

53. no he is right. This push to call it before the convention suggests the Clinton camp fears something

will come out. Now that the TPP e-mails are held back, I am convinced, and the Foundation allegations. Time is her enemy. Transparency will undo her.

[larkrake]

29. With this free-trade revelation, I say stay and fight. It is the main issue with Bernie's movement

and I will shout foul for the next 4 yrs about it. Weaver is wrong, Bernie will not suffer any repercussions against a corrupt Clinton, his image will only grow

[tonyt53]

30. "his image will only grow" as a sore loser and nothing more.

[geek tragedy]

31. If Bernie wants to help Trump win, he has a first amendment right

to do so.

But he'd take a lot of incoming fire, with virtually no one other than his Naderite apologists like Rosario Dawson and Susan Sarandon to defend him.

[Txbluedog]

33. Benie has pretty much conceded that he has no power over his supporters

So any leverage he has left only lasts till the convention, once Hillary is the official nominee he's persona non grata, it would be in his best interests to concede before the convention

[geek tragedy]

36. power over his supporters, no. But if he has no influence over them, what the hell

does that say about his leadership?

[larkrake]

55. he wants a revolution, only anger and action will achieve that, He did say it would be messy

The US is halfway down the drain already, fighting gravity isnt a pretty picture. Some of the downtrodden have no voice so will choose violence to be heard. Thats the wrong path, but a human response nevertheless.

[DCBob]

41. Weaver is a ruthless reckless political hack. Sanders would be wise to ignore his advice.

imo.

[okasha]

56. More concisely, Weaver is stupid.

Devine wants to get out without destroying his own future.

[beachbumbob]

51. The news report on sanders and 2008 Obama support just ended his

Campaign when our nominee goes over the numbers Tuesday night...his staff won't hang around....and sanders hypocrisy is fully revealed

[geek tragedy]

52. his staff will stop getting paid right around Tuesday

he won't have any more need for them

[beachbumbob]

54. Mountains of debt...FEC fines and DOJ prosecutions coming for sanders

Hard way to find out you don't make your own ruled

[larkrake]

58. He will be continuing for support of down ticket after the convention. He still is getting donations

and will continue to get them. His staff will transition to Bernies downticket choices. They are loyal to the movement, and know Bernie is more powerful in the senate than if he were in the WH. Between Tues and the convention, watch the next wave from the movement, its going to be noteworthy. While Hill spouts schoolyard taunts at silly Trump, the Revolution will be shaking the foundation with policy issues, citing criminal acts by both partys, individual people. No, he wont be revealing Hillarys faults,he needs Dems to win.

[Maru Kitteh]

57. I would like so see some of his agenda moved forward like minimum wage, etc., so I hope

he will endorse Hillary this week like President Obama.