So apparently Bernie's going to the White House tomorrow

[Proud Public Servant]

Meeting with Obama at his (Bernie's) request. Any guesses on the outcome?

[bravenak]

1. I think Obama will give him some tough love

[okasha]

21. Exactly.

He'll repeat all the gracious things Hillary said last night.

And then he'll get to the "However."

[bravenak]

23. Yep

He will probably tell him to endorse Hill after DC.

[MFM008]

33. I second that

Thought!

[adigal]

37. If Obama tries to run a candidate off, then we are more corrupt than I thought

Obama has zero power to make Sanders, a sitting US Senator, quit the race. Obama can't even get a hearing for his own Supreme Court justice - he's not some superhero whiz.

[bravenak]

39. Obana endorsing Clinton will end this in the eyes of the entire nation.

I believe Obama will tell Bernie he is giving his SD vote to Hillary. That will effectively end Bernie's run immediately.

[Demsrule86]

42. Bernie is not a candidate for anything

as he has lost. Time to go back to the Senate and do his job...perhaps help in the general if he is not too selfish and vindictive.

[MyNameGoesHere]

50. There is only one candidate for the Democratic party

and it ain't Sanders. Don't #bernout just fade away, quickly.

[adigal]

53. You just told me to fade away?? Really? I guess I shouldn't waste my time

with the dozens of young people I love and respect, working on them to vote for HRC in November, then!! Cause I know if someone doesn't talk them into it, they ain't voting for her! And she will very, very quickly fade awwwaaaaayyyyyy.

[MyNameGoesHere]

95. No you can

#bernout OR fade away. It's a choice.

[brush]

55. The voters, as you put it, "ran Sanders off". The president will probably make it . . .

clear since he doesn't want to give it up despite the delegate threshold being mightily surpassed by Hillary.

[wendylaroux]

97. make it clear?,who gives a shit?

Bernie should stay in as long as he can.

[brush]

100. For what reason?

[PepperHarlan]

73. You're right of course

But in the real world things aren't so neat and tidy. Obama has the power to make his life in the senate miserable, and pointless. Believe that.

[GulfCoast66]

90. But in the party he is very powerful

And do not kid yourself about a president getting involved in the politics of his replacement. That is not corrupt but par for the course. As head of the party, you could argue he has an obligation to explain in no uncertain terms the way things stand. I know that sound cynical, but it has always been that way. Read what FDR or LBJ, two our our progressive heroes would do to party members who strayed from the team. They could be ruthless to the point of wrecking careers.

Now, I certainly agree with you that Obama will not try to make Bernie quit the race. And do not think Bernie would swayed at this point in his career. He would tell the president to go pound sand. Because his age is actually one of his largest strengths. He is at the end of his career.

But if he were 45 and ambitious you better believe he president could bend him to his will. That is one of the nice things about Bernie, for most of his life he has had limited ambitions.

Just curious, why do you think Bernie asked for the meeting?

Have a nice evening.

[boston bean]

2. He is going to try to get Obama to flip his superdelegate to him????

[MFM008]

34. Ouch baby

[boston bean]

45. it was wide open

and I couldn't help thyself! I am a sinner!

[NurseJackie]

3. I hope Obama doesn't leave him waiting in the foyer.

[Hortensis]

13. If he did it'd be a very carefully calibrated

move, NurseJackie, but my guess is he'll load Bernie up with respect. Have you read that Politico article about how bitter and angry he has become? Of course, this is just his bailing staffers' side, worried about their own marketability, but very interesting anyway.

One thing they said was that Bernie definitely should not be pushed. He's, well, as I said elsewhere, it really sounds as if as a DUer he'd fit right in with the more angry and irrational GD-P crowd when things aren't going their way. And he's been under a lot of losing stress, of course. Accordingly to the article vengeful and resentful, tossing good progressive colleagues under his bus, even while--get ready for this--actually hoping for an indictment to save him, just like his DUers.

Here for anyone who hasn't checked it out:

Inside the bitter last days of Bernie's revolution: For better and for worse, Sanders made all the big decisions.

...and he takes personal offense every time Clinton just dismisses the possibility of picking him as her running mate—his guiding principle under attack has basically boiled down to a feeling that multiple aides sum up as: “Screw me? No, screw you.” ...

Aides say Sanders thinks that progressives who picked Clinton are cynical, power-chasing chickens — like Sen. Sherrod Brown, one of his most consistent allies in the Senate before endorsing Clinton and campaigning hard for her ahead of the Ohio primary. Sanders is so bitter about it that he’d be ready to nix Brown as an acceptable VP choice, if Clinton ever asked his advice on who’d be a good progressive champion.

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/bernie-sanders-campaign-last-days-224041

[GulfCoast66]

26. Listen closely to his speech last night

When he said he had to talked to the President and would work with him to defeat trump. He really pronounced and stress 'him'. Enough that I took it mean he would not work with 'her'. Because then he begrudgingly congratulated he for her 'victories', but not her 'Victory'.

I think he is trying to act like he and Obama are working to defeat trump without publicly admitting that he has lost or endorse Clinton. And I think Obama would tell him no dice. He is at some point going to have to acknowledge he has lost.

Of course, my theories are usually full of shit!

Unless he is going up to threaten that unless Obama lead the Supers to him that he goes third party the result should be positive.

I am pretty certain that when the president has you into Oval Office he is in a position of power.

[JonLeibowitz]

29. Indeed, your theory that Sanders is sexist is full of shit.

[Joe the Revelator]

36. :thumbsup:

[GulfCoast66]

38. Wow, that is out of left field!

That truly never crossed my mind. I do not think Bernie is sexist, although I think some of the his young independent male followers are. I think Bernie is progressive on race, gender and sexual orientation issues. Along with most others. OK, all others.

But I think he hates Hillary Clinton with every ounce of his being and he has personalize this race. I think he is trying to find a way to thread the needle and not become a marginalized figure while also not have having to humble himself to a person he despises.

Again, my theory may be bullshit, but sexism had absolutely nothing to do with it. 3 months ago I might have just blasted you for assuming that, but after all I have read here I know that accusations of all kind are being thrown around so I am trying real hard not to take offence. We do not know each other and I do not think we have discussed issues before.

Have a nice evening.

[GulfCoast66]

74. I'd like to think you are correct

But in my experience often times the leaders of causes do not have a medium...just hot and cold. It is what makes them effective. Regardless, we will never know.

You still in Arkansas. Went to High School in North Little Rock. Early 80's.

Have a great evening.

[GulfCoast66]

78. El Dorado

That is the big city...my family is from south of Magnolia! I still hunt there. Neighbors!

No chance of them reading this.

[GulfCoast66]

82. yeah

My dad was raised in Springhill La and they had a mill there as well... closed in the 70s. Thought it was normal so many of my relatives died young from Cancer. Know better now.

On the other hand, they were good paying union jobs.

It is refreshing to have a normal conversation here, especially with someone who saw things slightly differently for the last several months.

Again, have a great evening. And stay cool, looks like a scorcher this summer.

[adigal]

40. Do you think Bernie, who has been more liberal and populist than most of Congress

is going to be intimidated by Obama? Come on! I had huge hopes for Obama, but he really isn't a fighter in any way, shape or form. He wants to be liked and Bernie isn't going to kowtow to him, nor should he. And Obama needs to butt out, because if a sitting President tries to make a candidate quit with threats or perceived threats, we have a HUGE problem in our election system.

[okasha]

58. I think the President has significant persuasive skills

He rose politically through the Daly organization.

And I'm just going to leave those two things there side by side.

[Hortensis]

76. :) Two good points.

But I agree it would be helpful if he ranted and waved his finger now and then. Just to make sure we know he's strong.

[GulfCoast66]

63. Well, from this article, Bernie requested the meeting

And Presidents leaning on members of his own party for the good of the party has happened since this republic was founded. There is absolutely no reason for him to butt out. It is not just a formality that they call him the head of the Party. Our most effective liberal Presidents including FDR and LBJ were ruthless with wayward members of the party in an attempt to get what they wanted. They would threaten, and then follow thru on wrecking political careers. Part of having power is using it.

But I agree with you totally that Obama is not going to do this since he did not call the meeting!

I think Bernie let this become personal, always a mistake in politics, and he hates Clinton with the intensity of the surface of the Sun. He is looking to thread the needle and find a way to work with Obama to defeat Trump without having to humble himself to Clinton and admit she is the Nominee and then endorse her.

And again, my theory is probably bullshit. But after all the attacks I have read around here I am working hard at just posting what I think in a non-accusatory way. The last 2 months have been hell for someone who actually likes, and dislikes both of the candidates.

I hope you have a nice evening.

[Hortensis]

86. Agree except that I do not believe even

a president could wreck Sanders' career. Not that I believe for a moment Obama would try.

Sanders will be 78 when his term finishes and will likely never run for office again. He reportedly does not want to be head of an important committee, with all the onerous and unpleasant duties those entail, so from what I've read there's little anyone could do to reward or punish him as a senator either.

He cares about his "revolution," though, what he might gain from the convention, and reportedly about respect and vengeance. There should be opportunity for concessions there, and almost certainly the way to thread this needle is with fine silk gently and calmly fed through.

Hopefully not involving help with this, though (I have very strong doubts about Gabbard's probity and ability to play well with others):

"Meanwhile, they’re looking into trying to replace the Florida congresswoman as the convention chair with Gabbard, and forceWasserman Schultz to resign as DNC chair the day after the convention.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/bernie-sanders-campaign-last-days-224041#ixzz4B2VRGFcb

[GulfCoast66]

89. Then he is meeting with the wrong person!

Once the convention is over and Hillary is nominated, she becomes the titular head of the party. Her people move into the DNC and she runs the show.

The Clinton are ruthless, but also very, very loyal. I cannot see her making her ally the fall guy. Of course, Bernie knows that and if this is true he would need Obama to get involved. And while I support Hillary, she is not as subtle as our president. LOL, like there theory I posted that started this sub-thread, this is probably all BS, but fun do discuss.

But if all is true, why would he insist on a new party head? She is gone in January regardless. Surely he would want something more in line with his revolution. Unless he really does put grudges over goals. I have known the type.

[Hortensis]

91. Don't know either, Gulf. Ask the staffers who blabbed

to Politico why he would go after DWS now. They seem to think vengeance is a current priority, though, and where's the vengeance if she serves out her term? Although he has ruthlessly smashed congressional etiquette by asking his followers to donate to her opponent.

As for Hillary, I have no idea if she considers DWS a personal ally or not. After all, she presented herself to the DNC head and shoulders above any other candidate--of course they chose her as their best choice. If Bernie had done that, they would have chosen him. Attacking someone she works with to satisfy Bernie's vendetta seems unlikely, though.

I am guessing she'd be perfectly comfortable with laundering her decisions through Obama if it made them more palatable to Sanders, though. If it were you, would you want to try to deal with someone who considers you an evil representation of all that is wrong with our government and has been hoping against hope to see you go to jail for personal benefit?

[GulfCoast66]

92. right there with you

But this is Bernie's one chance to get something. He know that after Hillary is elected he will be ignored.

You think he would ask for something that pushes his agenda more. Of course, I am believing now that he has been cynical enough the whole time to know that the actual agenda Hillary will push is not all that different than his when you get to brass tacks.

I just cannot see at the height of his influence using it to take vengeance. That is not rational for someone leading a 'movement'.

Of course, a large percentage of past 'movements' ended up devolving into vengeance and petty grievances.

[Hortensis]

49. Very interesting, GulfCoast. I'll have to look up

that speech and check it out. It sounds as if he may be tentatively willing to develop a working relationship with President Obama. Fine. Surely that'd work? No compelling need to talk to, or even about, her.

If he's half as vengeful and otherwise worked up as that article suggests, though, he may intend to draw some blood at the convention. And after all, like some of his DUers he's apparently fantasizing about a criminal indictment that would cause the party to give her the ol' heave-ho and turn to him as its savior.

[boston bean]

64. go to about 16:25 in his speech.

[Hortensis]

69. Thanks. That's a big help.

[boston bean]

61. I caught that too.

[GulfCoast66]

70. After the other responses I responded to I just want to clarify my theory!

I do not see sexism here. Just a man who has let it become personal and now hates Hillary with passion and is looking for a way out without humbling himself...

And we southern, middle age and class white guys are so good and detecting sexism. (No matter how many times I am told, I can never make that sarcasm thingy work!)

[boston bean]

72. I was just saying I felt he emphasized "him" (Obama) too.. and passingly mentioned Hillary.

Like he will work with Obama... but...

I was just agreeing... Don't worry, I don't think you will be labeled a man hater, like I am. for being outspoken about sexism. LOL

[democrattotheend]

62. Unlike you, the president is not that petty

He's a class act. I respect him enormously for staying on the sidelines and letting the whole primary process play out.

[boston bean]

67. You calling Jackie petty? Isn't that petty?

[democrattotheend]

84. Jackie has been one of the most petty, virulent Bernie attackers throughout the primaries

And her comment was petty.

There are plenty of bad apples on our side too.

[boston bean]

87. It was a joke. It was funny.

Bernie did wait for the pope in the foyer.. LOL, even typing that I am LMAO!

[democrattotheend]

88. Ok, I see what she was saying

I forgot about that and did not connect the dots. You're right, it is kind of funny. Although I would bet he arranged to meet the pope in the foyer, not standing around like a stalker.

[bigwillq]

4. Obama will thank Bernie for the race Bernie ran.

Obama will tell Bernie that Bernie needs to concede and get behind Hillary Clinton.
Obama will tell Bernie to wait until after DC to concede but to do it before the convention.
They have a beer.
Bernie will ponder this.
Bernie will probably do the right thing.
Bernie will concede at some point between DC and the convention.
Bernie will endorse Hillary.
Bernie will speak at the convention.
The DEM party will be united.
Hillary Clinton will defeat Donald Trump in November.

[Paulie]

11. What a bullshit list!

You mention beer but NOT ONE mention of couple rounds of horse, shooting hoops

[bigwillq]

12. Ha!

[Eric J in MN]

15. Why do you think Sanders asked for this meeting? NT

NT

[bigwillq]

19. To ask Obama for advice (nt)

[larkrake]

22. yes, not for what to do, but a follow-up of their phone conversation on Sunday

[Eric J in MN]

25. Advice about what? NT

NT

[bigwillq]

31. How Bernie should concede (nt)

[RobertEarl]

5. Heads will roll?

A hope for change in the party's leadership?

Obama can do this. Lets hope he makes it happen.

[LuvLoogie]

9. No heads will roll. But they will laugh. Bernie thinks he's going over Hillary's head.

[notadmblnd]

32. Obama is the leader of the Democratic party

He's not Hillary's boss any longer. However, he does have some say about who stays and who goes in regards to party machinations.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/white-house-confirms-obama-leader-democratic-party-31079633

[adigal]

46. Have you ever heard of "separation of powers"? Obama is NOT Bernie's boss either

He can't make Bernie do a thing. And if he tries, he will guarantee a majority of Bernie's supporters will be so pissed off at the Democratic party, they will absolutely not vote for her. Hello, President Trump!!

I do think Obama is smarter than this. Sadly, most of Hillary's supporters don't seem to get this basic human psychology.

[notadmblnd]

65. No, Obama is not going to make Sanders do anything

In fact, it just may be the opposite. Bernie could say, that if they want him to concede, they get rid of Shultzy first. If anything Sanders is going over little Debbie's head cause Obama is her boss- and that is why I posted what I did to the booger.

Oh and just an FYI, the Democratic party (DNC) is not a government entity, so the separation of powers argument doesn't apply.

[notadmblnd]

30. Obama is the leader of the Democratic party.

He's not Hillary's boss any longer. However, he does have some say about who stays and who goes in regards to party machinations.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/white-house-confirms-obama-leader-democratic-party-31079633

I'm sorry, this post was meant for the love booger

[RobertEarl]

35. That's cool

love booger is wiped off my list of approved DUers.

Obama needs to clean up the party to ensure democracy can thrive. He knows it as well as anyone. If he fails to deliver it will be to his shame.

[One Black Sheep]

6. Obama will give Bernie a stern talking to, and tell him he needs to fall in line

with the corporate establishment, because its "the way things are done".

Embrace the corruption, embrace it within you, young Jedi...(lame Star Wars reference... )

But seriously, no clue what will happen.

[democrattotheend]

7. But Bernie requested the meeting

If Obama wanted to give him a "talking to" wouldn't he have initiated the meeting?

[Proud Public Servant]

8. My thought exactly

Sounds like Bernie's ready to cut a deal. It would be interesting to know what that deal might be.

[Hortensis]

68. Well, speculating, reportedly Bernie is out for DWS blood,

and Obama's the one who could deliver it. Barney Frank and an ex- Connecticut governor on the DNC committees are also on his hit list, and presumably DWS isn't going to take them down for him, so he might also be demanding they be booted in that meeting.

Notably, the convention platform committee started work today, so things Bernie's reportedly very interested in are already underway. So far a committeewoman appointed by DWS, not Bernie, says she feels no one should own a gun, but supposedly the day went on amicably enough.

[lancer78]

94. I agree

with Malloy saying that Bernie "had blood on his hands" from 26 people because he didn't support an unjust, and maybe unconstitutional law, I don't blame Sanders one bit.

[RobertEarl]

79. The deal

Get rid of all the party heads and then we'll talk.

[wendylaroux]

18. what does Obama have to do with what Bernie does?

[4139]

10. Joint endorsement for Hillary!

... That's my bet

[GreatGazoo]

14. He will stay for 4 and half years ?

[mcar]

16. I think PBO will tell Bernie he's endorsing HRC

very soon and it's time to work together to defeat Trump.

[WhiteTara]

17. Yes. Bernie will sit on this side of the desk. nt

[larkrake]

20. none of the above- none relate to Bernie calling the meeting

Perhaps just to assure Obama personally that he will campaign for defeating Trump. Or... nah, I'll save that for later

[Corporate666]

24. I think Bernie is "going right to the boss" to try to get some concessions....

..and I don't think he is going to get it.

It's no secret that I can't stand BS, but putting that aside, there are some inescapable facts

1) His method of getting things done doesn't produce results. Obama knows this and isn't going to agree to change the party agenda to suit someone who has a history of being ineffective.

2) He's already lost the nomination. It's not like he has a lot of bargaining power.

3) I don't think he has much control over his remaining supporters. It's not like they are going to support HRC just because he says so. He's going to endorse her one way or the other, so what does he have to offer? To "really REALLY endorse her" instead of just playing lip service?



I think Bernie hasn't gotten the accomodation he wants from HRC so he's going to try to get it from Obama. I think Obama is going to tell him that it's over, and that he needs to shut things down and get behind HRC to defeat Trump. I think Bernie is going to be pretty stubborn and pissed about it, but maybe hearing it right from the top will carry some weight and make him realize it's over.

[davidn3600]

28. The power he has is his supporters behind him

If the DNC snubs him, he can take his revolution to the convention floor and create an ugly coronation for the first female nominee. It could also divide the party enough to create a window for Trump to win in November.

Sorry...but the DNC will have to give some concessions. This is why candidates stay in a primary race even beyond when the math says they can't win. They rack up delegates so they have leverage on the floor and influence the party platform. That's how it works.

[Corporate666]

44. Let's discuss this

I am serious, I am curious to hear your ideas on how you feel what you wrote holds true.

He has already pledged to support the candidate, so I think we can take him at his word, so it's not that he needs concessions before he will endorse her.

As for his delegates, she doesn't need them in order to win. She will win on the first ballot. If he refuses to release his delegates to vote for her, that will be an unprecedented move - but even if he did so, I think the vast majority of his voters aren't going to be watching the convention on TV. Most voters just aren't that into politics to care.

And furthermore, his endorsement of her is no guarantee that they will vote for HRC. Actually I don't think most of his remaining supporters will vote for her based on what Bernie says. They are either with the party or they are with Trump. There's no way HRC can or should take on BS's platform. She doesn't agree with most of it... so why should she agree to change direction for the guy she beat? She shouldn't. And even if she did, it doesn't mean his supporters are suddenly going to support her.

So I am curious to hear why the DNC "will have to" give concessions? Or even why they should give any concessions?

Bernie isn't running 3rd party, so the choice is Trump or HRC or stay home. Anyone seriously considering Trump is unsalvageable and shouldn't be pandered to. As for the stay home folks, well Hillary has to attract the independents in the center. That's not Bernie's voting block. Actually it's totally opposite to it. If she takes on any of his crazy positions like "break up banks" or "stop blindly supporting Israel", she's going to alienate the thinking majority in the middle.

So what of his platform should she adopt and why? And what does it gain her beyond what she already has (which is an impending endorsement from Sanders)?

[Proud Public Servant]

56. Hillary does not have to "attract moderates in the center"

That was the Dem playbook in 2000 and 2004, and it was a loser. On the other hand, Obama lost centrist moderates in 2012 and won decisively anyway. If Hillary's following the Obama playbook -- and she appears to be, thank goodness -- she can ignore moderates and focus on turning out the base. That's where Bernie is helpful, even crucial. That's his leverage.

[LuvLoogie]

59. Ha! And the Army snubbed Ted Nugent.

[seabeyond]

27. Here is the thing. Obama is that good and he is outside the contentious race.

Obama will have no issue at all stroking and coddlin' Sanders and appreciating and showing Sanders worth. I think that Sanders even agreed to the meeting is a deal done.

I could be totally wrong, but, Obama has no issue uniting.

[DCBob]

41. Who said it was Bernie's request?

This article implies it was the President's request.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/09/us/politics/obama-hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders.html

[Proud Public Servant]

47. NPR said outright

It was Bernie's request. Heard it in the car so don't have a link, but it must have been in the first 30 minutes of "All Things Considered."

[DCBob]

60. I think they might have misunderstood..

The conversation, the fifth that Mr. Obama will have had with Mr. Sanders since the primaries began, is to be part of a choreographed series of moves Mr. Obama set in motion this week that are designed to quickly bridge the divide between the two Democratic presidential candidates laid bare in the last few months. The strategy will culminate with the president’s formal endorsement of Mrs. Clinton in the coming days, followed by an appearance with her on the campaign trail soon after.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/09/us/politics/obama-hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders.html

[Proud Public Servant]

66. Unlike NPR, but perhaps

[AzDar]

43. Hope he tells Obama what he should do with the TPP...

[bigwillq]

48. !

[adigal]

54. Really, instead of using the bully pulpit for his SC nominee or working on the 1/4 of American kids

living in poverty, Obama was in Asia, trying to convince them all to love the TPP.

What a horrible disappointment his presidency is.

[AzDar]

57. Ayup. And I suspect he's going to disappoint a LOT more before he's through....

[stevil]

81. PSSSST

Not as much as someone else. LOL.

[wendylaroux]

96. Oh right on!!!

[Barack_America]

51. I think Bernie wants an update on the FBI investigation...

...before considering suspending his campaign or conceding.

[RazBerryBeret]

71. I think they're gonna talk about

what it's like to run a campaign against the Clintons, a little stroll down memory lane for the O man, stories to compare, etc.

[MineralMan]

77. I'm sure he'll be invited back more than once during

Hillary's time there, too.

[MFM008]

83. I'm sure your right

[GulfCoast66]

93. If there is a foyer that needs waiting in.

Otherwise...no.

[RandySF]

85. .

[B Calm]

99. Outcome, Bernie stays in the race.