Next week, Bernie will drop out and strongly endorse HRC. There is nothing hypocritical

[cali]

about his doing so.

He's said all along that she's infinitely preferable to Trump. He believes that wholeheartedly. He'll campaign with her and go where he's asked to go to campaign for her.

And no, his revolution is not over. I prefer to call it a movement. Before his candidacy it was inchoate. He coalesced and harnessed it; giving it direction and goals. Where will it go? Will Bernie continue to be seen as its leader? I don't know the answer to those questions, but this is a movement that is not going away when Bernie drops out and endorses Hillary.

I know Bernie. He's represented me for over 25 years. I've met with him privately in DC while lobbying for the PAIMI program which provides support for the disabled. I've gone to potluck town meetings where he's present. The palaver that some Bernie haters spew about how he might run as an independent is simply people talking out of their asses. And those Bernie supporters who think he'd be hypocritical to endorse and campaign for Hillary, don't seem to have much of a clue as to who he is.

Bernie may be stubborn, but he's not petty and he recognizes the dangers that Trump poses.

[Florencenj2point0]

1. glad to hear it

[Mass]

2. Totally agree.

I bothered me that some here do not understand how important it is to let him go to the end of primaries. He has come so far with so low odds. Why this insistence to have him leave before the last primary.

It totally amazes me.

[Armstead]

47. It's called smart people having a tin ear

Obama and Clinton have plenty of time to bash Trump. They've been doing it anyway.

Why add an unnecessary FU to the 40-45 percent of people who supported Sanders?

[SusanCalvin]

134. Really. What on earth do/did they (some) think it accomplished?

What was their goal? Did they even consider what their goal was? Was their goal to help Clinton? Or....? Is a puzzlement.

[Hortensis]

165. A small handful of liberals, almost entirely located

on forums like this one, came to intensely dislike the group personalities formed on those forums around Bernie. However, in contrast to those few, millions of others are just fine with Bernie himself and what they see of his supporters on TV, and very large numbers of those feel a great commonality. In fact, large numbers supported Bernie also.

Excepting his untethered notion that the entire Democratic Party excepting him is corrupt (no, Bernie, it is not), I agreed strongly with virtually everything he has said about the problems facing our nation and the urgent need to tackle them. I didn't vote for Bernie because I don't feel he is presidential material, but we absolutely identify the same, critically important economic problems and support the same goals.

Good post, Cali.

[SusanCalvin]

167. Makes sense. Emotions overruling utility. nt

[HooptieWagon]

3. Sanders can endorse whomever he likes.

We are supporting a liberal progressive platform, not s personality, so if Sanders endorses Clinton it makes no difference.

[Chasstev365]

36. This is the arrogant reponse that will help Trump in November

You really think Sanders and millions of his supporters will make no difference in a nation of so many low info, ignorant voters? GROW UP!

[pinebox]

40. Your response here is why your camp doesn't get it

The poster is correct, we support a liberal progressive platform. Bernie may endorse Hillary and even if he does, the fight goes on. This is about "US", not a specific person.

[atomingai]

103. "This is about "US", not a specific person"

Indeed.

[840high]

104. ...!100++++

[Ned_Devine]

127. These people don't ever get it. But they love being bossy

[Rosa Luxemburg]

157. yes the revolution lives on

even if the campaign ends the revolution continues. It is not about independent parties or personalities it is about reforming the Democratic Party and the country so that the people are represented. We will be certainly looking to replace the 'deadwood' in Congress.

[Hortensis]

171. Chasstev, you've put me in the unusual position

of agreeing with Pinebox, and even Hooptiewagon, in this instance. I certainly can't disagree with anyone who says we support a liberal progressive platform and that it is about US as a people.

By far most of Bernie's millions long planned to vote for whomever won the Democratic nomination. The rest of his genuine progressives have...149 days now to make a final decision, those who haven't already, on how they will best promote their own platforms into the future. It is entirely their decision, and Bernie's recommendations will carry weight or not as they decide.

We don't even know for sure yet if Bernie will choose to continue from within the party as a leader of this force for change.

[Maru Kitteh]

86. Shouting GROW UP! at someone is unnecessarily rude and uncivil.

Shouting GROW UP! at someone is unnecessarily rude and uncivil.

No matter what things have "been like" lately, shouting GROW UP! is rude. It simply is, and it is time for our community to start expecting better standards of behavior.

[Chasstev365]

87. You're Right!

And I have to endure far worse. Funny how all too often certain parties posts are hiddened, while others can insult, demean, and say whatever they want.

[Maru Kitteh]

90. I know you are but what am I?

Just don't. That's not a valid argument.

[Chasstev365]

92. Ha! That's the best you got? LAME!

[mac56]

106. It takes some brass to burn the bridge

then demand help from the commuters.

And Kitteh: in answer to your earlier question - buh bye. It's been a slice of cheese.

[840high]

102. It's up to Hillary and only

Hillary to be good enough to beat Trump.

[HooptieWagon]

113. DNClinton burned the bridge.

Poor planning on their part doesn't constitute an emergency on our part. "BernieBros" have been insulted and marginalized from the beginning...it takes a special kind of stupid to expect our help now.

[GoneFishin]

139. If she is the nominee, Trump will win. That is the fault of people who voted for her. If you

wanted or needed Bernie's help to beat Trump then you should have voted for him. Trump is your baby now.

[brush]

176. Trump has no chance. Even his party is trying to get rid of him.

Clinton, the presumptive nominee, will soon be the nominee and she will trounce Trump.

[Skwmom]

112. Bernie has tried to tell them he can't just tell his supporters what to do. Boy are they going to

be in for a surprise. And I think a lot of Warren supporters were already voting for Hillary.

[GoneFishin]

133. Also, I don't care who he votes for. His one vote isn't going to make a big difference.

[Skink]

4. I don't think he should endorse anyone.

[cali]

5. Why?

[Skink]

6. He doesn't owe anybody a thing

Maybe if he had a bunch of corporate donors but he doesn't.

[cali]

7. he gave his word. So yeah, he owes it.

and he owes it to the country to help stop Trump.

[Skink]

60. If HRC can't beat Trump on her own she is pretty weak.

[randome]

65. No one is on his/her own in this. It's a team effort.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]Don't ever underestimate the long-term effects of a good night's sleep.[/center][/font][hr]

[wendylaroux]

70. like the dnc " team effort" to beat Bernie?

hope it's enough.

[Silver_Witch]

125. ^^^This ^^^

[Bettie]

124. Except a lot of us have been

told we're not needed or wanted on the "team" because we dared to support someone other than the one we were told to support.

Yeah, I'll vote for her, but she won't a penny of donation from me (she's got plenty of billionaires and corporations who are happy to bankroll her, she doesn't need my pittance), nor will she get a moment of time phonebanking or canvassing (which I usually do), because I've already been told that I'm neither needed nor wanted in the party at all, being a "left winger" and all.

[SusanCalvin]

138. That's my current position as well. nt

[Logical]

24. He owes the party unity to beat the Gop

[SusanCalvin]

142. He owes it to do his best, and I'm sure he will.

Me, I'll do as I think best.

[pnwmom]

121. He thinks Hillary is infinitely preferable to Trump. That's the reason to endorse her. n/t

[GoneFishin]

130. I agree 100%.

[MineralMan]

8. Yes, he will.

[Surya Gayatri]

9. Welcome prediction. Hope it works out this way. Thanks.

[cali]

11. It will. His comments yesterday made that clear.

[Surya Gayatri]

21. His "when I'm President" affirmation during yesterday's rally was confusing.

I hope it was just a momentary slip of the tongue or throw-back to his standard stump speech, and that it doesn't reflect his real aspirations.

[Armstead]

48. He's being pulled in 20 directions, and he is trying to honor his committment

Get off it for Christ sake. Give the guy a break.....and stop insulting the 40-45 percent who supported him.

[Surya Gayatri]

53. Where did I insult anyone? I was asking Cali a valid question in response to her OP.

It WAS indeed a confusing affirmation in the context, his 40-45% notwithstanding.

[Surya Gayatri]

72. Suit yourself.

[wendylaroux]

74. your trying to get people against hc,very obvious.

[Surya Gayatri]

75. I have an inkling that, no matter what anybody might say or do, your mind is made up.

Again, suit yourself.

[wendylaroux]

76. hellooooooo??anyone seeing this troll like behavior?????

it even has the trump like nastiness.

[Surya Gayatri]

80. What? Nobody paying any attention...try again.

Trolls and Trump-fans? Sounds like you may know something about that.

[yardwork]

84. Wow. Why this unwarranted personal attack?

[Maru Kitteh]

88. Your post is over the top name-calling, inappropriate and rude

It is an inappropriate response to a DU'er who was perfectly civil to you.

Our community deserves better than this.

[yardwork]

89. It's sad to me that not a single DU Bernie supporter speaks out against this.

[Maru Kitteh]

91. If more people alert on it, they won't have to

Multiple alerts go to the admins.

Our community deserves better than this, from ALL of us, on both sides.

[yardwork]

93. It's not so much about the alerts as the silence, to me.

It's sad.

[SusanCalvin]

141. Well, I just got here, but I'll chime in.

I am also baffled as to why offense was taken.

[SusanCalvin]

140. Huh? No it doesn't. nt

[Mass]

49. he is still running. He also spoke about working with Clinton.

Why do people insist that he drops out before the last primary? As I said earlier, this amazes me.

As for " when I am president", even people with 1% of votes say that. So, what's the problem?

[Surya Gayatri]

58. Glad to hear you confirm one of my hypotheses.

Apparently you agree that the phrase was a simple "throw-back to his standard stump speech."

As for " when I am president", even people with 1% of votes say that.

Good to know.

[floriduck]

54. Maybe he knows more about the lawsuit than he lets on.

[Surya Gayatri]

61. Hard to say, but I suspect he is NOT privy to any more insider info. than the POTUS and VPOTUS.

[TSIAS]

155. I remember in 2008

Terry McAuliffe was still introducing that LOSER candidate as the "next president of the United States". I assumed it was just something you do.

You and your like read into every little thing this man says. I'm sure in his heart he doesn't think Hillary would be a great president, but the danger Trump poses is worse.

[jzodda]

10. Thanks for your post

I don't know him personally but he seems like a good and decent man.

I wish him many more years pushing issues important to all of us. He actually has won some big battles- He has moved the party and HRC (hopefully) to the left. Lets work to keep it there!

[NCTraveler]

12. Agree with every word you wrote.

I want to highlight this so you know it is a big part I am agreeing with.

And no, his revolution is not over. I prefer to call it a movement. Before his candidacy it was inchoate. He coalesced and harnessed it; giving it direction and goals. Where will it go? Will Bernie continue to be seen as its leader? I don't know the answer to those questions, but this is a movement that is not going away when Bernie drops out and endorses Hillary.

[cali]

41. thanks.

[Vattel]

13. Hillary doesn't deserve his endorsement, but he will give it for the good of the country.

[cali]

16. oh ffs. Why I'm even bothering to respond to such hateful crap...

but I do want to take the opportunity to tell you to take your hate and..... yeah, and more.

[Warren DeMontague]

146. Perhaps we should coin a new word, here.

Like "poo-nity"

[TSIAS]

153. Seriously, I want to vote for Hillary

Most times of the day I am firmly committed to voting for her. But I log onto DU and see these types of people, and it makes me question my decision. If Hillary winning makes these kinds of people any sort of happiness, it's a crying shame.

[Lizzie Poppet]

20. Camp Weathervane 'class' on display.

Bless your heart.

[still_one]

56. That person only speaks for him or herself. Doesn't speak for me, or others

[cali]

68. agreed. He's pretty unique here. Fortunately.

[Logical]

22. Another fucking classy post from you! Nt

[bklyncowgirl]

32. Just one question. Are you on the Donald's payroll?

As you Hillary supporters remind us ad nauseum, it's over. Cut the troll crap.

[still_one]

57. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Maru Kitteh]

95. The Donald isn't organized enough for a an Epresence payroll but I think some Freepers&co

fill that gap pretty effectively on his behalf sometimes. On both sides of our little garden fence.

[VulgarPoet]

35. #FeelTheUnity.

[Jennylynn]

131. lol

Try in' hard ain't they?

P.S. To those who feel Bernie has moved Hill to the left. Um no, she's going to go right and Trump is going to go left. My Gosh, haven't you seen this movie before?? It's classic!

[apnu]

15. K & R!

Because the post is class and Bernie is class.

[cali]

17. thank you.

[Lizzie Poppet]

18. Agreed. I have no big problem with Bernie doing so.

If he genuinely feels that way about Trump, then endorsing Hillary makes sense for him.

But I feel no obligation whatsoever to follow his endorsement.

[Dawgs]

19. IOW, I met him once so I know him better than anyone.

You should have stopped before "I know Bernie".

[cali]

25. I've met him about a dozen times. He's represented me for decades

Yes, I know him. Most Vermonters do. I've also met Pat Leahy several times and Peter Welch, and Dean. This is a small state.

[Bluenorthwest]

23. Of course he will. He said he would. That means he will.

I'd like to mention that Bernie did much better than most of us expected, not only his supporters but his detractors. His detractors expected Kucinich Two, his supporters tended to hope to win a few States. Speaking for myself, he went longer and deeper and got more delegates than I dared to hope.
So I'm pretty happy about how it went, considering it exceeded my expectations and to a certain extent my hopes.
The electoral dialog has been raised and changed and issues brought to the table that need to be on the table.

[cali]

28. Me too. I had no idea that he'd do so well or change

so much. And I truly believe that this movement is only just beginning.

[Bluenorthwest]

46. It's a fantastic outcome by any measure, the very fact that there are people rightfully disppointed

that he did not actually win is a victory I did not expect. He got close, the movement grew and defined itself and the opponents of the movement have expressed themselves and become well known. It's great.

[yardwork]

29. I agree.

[Bluenorthwest]

52. That pleases me to hear you say this yardwork.

nt

[emulatorloo]

44. Agreed.

[randome]

26. But some of his supporters will throw him under the bus.

Only problem is, Sanders pretty much IS the bus so I'm not sure how you can throw the bus under the bus and not violate some causal law of reality.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Don't ever underestimate the long-term effects of a good night's sleep.[/center][/font][hr]

[Bluenorthwest]

51. No offense but 'some of' any candidates supporters are buffoons, criminals, jerks, you name it.

Some of Obama's supporters in 08 were virulently anti gay. Some of Hillary's 08 supporters said really racist things. 'Some of' is not a reasonable metric in any cohort large enough to be a political movement in the US. If you have enough people to elect a candidate then you have a full spectrum of humans, from the sublime to the shameful sharing your cohort.
This is also true of issue politics.

[randome]

62. True. We should all keep that in mind.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]Don't ever underestimate the long-term effects of a good night's sleep.[/center][/font][hr]

[calimary]

79. Terrific post! Same for the OP!

cali - I remember the day that you posted to your fellow Bernie supporters that Hillary was going to be announcing her candidacy and everyone should just let it be and allow us Hillary supporters to have our joy with no animosity or snark.

After everything that's been flung around since then, I've often thought of that post of yours that day. It gave me a perspective that I needed. I appreciated that, deeply, that day because I wanted very much to celebrate Hillary without any repercussions. We all know where you stood, and your post that day was so considerate, thoughtful, generous, and kind.

Just wanted you to know that it was noticed and DEEPLY appreciated. And EQUALLY, as was how many others here who just as gracefully went along with it.

[cali]

117. thank you very much.

[Jennylynn]

135. I don't visualize any Bernie Supporter throwing him under any bus for any reason

The man is truly loved.

[SusanCalvin]

143. Yes. nt

[yardwork]

27. I hope that the millions of people excited about his candidacy will stay with the process.

If all those people stay engaged, volunteer in Democratic elections, even run for office themselves - that alone is a wonderful legacy.

[cali]

31. he proved that you can raise huge amounts of money from small donors

that in itself was thought to be a ridiculous prospect. That's quite a legacy right there. I've said it over and over and I'll keep saying it.

Big money=Access. Access=Influence. It's a simple formula. It's undeniably true.

[yardwork]

34. Yes, very good point.

Bernie also proved that "socialist" is no longer an impossible aspiration for the U.S. While I don't agree with all his suggested policies, it is a very welcome change to have people talking about the public good. Very welcome.

[Smarmie Doofus]

30. No incentive for the party to change if he does that.

None at all.

A *BAD* move, in every respect.

[cali]

33. He gave his word. And much as I want the democratic party to change

I don't think his going back on his word will help change it. He can remain a powerful force- but not if he goes back on his word.

[corkhead]

38. Sanders has postioned himself to become one of the most powerful members of the Senate

[yardwork]

85. Yes, if he helps turn the Senate blue and get Hillary elected, he will be rewarded.

I'm sure that's what he and Obama talked about yesterday. And Bernie will deserve that reward, and I'm glad that he will hold those positions.

[Smarmie Doofus]

39. He could do it post-convention.

If he does it now....... who's representing the millions of people in Philly next month?

You know: the ones who voted/worked and donated to him all year long so we could CHANGE this horrific system?

Bad move.

[Maru Kitteh]

96. He'll get a *YUGE* speech at the convention, prime time and lots of input

on how it goes, what's included, etc precisely because he will endorse before the convention.

It gives him a bigger slice of convention pie, not less. And that's one of the big reasons why he'll do it. He's smart. He knows the outcome will be the same either way. Why not go for the big slice and ultimately have much more influence?

[apnu]

43. He gave his word to be a Democrat now and forever.

He'll continue to be Bernie and he'll continue to struggle for change. Its win-win for Democrats.

[GoneFishin]

129. Yep. It would violate the most basic principles of his campaign to reward the establishment for

cheating and rigging the system against him.

The Democratic Party is a sociopath. The only result that will come from him falling in line will be that the 1% will have learned that their scumbaggery worked and that the formula should remain unchanged.

A huge mistake and a betrayal to everyone who donated their money and time to help him fight a seriously broken system.

[SusanCalvin]

144. His endorsement or not is not going to change a thing about what they do or don't do.

He will do it because it is the correct thing to do.

[corkhead]

37. I'm not Hillary's biggest fan but the alternative is unthinkable. Seems Bernie feels the same way

[emulatorloo]

42. Kick and rec

[Prism]

45. Bernie's rally speech in Oakland consisted of a lot of Trump bashing

And most of the signs handed out at the rally and waved around were of the "Fuck Trump" variety.

Anyone who thinks Sanders and many of his supporters aren't vigorously against Trump are paying selective attention out of political self-interest.

To not know how much Sanders disdains Trump requires olympian levels of willful blindness.

[Skwmom]

50. It will seriously damage the revolution. You can't embrace what you say you are fighting against.

Of course this is what the Democratic Establishment wants.

If Trump was such a threat, the Democratic Establishment would not have pushed their weakest candidate.

[cali]

59. He gave his word. He's consistently said she's far preferable to Trump, who

clearly is a threat. And I couldn't disagree with you more regarding the future of the movement or revolution or whatever you wish to call it.

It will not damage the revolution. Far from it.

[Surya Gayatri]

160. Your wise and insightful contributions all through this thread

stand out as beacons of hope and sanity.

Thank you, Cali. You represent the very best of the Democratic Party and of liberal thought.

[shanti]

177. He may have given his word

But he made no timeline as to when he would do so. It would be gracious of Bernie to wait until the convention to make any announcement, for the sake of "US". After that, it matters not who he supports.

As he said, he can't force us to support anyone. He is one person - we are many, and it's not about him.

[Adrahil]

55. I think you are right.

I think in his conversation with Obama, he said he wanted to honor his commitment to stay in it until the last ballot is cast. That happens Tuesday. I think his rhetoric following that meeting is in line with that approach. And I agree that he will not run as a spoiler. Ever. While I think some of his policy proposals were unrealistic, he knows how to count electoral votes.

[wendylaroux]

73. ,"policy proposals were unrealistic" not in other countrys ,

just stop with the "no we can't".

[Adrahil]

78. You misunderstand.

I agree with Sanders' ultimate goals. It's the policies he proposed as to how to get there I think are ridiculous.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

120. What did you specifically disagree with?

[RKP5637]

63. Whatever it takes to politically defeat Trump, I'm with. n/t

[whatthehey]

64. Mostly agreed. I'm a bit more sanguine re the movement/revolution

While the left is not as authoritarian as the right, any movement on either side which has neither a clearly defined manifesto nor a central figure to rally around is nigh impossible to maintain or direct let alone deploy with real results - OWS and the G8 protestors being exemplars. Sanders could, and hopefully will, remain as an energizing focus for his non-traditional Dem bloc speaking for them to the party and to them for the party. His ideas and priorities should not be forgotten or let drop, and the enthusiasm he generates should not be wasted.

What role would be best for him? Sen. Majority leader would be hard to organize and a bit out of character as it's usually a deep insider organizing role. Sec of Labor would be a great fit but he'd have to have more freedom and much more of a megaphone than they normally get or he'd fade into obscurity. Veep? Bit of a wasted sinecure really shorn of its heir apparent nature, and would be too transparent a tokenism from Clinton. He may be better staying in his safe seat and leveraging his heightened profile to become an elderly male Tinkerbell (now there's an image...) speaking as the public conscience of the party/administration.

[mcar]

66. I believe you are correct

Once the DC primary is over, Sanders will endorse HRC and strongly campaign for her.

[auntpurl]

67. Lovely post. I like how much you like him, as your Senator.

It's rare we are represented by people who we genuinely like and admire.

k&r

[cali]

69. thank you. Overwhelmingly, Vermonters like and respect Bernie

we're pretty fond of Pat Leahy and our sole congresscritter, Peter Welch, too.

Vermont is unique in its politics. One reason is that we have a viable third party, The Vermont Progressive Party. The other is our small size and civic involvement in the form of town meeting day.

[tonyt53]

77. This election isn't about beating Trump, it is about keeping what is left of our democracy.

I think Bernie understands that, based upon his statements yesterday. The only way we can all succeed is to beat the GOP in every race in November.

[yardwork]

81. Yes! We have to start with what we have, hold onto it, and build from there

[ismnotwasm]

82. Good.

[Maru Kitteh]

83. Thank You A THOUSAND TIMES Cali for this post.

I'm sorry I can rec it only once, I truly am.

I've been too guilty of jumping in every fight and spreading my share of heat without light, but over the past couple weeks I've worked hard to change that, to try to be my better self more often. I've endeavored to extend my hand a bit more frequently, and even if I get my fingers whacked now and then, I still think it's worth it.

I have always thought that Senator Sander's presence and voice in this campaign was not only a good thing, but probably even necessary to our success as a party in November. Mr. Maru and I, even when we were way beyond exasperated with the guy, always said that we would vote for Sen. Sanders if he won. Your assessment of his impact is concise and true. Essentially, the man found a way to herd cats. Our party is better with him in it, weighing us to port and pulling our ship of state leftward, and I hope he will stay, and continue.

[cali]

107. thank you for your kind words

[Surya Gayatri]

161. Wholeheartedly agree. Ditto to the complete text, but especially this:

I have always thought that Senator Sander's presence and voice in this campaign was not only a good thing, but probably even necessary to our success as a party in November. Mr. Maru and I, even when we were way beyond exasperated with the guy, always said that we would vote for Sen. Sanders if he won.

[workinclasszero]

94. I'll believe it when I see it

He should have done it long ago IMO.

[cali]

108. why the fuck should he have dropped out "long ago", zero?

because petulant zero wanted it so? Tough shit.

And he will be a force to be reckoned with. That that displeases you, is just grand in my book.

cheers, zero.

[andym]

97. Bernie is a great guy and will do what is needed to fight the good fight

From the time I saw the 60 minutes piece on him in the 80s as a bonafide socialist elected as Mayor of Burlington , I knew that Bernie Sanders was a special politician.

The good fight means preventing a regression to conservative destruction that would be wrought by Trump AND it means finding a way to make move the arrow of American political spectrum move back towards liberalism/progressivism. I supported Bernie for President knowing full well he would not be able to pass his ambitious agenda if elected, but because he would be a voice for progressive policies that American's would hear daily. That's why I would like to see him as a major player in Washington now: Senate Majority Leader or even VP, a position where we can hear what he thinks and where he is free to push for his policies.

[pat_k]

98. My expectation too.

I think he'll be endorsing Clinton and releasing his delegates, but he may not. He may decide to take it to a vote on the convention floor -- not to win the nomination, but as a demonstration of the depth of support for his New New Deal within the party. I'd be surprised if he went that way.

Ultimately, it's his call.

Had Sanders won CA, the case that he's the best candidate to pit against Trump would have been strengthened. With a stronger case, there is a legitimate argument that superdelegates should be given the opportunity to consider that case and vote accordingly at the convention.

Although AP has called CA for Hillary, there are so many votes that remain to be counted, the CA result is in a sort of "limbo." If Sanders had dropped out the 8th, as so many were pressing for, he would have alienated supporters who believe he's bowing out prematurely -- CA isn't "finished." Alienated supporters could end up in the "fuck em all" cynical side-liners camp. Not a good thing.

By the time DC votes next week more CA votes will have been counted. Assuming Hillary maintains her margin of victory, the AP call is legitimized. Sanders' case that he's the stronger candidate is weakened. With a weaker case, the argument that superdelegates should be given the opportunity to consider the case is a loser. Bowing out at that point makes sense. Supporter complaints that he dropped out before it was really "over" have no legs.

Long story short, giving it time before making any final decisions on the course he should take is the right thing to do.

And it has always been my fondest hope that people who have been inspired to take action by his campaign, will be inspired to continue the fight for what he stands for after the campaign is over.

[sadoldgirl]

99. Well, cali, if he does endorse her, there

will be a big jump in a third party, and the movement
will proceed in that direction.

As far as Trump is concerned he is only in the game
to support HRC. That must be rather obvious by now.

[cali]

109. codswallop. As speculation goes, yours is particularly lacking in any evidence

and it is simply delusional to think that trump is in it to benefit Hillary.

[anotherproletariat]

100. Please don't drop!!

I really like the fodder his continued campaign provides for late night comedians.

[pandr32]

101. I hope you're right

The GE is upon us.

[Helga Scow Stern]

105. That would be immensely disappointing

To his supporters, especially those whose votes have been disrespected. What a way to kill the momentum for change.

[cali]

110. it would immensly disappoint Vermonters if he didn't hold true to his word

and you are wrong about it killing the momentum for change.

[Jennylynn]

166. I'm not quite sure Bernie 'promised' to endorse Clinton

What he promised, was to 'do everything I can to make sure Trump isn't the next President'.
That doesn't necessarily mean endorsing Clinton. But, it's up to him. He can continue to use himself to campaign against Trump.

[GoneFishin]

132. If he falls in line and behaves like other politicians then the momentum is dead.

[SusanCalvin]

149. I don't think he's capable of "behaving like other politicians,"

And in the system as it exists I don't think endorsing Hillary is "falling in line."

I'd like a parliamentary system, but we just don't have one.

[Surya Gayatri]

162. Couldn't agree more. I've always thought that the Founding Fathers missed the mark

when they instituted a presidential rather than parliamentary system.

That parliamentary "vote of no confidence" is the best wake-up call there is.

Too much power is vested in the office of the American President, IMO.

A Prime Minister is much more subject to popular pressure, as is his ruling party.

[SusanCalvin]

168. Yep.

I don't think they envisioned the office of the President having anything near the power it's come to have, with regard to "wars" especially.

I SURE don't think they envisioned what corporations have become.

[Surya Gayatri]

169. "What The Founding Fathers Thought About Corporations"

Back in the days of the Founding Fathers, corporations could only exist for 20-30 years and could only deal in one commodity.

After the nation’s founding, corporations were granted charters by the state as they are today. Unlike today, however, corporations were only permitted to exist 20 or 30 years and could only deal in one commodity, could not hold stock in other companies, and their property holdings were limited to what they needed to accomplish their business goals. And perhaps the most important facet of all this is that most states in the early days of the nation had laws on the books that made any political contribution by corporations a criminal offense.

When you think about it, the regulations imposed on corporations in the early days of America were far harsher than they are now. That is hardly proof that the founding fathers supported corporations. In fact its quite the opposite. The corporate entity was so restrictive that many of America’s corporate giants set up their entities to avoid the corporate restrictions. For example, Andrew Carnegie set up his steel company as a limited partnership and John D. Rockefeller set up his Standard Oil company as a trust which would later be rightfully busted up into smaller companies by Theodore Roosevelt.
...

Thomas Jefferson, one of the most prominent founding fathers, also said this in 1816,

“I hope that we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations, which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country.”

http://addictinginfo.org/2013/06/09/founding-fathers/

There's LOTS more at this link. Really pertinent to our present debate.

[SusanCalvin]

170. Can't say it too often!

[Skwmom]

111. I think the movement will soon realize there is no fixing the Democratic Party. It's only the votes

that are wanted.

[Romulox]

114. I guess that means his campaign was a lie, if he can endorse everything he railed against...

[cali]

115. I guess reductive thinking is your thing.

He said over and over and over that she was vastly preferable to Trump. To call his campaign a lie because he'll hold true to his word to endorse the democratic nominee, is simply bullshit.

[Romulox]

116. Oh, to be as "nuanced" as you, cali...

[Surya Gayatri]

163. .../...

[GoneFishin]

136. I agree. I don't think it will come to that. But if it does, then you would be correct.

[Warren DeMontague]

147. If everyone in the party agreed on everything, you wouldn't have primaries

and if at the end of the primary you didn't support the winner anyway, it wouldn't be a primary either.

[SusanCalvin]

150. ^THIS^

[Peacetrain]

118. Cali this is for you

(_)O.. cup of internet coffee.. I think things will look a lot better in a few weeks for a lot of people when they have had a chance to get it all sorted out..I think Bernie and Jane are trying to sort it out now too.. Bernie has not been in office for as long as he has been there and not know what the big picture is..And that right at this point in time is Trump or who ever follows behind him because of the Supreme Court..

[pampango]

119. I support Bernie. I care what he thinks and endorses. No bus with Bernie's name on it

as far as I am concerned. He is a class guy who cares deeply about the 99%. If he endorses Hillary it will be because he thinks it is the right thing to do. It won't be out of blind party loyalty. He's not really a Democrat and he owes the Democratic Party little and will probably not run again in 2020.

[Cary]

122. Perhaps.

I don't see a movement but I would encourage you all to do the things you would need to do to have one. The criticism of Sanders as having no plan was valid. You all, to have a movement, need some institutions and a firm base in local and state governments. Then from there you might achieve a small group of Representatives intent upon disrupting the Speaker and forcing his or her resignation based on some amorphous, ad hoc ideological purity.

Yep. Then perhaps you have your bona fides.

Liberté, égalité, fraternité!

[XRubicon]

123. Wow. Great post

It doesn't have to be over for Bernie or his supporters, they need to stay in the party and change it from within.

I hope you are right.

[bravenak]

126. Great post

[GoneFishin]

128. Nonsense. He said he is going to the convention, and it will be a contested convention. And by all

rights it should be. Hillary can't get enough pledged delegates, even with the rampant cheating and the thumbs of every Democratic Party minion on the scale for Hillary.

[Samantha]

148. I agree

The last I heard the NYT reported a 19 delegate shortage. DC has 20. I know Hillary is expected to win big there but if Bernie gets just 2 she will be short by 1 (unless some numbers have changed since the NYT article). In any event, he has always said he was going to the convention, and I hope he does.

Sam

[SamKnause]

137. I disagree with your prediction and hope that he does not drop out.

He has repeatedly said he is taking it to the convention.

There is plenty of time after the convention for Hillary to beat Trump.

Bernie is taking it to the convention and fighting to the very end.

He will fight for every scrap that he can get for the 99% !!!!!!!!

[Warren DeMontague]

145. I think so, too.

And it is exactly as it should be.

[SusanCalvin]

151. Thank you.

[Vote2016]

156. More likely he will stay in through the convention. There is more to be decided at the convention

than who is the nominee.

Sanders will stay in to address key issues.

[SusanCalvin]

158. Probably so, but same general idea, I think.

I do want to hear the roll call. From where he started, and with the stacked deck, it's amazing.

[enid602]

159. ACA

As I mentioned to you before, Cali I still hold out hope that Bern will join forces with Hill to serve in a cabinet level position as ACA Czar. ACA appears to be going south, and I think he might be the only person who can expand the program, with the proviso that if the major stakeholders ultimately prove recalcitrant, we'll move toward SP within a fixed time period. Bern is not beholden to the insurance industry, the ABA, big pharma or the medical establishment. If he were to make ACA comparable to similar European universal health insurance schemes, he'll have done more for universal healthcare than he could reasonably have done as President.

[MFM008]

164. I take the Senator at his word

I believe its good.

[William769]

172. I have stoppesd posting till the 16th of this month

But a friend told me about your OP cali and I just wanted to drop in and say thank you.

[cali]

173. you're welcome, William

[Andy823]

174. K&R

Good post Cali, and I agree with you.

[coyote]

175. You can throw this thread in the bin.

Looks like you don't know Bernie.