Sanders raising money to send delegates to Philadelphia

[TheProgressive]

Source: The Hill : http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/285230-sanders-raising-money-to-send-delegates-to-philadelphia

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders's campaign is raising money to help send his delegates to Philadelphia next month for the Democratic National Convention.

In an email Tuesday, the Vermont senator's campaign encouraged supporters to donate $2.70 before Thursday's midnight Federal Election Commission deadline to help get the campaign's nearly 1,900 delegates to the convention. It can cost more than $4,000 per delegate, the campaign said.

"Our delegates are not wealthy campaign contributors. They're not party insiders or establishment elites. They're working folks, and it's not easy for many of them to fly to Philly and stay in hotels for a week," Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver said in the email.

"We really need to have all of our delegates at the Democratic convention because we expect there could be critical votes for the party platform and electoral process. We'd hate to fall short on these votes because some of our delegates couldn't afford to go to the convention."

-more- at link

Note that Sanders garnered millions and millions of American votes. Sanders has a right to voice our opinion at the Convention. It's only democratic - right?

[Renew Deal]

1. Shameful

How much does he have in the bank right now?

[democrattotheend]

13. Why is that shameful?

I think it's great that he is trying to help his delegates with the costs of attending the convention, and that he has a lot of delegates who are not party insiders or big donors. Many campaigns restrict their delegates to such people.

[Renew Deal]

17. He should be raising money so active candidates can win

He has the money to fund his delegates travels if needed. It is shameful to be raising money when so many Democratic candidates need it. Most people are wise enough to not give him anything.

[obamanut2012]

46. this

[stonecutter357]

52. +1

[PJMcK]

76. Agreed

The primary is over. Just ask anyone on DU! (wink)

Now, the battle is to defeat the Republicans and that's where all of the Democratic efforts and assets should be directed.

[Metric System]

2. This reads like an attack on Clinton delegates, who I'm sure are not all wealthy. I'm also sick of

everything and anyone being labeled as establishment.

[merrily]

3. Saying his delegates are not wealthy reads like an attack on everyone else's delegates? Wow.

[Metric System]

4. You really can't see the implication?

[merrily]

10. I am very happy to say, no, it did not occur to me and now that you've pointed it out,

it still doesn't occur to me.

Then again, another DUer claimed that a June fundraising email of Bernie's had called Hillary every name in the book, when the email made no mention of Hillary at all.

[JaneyVee]

11. Bernie's delegates are "working folks".

Still dont see it?

[SaschaHM]

14. You know the answer to that question. Don't expect an honest answer.

[merrily]

23. Happy to say, no, Sorry you do see it. He's explaining why people should donate to help

his delegates get to the convention. That's all I see. Then again, I didn't see him calling Hillary every name in the book when that was not in his other email either.

[democrattotheend]

16. I don't see it as an attack on Hillary per se

Unfortunately, candidates often strike delegate candidates who are not big donors or party insiders. This may be in part because they are concerned about disloyal delegates and want to pick people they know, but it is probably also about rewarding the big donors/fundraisers.

The Obama campaign initially did this in California in 2008, striking a lot of the grassroots activists who supported him in favor of the big donors and bundlers. To their credit, they quickly reversed course and allowed everyone to run. But I think that kind of thing is pretty common, and that is what Bernie is referring to. Not to Hillary specifically.

[CaptainSensible]

24. The emerging ghosts from Bernie's closet are scary and we'll, damn scary.

I'm now fully convinced Bernie HATES capitalism. Increasingly, everything coming from his mouth is focused on earning money, wealth, class etc. The thing is, there's not a damned thing wrong with wealth. Anyone who says there is, either has psychological problems, a personal agenda, distorted ideological trappings or is a straight up socialist.

There's nothing wrong whatsoever with Clinton earning a sizeable fee for speeches. Before you freakout, think about business. Businesses sell widgets or services. So many businesses in the world, so many widgets and services. Many of the services of course, you cannot touch. Trump sells services related to widgets (huge buildings). Right?

Clinton sells services. In this case, she sells intellectual property; her thoughts. She aparrently charged between $200k and $300k for a speech, I guess. Trump sells hotel rooms, office space, consulting and his intellectually property. His intellectual property is often his "brand." And in his case this means his name, Trump, for use in business names etc.

He often negotiates fees in excess of $10M for this service. That's a shit ton of cash.

In either scenario, the fee amount is largely determined by what the market will bear. I find it highly absurd Trump gets $10M+ for renting his brand, strictly. Way overpriced. Especially when you consider that his personal behavior is so cavalier, sporadic and unpredictable suggests a huge liability and possible detriment in the long run.

Okay, what about big corps paying Clinton for speeches, which some worry could be considered "payola" in the event future circumstances may end up with Clinton having the chance to favorably influence outcomes for said Corps if the opportunity arises. Lots of IFs and COULDS. Politics are rife with these so called favors. That's what politics is about.

Watch her. Track it. If something comes up, check it. Until such time, stop whining.

[merrily]

27. Huh?

[JRLeft]

32. Bernie monster created by some doesn't exist.

[Ken Burch]

44. HRC has billionaire donors. Her campaign could easily buy tickets and hotel rooms

for every HRC delegate if it had to.

[NCTraveler]

69. Sanders has many donors worth tens and hundreds of millions.

You are saying they couldn't easily buy tickets and hotel rooms?

[Raster]

5. does Clinton or her campaign pay for delegates?

Does the DNC pay for Clinton delegates?

And how many of these "super delegates" that are "party insiders" or "establishment elites" will get their trips paid for by the DNC or DNC supporters?

[MohRokTah]

6. .

[tk2kewl]

47. Funny how?

[MohRokTah]

53. Properly managed presidential primary campaigns...

will always have coordinated and chosen delegates as well as insured logistics for the convention well in advance of the actual primary or caucus taking place. That the Sanders campaign failed to do this demonstrates complete ineptitude on the part of the candidate.

[tk2kewl]

54. "properly funded" not managed

ie corporate and foreign contributors

[MohRokTah]

55. No, properly MANAGED.

Delegates have always typically paid for their own convention costs. Insuring they are capabale of doing so well in advance of the actual primary or caucus and long before they actually become a delegate is a part of proper campaign management.

Your "corporate" bugaboo is just so much nonsense.

[tk2kewl]

56. so make sure your delegates can afford to participate

got it

[MohRokTah]

57. Failure to do so is incompetency. eom

[tk2kewl]

58. got it

only have delegates with means

[MohRokTah]

59. Only have dedicated delegates who are capable of fulfilling their duties.

Anything else is pure idiocy.

[tk2kewl]

62. no poors allowed

never mind if they're smart, talented, have great ideas, enthusiasm, etc

[MohRokTah]

63. IF you cannot afford the costs, then no, you are really stupid if you become a delegate and cannot

come up with the means of attending the convention.

Hell, that's proof enough a person is not capable of being a delegate if they are so stupid as to commit when they know damned well and good they are incapable of fulfilling the duties!

[tk2kewl]

64. poor are stupid

hell if they weren't they wouldn't be poor right?

[MohRokTah]

65. Nice strawman.

[tk2kewl]

66. you are the one saying that if you want to participate in electoral politics you better have cash

[MohRokTah]

68. Participating in electoral politics and being a delegate to a national convention are not the same.

[tk2kewl]

70. so delegates can't be poor, i get it

[MohRokTah]

71. Again with the Strawman

[tk2kewl]

73. And super delegates must really need to be loaded

[MohRokTah]

74. .

[onehandle]

7. Adding the sour grapes comment at the end was unnecessary.

And not very 'Progressive.'

[MaggieD]

8. Why doesn't he pay?

I thought he had $9 million cash on hand. Why doesn't he pay for them?

Also, I heard that he is demanding a private jet in order to campaign for Clinton. Dude is so full of himself. I am sure she will do just fine with Warren over Bernie.

[R B Garr]

9. +1000, exactly.

[democrattotheend]

18. Demanding a private jet?

Where did you hear that? Have a source?

[MaggieD]

19. Clarence Page

[whistler162]

43. a lot of bitter Clinton supporters

in the world.

[CaptainSensible]

12. Bernie and the missing piece. With illustrations by..

Last edited Wed Jun 29, 2016, 12:27 AM - Edit history (1)

Yes and no. It is important that someone, somewhere clarify that while America embraces and supports democracy, and takes great pride in pursuing a right to the happiness and enjoyment of democracy, this doesn't mean elections are about individual votes. There really seems to be a yuuuge misconception that our political system is one of Democracy. It isn't. And never has been.

America is a Democratic Republic. Your popular vote technically counts, but isn't part of a "popularly elected winner" of an election, such as our currently undergoing election for the next POTUS.

A Democratic Republic is structured upon a system of representative delegates who are charged with voting on behalf of the popular contingency (voters), in combination with the party concerns as related to many issues, some of which greatly transcend the current contest's issues—as politics can easily grow seriously convoluted and this system is intended to safeguard against waves of populist trends undermining the parties beliefs, hijacking the party and platform.

Needless to say, but I will anyhow, the process and protocol was established by the Democratic Party, long ago, and as such, have the prerogative to run it as they see fit.

Speaking of democracy, Bernie Sanders' apparent intention to attend the convention seemingly without having publicly endorsed Democratic nominee, and certainly without asking his supporters to now shift to unilaterally supporting same, the question of integrity and legitimacy comes clearly into focus. At this point, it's difficult not to recognize Bernie's actions—or lack thereof —in any way other than destructive and subversive.

Bernie isn't a Democrat by philosophy, nor is he turning out to be a Democrat by action. He chose to masquerade as a Democrat most likely as a matter of business decision and necessity. The problem, which inherently and historically emerges organically each election cycle, when just one primary candidate is nominated and the others are subsequently expected to bow out of the contest and assist in transitioning their supporters to the nominated candidate, in spirit and vote.

And, historically, when a candidate realizes this moment they do the right thing for many reasons. Most of all, they do it because above all their allegiance to the Democratic Party supersedes personal issues now that their candidate is no longer viable. Now it's time to get with the program and dutifully support the PARTY'S choice for nomination since your choice is no longer electable.

Choosing to NOT DO THIS,and rightfully so, can easily be viewed as a distinct choice to undermine the party, all of it's members and the entire organization that provided Bernie with a legitimate party platform from which to seek nomination.

Bernie lost. Legitimately.

Bernie signed up to operate as a Democrat long ago when an agreement was made that he would run on a Democratic ticket. He knew the rules—or at least should have known the rules —and has no right to engage in undermining the established protocol. He agreed to do the right thing before campaigning. Had he not agreed to all of the rules et al, I'm certain the DNC wouldn't have entered into an agreement, naturally.

Bernie's actions at this point can only be described as untoward and from some vantage points, veering toward subversion and sabotage. Really not cool at all.

In my mind, Bernie's actions are largely demonstrative of sour grapes, a temper-tantrum, poor loser and above all, HYPOCRITICAL. And that, fellow voters, is not only inexcusable, but significantly foretelling of a man whose strategy in attracting supporters was questionable at the outset (selling completely impractical, impossible and poorly researched promises), but once his grip started slipping he adopted clearly despicable efforts to further conspiracy theories and cheap tactics, intended to disqualify the leading candidate. These are signs of how a cornered dog behaves, and more importantly, how stress might affect a key decision-making executive once elected to office. Highly distasteful and highly suspect.

By all indications, the Sanders machine isn't entirely composed of a desire to serve the public. His ego is increasingly front and center in critical moments. Moments that when occurring in the context of the office of POTUS, could be extremely dangerous.

He is rapidly running out of margin and should get in line and support the party and support the PARTY'S nominated candidate. Last week!Or, GO HOME. Democrats have lost their patience with the shenanigans and are also committed to a MAJOR mandate of critical importance—we've GOT to eliminate a threat to the country and the world.

DONALD TRUMP.

Choosing not to vote at all, or to vote for Trump in response to Bernie's loss, is a vote for hypocrisy, tyranny, racism, classism, isolationism, recession and Republican incumbency for god knows how long.


See you at the booths?

[cosmicone]

15. ^^^ THIS ^^^

Extremely well said.

[CaptainSensible]

33. Envelope propulsion rocks

Yes sir. Thank you..!

[JaneyVee]

21. Did you write that masterpiece?

[MaggieD]

22. Very well stated

Thank you.

[CaptainSensible]

31. Ahem

Thank you Maggie.

[Whimsey]

25. Sensible Commentary, Captain

Rather than a rich college kid, sounds like the opinion of a dedicated democrat, who has voted in many an election!

Bernie is not a democrat, and never has been.

[CaptainSensible]

28. not Democrat actually

Truth be told, I'm not a Democrat. I'm not a Republican either. Not Independent. Not a club joiner, just to be clear.

I hate political parties. I'm generally a miscreant. My core social vantage point is typically fueled by my interest and participation in Punk rock, skating, anti-establishment, entrepreneurial. I love disruption and upending smug arrogance and "demything" prevalent ignorance and lack of education.

That's all.

But thank you for regarding my comments with respect. I dig that.

[yodermon]

38. Not sure I understand. If you're not a Dem, not Repub, and not Independent

the you're either some other 3rd party or not registered to vote.

(FTR I'm registered unaffiliated.)

[CaptainSensible]

30. Thanks man.

[Hekate]

34. This lengthy analysis is both historically accurate and accurate of BS in this moment. KnR

I wish that people would read it all the way through, and not just dismiss it because of their sore emotions. It hurts to lose, but he lost fair and square. We have a party to run and an election to win, and sorry to say Bernie is not playing by the rules he signed up to play by. It is not "bashing" to acknowledge this.

[Metric System]

41. Bravo!

[uponit7771]

48. +1, "..They're not party insiders or establishment elites. .." they're not cats either and neither..

... one of those points needed to be made.

little disappointed at his response right now and not going after tRump

[cosmicone]

20. This is reminiscent of a college student

who spends his/her funds lavishly on his/her friends and on luxury European holidays, on advertising to get the message out about all the great things he/she will accomplish in college and then goes back to people saying he/she has no money left for tuition.

[CaptainSensible]

29. Please pass the jelly

Ordinarily, I might dignify this with disclosure of various facts intended to debunk your supposition, but nah. I'll leave you guessing.

I am well traveled admittedly.

[cosmicone]

36. ? :O

Perhaps you overlooked that I was not referring to your commentary but Sanders' campaign finances? I applauded and complimented you on your analysis up-thread?

[midnight]

26. Interesting….

[NanceGreggs]

35. "Our delegates are not wealthy campaign contributors.

They're not party insiders or establishment elites. They're working folks, and it's not easy for many of them to fly to Philly and stay in hotels for a week."

Thanks for pointing that out, Bernie. As everyone knows, ALL HRC supporters are wealthy "insiders and establishment elites", who can attend the convention without a second's thought as to the expense.

"Note that Sanders garnered millions and millions of American votes."

You might also note that Sanders LOST the nomination, and is owed nothing. You might also note that that Sanders garnered millions and millions of dollars during his campaign, and isn't coughing up a penny of it to fund his delegates' expenses.

You have to wonder how many BS delegates could have had their Convention participation paid for with the money Bernie spent going to Rome to deliver a ten-minute speech.

[KMOD]

37. Thank you!

Spot on!!!

[Jitter65]

42. Ouch! But right.

[uponit7771]

49. +1, "and is owed nothing"... he sounds very very entitled now... even from his supporters

[Txbluedog]

39. It's a thinly veiled attack

He thinks he's some can do no wrong messiah for the masses, he's about to learn the hard way he's not

[silvershadow]

40. Good. I wholly approve and endorse this. What a class act he is to his delegates.

[DemonGoddess]

45. from different state Democratic parties

These are from California

Financing Your Trip: If you are concerned about the costs associated with attending the convention, please don’t let the price hold you back from attending. Many Democratic clubs and organizations facilitate members attending the convention by providing financial assistance through scholarships. Delegates are also encouraged to hold fundraisers to raise the necessary funds to attend.

http://www.cadem.org/our-party/national-convention/2016-Delegate-Travel-Cost.pdf

Minnesota

Attending the convention is costly, and delegates need to cover all their own expenses (travel, hotel, and meals). You can expect to pay $2000-4000 for your trip to the convention. A small number of grants may be offered by the DFL Party, but those usually amount to only a few hundred dollars and you must demonstrate financial need to qualify. Delegates have also raised funds from their local party units, friends and family, or even by starting a Kickstarter campaign. You can also reduce expenses somewhat by sharing a room with other delegates or looking for ways to minimize travel costs to Philadelphia.

https://www.dfl.org/becoming-a-delegate-to-the-2016-democratic-national-convention-2/

Massachusetts

Financing Your Trip: If you are concerned about the costs associated with attending the convention, please don’t let the price hold you back from attending. Many Democratic
clubs and organizations facilitate members attending the convention by providing financial assistance through scholarships. Delegates are also encouraged to hold fundraisers to raise the necessary funds to attend.

http://www.massdems.org/images/pdf/costs.pdf

Indiana

National Delegates who are concerned about the financial obligations with traveling to Pennsylvania should consider holding fundraisers to raise the necessary funds to attend.
There are also many Democratic clubs and organizations that may assist their members in
attending the Convention.

http://www.indems.org/files/2016INdemsDelegateSelectionPresentation.pdf

EVERY ONE of these states clearly that it is the responsibility of the DELEGATE to fund this trip.

[Evergreen Emerald]

50. What is his end game?

Instead of requesting support for the down-ticket Democrats he encouraged to run for office, or funding the revolution, or joining the Senate, he is attempting to fill the Democratic Convention with his supporters? To what end? Is he still attempting to win the primary?

His focus is bizarre to me. I know he attempted to save face by pretending that that platform is the most important thing in the whole wide world, and the dems allowed him that meme so he could have some dignity in loss. He should have taken it and called it a win.

Now, he appears to be focused on revenge. Revenge to the slights from the party and from arguments made during the race. It is not a good way to end his run.

[MineralMan]

51. Hmm...I've not tried to be a delegate to MN state DFL conventions

a couple of times, because I could not afford to travel and stay at the conventions, which lasted for 2 days and would take place in cities away from my area. I simply decided that I would pass on the opportunity for financial reasons.

Being a delegate to a national convention is a costly proposition. I wouldn't even consider trying to be a delegate for that reason. It's always something people should consider before running to become a delegate, I think.

That said, if a fundraising effort is needed for delegates, it's not a problem for me, either. However, it's not assured that enough money will be raised, and that could lead to delegates not attending. That would be a shame, of course, but could have been avoided by delegate who could not afford to go.

My feelings are mixed on this.

[Adrahil]

60. Instead working to defeat Republicans....

he is still fighting a lost primary. WTF is he thinking?

[bettyellen]

61. To fart?

[NCTraveler]

67. Did Sanders ever release his May financials? nt.

[farleftlib]

72. Time to donate

Thanks for the reminder!

[brooklynite]

75. Before midnight tomorrow is meaningless...except for PR purposes

You could give the same contribution on July 1 and it would be just as useful for Delegates...but the Sanders campaign couldn't use it as clout by reporting that he still has fundraising appeal.

[RobertEarl]

77. I read the other thread

And it made me ashamed to realize those people are in the same party.

It was if they were all saying: Poor people are not welcome!

Their elite attitude really made me sick.

[TheProgressive]

78. I have many people on Ignore...

And therefore I don't read their posts...

Maybe I should unIgnore people to see what they are writing...

[RobertEarl]

79. I saw it while not logged in

Good thing too, because I may have gotten banned had I replied in a manner most deserving.