Bernie Sanders explains why he's still not endorsing Hillary Clinton

[portlander23]

Bernie Sanders explains why he's still not endorsing Hillary Clinton
REENA FLORES
CBS News

Despite declaring that he would vote for Hillary Clinton in November's general election, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders maintained that he still isn't ready to endorse his primary race rival.

Asked what it would take to throw his support behind Clinton, Sanders told "CBS This Morning" that "it's not a question for me. We got 13 million votes, we got in virtually every primary and caucus the vast majority of young people - people 45 years of age or younger, and what those voters are saying to the establishment, to Secretary Clinton -- 'Hey are you gonna stand up for us? Are you gonna raise the minimum wage in fact to 15 bucks an hour?'"

When pressed why he hasn't endorsed her yet, the Vermont senator responded: "Because I have not heard her say the things that I think needs to be said."

"I want her to say among other things, we have a crisis in higher education -- public universities and colleges should be tuition free. Raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour," Sanders said. "I believe that healthcare should be a right of all people. I would love her to say that and I would love her to move aggressively to make that happen."

[leftynyc]

1. He could have been a contender

and a real force. But he decided his ego was far too important and now everyone has moved on. Bernie can do what he wants, nobody but his most far left supporters care any more. Let them vote for that imbecile, Jill Stein. Meanwhile, Pres Obama and Michelle, VP BIden and Jill along with Elizabeth Warren, Russ Feingold and a whole host of good Democrats will be fighting hard to get SOS Clinton elected.

[grossproffit]

3. It's both awkward and embarrassing to witness.

[uponit7771]

8. +1, and I don't think he has much supporters left if the polls are accurate. Sanders supporter are

... flocking faster to Clinton now than the Clinton supporters flocked to Obama in 08.

He's quickly becoming a true has been, angry do nothing

[grossproffit]

2. Will he be speaking at the convention?

[geek tragedy]

23. pretty obviously not, nt

[NWCorona]

4. Bernie is sticking to his principles.

[uponit7771]

6. This is false, he said he'd do everything to defeat tRump 3 weeks ago and outside of a couple of...

... statements his main focus of all his appearances is placing the onus on Clinton to say what he wants NOT ONE rally against tRump not one presser against tRump few relative statements anything about tRump.

Clinton doesn't owe Sanders a damn thing

[NWCorona]

10. It's not about Hillary owing Bernie at all.

[uponit7771]

12. That's not what his statement in the OP intimates, he said he wants her to say some things so I ...

... disagree with that notion.

Also, its been 3 weeks... if this is Sanders "everything" to defeat tRump then I think the democrats choose the right candidate to lead... cause Sanders everything right now stanks

[Uncle Joe]

25. Bernie wants "Hillary to say some things" that shows she is indeed listening to the 13 million

Americans that voted for him, the vast majority being people under 45.

Asked what it would take to throw his support behind Clinton, Sanders told "CBS This Morning" that "it's not a question for me. We got 13 million votes, we got in virtually every primary and caucus the vast majority of young people - people 45 years of age or younger, and what those voters are saying to the establishment, to Secretary Clinton -- 'Hey are you gonna stand up for us? Are you gonna raise the minimum wage in fact to 15 bucks an hour?'"

When pressed why he hasn't endorsed her yet, the Vermont senator responded: "Because I have not heard her say the things that I think needs to be said."

"I want her to say among other things, we have a crisis in higher education -- public universities and colleges should be tuition free. Raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour," Sanders said. "I believe that healthcare should be a right of all people. I would love her to say that and I would love her to move aggressively to make that happen."

In this Bernie is still fighting for the interests of the people, he's not going to abandon them.

Having said that, this article is light on substance but that's not surprising coming from a corporate media conglomerate.

As for beating Trump there is ample time for Hillary to adjust her message, the Democratic Convention is still a month away.

Ultimately no person is more responsible for winning over Bernie voters than Hillary.

[brooklynite]

34. "fighting for the interests of the people" also requires understanding how to fight

It seems clear that Clinton doesn't feel the need to concede policy points to Sanders in order to unify Democratic voters. So his realistic choices are:

1. Not endorse and have Trump win, turning back all the gains made in the past 8 years,

2. Not endorse and have Clinton win, leaving him with minimal influence on the policy issues she'll deal with in the next 8 years.

[Uncle Joe]

44. As is true for Presidents the same holds true for candidates in regards to their political races.

"The buck stops here" as I stated ultimately no one is more responsible for winning over Bernie voters and in turn the G.E. than Hillary as is the case in every political race, it's up to the candidate.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

115. I don't believe that many of those people will vote for her. And Bernie will not endorse. He will

find an excuse not to endorse her. The real die hard supporters will also find an excuse not to vote for her.

[lunamagica]

37. Most of thos voters have moved on and ar supporting Hillary

[Uncle Joe]

45. If Bernie voters are already turning toward Hillary, why all the concern over his endorsement?

[lunamagica]

47. I'm not concerned. Not at all

[Uncle Joe]

48. The corporate media conglomerates and apparently many posters here don't share your view.

[lunamagica]

50. I blieve some think he should support the candidate (like Hillary did with Obama), and that he

refusing to do so may not be good for the party.

Me? I think he is becoming more and more irrelevant, and the only one looking bad is him. He's just a sore loser.

[Uncle Joe]

51. Obama and Hillary's differences in regards to which direction the Democratic Party should go

pale in comparison to the gap between Bernie and Hillary, 2016 was a much different race than 2008.

The critical issues have become much more acute.

[lunamagica]

54. The primaary is OVER. She won, he lost. If he needs to fight someone, that someone needs to

be Trump and the GOP, not Hillary and the Democrats.

Him fighting Democrats isn't helping his cause at all. The most critical and acute issue currenly is defeating Trump, and winning in Nov.

[Uncle Joe]

57. No one is disputing that, the question of the OP is regarding Bernie's endorsement and of course

it goes without saying this will be based on Hillary's words and actions.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512223010

Bernie hasn't and doesn't hesitate in attacking Trump on any and virtually every occasion.

[lunamagica]

59. Not really. He only mentions Trump in passing or when asked. By listening to him youd think

that the enemies are HRC and the Democrats

[Uncle Joe]

60. Bernie has been attacking Trump almost daily if not every other day.

[uponit7771]

84. +1, his lack of fighting tRump and the GOP after 3 weeks is what disconcerting and goes against this

... "fighting for us" claim

[NWCorona]

87. Time will tell if Bernie is making the right decision.

[bettyellen]

52. Not worried about November, this is just an ugly fly in the ointment, no more no less.

With Warren enthusiastically by her side they are making history while he is still blowing raspberries on the sideline.

[Uncle Joe]

53. Some peoples' "raspberries" are other peoples' critical issues.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512223010

[bettyellen]

56. And some people went too far implying that every other person is corrupt excepting them

[Uncle Joe]

58. The system is corrupt, or at the very least highly dysfunctional, that's what Bernie

is trying to change.

[bettyellen]

65. Highly dysfunctional is very different wording- too bad he implied corruption towards anyone who

Legal fundraised this year. I just heard Hillary created arms deals that have been in place toward Saudi Arabia since the 80's! And that she didn't win fair and square. Delusional bullshit.

[Uncle Joe]

68. Today's "legal fundraised" system is highly dysfunctional and definitely conducive to corruption.

The entropy inducing, closed primary system, out sized power of super-delegates, many of whom have never been elected combined with the monopolistic, corporate media conglomerates blatant, inherent conflict of interest on so many critical issues and ready use of propaganda to manipulate the people on a vast array of issues, simply can't bode well for our democratic republic.

[bettyellen]

71. While I agree- I see so many unfounded accusations it's become CT central....

And bullshit like calling PP establishment as well as alluding to corruption being everywhere did not help Sanders and will damage his ability to work with people. Politics is- above all- working with and for others. He can't go it alone.
Thanks for pointing out the spellcheck error in a non- mocking manner.

[Uncle Joe]

73. What does "PP" mean Presidential Primary?

Bernie will have no problem working with people as his history is a powerful testimony of.

Furthermore, Bernie isn't going alone.

[bettyellen]

95. Planned Parenthood- who he dismissed as "establishment" after they supported

They supported HRC. He doesn't respect their years of work together but instead dismisses it as cronyism. Disgusting.


What progressive does not know what PP stands for? Wow- thanks for your support dude.

[uponit7771]

80. More concerned about his lack of focus on tRump vs his focus on what the winner of a contest should

...say.

[charlyvi]

83. It's not concern.

It's irritation.

[Gothmog]

92. I am happy if Sanders does not make a speech at the National Convention

It is his choice but right now I am in favor of putting Sen. Warren on the ticket and ignoring Sanders

[uponit7771]

78. 90% of those 13million are saying they'll vote for her in multiple polls so the 13 million aren't

... waiting on what Sanders is demanding so that position doesn't hold water relative to the facts.

Also, Sanders said he'd be doing everything to make sure tRump doesn't win and so far that everything happens to be a couple of statements.

That's some crap there

[840high]

128. Go Bernie.

[bonemachine]

32. It's not about HIM

It's about US!

[uponit7771]

82. Which "us"!? 90% of Sanders voters are going to vote for Clinton in the fall, that's twice the rate

.... of Obama voters in 08 in most polls.

Who's he doing this for?

Obama won with worse numbers from Clinton pull overs

The concern here is his lack of focus on doing "everything" he can to make sure tRump loses... he's said relatively little about it other than calling tRump a couple of names and then goes off and repeats his stump speech as if he's still in the primaries

[bonemachine]

123. Oh for crying out loud

The fact that people are willing to vote for Hillary to prevent Trump doesn't mean that they don't want what Bernie has been advocating.

[uponit7771]

124. I agree, that also doesn't mean he has a position of power either... if he had 40% pullovers in that

.... poll I'd say he had some leverage but he doesn't.

People are going to vote for Clinton whether he comes on board or not and now she has Warren in her corner...

No really... what "us"... he's losing the influence that he had and doesn't know it

[Sheepshank]

38. In his 25+ years in office it's unfortunate that he never learned to negotiate

He wants everything his way and is demanding nothing less. He may have principals, but I don't think these demands are a reflections of principals any more...they feel more like uncompromising almost petulant demands, that do not serve anyone well at this point. In Public Office, no man is an island. No person can achieve without cooperation...yes even occasionally cooperating with those that have different principals.

The bottom line is that his recalcitrant nature was always there for everyone to see. His reputation of not being a team player was well known and didn't serve him well in his Presidential run.

From my perspective he has always manipulated and used the "establishment", for his own purposes while deriding it as creating unequal opportunities. In this current system of checks and balances, everyone should know the rules inside and out, use the "establishment", play within it's guideline and be clever enough to find the loopholes to achieve a goal. Bernie didn't do that. Bernie didn't play the sly old fox that was able to achieve his platform within the establishment environment (a la Obama). He took out a sledge hammer and set about demolishing something that many, many others don't find completely broken.

[LongtimeAZDem]

77. +1 Very nicely put (nt)

[uponit7771]

81. +1, "feel more like uncompromising almost petulant demands"

[kerry-is-my-prez]

103. That is so true. His emphasis is on ""the bad" Democrats and "bad" Hillary instead of Trump and

the Reps. He is exacting revenge instead of fighting against the REAL enemy. He could be up there along with Elizabeth Warren and Biden and be a highly respected figure. Instead he chooses to be something else. He could be doing so much good.

[MariaThinks]

93. and those seem to be to get trump elected.

[synergie]

113. It seems that he's showing that they are not as advertised.

[uponit7771]

5. Sanders supporters flocking to Hillary faster than Hillary supporters flocked to Obama in 08 so I...

... don't know if she needs this guys endorsement right now.

He's placing the onus on Clinton as a prerequisite for him do the right thing and that's bullshit, it's not what SHE should be saying right now she won... so entitled

Also, he said he'd do everything to defeat tRump 3 weeks ago... other than a couple of statements he aint done shit... no pressers no rallies nothing against tRump.

I have seen a damn thing

[Silver_Witch]

41. IIT is actually Hillary who must win over those that supported Bernie....

But as has been posted many tomes on DU "second need Bernie supporters". So we are all good. No harm no foul!

[uponit7771]

76. Red Herring, this subthread isn't about what Clinton has to do its what Sanders is demanding after

... losing and what he's NOT doing regarding tRump after 3 weeks of him saying he would be doing "everything" to defeat him.

So far this "everything" boils down to a couple of statements of tRump being horrible

And it looks like Sanders supporters will be voting for Clinton at twice the rate Clinton supporters voted for Obama in 08 and he won that race.

[Squinch]

89. By all measures, she has already done this while BS wandered, pretending the primary wasn't over.

[Herman4747]

7. Because of you, Bernie, Hillary NOW supports $15 per hour...

(to be sure, that could flip again, & she could go back to supporting $12).

[tonyt53]

14. "Hillary" didn't put that in the DNC platform, the platform committee did.

She said $12 for starters and higher based upon the location. Hell, $15 isn't much in NYC or San Diego. Her stated levels are realistic in the near future. It won't jump to $15 for sure.

[George II]

17. Not true, on either point.

[Herman4747]

46. Oh, really???

Hillary, in November 2015 talking about a federal minimum wage that would apply throughout the country:Hillary Clinton: ‘I favor a $12 an hour minimum wage’

Hillary (April, 2016) on after having been affected by Bernie:
[link:http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/14/politics/transcript-democratic-debate-hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders/|
"I have supported the fight for 15." Yeah, right.

[synergie]

114. Yes really. You might want to do a bit more research into what she actually said and

why, it might make it more difficult to credit Bernie with everything, but it would inform you about the issue and her actual stances so you can figure out how and why Bernie affected her. He didn't drive her to 15, she was already there and trying to figure out how to achieve it in an effective manner and tie it to inflation, a point that Bernie has not gotten to yet.

[Her Sister]

9. Bernie is adorable!

eom

[MFM008]

125. Yes

I actually believed him.

[merrily]

13. Silly semantics. Saying publicly that he will vote for her is the functional equivalent

of endorsing her.

[tonyt53]

15. Not at all. An endorsement means that he would accept all of her positions.

[merrily]

16. What does voting for her say? Who accepts all of any candidate's positions anyway?

Do you think Elizabeth Warren accepts all of Hillary's positions? I don't think she does.

I guess it depends on how you define "accept."

[tonyt53]

27. You can keep covering for Sanders if you want, but his lack of words speaks volumes.

Maybe you just can't "accept" that.

[merrily]

101. And you can go ad hom rather than address the content of my post.

"Covering for Sanders?"

[Bluenorthwest]

69. No it does not. Persons and entities regularly endorse others with whom they have strong policy

differences. If that was not the case no LGBT organization would have endorsed any Presidential candidate until Obama 2012. An endorsement means 'this is the best of the choices' and that's all it means. It's not an acceptance of all positions. Not even close.

[George II]

19. From the article above, he himself has said that he hasn't endorsed her:

When pressed why he hasn't endorsed her yet, the Vermont senator responded: "Because I have not heard her say the things that I think needs to be said."

[geek tragedy]

22. He's 'endorsing' her the way Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan are endorsing Trump

Saying what they have to say, without actively trying to help the nominee win.

[merrily]

100. And? The convention has not been held yet and saying he would vote for her

persuaded those of his followers who were waiting for a signal from him.

[geek tragedy]

104. We've been making fun of Republicans who say about Trump

what Sanders says about Clinton.

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=tepid+endorsement+of+trump

When he puts more effort into defeating Trump than to defeating Hillary Clinton's DNC platform, we'll be impressed.

[merrily]

107. Who you've been making fun of doesn't signifyand I'm not asking anyone to be "impressed."

[geek tragedy]

108. that's fine.

his supporters should understand that his failing to lift a finger to defeat Trump is a choice, and it has consequences for him and his movement--if he offers nothing and provides nothing, he gets nothing. Next time he makes demands, no one will listen.

[merrily]

110. Again, the convention has not been held--and I think it weird that you now make it supporters. nt

As long as "we" are making it about supporters, though, Guess what? Hillary's supporters don't get to decide if there will be a movement or not.

[geek tragedy]

116. nothing is going to change between now and the convention

if he's not willing to endorse now, he's not going to be willing to endorse before the convention

heck, he hasn't even admitted she won yet.

[Sheepshank]

40. Those semantics means something to Bernie...he is making the distiction

[merrily]

99. Suddenly, you're agreeing with Bernie?

[uponit7771]

85. No...

[brooklynite]

90. I guess when Warren asked Clinton to run it was the "functional equivalent" of endorsing her?

I seem to recall some people disagreeing however...

[merrily]

97. Are you referring to that letter that all the women in Congress signed?

[brooklynite]

121. I was referring to that and what she said on ABC's "Thos Week"

Elizabeth Warren says she hopes Hillary Rodham Clinton runs for president in 2016 — the latest in a series of declarations of support by the Massachusetts Democrat, who some have speculated could seek the Oval Office herself.

"All all of the women — Democratic women I should say — of the Senate urged Hillary Clinton to run, and I hope she does. Hillary is terrific," Warren said during an interview broadcast Sunday on ABC's "This Week," noting that she was one of several senators to sign a letter urging Clinton to run in 2016.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2014/04/27/elizabeth-warren-i-hope-hillary-clinton-runs-for-president/

[geek tragedy]

18. Elizabeth Warren has stepped into the void of leadership created by his refusal

follow through on his vow to do everything he could to defeat Trump.

If he endorses Clinton, he'd risk alienating the hardcore Hillary haters who joined up with his movement. They're his people, and he's loyal to them, not to Clinton or the Democratic Party.

[brooklynite]

36. Elizabeth Warren, while advocating progressive policies, has always been politically saavy

[geek tragedy]

39. and has worked at high levels in policymaking, in the Obama administration.

she understands that there are no Virgin Births in politics.

[baldguy]

20. Who?

[MaggieD]

21. LOL - nobody cares at this point

[LexVegas]

24. No one cares. nt

[JaneyVee]

26. This is just getting sad now.

[riversedge]

28. Bernie= I want, I want, I want, I want... So sad. It is still all about him and his goals.

[Renew Deal]

30. Barnie Frank was right

[Renew Deal]

29. He lost. Voters didn't agree with him and chose someone else.

He's not helping our team.

[AgadorSparticus]

31. What a total disappointment he has become. People have moved on & we on DU should too.

[Silver_Witch]

33. I would love for Hillary to say those three things too!

Minimum wage $15, healthcare for all,a and free college tutition. That would mame my heart Singh!

[brooklynite]

35. And if she doesn't you'll.....

[Silver_Witch]

43. My post was not a threat..you bait is no good!

Thanks for playing though!

[Bluenorthwest]

70. Keep suggesting that she does. Hillary spent decades citing God against marriage equality and

now she sings a different hymn. This suggests that part of having a candidate's back can involved pushing them in the right direction.

[geek tragedy]

42. And maybe she can rename herself "Bernie Sanders" while she's at it nt

[NCTraveler]

49. Elizabeth Warren has taken over any clout he had built.

Sanders has reached get off my lawn status. Sad that he squandered such a great opportunity. Others will still take from the infrastructure they built moving forward.

Many of his interviews and comments now conjure images of an empty chair next to him.

[NCTraveler]

96. Everything we are seeing goes against your thoughts here. nt.

[BlueCaliDem]

61. Unfortunate, but predictable. I didn't expect anything more than this behavior by a newly-minted Dem

although I had hoped he would've been less obvious.

With the rapid pace that former Sanders supporters are flocking to Hillary Clinton - and if she's smart enough, she'll choose a PoC as her running mate (my preference remains Julian Castro for so many reasons) - she'll win in a landslide in November with or without Sanders' support and/or endorsement.

[LenaBaby61]

62. I have friends who while...

STILL supportive of Bernie, they tell me they're growing sick of what THEY call his pettiness and his "sore loser" attitude. Mostly their description of Bernie, not mine. Like I said around here on one of my posts, I'm choosing to totally ignore Bernie. Not in a bad way--but in the same way you accept yet ignore a pesky pimple you have to live with in hopes that it just goes away eventually

[jcgoldie]

63. At this point.. who cares?

Bernie overplayed his hand and the world moved on.

[LanternWaste]

72. I understand; elementary current events can be difficult for many people.

I understand; elementary current events can be difficult for many people. I'll ask my twelve year old niece if she has any school text books on grasping basic civics... couldn't hurt.

(insert righteous indignation below that petulant snark is pondered to in kind)

[Adrahil]

66. So he's saying....

That in order to endorse her, she needs to adopt his platform?

Elections... how do they fucking work!?

You lost Bernie. More people voted for her and her platform. It's reasonable to want some compromise, but FFS....

[SidDithers]

67. Warren is a better endorsement, anyway...

Elizabeth Warren Is Gathering A Democratic Army To Defeat Donald Trump

Warren everything that Bernie is, and more.

Sid

[carburyme]

74. Bernie who?

Excuse me I'm talking Sanders?

It's just really sad of what he's become. He could have been the biggest endorsement for Hillary's campaign and I don't know who is still advising him at this point. I think he's past his expiration date and he doesn't even realize it.

[charlyvi]

79. I you vote for someone, that's an endorsement.

eom

[Politicalboi]

86. I guess he'll never support her then

Oh well, he can do that. Besides, she still doesn't have the magic number YET, so officially she is NOT yet the nominee. Keep trying to put Bernie in a bad light. He's got my support.

[Squinch]

88. And the vast majority of voters indicate that they no longer care.

[Gothmog]

91. No concession or endorsement then no speech at the convention

[geek tragedy]

106. I think he'd prefer to address the protestors--those are his people nt

[Gothmog]

122. You mean the protesters planning the fart in?

http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/worlds_largest_fart-in_planned_for_hillary_clintons_acceptance_speech_in_ph

[Night Watchman]

98. Who actually Cares?

The game's over.

[Svafa]

102. Someone who cares

more about the platform, issues, and long-term future of both the country and the party rather than the petty, short-term, "us vs. them" game of election cycle politics should be commended. Particularly by those who claim to be progressives.

[geek tragedy]

105. the platform is meaningless, who holds office means everything

That's reality.

[Svafa]

109. Myopic thinking.

[geek tragedy]

111. .

[Svafa]

112. What a clever rebuttal.

[geek tragedy]

117. what mattered more, the 2000 DNC platform or Bush becoming President? nt

[Lord Magus]

118. Without the short term there is no long term.

To accomplish anything at all requires keeping a Democrat in the White House.

[840high]

129. .that^

[Lord Magus]

120. I seem to recall Bernie promising early on that he would support & endorse the Democratic nominee.

Whoever that might turn out to be. But now he's saying that other conditions that the nominee will have to meet to get his endorsement, like adopting his entire platform. If a majority of Democrats thought Bernie had the better platform we would've voted for him.

[giftedgirl77]

126. Dear parents,

This is what happens when you don't teach your children to lose graciously & constantly tell them both teams lost even tho your Kidd team lost 45-7. Please take note before they embarrass themselves on the world stage.

Thanks
Reality Based Individual

[LongtimeAZDem]

130. +1 (nt)

[MyNameGoesHere]

127. I don't care. Clinton is proving that she doesn't need ???????

approval or permission to run, bring her platform, and win the presidency. ??????? is so 1900's