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malletgirl02

(1,523 posts)
Wed Mar 30, 2016, 08:35 PM Mar 2016

Why Hillary Clinton supporters are their own worst enemies, or the Emperors New Clothes

Although I am a strong Bernie Sanders supporter at the beginning of February I was a nominal Clinton supporter. I admit I supporter her solely on name recognition. Another part of was that I believed the talking points about Sanders set forth in the media. Most of my information came from an African American blog I frequent. Like the other members of the blog, I fell for the "Bernie is racist", Bernie hates Obama", and the the whole Bernie Bros talking point. One of my Facebook friends posted a comment conflating Sanders with Trump, saying that both their supporters were stupid and bad at math. I dislike Trump by default, so I wasn't bothered by his comments toward Trump, but like the towns people in the story the "Emperor's New Clothes", I didn't want to be thought of as a great fool so I support Clinton, even though I had concerns about her foreign policy.

Then I visited Democratic Underground after a long hiatus. I visited the General discussion Primaries forum in order to get up to speed in order to vote in my state's primary on Super Tuesday. While reading the forum I saw many of the attacks on Sanders were ridiculous. One that stood out for me was first the Clinton supporters were attacking Sanders because they said he didn't raise money for Democrats. The when it was found that he participated in Democratic party fundraising, the Clinton supporters attacked him for that as well.

Then there were the reaction of Clinton supporters to the post by Sanders supporters to Clinton's foreign foreign. Foreign policy is very important to me, because I have a degree in foreign affairs. The dismissive attitude of a considerable segment of Clinton supporters to well sources post about Iraq, Libya, and Honduras enraged me. the last straw was when I saw some Clinton supporters post laughing smilies in response to post about Iraq and Libya. I was very angry at their lack of decorum in face of wars that left scars across the Middle East, left millions dead, and led to the raise of ISIS. It was also disrespectful to veterans of the Iraq war like my dad. I can't support anyone whose supporters are like that.

Then I read the New York Times articles on Hillary's Clinton's role in the Libya regime change. Not only did she had a key role in getting President Obama to agree to regime change, but once it turned out to be a disaster she refused to take responsibility while at the same time she cites her experience as a key reason to vote for her.

It turns out it was when I was a nominal Clinton supporter that I was the great fool. I let the lies of the media mislead me.

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Why Hillary Clinton supporters are their own worst enemies, or the Emperors New Clothes (Original Post) malletgirl02 Mar 2016 OP
Thanks, and good for you RobertEarl Mar 2016 #1
Welcome to the Bernie group. leftcoastmountains Mar 2016 #2
We welcome you! And yes, I understand exactly what you are saying. jillan Mar 2016 #3
3/4 of DFA, MoveOn, and DU membership can't be wrong. Bernin4U Mar 2016 #4
k/r with pleasure. 840high Mar 2016 #5
Good EdwardBernays Mar 2016 #6
You weren't a fool. A lot of people go with the candidate whose name dana_b Mar 2016 #7
It's unfortunate Hydra Mar 2016 #8
 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
1. Thanks, and good for you
Wed Mar 30, 2016, 08:46 PM
Mar 2016

Low information voters have always been a problem for Bernie. You just showed that once you gained information from many sources, you came to a decision that Bernie sure appreciates. And shows those who have been Bernie supporters on DU that we have served a good purpose.

leftcoastmountains

(2,968 posts)
2. Welcome to the Bernie group.
Wed Mar 30, 2016, 08:53 PM
Mar 2016

Go to feelthebern.org to investigate where he stands
on most issues. There's plenty of videos here and all over the Internet
where you can see where he stands on most issues going back to his 20s.
He's consistent, and honest. He does about 2 to 3 rallies a day that you can watch
usually posted on the DU website.

jillan

(39,451 posts)
3. We welcome you! And yes, I understand exactly what you are saying.
Wed Mar 30, 2016, 09:10 PM
Mar 2016

I started this primary season for Bernie but supporting Hillary as well. I was in the "Bernie can't win, but he will pull the conversation back to the left" camp.

Since then it's been one thing after another where she & her campaign have pushed me away.
All while Bernie has been standing up for everything I believe in, pulling me in more and more to support his candidacy.

Bernin4U

(812 posts)
4. 3/4 of DFA, MoveOn, and DU membership can't be wrong.
Wed Mar 30, 2016, 09:22 PM
Mar 2016

No matter that we're told we're arrogant for assuming we know what's best for others.

(Never mind that the "centrist" Dems have no problem assuming they know what's best for the half of the country who don't vote Dem.)

Thanks for your OP!!

EdwardBernays

(3,343 posts)
6. Good
Wed Mar 30, 2016, 10:28 PM
Mar 2016

Always happy to see people who understand that their beliefs have be justifiable. If you can't justify a belief you're just regurgitating someone else's belief as your own.

As for foreign policy: Bernie is miles better but really - if we're honest - America and Americans are probably generations away from being honest about US foreign policy. Ask Iran, and Yemen, and Greece, and any number of South American countries. Etc etc.

dana_b

(11,546 posts)
7. You weren't a fool. A lot of people go with the candidate whose name
Wed Mar 30, 2016, 10:35 PM
Mar 2016

they recognize. Many people don't make time to look up the candidates' actual records either. You went above and beyond and did your own work. That is the OPPOSITE of a fool.

Welcome and thanks to your dad for all he has done.

Hydra

(14,459 posts)
8. It's unfortunate
Wed Mar 30, 2016, 10:47 PM
Mar 2016

I want to like Clinton, but her record is abhorrent and her message team here and in other places are writing things that are straight out of the Bush Admin playbook.

On the other hand, I want to thank all of them for making it so clear as to what we are voting about and what the stakes are.

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