Suggestion for an approach to the fall campaign

[Ken Burch]

(if we don't get the nom and get shafted on the platform fights, that is...I still think we CAN win the nom...but wanted to put this out there as a way to keep things going and to build on what we have done so far).

Have Bernie keep doing the mass rallies, with the following emphases:

1)Voter registration/GOTV/movement-building events;

2)Campaigning for all PROGRESSIVE Senate and U.S. House candidates. and for state ballot initiatives that correlate to Sanders values;

3)Anti-Drumpf campaigning on "anti-fascist"/Popular Front grounds.

I think this is something we could do without being under the control of the regular Dems, and, if HRC does get the nom, it strikes me as a way forward that doesn't just leave everyone with a huge feeling of emptiness and despair if things don't go our way in Philly.

(I've never personally been "Bernie or bust, and I still want us to try to hard for the nom, but this is meant as a proposal for where we might go next).

[SandersDem]

1. Here is the problem

Many, not all young Sanders supporters will do the following:

1) Leave the Party
2) Stay in the Party and do one of these things
Write in Bernie
Stay Home
Vote 3rd Party
Hold their nose and vote the Nominee (The damage that has been done due to the NV State Caucus proceedings cannot be underestimated, I have already heard from hundreds of people that will ONLY be voting for Sanders.)

It will be a mix of all of these things and yes, IF Bernie is not mistreated at the Convention and HC adopts much of his platform, he has said he will support her. This is going to be a matter of degree I think depending on entirely dependent on fairness at the Convention. (I do not think that is going to happen honestly).

I am certain that no matter what happens Bernie will speak out against Trump. I can also see him campaigning for candidates like Canova as well. I can also see him deciding to run Independent, but not likely. I think he may still get the nomination, it all depends on a multitude of things and yes its narrow.

But in the end, here is the thing. Many Sanders supporters will not vote, simply due to policy positions. It will be all of the above and yes, if Bernie loses, I will despair and have this empty feeling about my Country. I will not say here what my personal plans but I doubt if the words unite or get in line are going to resonate with me.

[Ken Burch]

2. I realize all of that.

This would be about trying to minimize the number of people who do that, and making sure that HRC, if nominated and elected, would be aware that she owed her victory in large measure to the number of Sanders people who did end up voting for her, and owed her ability to get anything done to the number of progressives the Sanders movement could get elected in spite of national Democratic Party indifference to the need to elect a progressive Congress.

Thank you for your post, and the points you raise.

[SandersDem]

3. I know that

I stated the obvious there.

But I do not believe she would give one ounce of credit for any victory to Sander's supporters based on everything that has happened this Primary. I simply think she would thank her benefactors, Goldman Sachs, et al