The problem in Bernie's railing against the Democratic "establishment" is that, thanks to Trump,

[pnwmom]

the Democratic establishment -- i.e., anybody besides Bernie, Tulsi, Andrew, Marianne, etc -- has never looked so good.

[NurseJackie]

1. I'll never forgive anyone who's ever said that the Democrats are "ideologically bankrupt"...

... nor will I forgive anyone who's publicly declared that the Democrats are "an absolute failure".

That's simply NOT the truth and it serves NO good purpose for anyone to be saying those things. Whenever anyone says things like that it only creates division and distrust, and that weakens the party.

It suppresses voter turnout, and it makes it easier for the GOP to steal elections.

[Hortensis]

6. Imo, anyone who actually believes that isn't fit for office.

Anyone who says that and doesn't believe it isn't fit for office either.

And anyone who insults almost the entire membership of our party and expects us to admire his wisdom and get in line behind him, then kicks us all in the gut when we don't, is not going to be elected to office. This isn't Vermont.

[DownriverDem]

2. We all

are the Democratic Establishment. I am a proud member of the Democratic Party. Biden/Harris!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. If I hear one more word about "the establishment," I'm gonna puke.

"The establishment" was the boogeyman back in the '60s, when we were hippies pissed off at our parents because they didn't like our hair. It's a term that's become stale and meaningless, and it's particularly ridiculous when it's being used as an insult against Democrats - whose team he's supposed to be on, at least every four years when it's convenient - by someone who has been a career politician himself for almost forty years.

[StarfishSaver]

4. Me, too

Isn't the whole point to become "establishment"? I.e., for new blood to get involved, become part of the conversation and power structure and the ESTABLISH themselves and an improved way of doing things?

Unfortunately, the minute Democrats get into a position where they have some real power and can get actually get some things done, a segment of our base attacks them as "Establishment," accuses them of selling out, and demands that they step aside to make room for younger, less experienced people who have to start at the bottom - and as soon as those new people learn the ropes and start to become effective, they'll get smeared for being part of the hated "Establishment." And on it goes.

[NurseJackie]

5. How long has BS been in Washington? I think that qualifies HIM as being "establishment" doesn't it?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. Exactly the point of my post.

How can you be in federal elected politics for decades (about as long as Biden, btw) and not be a member of the dreaded Establishment? He has certainly availed himself of its benefits.

[crazytown]

10. You won't see that word from me again.

I’m doing the 12 steps

[NurseJackie]

12. I get sick of hearing "establishment! establishment! establishment!" from people who seem to have...

I get sick of hearing "establishment! establishment! establishment!" from people who seem to have zero awareness of what actually qualifies someone as being "establishment".

I also think it's totally fair and accurate to say that AOC is now part of the "establishment" (even though she's a freshman member of congress, she's joined the "establishment'').

He has certainly availed himself of its benefits.

Yes indeed.

[StarfishSaver]

13. And, if after all this time, he's still not part of the Establishment

but instead is on the outside yelling and complaining, he's certainly not very effective since the point is to get inside and make change and become the "establishment," not spend decades being an outsider.

[Blue_true]

17. Something like since 1990 or 1992.

He was in Washington before the Clintons arrived in town, or arrived at the same time.

[melman]

8. So everybody looks good except for the people you don't like

Thanks for the thoughtful analysis.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. People I don't like never look good. That's why I don't like them.

[WeekiWater]

9. Democratic Coalition.

That’s what’s meant by “establishment.” People working together for the betterment of society drives some people crazy.

[emmaverybo]

14. He's so sixties campus

And yes some good stuff came out of all that, but also a lot of silliness. Remember kids hawking The Worker” newspaper who had never worked a day in their lives. Sometimes you need to leave the language where you found it, in another era, especially if you haven’t lived the experience it was rooted in.
Bernie never grew up. That’s part of his charm.

[NYMinute]

15. Bernie's divisive tactics are not working

He must be getting nervous.

[Cha]

16. Yes, I think BS is the one who is "nervous"..

Some os his Divisive "us Vs them" mentality..

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