Open thread. What does Bernie Sanders need to do to reclaim his lead or co-lead?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

Please discuss.

Thank you in advance.

ON EDIT- Constructive suggestions are strongly encouraged.

[stopbush]

1. I hate these drive-by posts.

You really should state your ideas on the subject to get the discussion going.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

2. Not to worry... we already know.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[KPN]

6. +1

[Hassin Bin Sober]

14. I see so much projection on this forum.

Someone, anyone (it can be another candidate or their supporter), says anything slightly critical of any candidate but Bernie: “ha ha! You are scared. Lol. You are losing!!! You are worried!1!1! Otherwise you wouldn’t be attacking!1!1”



Half the threads on this forum are attacking Sanders:

[SouthernProgressive]

24. .

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287127097#post14

[lapucelle]

102. I see the projection too now!

[Nuggets]

32. Talk about projection.

Plus the hiding behind DU refighting primaries and dont bash Dem rules every time his campaign finances from the last election or other odd actions are scrutinized.

But everyone else’s campaign funding history is just fine to talk about. Why is that? There are unanswered discrepancies and they are important.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

50. Yup, I hear ya HBS...it's what I call the "Bernie Standard," which, by definition...

doesn't apply to any other candidate BUT Bernie. I've tried several times to see if, as a Democratic community, we could hash out some UNIFORM standards for discussing ALL candidates regarding current issues, past positions, actions, you name it - impractical to carry out I know - but, at least begin to recognize the problem and discuss it, so as to become more united and less divisive as fellow Democrats.You'd think someone who is strongly anti-Bernie would be interested in discussing the topic... but no, not a single response on the merits.

You're so right to point out the projection that goes on, whereby one can only conclude that with all the Bernie bashing you mention, which is so obvious even to the casual observer, it really does mean they're scared his candidacy is taking off and gaining traction!!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[LanternWaste]

51. I pretend criticisms are attacks too... especially when directed against sacred cows.

"Half the threads on this forum are attacking Sanders..."

I pretend criticisms are attacks too... especially when directed against sacred cows. It truly strokes our little biases in a gloriously validating way.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

54. Oh please. I'm using du standards.

Discussing the bankruptcy bill is an “attack.” Discussing mishandling of a Supreme Court hearing is an “attack.” Discussing Iraq war vote is an “attack.” Discussing asset forfeiture is an “attack.”

That’s the standard here.

Don’t get me started on what is ancient history. A 1994 bill is ancient history but an essay from 1974 is very important.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

57. Like I said, it's called the "Bernie Standard" for a reason!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[George Eliot]

66. Offense only defense when facing superior foe.

If like 2016, get used to it. It can get vicious.

[wasupaloopa]

101. And that doesn't give you a clue?

Bernie his tactics and his campaign are not popular


Maybe ask yourself why that is

[George Eliot]

63. +1 more

[MineralMan]

4. A question is a good way to open a discussion.

This OP is not one to post and disappear. Do you have any answer to that interesting question?

[stopbush]

13. I have an answer, yes.

Please discuss. 😱😇

[MineralMan]

15. The discussion is already going on, below.

You could join it.

[George Eliot]

67. I thought it was his right to start discussion any way he wants? Why critical?

[MineralMan]

77. I'm not being critical. I'm saying the same thing you are.

The discussion had already begun, so...

[George Eliot]

90. Then let it go.

[DownriverDem]

36. I don't think Bernie

can do anything to gain the lead. I think folks are looking to members of the Democratic Party for a candidate.

[kstewart33]

52. Yep and double yep. Nt.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

58. LOL, Bernie's ALREADY building momentum in Iowa and is about to catch up & pull ahead!!

You might want to hold off on "measuring the drapes," cuz Bernie might have something to say about that!!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[ehrnst]

74. We know exactly what he will say, because we've heard and seen it all before.

[brooklynite]

78. I remember this title from four years ago.....

[cwydro]

88. Bookmarked.

Good luck!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

91. Thanks! Same to your candidate... gotta say Joes sittin' pretty so far.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[cwydro]

92. I can hope.

I don’t believe any candidate is a shoe-in.

I’m terrified of another term for the orange shitgibbon.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

94. You and me both!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[IluvPitties]

3. Don't see it happening, frankly.

People are looking for stability after Trump. Bernie does not represent that.

[Nuggets]

33. +1000

[ucrdem]

5. Promise not to run in 2020

[George II]

7. Nothing to reclaim, he never had a lead or co-lead.

[MineralMan]

8. I'm not sure that Senator Sanders actually ever had a lead

in the first place. Even before Biden announced, he led the polls that included his name.

Clearly, Sanders is starting from behind.

[Gothmog]

16. I also do not believe that sanders was ever in the lead

I really doubt that sanders will be the nominee. There are far too many real democrats who have long memories and who will not forget or forgive

[MineralMan]

22. Well, his chief problem is that there are several other

candidates who are attractive to more progressive voters. For example, Elizabeth Warren, who chose not to run in 2016. I'm sure she is attracting supporters who would be supporting Sanders if she were not running.

Also, we have several younger candidates who have strong appeal for the millennial and younger vote. Those voters, too, might well be Sanders supporters if it were not for those candidates.

That all makes it more difficult for Sanders to mount a credible competition against Joe Biden, who has long experience in the White House, along with his experience in Congress. In addition, Biden is taking the fight directly to Trump, unlike Sanders, who is running an more issues-oriented campaign. For many voters, Trump IS the issue. That's why Biden enjoys the lead right now.

None of which is bashing Senator Sanders. It's just that he has plenty of competition in this primary race, unlike the last time, when he only really had to compete with Hillary Clinton. He was unsuccessful then, and is unlikely to gain much ground going forward this time.

[The Mouth]

127. The thing I personally like the MOST about Bernie

you put your finger on it-

to me Trump is *NOT* the issue. He's just another Republican. Not a fascist, not Satan, just another corporate kleptocrat doing exactly what the entire party wants done but doesn't have the guts to actually DO.

The issue is the ISSUES. not personalities. Frothing at the mouth, hyperventilating, overwought, screaming at the sky HATE is repulsive, no matter how much I agree with the actual postion.

Calm cold, rational, reality based *ISSUES* are ALL that matter to me.

I like Pete, of course I'll support the nominee, but Bernie is talking about issues, I loath talk of personalities.

That's just me.

[KPN]

9. How about you get it rolling DSB? What are

your thoughts on how he can do this?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

12. It's beyond my ken. That's why I asked the question.

With all the great minds here there are bound to be some.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. Nothing. It won't happen.

[Vidal]

11. Bernie never had a lead or co-lead

And there is nothing he can do to get one either.

He is a has-been loser from 2016.

[Gothmog]

17. sanders should consider stopping attacking Democrats and the Democratic Party

[Nuggets]

34. Yeah I don't see how that is helping him

nor the hopping in and out of the for his own benefit while attacking Democrats. Nor stealing their platform and pretending it’s his and he’s leading the way.

[Gothmog]

82. It is not helping him

[kstewart33]

53. Especially as he is getting financial advantages from the party he's attacking. nt.

[Maru Kitteh]

18. Exit the stage so he can become the subject of mythology. There he can always be "in the lead."

[Fresh_Start]

44. exactly, if he leaves , he will be canonized

Bernie the martyr

[genxlib]

19. I don't think my suggestion would be very helpful

Since it involves a time machine...

[MyOwnPeace]

41. Oh, my!

[bearsfootball516]

20. He never had the lead, but there's also nothing he can do it

People are sick of him and it’s showing in the polls. He’s done.

[LongtimeAZDem]

21. I've already said before that I don't think he can win, and he can only hurt us by trying

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

59. If that were TRUE, though it's not, then the same could be said for Biden.

Which cannot be said either... so, call it a draw. See you in Iowa, where, BTW, Bernie is gaining on Joe by the day!!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[Gothmog]

83. If sanders is the nominee, rump will win 45 states

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

85. Suuurrrre... I know from those kinda comments that you fear Bernie will win the primary.

I understand your fear, but it'll be okay. Bernie has been showing Democrats the way forward and how to beat rump since he started running for President under the progressive banner... it's Bernie's time now and time for the VOICE OF THE PEOPLE to be heard!! Bernie will clobber rump in the debates and in the general... count on it!! Everything will turn out fine... relax!!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[Gothmog]

86. I am so glad that sanders will not be the nominee so we do not need to worry about this

It looks like sanders is on pace to get no delegates in South Carolina or most southern states due to 15% rule

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

87. You just made my point AGAIN, thanks!! So, keep bashing Bernie, over and over and over again...

while you claim that you're "glad that Sanders will not be the nominee so we do not need to be worried about this," which only shows everyone just how worried you really are... otherwise, you wouldn't give Bernie the time of day.

It's kind of amusing to watch!! So, carry on... I expect you to pay even MORE attention to Bernie as the days, weeks, and months go by, but, you need not fear Bernie's nomination, as he will make us ALL proud when he defeats Dolt45!!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[Gothmog]

95. I know too many real democrats who have long memories and who will not forget or forgive

Again, I am happy to see sanders' campaign fall apart and I love the fact that it is very likely that sanders will not be getting any delegates in South Carolina. Again if sanders is 5th in South Carolina, he will not meet the 15% threshold to get delegates. I am hopeful that we can keep sanders below 15% statewide in Texas

I am looking forward to the Booing John Lewis ads that will be used in South Carolina. There are tons of people who attended the National Convention who will be glad to help on these ads

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

96. That's great Gothmog, I appreciate your honesty that you look forward to negative ads

being used against Bernie and that you're "happy to see his campaign fall apart"... and I'm serious when I say that, though it's sad at the same time.

I mean, for you to hold the actions of a few against Bernie seems very unfair of you. I remember some of the ugly things that came out of some people's mouths when Obama beat Hillary... PUMA and all that. Should others hold that personally against Hillary for all time? Had Hillary decided to run for President again in 2020 - and she may still run - NO ONE should EVER encourage making TV ads against her using some of the ugly things a small number of her supporters said or did in reaction to Obama's winning the nomination. NOT IN A MILLION YEARS!! But, there you are doing just that against Bernie.

With that said, I would ask that you to kindly consider re-evaluating your position about Bernie... though I seriously don't expect you to at all. Not that you have to support him in the primary, but, at least, tone it down - perhaps a little? - as it's extremely disrespectful, not just to Bernie, but, to many of his supporters, whom we will need to help unify the Party when the primary is over.

I don't include myself in that group, because I honestly don't care what you or anyone who's anti-Bernie thinks... I'll be voting blue, no matter who, and no matter how much disrespect some continue to show Bernie.

Personally, I think your revelling in the negative attacks against Bernie shows that he's winning... because if he's as bad as you seem to think he is, and has no chance to win the primary, then it makes no sense to bash him endlessly. Indeed, it only creates divisiveness, which, in the end, only helps tRump.

But, please, feel free to carry on... revel in it if you must... "never forget, never forgive" as you say... celebrate Bernie's supposed demise, which is a fiction, of course, but, okay, that's fine... support negative ads being made against Bernie, sure, go ahead... but, remember, it's not good for the soul and, most certainly, it's not good for the Democratic Party.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[Gothmog]

104. You do know that I was a Clinton delegate to the national convention and saw this behavior myself

In real campaigns, delegates to the national convention are carefully vetted. The reason is that under DNC rules even pledged delegates can change their votes and these delegates represent the campaign. I know that I was vetted and I help vet other delegates. The Clinton delegates were asked to be good examples of the Clinton campaign and to represent her values.

In contrast, sanders did not try to control his delegates. sanders sent one very weak text the Sunday night before the convention and then did little or nothing to control his delegates. It was nasty I was there when the sanders delegates booed Congressman John Lewis. I was warned about this stunt 30 minutes before it happened by the Clinton campaign whip team. According to my whip, sanders was asked to stop this event and declined. This was a planned stunt that sanders declined to stop.

I was at the Texas delegation breakfast when a group of sanders delegates marched in and demanded that we condemn Clinton and change our votes to sanders.

sanders spoke to the Texas delegation the next morning and his speech was again solely about himself. There was a mini-riot due to his delegates the prior morning and the only thing that sanders talked about was himself. sanders did nothing to deal with the fact that his delegates were out of control and did nothing to try to help Hillary Clinton win the general election.

Finally a group of sanders delegates yelled at my daughter and called her the c-Word because she would not try to get me to change my vote. My daughter was my guest to the convention and did get a guest pass for the first night and got hear M. Obama. Again sanders was asked to tell his delegates to behave during the convention and sanders refused.

There were a ton of people at the national convention who saw this behavior and saw that sanders either approved of this behavior or took no steps to stop it. The Texas delegation shared a bus to the convention site with the Georgia delegation. I was on a bus with a number of delegates from Georgia and they were pissed at the booing of John Lewis These delegates heard the same story about sanders declining to try to stop the booing of John Lewis.

I doubt that sanders will last past Super Tuesday. Many of the voters who supported sanders last cycle are now supporting other candidates

Link to tweet

Three years ago, Bernie Sanders came a handful of votes away from winning the first Democratic caucuses. He came back to the state just months after the 2016 election, then a few months after that, then a few more times. In a 23-way contest, if Sanders repeated his 2016 caucus performance, he’d win handily.

But not everyone who backed him last time is on board.

“The last election was very different,” said Anna Mullen, a 30-year-old farm policy advocate who came to see South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg in Des Moines on Friday. “We basically had three candidates to choose from; I caucused for Bernie because he wasn’t the establishment candidate.”

As Sanders stumps across the country, telling crowds how an “unprecedented grass-roots effort” could capture the presidency, many of the voters who signed up for the last version of the revolution are migrating to other candidates. New candidates are attracting some of his former voters — sometimes even former staffers — with the promise of something fresh. The Democrats who wanted to cast an anti-establishment vote, or advance Sanders's ideas, or simply stop Hillary Clinton's march to the nomination, have plenty of new options.

The recent polling shows that sanders campaign is losing support.

If sanders wants to try to remedy this problem, he may want to apologize to John Lewis and the party for his refusal to try to control his delegates. I am a father and I am not happy at my daughter being attacked by sanders delegates and called the c-word at the national convention. I am not holding my breath for such an apology.

sanders was mathematically eliminated on Super Tuesday. Now it is very likely that sanders will not get any delegates in a number of early primaries or states. I will support the nominee of the party but I really doubt that it will be sanders. According to reports, the sanders campaign was planning on splitting the African American vote and win the nomination with only 30% of the delegates.

Link to tweet

I really doubt that sanders will get close to 30% of the delegates and will probably be shut out of getting any delegates. in a good number of states due to the 15% rule

Again, support the candidate you want. I doubt that sanders makes it to Super Tuesday but time will tell. Right now the polling seems consistent as to the decline in support for sanders and I doubt that sanders attacking the Democratic Party will help his numbers.

[oasis]

107. Wow! I didn't know Democrats in a delegation were capable of such

reprehensible behavior.

[Gothmog]

108. It was not a fun experience

Stacy Abrams Elijah Cummings and other African American speakers were also booed by the sanders delegates.

There are a large number of real democrats who have long memories and we will not forget or forgine

[oasis]

109. This is chilling. Elijah Cummings, a Dem hero, got booed?

John Lewis getting dissed by this crowd was bad enough.

[George II]

110. That 15% rule is going to hurt badly. I'm not that close to how the rule works for delegates...

In a state with 100 delegates (to make the math simple), if one candidate gets 40% of the vote, two get 20% of the vote, and the rest less than 15%.

Does that mean that the 40% candidate gets half the delegates (50) and the two 20% candidates get 1/4 each (25)?

[NYMinute]

106. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight ... Surrreeeeeeeeeeeee nt

[Gothmog]

117. BTW, if sanders keeps on losing voter support, there will be no need for negative ads

The booing of Congressman John Lewis, Stacy Abrams and Elijah Cummings were all planned stunts by sanders delegates. These delegates were official representatives of the sanders campaign who were supposed to be vetted to make sure that they represented sanders and his values.. Right now, sanders is in 5th place in South Carolina and so there will be no need for negative ads. It appears that sanders is on track to get no delegates from South Carolina and many other southern states. In the real world, this type of polling is not a sign of a healthy campaign.

Have fun supporting the candidate of your choice. In the real world, no one can win the Democratic nomination without significant support from the African American voters. A fifth place showing in South Carolina would show how much support sanders has from African American voters.

[ehrnst]

119. +1000. (nt)

[ehrnst]

118. ....

Personally, I think your revelling in the negative attacks against Bernie shows that he's winning... because if he's as bad as you seem to think he is, and has no chance to win the primary, then it makes no sense to bash him endlessly.

I hear this from Trump supporters about Trump.

[Gothmog]

129. Yet more polling is coming out showing the sanders is losing ground

[BannonsLiver]

89. Push em back! Push em back!

Waaaaaaaay back!

[qazplm135]

23. To win he needs

1 a large portion of the progressive vote (say 70 percent)
2 a sizeable chunk of the minority vote ( say 30 percent)

To get the former would probably require Warren to drop out.
To get the latter would require a serious effort at talking to and reflecting the needs of POC. And not simply talk about marching with King or how his economic policies will help POC.

Do those things and he has a shot.

[PatrickforO]

25. I was a big Bernie supporter in '16. I can remember feeling oh so crushed

when he lost.

But, then, when a substantial number of supporters refused to vote for Clinton, well, that was pretty bad. And there's no denying or rationalizing that - it is documented truth.

Now, after two years of watching the utter horror of Trump and his wreckers pulling down our entire society, setting us back decades, I have no wish for divisiveness, and Bernie is divisive.

That said, Bernie's positions on economic justice, which I absolutely share, are now very much in the mainstream. People do seem to be backpedaling a bit, but if our candidates keep talking about kitchen table issues, and about how Trump's policies have hurt, not helped, working people, we will win.

But ALL candidates need to be warned. Millions of Americans are awake now, when the election is over and the work begins there will be


expectations.

Very high. Those we elect will be expected to actually GET WHAT THEY SAID THEY'D DO DONE.

That, again be warned, will take political courage. NONE of those elected should be afraid to be one-termers. As AOC says, if you only get to serve one term, so what? You need to get in there and do the things you said you'd do.

I don't know how constructive this is, but I'm not thinking Bernie will go deep this time around. I'm also sensing some deep currents among African American voters - doubt, cynicism borne from years and years of being told X and then electing people only to keep experiencing Y. If this party really is everyone's party, and really is a big tent party, then we need candidates who will put things in place that will help everyone generally, but that will also level the playing field for minorities, and also will take care of the vulnerable among us, no matter what race or ethnicity.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

27. Thank you.

[True Dough]

31. I wish this could be inserted in the OP

Most thoughtful post of the thread!

[Nuggets]

35. Bernie's positions on economic justice, which I absolutely share, are now very much in the mainstrea

They were already in the mainstream long before Bernie used the Dems to get the spotlight on himself.

[PatrickforO]

39. Well, as a student of history, I have to disagree.

The Third Way movement that happened in the nineties was detrimental to a lot of our kitchen table positions, and many Dems showed weakness toward labor, and some actually betrayed unions when the chips were down. I can remember numerous elections where the candidates in my state seemed so lukewarm and lackluster that no one really knew WHAT they stood for.

I firmly believe that the Bernie movement in '16 forced those particular platform issues back front and center - healthcare, social security, more affordable college, sane economic development, aggressive mitigation of climate change. Those are important. Particularly the Green New Deal. My grandkids need that NOW, and I love the way AOC is pounding on it.

You know, maybe it wasn't the platform that went right-center. Maybe it was some of those we elected. Fear of losing the next election is a huge driver for people serving in the US Congress. Local and state office too, though not quite as acute.

Not to split hairs, but don't miss the point of my post - the people we elect in 2020 better come through on the platform because that is what the people who end up voting them in, including you and me, expect. So, arguing about whether the platform was the same in 1990 or 1995 or even 2004 or 2012 really isn't productive. We have to look at what it is NOW, and hold those we elect strictly accountable for making progress on those issues.

See, I'm way out on the AOC, Robert Reich, Elizabeth Warren wing of the party because I'm an economist and policy wonk. Warren's positions on expanding fiduciary responsibility of CEOs in publicly held companies by diluting the primacy of the shareholder doctrine are absolutely brilliant.

But I know, and so do you, that when our people get elected, they are going to go into a situation that absolutely, necessarily requires debate and compromise to move forward. That's how the founders set up the government to work. So, neither of us will get 100% of our way - American politics just doesn't work that way. But I certainly have high expectations about my own US Senators and Representative to come through with stuff that actually benefits me and my family, including my grandchildren.

That is why the platform needs to be strong - to provide a compass moving forward in the face of the necessary compromise. Those we elect need to be generally swimming in that direction.

[seaglass]

75. I am supporting Warren and Harris. I hope voters realize that if any D wins and we don't get the

Senate the likelihood of any of these great plans coming to fruition is pretty much nil.

But at the least we can prevent RW judges, restore relationships with our allies, reverse Trump EOs and get our govt agencies back on track to perform for the citizens of this country. My hope is that whoever is elected does not let bygones be bygones and instead ensures all corrupt Trump admin is brought to justice.

Any new policies are gravy.

[PatrickforO]

103. I'm sure with you on bringing the Trump crime family to justice,

as well as his corrupt administration, and those GOP in the House and Senate who are implicated. There need to be trials.

Any D with a pulse, for sure. Fortunately we have some really good people running. They all, every one of them, have far more than just a pulse.

But yeah, you're right. We've got to get Trump out of there, and a majority in the Senate while keeping the House and adding to our majority.

[MyOwnPeace]

42. Great post........

not just an "anti" anything, but with sound, logical reasoning. Hope some those on both sides will read it............

[GeniusJoy]

26. Reach out to loyal democrats not just independents

Loyal democrats are offended that he has people at the top of his campaign who supported the green party in 2016. Not just one person either... I think most of them did. Stop marginalizing the party...?? Those are my suggestions.

[DownriverDem]

38. Loyal Democrats

support real Democrats.

[mwooldri]

28. Ever watch "Designated Survivor"?

This is a very crowded 2020 Democratic Party primary field. The only surefire way that Bernie Sanders could obtain the lead at this point is if there were a mass assassination of all the other candidates. Of course I don't want anything like that to happen.

Think about what Bill Clinton had in 1992 and 1996. Think about what Barack Obama had in 2008 and 2012. Name recognition goes some way but charisma to me seems to go a long way. Joe Biden to me is more charismatic than Bernie is.

So Bernie would have to find a whole lot of charisma between now and primary day(s) to have a chance.

Policies may be nice but the people have got to like you at the end of the day.

I like Bernie and I like his policies. In 2016 I felt he was the right person. In 2020, not so much. I'm leaning more toward Elizabeth Warren or Pete Buttigieg at this point in time.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

29. " I'm leaning more toward Elizabeth Warren or Pete Buttigieg at this point in time."

The presence of those two aren't raising Bernie's prospects, especially the former.

[comradebillyboy]

81. Especially since many Sanders supporters here at DU portray Warren as

one of Bernie's followers when she isn't and has never been one.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

30. He could start by changing his presentation and affect.

Bernie yells and wags his finger and relies on '60s-era talking points while bashing the party he has temporarily joined as being part of the "establishment" he wishes to upend. This approach had some success when he was running against only one other candidate, but now there are many, some of whom (Warren in particular) are offering similar policies but with some actual fleshed-out details and much less yelling.

Bernie's biggest problem, I think, is that many voters don't want a revolution but a return to the stability that Trump has destroyed. Bernie offers more of the same disruption by ranting against "the establishment," whatever that means these days. Maybe people actually want a return to "the establishment" - people who represent and follow the norms and processes of government that make it work and that Trump has trashed. The government doesn't function properly for the people any more because of what Trump has done to it. Bernie isn't offering any assurances that he'll return the government to its old orderly processes, and he's angry and yelling all the time. Like Trump.

One reason Biden is doing well, I think, is that he is a known quantity; he is associated with the rational, scandal-free Obama administration; he is positive and reassuring, and he hits Trump directly. Buttigieg, though not nearly as well-known as Biden, is doing well for similar reasons: he's rational, decent, not angry, and gives the impression of being pretty unflappable. I think people want those qualities more than ever now.

[Irishxs]

37. He too cranky and angry. He has a right to be upset over 2016, but this is a new moment.

I’ve scratched him off my list because he is too far to the extreme for me, and his temperment bothers me (where have we heard that before).

[Fresh_Start]

47. he contributed to 2016 results

so he has no right to be upset about an outcome of his own making

[Irishxs]

62. Agree.

[MrsCoffee]

65. He has only himself to be upset at.

[LibFarmer]

40. He could drop out, save face and write another book. nt

[MyOwnPeace]

43. And.......

use more of his campaign funds to buy it.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

79. Riiiight, the #2 frontrunner should drop out & save face before the primary has barely started...

with a full year to go. Surrrre, that makes a lot of sense... not happening!!

Bernie's got this thang!! People want to shake up the status quo and Bernie is just the type of leader to show Democrats the way and deliver on a forward-looking progressive agenda.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[LibFarmer]

80. Wrrrrrrrrong

He has more face saving to do after being a runner up in 2016 and pretending to be the front runner this time.

Surrre he is the #2 frontrunner in some polls but the gap is sooooooooo muuuuuch that he is more like one of a dozen #2 front runners and none of the others have presumptuously pretended to be POTUS.

Nothing is going to happen in one year to make Bernie the front runner ever -- his message is old, tired and people are bored with the unicorn and the flying pigs that will never materialize.

So his thang will be far more humiliated by continuing than dropping out.

[Fresh_Start]

45. not happening

voters woke


1) the two parties are not the same
2) revolution is a lot more attractive as a theory then actually living in one
3) people who said Trump would be better than HRC have been proven to be clueless or liars.
4) women and POC and other minorities are smart enough to know that their problems cannot be solved by never going to happen changes to who gets the income
5) Putin loves his Trump even more noe than in 2016 when Putin was 'anyone but Hillary'.

[Turin_C3PO]

46. He should stop describing himself as a socialist.

Because he’s really not in favor of a socialist economy.

Focus more on racism and sexism and policies that address that.

Stop denigrating the Democratic “establishment”.

[irisblue]

48. Sanders was at a Food Show with in the last several days. There is a photo

Of him holding a fried chicken leg & hugging the chef, a black man. I am not going to bring it over here from twitter, the optics are f-n horrible; I thought at first it was a photoshop it was so inflammatory.

He uses his right hand finger wave way too much in public, it is rapidly becoming as a repulsive as the #ApricotHellbeast thumbs up.


His staff failed him, they should have made it clear, this is mainly a POC event, don't do stereotypical old out of touch white man stuff.

He also needs to acknowledge there is a giant issue with that unalert behavior & stop doing stuff like that; shaking hands with the chef, with his right hand would have been 1000% better. This coming so soon after the WOC gathering a few weeks back is NOT what needs to be showing to the Dem Party most loyal voters.

This was an unforced error. It does not help him gain traction.

[beachbum bob]

49. Do? Nothing as the allure of Sanders is now worn off

[SidDithers]

55. There's nothing he can do. That ship has sailed...nt

Sid

[DemocratSinceBirth]

56. Thank you for the replies.

[ecstatic]

60. It's not possible, the jig is up.

All Bernie has are ideas and a grumpy attitude. There are 22 other candidates with great ideas who don't get pissed off when asked a question, and who can actually provide details.

[Cha]

61. What? Bashing the Dem

Party with "establishment"XThousands isn't working for him?!

[W_HAMILTON]

64. Bow out and throw his support to Warren and hope that she can continue his whatever legacy he has.

[George Eliot]

68. I'm laughing so hard. Thread still emphasizing why Sanders can't win. I smell fear.

[George Eliot]

70. Biden and Sanders tied at 24% in Iowa.

https://iowastartingline.com/2019/05/20/starting-line-change-research-poll-biden-sanders-locked-in-iowa-tie/
https://www.salon.com/2019/05/20/joe-biden-and-bernie-sanders-are-locked-in-a-dead-heat-in-a-crucial-iowa-poll/

[DemocratSinceBirth]

72. Sanders down by TWENTY FIVE POINTS in IA, NH, NV, and SC

**Brand Spanking New Early Primary & Caucus Poll** Joe 43% Bernie 18% (-2) Elizabeth 7% (-2)
https://morningconsult.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/8394672.pdf

[George Eliot]

73. Maybe - in my opinion. We'll see. Check this one out.

https://www.businessinsider.com/fox-news-viewers-more-likely-to-support-bernie-sanders-than-msnbcs-2019-5?fbclid=IwAR2NL_txDyXydEG5aKQ_JMNTDCWaqu98erg0mG_Edfl2TzEDMvcRfNoVLTI

https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-bernie-sanders-bio-age-family-key-positions-2019-3

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

98. Yes George... BIG TIME FEAR!! Can't say I blame 'em though!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[samnsara]

126. not any fear

[aikoaiko]

69. Encourage Joe to talk about the crime bill, protecting credit card comp., and keeping weed illegal

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

93. Hopefully, Joe has evolved on those issues and will issue new policy positions on them.

Joe's a pretty smart politician, so, I would expect him to do so soon.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[Cha]

71. FIRE jill stein ; pushers &voters.. Sirota,

Grey, and Turner.

But, that will Never happen.

[democratisphere]

76. We are in a different time and a different place.

It is too late, 2016 is long gone.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

97. We sure are...which is precisely why we outta try something DIFFERENT this time around

rather than maintaining the normal status quo from years gone by. We need revolutionary change, that's what ordinary folk are demanding and that's what Bernie will deliver!!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[democratisphere]

99. Trying something different means leaving all the 2016 contenders

for the 2016 Presidential candidacy in the past where they belong.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

100. Not at all... it means goin with the candidate with the most forward-looking progressive agenda

who's not afraid to shake up the status quo and deliver on what ordinary folk are demanding of their leaders.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[TreasonousBastard]

112. You mean like Warren?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

113. YESSSSS!!! LOVE ELIZABETH!!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[Hortensis]

105. Well, his CFEL effective rating as a legislator is...

0.159 for last year's session. Fellow minority-party Democratic senator Amy Klobuchar's at the top of the ratings is 2.816, Clair McCaskill second at 1.774.

So, what can Sanders do? He can finally start doing the job he's paid $174K/year plus the best bennies senators can vote themselves..

Highlights from the New 115th Congress Legislative Effectiveness Scores
https://thelawmakers.org/uncategorized/highlights-from-the-new-115th-congress-legislative-effectiveness-scores

Individual legislators can be looked up through the "Find Legislators" tab at the top.

[TreasonousBastard]

111. Wow! Bernie's close to dead last compared to actual Dems...

Warren's doing a lot better, but still not even close to Klobuchar, and Harris is up there.

My Senators-- Gillibrand is doing OK but Schumer is dreadful. At least he's not running.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

114. Had it not been for the whole Al Franken affair, KG would prolly be on my Top-10 list.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[TreasonousBastard]

122. I have some serious questions about that Franken affair...

It all happened too fast-- I can't help thinking there was a lot more that we never saw.

Anyway, she is one of my Senators, and I think she's doing a fine job, but I'm just a little wary about her as President. She did a good job as a tobacco lawyer, and then a good job representing her conservative House district, and now a good job representing NY state-- but, malleable as she seems to be, what would her good job as President be?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

124. Not sure... but, I think that's a fair assessment you gave of KG.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[Hortensis]

116. Well, Schumer tells us something about leaders --

they tend to be doing things not measured by systems designed to give voters an idea of how most legislators are performing. So most are frequently ranked very low on most scoring systems.

GovTrack.us analyzes who cosponsors whose bills to find out who're best at rounding up support to get their agendas turned into law for its "leadership" score, but Pelosi is practically at the bottom. For GovTrack's count of "Laws Enacted," Sanders had 0, but Schumer leading the minority party had only 1 (Klobuchar 7, a number of minority senators achieved 5 and 4).

With Sanders, I can't see any reason for performing so extremely low except self indulgence. He may not like his colleagues, but he could have controlled his behavior well enough that they're not so aware of it and shouldered more of the work, enough to at least rise to average. Most of us would be beyond thrilled at what we could get done as an average senator.

[TreasonousBastard]

120. Interesting point-- the leaders don't often have their names attached to legislation...

McConnell is way down there too, but we know what he's done.

Warren, btw, had 7 enacted (although one was a Post Office renaming).

[Hortensis]

123. Right. Warren's great, and I notice that some of our

other most effective, hardworking and influential legislators are very seldom mentioned here.

By merit, if there can only be one name on something, the ACA should have been called Pelosicare, but huge achievements are of course named for the person on top. Not that President Obama didn't deserve it, but writing it and getting it passed in close to needed form was something only our Democratic caucuses could do, and from what I've read Pelosi was THE one above all who made it happen. Pelosi fought opponents inside and outside the party who were trying to hack and pare it back from the form that finally passed. But I just looked and, yup, she wasn't even a cosponsor.

[Gothmog]

115. This is interesting

Link to tweet

?

[Cha]

121. I wonder where that

poll came from, Goth.. Thank You!

Link to tweet

[The Mouth]

125. Become a Democrat, join the Democratic Party

and pledge to remain such.

And vow to support the nominee as soon as they are mathematically selected, not waiting until the convention.

I love Bernie's ideas, energy, followers (most of them, not the dipshits who can't tell disagreement from attack, fuck them) and the number of times he's been right when most of our other politicians have been wrong (Iraq, in particular).

But belonging on the team should be a privilege to those who support the team, period.

[djg21]

128. Go back in time.

So he’d be under 55 years old. And become an actual Democrat rather than an independent that is allowed to manipulate the Party to advance his political fortunes. Bernie should pack it in. His time passed. He will never be President and will only harm the Party.