A lot of gloom and doom around here tonight.

[Claritie Pixie]

A lot of Bernie bashing and people wondering whatever will we do if he gets the nomination?

Here's what you do.

You fucking vote for him.

I mean how can it even be a question?

BTW - I switched to Bernie tonight. I voted for him in 2016 in the primary and even though he didn't get the nomination, I sure as hell voted for Hillary in the GE.

That's what you do.

[evertonfc]

1. realism actually

[AZ8theist]

89. If he becomes the nominee and selects Gabbard as his running mate...

I'm OUT.

I will explore moving overseas. I WILL NOT VOTE for the traitorous asshole illegally occupying the WH, but no fucking way I support a Sanders/Gabbard ticket.

[PatrickforO]

115. First of all, please accept a gentle chide. This is EXACTLY what Putin wants.

If he and his trolls can sow enough division among us that Trump wins a second term, then we will lose this Republic.

Next, what in the world makes you think Bernie will a) win, and b) if he does, pick Gabbard of all people as his running mate?

As Mike Shanahan used to say when he was coaching the Broncos - "Lots of football to play...lots of football." What that means, of course, is we aren't even at Super Tuesday yet.

And you know, if Bernie wins, I'm going to support him same as any other candidate because Job 1 is getting Trump out of office. And we need every person on deck to win - because Trump really could win a second term.

Putin would sure be happy if he did.

[AZ8theist]

209. I know this is what Putin wants...

And we have enough uniformed idiots in the Democratic party to make it happen.
1. Idividual voters in the Iowa caucus were SHOCKED to find out Buttigieg was gay;
2. Bernie, as an INDEPENDENT Senator. NOT a Democrat, voted 4 fucking times AGAINST santions to Russia for election interference.
3. Gabbard, supported by Russian trolls and a celebrity on Faux news.
4. DUers keep saying "follow the youth vote. They support Bernie". A group of voters who notoriously don't vote when it counts.

My conclusion: Sanders as the nominee hands the election to Doturd.

I HATE Trump with every fiber of my being but the stupidity of the Democrats has me incredibly demoralized.

[MisterFred]

117. DU's favorite conspiracy theory.

There is no chance in hell Sanders would ever pick Gabbard. There's never been any reason to think he'd pick Gabbard as VP. Why on earth do people believe this is going to happen?

[katmondoo]

168. Putin won.

[MisterFred]

181. Putin's goal is division.

He doesn't want Sanders to win election. He wants you to help him divide the Democratic party.

[budkin]

129. He would NEVER choose Gabbard

I wouldn’t be surprised if he chose Hillary.

[zackymilly]

172. Since he won't release his medical records, he will need to pick a younger, healthier VP. n/t

[MisterFred]

182. A younger, healthier VP that at least somewhat shares his policies.

Meaning NOT Gabbard. Hell, Buttigeig is closer to Sanders in policies than Gabbard, LOL. No way in any of the nine hells he picks Gabbard.

[JeaneRaye]

186. Tulsi Gabbard??!!

Whoever said that Bernie is even considering Tulsi Gabbard as a running mate?!!

[John Fante]

201. "Sky is falling" types.

The negative energy right now is borderline toxic. I'll chalk it up to shock that Bernie is the frontrunner, but this doom-and-gloom shit needs to stop, quick.

[AZ8theist]

213. WHY??? Because of THIS:

https://nypost.com/2020/01/14/tulsi-gabbard-picks-sides-in-the-bernie-sanders-elizabeth-warren-feud/

and this:

https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/21/politics/bernie-sanders-tulsi-gabbard-tweet/index.html

and this:

https://www.newsweek.com/tulsi-gabbard-rips-hillary-clinton-over-bernie-sanders-comments-this-isnt-high-school-1483483

and this:

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/anti-establishment-voters-find-bigger-hero-in-tulsi-gabbard-than-bernie-sanders


And there are DOZENS more...........

[dominic savio]

202. Ok... but,

How about a Bernie Kamila ticket?

[Warpy]

219. I don't care if she's Putin's dream girl or not

She will still be better than that freak show in office now, should she be sworn in as president for any reason.

[greenjar_01]

2. I might vote for him

It will depend if I can stomach it in the booth.

I won't give him any money, campaign for him, or even try to convince others to vote for him.

[Jake Stern]

14. Then don't let the door hit ya on the way out

If you can't stand behind our nominee with your time and money, even holding your nose, then perhaps you should find another place to chill politically.

I, for one, will campaign for Bernie if he's the nominee with every bit of gusto that I would for the primary candidate I support.

[Big Blue Marble]

22. You can attack alll you want.

But you had better pay attention to the sentiment this voter expresses, because it will impact the election
far more than you can imagine.

[Jake Stern]

50. Staying home is voting for Trump.

If this voter views Trump as enough of a lesser evil to say "fuck it" then they have earned all the derision coming their way.

[delisen]

126. If we don't fight Putin we lose the. Presidency anyway.

We need to put all energy down ballot.

[quakerboy]

216. And the reverse is equally true

Neither side of our party can win without the support of the other.

I dont expect sanders to walk away with a majority of delegates. I honestly dont even expect him to finish with a plurality. But if he does, this big hope of a brokered convention and shoving him out by hook or by crook is electoral suicide.

I guess we all gotta decide if we in the democratic party prefer each other, or trump. And if its the latter.. why are we in a party together?

[PatSeg]

66. It is pretty hard to force enthusiasm

for a candidate you believe isn't good for the country. Granted people will vote for the Democratic nominee to get rid of Donald Trump, but to expect people to feel something that they don't is unrealistic.

I could enthusiastically support Warren, Klobuchar, or Buttigieg, but Sanders scares me. Sorry about that.

[Catch2.2]

90. I had similar views

about Hillary. Wasn't a huge fan, but you know what I did? I told people that they should vote for her! I also voted for her. I never thought she would be a disaster etc. I preferred Sanders but I backed Hillary 100% when she became the nominee. The hatred for Sanders on the site is a shame.

[PatSeg]

97. I voted for Hillary

My feelings about her were rather lukewarm at the time, but I was happy that we would finally have a woman president and clearly she was highly qualified.

As for Bernie, I've always like him, but never for one second, did I picture him as President of the United States. Now the more I learn about him, the less I like him. Add to that the fact that there is too good a chance that Trump would beat him in a general election. There's a reason why Trump and Putin want him to be the nominee and there's a reason why they didn't want Biden.

[Catch2.2]

102. I felt the same way

about Hillary, excited to have a Female President etc. As far as Sanders, he actually polls very well against Trump. He has a better chance against him than most candidates. Just out of curiosity, what policies don't you like of Sanders? And for the record, I would be very happy with Biden too!

[PatSeg]

138. I'm getting really tired

Its been a long day.

It isn't the policies so much, it is primarily the person. I don't think Sanders has the necessary qualities to be president. I'm tired of the constant anger and the attacks on the Democratic party. It doesn't inspire unity or hope. He seems incapable of compromise or apologizing.

I am especially discouraged by the types of people he hires for his campaign and makes me wonder who would he hire as president? Turner or Sirota? Or people like them? He doesn't seem to be in control of his campaign, which indicates that he lacks real leadership skills.

There is so much more to being president than great ideas or policies. All our candidates have some wonderful ideas, but not all of them know how to make them reality.

Then there is a matter of foreign policy and I really have no idea how Bernie would deal with foreign leaders. I don't think that is a strong suit for him. Most of his political career has been spent representing Vermont, a state of only 626,000 people. Is he really ready for a national AND and international role?

Nina Turner said tonight that Bernie was an FDR Democrat, but that's not true. Roosevelt had much more diverse experience and he was a master at politics and negotiation. He was calm, upbeat, and reassuring, even when he was verbally destroying his opponents. People trusted him and believed things would get better.

There's a lot more, but like I said, I'm getting tired! Have a good night!

[AverageJoe]

157. That's my story, too

I voted for Bernie in the 2016 primaries and Hillary in the general election. That’s what grown ups do, that make the best choice for the country in a given circumstance. Anyone who sits out the election because their candidate doesn’t get the nomination is making it that much easier for trump to get re-elected.

[questionseverything]

162. BLUENOMATTERWHO

always

period

[avebury]

143. I view Sanders as the lesser of two evils

between Trump and Sanders. I have zero illusions that he will actually achieve much should he become our nominee and win as I think a Sanders nomination will kill the momentum we have experienced in Congress. I would expect him to be a one term President and who know what happens after that.

Some may call me a Debbie downer but the fact is, it does not matter who sits in the WH if both houses of Congress won’t play ball with the WH.

[PatSeg]

152. You're not alone

I see things in a very similar light. If Bernie should win the general election, I have very low expectations for his presidency and in the process I am afraid the Democratic party will be severely fractured. .

You're probably right, a Sanders nomination could kill the momentum that started in 2018 and at a time when we need to sustain or even accelerate it. There is so much damage to be undone, probably far more than we realize.

[Skittles]

159. thank you

I am tired of people acting like I have to be pleased as punch voting for someone I despise.

[PatSeg]

174. Yes

Encouraged everyone to vote to get rid of Trump is one thing, but we shouldn't be commanded to be happy and enthused about it.

[delisen]

121. Good but the rest of us are going to have to fight state & local

We are realists . we are not going to follow orders to ride into the valley of death

We have children, a nation.and a democracy and a planet to save.

Bernie Sanders tainted the process by covering up that Putin was working on his behalf.

[Meowmee]

170. Exactly and anyone who thinks that won't be used

In an election against him a long with many other things is being very, very stupid or is a troll/ fake. He has no chance to win and had little to none before this. It is going to be very bad.

[Jakra]

37. A lot of people feel that way

Myself included.

[wackadoo wabbit]

39. "Might"?

With all due respect, Vote Blue, No Matter Who!

I've held my nose while voting for many, if not most, of the candidates I've voted for for president. But I've also volunteered many hours for those same candidates.

Unfortunately, we have a binary, two-party system. If you're not voting for the Democrat, you're essentially voting for the Republican.

Do you really think Trump is better than Sanders?

[LovingA2andMI]

40. Ditto...

To 3 out of 4.

[dchill]

58. Trump is trying to destroy America AND the planet...

Sanders is just abrasive. Your choice should be quite simple. No vote is a vote to destroy America and the planet. Wouldn't want that hanging over MY head!

[greenjar_01]

108. I'll vote my conscience

As I always do.

[Chicago1980]

76. Might isn't an option...

Now remove head from rear...

[alittlelark]

105. Then u r a fool, or u support tRump. Period.

This site is devoted to dems - exclusively. If u 'MIGHT' vote for the DEM nominee vs tRump (worst pres in US history) u r on the wrong site. SERIOUSLY.

LOOK in a mirror for 2 minutes - figure out who or what you are.

Then do the right thing.

I AM NOT a Bernie fan, but if he gets the Nomination I will be his BIGGEST FAN and spread the love.

[Tien1985]

131. That's fine, I can sympathize with voting your conscience, but

you will have to lie if you choose not to vote and want to stay here. It's a rule that you vote for the Dem candidate or you don't stay in DU.

I will be voting "blue know matter who" in truth.

[Garrett78]

135. If you posted that about *any* other candidate, even Bloomberg, your post would be removed.

Different rules for different folks. DU is becoming a joke.

[greenjar_01]

173. I doubt it

Nothing in my post violates the rules.

[LS_Editor]

196. Just vote for Trump, then.

[greenjar_01]

197. I would never vote for Trump

[KPN]

204. Why do you say might and not will but?

[greenjar_01]

205. I say what I think is true

It's going to be very difficult for me to pull that lever (metaphorically) in the actual moment.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. I'd vote for any rando off the street over Trump,

but I am very afraid Bernie will lose.

[highplainsdem]

10. +1,000,000. I'd vote for my cat over Trump. I'd also vote for my cat over Sanders.

But if we're stuck with Sanders as the nominee, I'll hold my nose and vote for him.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

24. I, too, would take any of my three cats over Sanders,

and I'd take a cat, a wolverine, a cow, a ringwraith, a zombie, an orc, a door-to-door magazine salesman, or Sanders over Trump. But if he were to pick Tulsi Gabbard or any of his campaign trolls like Gray or Turner as his running mate, it would really hurt.

[PatSeg]

74. I'd vote for your cat over Sanders!!!

[elleng]

4. Thanks.

With you.

[EveHammond13]

5. we are fucked

[maximusveritas]

6. This isn't about us. Most people here will vote for him. It's about those in the swing states

The ones in the middle.
The ones we need to win the election.
Those are the ones we will lose with Sanders.
And many more around the country.
The doom and gloom is because this is just a victory for President Trump, no one else.

[Claritie Pixie]

11. Interesting stat out of Nevada.

A big majority of blue collar white men voted for Bernie.
Do you recall the blue collar Dems who voted Obama, then got snookered by Trump?

Bernie can get them back. My blue collar family members in a swing state are telling me this.

Bernie has wide appeal to everyone.

[IluvPitties]

17. Bernie ain't beating Trump here in Florida.

His "appeal" is much more limited than what you think.

[LovingA2andMI]

42. Or Michigan...

And he hurts keeping our Democratic Senate seat of Gary Peters. This sucks, royalty.

[apcalc]

49. Or Pennsylvania....he's dead in the water

[womanofthehills]

111. Last I saw Biden and Sanders about even in Pennsylvania

Not what I would call dead in water.

[apcalc]

124. Just wait til the others drop out.

[Old Crow]

214. As a resident of Pennsylvania, I disagree.

"Dead in the water"? You have your own polls that no one else has seen, I take it. Virtually every PA poll on RealClearPolitics now has Sanders beating Trump.

[James48]

145. I disagree.

I’m a lifelong (59) Michigander, a former Republican, who has been a Democrat for the last 12 years.

And I know of no better candidate that speaks to Michigan voters than Bernie. He has the populist, Manufacturing Michigan worker vote among many of my former Trumpanzee friends. Yes, he can pull it off here.

[LovingA2andMI]

171. We're not talking about Bernie

We are talking about our Senator up for re-election. Also, Michigan has changed since 2016. Thanks for your history but we know the politics here ourselves.

[elleng]

21. Happy to hear it, and about your blue collar family members.

LIKELY Sen. Sanders will actually spend time visiting people in those states, not ignoring pleas of congressmembers to do so.

[SMC22307]

82. Blue collar white men in Nevada voted for Bernie? That's significant.

Sounds like those same guys from Pennsylvania who voted for Obama, then switched to Trump... maybe they'll switch back to us.

[Demsrule86]

178. Operation chaos.

[SMC22307]

192. Rush Limbaugh was behind Pennsyvlania white men voting for Obama - twice?

Hmm.

[Withywindle]

125. Here's an interesting map of who donated to Bernie in 2016

https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-na-pol-sanders-donors/

What REALLY struck me was Appalachia. It looks like a damn TOPOGRAPHICAL map. The darker green (more people donating) pretty much exactly outlines the mountain range. My home county in SW VA is pretty deep red over all - and it's also very deep green on this map.

Now, some of that might have fueled by anti-Hillary sentiments, but still. This isn't people answering a poll question. This is people actually sending money, which I think is a far more reliable indicator of motivated support. These aren't wealthy people either. They can't just throw it around. They have to give it real thought.

I'm not saying he can win back WV or anything like that but he definitely wouldn't lose VA and looks like a contender in NC. Further north, Wisconsin and Michigan look pretty green too.

[tecelote]

167. Great link - Thanks!

Check this out:



It should be noted that this is from 2016.

[Big Blue Marble]

30. And it is about holding the house and winning the senate.

There is no evidence that Sanders will have the coattails that will keep the seats that we gained
in 18 or will bring in the purple state senate races that we have to win to turn the Senate blue.

[dpibel]

132. And you will of course present the evidence

that any other candidate has the coattails.

What, pray tell, is the certainty that Biden, or any of the other candidates, will inexorably mean we win the house and retake the senate?

Seriously. You argue "no evidence." So you must have evidence. I'd love to see it.

[NJCher]

139. Put me on that

List, too.

Thank you.

I’ll be checking back for that evidence coat tail research.

[DENVERPOPS]

93. does anyone stop to think

why would Putin be working to push Bernie and Trump working overtime on bashing Biden??????????????

the answer appears pretty simple to me.........

[musette_sf]

7. I am voting for a Democrat in the primary

and I hope to vote for a Democrat in the general.

I have voted for Democrats all my life and I'm not stopping now.

And I'll never forget Sen Sanders calling Planned Parenthood "The Establishment"

[apcalc]

51. I always vote for Democrats... real Democrats.

[musette_sf]

53. me too

[LostinRed]

212. Yes me too

I won’t vote for those that bash the party and serve as an independent and only switch to Democrat when it suits them.

[dsc]

8. I will vote for him but his presence on the ticket will likely cost my governor his job

and saddle me with an anti gay bigot as governor. As a gay state employee I could be on the unemployment line next.

[PatSeg]

81. Really? Which governor?

[dsc]

169. Cooper

[PatSeg]

190. I'm so sorry

Do you have term limits for governors?

I really hope he gets a 2nd term.

[dsc]

191. yes he can only serve two

then take one off and come back.

[PatSeg]

193. Well at least that could give him eight years straight

if he gets reelected. New Hampshire is quite unlike any place I've ever lived. The governor only serves for two years, which is hardly enough time to accomplish anything. It appears that politicians often use it as a stepping stone to other positions. Maggie Hassan went on to be our senator. Our other senator, Jeanne Shaheen, was governor as well from 1997-2003.

But apparently there are no term limits for the governor.

[HarlanPepper]

163. My district got a Dem elected to Congress for the first time in 30 years.

Kendra Horn. She’ll be forced to with run away or against the Dem nominee for president if Bernie is the nominee because not every place is Vermont or Portland.

[Nanjeanne]

9. Strange that people exercising their right to vote inspires such hatred. I get it

if you wish your candidate was winning. It’s natural to be disappointed. But some of the extreme responses are pretty bizarre.

[Kaleva]

16. There's a long history of angst against Sanders and supporters here at DU

[Claritie Pixie]

25. That needs to be let go or we lose.

No time for hurt feelings and all that.

[Kaleva]

27. What happens in DU will have little to no bearing on what takes place in the primary and general

[LovingA2andMI]

45. Folks "need" a lot of things...

Many of them they never get.

[Kaleva]

56. There was a streatch when the only safe place for Hillary supporters was the Hillary Clinton Group

Then there was the bloodbath after Admin declared we were in General Election mode as many Sanders supporters either left on their own accord or were zapped.

[Claritie Pixie]

59. There was definitely a lot of drama.

But can't live in the past. The soul of this country is on the line, could be the most important election in our history.

We need a candidate who will generate an equal but opposite enthusiasm, like Newton's third law. Bernie is the one to do it.

[radical noodle]

118. We need a candidate who can unify the party

and how can he do that while he's constantly bashing us? He's alienated so many of us with his anti-party rhetoric. It will be his job to do the unifying and I'm not sure he's capable of that.

[apcalc]

86. He will not be the nominee, imo.

[radical noodle]

116. We do not yet have a nominee

Hang onto that thought in case sanders doesn't come out on top.

[krissey]

188. You mean, just two days ago when he said Democrats, me, are as bad as Republicans.

[elleng]

33. have never understood it,

and 'my' candidate suffered too, last time.

[sheshe2]

35. So was Sanders divisive tweet. nt

[IluvPitties]

12. He won the nomination?

This primary is just getting started, so relax. Don't expect everyone to be thrilled with your guy.

[d_b]

13. Doom and gloom is part of putin's plan

Here's a video released moments ago of Bernie's Russian helpers celebrating DU's misery tonight

This is what we're up against

[OliverQ]

15. This forum is nothing but Bernie bashing.

I'm amazed how many people keep thinking picking another Centrist is going to work against a populist like Trump. It didn't work in 2016. We also tried it in 2004, thinking Kerry would be the safe moderate choice, and he got destroyed.

Insanity means doing the same thing over again expecting different results.

[Claritie Pixie]

20. Agree!

The only way to beat Trump is to create an equal but opposite amount of enthusiam. Bernie is the only candidate that can do that.

[Old Crow]

210. I couldn't agree more.

I logged on to DU tonight to see how the community was reacting to Sanders' Nevada win and, frankly, I'm disappointed in the site.

This petty tribalism is stomach-turning. A man who has a decades-long history of fighting for the working class, who understands global warming and wants to do something about it, and who wants every American to have access to healthcare just had a big win, and I'm seeing people on here act as if they're seriously contemplating not voting for him out of pique.

In 2016, I was less than enthusiastic about our nominee, but a hundred draft horses couldn't have kept me from the polls and pulling the lever for her.

[pbmus]

18. 1991 delegates to win...with less than 10% of delegates awarded

I am not getting constipated over Bernie bro’s...

[ecstatic]

19. I worry that Bernie as nominee makes it easier for the GOP to steal it.

The media and most people question if Bernie is electable.

Nobody would believe a 50 state loss for Biden. But with a self proclaimed socialist? Who knows? We would have no ability to dispute an experimental election. It's a nightmare scenario that provides a lot of cover to GOP criminals.

[58Sunliner]

95. IMO absolutely. They don't need a third candidate with Bernie, but I bet we get one.

Jill Stein was a foil. Plausible deniability for hacking votes.

[defacto7]

107. That is an excellent point.

An experimental election leaves open a lot of exploitable loopholes.

[Sloumeau]

23. I will vote for Bernie if he wins the nomination,

but he will lose if he becomes the nominee.

[Duppers]

114. Zactly. We'll all vote for him as the nominee.

But we live in a dumbass country that will not support a socialist. Fucking tRump will then Crown himself King. 😠😁

[Jirel]

26. Bam.

Still lovin’ me some Liz, but will proudly vote Bernie. It’s not that hard folks. If Bernie keeps winning, get behind him and work like crazy.

[totodeinhere]

28. No gloom and doom here.

I am ecstatic about these results.

[Newest Reality]

29. Let's be realistic if possible...

The old saying goes:

A pessimist complains about the wind. An optimist waits for it to change. A realist adjust the sails.

On this trip, this time in history, let's keep adjusting our sails and get to where we are going because complaining and waiting are as good as doing nothing.

[MaryMagdaline]

31. Thanks but that's not what we mean

We know we’re going to vote for Bernie. We just don’t know how we’re going to get by the next 4 years of Trump. Especially when we lose the house.

[underthematrix]

32. on Twitter

Link to tweet

[Codeine]

55. "The white heart wants what the white heart wants."

That is excellent.

[underthematrix]

57. That's the line that had me cackling.

[7wo7rees]

34. This sounds like a Democratic president.

I don't see a problem here. I like what he says. I think voters will run to him to get away from Trump.

?t=1730

[Claritie Pixie]

61. He votes with Democrats in the Senate. More than some Democrats.

He sounds like FDR.

I don't see a problem either.

[W_HAMILTON]

36. "That's what you do"...?

If Sanders supporters did that in 2016, we wouldn't even be in this mess to begin with.

And if Sanders were to NOT be our nominee this year, you can bet they wouldn't be following your advice this time around either.

Focus on them, which are now your fellow Sanders supporters. "Clean up your own house first" and all that jazz.

[Claritie Pixie]

41. The condescension is palpable.

[W_HAMILTON]

47. That would be intended...

...given that I was remarking about how Sanders supporters acted in this position last time around.

[Claritie Pixie]

48. Wow.

[LovingA2andMI]

38. There is another choice...

And it's not Trump. Watching TV, filing one's nails, tuning out. Plenty of OTHER things to do.

[Claritie Pixie]

44. Ok...might as well vote for Trump.

[LovingA2andMI]

46. Your Opinion

Everyone has a right to one.

[William769]

43. No "gloom and doom" here.

But thanks for trying to tell me how I feel.

[Drum]

52. This 💪

[hay rick]

54. Channeling Donald Rumsfeld...

You go to an election with the party you have, not the party you wish you had.

I notice many of the posts here follow a formula: "I will hold my nose and vote for Bernie but OTHER PEOPLE (blue color/working class/rural/midwestern/swing state voters) probably won't. I wonder why they think that OTHER PEOPLE can't have good judgment or strength of character similar to their own.

Also, if they think that Bernie is unacceptably extreme, why don't they think that the people who are supporting Bernie wouldn't find their moderate/centrist candidate useless and unworthy of their support. It should be obvious that there are more people supporting Bernie than people supporting their own candidate at this point.

[pazzyanne]

185. Add those non-Bernie candidates together and what do you get?

Those results are part of what I am watching.

[hay rick]

189. Candidates not named Bernie are still taking the majority of the votes.

If Warren or Steyer drop out, I would expect Sanders to pick up some of their support. I confess to being surprised that Elizabeth Warren is not doing better and would not be surprised if she took back a share of the progressive vote. I am supporting Steyer because of his focus on climate change, but it looks like he is going nowhere.

I expect the media to whip up "America won't elect a socialist" fear, and that could also slow down/stop Sanders. One blowout caucus win does not make a campaign.

[yaesu]

60. yep, the gloom & doom Bernie bashing is very unattractive & I hope they come to realize that

all they are doing is helping tRump get reelected

[LovingA2andMI]

96. Really???

....

[Under The Radar]

62. Don't tell us who to vote for. We decide on our own.

[Claritie Pixie]

63. Ouch.

Sorry I hit a nerve.

[Under The Radar]

85. No, just insulted my intelligence

[wisteria]

72. Here, here.

[Vogon_Glory]

64. Bernie's already the nominee? I must have missed something

I will admit that Sanders’ current polling numbers look very good right now, but we’re still a ways off from Super Tuesday. Even if he does well there, he still won’t have enough delegates to clinch the nomination,

I make no bones about my desire for a candidate with broad appeal and long coat-tails. I’ll vote for Bernie if he gets the nomination—but there are still a lot of delegates and races between here and there.

[wisteria]

71. Yeah, this is what they are pushing along with the media they have intimidated.

[Vogon_Glory]

92. The lame-stream corporate media likes nail-biting horse races

Which is what they’d get if Bernie gets the party’s nomination. If such a race gives Orange Julius another term, no skin off THEIR backs.

I admit that Bernie is a very colorful candidate. Be that as it may, I have no intention of voting for the President of the USA as if I was voting for a contestant on American Idol.

As an aside, there was a vocal group called The Singing Senators over 20 years ago (If you don’t believe me, look it up). I would be willing to give Bernie my wholehearted support in THAT sort of contest. Just not in the Democratic Party’s presidential primaries.

[ehrnst]

91. I believe it's called Aura of Inevitability

or a coronation.

You decide.

[Vogon_Glory]

101. Forgive me, but I consider myself to be a Yogi Berran

It ain’t over till it’s over.

[ehrnst]

119. SHHHHHH!!!

DoublePlusThoughtCrime...

[bitterross]

65. If you consider stating reality bashing, then I guess there is bashing

Bernie will never, ever be President. It will never happen. Trump's people are frothing at the mouth with joy for a Bernie nominee.

They know they can run against him as that nasty, Marxist, socialist, candidate. They're right. They will win.

[Claritie Pixie]

68. You got a crystal ball or something?

I've lived long enough to know that no one can predict the future.

[Claritie Pixie]

73. Then you might as well vote for Trump.

Being obstinate doesn't get him out of the WH.

[backtoblue]

69. K&R

We are stronger together.

[Claritie Pixie]

77. Yes we are. Thank you.

[SMC22307]

70. Seriously, vote for him in November. And pick something from his damn platform...

and sell it to others to get them to vote for him in November.

https://www.politico.com/2020-election/candidates-views-on-the-issues/bernie-sanders/

[wisteria]

75. Nope

[SMC22307]

88. You won't vote for Sanders (D) in the general?

Enjoy four more years of Fat Nixon... the country will be unrecognizable.

[CalFione]

78. realizing that we're stuck with Trump for at least 5 more years

and yes, I said “at least”. We won’t recognize this country 4 years from now after another term for Trump.

Bernie’s “revolution” is unwittingly going to result in fascism really coming to our Republic.

[AlexSFCA]

79. My concern is statewide and down-ballot races

I’m not gonna be all doom and gloom, I believe BS can win in general election. But it will require all of us to unequivocally support him if he is the nominee. If he loses, we’ll deal with the anger afterwards. But not supporting him wholeheartedly during GE would
guarantee trump’s win. For moderates, it will be especially important to show their support publicly to try and change people’s minds. 2020 is the last chance to save our country, our democracy and the world, frankly. Can we compromise for just a few months for the sake of saving our beloved country?
P.S. I dont see a path for any other candidate to win the nomination at this point unless several candidates drop out asap.

[LovingA2andMI]

98. And keeping our Democratic Senator....

is in Danger with Nominee Sanders. Those are the facts. We're beyond worried.

[wisteria]

80. Doesn't tell you something, test many people don't like Sanders?

Where do you think he is actually getting his support from?

[Claritie Pixie]

83. Gee I wonder -

Mars?

[ibegurpard]

104. A lot of people HERE don't like him

And anyone who's been around here for a long time knows why. it's another story outside of this site.

[womanofthehills]

123. He is getting his support from the young, women, and non white populations

Most people on this board are older and that is the demographic that will least likely support Sanders.

Most of the young people I know in NM do not have insurance or a decent wage.

[Catch2.2]

84. Thats what most people did in 2016

I voted for Hillary Clinton even though I supported Sanders. I don't know of one Sanders supporter that didn't vote for Hillary. Vote Blue, no matter who!!!

[hay rick]

109. You and me.

I helped organize Bernie events in 2015, so I got to know over 100 enthusiastic Bernie supporters. I didn't hear a single one say they would vote for Trump. They didn't work for Hillary like they worked for Bernie, but they voted for her.

[dawg day]

87. Well, I'll vote for him in the general....

But I'm a 'yellow dog' Democrat-- I'd vote for a yellow dog if it had a D by its name.

(I'm not saying Sanders is a yellow dog, just that I always vote D.

But I did feel gloomy because I think there are a lot of people who might have voted for a moderate who will balk at voting for a progressive, especially one with the baggage of Bernie.

Because of that, I hope all true-blue Bernie-ites will work extra hard to get out the young people who might compensate for the oldsters who back away.
(And that really could mean tempering the more antagonistic members of the campaign who don't look to be gracious winners.)

I hope for the best!

[58Sunliner]

94. I may have to vote for him, but I will not in the primary.

I am sure am going to be happy voting for a mouthpiece that has nothing but a stump speech, whose plans are so important that he actually hasn't bothered to formulate a strategy. It's ok. I am confident he won't win.

[Ferrets are Cool]

99. It's NOT DU that fucking matters

we are NOT representative of America. The word "socialist" does NOT have a positive connotation with the "average" American. And the airwaves will be awash with that ONE WORD.

[brooklynite]

100. Who has said they won't vote for him?

I've voted for many candidates with certainty that they were going to lose.

[Devil Child]

106. Some examples upthread n/t

[Devil Child]

103. The wailing and gnashing of teeth is music to my ears

Congratulations on your well earned victory Sen. Sanders!!!

Still plenty of contests ahead!

[MFM008]

110. Sorry

Not what I do.
Wake me up on election day.

[PatrickforO]

112. Indeed. I'm with you on that. We vote for our nominee no matter what.

That's a given, and it is not even a question. Not in my mind.

[delisen]

113. You acknowledge Putin. You start fighting for democracy

The advice to not criticise any candidate on the democratic primary list for fear of providing Republicans with talking points was the wrong advice to follow.

Toughen up don't give up.

Why give Putin an easy victory? He is all-in against us.

We have to fight ignorance, lies, coverups and propaganda.

[Nitram]

120. First, Bernie is not the ONLY good candidate. Second, we all vote for the candidate that wins the

nomination. NO MATTER WHAT! Let's have none of this "I won't vote for the Democratic nominee because my candidate didn't win the nomination and that proves the whole process rigged." If Trump wins again we are all fucked.

[StocktonNative]

122. The MAGAts are running scared.

Bernie is doing exactly what the American People are asking for: Free the Weed and Take Down Fascism in America.

[Hyper_Eye]

127. I've been hanging around here since before the 2004 election.

It's the same crap every time there is a competitive primary. This site becomes toxic until the primary is over. I'm going to vote for whomever the nominee is. If we put forward a tree stump I would be happy to vote for that log over Trump. You'll find me standing in the line to the polling site yelling, "Log! Log! It's big, it's heavy, it's wood. Log! Log! It's better than bad... IT'S GOOD!"

Rest assured. A lot of these people spitting vitriol at Sanders will be here enthusiastically supporting him by election day. Why? Because the alternative is four more years of Trump. What a nightmare that thought is.

Bring on the nominee. I'm ready to vote.

[elder phd]

158. luv this!

and luv liz!!

[mudstump]

128. I supported Bernie in 2016...but I voted for Hillary...

because that is how we win.

[Loki Liesmith]

130. That's all I'll do.

[stonecutter357]

133. Bookmarking ! I think we are going to lose the house of representatives .

And not come close to the White House !

[Anniem60]

134. Wow, just wow.

I frequently come to DU for news and entertainment. I’m a Warren and Bernie supporter. I voted Bernie in the primary in 2016, but cast my vote for HRC.

The animosity I see here towards Sanders is breathtaking. A lot of made up crap claiming he’s some kind of infiltrator. Are the people here who feel this way so ingrained in keeping right of center policies in place that they can’t support an FDR style democrat? Capitalism has run wild in this country with no checks & balances. Climate change & lack of healthcare is killing people. We need dramatic change now, and these Biden/Bloomberg/mayor Pete/Klobuchar strategies of another 50 years to maybe consider changing isn’t going to help.

Let me make this perfectly clear. Unlike many on this site I will not begrudge ANY nominee who wins by not voting for them, even Bloomberg. But until the primaries are over I will continue my strong support of both Warren and Bernie. They are the future if we want to have a chance at a future.

[redqueen]

140. Breathtaking is definitely the right word.

Some of the most venomous shit I read here about him is not too different from stuff you'd expect to see on right wing sites.

[SunSeeker]

147. If you think Bernie is an "FDR style Democrat," you don't know much about Bernie.

Last edited Sun Feb 23, 2020, 01:52 AM - Edit history (1)

Bernie has spent his entire adult life bashing the Democratic Party.
His hero is Socialist Eugene Debs, not FDR.

Bernie made a glowing documentary of Debs:

Bernie admiringly recites Debs speeches from memory:

This, and much much more, will all be common knowledge by the time of the general election. The GOP attack ads will be brutal and effective.


It will be a bloodbath.

God help us all.

[questionseverything]

215. wc to du

I have tons of people muted...it cuts down on the Bernie hate and makes it easier for me to enjoy the site, I suggest you do same

[MrModerate]

136. I don't think people are worried about THEIR votes. n/t

[SunSeeker]

148. Exactly. nt

[KSNY]

137. Yes!!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

141. Makes no sense, sorry

[DesertRat]

142. Of course we'll vote for him, but

I fear that trump will win again. And another trump term means the Supreme Court is lost for at least another generation. That's why many of us are feeling gloom and doom.

[Roy Rolling]

144. Everybody OTHER THAN Bernie

Of course they might be disappointed. No surprise.

If Bernie gets the nomination, they better get over it quickly.

But for today, everybody but the front runner is less happy than the front runner.

[aeromanKC]

146. I will sleep well tonight

knowing Bernie cannot win a contested convention. You don't win the nomination with 40% of delegates.

[La Coliniere]

149. Switched too

Warren was my first choice but I've decided to support Bernie in the NY Primary on April 28th. It's really disheartening to see the irrational and uncritical thinking going on here over the last few weeks; partisan politics at its most self defeating. Bernie was my first choice in 2016, but I stumped and voted for Hillary when she became the nominee and I will again work for and support the Democratic nominee if it isn't Sanders. What else can we do with our Republic at stake? Not so hard to understand. So sick of hearing that Bernie isn't a real Democrat when this man votes with the Democratic Party more frequently than some "real" Democrats. Bernie reflects FDR Democratic values more than all of the other candidates except perhaps Warren ...Geessh!!

[Claritie Pixie]

150. Are we the same person?

My story is just like yours, and I agree with your sentiments.

[La Coliniere]

151. Yes!

And I'm hoping there are many, many more of us!

[Buckeye_Democrat]

153. Not from me!

Others don't like him. Oh, well!

I'm so happy, I feel like doing a Cha-Cha with Noam Chomsky!

[Claritie Pixie]

155. I didn't know Noam could dance!

Learn something new every day!

[marlakay]

154. Thats what I did too

And the moderates who told us we had to do the right thing should do the same.

[elder phd]

156. some observations

first, the gloom and doom around here has not just been tonight.
lordy, folks; i haven't posted in hardly ever cuz the tone here is just ...gross.
a bunch of snippy, nasty, petty, whiners, most of youse (sorry, but true)
and the largest dose has always -- every day i've bothered to glance -- been aimed at bernie.

suggesting we have perhaps a lot of sour grapes hillary peeps here?
(have to say, she has not exactly presented the best example in grace and good will in this regard, but whatev'.)
honestly, nothing better to do? you'd think he stole the nomination from her!
some of you lob accusations and innuendo, but never with any substance.
what is your reasoning for such vitriol? can you articulate that hatred so it makes any sense?

i campaigned for bernie, but voted for hillary. i'll now primary for liz. hey, different strokes. big tent; why i love the dem party.
but what is it with all the poop slinging?
i have yet to come across a single thread here that offers anything resembling substantive debate.
yet lots and lots of nastiness.

the same nastiness i recall from PUMAs in 08. remember those, y'all?

second, not a "real" dem? bernie has for decades been trying to steer the party back to FDR democrats.
which, by the by, brought us all manner of socialist (gasp! clutch yer pearls!) programs, like SSA, WPA, wall street reforms (glass-steagal anyone?), and support for unions, just to name a few. the green new deal is an absolutely exquisite re-rendering of FDR's vision; harper's magazine did a terrific piece on this late last year; check it out, it's inspiring. especially the part about a second bill of rights that includes health and education and a living wage, etc.
any of these ideas sound familiar? these ideas are -- or used to be -- the core of the democratic party!
plus, bernie's always caucused with the dems, just as does senator angus, and bernie has been given committee seats and chairs, inc. budget and the VA.
he's still considered the amendment king in congress for finding ways to get bills passed with bipartisan support.
and he filibustered for over 8hrs in 2010 against keeping the bush tax cuts in place; that speech became a popular book for its lambasting of corporate greed.
all this is just off the top of my head, but i'm sure you can find most of it on google or wikipedia.

but third, how to caution you folks against the gas lighting that's going on? the vitriol here, so thick you can cut it with a knife, is ripe for exploitation by the same infiltrations that infected our precious election process four years ago. don't know where some of the angles presented here come from, but my guess is that neither do most of you who post them. at least, i NEVER see references or citations. we don't have to get all academic about it, but ferchrissake, try to do more than just pull stuff out of various orifices; helps credibility, and might help your own blood pressure.
it's truly important to consider the sources of your comments, and why you'd accept them in the first place.
just as one example, this story about the russians helping bernie's campaign; may i humbly suggest reading some masha gessen to get a sense of just what putin's tactics are about. in a word, chaos. putin could care less who wins here; all he cares about is seeding and breeding distrust and confusion. all he wants is for none of us to trust anyone.
fwiw, i've been a bernie fan since the early 90s; never dreamed he'd run for prez, but glad he did, as he has changed the conversation in the country for the better. and, he has changed the profile of the democratic party for the better. in case you haven't noticed, we're talking about medicare for all and free higher education as a matter of course now, which was scandalous four years ago, and unheard of a decade ago. and now, even polled republicans support it at 47%!
but, and this is key, when i was a youngster, higher education was indeed free in CA, and most state colleges were cheaper than catholic high schools. moreover, healthcare was not motivated by profit, hospitals were not cost centers, and patients were not customers. something happened in the early 80s (gee, wonder what that was, RR?), and both bernie and liz are keenly aware of this shift; they both want to put these rights back into our hands where they belong.
may i suggest some reading: anand giradharadas winners take all, charlotte alter the ones we've been waiting for, these for starters. and then start hanging around more young folks; they are our future and have a keen sense of what's amiss and what we need to be prepared for.
think greta and the march for our lives kids.

fourth, as for the socialism piece, please people; get woke. seriously, the segments of the population that are still scared about this word -- and it is just a damn word!! -- are dying off. that would be my generation, but thankfully i was educated well enough to learn better. bernie's democratic socialism, as noted above, is FDR programs and policies, full stop. and this distinction will be important if/when we all work toward the nominee's election.
and this ties in with the youth; they don't have the same fear experience of socialism that most old fogeys do, and sadly that fear experience was for the most part a trumped up (heh) propaganda program shaped by mccarthyism. i lived on a military base in japan during the 50s, so i know of what i speak.

fifth, just a couple of stray comments here threw me. MI? bernie beat hillary in MI. fwiw.
also, fascism?? bernie?? good lord, y'all, bernie and liz are all about returning the power to US! we, the people!! recovering that power from the greedy corporations. if it's fascism you're worried about, we're pretty much there already under this power-mongering corporatism masquerading as the republican party! in case you haven't noticed. the highly specific and well-articulated programs and policies both bernie and liz offer are precisely the opposite of fascism; the antidote to fascism, if you will. this is precisely why the mainstream establishment folk are so freaked out; they'll lose those big tax breaks and lucrative investment options. sad.

i'll end with this sixth point. some of you have mentioned concern he'll tap tulsi for his VP. really? based on... what exactly? i follow his campaign very closely, and he has given exactly zero indication of anything like that. in fact, i don't think he's even mentioned her at all since she endorsed him four years ago. plus, she's not garnering much support, and he's more likely to select someone with a strong and popular record, and who would help pull in a demographic. just, y'know, logic; this is why i doubt he'll pick liz for that slot.
(*****fun fact: did y'all know he approached liz to run for prez in 16 before he decided to run after she declined.*****)
my bet is he'll choose stacey abrams, which would thrill me to no end, i have to say.
but he'll not likely pass over liz, not at all. i'll also bet he actually establishes an entire agency for her to create and direct, in line with her plan for an anti-corruption program; i'd also love for that to somehow dovetail with something like a truth and reconciliation court along the lines of post-apartheid south africa so we can bring these gawdforsaken blood suckers to account!

so, thank you, ms. c.pixie! for putting this seed of my thoughts out there, and holding to your position with such courage and rigor. would we had more like you here!!
and for those of you pissy folk here gnashing your teeth and rending your garments, remember the PUMAs; not a pretty sight.
better yet, remember your insistence to VOTE BLUE NO MATTER WHO!!
good grief, you should see how you look from here, all wrinkly noses and persimmon lips, like you smelled your own farts.
fact is, if you don't VOTE BLUE NO MATTER WHO, you'll expose just what stinking hypocrites you are.

sorry to be so blunt, but i didn't invest all this time and energy to make friends or win popularity contests.
my beat is speaking truth to ...whomever.
and lord knows i've put this off for many many months.
damn, people -- it's like the capacity for circumspection and reality checks have got lost in the DU shuffle.
i mean, c'mon -- we elected barack hussein obama president, ferchrissake!!
most everyone in this crazy mixed up country voted for that kind of hope and change.
we can do it again.
so, i'll leave you with this:

Link to tweet

and this (click on text box to go to full quote):

Link to tweet

?

check them out if you've the courage to get a clue.
we can all always use a clue.

[scipan]

203. Thanks! Listened to a couple Anand clips and

Am now following him.

As for the rest, I couldn't agree more.

[booley]

160. I admit I am actually pretty happy

I don't' think of this as voting for the lesser evil.

I feel it's voting for the greater good.

Personally I think so many here have been building up this Demonic boogyman named Bernie Sanders, they have become like Chris Matthews, making themselves sick because of a monster they conjured up.

[HarlanPepper]

161. It's not as gloomy as it's going to be in November.

[RhodeIslandOne]

165. It's like when a relative believes their holistic approach will cure their cancer

And they totally believe it will. And you know they're wrong and you can't stop them.

[HarlanPepper]

166. Great analogy

And by the time they figure out they should have gone with the chemo they’re dead. That sounds about right.

[RhodeIslandOne]

164. That's not even a question

Now go tell the average voter in Wisconsin or NoVA that. Because they're the ones you have to convince.

[D23MIURG23]

175. How ironic that people supposedly pissed at Bernie deadenders are willing to throw away party unity

as soon as Bernie starts winning. Bernie isn't my top choice but he's better than trump. If you can't get your head around that, you have no business snarking about Bernie's past conduct, or that of his "Bernie bros".

[bluedye33139]

176. If Bernie wins the nomination and beats Trump, we will all owe him an enormous debt

He is not my first choice by any means, mostly because of concerns about how his organization interfaces with non-believers, but on policy I am not opposed to Sanders at all.

I am more bothered by the vitriol people have against him than I am by him personally.

[Demsrule86]

179. He will not win a general. I would vote for him happily if he could.

[Demsrule86]

177. I am still hoping despite operation chaos, we can stop Sanders from getting the nomination. However,

I know what happens if we fail...I vote for Sanders in the general and spend my time trying to save the House...Sanders loses multiple states...very bad loss...and God willing we do manage to save the House...Senate = gone and we have a 6-3 court...no wonder folks are depressed and terrified at the thought of a Sanders nomination.

[Bluepinky]

180. Ditto! There's no question about what to do.

If Bernie Sanders wins, that’s who you vote for. And if someone else wins, that’s who you vote for. Not complicated.

[Gothmog]

183. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy will be the next speaker come 2021

Kevin McCarthy also wants sanders to be the nominee

Link to tweet

THE TUMULTUOUS POLITICAL CLIMATE has given fresh hope to REPUBLICANS, who were privately skeptical of TRUMP’S prediction that House Minority Leader KEVIN MCCARTHY will be the next speaker come 2021. Internal polling commissioned by the NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE showed that voters in districts targeted by both parties are skeptical of SANDERS -- his approval rating is 42%, and disapproval stands at 53% -- which they believe will help boost their candidates for the House. In these districts, voters prefer TRUMP, 48% to 43%. If SANDERS is atop the ticket, Republicans believe, they can credibly label every Democrat a socialist without fear of overreach.

[CousinIT]

184. Oh. I'll vote for him. Knowing he'll lose against TrumPutin's machinery.

Fat lot of good it'll do but I'll vote for him.

[JeaneRaye]

187. Exactly!

That is exactly right. It's been said many times. You fall in love, in the primary and you fall in line, in the general.

[warmfeet]

195. Yes, yes, yes.

This a million times over.

Vote for the Democratic nominee. Get everyone you know, to the best of your ability, to vote for the Democratic nominee. Contribute to the Democratic nominee, go door to door for the nominee, make phone calls on behalf of the nominee, talk to people about the issues.

We do not yet know, with certainty, who the nominee will be. So what? The equation does not change. We need to work our butts off to elect our nominee - same as usual.

[NNadir]

198. He's already won the nomination? Isn't a little early to declare "victory" based on three small...

...states?

One of them, Iowa, went for Trump in 2016. The other two nearly went for Trump by a few thousand votes.

I personally am not willing to have the Democratic candidate decided by small state types who are comfortable with old tired intellectually inflexible men.

OK?

[Joinfortmill]

199. But it is a question

I will vote for Bernie if I must, but a lot, I repeat a lot, of people will not. They will stay home. It is what it is. We can't just stick our heads in the sand about the issues surrounding Bernie. He is too far left for many folks and he's carrying baggage that Trump will use against him. He isn't the best candidate to beat Trump. And if Trump wins, we are royally screwed.

[jimlup]

200. Here Here! Proudly second

[secondwind]

206. Bingo, that's all we can and SHOULD DO. I, too, supported Bernie last time around,

and I pivoted to Hillary immediately, no ifs ands or buts about it. I PROUDLY VOTED FOR HILLARY

[CanonRay]

207. Bernie is not my choice

I admit to real concerns. Having said that, I will vote for him. I will go to Nevada in the fall and work for him ( Oregon won't need it). He's probably going to be the nominee,w so get your minds right, cause if Trump gets a second term, we're fucked.

[Sunsky]

208. I hope I'll see the same conviction from Bernie

supporters, if he's not the nominee. Nope. We'll be flooded with, "the system is rigged" and "Democratic establishment" bashing. How do I know? Experience.
I'll hold my nose and vote for whomever is our nominee. It doesn't negate that I believe Bernie would be a terrible choice.

[mgcgulfcoast]

211. No doom and gloom from me

Im happy as a lark we wont nominate a "cant miss moderate" like Hillary Clinton again.

[Heartstrings]

217. Exactly!

Either you’re with us, or you’re not....no excuses!

[pansypoo53219]

218. here here. he only loses IF WE DO NOT VOTE. unity. like the GOP. just hit D.

[70sEraVet]

220. I vote for whoever rankles the Trumpers the most.

I notice that on Facebook, when the subject of Bernie comes up, the Trumpers go absolutely wild-eyed insane. But with Bloomberg, not a peep out of them. Tells me the bets are on Bernie!