Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumThe Revolution Bernie Wasn't Expecting
Written by a Pete supporter
Merely a week before this jaw dropping performance, Bernie Sanders wracked up a 2nd place finish in Iowa, 1st place in New Hampshire, and a 1st place finish in the Nevada caucus was on a trajectory that pundits warned could be possibly not stopped. The Bernie alternative lane was clogged with Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, Tom Steyer. Elizabeth Warren was positioning herself as the true alternative progressive to Bernie. Mike Bloomberg wasnt on the ballots but his $250 million ad campaign was in full swing.
Bernies Revolution was the only campaign with a movement. Millions of anti capitalist, anti establishment progressives under the mantle of Democratic Socialists marched to the Sanders drum with great consistency. Then Bernie had a message for America.
What was going on in the background?
Pete Buttigieg was in the background working a strong ground game. The night of the Nevada Caucus Pete went to Denver for a rally. 8500 people amassed to hear Pete speak and embrace his message of unity and turning the page.
February 17 Pete was in Salt Lake City amassing a crowd of 4500 people.
February 24 Pete was in Arlington Virginia amassing a crowd of approximately 10,000 people.
Why didnt people know about the crowds Pete was drawing? The media was not covering it.
Pete For America had ground games in Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Utah, and Massachusettes.
Amy Klobuchar
Amy Klobuchar was polling very well in her own State of Minnesota where for the first time, Minnesotta was utilizing primary and not the caucus. In 2016, Bernie handily won Minnesota.
Amys army was not going to let Minnesota out of Amys grasp regardless of Bernies past win and Ilhan Omar, Minnesotas progressive Congressional superstar.
Tom Steyer would pour millions into the state of South Carolina, which he would come in third. His most impressive finish.
Joe Biden lost Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada. The punditry was ordering the tombstone for Joe. Even if he were to win South Carolina, his connection to white voters in the first three contests was more than dissapoiting. Joe had another issue, he was broke.
Joe received an endorsement that would prove highly consequential from Jim Clyburn. Jim Clyburn, the stalwart and historic man said, We know, Joe.
Joe would go on to win South Carolina. Not just win, but dominate. He would win 61% of the Black vote. The one category Joe did not do well? The youth vote.
Tom Steyer would drop out the night of the election.
The next day was the historic Selma march. All candidates attended, minus Bernie Sanders.
It would appear that this walk had more significance than just a walk. After having breakfast with former President Jimmy Carter that morning Pete had some math to do and some honest reflections to take. What was his path? Pete had an answer.
Pete would head back to South Bend, Indiana to suspend his campaign. His path was not viable. But one thing was clear, he did not want his presence to be a vote splitter. Pete made no qualms that while he respects Bernie, he did not believe Bernie would be good at the top of the ticket.
Pete would go home and give a speech that sounded more Presidential than former contestant. He was going to be endorsing Joe Biden.
Following Petes lead of not wanting to splinter the party, Amy would drop out the next day and endorse Joe Biden. Pete and Amy would head down to Texas to live endorse Joe Biden and to the surprise of many, Beto ORourke would also endorse Joe on the stage.
What was happening?
Democrats were reminded that the soul of the party was harnessed by the Black vote in South Carolina. A rallying cry went out doing what they do every election. They voted. Lets be clear, the African American community vote in greater numbers and cherish the right to vote. Jim Clyburn lit the fire, the confligration was only growing.
Team Pete, still heartbroken, jumped on phones. The ground game and digital presence of Team Pete were making calls for Joe Biden and boosting digital presence. The message to all the states? Team Pete for Joe Biden. The army was making calls to promote Joe in all the states they had presence. Those large crowds and ground game would come into play.
Amys Army manned the phone banks for Joe in Minnesota proving Amys strength in her home state. She made TV and radio ads endorsing Joe that played overnight.
Do you feel it yet?
Super Tuesday
The forgone conslusion by punditry was that Joe would do well in the South, but New England, Texas, and California were going to be Bernie bastions. Who would think the man who spent zero dollars in many of these states and never visited would win Virginia? Massachusetts? Maine?
Then came Texas.
Are you feeling it now?
Texas started out as thought of loss for Biden, Sanders strong hold with the latino community. The conversation was how could Joe keep the Sanders win down to a minimum?
Minnesota is won easily by Joe Biden.
Texas begins to narrow and evenutally Joe takes the lead and wins.
What in the world was going on? How could Joe Biden win all these states?
Sanders would win California and at first appeared it was going to be a big win. Joe? Joe was looking viable but in a distant third. But wait sports fans, as of writing this, Joe is in second place, 9 points behind.
How did this happen? Rigged? No. Though that is a twitter commonality among certain Sanders corners. So, what happened?
A Democratic Revolution.
After a year of being told Bernie was coming after the Democratic establishment, he accomplished the revolution, just not the revolution he was thinking.
After a year of rat emojis. After a year of snake emojis. After a year of non progressives being told they didnt care about children, healthcare, student debt, or anyone other than themselves came together and said something simple.
Youre wrong.
Bernie and his more vocal and darker parts of his campaign did something. They galvanized the Democratic party to come together. But there is another person that needs to be thanked for the Democratic Revolution: Donald J Trump.
Democrats looked to the rise of Donald J Trump and how he infiltrated the party and changed it forever. Trump would gain his nomination because of the crowded GOP field that refused to consolidate.
Democrats were not going to allow this to happen. They consolidated. They rose up in one voice to say no. They were not going to allow radical politics fueled through anger and an angry base.
Lets be clear. Democrats are the Democratic establishment. Black voters are the Democratic establishment. Whites are the Democratic establishment. Latinos are the Democratic establishment. Asian Americans are the Democratic establishment. LGBT are the Democratic establishment. Christians, Muslims, Athiests are the Democratic establishment.
The Democratic establishment did come together. In two days they created a wave that overcame Bernies inevitableness to say, we are the establishment. Unlike other movements, there is room for everyone in the Democratic establishment.
Young people, youre welcome to stand with us. We want the same goals, we just have a different path to get there. Is the Democratic Revolution perfect? Its not, which means, there is room for everyone. There is no purity test here except your desire for unity and helping America heal from the past four years and yearning to overthrow the most cruel and non-empathetic President in our history.
Its not the revolution Bernie was thinking, but it was a revolution none the less.
https://medium.com/rossj503/the-revolution-bernie-wasnt-expecting-bbe9305af004
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
hlthe2b
(102,231 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
relayerbob
(6,544 posts)This should be viral everywhere
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Mr.Bill
(24,282 posts)Thanks for posting.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
sheshe2
(83,746 posts)All this!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
uponit7771
(90,335 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
padah513
(2,502 posts)Then he does an Obama ad after that Tuesday night massacre, even though he alone wanted Obama primaried. Tone-deaf is right
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
deurbano
(2,894 posts)What deception!! Pants on fire!! Snake emoji, snake emoji!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
3catwoman3
(23,973 posts)...statement that I think would make a great bumper sticker/ T-shirt/ button etc -
A Revelation Instead Of A Revolution.
(Thnx to BootinUp from Tuesday, 3/03.)
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
calimary
(81,220 posts)And BRAVO to BootinUp!
A Revelation Instead of a Revolution.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LakeArenal
(28,817 posts)Maybe I was holding my breath. But I believed in Joe and stuck with him since 2018. I bet on the right horse.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ismnotwasm
(41,976 posts)That is good
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
unitedwethrive
(1,997 posts)The movement was just as significantly away from Sanders as it was towards Biden. Bernie is similar to Trump in many ways, and one is that his base is loyal but generally stuck at around 35% in liberal states and much less in more conservative states.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
getagrip_already
(14,721 posts)I think his toxic base (the ones who will never vote for any dem) is small. The vast majority of his supporters will support the nominee. The others will vote for trump (and would have even if bernie was the nominee), or stay home/vote third party.
The largest portion of his base are pragmatic enough to want trump out. The others can't be convinced and never will be.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hekate
(90,646 posts)That the author chose a particular recent statement from perpetually-furious Bernie that lumps Democrats and Republicans together is significant. No, Bernie, the two parties are not the same.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
peggysue2
(10,828 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
William769
(55,145 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Duppers
(28,120 posts)Yes, this description is perfection.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
RDavisJ1
(52 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Duppers
(28,120 posts)It's an honor to have you here!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
SunSeeker
(51,550 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,555 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
bucolic_frolic
(43,137 posts)after the field began to narrow and with a timely endorsement. They knew he was a top-of-the-pack candidate. Plus they read exasperation with Trump factor perfectly. Yes, I really do think they are this good and that it was not happenstance.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
onetexan
(13,036 posts)"Democrats looked to the rise of Donald J Trump and how he infiltrated the party and changed it forever. Trump would gain his nomination because of the crowded GOP field that refused to consolidate.
Democrats were not going to allow this to happen. They consolidated. They rose up in one voice to say no. They were not going to allow radical politics fueled through anger and an angry base.
Lets be clear. Democrats are the Democratic establishment. Black voters are the Democratic establishment. Whites are the Democratic establishment. Latinos are the Democratic establishment. Asian Americans are the Democratic establishment. LGBT are the Democratic establishment. Christians, Muslims, Athiests are the Democratic establishment.
The Democratic establishment did come together. In two days they created a wave that overcame Bernies inevitableness to say, we are the establishment. Unlike other movements, there is room for everyone in the Democratic establishment."
Vote Blue up & down the ballot - we can kick the Idiot and his ilk out
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Mersky
(4,980 posts)Joe &
Beto &
Amy &
Pete.
And me.
Beat
tRump.
https://store.joebiden.com/joe-beto-amy-pete-and-me-unisex-black-tee/
Is the t-shirt I ordered from Bidens store. I love it, because were stronger when we work together. I have a great deal of respect for the field of Democratic candidates and has been hard to see many of them go. Warrens exit has me sulking a bit today.
And Im also going to pipe down my criticisms of Bernie, and be less flip/emotional when I argue back. I want to listen closer to how their concerns can be heard within the bigger tent - theyve already made a difference for the better.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
txwhitedove
(3,928 posts)old same old", and THEN progress? First things first.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
amuse bouche
(3,657 posts)He did nothing to sway Black voters, Seniors and college educated women
Bidden will take Mississippi and Georgia too. He will sweep the south
Clearly, Sanders has learned nothing in the last 4 years. It's all so predictable
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
subana
(586 posts)earlier today I heard he was planning to go to Mississippi. Then later they said he was canceling the Mississippi trip & decided to go to Minnesota instead. I guess he figured there's not much point in going to Mississippi.
He really should take a little time to learn something about the voters in a state. His Castro comments did not help him in Florida!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
amuse bouche
(3,657 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
calimary
(81,220 posts)when Bernie decided President Obama needed to be primaried!
OMG! I find that absolutely outrageous, unforgivable, and galling as hell. And Im a old white woman. I can only imagine how upsetting that must be to the African/American community when some cantankerous know-it-all who should know better threatens to primary the first black president.
BIG mistake. And just what we DID NOT need when our first black president was up for re-election, had already brought us the Affordable Care Act, gotten rid of Osama bin Laden, and saved General Motors while starting to pull America out of the economic disaster that bush/cheney left us with. And we were really supposed to consider primarying him?
Seriously???
My late mother had a favorite phrase that kept going through my mind back then - about somebody whos got more nerve than the guy who ate the first oyster.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
amuse bouche
(3,657 posts)Such gall. it pissed me off
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MyOwnPeace
(16,925 posts)come through with a clear, succinct response to whatever the topic is - just LOVE it!!!!
The ACA - General Motors - bin Laden..........
All MAJOR deals done by PRESIDENT OBAMA - and worthy of noting again and again - all done in a time of serious economic distress left to us by another disastrous Repug regime. (Or, as Joe said, "A big F'ing deal!" )
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
subana
(586 posts)when Bernie decided President Obama needed to be primaried!
I remember hearing about it at the time. It seemed completely ridiculous that he thought he could get away with that!! I almost wish he had done it. He would have failed even more then as he's doing now!!
More & more I understand why Hillary said no one likes him. I don't like him!!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
blue-wave
(4,352 posts)Yes, this is exactly what happened. We Democrats have Bernie pushing from one side and Trump from the other, crushing us in a vice-like grip. It was either unite and fight like hell or be destroyed. We chose unity and fighting back because we know in our hearts and souls that we have a party and country very much worth saving.
Onward with our revolution to the convention and the general election!!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Liberal In Red State
(442 posts)strength. Bernie has been campaigning for 8 years and done nothing to galvanize the multiple segments of the Democratic Party. Its time for Bernie and camp to support the defeat of dRump. This is more important than his revolution.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
marble falls
(57,079 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
OhZone
(3,212 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
wnylib
(21,433 posts)button. Can wear it next to Biden-Harris or Warren button.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
OhZone
(3,212 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NCProgressive
(1,315 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BigmanPigman
(51,584 posts)Team effort won.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
patphil
(6,169 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Moderateguy
(945 posts)Amazing article
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
gordianot
(15,237 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
subana
(586 posts)I can't believe had those huge audiences all across the country & no one said a word about them!! When Bernie started attracting a lot of people, the media acted like he was the greatest thing since sliced bread! & yet, no one even mentioned Pete's huge crowds!
I love that tweet where he said the rep & dem "establishment can't stop us." They did stop him & it didn't take that long.
When I heard Bernie never asked for Clyburn's endorsement it seemed strange but then I thought it makes sense. Bernie's not a democrat so it's not hard to understand why he wouldn't ask a dem for their endorsement. Luckily, Biden did ask for his endorsement & it was a great one!
The failure to show up for the Selma march was another huge mistake! He should have known that blacks make up a large part of the democratic party, to not even bother to show up is a big, big mistake for a guy who has a problem attracting black voters!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Sogo
(4,986 posts)I'm so using it against the Bernie whiners in my life!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Hav
(5,969 posts)This is how Democrats get it done. Not an ego tour by one person who thinks only he has all the solutions. Our best and brightest Democrats seek common ground, listen to and assess the arguments of others and then they work together to achieve what one single person could not.
Biden must have been damn proud that day when he looked around and realized his party is also the home of such brilliant and great persons like Pete, Amy and Beto.
The last part with the message to the young was also important. The goals are very similar but they need to acknowledge that there different paths to get there.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
RDavisJ1
(52 posts)Thank you very much for the replies and reading my article. If you use twitter, you can follow me @RDavisJ1 . I appreciate all questions and feedback.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(297,154 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha!!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(297,154 posts)Happy!
Hallelujah and Mahalo Lucky Stars!
flea! Backatcha!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
betsuni
(25,472 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
fleabiscuit
(4,542 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
llmart
(15,536 posts)Nice to have a new, fresh voice on DU.
The punditry were tripping all over themselves after Iowa and New Hampshire, slapping the label "front runner" to Bernie's name every time they mentioned him. Then to add insult to injury it was, at least for the first week, the "Democrats are in disarray". Meantime, they couldn't be bothered to report on the huge crowds other Dem candidates were drawing and what they were proposing for the country. The punditry wanted to control the message and the Democrats pulled the rug out from under their narrative after South Carolina proved their prognostications to be something they fabricated out of thin air.
Kudos to the candidates who made the difficult decision to drop out and unify behind Biden. And kudos to all of us Democrats who have from the start adopted the mantle of "Vote Blue No Matter Who."
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
RDavisJ1
(52 posts)This primary has been an exercise in learning that maybe Trump wasn't too far off talking about dishonest media. After Iowa, you would have thought Bernie ran away with it and Elizabeth Warren was tearing it up. After New Hampshire, it was all about Amy Klobuchar and Bernie. They were already digging the grave of Joe Biden, had the coffin laid out, and the service was set.
This primary showed, at least to me, the media does indeed have an agenda.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MFM008
(19,806 posts)after maggots enthused support of Sanders a number of people got nervous.
Possible for good reason, tonight on fox
maggot said he had the campaign all set up at Sanders.
Communism =socialism.
like i said 20 times.........
He said nothing about Biden on this issue.
All hes got is Burisma and Sleepy.....
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
FreepFryer
(7,077 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
kpete
(71,986 posts)quite emotional reading that
thanks
kp
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
RDavisJ1
(52 posts)It really means a lot that someone 1. reads my writing 2. is moved by it.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
StevieM
(10,500 posts)This was a great article!!
I hope you keep posting with us.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
homegirl
(1,428 posts)Women are the Democratic revolution-and they vote!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
subana
(586 posts)I was very interested to see the increasing numbers of voters as opposed to 2016 or 2008. Women, especially suburban women, are one group that are anti-trump voters!!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
SunSeeker
(51,550 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)Seriously, never do predictions without a qualifier of some sort. But he's been wrong so often he's inured to shame. I saw an article from the 70's when he ran for Senate from Vermont and he guaranteed his party (LUP) would break the 5% of vote barrier they routinely missed. Nope. Moving along everyone.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Maru Kitteh
(28,339 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
question everything
(47,471 posts)And I would add: many, who do not choose one of the identities detailed above are, too, the Democratic establishment.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Frances
(8,545 posts)I am glad I waited to turn in my absentee ballot in CA
I could not decide between Amy, Pete, and Joe.
Amy and Pete are heroes to me.
I wish both great success in the future. Also Beto.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)No one likes Bernie. No one wants his revolution.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(297,154 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to Otto Lidenbrock (Original post)
ahoysrcsm This message was self-deleted by its author.
ahoysrcsm
(787 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hermit-The-Prog
(33,328 posts)Pete and Amy put country over campaign and ego.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Upthevibe
(8,038 posts)Thank you soooooo much for posting this. And after Bernie's interview with Rachel last night and Rachel's interview with Elizabeth Warren tonight......
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
dajoki
(10,678 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
liberalla
(9,242 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(297,154 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden