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Ferd Berfel
Ferd Berfel's Journal
Ferd Berfel's Journal
April 29, 2016
Clinton ally tells The Hill, "I don't know what's left to extract."
Fresh after Bernie Sanders' call for a "a fifty-state strategy... to plant the flag of progressive politics" nationwide, new reporting on Friday suggests that Hillary Clinton's campaign won't be budged any further to the left.
After Clinton claimed more victories in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania this week, Sanders said, "we are in this race until the last vote is cast," adding that his campaign would head "to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia with as many delegates as possible to fight for a progressive party platform."
Steps forward on issues that would constitute such a platform can already be seen in the race, observers say. As Max Ehrenfreund writes at Washington Post's Wonkblog Friday,
In the course of fending off Sanders's challenge, Clinton appears to have conceded to him on a couple of major economic policy issues. The former U.S. senator and secretary of state has abandoned the centrist positions she previously held on trade and Social Security and taken stances closer to Sanders's views.
That's not all that surprising, given factors apart from Sanders, Ehrenfreund writes. He points to data from Pew Research Center showing Americans' attitudes on various issues including race, poverty, regulation, and foreign policy are becoming more progressive. And there's also the influence of politicians like Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in areas like Social Security, he notes.
-----------------------------
Here's a Problem.
Will this become a non-starter at the Convention?
Clinton Camp says She's Been Forced to the Left Enough Already
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/29/clinton-camp-says-shes-been-forced-left-enough-alreadyClinton ally tells The Hill, "I don't know what's left to extract."
Fresh after Bernie Sanders' call for a "a fifty-state strategy... to plant the flag of progressive politics" nationwide, new reporting on Friday suggests that Hillary Clinton's campaign won't be budged any further to the left.
After Clinton claimed more victories in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania this week, Sanders said, "we are in this race until the last vote is cast," adding that his campaign would head "to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia with as many delegates as possible to fight for a progressive party platform."
Steps forward on issues that would constitute such a platform can already be seen in the race, observers say. As Max Ehrenfreund writes at Washington Post's Wonkblog Friday,
In the course of fending off Sanders's challenge, Clinton appears to have conceded to him on a couple of major economic policy issues. The former U.S. senator and secretary of state has abandoned the centrist positions she previously held on trade and Social Security and taken stances closer to Sanders's views.
That's not all that surprising, given factors apart from Sanders, Ehrenfreund writes. He points to data from Pew Research Center showing Americans' attitudes on various issues including race, poverty, regulation, and foreign policy are becoming more progressive. And there's also the influence of politicians like Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in areas like Social Security, he notes.
-----------------------------
Here's a Problem.
Will this become a non-starter at the Convention?
April 29, 2016
After Hillary Clinton won four out five states Bernie Sanders released the following statement:
The people in every state in this country should have the right to determine who they want as president and what the agenda of the Democratic Party should be. That’s why we are in this race until the last vote is cast. That is why this campaign is going to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia with as many delegates as possible to fight for a progressive party platform that calls for a $15 an hour minimum wage, an end to our disastrous trade policies, a Medicare-for-all health care system, breaking up Wall Street financial institutions, ending fracking in our country, making public colleges and universities tuition free and passing a carbon tax so we can effectively address the planetary crisis of climate change.
Call me crazy, but if I had to boil this down into a nugget of a take away, I’d say something like, “Sanders vows to stay in the race!” or “Sanders will campaign all the way to the Convention,” or “Sanders will push progressive values and platforms.”
But that’s not the dominant narrative among pundits or headlines.
“It is fair to say that this Democratic contest is effectively over.” – Rachel Maddow on MSNBC
[something similar to what Maddow said that I can’t remember but saw and it was the same idea.] – Lawrence O’Donnell.
“Bernie Sanders’ campaign just dropped a major hint that the race is over.” – Headline, by Matt Yglesias at Vox.
“Bernie statement admits he’s no longer in this to get the nomination.” – Molly Ball, Atlantic political writer, on Twitter.
“Bernie Sanders Surrenders Nomination Fight While Congratulating Clinton On Primary Wins.” –Politics USA headline.
“Sanders Hints at Endgame.” –Newser headline.
“Comments Proved He’s Finally Winding His Campaign Down” – Bustle headline.
“Bernie Sanders Campaign Just Conceded Nomination Fight, Congratulates Clinton” – Liberal America headline.
“Bernie Sanders Shifts Focus From Nomination to Influencing Presidential Race.” The Wrap, headline.
Maybe Sanders is reprioritizing. But that’s kind of not the point. The point is what much of mainstream media chooses to prioritize through its framing and coverage.
Bernie Sanders: ‘We’re taking the campaign to the Convention.’ Media: ‘He just threw in the towel.’
http://www.rawstory.com/2016/04/bernie-sanders-were-taking-the-campaign-to-the-convention-media-he-just-threw-in-the-towel/After Hillary Clinton won four out five states Bernie Sanders released the following statement:
The people in every state in this country should have the right to determine who they want as president and what the agenda of the Democratic Party should be. That’s why we are in this race until the last vote is cast. That is why this campaign is going to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia with as many delegates as possible to fight for a progressive party platform that calls for a $15 an hour minimum wage, an end to our disastrous trade policies, a Medicare-for-all health care system, breaking up Wall Street financial institutions, ending fracking in our country, making public colleges and universities tuition free and passing a carbon tax so we can effectively address the planetary crisis of climate change.
Call me crazy, but if I had to boil this down into a nugget of a take away, I’d say something like, “Sanders vows to stay in the race!” or “Sanders will campaign all the way to the Convention,” or “Sanders will push progressive values and platforms.”
But that’s not the dominant narrative among pundits or headlines.
“It is fair to say that this Democratic contest is effectively over.” – Rachel Maddow on MSNBC
[something similar to what Maddow said that I can’t remember but saw and it was the same idea.] – Lawrence O’Donnell.
“Bernie Sanders’ campaign just dropped a major hint that the race is over.” – Headline, by Matt Yglesias at Vox.
“Bernie statement admits he’s no longer in this to get the nomination.” – Molly Ball, Atlantic political writer, on Twitter.
“Bernie Sanders Surrenders Nomination Fight While Congratulating Clinton On Primary Wins.” –Politics USA headline.
“Sanders Hints at Endgame.” –Newser headline.
“Comments Proved He’s Finally Winding His Campaign Down” – Bustle headline.
“Bernie Sanders Campaign Just Conceded Nomination Fight, Congratulates Clinton” – Liberal America headline.
“Bernie Sanders Shifts Focus From Nomination to Influencing Presidential Race.” The Wrap, headline.
Maybe Sanders is reprioritizing. But that’s kind of not the point. The point is what much of mainstream media chooses to prioritize through its framing and coverage.
April 28, 2016
Hightower: Why Bernie Will, Should and Must Stay in the Race
by Jim Hightower
http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/why-bernie-will-should-and-must-stay-race
The Democratic race is closer than the mainstream media would like to admit.
Surprisingly, this week's prize for Stupidest Political Comment in the Presidential Race doesn't go to Donnie Trump or Ted Cruz. Rather, the honor goes to the clueless cognoscenti of conventional political wisdom. These pundits and professional campaign operatives have made a unilateral decision that Bernie Sanders must now quit the race for the Democratic nomination. Why? Because, they say, he can't win.
Actually, he already has. Sanders' vivid populist vision, unabashed idealism and big ideas for restoring America to its own people have jerked the presidential debate out of the hands of status quo corporatists, revitalized the class consciousness and relevance of the Democratic Party, energized millions of young people to get involved, and proven to the Democratic establishment that they don't have to sell out to big corporate donors to raise the money they need to run for office.
Bernie has substantively—even profoundly—changed American politics for the better, which is why he's gaining more and more support and keeps winning delegates. From the start, he said, "This campaign is not about me"—it's a chance for voters who have been disregarded and discarded to forge a new political revolution that will continue to grow beyond this election and create a true people's government.
April 28, 2016
The neo-Dems are simply the republican party
prior to its going insane and full blown racist. You can see evidence of this in the arguments made in support of the Corporate elite agenda, by the Hillarians here.
Bill swung heavily to the right 'forcing' Newt even farther to the right - just to keep up. The Republican party finally had to go off the deep end just to keep up with Bill (and now Obama). Remember (in the90's when it was amusing that Clinton was beating the Republicans to the (RW) punch? We'd say he was out republicaning the republicans - and laugh about it.
Clinton and the neo-Dems have simply taken up station on the former republican turf.
April 28, 2016
A fight over drug prices is entering a new phase.
A group of House Democrats is organizing an effort that could slow down an Obama administration plan to reduce drug prices, according to a letter obtained by The Huffington Post.
The Department of Health and Human Services is working toward finalizing a new rule that would experiment with ending the financial incentive doctors have for prescribing some extremely expensive medications. The rule has been well-received among some patient advocates, but congressional Democrats have been largely silent, while the pharmaceutical industry and medical community have waged an aggressive campaign to stop it.
The campaign is bearing fruit. The letter from House Democrats, according to Drew Hammill, a spokesman for House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), was made necessary because Big Pharma and oncologist lobbyists had pushed many Democrats to the brink of signing a much more aggressive Republican letter. The letter expresses concerns with the proposed rule, but doesn’t call for it to be withdrawn.
--------------------------
The future under either a Clinton or Trump Admin is fucking Bleak. Either will be destructive to the average American.
If you liked Bills right wing agenda you'll love the Neo-Dems agenda under Hillary
House Democrats Push Back On Obama Plan To Cut Drug Prices
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/house-democrats-hhs-drug-prices_us_5720e639e4b0b49df6a9c93fA fight over drug prices is entering a new phase.
A group of House Democrats is organizing an effort that could slow down an Obama administration plan to reduce drug prices, according to a letter obtained by The Huffington Post.
The Department of Health and Human Services is working toward finalizing a new rule that would experiment with ending the financial incentive doctors have for prescribing some extremely expensive medications. The rule has been well-received among some patient advocates, but congressional Democrats have been largely silent, while the pharmaceutical industry and medical community have waged an aggressive campaign to stop it.
The campaign is bearing fruit. The letter from House Democrats, according to Drew Hammill, a spokesman for House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), was made necessary because Big Pharma and oncologist lobbyists had pushed many Democrats to the brink of signing a much more aggressive Republican letter. The letter expresses concerns with the proposed rule, but doesn’t call for it to be withdrawn.
--------------------------
The future under either a Clinton or Trump Admin is fucking Bleak. Either will be destructive to the average American.
If you liked Bills right wing agenda you'll love the Neo-Dems agenda under Hillary
April 26, 2016
This video chronicles the Clintons' rise to power in the 1990s on a right-wing agenda; the Clinton Foundation's revolving door with Gulf state monarchies, corporations and the world's biggest financial institutions; and the establishment of the hyper-aggressive "Hillary Doctrine" while she was US secretary of state.
Video at Link..............
Digging deep into Hillary's connections to Wall Street, Abby Martin reveals how the Clintons' multi-million-dollar political machine operates.
This episode chronicles the Clintons' rise to power in the '90s on a right-wing agenda; the Clinton Foundation's revolving door with Gulf state monarchies, corporations and the world's biggest financial institutions; and the establishment of the hyper-aggressive "Hillary Doctrine" while secretary of state.
Learn the essential facts about the great danger she poses, and why she's the US Empire's choice for its next CEO.
Hillary Clinton's Business of Corporate Shilling and War-Making
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/35790-hillary-clinton-s-business-of-corporate-shilling-and-war-makingThis video chronicles the Clintons' rise to power in the 1990s on a right-wing agenda; the Clinton Foundation's revolving door with Gulf state monarchies, corporations and the world's biggest financial institutions; and the establishment of the hyper-aggressive "Hillary Doctrine" while she was US secretary of state.
Video at Link..............
Digging deep into Hillary's connections to Wall Street, Abby Martin reveals how the Clintons' multi-million-dollar political machine operates.
This episode chronicles the Clintons' rise to power in the '90s on a right-wing agenda; the Clinton Foundation's revolving door with Gulf state monarchies, corporations and the world's biggest financial institutions; and the establishment of the hyper-aggressive "Hillary Doctrine" while secretary of state.
Learn the essential facts about the great danger she poses, and why she's the US Empire's choice for its next CEO.
April 26, 2016
The “money chase” slowly, imperceptibly influences the worldview of politicians. It influences who they think is important, what views they think are reputable.
Hillary Clinton’s heated defense of the money she has raised from Wall Street and other interests won’t cut it. Her protests contradict the basic case that virtually all Democrats and reformers have made for getting big money out of politics. It is vital that voters not be misled by them.
Normally, liberal politicians defend setting up super PACs, and collecting large sums from big donors, because while they pledge to curb the influence of the rich and corporations in our politics if elected, they can’t “unilaterally disarm.” Clinton repeats this argument, but it has less force against Bernie Sanders who not only has made the corrosive effect of big money contributions central to his campaign, but has demonstrated that it is possible to be competitive without setting up super PACs and without asking billionaires and millionaires for money. By funding his campaign with small donations raised online, Sanders has not only walked his talk, he’s stripped away the easy defense of “they all do it.”
In response, Clinton has put forth additional, but troublesome, arguments. She dismisses Sanders’ indictment of her funding ties as an unjustified attack on her character. She demands evidence of a specific vote or act that was done in return for a contribution. And she invokes the Obama defense: President Obama collected big bucks from Wall Street and yet went on to pass the most extensive banking reforms since the Great Depression.
Not Character, Common Sense
Few Democrats doubt that big money corrupts our politics.........
Clinton’s Defense of Big Money Won’t Cut It
http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/25/clintons-defense-big-money-wont-cut-itThe “money chase” slowly, imperceptibly influences the worldview of politicians. It influences who they think is important, what views they think are reputable.
Hillary Clinton’s heated defense of the money she has raised from Wall Street and other interests won’t cut it. Her protests contradict the basic case that virtually all Democrats and reformers have made for getting big money out of politics. It is vital that voters not be misled by them.
Normally, liberal politicians defend setting up super PACs, and collecting large sums from big donors, because while they pledge to curb the influence of the rich and corporations in our politics if elected, they can’t “unilaterally disarm.” Clinton repeats this argument, but it has less force against Bernie Sanders who not only has made the corrosive effect of big money contributions central to his campaign, but has demonstrated that it is possible to be competitive without setting up super PACs and without asking billionaires and millionaires for money. By funding his campaign with small donations raised online, Sanders has not only walked his talk, he’s stripped away the easy defense of “they all do it.”
In response, Clinton has put forth additional, but troublesome, arguments. She dismisses Sanders’ indictment of her funding ties as an unjustified attack on her character. She demands evidence of a specific vote or act that was done in return for a contribution. And she invokes the Obama defense: President Obama collected big bucks from Wall Street and yet went on to pass the most extensive banking reforms since the Great Depression.
Not Character, Common Sense
Few Democrats doubt that big money corrupts our politics.........
April 26, 2016
When the deal is complete, two-thirds of the nation's high-speed Internet subscribers will be under the control of just two corporations, Charter and Comcast.
The Obama administration has given the green light for Charter Communications to complete its $90 billion takeover of two other major cable providers, a move which critics warn will grant the Internet giant "crushing monopoly power" to drive up prices and control bandwidth, with almost no accountability or competition.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Tom Wheeler on Monday circulated an order to approve Charter's acquisition of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks.
The merger will combine the nation’s second-, third-, and sixth-largest cable-TV and Internet service providers (ISPs) and effectively place two-thirds of the nation's high-speed Internet subscribers under the authority of just two corporations, Charter and Comcast.
----------------------
By the 2020 Presidential election, it will be impossible to get information that is not approved by the fascist oligarchy - unless Bernie is President. Neither Clinton or any republican will even attempt to change this.
FCC Green Lights 'Crushing' Charter Cable Mega-Merger
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/26/fcc-green-lights-crushing-charter-cable-mega-mergerWhen the deal is complete, two-thirds of the nation's high-speed Internet subscribers will be under the control of just two corporations, Charter and Comcast.
The Obama administration has given the green light for Charter Communications to complete its $90 billion takeover of two other major cable providers, a move which critics warn will grant the Internet giant "crushing monopoly power" to drive up prices and control bandwidth, with almost no accountability or competition.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Tom Wheeler on Monday circulated an order to approve Charter's acquisition of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks.
The merger will combine the nation’s second-, third-, and sixth-largest cable-TV and Internet service providers (ISPs) and effectively place two-thirds of the nation's high-speed Internet subscribers under the authority of just two corporations, Charter and Comcast.
----------------------
By the 2020 Presidential election, it will be impossible to get information that is not approved by the fascist oligarchy - unless Bernie is President. Neither Clinton or any republican will even attempt to change this.
April 26, 2016
"There’s a whole group of young people in America, across the board, all races ... who have just had it with our system."
Legendary investigative journalist Seymour Hersh weighs in on the foreign policy positions of the 2016 presidential candidates. "For me to say who I’m going to vote for and all that … I’m not a political leader, that’s not what I’m into," Hersh says. "But I will say this: Something that’s amazing is happening in this country, and for the first time, I do think it’s going to be very hard for a lot of the people who support Sanders to support Hillary Clinton. … There’s a whole group of young people in America, across the board, all races, etc., etc., who have just had it with our system."
Video at link............
-----------------------------------
...who have just had it with our system." meaning the Third Way neo-dem Status Quo platform will be a failure
Seymour Hersh on Sanders vs. Clinton: 'Something Amazing Is Happening in This Country'
http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/seymour-hersh-weighs-sanders-vs-clinton-something-amazing-happening-country"There’s a whole group of young people in America, across the board, all races ... who have just had it with our system."
Legendary investigative journalist Seymour Hersh weighs in on the foreign policy positions of the 2016 presidential candidates. "For me to say who I’m going to vote for and all that … I’m not a political leader, that’s not what I’m into," Hersh says. "But I will say this: Something that’s amazing is happening in this country, and for the first time, I do think it’s going to be very hard for a lot of the people who support Sanders to support Hillary Clinton. … There’s a whole group of young people in America, across the board, all races, etc., etc., who have just had it with our system."
Video at link............
-----------------------------------
...who have just had it with our system." meaning the Third Way neo-dem Status Quo platform will be a failure
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