General Discussion

MineralMan

(152,011 posts)

42. Well, Bernie Sanders had a period during which he was a prominent

Sat Sep 29, 2018, 02:51 PM

Sep 2018

person in the news. That period ended when he lost the nomination to Hillary Clinton. Now, he is back to being the Independent Senator from Vermont again, the position he held before all that.

He's on the same level, more or less, as any other Senator. Being a Senator is a very prestigious thing, and worthy of respect and note. But it doesn't guarantee influence in a specific matter. With regard to the Kavanaugh confirmation, any Senator on the Judiciary Committee far outranks him in the public interest and in influencing the process.

Senator Sanders' time in the spotlight has passed. It will not return. He's an interesting person, an erstwhile firebrand, and represents Vermont quite well, I'm sure. He's Vermont's Amy Klobuchar, but Amy's on the Judiciary Committee, so she's on the news right now.

Few people get the notice of a US Senator, but even that is no assurance of power or influence.

I like Bernie Sanders. He's not a player in this particular process, though. Not in any way. He has opinions about it, but few are listening. There are much louder voices on this issue.

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Sen. Sanders Demands FBI Investigate Whether Kavanaugh Lied to Congress [View all] bigtree Sep 2018 OP

Say, thanks for chiming in Bernie! MineralMan Sep 2018 #1

Guess you weren't listening right after Kavanaugh's selection was announced or any of the KPN Sep 2018 #12

I must have missed that somehow. MineralMan Sep 2018 #13

Bernie's been all over this from the beginning... no surprise there. InAbLuEsTaTe Sep 2018 #92

All due respect angrychair Sep 2018 #20

Well, his statement have not appeared here prominently. MineralMan Sep 2018 #24

I appreciate the measured reply angrychair Sep 2018 #32

I have admired him as an Independent Senator. MineralMan Sep 2018 #35

A fair assessment with which I agree MM (nt) mr_lebowski Sep 2018 #103

No need to go looking for him when cameras are on Democrats, Hortensis Sep 2018 #38

Well, Bernie Sanders had a period during which he was a prominent MineralMan Sep 2018 #42

I liked him fine when he was the one with an "I" Hortensis Sep 2018 #46

Well, that's all old news. Bernie's no longer in the news. MineralMan Sep 2018 #51

To be honest, I was born in Brooklyn not far from where he was born, about 6 years after he was.... George II Sep 2018 #172

I was very impressed wiht Booker, Durbin, Harris and Kloboshar Gothmog Sep 2018 #111

How did he get in this discussion? I would say sigh but what is the point. Eliot Rosewater Sep 2018 #167

sanders did nothing meaningful here but wants credit Gothmog Sep 2018 #169

I totally get that, MineralMan. I hadn't seen much about it either. calimary Sep 2018 #153

You must have missed his earlier statements. nt Autumn Sep 2018 #29

If you read my replies, you will see that, yes, I did miss them. MineralMan Sep 2018 #31

I'll say this bigtree Sep 2018 #36

No cynicism, but Bernie Sanders isn't a player in the Kavanaugh confirmation MineralMan Sep 2018 #37

you're going an awful long way to dismiss him. I think it's unhelpful bigtree Sep 2018 #44

Not really. I normally have very little to say about Bernie Sanders. MineralMan Sep 2018 #50

who really has 'standing' with the republican committee members? bigtree Sep 2018 #54

Bernie carries no weight with any Republican on that Committee. MineralMan Sep 2018 #58

the committee has already voted out the nomination to the floor bigtree Sep 2018 #62

Yes, it is, although we may see MineralMan Sep 2018 #66

I think, more likely, there will be a move to circumvent the FBI investigation bigtree Sep 2018 #71

Perhaps. However, I think that vote would fail. MineralMan Sep 2018 #73

good reasoning bigtree Sep 2018 #75

Thanks. MineralMan Sep 2018 #78

Do Democrats Welcome All Voters David Truth Sep 2018 #87

I respect your opinion, but I don't know how this will go over here. bearsfootball516 Sep 2018 #88

As a brand new poster pushing third parties here on DU, revmclaren Sep 2018 #89

Sure. I'm not running for anything, though. MineralMan Sep 2018 #90

Did you read the Terms of See you agreed to? Here's the link, find at the bottom of every page uppityperson Sep 2018 #100

Have you checked out Jackpine Radicals? We're Democrats supporting Democrats here. marble falls Sep 2018 #102

Oh MIRT... Clean up on isle 87... revmclaren Sep 2018 #107

I also have been following these issues for a very long time and I agree with your analysis Gothmog Sep 2018 #112

MM's posts seem more like accurate observations than cynical statements. Hekate Sep 2018 #53

I'm sure he's happy you agree bigtree Sep 2018 #56

I don't depend on others to agree with me. MineralMan Sep 2018 #63

I'm still trying to figure out the purpose of your posting in this thread bigtree Sep 2018 #72

My purpose? To comment on the original post, of course. MineralMan Sep 2018 #76

I enjoy your posts and I agree with your analysis Gothmog Sep 2018 #113

Post removed Post removed Sep 2018 #91

I am a bit wordy, aren't I? MineralMan Sep 2018 #64

Lol. Just not cynical as a general rule. Hekate Sep 2018 #67

Skeptical, at most, usually. MineralMan Sep 2018 #69

What influence is that? George II Sep 2018 #99

I also want to know Gothmog Sep 2018 #110

I am curious as well. sheshe2 Sep 2018 #128

Is ths latest demand based on another sanders magical voter revolution? Gothmog Sep 2018 #109

I heard exactly the same criticism of those who demanded they delay the vote bigtree Sep 2018 #124

But if sanders has magical powers, why has he not got at least one major bill passed? Gothmog Sep 2018 #126

I'm quite certain bigtree Sep 2018 #130

You claimed earlier that sanders has a magical power of "demand and declaration" Gothmog Sep 2018 #134

now you're projecting. Arguing with your own premise about a derogatory phrase I've never used bigtree Sep 2018 #135

So you agree that sanders had nothing to do with the FBI investigation Gothmog Sep 2018 #144

you have a baiting style and seem intent on projecting your own derogatory language about Sanders bigtree Sep 2018 #160

I do not believe in magic and so I never took sanders seriously Gothmog Sep 2018 #170

Hard to read what you can't see. sheshe2 Sep 2018 #125

Bazinga! George II Sep 2018 #131

;) sheshe2 Sep 2018 #132

He has been all over Twitter and FB since the beginning. Nanjeanne Sep 2018 #59

OK. I follow him on neither venue. MineralMan Sep 2018 #60

No I don't follow you. I typically don't follow anyone but journalists or politicians. But Nanjeanne Sep 2018 #65

My political writing appears only on DU. MineralMan Sep 2018 #68

Then I guess it makes sense 5at I haven't much of a clue about what you are up to. Nanjeanne Sep 2018 #85

Well, I post frequently. If you don't read frequently, MineralMan Sep 2018 #104

We are lucky to get the agreement we got, and it would not have happened without Flake still_one Sep 2018 #83

Now? Me. Sep 2018 #2

Well, better late than never, they say. MineralMan Sep 2018 #4

He's been calling for a FBI investigation all week JonLP24 Sep 2018 #6

because that's totally the most important issue here bigtree Sep 2018 #11

Unfortunately Bernie the Republicans don't care. dem4decades Sep 2018 #3

A little late to the party, but thanks anyway Hekate Sep 2018 #5

This Thursday he is basing his request on was the Friday before the Independence Day long Fred Sanders Sep 2018 #41

be interesting if this goes forward...BUT when democrats take over in January in the House they can beachbum bob Sep 2018 #7

He clearly lied when he said he didn't watch Ford's testimony Thrill Sep 2018 #8

Just in case our Democrats on the Judiciary Committee forgot. Hortensis Sep 2018 #9

I know, right? NurseJackie Sep 2018 #17

Very considerate of him. (nt) ehrnst Sep 2018 #79

"First and foremost, we need the truth." dchill Sep 2018 #10

I agree with him on this. nt spooky3 Sep 2018 #14

Kavanaugh was captain of the Ski team too.... OnDoutside Sep 2018 #15

the indoor team irresistable Sep 2018 #16

used to carve the powder on Devils Triangle bigtree Sep 2018 #19

It's downhill from there !!! 😁 OnDoutside Sep 2018 #21

Hmmm, his letter was sent out today, a day AFTER they already decided to conduct... George II Sep 2018 #18

So? angrychair Sep 2018 #25

Bernie is calling for more of an investigation into his previous lies to Congress. Autumn Sep 2018 #30

Facts don't matter when it comes to dissing Bernie. InAbLuEsTaTe Sep 2018 #95

Nothing he ever does will be good enough for some. Autumn Sep 2018 #96

Nope... so much for the "big tent". InAbLuEsTaTe Sep 2018 #118

. Hassin Bin Sober Sep 2018 #127

That is so familiar. Autumn Oct 2018 #193

That particular sentiment seems to apply to all sides equally. LanternWaste Oct 2018 #192

Senators Durbin and Leahy began calling for such an investigation back in July. N/T lapucelle Sep 2018 #115

That was in response to his lies in his 2007 confirmation hearing Autumn Sep 2018 #117

And since July 2018, establishing Kavanaugh's untruthfulness lapucelle Sep 2018 #145

Really? I haven't seen much of that, even right after the hearing when his lies were fresh. Autumn Sep 2018 #146

Knowing what was going since July and in the recent hearings lapucelle Sep 2018 #152

A politician hawking (unrelated) merch the day before an historic hearing is a new one for me. N/T lapucelle Sep 2018 #155

Well we are in uncharted territory so whatever works. Nothing wrong with Dems and their allies Autumn Sep 2018 #159

I'm sure there are many politicians whose key interest is building up personal campaign coffers, lapucelle Sep 2018 #162

Yes there are, I can't think of an elected Dem winner or loser, who doesn't build up their Autumn Sep 2018 #164

Of course we want Democrats to take the House and the Senate in 2018. lapucelle Sep 2018 #166

I got one like that on Wednesday, too. The subject line for mine was: George II Sep 2018 #149

Who is suprised by this? Gothmog Sep 2018 #158

Everyone who believes Dems and their allies shouldn't raise campaign cash? Autumn Sep 2018 #163

You do know how Actblue works? Gothmog Sep 2018 #168

Yes I do know how it works, I have donated to it. I also bought from Hillary's campaign swag Autumn Sep 2018 #171

Again Actblue is a mere conduit Gothmog Sep 2018 #178

On Friday they collected over 10 million dollars. So I used the word raise, I used the wrong word Autumn Sep 2018 #186

You were wrong twice Gothmog Sep 2018 #188

Make it three things I got wrong, responding to you was one. Have a wonderful day. Autumn Oct 2018 #190

Have you considered getting out into the real world and working on a campaign? Gothmog Oct 2018 #191

Guess what? At 1:15 I got ANOTHER email asking for a contribution to reach "a few modest goals..... George II Sep 2018 #180

"Hey again...Jeff Weaver here"... lapucelle Sep 2018 #181

Good one! George II Sep 2018 #182

Post removed Post removed Sep 2018 #22

OK, but so what-- that's the least he should do. My Senator Gillibrand has been calling for... TreasonousBastard Sep 2018 #23

So what happens when a Senator sends a letter to a committee? greymattermom Sep 2018 #26

The committee usually does ignore it. George II Sep 2018 #28

I just read someone's comments calling this "grandstanding" or "theater"... NurseJackie Sep 2018 #55

I loved this scene from Hamilton: George II Sep 2018 #98

Yes, thank you, thank you . . . peggysue2 Sep 2018 #27

Who are the politicians calling for an investigation into his previous lies to Congress? Autumn Sep 2018 #33

There you go! peggysue2 Sep 2018 #40

you don't really seem to appreciate his support bigtree Sep 2018 #47

Call it what you will peggysue2 Sep 2018 #70

I hardly think the op (or responses) are a 'pom-pom party' bigtree Sep 2018 #74

If his name is mentioned or anything posted about him that's a 'pom-pom party' Autumn Sep 2018 #94

So are there others calling for a current FBI investigation into his previous lies to Congress? Autumn Sep 2018 #93

You're beating a dead horse, Autumn peggysue2 Sep 2018 #105

Figured as much. Autumn Sep 2018 #106

I think Bernie was the 1st to lead the charge on this. Certainly no reason to criticize him for it. InAbLuEsTaTe Sep 2018 #119

So true. It's expected. Autumn Sep 2018 #121

The senior senator from Vermont. lapucelle Sep 2018 #114

2007? sheshe2 Sep 2018 #138

Leahy and Durbin had questions about Kavanaugh's veracity lapucelle Sep 2018 #143

The hearing the other day was very public. He lied several times, under oath. Autumn Sep 2018 #147

The prior hearings were public as well, and Democrats on the committee lapucelle Sep 2018 #148

The point is, those lies are public, on TV. They don't need permission to use those. Autumn Sep 2018 #150

The previous lies were public and on TV. N/T lapucelle Sep 2018 #154

They should use the Republican trick and shout those lies from the rooftops. nt Autumn Sep 2018 #157

Better late than never. n/t murielm99 Sep 2018 #34

Those are the exact right zentrum Sep 2018 #39

Democratic Senators need to be screaming this. If table were turned you can damn well be assured triron Sep 2018 #43

Senator Whitehouse pointed all this out in the chamber to no avail Brother Buzz Sep 2018 #45

I think that was my favorite moment. bigtree Sep 2018 #48

He didn't put the girls' names as they aren't important to him treestar Sep 2018 #108

My two Senator are actually on that committee & they don't need to "scream." Somehow... Hekate Sep 2018 #57

All hands on deck. WeekiWater Sep 2018 #49

good point about the activism bigtree Sep 2018 #61

+1 demmiblue Sep 2018 #80

+ 2 red dog 1 Sep 2018 #82

Makes sense, but moderate Republican Senators are controlling this whole thing Alhena Sep 2018 #52

+ 1 Go get him. BeckyDem Sep 2018 #77

Thank you Bernie! Owl Sep 2018 #81

+1 Power 2 the People Sep 2018 #97

Kick for exposure red dog 1 Sep 2018 #84

Well done. Stronger together! jalan48 Sep 2018 #86

That was also the get-together that might have been the night of the assault. dawg day Sep 2018 #101

This thread is going about as how you'd predict. RhodeIslandOne Sep 2018 #116

I would love to see all our Dems out there pointing out every lie he told while Autumn Sep 2018 #122

What? Which Democratic Senators are "hiding from the media" waiting to see how other people vote? George II Sep 2018 #151

You're right RhodeIslandOne Sep 2018 #173

You didn't address the question. George II Sep 2018 #174

I absolutely did RhodeIslandOne Sep 2018 #175

The question was: George II Sep 2018 #176

What a quote from Heidi RhodeIslandOne Sep 2018 #177

"MY party"? Not your party? George II Sep 2018 #179

You're the one who asked for forty some senators RhodeIslandOne Sep 2018 #184

'YOUR' party??? revmclaren Sep 2018 #183

I was referring to HER, not standing up for what is supposedly HER party RhodeIslandOne Sep 2018 #185

Understand... revmclaren Sep 2018 #187

I understand RhodeIslandOne Sep 2018 #189

Nice to see you, Bernie EffieBlack Sep 2018 #120

not having a place on the Judiciary Cmte., I'd expect Sen Sanders to do the opposite expected of him bigtree Sep 2018 #123

Gilibrand isn't on the Judiciary Committee either, she's been very vocal and visible all week.... George II Sep 2018 #133

Funny how "Bernie alone can fix it" turns into "But but but Bernie CAN'T do that! He's only EffieBlack Sep 2018 #136

that's not in this demand bigtree Sep 2018 #137

Some posters criticize Sanders no matter what he does or doesn't do. Bluepinky Sep 2018 #142

+1 betsuni Sep 2018 #139

Brett Kavanaugh does not deserve to sit on the Supreme Court. UCmeNdc Sep 2018 #129

I knew there was something missing from DU this week but couldn't put my finger on it Jersey Devil Sep 2018 #140

These threads are also great for updating the ignore list. n/t QC Sep 2018 #165

UH OH!!! Now we're TALKING! Ijustgot_here Sep 2018 #141

Sen. Mazie Hirono was amazing during this hearing Gothmog Sep 2018 #156

she absolutely was bigtree Sep 2018 #161