General Discussion

Ken Burch

(50,254 posts)

71. Running in Democratic presidential primaries is NOT "splitting the Democratic vote"

Wed Apr 12, 2017, 07:01 PM

Apr 2017

And the result in November would have been the same if Bernie hadn't entered the primaries.

HRC would not have taken any additional votes in the fall if she'd been nominated with no primary opposition, OR if she had run on a platform further to the right in the fall. The issues voters had with her existed long before Bernie decided to enter the race.

More to the point, it wasn't Bernie's fault that HRC's fall campaign was run like every non-Obama fall Democratic campaign since 1980-focusing predominately-as those who ran the campaign have admitted-on attacking the opposition candidate, rather than making a positive case for our own nominee and our own platform.

If the party had made a positive case for the nominee and the platform, it could have withstood the Russian interference and the Comey slur.

The lesson is that we can't win if we don't TRY to win the argument on the issues.

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Sanders will run in 2020 if he's still kicking [View all] Norbert9 Apr 2017 OP

He will do it as an Independent then. nt JTFrog Apr 2017 #1

Lol. You are right, he refuses to register as a Democrat, unlike the other Senator from Vermont still_one Apr 2017 #2

We've been over this...in Vermont, nobody is registered as anything but independent. Ken Burch Apr 2017 #47

Patrick Leahy is from Vermont and identifies as a Democrat. Bernie is from Vermont and still_one Apr 2017 #55

Stop saying "register" then-it sets up a standard it's not possible for the guy to meet. Ken Burch Apr 2017 #59

Wait; Sanders can't do what every Democratic politician has done? WinkyDink Apr 2017 #132

He can't register to vote as a Democrat. Everyone in Vermont is a registered independent. Ken Burch Apr 2017 #140

Bernie identifies himself as a Democratic Socialist -- and he has for decades (eom) Samantha Apr 2017 #83

Not quite, Bernie is a social democrat : there are some key differences. JHan Apr 2017 #92

I quote what Bernie says himself Samantha Apr 2017 #118

Doesn't matter SCantiGOP Apr 2017 #135

Age is not a factor Samantha Apr 2017 #137

Age is not a factor? SCantiGOP Apr 2017 #138

The reality is we are living to be older and leading healthier lifestyles than in earlier times Samantha Apr 2017 #139

Hi Ken...how are you? Demsrule86 Apr 2017 #66

We've heard that before... LP2K12 Apr 2017 #4

Post removed Post removed Apr 2017 #18

We don't support third party spoilers here. JTFrog Apr 2017 #23

The man touring now with the DNC chair, & the most popular politician in the US...... virtualobserver Apr 2017 #31

He'll be nearing 80. And Dems won't want the disruption he caused again. brush Apr 2017 #34

The only thing you're right about is his age...everything else isn't supported by the data DemocraticSocialist8 Apr 2017 #37

He's not even a Democrat...again. brush Apr 2017 #44

By disruption, do you mean running a competitive campaign? virtualobserver Apr 2017 #38

Instead of disruption maybe I should've said diviseness, but that's in the past. brush Apr 2017 #49

That will be up to them, of course. virtualobserver Apr 2017 #53

Trump would still have taken it even if Bernie hadn't run at all. Ken Burch Apr 2017 #48

We will never agree on that and we will never know who was right. Demsrule86 Apr 2017 #67

Why didn't he just stay in the party then? JTFrog Apr 2017 #41

It is just a label virtualobserver Apr 2017 #42

Weak. nt JTFrog Apr 2017 #43

no, what is weak is when Heitkamp, Manchin, and Donnelly vote for Gorsuch. virtualobserver Apr 2017 #46

I think it's pretty weak when people eschew the label when they don't profit from it synergie Apr 2017 #98

Back to that nonsense again virtualobserver Apr 2017 #100

Yes, because apparently voting with republicans makes you something untrustworthy. synergie Apr 2017 #105

his voting with Democrats at or near 100% for years is what I call consistency virtualobserver Apr 2017 #108

If it's "just a label," why is he so resistant to applying to himself? EffieBlack Apr 2017 #84

He isn't resistant. It just doesn't matter. virtualobserver Apr 2017 #85

What? After all that time he's spent smearing that label? synergie Apr 2017 #96

Sanders sees us as corporation with capital worth and potential for hostile takeover. delisen Apr 2017 #127

I do think that Schumer actually likes what Bernie is doing virtualobserver Apr 2017 #128

Democratic party Members only from now on.......thanks. stonecutter357 Apr 2017 #51

Zero evidence he is the most popular politician -- very doubtful obamanut2012 Apr 2017 #65

a number of polls have indicated that he is.... virtualobserver Apr 2017 #82

nope, no evidence as I suspected obamanut2012 Apr 2017 #102

If polls don't convince you, there is no evidence that would convince you virtualobserver Apr 2017 #103

So you have no evidence? synergie Apr 2017 #106

whatever virtualobserver Apr 2017 #109

So glad you agree that my poll reflects reality. synergie Apr 2017 #110

I think that it reflects the fact that you "poll" yourself. virtualobserver Apr 2017 #116

Obama is term limited, and not touring with the DNC chair. synergie Apr 2017 #95

Seems you've missed somethings. elleng Apr 2017 #32

I have no problem with Sanders and Perez hitting the road. JTFrog Apr 2017 #35

So you would rather him split the Democratic vote to guarantee a Republican win? (nt) bekkilyn Apr 2017 #54

Running in Democratic presidential primaries is NOT "splitting the Democratic vote" Ken Burch Apr 2017 #71

If Bernie hadn't entered the primaries bekkilyn Apr 2017 #73

It's pretty much the definition! WinkyDink Apr 2017 #122

The point of a Democratic primary is to give Dem voters a chance to decide who the Dem nominee is. Ken Burch Apr 2017 #125

"but as candidates..." what? They at least GOT the nomination! You'll notice Bernie did not. WinkyDink Apr 2017 #130

He's not a third-party spoiler. Ken Burch Apr 2017 #60

Look, this game of semantics is one you cannot and will not win. Not registered as a Democrat? Then WinkyDink Apr 2017 #131

Sigh Me. Apr 2017 #3

No Bernie; No Hillary in 2020! Chasstev365 Apr 2017 #5

Unfortunately Proud Liberal Dem Apr 2017 #11

Yup.. time for someone new. Zing Zing Zingbah Apr 2017 #17

I had no idea Sanders ran against Trump. Link? Norbert9 Apr 2017 #19

he couldn't even win with Democrats Skittles Apr 2017 #61

i agree.. love them both but.... samnsara Apr 2017 #30

I'd welcome Bernie with open arms bathroommonkey76 Apr 2017 #39

Yes both ships have sailed! Agree but I think Bernie has stars in eyes for 2020 FloridaBlues Apr 2017 #62

No Bernie; No Hillary in 2020! LenaBaby61 Apr 2017 #64

Ah...another divisive post...I seriously doubt if Sanders will run Demsrule86 Apr 2017 #6

It's so transparent. KittyWampus Apr 2017 #8

It sure is transparent. Demsrule86 Apr 2017 #14

I've decided today to stop falling for it. JHan Apr 2017 #57

You are right. Demsrule86 Apr 2017 #68

Welcome to DU...we so love these sort of posts really. Demsrule86 Apr 2017 #7

This message was self-deleted by its author Ohioblue22 Apr 2017 #9

Welcome to DU. athena Apr 2017 #10

Premature speculation. L. Coyote Apr 2017 #12

I hear there's a cure for that: New blood! WinkyDink Apr 2017 #123

He is not 70. He is 74. treestar Apr 2017 #13

Yes he would not win. Demsrule86 Apr 2017 #15

He is 75 SCantiGOP Apr 2017 #134

Divisive crap. Again and again. No thanks. bettyellen Apr 2017 #16

Will he? Nothing in either of those two articles MineralMan Apr 2017 #20

Why not? Calculating Apr 2017 #21

Exactly. The divisiveness is coming from a bunch of sour grapes here. Norbert9 Apr 2017 #22

Please see, and respond to, my reply #20. MineralMan Apr 2017 #24

seems legit ! stonecutter357 Apr 2017 #56

Lol. n/t seaglass Apr 2017 #25

Take a hike, Bernie. The Democratic Party can't stand any more of your "help." (nt) Paladin Apr 2017 #26

Watch what you suggest around here, re: Senator Sanders. elleng Apr 2017 #27

I hope that Sanders does not run Gothmog Apr 2017 #28

cant i just have a pres YOUNGER than me?..and a Dem? samnsara Apr 2017 #29

Has little to do with energy, more to do with ego. NCTraveler Apr 2017 #33

Determination. elleng Apr 2017 #36

Determination can be a part of it. NCTraveler Apr 2017 #40

Please stop with the Bernie crap. He has already accomplished his long held dream. nikibatts Apr 2017 #45

I would vote for Bernie in the primary over Booker, Cuomo, and their ilk. Jim Lane Apr 2017 #50

If he wants to actually be a Democrat then that's fine. Do it and tough it out. JTFrog Apr 2017 #63

If you want to cast your vote for the Presidency based on the (D) or (I) after the name.... Jim Lane Apr 2017 #69

Regardless of its merit? Presumptuous indeed. JTFrog Apr 2017 #75

I can't answer your post without getting my answer removed. Jim Lane Apr 2017 #79

I don't have a problem with Booker, but Cuomo is tone-deaf on the topic of pot legalization. Warren DeMontague Apr 2017 #97

we need to make sure it's Democratic party Members only. stonecutter357 Apr 2017 #52

I sure as hell hope not. After his 2016 stunts, I don't think the Democratic party is that stupid. Tarheel_Dem Apr 2017 #58

Are you implying that the Democratic Party has the power to bar him? Jim Lane Apr 2017 #70

There are "millions of you", and there were millions more of us who said no. Some us said Hell No! Tarheel_Dem Apr 2017 #74

Damn straight! nt JTFrog Apr 2017 #76

They like to omit that little factoid. To be precise, +3,775,437 more of us said HELL NO! Tarheel_Dem Apr 2017 #77

I'm still waiting for an answer to my question. Jim Lane Apr 2017 #78

Donald Trump probably could've legally run as a Democrat had he wanted to, but he would not.... Tarheel_Dem Apr 2017 #80

About vitriol, I don't need to use Google. Jim Lane Apr 2017 #87

Fortunately, "the cranks" will be back to voting for Greens again, and staying out of Dem party.... Tarheel_Dem Apr 2017 #89

Evidently you see all vice on only one side. Jim Lane Apr 2017 #90

The numbers may dwindle, but only if Sanders stays on the sidelines. Tarheel_Dem Apr 2017 #91

In other words, you're going to prioritize refighting past battles. Jim Lane Apr 2017 #94

Some people would rather keep losing to Republicans than support a progressive. (nt) bekkilyn Apr 2017 #104

It matters to me who "the progressive" is. Anthony Weiner's "a progressive", but I don't want him.. Tarheel_Dem Apr 2017 #115

There's nothing in either of those links saying Sanders plans to run again. Warren DeMontague Apr 2017 #72

And I'll vote for him madokie Apr 2017 #81

If Bernie runs again, there are millions of us who will do everything in our power to destroy him butdiduvote Apr 2017 #86

Well said! Expecting Rain Apr 2017 #88

I only vote for Democrats. VOX Apr 2017 #93

You must have missed the Charlie Crist 3rd party Senate run RandiFan1290 Apr 2017 #99

To hear the Crist supporters 'round here that year, you'd have thought it was disloyalty... Ken Burch Apr 2017 #124

In a 10 person primary, Bernie has a huge head start HoneyBadger Apr 2017 #101

He has not grown his base and has futher alienated the Democratic base. seaglass Apr 2017 #107

Yes, but he has a ground game in place HoneyBadger Apr 2017 #112

He needs voters. n/t seaglass Apr 2017 #113

Regardless of who wins the popular vote, superdelegates and the electoral college both HoneyBadger Apr 2017 #114

The EC has nothing to do with primaries. Super delegates will go with a winner. He does not seaglass Apr 2017 #117

God, I hope not. tallahasseedem Apr 2017 #111

Not as a Democrat he won't. n/t Lil Missy Apr 2017 #119

I supported Bernie in the primary and of course Hillary in the general. phleshdef Apr 2017 #120

I'll vote for Joe Kennedy III, TYVM. Or Joe Biden! (Anyway, as my mother would say, "We should all WinkyDink Apr 2017 #121

****crickets****. ****crickets****. ****crickets****. democratisphere Apr 2017 #126

the fact that he is 75 is not a barrier to me; but his lack of foreign policy experience and delisen Apr 2017 #129

We can tell them to stop voting for him. WinkyDink Apr 2017 #133

I speak only for myself and never tell other people how to vote delisen Apr 2017 #136