(Raw Story/Newsweek) Bernie Sanders endorsement labeled colossal mistake

[Jim Lane]

159. You imputed bad motives to Bernie without evidence. That's a smear.

His record is clearly supportive of reproductive rights. You've articulated no basis for the implication that you can read his mind and figure out that he's suddenly stopped caring about the issue.

Is it helpful to point that out? I think so. Honest disagreement (e.g. about whether he should endorse an imperfect candidate, like Mello or Clinton) is one thing. Pretending to read his mind is something else.

Speaking of unhelpful, I'm not sure what to make of your comment, "I choose not to live as an acolyte...." One obvious possible meaning is that you think anyone who rejects a criticism of Bernie is a Sanderista acolyte who doesn't engage in independent thought but simply assumes that Bernie can do no wrong. If that's your meaning, you're wrong.

As for the Ossoff race, I don't see Bernie as having an obligation to go campaign for every Democrat everywhere. Let's remember that he has a day job. The model I suggested is that he takes into account a large number of factors, including reproductive rights and health care; to those we could add the rather obvious one of whether he could do much good. Ossoff has chosen to run as a fiscal conservative. He presumably knows his district. As I understand it, the Republicans are trying to tie him to Nancy Pelosi, who's too far left to be popular there; it's quite possible that an appearance by Bernie would do Ossoff more harm than good. I don't recall seeing any indication that Ossoff wants Bernie's endorsement. It wouldn't surprise me if the Ossoff campaign quietly sent Bernie the message that they'd appreciate it if he'd stay away.